Powerful: Derek + Laura

So this week I have the pleasure of going here... I am sure many of your are jealous. I mean it's Alabama. Be excited! ha So if my sarcasm didn't give it away I am not looking forward to this trip at all.  It's over labor day weekend and it's Birmingham, AL. Maybe I could be wrong and this could be the best place I've been to all year for work but somehow I just don't believe that to be possible.  So if I wasn't already dreading this trip enough lets throw in this little guy... That is Hurricane Isaac. I have been receiving many worried e-mails from my team and from attendees. We'll see how it goes. Looks like we are about 4 hours inland so we should just have heavy rain the whole week. The only problem with heavy rain and storms is that the power has a chance to go out and flights can be delayed. Either way it should be an adventure and I am interested to see how it all plays out. I hope for everyone's sake it is just a little rainy ...

A favorite summer activity in the Ellsworth home is boating.  We bought our first boat when we lived in Texas and loved spending time on their with our family and friends.  It was such a blast learning to tube, water ski, and even fore some...knee board. Yes knee board. I know that isn't really a thing anymore but trust me...it provided some good times.  As i've gotten older I lost all ability to water ski so I don't do that anymore, I tried wake boarding and that just wasn't for me, and as far as tubing is concerned...well my dad drives like a maniac so that had to stop...ha However, I still love being out there with my family. Cruising on the lake. Watching my siblings and husband get better at wake boarding and tubing. Watching my niece tube. The Sun. The Water. I think you all get the point. With summer drawing to a close I am not sure how much more boating I'll get this summer so I am grateful for this past Saturday. We are lucky enough to have my ...

So this is big news for the Power family. I know many of you know a million other people who are currently pregnant but before you roll your eyes and skip over this post completely (ha), read on and hear a little bit about our story. I am currently 20 weeks pregnant. We just found out yesterday that we are expecting a baby girl. She is due to enter this world on January 3, 2012. So far she is healthy and growing strong. She is growing about a week ahead of schedule. Maybe she'll come early...like before the end of the year. Derek and I will celebrate our 3rd anniversary on the 16th of January...so not too long after our sweet girl is born. A little about us: Derek: One of the things I love most about Derek is how patiently he accepts trials in his life. He always has such a good atitude about what life has handed him. When he was 11 or 12 he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Then at age 19 he was diagnosed with Lymphoma Cancer.  He has now been in remission for 5 ...

I apologize. I haven't updated the blog in quote some time. I took a business trip and then it was on to glorious vacation for the next two weeks. I've been back for a week and am starting to finally catch up on work and life. Here are some highlights from those missing weeks.  First stop: Paris  Finally vacation! First stop: Newport Beach with my family Morning tide pools adventure in Corona Del Mar Then it was on to Santa Clarita for time with the Power's A night out at the Hollywood Bowl  Relaxing with Derek and our picni Last stop before home: Vegas!  It was our first time doing Vegas together and we had a blast! Then when we got home Derek and I rushed to see my Grandma Ellsworth, Aunt Lori, Aunt Linda, and cousins Amy and Holly. That was a blast. It has been way too long since I have seen most of them. It was Derek's first time meeting them as well. So glad we were able to see them...sad we didn't get any pictures. You c...

So tomorrow I am headed here... Sadly not the best picture of us but I still love it I am pretty excited to head there again and spend a week in this fabulous city. It is for work so I don't know how much site seeing I will get in...so my list of things to do are shorter than if this trip was all about me. Eat lots of delicious, buttery croissants  Bring home Laduree for Derek (also eat some while there) Find Le Petit Prince pop-up book for Martha Go to Angelina's and sip down their velvety hot chocolate Go to Versailles (This one will be a stretch since it's a day trip to get out there and see everything. However, I hear the gardens in the summer time are gorgeous) Eat Italian ice Eat a delicious warm crepe with Nutella all melty inside Eat a croque-monsieur  Conquer my fear to travel on the metro alone Find gifts for loved ones Oh and work.... I love how most of this list is about me eating delicious food. Oh well...why not while I'm there, rig...

So lately I feel like I've been a little hard to handle. My emotions have been out of control. Lots of crying and whining due to feeling sick, the spider attack, and the car accident. I sound like such a treat. As I have reflected on these past couple of weeks I decided it was time to pay tribute to those who have supported me, listened to me, and helped me. I couldn't have done it without you. Derek - Thanks for always listening to me complain about how I don't feel well. You've been a great help with dinners, laundry, and keeping our house clean. Also, thanks for letting me play with the iPad when I feel it's my turn. You're a trooper and I couldn't survive without you. Mom & Dad - In all honesty I am surprised you pick up the phone still when you see I am calling...ha After feeling sick, the spider attack, and crying out of control after my car accident I am so grateful you still answer. I would've never been able to stop freaking out a...

So spider hunting huh? Something I've never wanted to participate in but all the sudden find it very necessary to do. What will help you understand this better is the traumatic experience from Friday. Keep in mind that I hate spiders just as much as I hate roaches. I have gotten better at killing spiders and conquering this fear but Friday was too much for me. I wake up Friday morning not feeling very well so I decided to work from home. On days when you don't feel well it's so hard to jump in the shower first thing. Around 3:00 pm I decided it was now or never. (We live in a basement apartment of a 4-plex. All our windows are ground level.) Anyways everything is going great and I turn off the water getting ready to put my hair in a towel. I flip my hair over my head and see a spider sitting on my hip bone. True story. I flicked it off (which took a couple of tries) and when it hit the ground it started running towards my bare feet. Absolutely not. I jumped out of that...