April: the best of my days

Jeremiah and I talk frequently
about how gosh-darn fast this year is flying by.
We can't believe it's already May!!

What I loved most about this month though
were the quiet moments and the quality time.

We spent a lot of time investing in relationships this month
and it really warmed my heart.

When I look back on my days,
the stand outs tend to be big events or yummy meals,
but the times my deep felt most satisfied,
those are the little moments.
The little moments where you feel your soul take a deep breath
and feel utterly and completely at home.

1. A Quiet night at home. Good weather. No work.
2. Going downtown with the Schanakers
3. Spending time with Jake before he moves
4. Jeremiah telling me he prayed for me when I had a rough morning
5. Feeling known and loved <3
6. Only having to pay $40 for the locksmith instead of $100+
7. Starting a new Bible Study
8. Family Dinner with Papa
9. Crafting, Cuddling, and Conversation with friends
10. Another quiet day with pretty weather and no plans
11. Shaved ice with the Hubs and DanSchan
12. Padres Game with Miah
13. Girls Night In: Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Tasting
14. Girls only night at Bible Study
15. A really good conversation with Miah on our car drive
16. Spending the day in Morro Bay/SLO with the Kruegers
17. Hanging out with our cousins
18. Crafting in bed while watching ABC Family shows. #Heaven
19. A surprisingly wrinkle-free production deployment at work
20. Sweet words from a sweet husband + a daddy/daughter lunch date
21. Communion service on Maundy Thursday with our new church family
22. The Tenebrae service at Zion with my mother and brother in law.
23. Fantastically yummy bread sticks at Dad's 50th Birthday BBQ
24. Getting to celebrate the Risen Lord with both families
25. Stretching out sore muscles as I crafted in bed. #loveMondayNights
26. The Padres Game with Dad for his 50th Birthday
27. Dinner with my dear friend, Erin28. Spending part of the work day outside,
eating lunch and walking to meetings29. Laying on the couch, watching the Royal Wedding, eating Mexican food.30. Helping the Kookers move into their new house.

Here's to an absolutely lovely May.
A May filled with many celebrations:
mothers, birthdays, graduations, anniversaries
and all the little moments in between.
Archive:
March
February
January

Re-learning the Hard Way

If I'm being honest,
I'm entirely sick of learning the same lessons over and over again.

On my own, I am not enough.

I'm not smart enough.
I'm not good enough.
I'm not thin enough or pretty enough.
I don't have it all together.
I know these things in my head.
But seeing the realities of that play out is painful.

And continuing to re-learn them must mean
that I've never fully learned them in the first place.

#hardstuff

tGif, for sure

I am VERY much looking forward to this weekend.

Not necessarily because we're going anywhere exciting,
or because we're celebrating anything in particular,
but because it's been a strangely long week,
we have relatively NO weekend commitments
and the weather is scheduled to be gorgy.

I'm one happy girl.



I'm thinking I'll watch the Royal Wedding
{because 3am was just not conducive to my beauty sleep schedule},
help our sweet friends move into their new house,
work on a bridal shower gift for my sister-in-law,
prep a little for Mother's Day,
and enjoy a bit of sunshine after church on Sunday.

Have an absolutely lovely weekend!

Easter Weekend Recap: No Kids? No Pictures.

It's official.

I've committed a total blog fail.
No pictures of Easter?
Really?

{source}

Unfortunately, yes. ... but the highlights?

Tenebrae Service with the McLeods
A yummy homemade dinner
Lots of sleep Friday night
Another mini-road trip with the hubs
Lunch at the Americana
Dad's 50th Birthday BBQ {with KILLER bread sticks}
Quality time and Easter Baskets with the fam-bamarino
A chilly walk to CBTL
Resurrection Sunday service with my Papa and family
A rainy drive back to Fallbrook
Easter Dinner, card games, Easter baskets and Kinect with the in-laws

#iheartbaseball

Goodness me, isn't Petco Park absolutely beautiful?
I know.

Last night, dad and I enjoyed a game together
to celebrate his big 50th birthday.

As much as I would have loved for the Padres to win
{and really, to have a winning season this year}
I set my expectations a little lower last night.
All I hoped for was an exciting game that finished in 9.
And I got what I asked for.
Jurrjens threw an exceptional complete game
and the Padres kept it interesting with sloppy pitching.
It was a bummer they lost, but still a fun time.

I mean, c'mon
who can deny a ballpark hotdog,
a bag of peanuts
and people who sit behind you asking,
'do they like get penalty points for leaving runners on base?'
It was aw-to-the-some.

And for the first time in quite a while,
I kept score last night.
I know, I know, it's a geeky habit, but I just love it.
I love knowing how many first-pitch strikes the pitcher has thrown.
I love knowing which of the up-coming batters are lefties.
I love knowing all sorts of silly randoms like that.
And I love being invested in every pitch.
It takes me back to my days on the mound.


PS: Padres scorecard makers, if you're listening,
have you ever kept score before?
Your design is no bueno.

Wordless Wednesday

{via}

What's Half of a Hundred?

There's a special connection between a father and his daughter.

A connection that I'm sure starts when he holds his little girl for the first time,

A connection that grows as he teaches her to throw a ball and swing a bat.
A connection that celebrates with award ceremonies, graduations and championship games.
A connection that is challenged yet reinforced through those awful teen years.
A connection that deepens as they share life {and cry} together.
A connection that is transformed as he walks his little girl down the aisle to give her away.
A connection that smiles as they discuss business over mid-week lunch dates.
And a connection that continues to grow more and more each day.

As we celebrate another year of my dad's life,
with BBQs, gifts, Padres Games and an upcoming family vacation...
I think about the strong relationship we've worked to develop.

I'm so thankful to have a dad that both knows and loves the Lord
a dad that is careful with his words and gives wise advice
a dad that is handsome and works so very hard
a dad that challenges and encourages
a dad that I love to itty-bitty pieces.

Happy 50th, Daddy!

I love you.

Remembering Gram

Today, I'm remembering gram
and standing in awe of the faithfulness the Lord has showed me in the days since.

Grammy, we still miss you like crazy.
and Papa...

I pray a new prayer.

Happy Easter

Little Letters

Dear Golden Locks, You're getting so long that you don't hold your natural curl very well anymore. That'd be okay, but your roots have also grown out like whoa. I'm dying for an appointment with Stella.

Dear Glasses, I don't care if you aren't the hottest fashion accessory. You could be worse. And I could still have headaches.

Dear Padres, I promise I won't lecture this early in the season. How about just one word. C'mon.

Dear Daddy-Daughter Dates, you rock. Nothing makes a daughter feel more known and more loved than some good ol' QT. #luckygirl

Dear Vacation, I pine for you. I pine for days full of adventure. I pine for orange and pink sunsets on the beach. I pine for late nights in the hot summer air. I pine for bike rides, for freckles and for lemonade. I pine for lazy naps, good reads and fireflies. Mmmmm

Dear HomeGroup, Thanks for welcoming us in with open arms. I'm really looking forward to getting to know you.

Dear McLeod Residence, It seems like every time I clean you, you're dirty again within minutes. What ever will we do once we have kids.

Dear Kids, We're going to love you to itsy-bitsy pieces. Even after you dismantle said McLeod Residence.

Dear May, You're just around the corner and our calendar is already filling up with your events. As much as I love, love, love you, I'm not sure you can show your face quite yet - what the heck happened to February, March and April. #timeflies

Dear Bath and Body Works, you make the best candles. Nuff said.

Dear Creative-side-of-my-brain, Slowly but surely you're getting back into action. My how I've missed you.

Dear Blueberry Tea, Heaven.

Dear Handsome Prince, you have been wooing me like crazy lately. Thank you for whispering sweet nothings, for insisting on more cuddle time, and for showing me love in all the special little ways that count. I love you.

The Great Debate: Settled.

I've debated at least 10 times this week
whether or not to go to the Maundy Thursday service at church tonight.

We're going out of town for the second weekend in a row
and we still have to pack and get ready
Our bathrooms are in dire need of some cleaning
Laundry has been strewn across living room furniture for days
I haven't balanced the checkbook in two weeks
Plus there are bills to pay
I have cards to make and others to get into the mail

Yup,

I'm going.

Magic Moments

There's something magical that happens

when someone unexpected unknowingly encourages you.
It's like a glimpse of Heaven touching Earth.
A little miracle that could be missed
if you're soul isn't constantly on the look out.

I'm thankful for that magic little moment this week.

[source]

Girls Night In: Wine Tasting

I have no pictures
which is embarrassing.

But this month we sat around
sipping wine
nibbling on cheese
and enjoying conversation
with a pleasantly random group of friends.
T'was relaxing and lovely.

Our new Favorite Wine: Moscato from TJs
Best Cheese: Mozzarella Sun-dried Tomato and Basil by Laughing Cow
Winning Chocolate: White chocolate blueberry

Archive
[March]
[February]

we love {the Kruegers}

This weekend, Jeremiah and I took a (mini) road trip
up to Morro Bay for some QT with the Kruegies.

I don't think we can say it enough,
We love these two to P-I-E-C-E-S!!

They treated us to lunch on the bay.
A romantic walk on the beachand some yummy salt water taffy on a beautiful afternoon.We also sipped Peet's and strolled the darling little streets of downtown SLOMade silly faces with self-timers
and enjoyed a quiet and relaxing dinner-and-a-movie date at home.

Chris and Lysie:

We are so thankful to have friends like you.
Friends to laugh uncontrollably with. Friends to pray with.
Friends to explore with. And friends to relax with.
Friends to confide in. And friends to share life with.
We had an absolute blast spending the weekend with you.
Thank you for your hospitality and your friendship!!

Love, the McLeods

PS: Can't wait for May! ;-)

Taxies

Happy Tax Day, Ladies and Gents![Sidenote: Three cheers for Tax Day!

This is a pretty happy day in our house,
because it means Busy Season is nearing its end!!]

But the real reason I even brought up Tax Day at all
is that I was reading Romans 13 the other morning
and I felt it rather applicable.

Romans 13 talks about submitting to the governing authorities
because there is no authority except that which God has established.

Verses 6 and 7 continue,
This is also why you pay taxes,
for the authorities are God's servants,
who give their full time to governing.
Give to everyone what you owe them:
If you owe taxes, pay taxes;
if revenue, then revenue;
if respect, then respect;
if honor, then honor.

Now I know this is a pretty controversial topic these days,
but it's also a good reminder to stop griping
about how the government takes half our paychecks.

[source]

{5 Things}

{5 Things} not to say to your co-worker when she gets glasses:

1. You look smart now.
2. Do you have to wear those?
3. You don't look twelve anymore.
4. Are you sure you can't get contacts?
5. Can I call you 'Professor,' 'Librarian,' or 'Clark Kent?'


Yes, I intentionally posted a picture of the glasses
on my desk instead of on my face =)

For the {love} of the game

The hubs and I went to our first baseball game of the season last night.
I'll just come right out and say it,
I love baseball.
A lot.

The cleanly chalked field, the freshly cut grass,
the scorecards, the concession stands,
the competition, the extra innings,
the announcers, the fans,
the strategy.

I love it.

Sad thing is: I took one measly picture,
even though we were dressed in our matching jerseys
and it was our first game of the season for gosh sakes.

But that's because I forgot.

I got lost in the game (swoon!),
in the company of my sweet husband,
and in the fact that we saw about half a dozen folks we knew there.

Perfect date night, if you ask me.

(even if the Padres did lose to the Reds in extra innings
who even roots for the Reds anyway...)

If you ask Jeremiah, he'd go for something with far more action.

That's love.

A Feel Good Photo

[source]

Today, I decided to share a lovely photo with the blogging community.

Why?

1. Because this picture is insanely special to me.
2. Because posts are better with pictures
3. Because Mondays are better with posts (with pictures!) and...
4. Because of today's YouMeHealth Daily Challenge:
"Share a feel-good photo with someone you know."

If you don't participate in the YMH Daily Challenge, you should.
They're awesome little challenges that increase your well-being.
It's a fun competition and an interesting addition to each day.

Happy Monday, folks!

Anticipation

Happy Friday, y'all!

If you know me, you know I thrive on anticipation.
So what am I looking forward to these days?

Well...

Dinner with my Papa and family tonight.
The weekend.
New-to-us patio furniture.
The Padres game next week.
Girls Night
A trip up to see these two lovebirds.
An upcoming lunch with my daddy.
Easter.
Our wedding anniversary next month.
Mrs. Schanaker's Birthday and Masters Graduation
The END of Busy Season.
our trip to Seattle this summer.
(Exact flights I wanted, at $200 less than I had expected,
Adorable little hotel, Padres/Mariners Game, Food Tour... Gah, I can't wait.)
And our upcoming family staycation.

What are YOU looking forward to?

Busy Season: Open and Honest

This is our first true "busy season" together.

(For those who don't know: that's CPA speak for "Hell on Earth")

We dated for four and a half years before getting married.
During that time, we were both in school
and of course ran into trials and times of stress.
We had homework, tests, work, wedding planning and roommates.
The whole shabang.

We've also shared in our first year of marriage together,
where "they" (whoever "they" is) always say
you learn to live together, you argue over things like money
and you hopefully come out better on the other side.

Sure, there were some things to get used to
but I'd say the first year of marriage
was pretty much blissdom.

None of that compares to Busy Season.

(Yes, this Busy Season gets bold capital letters, for sure.)

Jeremiah's been working crazy hours.
I never really know if/when he'll be home for dinner.
He drives all over the county.
And once he's finally home,
he catches up on work during most nights and weekends.
He's exhausted.

To put it frankly,
it blows.But now that we're half way through Busy Season,
we're finally starting to get a grasp on how to handle it
and how to protect our marriage during it.

I thought I'd share,
you know, in case any of your husbands
decide to be CPAs or the like.

---

1. Pray for each other.
For strength. For wisdom. For rest.
And to remember where our true worth is found.

2. Set aside time to spend time together.
Most weeks, we only have one or two nights a week.
It may not be all the time we're used to, but it's something.
It's all we have to give right now. And that's okay. Make it a priority.

3. Wife, respect your husband and make life easier for him.
Don't call him a "work-a-holic." It hurts his feelings.
Have dinner ready for him, whenever he comes home.
And wash the dishes even though its normally his job.
Clear your schedule. You may want to play with friends
or line up fun things for the nights and weekends,
but he works towards deadlines all day.
He just wants to kick his feet up and relax - no timetables.

4. Husband, make the wife feel loved
Jeremiah's done this lately by sharing his Starbucks breakfast with me,
By patiently telling me what I missed
when I fell asleep in the middle of the movie
By praying for me when my Monday morning starts off rocky
By cuddling up to watch girly shows with me
even though he absolutely hates them
By playing games with me after a long day at work
By reading me like a good book and making me feel known.

5. Forgive
Because we will make mistakes
We will get on each others' nerves
and we will say things that are not very patient,
or kind, or loving, or life-giving.

[source]

Apparently, I'm Retro

According to good ol' wiki,
Retro is a culturally outdated or aged style, trend, mode,
or fashion, from the overall postmodern past,
that has since that time become functionally
or superficially the norm once again.

Apparently, I'm retro.

Because I've spent a good two or three hours on this website last night,
replaying old tv show theme songs,
and reminiscing about the Saturday mornings
spent in my pjs, with a bowl of cinnamon toast crunch
in front of the tv.

Good Memories.

And thank you You Tube
for letting me enjoy some of these shows again.

Party Hardy

This weekend the Mister and I had the pleasure

of going out downtown with the Schans.

(gosh, we love these guys!)

We had dinner and drinks at Analog.
which is a creative little 70's bar.

-- You should check out their yummy menu here --

We started with Cocktails and delicious Chili TotchosDanny had a mammoth meaty burgerand the girls got slidersI promise Jeremiah was there too. :)

------

After dinner we headed down to Syrah

which is awe-to-the-some.
If you haven't been there,
Go. They're Sangria is $5 til 8p and is tastyyyy.

Of course we met up with these guys, too.
So thankful for these fun friends.
They're always up for anything!

See Erin,
I didn't even mention the cookies
or the shade-ball diner. :)

Upstairs [to take a bath]

I just realized I never really posted pictures of our upstairs.

Here we go.


First up...
The Spare Room
(that we haven't really done anything with..)Next...
The Office/Craft Room
(But of course there are no pictures of his side) =)and...
The Master Bedroom
Happy Monday.

Lessons [re]Learned

A couple lessons I re-learned yesterday.
Story of my life.

1. I'm greedy.

I dropped off clothes at Plato's Closet
and was willing to waste an hour of my sunny Friday afternoon
just to get $2.10 for my old clothes.

2. Traffic still sucks on the 15N.

3. The internet lies.
Businesses don't update their websites
nearly as much as I update Facebook.

4. Eating at the Target food court is not beneath me.

5. Sally Hansen's [kinda] new nail polish strips don't work very well.

6. I'm an emotional basket-case. And that's okay.

7. Friday nights are meant to be spent quietly at home.
Even if you think you're young and hip.

8. Flexibility is K-E-Y.

9. Delivery can be more important
than the content of your message.

10. Texting while driving is insanely dangerous.

Beautiful Melody

This made me miss my dear friend B this morning.
May it delight your day as well.

Oh that music

On such a gorgeous afternoon yesterday,
I snapped a few pictures
before meeting some old college roommates
at one of my favorite places to get drinks.

The view is gorgeous. The food is yummy.
The live music every night swoons my heart.

And of course the conversation was wonderful.

And now... for the weekend!
(in a few more hours)

Woo Hoo!!