5.31

Happy Dosiversary, my love!

There isn't anyone I'd rather eat Chipotle with,
do laundry with, empty the dishwasher with, pay bills with,
or grocery shop for.

:-)

may: the best of my days

I promise I'm still alive...
I've just been MIA from the blogosphere
for a couple {psh, several!} days.

A few overdue posts to come in the next couple days,
but until then...

The Best of my {May} Days

1. The perfect Sunday - church, errands, beautiful weather, reading, crafting..
2. A long dinner date with J
3. Taco Tuesday with the Schanakers and Willises
4. Going for a run in the heat
5. Volunteering at Feeding America
6. Prepping for Mother's Day
7. Miguel's White Sauce. Nom Nom.
8. Getting to honor two mothers whom I love very much
9. A quiet night at home: crafting while I watched TV
10. Dinner with Anjuli and Stacy
11. Hanging out with Amra
12. Meeting some new friends at Home Group
13. Snuggling on the couch after a nice dinner at home
14. Spending time in Point Loma and with Lyssie and Joe
15. Going for a walk with Jeremiah
16. MIOBI
17. Hearing Future of Forestry on OTH
18. Family Time: Miguel's and Idol
19. Chatting with Jeremiah in bed
20. Watching College Softball
21. Erin's Birthday Party #lovethatgirl
22. Happy Hour to celebrate Nurse Katie!!
23. MIOBI Finale {don't judge!}
24. "Remember When's..." as we fell asleep
25. Girls Night In
26. SYTYCD is back and inspiring as always
27. Family trip to the softball field
28. A productive day around the house with helpful hands #thanksagain
29. Two words: Couple's Massage. #nuffsaid
30. Enjoying the sunshine with Jeremiah before dinner with friends
31. Celebrating our dosiversary :)

Archive:
April
March
February
January

Oh, Happy Day.

Remember this bike?
I totally just bought it.

=)

Caffeinated

Softball talk is like a gallon of coffee to me,
especially on a Monday morning.
Thanks.

Weekend Pennies

We didn't have a ton of plans this weekend,
but the time seemed to fly.

Regardless..

The weekend was much needed
and so were these pennies.

The sound of rain falling
Getting to wfh Friday afternoon/evening
College Softball
Chocolate milkshake with vanilla ice cream
127 Hours
Snuggling with the Hubs
Sleeping in til 9
Waking up sans alarm
No Saturday morning deployment(s)
A clean bathroom, a vacuumed floor and a made bed
Reading by the window
Costco samples
Dancing to the radio
My handy hubby starting the bathroom renovation
Wearing shorts
A raked and weeded yard
Mac&Shrooms
Birthday Fishbowl
Meeting new friends
SF Pom Tea Latte with Soy from CBTL
Vision Sunday at Church
Lazy Sabbath
Shrimp and Crab Fondue
Celebrating Nurse Katie with sweet friends
Heart2Heart
RH of OC #guiltypleasure
Clean laundry and Clean dishes
Early to bed
Snuggling

Happy manic-Monday, my friends.
I hope this week treats you well.

All Edumacated

This pretty girl earned her Master's degree last weekend

and we had the honor of celebrating with her!



Congrats, E!
{And thanks for lunch M&M Trine}

a word for Friday

When I read this passage from Romans 15 this morning,
I was pretty sure that God had scheduled a divine appointment.

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement
give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,
so that with one mind and one voice
you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Happy Friday, my friends.
This is my prayer for all of us.

Little Letters

Dear Arco, I can't believe you're finally selling gas for under $4 again. Woo Hoo!!

Dear Anyone Who Drives On Poway Rd, Speed up. Please? Thank you!

Dear End-of-the-world, is this going to hurt at all? Please zap quickly. And please make sure there's time for husband and I to snuggle first. I've missed him this week.

Dear Newcomers, when I get to work at 8a, I'm the only car in the side parking lot. Today, I was ten minutes late (#loveStarbucks) and there was only one spot left for me. What the? That's not how this building works...

Dear Raspberry Vanilla Latte, we've spent a little too much time together this week. Don't get used to it.

Dear This Week, I can't lie, I'm pretty darn glad you're coming to an end. Something just felt kinda off all week and well, I didn't particularly care for it.

Dear Summer, Don't forget to do your part and show you pretty little sunshiney face. I'm sick of singin 'Rain, Rain go away...'

Dear Europe, I dream of you almost daily. In fact, I'm thinking about going to Vegas and eating gelato at the Pilazzo just to pretend I'm walking your cobblestone (E, one word) streets.

Dear OTH, I'm really glad you're coming back in January. I hate to see things end. Be gentle.

Dear Memorial Day, why in the world do you have to be so far from the Presidents' birthdays? You make Busy Season wooooorse.

Dear Friday-Friday, I'm partyin,partyin YEAH!

Wordless Wednesday

I miss that

Last week, I hung out with Ams
for the first time in way too long.

We ate dinner at PF Changs,
watched the sunset from Nazarene,
drove along the Bay,
sipped drinks from the Living Room,
and parked the car along the beach to talk.

I miss that.

Self Portrait? Fail.

Clear evidence that I am absolutely horrible at self-portraits

First try
{Note to Self:} Make sure to check the zoom
Second Try
{Note to Self}: Learn where to point the camera.
You're not the only one in the picture.
Third Try
{Note to Self}: If at first {and second} you don't succeed... just give up.
Third time's not always a charm.

Mama Bear

Proverbs 31 reminds us to
honor {our mother} for all that her hands have done
and last Sunday that's exactly what we did.

Instead of her cleaning the house and preparing a family meal for us,
we celebrated my mom with a quaint Sunday morning brunch at our house:
mimosas, a simple quiche, mini OB bagel sandwiches, fresh fruit,
chocolate covered strawberries and snickerdoodle cupcakes for dessert.

We gifted her a darling tea box
enjoyed a mother-daughter trip to Home Goods,
and snuggled as we shared in the morning together.

What a blessing to be my mother's daughter.
She's generous and kind, creative and hospitable,
discerning and wise.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.
I love you.

Get to know ya

A {Baker's} dozen things you may not know about me:

***

I have a {no longer secret} candy stash in my nightstand drawer

I come up with a new nickname for my husband every.... like 15 minutes

I've always thought I'd make a killer secretary.

I eat cheese for dessert.

I cry daily.

I enjoy seemingly routine tasks like paying bills,
cutting papaer, vacuuming and setting the table.

I believe every day is a great day to light candles
and slow dance in the living room.

I'm energized by relationships, planning, sunshine, cleanliness, baseball,
pleasant surprises and city infrastructure (transit, maps, court system, budgets).

I get bored watching the same movie for two hours
if I'm not multi-tasking.

I have a major travel bug,
but have never really been out of the country.

The list of things that irritate me
could probably cover a football field three times.

I have a very difficult time imaging things I've never experienced.

I either get a sudden burst of energy right before bed,
or I hit the pillow and fall asleep instantly.
Predictably unpredictable

***

Wordless Wednesday

Flashback

While I was reading a book at the pool a couple weeks ago,
{yes, it was as absolutely blissful as it sounds!}
a group of high school girls splashed in the water next to me.
They had just come from church
and were heading back to some sort of discipleship night after dinner.

It immediately took me back.
Back to the days of high school group in the EFCC youth room
lunches at Red Robin after church
a few hours of work at the mall
and then a trip down to College Ave for Flood's evening service.

Mmm

Good Memories.

Home Group

“Therefore confess your sins to each other
and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
James 5:16

On Thursday night,
we gathered in Tara's living room.

Just the girls this week.

Four girls
all with seemingly different struggles.
Yet, as we shared,
we identified with one another.

We prayed for each other.
and we weren't alone.

Thankful.

An Unexpected Mother's Day Gift

Once upon a time,

I purchased a gift for my mother-in-law.

She loves Chance by Chanel and is running low so I thought,
'hm, what a I perfect Mother's Day gift.'
It's a little more than we'd typically spend,
so I asked Jeremiah's brother if he'd like to go in on it.


When said brother came over the other night,
I pointed out the gift to him
which was still unwrapped on the table.
{I think the price tag was still on, too!}

Apparently, he thought I was asking him to take it to his mom.

Fast forward to last night,
when I got the following text from my mother-in-law.

"Dan gave me the perfume tonight.
It had been in his glove compartment... it was broken
and most of it leaked out, absorbed by the box and paper."

Mother's Day Fail.

First, because I hadn't wrapped it or made a cute little tag yet.
Second, because Tina's Mother's Day gift is now... a hug and a kiss?
and Third, because nearly a hundred liquid dollars just spilled down the drain
after having to pay $40 to a locksmith and $50 because we missed a dentist appointment.

We laughed.

Wordless Wednesday

Okay, I'm too excited to stay wordless.
We just booked flights to go here in the fall.

Yes, I'm a little girl squealing with excitement right now.

A Series of Random Thoughts

{On Osama bin Laden}: I've longed for justice since that first September 11th, yet my heart had a difficult time rejoicing last night as I heard the news of his death. I wanted him captured. But we got him dead. So today I have mixed emotions: a righteous anger finally seeing justice served, an overwhelming respect and gratitude for our brave and sacrificial soldiers, an ounce of fear at how Osama's people might retaliate, and still a sliver of sadness that all this rejoicing has come at the death of another human being - despite his evil acts of terror.

{On the weather}: I realize people typically only discuss the weather so as to make small-talk in an elevator or in a crowded yet lonely room. But me, I delight so deeply in the beautiful summer sun that I can't help but shout it from the roof tops. This weekend was absolutely beautiful. And as that warmth touches my skin, it penetrates my soul and livens me up as well. Keep it comin' with the good news, Mr. Weatherman.

{On weddings}: Our anniversary is coming up and it has me thinking a lot about our wedding day. There's an insane amount of effort, money and preparation that goes into that day but I think, no I know... I'd just love to get married again every year. Same man. Same people + some. Different styles. And growing love.

{On music}: It's like magic the way it stirs the soul. I can't play any instruments and I still have to write the letters below each little black music note in order to read music as a book, but the sound, the emotion. Mmmm...

{On time}: Is it seriously May already? I absolutely adore the month of May so you don't see me cryin', but seriously... where the haaay did time go?

{On morning sickness}: Before you assume anything, no I don't have it. But this morning I have a greater appreciation and empathy for those who do. I woke feeling absolutely awful - nauseated and on the verge of getting sick in the shower. What an awful way to start the day.

{On Jamba's pumpkin ginger muffin}: Try it. Whether or not you like pumpkin at all. I promise you'll love it. It's tasty goodness, for sure.

{On the Royal Wedding}: Did I watch it? Heck yes, I did. Did I stay up all night to do so? Nope - thank you DVR. What a beautiful fairy tale (at least on the outside) to be a part of. I think it's absolutely crazy that we have nothing like that in the United States. It's like a whole different world.

The Riches of His Love

You are good, You are good
When there's nothing good in me
You are love, You are love
On display for all to see
You are light, You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope, You are hope
You have covered all my sin

You are peace, You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy
You're the reason that I sing
You are life, You are life,
In You death has lost its sting

Oh, I’m running to Your arms,
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, You are here
In Your presence I'm made whole
You are God, You are God
Of all else I'm letting go

Oh, I’m running to Your arms
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

My heart will sing
no other Name
Jesus, Jesus

Oh, I’m running to Your arms
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

Hillsong

Killer Weekend, Dude.

Just as predicted,
this weekend was low key
yet simply out of this world.

The house is squeaky clean.
Our sheets and duvet cover smell fresh as Spring.
Both cars have been serviced and cleaned.
Mother's Day presents have been purchased.
The bills have been paid and the checkbook has been balanced.
The Lord has continued to work out multiple knots in my heart.
Dear friends have been moved into their beautiful new home.
My nails have been painted a lovely shade of orange.
Inspirational reading has taken place in the summer-like sunshine.
I've enjoyed two dinner-and-a-movie nights at home with the hubs,
and my current craft project has also been finished.

I'm on my way to feeling rejuvenated
inside and out.

Alright, Monday.
Keep in step.. please?

Baby Steps. Big Blessings

I sobbed like a baby in church this morning.
You know, the entire service.
Start to finish. Without stopping.
Dad, you wouldn't have had a chance!

It was an incredible service
where I could clearly see the Lord's hand at work
both in our church and in my own life.

You see, our pastor's been going through the Book of Luke this year
teaching on the Tales of the Kingdom,
the parables Jesus taught.
And as we spent this sermon series
learning about what it means to be a Kingdom people,
our church participated in what we called the Kingdom Challenge.

The short story is this.
An anonymous {and very generous} couple in the church
donated $25,000 to be split up among 25 home groups.
Each group could do whatever they wanted with the $1,000
so long as they used it locally to further the Kingdom of God.

Some groups volunteered their time to tutor elementary students
while using the money to provide groceries and Bibles for their families.
Other groups revamped children's playgrounds,
and served at places like Mary's House, Serenity House,
and the Ronald McDonald House.

A young girl told us she gave duffel bugs
to families who carry their belongings around in trash bags.
"That's just not cool," she said. "Their stuff isn't trash."

The story I'd like to share with you though
is about the group that used a portion of the money to buy people's groceries.
A couple from the group patrolled their local Vons one afternoon
and found an older woman they were both sure should receive the funds.
For lack of a better word, they stalked her around the store
until she finally gathered all her groceries and headed for the check-out line.

Unfortunately, the couple had been stopped in the frozen food aisle
when asked for some advice on which hashbrowns to buy {random!}
When they finally made it up to the cashier's line,
there were already two other ladies between them and the lady they'd been following.
Bummer. Should they look for a different person?

As they stood there, they heard a call over the loud speaker.
"So-and-so, please come to the ..."
With that, one of the ladies in front of them stepped out of line.
Apparently, she was so-and-so.

Then, the woman they'd been following asked the other lady
if she'd like to cut in line. She only had a few items.

And there they were.
The road blocks had been removed
and they were standing next to this lady in line.
They tapped her on the shoulder
and asked if they could buy her groceries
as they told her about the Kingdom Challenge.
The lady was astounded
as no one had ever offered her something like that before.

They didn't have to stand there in the grocery store
shouting the story of the Gospel at her.
All they had to do was show the heart of Christ, in a practical way.

Baby steps. Big blessings.