Sister Dopplegangers

Either these girls stole our baby pictures or Aimee found our sister dopplegangers! I know we don't look like them now but look at the young photo. It's uncanny and very, very odd and I'll admit a little creepy.

P.S. Boo is doing extremely well - creating a bladder and beginning to practice breathing. The creation of life amazes me. 

P.P.S. Attempting to make "The Best Chocolate Ice Cream You'll Ever Have" today. Tell you about it later.

I know I'm married but I still love looking at beautiful engagement rings. =) Saw these vintage inspired beauties and had to share. More here.  

Just a thought, why does vintage=pricey nowadays?

Answered Prayers

My back has taken a few steps backwards these past few days. It feels super tight and like something bad could happen with one wrong turn or reach. I have been icing it all day and not sitting. Hopefully this heals up soon. But that's not why I'm writing.

I'm not sure if you've noticed my Daily Prayer List down there on the right. I update it every so often with praises and burdens that are on my heart. Just a few weeks ago I added #6. For God to break through to family members who don't know him. I actually had some specific loved ones in mind but today I received an email that had been forwarded many times saying that some family members whom I don't know accepted Christ! I will probably never meet these people but I know in heaven I will run up to them and tell them God had me praying for them and I didn't even know it. God works in wondrous ways doesn't He?

Keep praying for whoever is on your heart. I tell ya, the Big Man upstairs works miracles.

The Best for Last

The Grammy's and the Oscars are my favorite award shows. This year I missed the Oscars because Josh and I were on the 5 just about passing Paso Robles and heading north fast when it came to an end. So of course I relied on my trusty friends to text me their best dressed, most memorable Billy Crystal moments, the new stuff, and touching acceptance speeches.

I perused the Red Carpet at length. I must say, in my humble opinion it was the best dressed awards show of the year. It seemed everyone upped the anty (or shelled out more for the better stylists). Outfits seemed fitted and everyone so pulled together from head to toe. It was shiny and pretty and well, I like shiny and pretty.

My top four (and 1/2):
Michelle Williams, the ruffles, material, the fit, the shiny pin, and the pixie - just perfect.

I know Octavia announced to the world she's getting a boob job after awards season, but I must say - she looked all prim, proper, put together, and looking like she didn't need any surgery whatsoever. So pretty!

Emma Stone just looked fabulous without appearing like it took too much work. Plus I thought her little bit was funny. Oftentimes those little speeches bomb but she pulled it off like a pro.

I never think Guiliana Rancic looks good on the red carpet so I was amazed when I saw her! The red lips,  subdued hair, and that stunning dress. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

 And I didn't like Stacy's ensemble when she was by herself. Seemed a bit much or something...

But when she stood with Clooney I thought she looked like the perfect arm candy/man jewelry and her whole thing just began to work for me. Do you think so too?

There were many others this year but a slow internet and a long drive are only letting me bring you my idea of the cream of the crop.

Until next year RC's. :) Thanks for the show.

#Moneysaving and #Littlejoysinlife*

Josh and I have turned into tight wads and me into a coupon cutting, find the bargain, machine. I recently fell into the most beautiful little life breathing thing. Since Starbucks and $4.05 Grande Nonfat Vanilla Latte Extra Hot's are out (miss you GNVLXH!) I've been looking for a cheap alternative. I found it and at Target no less.

For a whopping $6 you can get like billions of cups of hot Chai tea whenever you want. It's marvelous and I had to share because if you like hot cups of chai goodness at your beck and call, well then I just placed a whole lot of happiness in your hands. Happy Weekending folks. See you in LA. :)

*Homage to the Twitter machine because that is where I first found the funniest thing in 2012.

Ash Wednesday

I have completely lost control. I can't stop watching the sloth video. Right before I go to bed, while I'm cooking, walking, grocery shopping, and every in between. I can't stop myself!

It's so much goodness rolled into one and it's taking over my life. I need to stop.

Wednesday night Josh and I attempted to go to church. I've never been on an Ash Wednesday and we both thought it would be a nice beginning to our season of Lent. Well, through this means and that pamphlet we ended up at a Christian Korean/American blended service in Mountain View. I knew I was going to have a hard time focusing (hmm, good word choice J) when we walked in and the pastor was reciting a verse in Korean. Odd night. Afterwards (okay, 3/4ths into the service) we stopped to get some gelato. I did not miss the irony of getting dessert on the first day of Lent.

I'll leave you to your day. Hope the start of lent was smooth sailing for you. Here's a picture of Wednesday night. Sepia'd and edge blurred in an attempt to spiritualize. Did it work? :p

P.S. Boo's already showing off 10 toes and 10 fingers. Booya! I KNEW Boo was going to be advanced. I just KNEW it. And lookey here, baby can practically take the gifted test. #beaming auntie

So Far The Funniest Thing in 2012

Have you ever found something to be so funny that the tears just flow and flow and you can't catch your breath, and for days after the thought of that funny thing will make you laugh out loud and sometimes tear up?

Let's be honest, those good times only happen once or twice a year. Well, it's only February and its happened and it was from the most random thing. Are you one of the 9.5 million people who have seen Kristen Bell's Sloth Meltdown? It's epic. So epic, that I need to give you a warning - do not watch this in a quiet, public place because if you're like me, you won't be able to control yourself.

Happy Laugh-Out-Loud Thursday.

Lent

I know a few people who gave in to the spirit of Fat Tuesday yesterday. I know I succumbed to that Samoa girl scout cookie...dang that coconut goodness.

Theoretically I always enjoy the season of Lent. In a world of indulgence and immediate gratification there's something to withholding as a reminder of whom we should be dependent on.

Are you giving up something? I am. And many people I know are. Which I think is great. But this morning a nagging thought kept creeping in. Am I giving up something relatively inconsequential to deepen my relationship with Him or to just to make myself feel better?

My friend Andrew said it so poignantly, "Somehow, modern faith gets so sanitized to the point that Christianity means finding the way towards more security, more control, more comfort. And maybe that's why the invitation toward being a disciple includes some measure of selling or leaving or dying to follow Him, as if experiencing the sensation of loss and dependence is essential to the Jesus Way."

 Praying that I experience a new dependence on Jesus as a reminder that He is essential to the Way.

Baby News and the Reactions

These past few weeks have been a slew of telling people the news. Being that I'm up north, each time I knew one was happening I'd be waiting on pins and needles to hear how they reacted. Oddly, people responded differently than I would have thought. Here's my sum up. 

The parentals. If you know Blane's parents you would also expect a full on excited cryfest/gibbering excitement/crazy to ensue. I think it had to sink in a little bit because although they are now exactly what I figured they'd be like, their initial lack of response surprised me. Don't worry, they've made up for it since. 

My mom and dad, who I was also super excited to hear the news, surprised me. They too were excited but more calm that I was expecting. I mean, since the engagements my mom hasn't stopped talking about her third seat in the car which is "reserved for my grandchildren". I found out later that they had already suspected. My dad even stopped my mom from calling me the night before to find out if that's why they were invited to lunch. -__-. Thank goodness dad stopped her. That woman! Ever the sleuth. :)

There were your obvious criers - Melissa, Rianna, Denise, and Linda (and perpetual hugger). The "I'm shocked" group - Grace, Pat, and my MIL (don't worry mom it's not me!) :p. The non-responders - Josh "oh, cool" and my grandma "Oh that's nice.....so how's the weather?" (seriously) and Blake.

And the happy - most everyone else and every girl and boy in the youth group. You'd think they were having a baby. And, you know what? It's kinda like they are. This baby will be loved on, smothered, followed, fed, protected, and cherished by this group of kids - 75 older brothers and sisters. Yikes! Can you imagine?

I think I've been more excited than Aimee. :/ But that's okay, she'll catch up. :) 

Do you aunties have any advice for me? I'm all ears..

The Green Light

I have once again snuck out of bed because I couldn't sleep. I have news that I've been bursting to share with you but hadn't yet been given the green light. But just today, FINALLY, sweet sweet FINALLY, I have been set free.

My friends, come August, I am going to be an Auntie and Josh is going to be an Uncle.

Yes, it's true! Yesterday at church Aimee and Blane announced they are expecting. Aimee is fine. She had a rough go throughout January but she is more on the upside now than the down. She is just about thirteen weeks and out of the obligatory "don't tell anyone just in case" stage. They are excited and nervous and Aimee is dealing with being a private person in a very public stage of life (example - she texted family the news instead of calling). Her love language is not touch but today I watched as seemingly everyone reached in to touch her tiny tiny belly. And so it begins.

Someone recently asked me why Josh and I have been going down to So Cal now that the weddings were over. The REAL answer that I wanted to scream from the top of my lungs was MY SISTER IS PREGNANT!!!! but instead I managed to shrug my shoulders and add, "you know.." As if they knew how it was. Somehow that answer always made sense and I was let off the hook.

I'm sorry I have been spotty. It's just that my thoughts and joy have been centered on something I couldn't share so I've been laggy. Apologies all around. I hope you understand. I was also scheming to have the cutest picture and the best post about it all but really I'm much too impatient and opted instead to just blabitalloutinastringofincoherency. :)

I'm excited for many things. Eeek, I just can't tell ya! But for now my prayer is for a healthy Aimee, a healthy baby, and for this child to love Jesus more than anything.

Here we go...all together now.

Psst...guess what? I broke bent the rules. Josh and I decided not to do anything for vday but I just couldn't help myself. Tonight's surprise dinner, Red-Wine Braised Short Ribs or these too. (Don't worry, he only mosey's over here every so often.)

Here those beauties are right before going in the oven for a few hours. Hopefully they are fall-of-the-bone-and-screamin-my-appreciation good.

Mr. Darcy and I bid you a good night!

Barrett and Browning

Today the private love letters and courtship of poets Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning were made available online. What a love story.

Barrett, one of the best known poets of the Victorian era...was in her late 30's when Browning first wrote her in 1845 to tell her he admired her work. In their fifth month of correspondence, they met for the first time. After more than a year of almost daily letters between them, the couple wed in secret in September 1846, after defying her father's prohibition against her ever marrying...Her father disinherited her and never spoke to her again. -AP


Barrett's most famous line - "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways." 

Happy Valentines Day.

It Girl + Vogue

Saw these over at Vogue. Aren't they beautiful? And isn't Adele stunning?

The Grammy's

With the passing of Whitney, there wasn't any chance I was missing the Grammy's this year. I'm sure their ratings were through the roof. Plus, it's like a free concert. 

I was gaga over Bruno Mars and The Civil Wars. I'm only halfway through so maybe more will shock and awe. But...already meandered through the red carpet. No huge fashion standouts for me. Did you feel the same way? Adele looked quite put together and so did a few others. 

The Grammy's are usually about who looks the worst but I can't give in to that. Except for this chick. I think she blew her cover as Russian KGB. 

Pew Pew! Highlights to the right. Night ya'll.

A True Voice

I can remember when I first became enamored with a Whitney Houston song. I was thirteen years old and believe it or not, it was from a commercial for AT&T in 1994. The song just got stuck in my head and I sang it over and over again for months. "...the real you coming through, your true voice." 

I grew up singing. When we were little, Aimee and I would practice at home in our PJ's on our stage (the futon) and with our mics (aka the jump rope). 

Whitney really touched me back in the day. Listening to her sing "I Will Always Love You" and "I Have Nothing" with the signature quiver of her lips and sweat on her upper lip, with such passion... man, it's like she made you feel what she was saying.

And although her personal life was mired in tragedy, it is her voice that I will remember - and the way she touched and inspired one teenage girl back in 1994. Tonight on the way home from dinner I found that commercial on YouTube and sang along with it, over and over again, just like old times. In tribute to Whitney..

Whitney Houston - AT&T Commercial

Sheldon and Kristin

I think I've mentioned that Josh's best friend, Sheldon, recently proposed to his girlfriend, Kristin. At our wedding Sheldon gave the most epic best man speech. People who don't know him still mention it to me. And although Kristin was there too, you may have missed her behind Sheldon's towering frame. 

We're excited for them - partially because it's nice when your friends join the married group. It brings you to a new level of conversation and understanding. But we're also excited because, well, because it's them. =) Their engagement photos.

An Enlightened Friday

This weekend we have a dinner party to attend. Ok, not really so fancy actually. =) But we're heading north to the grandparents house for Saturday night dinner with the family. I'm excited that we aren't packing right now and am looking forward to waking up super late in our own bed! (If you haven't already discovered - sleeping in has got to be one of life's greatest pleasures.)

We've gone to dinner before (grandma is a fabulous cook who makes it all seem effortless) but this time I have been tasked with bringing dessert. First time! I'm excited and of course a bit nervous. I already had the ingredients for Knock You Naked Brownies from, who else, Mrs. Pioneer herself so I figured, why not?

Aren't they luscious looking? I stole her picture because mine aren't ready yet. I hope they turn out as good as hers look and her comments testify to, but if not my backup plan will be stopping at the nearest bakery before dinner. :) I'll keep you posted on the impending outcome.

Yesterday I ran across Cooking Light's Most Common Cooking Mistakes and I seriously felt I had a moment of enlightenment. For someone who didn't grow up cooking, these basic methods really gave me a head's up. Like, #30 "Your bacon is burnt and crinkly" Hello! I've only known stove top pan fried  bacon and did not know it's supposed to go in the oven! They have so much more like "Your gravy is lumpy" or "Your mashed potatoes are gluey".

And one I used today for my dessert, "Your caramel meets a burnt, bitter end."

Anywhoo, if you care go and take a gander. It's worth a read-through. Happy Friday!

P.S. Today I mailed my Valentine's Day cards and I am so excited about them. Took me back to the days of candy grams and sweetheart candy. =) 

A Valentine's Day Gift Guide - For Her

They say that Valentine's Day is a celebration of love but I think we all know that's not completely true. A big part of Valentine's has always been about the gift. 

I once dated a guy who always bought me things he liked. (no wonder we aren't together anymore. just kidding...sort of.) So here's my gift to the gifting impaired. Go out and do a girl proud. 

1. Nothing says "I get it" like a bit of Chanel.

2. Think it's been done? She doesn't. But this time don't do the hasty trip to the local grocery store. If you're in LA, go here.  

3. Buy dozens of these and fill a room in the house. 

4. No girl I know would turn down a Maya Brenner mini. No girl.

5. Surprise her with a massage from her favorite spa - with her best friend.

6. And lastly, the one little thing that will put you on a pedestal until next year rolls around - a thoughtful card, with actual words written that include a description of feelings. =) 

A Fateful Introduction

The highlight of my weekend was meeting this little guy. =) 

We had a moment. :p

The Final Lesson

As promised, here's my favorite part of last weekend - John Ortberg's message on Sunday at MPPC. Moved all of us and was a big encouragement for me, and maybe for you too. 

Broken, the Final Lesson

The Adventure of Lewis and Clark and Sacajawea

I forgot to tell you about last Saturday in The City (it's actual nickname if you did not know) with Josh (aka Clark) and Melissa (aka Sacajawea). Sorry it's coming to you so late, I'm all out of wack this week. Bear with me it's worth it. =)

Randomly we decided to grab some dim sum because apparently Josh has never been. What the..? I know, I was shocked too. PLUS, I had a bona fide Chinese with me. You can't go to dim sum without one. Holla if you know what I'm talking about!

Melissa's friends all recommended Mayflower so we headed on over. My initial thought was that it wasn't authentic because they didn't have the carts pushing the food around like I'm used to. But Melissa kindly informed me that even in Hong Kong many of the dim sum restaurants don't have that. Put back in my place! :p

 Besides, if you walk in and there's your typical seafood chillin in old looking water, you know it's authentic. 

See that white lady? I was happy to see her because it meant that they were "white friendly". (Are you feeling like we're in another era?) But if you know what I mean, then you know what I mean.

 But they were in fact nice to outsiders. Their menu even had english sub titles! 

But what got me, in the end, was the food. Man oh man, was it good. Mouth watering, eye rolling type of good. And I'm going to say it..better than LA. Yup, I went there people.

 And even though they were a bit gruff, they were also nicer than the peeps in Los Angeles. 

We had to do some sightseeing and walk it off so we drove over to check out the Presidio. I didn't know what to expect, but it was expansive and beautiful. Even the drive in was breath-taking. 

Apparently the Presidio is an old army post. It still looks like one but it's been kept up and is absolutely stunning. Now they have a beautiful chapel, national cemetery, housing, a YMCA, museums, and more on this property. It is wonderful and I recommend it to everyone. 

They even have a Walt Disney Museum on their campus where we got a glimpse of all their Emmy's, Oscar's, and awards.

I wanted to get that amazing shot of the Golden Gate Bridge but this was as close as we got. It was such a beautiful weather-perfect day that it was quite crowded. This was taken from the car after Josh kindly rolled his window down. =) Eh, we've seen it before. :p

Driving through the Presidio on the other side we found the photo we were looking for. Isn't she gorgeous?

 Afterwards we drove through the Castro district to get to a coffee house that Melissa raved about. And we would have done more but my back had been pushed a little too far. 

That's okay though, my quest to get a clear understanding of the City was made a little bit more clearer. And all thanks to Clark and Sacajewea for going on this adventure with me. =)

In a second, I'll share with you my favorite part of the whole weekend. Stay tuned.