Cristian's baseball season is in full swing but we managed to catch a good break this weekend.  For the first time in a long time we didn't have a scheduled game on a weekend!  Taking full advantage of that we decided to head down to Jacksonville to celebrate Richard and Mary Helen's birthdays.  How funny that Lara's divorced parents have their birthdays 1 day apart and live down the street from one another.  That is twisted irony for you!

Cristian had a such a great time!  He doesn't get to see much of family so when he gets to see his pops, ommah, and grammy he has a blast.  Not to mention he LOVES his cousin Courtnee and we always make sure we see her too while we are there. 

As soon as we got to Richard and Linda's house Cristian didn't waste any time before hitting the swing set.  He is too damn cute.  This is him being a total goof!

Of course we couldn't forget about our Pops!  He adores his granddad! I wish that he had the chance to see him more often.
Saturday we took Richard and Linda out for lunch for Richard's birthday and then that evening took Lara's mom out for dinner for her birthday!  Richard and I chatted about Zen and Buddhism for a good hour while Lara, Linda, and Cristian hung out in the backyard.  I love having conversations with him like that.  He is someone you can have really interesting conversations with.  Richard is the person that initially peaked my interest in Zen and taught me quite a bit about it before I started reading and practicing on my own. I absolutely love Zen.  It is hard to explain but you really DO start to see things in the world and life in general differently when you still your mind.  Things and people don't change, although it seems as if they do, you change.  You stop seeing things as you are and see them as they are instead.  There really is so much delusion in the world...It's funny when I look back and see how much I have changed and evolved as a person.  I don't meditate every day, although I should, but will make more of an effort to slate time to do it each day. 

Sunday we had lunch again with Richard at the house and got to visit with Courtnee, our niece.  Just love her :)  Headed home about 2pm on Sunday after a long and exhausting weekend!  Some things you just have to take in small doses!  Felt so great to be back home!  Something about the comfort of my own home just makes me feel better :)

Well that was the weekend in a nutshell!

Today is OFFICIALLY the day I am starting back into my exercise routine!  I must get these POUNDS OFF!!  Think I will kick off my evening with a 3 mile power walk with Leslie!

Keep moving,
M E