Catching Up

So much as happened since my last post. Let's see...I picked up Oliver on Nov. 7 and he has been an instant and fabulous member of our family. I would say he is the smartest and cutest puppy ever but you wouldn't believe me since I am his mom. You'll have to come see Ollie for yourself. As you can see below, he is quite the life of the party.

I turned 30 on Nov. 27 and spent the day in my PJs in Rockport with Alexander, Ollie and my mom. It was a great day and I can't wait to see what my 30's bring. I have to give Alexander credit for the best birthday ever. The Saturday before he threw a fiesta for six of my best girlfriends and their significant others. There were fajitas, a pinata and much to my surprise a mariachi band that played under the twinkle of our light covered oak tree as my best friends gathered around a fire. It was a magic night and he topped it off with jewelry - what more could a girl ask for?! Thanksgiving also was super special in Rockport with my Mom's side of the family as well, including the amazing Kate, my 10-year-old cousin who I love dearly.

As a side note, I have become quite the real estate agent, leasing out our home on Sinclair. It is what I have been dedicated to for the past two months and really think all the hard work will pay off in the long run.

Running has also been a huge part of my life. I signed up for the Austin Half Marathon on Feb. 20 and have been running like a mad woman since then, covering up to 11 miles on Saturday mornings with the lovely Julia. We are going to kick butt come February!

In the first of December, I had the honor of meeting Hunter William Cullen, son of my fabulous friend Cara. I can say without hesitation he is one of the cutest babies I have laid eyes on and for the sure the happiest baby I have ever met. He could not stop smiling. It was amazing to see one of my oldest friends in such a special place - even if it was only for a few hours.

Additionally two weeks ago, Alexander and I went to visit my aunt Maureen at her ranch in Blanco County. We spent the day with Kate feeding goats and donkeys, playing with dogs and eating burgers. It was a super day in the Texas Hill Country.

This Christmas we are staying put and the Bibighaus clan is coming to us. I am really looking forward to this special time. Check out the preview to our Texas Christmas!

I am so behind on the pics and hope to get more up soon. When I go back and write about my life I can't help but notice how much love surrounds me and reminds me to let the stress go and enjoy each moment. Merry Christmas, everyone!

20 things...

It's no secret I love Oprah. Here is one of my favorites from her...

20 Things Oprah knows for sure:

1. What you put out comes back all the time, no matter what. (This is my creed.)

2. You define your own life. Don't let other people write your script.

3. Whatever someone did to you in the past has no power over the present. Only you give it power.

4. When people show you who they are, believe them the first time. (A lesson from Maya Angelou.)

5. Worrying is wasted time. Use the same energy for doing something about whatever worries you.

6. What you believe has more power than what you dream or wish or hope for. You become what you believe.

7. If the only prayer you ever say is thank you, that will be enough. (From the German theologian and humanist Meister Eckhart.)

8. The happiness you feel is in direct proportion to the love you give.

9. Failure is a signpost to turn you in another direction.

10. If you make a choice that goes against what everyone else thinks, the world will not fall apart.

11. Trust your instincts. Intuition doesn't lie.

12. Love yourself and then learn to extend that love to others in every encounter.

13. Let passion drive your profession.

14. Find a way to get paid for doing what you love. Then every paycheck will be a bonus.

15. Love doesn't hurt. It feels really good.

16. Every day brings a chance to start over.

17. Being a mother is the hardest job on earth. Women everywhere must declare it so.

18. Doubt means don't. Don't move. Don't answer. Don't rush forward.

19. When you don't know what to do, get still. The answer will come.

20. "Trouble don't last always." (A line from a Negro spiritual, which calls to mind another favorite: This, too, shall pass.)

Falling In Love With Food Again

In the midst of panicking about the 8 additional pounds (I'm 5'2" and it is totally noticeable!) I am carrying around, I totally forgot that I love food. I used to make love to my over easy eggs, dipping the bread oh so carefully in the spiced yolk. Lately, after a seeing a nutritionist, I am stuffing chicken breasts and salad down my throat in hopes of sticking to a meal plan that is all about deprivation rather than decadence.

Well, the meal plan can shove it (a nutritionist is not for me). I am going back to my basic food beliefs, eating like a "French woman," savoring each bite like it is my last, and proving all the fun-sucking diets out there that you can be fit and eat fabulous.

When I was pondering ditching the diet this morning, I found this great article that summed up exactly what I was thinking (I love when that happens). The author believes we eat the way we live and our relationship to food is an exact reflection of our deeply held beliefs about ourselves and the amount of joy, abundance, pain and scarcity we believe we have (or are allowed) to have in our lives. Well said!

Oliver at 3 weeks

New pics! He is always yawning - too cute!

Oliver!

I don’t know where I came up with the name Oliver but the first time I asked for a dog – I said his name would be Oliver. As a result, every cute dog I see has been matched with pointing and yelling ‘Oliver’ in my husband’s ear. After four long years, he finally said yes when we moved into our new home that came with none other than a dog run (a sign!). I put a deposit down in May and Oliver was born on September 12, 2010. But I started to wonder, should I really name the dog Oliver? Is that like my friend who called her baby bump Winston actually naming the child Winston? Nah, it’s a dog and our puppy was born into the name that has been yelled, cried and laughed about to my husband for years. Take a look at our new baby who is just past the two week mark. I am already CRAZY IN LOVE!

Housewarming Party

Despite moving into our new home on June 6th (our first wedding anniversary), we had yet to celebrate and decided to plan our housewarming around the Tech game. People from all parts of our lives stopped byf or a beer and some barbeque. But the special moment game at the end of the game as we all huddled around the television, packed in the game room and rooting for the Horns (and would be the one goood game of the season!). It was super special to celebrate with my best friends, Autumn and Amanda who help me hold it together on a weekly, if not daily basis. Thank you.

My first real deal backpacking trip

Eek! I am so behind on posts. I am hoping to catch up this week as I have a lighter work load than normal. In August, Alexander and I took our first real vacation of the year - you know, one where neither person has to work, check their Blackberry or call into conference calls. We decided to head back to Garibaldi Provincial Park where we did a short trip in 2008. This time we stayed four days and three nights, which meant I actually had to carry something up the 9.5 km hike uphill to the Lake Garibaldi camp sites if I wanted somewhere to sleep and something to eat. I was a bit nervous about how I would do physically. However, despite the extra lbs I've been carrying around, I found myself to be in darn good shape. Alexander was a great coach, getting me set up with my gear and helping me pack it in the best way to carry.

We spent the first day getting there (3 hours and 45 minutes- impressive!) and setting up camp. The second day we hiked the Black Tusk and the third day we hiked to Panorama Ridge - both amazing and wonderfully unique experiences. Check out the links for a better sense of the hike and elevation.

However, I have to say the best part was the complete relaxation you feel when you escape all technology, including running water, background noise and all modern conveniences and simply melt into the stillness and subtle excitement of the earth. I returned a new person, relaxed from the realization of the smallness of my stress. The earth will still spin even after I say something dumb in an important meeting or if I can't pay a bill and so on... Everything feels so small from the top of a mountain when all you care about is how to get to the top and then how to get back down (In the case of day three, that was sliding down a several thousand feet side of a mountain on my backpack cover. Whee!) and I plan to carry this with me as I ease back into my normal life. Wish me luck!

L'viv, Ukraine!

I just booked a flight for a week long trip to the lovely city of L'viv, Ukraine! I am so excited to join Alexander in meeting the software development team he has worked with for several years. L'viv's one of the few cities in the area that was not devastated in World War II. Like Prague, Czech Republic it retains its original architecture and cobblestone streets. It's dense in history and culture, and I am so excited to go. The language and alphabet are my only concerns, which means I will likely be writing and pointing frequently. Photo courtesy: http://www.bayareacommunity.org/

Blanco State Park

Needing to get away from a crazy week preparing our house to sell, Alexander and I decided to load up the '89 Trooper we call Snoopy with our camping gear and kayak and head out. Yee Haw! This time of year it's super tough to find a camping reservation but it forced us to go outside our comfort zone and try a new park. We headed to Blanco State Park for two nights with Chef Alexander on call. He cooked up, as usual, the perfect charcoal-grilled burger (those grilled onions are to die for, baby!), egg & bacon sandwiches for breakfast and for dinner grilled half a chicken that just fell off the bone (the rub was amazing) with roasted brussels sprouts - simple but always amazing!

The kayaking trip may not have been as successful. Turns out the Blanco River is broken up by dams about every 500 feet, in which you must lift your kayak over. When we got to the fourth one, it was just too tall. We ended up paddling in circles and getting a good tan. Overall, the park was clean, had lots of wildlife to view (a very personable llama and a dancin' goose, for example)and was perfect for swimming. It was great for kids and we may go back when we have some but next time are looking for a more adventurous place. Below are a few photos of the fun.

Casa de Bibighaus II

We are moving June 6! Alexander and I purchased our first home together and are really excited to have more space and a fresh start. With all the extra space, we are planning for an addition to the Bibighaus clan...Don't freak! We are bringing home a Goldendoodle puppy this fall - all very exciting. Here's a few pics of the new digs:

San Fran continued

Here are a few more pics from our trip...

San Fran and Half Moon Bay

I decided to escape from a very busy and stressful month of work by heading to the California coast with Alexander on his business trip. We managed to pack in a weekend in San Francisco, exploring China town, little Italy and seeing the main sites such as the curviest street. The weather was perfect and we had a blast cruising around in a cherry red VW bug - so fun!!

Before checking in at the RC in Half Moon Bay where Alexander is attending a leadership conference, we headed to Muir Woods for a long hike (man my legs are sore - note to self: bring hiking boots next time) that was mainly climbing and winding through the beautiful red woods. It was truly amazing! (Photo courtesy: National Park Service)

After checking in, we had a fabulous meal of raw oysters, a very creative sushi roll (Hawaii 5-0) that was actually something to write home about (I am not usually a roll fan) and mussels and clams in a white wine sauce at Crab Landing. I was pleasantly surprised and would highly recommend it. Today and tomorrow I am working from the hotel room and hoping to get in a good workout and a massage before I head back to reality....

Tel Aviv Food

One of the best parts of our trip to Israel was the food - fresh veggies esp. eggplant, fish, lamb, hummus, yogurt...the list goes on. The Golgan Heights wine we drank was more than decent, and every bar we visited the bartenders greeted us warmly and by the end of the night, which does not end until the sun comes up in Tel Aviv, with one too many complementary shots.

Jerusalem

Here are a few pics from our day trip to Jerusalem, which was truly an amazing experience.

Valentine's in Israel

Faced with the fact that we would spend our first Valentine's Day alone as a married couple, Alexander saved his own you-know-what and flew me out to Tel Aviv where he was working. I received a first-class treatment not only from my husband but from the Israeli people. I fell in love with the people, scenery and food and can't wait to go back! Here are a few pics from our journey, where after work happy hour is on a beach and Americans are fed drinks well after 2 a.m. I am totally in love with you, Tel Aviv. Next posts are pics of food and Jerusalem from the rest of our trip.

New Year's Eve in NYC

Alexander and I were lucky enough to spend New Years with a couple friend in the great state of New York, which in fact meant more snow! We spent our first day eating a lunch of east coast oysters and sipping champagne before heading to 5th Avenue for some shopping. Not something people like us get to do everyday! We had a fantastic meal at an authentic Italian restaurant (also not something that happens in Austin, Texas) before calling it a day. On the 31st, we woke up to snow that we watched from the top of a very tall apartment building and then headed to our friend's parents house in Woodstock, New York. It was a beautiful place and the company was warm as we rang in the New Year. One more sushi meal and a bagel later, we headed home to some very neglected cats. Happy 2010!