Recap of July

I intended to post more pictures of some of the events in July, but time got away from me. Can you believe we're going into August already?
Here is a little recap of other events in July:

1. July 4th picnics at mom and dad's and at Buchanan Park
2. Teaching Price how to do a somersault - I love kids, what can I say!

3. Todjr's 1st birthday party

4. Visiting home away from home - where else other than Ocean City, MD

Taking One Step at a Time...

So, I realized I have to take a little of my own advice sometimes...take one step at a time (my business slogan). Some days I tend to get overwhelmed and discouraged...not exactly sure why, but I do. Don't we all sometimes? Then I stop and realize how blessed I am...I have a husband that loves me, I have created a successful business, God is God and God is Good, I have a wonderful family and great friends, I have a roof over my head, I'm in good health, and the grass is usually green and the sky is usually blue (thanks Brandon!). Not to mention, I have WONDERFUL mentors. Today I was at my personal training session with Mike D and he pretty much told me how it was. I won't get into all the details, but it's conversations like these that really get me back on track. I am so blessed to have a number of mentors that keep me on track physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and business wise. I am so blessed to have people in my life like Mike D, Adrian, Brandon (there's two of them), and of course Matt (my #1 cheerleader, encourager and mentor), and my family and friends. So, to all of you reading this blog today, thank you for your support and encouragement.

Celebrating 4 Years Today

Today Matt and I are celebrating our 4 Year Anniversary. I can't believe how time flies! Sometimes I take advantage as to how fortunate I am to be married to such an incredible man. I've been in this 'Top 10' phase, so here are the Top 10 reasons I love my hubby, Matthew John Pavelko.

1. He believes in me.
2. We share some similar interests to keep marriage fun but we also have enough differences to keep marriage interesting.
3. He is constantly encouraging me with business, running marathons, and much more. He's my cheerleader!
4. There is nothing more important to Matt than being content with what God has given him.
5. Matt, quite literally, takes each day as it comes and makes the best of it.
6. He curls up beside me when I'm crying or discouraged and doesn't have to say a word to make me feel better.
7. We pray together on a regular basis. He used to not want to pray outloud, but one day it just dawned on him that he would start doing that because it was important to our relationship. We enjoy doing devotions together as well. Engraved in his ring is "A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
8. If I ask him to take care of the laundry or dishes or any other household chores, he does it automatically without any complaints. He cooks too and he's quite a chef. Why do you think I've gained 15 pounds since I've been married?
9. He tolerates my craziness...we won't get into all those details...
10. He's always interested in new things...new adventures, new restaurants, new places to visit (locally or not), new learning opportunities, new everything.

...and he's cute too :)

Too Funny

Last night Christina, Rebeccah and I went to see Sex and the City after grabbing a quick bite to eat at Ruby Tuesdays. The movie was too funny. I laughed so hard and I honestly can't remember the last time I laughed that hard without stopping. It was the kind of laughter where tears were running down my face and I loved it! I would definitley go see that movie again in an instant.

Billy Joel in Concert

Last week my cousin Chrissy called to see if I wanted to volunteer at an upcoming concert in Hershey (last Thursday night). Who was playing but BILLY JOEL!!! My absolute favorite! Matt and I had to leave first thing the next morning for Ohio, but heck, I could sleep in the car the first half (as I would have anyways). So, Thursday afternoon, I was off to Hershey. I helped seat people and was on the ground level close to the stage. The whole evening was just incredible. His music, his humor, the light show, and all. Loved every bit of it! Thanks Chrissy for inviting me to go along!

My top 10 Billy Joel favorites:

1. And So It Goes

2. River of Dreams

3. Lullabye

4. We Didn't Start the Fire

5. Innocent Man

6. Goodnight Saigon

7. This Is the Time

8. Leningrad

9. Piano Man

10. She's Got A Way

Goodbye Patches

Yesterday Matt and I were on our way home from Ohio when my mom called and told us that their cat was not doing well...not well at all. Mom told us a few weeks back that Patches kidneys were failing, so this phone call was to be expected. Unfortunately, they had to put Patches down yesterday. Patches was our cat growing up. We bought her when I was in 8th grade and she certainly was a good cat...a unique one. Here are her top 5 unique traits:
1. When she wanted to come out of the laundry room, she could open the door with her paws herself.
2. She could play catch with you.
3. She always stood her ground when Liddy (our dog) tackled her.
4. She could turn on the water faucet on. Even when mom and dad put a rubber band to hold the faucet in it's place, Patches still found a way to untangle it and turn it on again.
5. She could make Matt sneeze 5 times in a row. He still loved her...

An Evening Out for Caregivers

Last night was my first "An Evening Out for Caregivers." I took my caregivers, more like caregiver, to the Conestoga House Garden Tour. It's really beautiful there. If you have never been, I would highly recommend going. You can take a book or pack a little picnic lunch and use their grounds to relax in the gardens or by the pool any Wednesday. It was a really nice evening. I had hoped for a handful of caregivers, but it was raining earlier in the day, so I didn't expect much. I was happy to have one, although I would have also liked to go to the movies with my mom, sister and Peggy. Oh well, next time. If you know of any caregivers who might need 'an evening out', e-mail me at jessica@pavelko.org and I'll add them to my mailing list. Keep your eyes open for our August event.

Please Pray for Misty

I would ask that at some point, each of you put a minute aside to pray for Misty LeBlanc. I went to Messiah College with Misty and Darren and Misty has Stage IV brain cancer. Their faith is phenomenal and their fight is strong. They stopped the chemo last week because it really wasn’t working anymore, but now they are solely relying on God to heal Misty. Darren and Misty have been married for five years and have a beautiful daughter, Olivia, who is about 18 months old. Pray that Darren and Misty will be able to share many more years together and pray that Misty is able to see her beautiful daughter grow up.

Pray that God heals Misty and works a miracle in their lives. In Christ alone, HOPE IS FOUND!