Long Time Friends Reunion

Last week, I spent a few days with friends I've had since I was 4 years old, Jammie, Jamie and Melinda. It is so amazing how much the first 18 years of your life shape the remaining portion of your life and the individuals we become. I will always feel such a familiarity with these girls. It doesn't matter the amount of time that passes between seeing each other. It's such a warm and comforting feeling.

In junior high, we were die hard fans of the New Kids on the Block. Jammie, Jamie, Melinda and I traveled to LA and saw NKOTB at Dodger Stadium. We were so excited! Then Jammie, Melinda and I also saw them in Fresno a year later. We each had our own heart-throb within the group, which made it all the more exciting. So, when we heard they were having a reunion tour, we knew we had to be there. This is what brought about our mini-reunion.

Jammie, Melinda, Me, Jamie and Katie (with Brad in the back). Our Junior Year of High School



Jamie, Me, Jammie and Melinda, at dinner pre-concert.

Jamie was able to drive up a the night before the concert. So, I took the day off from work and we made it a full day of activities. First, we hit the Claremont Spa. That was super relaxing and something I think we both needed. It was great spending time with Jamie, catching up on life and reminiscing about the past.





After the spa, lunch and running a few errands, we were ready for the concert. So, we faught bay area traffic and met up with Jammie and Melinda. The four of us had a great dinner together and then headed down to the concert. Here are few picks from the show. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to be quite as rowdy as the rest of the crew, but it was still a great time. Imagine an entire arena full of women in their early 30's reliving their youth. It was wild.









We had such a great time and it was so nice to be together again. Thanks for a great night girls.

Business Travel

I feel like business travel has been such an entrenched part of my life for a long time now. The airport has felt like a second home to me for quite a while. After our wedding, I made a conscious effort to try and reduce the amount of time spent away from home; and now that the baby is on the way, I'm hoping it continues to decline.

That's not to say it was never exciting though. In my early 20's business trips were super exciting; and I think I grew a lot from the experiences. Being able to sit at a table by yourself in a restaurant is an art and skill that can be frightening at first, but something I have now mastered. I have been able to experience amazing cities: New York, Boston, Chicago, Seattle, Dallas, Atlanta, Paris, Madrid, etc. The key is to force yourself to leave the office and actually experience the cities while you are there. New York is the city that I will always wish I had official lived for a while. I don't think it would have ever been a life long spot for me, but I love New York; and I've grown to know it quite well through all of the trips taken there.

So here I am, off to Boston, hopefully on my last business trip before the baby is born. It's a 36 hr whirlwind trip that I'm not thrilled about, especially given I've lost my status on the airlines. (Airline status is a beautiful thing. . .and once you've had it is very difficult to give it up.)

Here's to a new life of ordinary economy travel with no status. :)

22 Weeks

I am pregnant with our first child. We had an ultra sound about 3 weeks ago and were told we are having a girl. We are so excited to have her join our lives.

I am still trying to find a word for what pregnancy has been like for me over the past six months. And for some reason the first word that comes to mind is strange. I feel a bit like I'm having an outer body experience. Something has taken over my body; and I'm along for the ride. Thankfully, I wasn't terribly sick during the first trimester. And through the second trimester I've regained my energy; and I am amazed every time I look down and see how my belly has grown. Do I like it? Yes. . .Do I dislike it? Yes. . .So I leave it as an amazing experience that I've been blessed to able to enjoy and endure.

Derek has been wonderful throughout the pregnancy. He is a very curious soul. So I think he has read more than I have about being pregnant, which means he very clearly understands my ups and downs and has been able to roll with them and support me throughout. He is very excited to be a daddy; and I can't wait to see his face when he sees her for the first time.

Mom. . .these shots are for you. They're not pretty, but they're my belly.

September 12th, on a trip to Portland Oregon.

One month later, October 11th. Oh how the belly has grown. :)

Finally!!

When I married, May 19th, 2007, I told myself I'd start a blog to chronicle the excitement of our lives. I went so far as to starting a journal on our honeymoon that I would just copy and paste in my blog when we returned home. One year and four months later I have finally accomplished this goal. Ultimate procrastination? Yes! I have one person to thank for ending this ridiculous cycle, my dear friend Jamie Maxfield. It took her driving three and half hours to my house and forcing that we make this happen, but nontheless it has happened. That's what true friends are for. So here we go. . .Welcome to the world of the Lindgrens.

One Year Wedding Anniversary Photo. . .Outside the French Laundry in Yountville, CA