Friday Bullets

• Happy Friday!
• All week, I've been thinking it's one day and it's really another. 
• Like on Tuesday, I was convinced it was Monday and was pleasantly surprised when I was wrong.
• Maybe my little getaway to see my mom last weekend had something to do with it.
• But honestly, I seriously think that trip carried me through this week.
• We shopped, we ate, we shopped some more, and we pampered ourselves --- all so needed!

• But the goodbye part is never fun and before I got on the plane, we were already planning my next visit.
• In other news, have you heard about the Influence Network?
• I first heard about it after their first conference last September, when my Twitter feed was all abuzz with the amazing things that were happening there.  
• Well, this week, the Influence Network announced their annual conference information and I haven't stopped thinking about it all week.
• I've never been to a conference and to be honest, the idea of going by myself makes me beyond nervous, yet something in my heart is telling me to go-go-go!
• Tickets don't go on sale until next month, so my plan is to spend the month praying about whether I should attend or not.
• Any words of encouragement for those who have attended conferences like this one would be very welcome :)
• Lately, my Google Reader has been full of posts I feel like have been written just for me.
• A couple from this week include:
• Lindsey from The Kubly Girl's posts are something I look forward to each week because I really feel like we have a lot in common.  This week, she wrote about being an introvert and it hit home for me.  She's hosting an online class this month on this topic and I can't wait to hear what she has to say!
• Rhi from Rhi in Pink (the one I got 'Friday Bullets' from in the first place) posted recently about trusting your instincts when it comes to parenting and while I don't have a child at home at this time, I felt like it was good information for any aspect of life.  I'm a firm believer that your first instincts are usually correct.

•  And in case you missed it, I posted a slideshow of some pictures taken of our beautiful baby girl's short life this week.
• You might cry - you've been warned!

So, how's your week been?

Love

Back in January, we put together a slideshow of some of our favorite photos for Charlotte's memorial service in order to tell her story for those who didn't get to meet our precious baby girl in person.  Ultimately, we wanted to try & capture the reoccurring theme of Charlotte's short life, which was, without a doubt, love.

Just last week, my dad said something that really spoke to me.  He said, "Charlotte was surrounded by pure love for her entire lifetime, and how many people get to say that?"  And that is so true!  What a beautiful picture in and of itself!

You've heard the phrase, "a picture's worth a thousand words", right?  Well if that's the case, we have over a million of them stored on our computer from Charlotte's nine days of life.  Here's just a small percentage of our favorites:

Currently

I'm currently...

WATCHING: the hours tick by until I'm on my way to spend the weekend with my mom.  I booked this trip early last month so I would have something to look forward to and it couldn't come at a better time.  However, I am sad to leave Sam for three days...

PLANNING: out what our spring & summer might look like.  So far there is a weekend at the coast, photographing our first wedding, birthdays to celebrate, a trip to Texas, and a possible hot air balloon ride.  And that's just until June!

WORKING ON: making more intentional connections with people, whether in person or through the Internet.  Sometimes this looks like a phone call/text/email checking in with someone & planning a time to meet up (if possible).  And other times it just looks like a comment left on a blog post that really spoke to me.  Either way, my goal is to not be someone who sits back and lurks.

READING: the lastest Emily Giffin book, "Where We Belong".  Yes I started it over 6 months ago, but with everything that has been going on, I haven't had a chance to complete it yet.  I'm hoping this weekend's flights will help me finish this book.

FEELING: peace with where we're at right now.  Of course, I wish life was different, but because I can't do anything to change what happened, I am trying to be content with where we're at.  Not only is this our physical location, but, more importantly, emotionally as well.

PINNING: pieces of art that I'd love to own for our home; recipes that both fit our new eating plan & some that don't; and words of wisdom to help me get through the tough times.

INSPIRED BY: lots of bloggers lately! To name a couple from this week... Amy at Chapters, Diana at Hormonal Imbalances, AP at I Love You More Than Carrots and Erin at Blue Eyed Bride.  I am so thankful there are women out there who are willing to share their lives with complete strangers, like me.

REMEMBERING: what we were doing two months ago today... saying goodbye to our little girl.  Hands down, the worst day of my life and one I will never forget.  While I spoke about feeling peace above, I have to be honest in saying that I still feel angry sometimes too.  Even though I know she's in a better place now, I'd be lying if I said I didn't wish she was still in our arms.  Thank you to those who also remembered today!