East, West, Home is...

....[full of] jest? ...[a place of] rest? ...[a big ole] mess?

This week I was in Asheville for the North Carolina Speech Language and Hearing annual convention. I almost always go so that I can rack up on CEUs, learn some new therapy ideas or techniques, well, and just have some Julie Time. Asheville is a beautiful mountain town and the Grove Park Inn is an incredible resort. The Inn was built in the 19-teens and retains an art deco ambience. Lots of antiques, huge fireplaces, porches for relaxing, VERY GOOD FOOD! The convention was definitely worth the money. Except for one dud, the sessions I attended were really quality lectures. The best part for me, though, was getting to spend time with my enthusiastic, outgoing, SMART, very fun co-workers. I work with four outstanding speech pathologists, and three of them were able to attend the conference with me. They are such a special group of ladies, and I know that working with them has been one of the biggest blessings that God has given me this year in this new job. Not only are they outstanding clinicians (and every one of them has such special strengths to add to our team), but they are all also sisters in Christ. It means so much to me that my professional life also has such loving spiritual support.

One of my college friends lives in Asheville, and I was able to join her, her husband, and her daughter for dinner one night. Dawn is nine months pregnant and looks fantastic - just a little ball of baby tummy. As they continue to be in Name Dilemma, I encouraged the name "Julio". Because Julio Moore sounds so, so good together. Anthony, Dawn's husband is charming and their daughter...oh my. She could not be cuter. Not one little bit cuter. I almost covered her in chocolate sauce and gobbled her up, but that seemed a bit inappropriate.

My family - gracious ones that they are - tag-teamed in keeping our boys. Thank you! While I was gone, the boys did Dollar Work with my parents, attended Nana Camp, and traveled to a Renaissance Festival today with their dad. Clearly, they are not distraught by Mama's absence. Which is a good thing, I know. Alan always takes my little trips in stride and keeps on keeping on (I first heard that phrase when Barry Williams - "Greg Brady" - signed an autographed picture for me in college...that's a whole other blog entry...) while I am gone. Fortunately, the house was still standing with only minor laundry, clutter, and dirty dish issues.

But yeah, east, west, home is definitely BEST. I am so glad to be back home with my three precious boys. Love me some Matthew and Michael. Love me some Alan. I'm feeling refreshed for digging in the dirt, saving dead worms, and building dino nests in the sandbox. Life is good.