That's right. We tossed a coin and ended up in North Carolina.
Okay, we didn't really.
It took a lot of conversations, planning and drive to move from the only thing we'd ever known -- Orange County, CA -- clear across the country to Charlotte, North Carolina.
This life is amazing and challenging and busy and new.... and something had to give.
That something is girl time.
I've always understood the importance of having girl friends. I have had wonderful relationships with my friends in the past and have made them a major priority in my life. So many laughs, tears, arguements and memories are with my girl friends.
As we get older and our lives change... our friendships change as well. It's a shame we all must grow up..... move away.... have careers...... responsiblities... etc.
Girl friends shouldn't fall to the way-side and I'm afraid to admit that some of my life long friendships have.
Not to worry though, these are life-long friendships. The kind that can come and go with different seasons in life and I'm still there for them and they're still there for me. I will bounce back and so will they.
But on the other hand, I'm making girl friends here in North Carolina. YAY! Bryan and I have been here for 3 months, are settling in and making a life for ourselves.
California isn't home anymore. It's where our parents live. It's where our favorite restaurants are. Our best memories. Where we met. It's where we're from.
Maybe my subconscience is making my new husband and this "North Carolina life" my priority for the time being. And maybe that's what I'm supossed to be doing as a newlywed living in a new time zone.
I've really met a nice group of friends out here.
1 in particular is someone who I see myself being great friends with in the long run. What I enjoy about this new friendship is that it's easy... effortless. *Shouldn't all friendships be effortless? Well, they're not.... but I wish they were!* In this new friendship I can just be me and conversation seems to flow. It's still in its beginning stages and needs some nurturing, but I'm really hoping that this is going to be a lasting friendship.
My life is now in North Carolina and I'm happy to be making it feel more and more like home... 1 girl friend at a time.
Our Schedule:
See ya'll in December!
I have been friends with Jonathon for as long as I can remember. Our dad's were fraternity brothers back in college and our mom's were pregnant at the same time. He was born 2 months before I and my mom likes to say that we were friends in the womb! He was my first friend and he's still a very, very good friend... I consider him to be a cousin.
My cousin, Alicia, and I met our old friends Jonathon and Chuckie at the church brewery, Brew Works, in Pittsburgh for lunch
This is typical Cali, flying through the air. Alicia's dog is such a good little boy. My Cali, is a sweetie-pie, but a complete nut-case also :)
Cali cuddling with Uncle John
STEELERS TRAINING CAMP 2010Mike Tomlin heading down from the dorms to the practice field
Players coming out of the locker room and heading to practice
Steelers practice at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA
I have been to Steelers training camp several times, but I had never brought Bryan before. We all know that I am a crazed fan, so this was the day that I shared this amazing experience with my husband.
Hines Ward and Big Ben smiling for the camera... gotta love Hines' pearly whites!
My cousin, Alicia, is one of my best friends. We are 8 years apart in age, grew up on opposite sides of the country and virtually have nothing in common, yet we are the sisters that we never had and are as close as can be. I love making memories like this *with the Steelers mascot* with LouBelle. 
Don't mess with this toughness!
Bryan was a trooper -- He's a Chargers fan and a good husband. I was in heaven having him there with me!
After training camp we headed back to the farm.
Cousins! 
Bryan and I at my families house and infront of their gorgeous land
My cousins friend brought over her dog so that Cali could have her first play date.
Cali and Buster are both a Yorkie/Bichon Frise mix and are only 6 months apart in age. 
My aunt was watching everything from the porch... Buster and Cali joined her! 
My cousin's friend also brought her son over to practice baseball with Bryan. 
Bryan teaching Ben, a fellow lefty, how to bunt the ball properly 
Cali took a little brake to sit on the porches edge and watch her daddy play baseball
She soon joined him when he began playing by himself infront of the corn fields 
My aunt and uncles lovely home. My cousin lives in the A-frame to the right of the photo. It's so fun to go there and have everyone living on the same property! 
Uncle John loving the life that Bryan and I enfuse on the farm
Little Miss and I -- so proud of her 1st trip *of many* to Pennsylvania 
Cali was the best co-pilot on the way home! 
Funny story:
At this particlar game a huge brawl broke out on the field before the game even really began. 
