February: the best of my days

I can't believe February's over. It F-L-E-W by.But just because there was a shortage of days,
doesn't mean there was a shortage of beautiful moments.

In fact, at the end of each day,
it's often that I struggle to pick out a highlight
not because the day was dull or awful,
but because there were so many things that made my heart feel full.
It's kind of cool. :)

Without further ado...
1. Re-watching season 1 of 24. Gosh I miss that show.
2. Carpooling home with Jeremiah
3. A productive day at work
4. Pancake breakfast to celebrate my birthday. Thanks, hunny.
5. Spending time with my family after a long [satur]day of work
6. The hospitality of a friendly man at church
7. Receiving two unexpected compliments at work
8. Girls night: Card Making
9. A Building K lunch date with Jeremiah
10. A good phone chat with my mom
11. Getting a little extra money back on our tax return
12. Having no plans all day long. Beautiful!
13. Washing each others' feet for Valentine's Day
14. Getting a massage
15. Ruth's Chris with the McDougals. (Thanks, again!)
16. Reading in bed all day long
17. Being invited to a dear friend's home for dinner
18. Ladies lunch at work
19. A completely unscheduled triple dinner-and-a-movie date with friends
20. Meeting new people at church
21. Paid holiday. Enough said.
22. Cuddling with the hubs. My favorite.
23. Catching up with my high school best friend over happy hour
24. Candid conversation on the floor of my craft room with a good friend
25. A challenging and encouraging quiet time
26. Staying up way past my bedtime. Is it weird that I got a rush?
27. Pillow talk with the hubs
28. Dry shampoo. Saved my life today.

From the looks of the calendar,
March is going to be rather full.
I'm looking forward to finding highlights in the little moments.

Archive:
January 2011

Go to your room!

When I was little, I got sent to my room
more often than I would have liked.
Did you?

My parents would send me to my room to think about what I'd done.
But I didn't want to think about what I'd done.
So I banged on the door and screamed and cried.
Cute, hu?

Well, I'm older now.
Married. Living on my own.
And it's just now that I'm finally starting to appreciate
the "go to your room" concept.

When Jeremiah and I argue,
when things get heated, when I feel hurt,
or worse, when I did the hurting...
I go to my room.

I value the quiet time to pray and reflect and journal.
That time is much needed.

Thanks, mom and dad.
I'm a better person for it.

Creed

Be very careful, then, how you live
not as unwise but as wise,
making the most of every opportunity
because the days are evil.
Therefore do not be foolish,
but understand what the Lord's will is.
Do not get drunk on wine,
which leads to debauchery.
Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
Speak to one another with Psalms,
hymns and spiritual songs.
Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything,
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:15-20

I read this passage at least a dozen times last night.
It's highlighted, underlined, and almost bolded in my Bible.

For good reason.

These words are direct.
They are without-a-doubt.
They are a calling on my life.
They are my creed.

I pray that I may live this way.
For it is at the deepest desire of my heart.

Spring weekend on the brain

All I can think of right now is the weekend,
a Spring weekend at that.

A weekend filled with picnics on the grass
reading amidst a field of blooming tulips,
eating ice cream cones while swinging at the [central] park,
flying kites at the Embarcadero,
and in my wildest dreams...
strolling along the streets of Paris.

Instead,
It's going to rain
Hard.

So it's chili and cornbread,
cups of hot tea, warm crackling fires,
and movie after movie while curled up on the couch.

I guess it's not so bad.

But Spring... I pine for you.
And as much as I've learned to enjoy the winter season,
I must admit, I'm still not a huge fan.

Happy Weekend, my friends! Stay dry!

I've got a feeling...

I've tried to articulate my current state of emotion
about two dozen times now.
Rarely aloud. Mostly to myself.
But occasionally to a friend or to my spouse.

Wretched
Unqualified Thankful
Unmotivated Loved Disengaged
Ugly Challenged Lazy Unhealthy
Encouraged Distracted Content Celebrative
Pathetic Adventurous Joyful Adoring Messy Nostalgic
Engaged Overwhelmed Beautiful Incapable
Disconnected Half-baked Distant Creative
Desirous Cautious Trapped
Disobedient Admired
Redeemed

This mess of emotions are just that
a [mess] and [emotions].

While they are true and I truly feel them,
they are not necessarily Truth.
For that I am thankful.


***


Heavenly Father,

Thank you for allowing us to feel what seems like every emotion under the sun.
Thank you for growing me through the ugly and painful emotions
And for allowing me to delight in the emotions we call lovely.
I praise you because You are the Most High God.
And while there is a season for everything,
the time for Your Truth is always.

In the mighty name of Your Son,
Amen.

Wordless Wednesday

I miss this.

Little Letters

Dear QC Vending Machines, what do you think about stocking A&W Cream Soda? I think it'd be awe-to-the-some. Please do consider.

Dear Abe & Georgie, God bless your little souls for having birthdays in February. I love love love the idea of a free-day weekend.

Dear Self, Husband has offered to take you to the Brig TWICE in the past couple weeks and you've declined the offer each time. What the heck is wrong with you? Get out of your PJs, put on some make up and dig in to the fondue. Or he'll stop asking...

Dear Pastor Doug, thanks for introducing us to a couple other folks at church this week. It made us feel rather loved.

Dear Savings Account, February has been treating you rather nicely. Three fist pumps for: Tax returns, Time and a half, and exercised stock options.

Dear San Frany, in just two short weeks I will come visit you. #goshilovecitylife

Dear Grandparents, we miss you. We're coming to visit soon. We promise.

Dear Seester, thanks for the sleep over and shopping sesh. What a special thing to have such a cool sister. To the moon.

Dear Shaved Ice, I dream about you. I do. And then... because I can... I go make my dreams a reality at the new Shaved Ice shop in Scripps. Nom Nom.

Dear Beloved Husband, you are such a hard worker. I don't know how you have the energy to do it all - you're my superhero.

Dear Unborn (and Un-conceived!) Child, please don't think it's weird that I write love letters to you every now and then. It's just.. I already adore you.

Dear Grammy, sometimes I pick up the phone to call you. But then I remember there's no direct line to heaven. Except that there is. So I pray.

Dear Blonde Locks, you make me one happy girl. You lead the way, sunshine and freckles are close behind.

Dear Girls Night, I enjoyed making cards in February. I've got the plans in motion for another Girls Night in March. Stay Tuned!

Dear Opening Day, you are Oh-S0-Soon. There's something about a freshly cut and chalked field that makes my heart go pitter patter.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for continuing to knock me on my prideful butt day in and day out. It's You I want to live for.

Dear Bloggy, I so sorry. I stink at the blogging this month, er.. this year. You see, I just don't feel terribly inspired. #seasons

Dear Little Yellow Bike, I'm coming for you. Finally. ;-)

Dear Friday, I must admit, I'm already pining for you. Embarrassed? Not in the least bit. You're worth celebrating!

Prez Weekend Highlights

A good conversation with a stranger at Starbucks
A successful spur-of-the-moment Target trip
Good conversation with a good friend
A new Pampered Chef pizza stone
Watching my roots return to blonde
Saturday afternoon Bible Study
Dinner and a movie with fun friends
Another free birthday drink at the bucks
Meeting new people at church
Family lunch at Phil's BBQ
Shopping with my sister
Pushing Daisies marathon
Presidents' Day
A sleep over with my seester
Hawaiian shaved ice
Wearing pajamas all day Monday

Three-Day Weekends are Bomb.com!

A Glimpse of the Kingdom

A simple call
a casual invite
and yet it made my entire day

My good friend, Stacy
remembered I spend most weeknights alone
while Jeremiah's busy at clients' during busy season.

So she invited me to join her and her husband
for dinner, shaved ice and a video sermon on marriage last night.

I cried the entire drive home.

What a sacred treasure it so feel known
to be shown genuine hospitality,
and to be allowed to share in such a rich relationship.

Such a beautiful privilege it is
to taste and see
the Kingdom.

Sounds

As I take an afternoon nap,
snuggled in our bed,
I hear

Our neighbors wind chimes
Rain falling gently outside our window
The washing and dryer making our clothes like new
Lorelei and Rory... faintly in the background

It feels like home.

Wordless Wednesday

From our walk on the beach the other day...

V-day, baby!

Since the Lover's holiday

is only ten days after my birthday
and about two and a half weeks before Jeremiah's,
we tend to lay pretty low for Valentine's Day.
No big extravagant dinners or weekends away for us.

This year, we celebrated with a Sunday date day.
We went to church,
enjoyed lunch at Elephant Bar,
went on a hike at Torrey Pines State Park,walked along the beach,took an afternoon nap,
enjoyed a romantic dinner at home,
opened little gifts,washed each others' feet,
and enjoyed a living room after party
complete with Resee's s'mores,fresh Farmers's Market flowers from the hubs,and a movie by candlelight.

It was the perfect Sunday together...
worshiping God, enjoying creation,
and humbling ourselves.

Much Needed.

Especially given the kind of night we had the day before.
Let's just say we each had to ask for
an extra helping of forgiveness
after the way we treated each other.

How are you celebrating Valentine's Day?

Love is...

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs

With Lover's Day coming up on Monday,
my verse-of-the-day came from 1 Corinthians 13 today.
No big shocker.

But as I read through the verse,
pausing where the good ol' fashion commas and periods are,
I heard myself filling the silence
with "I am not's" and things of the sort

Love is patient.
I am not.

Love is kind.
I am not.

It does not envy.
But I do.

After I had read through the entire verse,
I came to the pretty obvious conclusion that
I am not love.

Nor am I particularly good at loving.

Sometimes, for a second,
I think I may have a moment of greatness
A moment where I did not envy or I did not boast.
But then I am reminded
ever so gently (not!)
that I am not love.

God is Love.

And apart from Him,
I can do nothing.

This is the foundation of our Valentine's celebration this weekend.
It is a drawing nearer to the one who is Love
in hopes that we might love Him, each other, and all others better.

Happy Valentine's Day, my friends!

TV Dinner

We typically turn off the television,
light a candle, set the dining room table
and chat about our days over a quiet dinner...

But last night we recapped our days
while we sat in traffic on our drives home
so we shared in a relaxing little TV dinner


Tuesday's episodes of Glee and OTH + Balsamic Spinach Salad
+ Pesto Cheese Bread + Sparkling Apple Pomegranate Cider

Simply lovely.

What kind of dinnertime traditions do you have?

Girls Night In: Valentine's Card Making

As one of my goals for 2011, I've wanted to host a monthly girls event

One, because I need more quality girl time
Two, because I believe other folks need more quality girl time, too
and Three, because... why the heck not!? It's fun! :)

February's event: Valentine's Card Making

Last night, a couple girls came overwe sipped cider and champagnenibbled chocolate covered strawberriesand made Valentine's day cards for husbands, friends and family
Mmm, fun!

When I Search

This song rang so true in my life yesterday:

Lift my life up Lord with You
And bury all my sin
Lift my life up Lord with You
Through my weakness, I am found
You tell me I’m reborn
Lift my life up Lord with You

CHORUS:
When I search,
For You, every day
I find how whole You make me when I
Lay down all of my will,
I am found within Your love

Hear my heart that beats for You
I have no other cause
Hear my heart that beats for You
Fill my mouth with praise to You
And may your heart be mine
Hear my heart that beats for You

Something.Like.Silas

This too shall pass

Have you seen this music video?
It's rad.

Go Shawty

So yesterday was my birthday.

I'm typically one to go all out.
I love celebrating.
anything and everything.

But this year, all I wanted was
R E S T

This year, I was reminded
it's in the small things.

My NON-morning person of a husband
work up early to make us a pancake breakfast
I showed up at work in the morning
to find my office decorated Jack Bauer style.
I enjoyed shrimp and crab fondue with a few co-workers
My typical Friday afternoon meetings were canceled
My sweet husband left a birthday note on my car
I spent an hour perusing a couple different craft stores
I ate meatloaf and potatoes at home in my pajamas
and I watched an episode of 24 from the comfort of my bed
before falling asleep at ten

Not terribly exciting
but practically perfect

Thank you to everyone
for all of the sweet birthday messages.

Maybe it's me

But time is flying by way too fast
I can't keep up

But what I want to do, I do not do
and what I hate, I do

But is being an adult
not all it's cracked up to be?

But is shrimp and crab fondue
not the BEST invention ever?

But I have just been exhausted all week

But February 4th is a pretty rad day ;-)

But I just can't wait any longer
for the warm summer sunshine

But I don't get all the hype with Twilight

But my patience are very slim to none
as of late

But winter weather
comes with winter moods

But the Lord reminds me He Provides
nearly every time I worry

But I just don't feel like myself lately.

Picture This

Jeremiah
laying on the love seat
sweat pants on and feet up
typing away on his laptop
work
reviewing and documenting a new lease agreement

Jessi
sitting upright on the couch
feet taping anxiously on the floor
typing away on her laptop
work
third party reviews and testing

Wait just a second,
and we'll close our laptops,
lock up the house,
and go to sleep before ten

We're young and exciting.

Tomorrow
we get up and do it again
carpooling to work together
like we have for the past couple of days
I, working where I always do
He, venturing out to a client on the same street.

Is it summer yet?

Oh wait
we're not in school

This is real life

mMm

Wordless Wednesday

This was delivered to Bill's mailbox...

HA HA HA HA HA

Word to the Wise

Dear ______,

If you don't know if the person you're talking to
is a male or a female,
please refrain from calling her"sir"
just because her name is Jessi!

Thanks.

Love,
Sir