Our lease is up soon and it's looking like Josh and I need to look for a new place. Have you seen this outrageous treehouse J.K. Rowling has comissioned for her kids? 

Geez, forget the kids. I'd pay rent to live in that thing. :p

Church

I took this picture at camp. All those raised hands, and each one a life changed by Jesus.

Yesterday at church people were sharing what God has been doing in their lives. The whole service was just testimonies! So many people shared that the service went super long (my tummy was rumbling!). Some of the testimonies were from people who had attended family camp but many came from people who didn't. 

It was touching...no no, more than that. It was more than encouraging, more than moving. I can't find the word. I needed more tissue! But from all I've seen, I'll tell ya, no program, no religion, no therapy, or length of time can heal people from so many different situations - divorce, death, shame, loneliness, meekness, depression, and regret, the way Christ can. He redeems, saves, and then gives you so much more.

I'm so happy today - this random Monday. :) I hope you are too.

A European Tourist and Me

Oh I forgot to tell you! Something funny happened in a cafe in Sausalito. Josh and I were sitting at this two seater when two Europeans came and sat at the table to my right. Then the weirdest thing...the man in the white moved his straight facing chair to the edge of his two seater table, right into me! There was sooo much room on the other side. Why wouldn't he keep the chair straight, like everyone else in the place! Josh took a picture because I just couldn't believe it. Just as I was about to yell "get up off me foo!" I was overcome with laughter. It was just so absurd it was funny. 

Here he is leaning forward to grab a bite as you can see in the mirror. It was much worse when he wasn't leaning forward. 

Aren't you guys supposed to be at the Olympics? Bah! :p Which reminds me...Olympic opening ceremony TONIGHT, 7:30! Who's in?

A Visit to Family Camp

This week is our annual church family camp. I popped in Tuesday and Wednesday and had the best time. Camp felt a lot like the weather up there - mild, calm, and perfect. There was a sense of gentleness in everything and you could feel it around the people. 

I had many memorable moments, but my favorite was being in adult session with mom and dad. We never get to worship with them because dad's always up on the stage. It was nice to be able to learn from someone together and to lift our hands in worship together. 

Here is my dad and mom at the snack shop. Aren't the redwood's amazing?

And I had to get a close-up for proof of dad's Great Waffle Cone Splurge of 2012!

Wishing you a sweet and gentle Thursday friends. 

A Proper Like Celebration [3 of 3]

Sausalito, in all its cuteness, quickly won me over. I just about died when we pulled up to our surprise destination, Casa Madrona. Swoon! The little inn by the sea was beautiful. 

This was the view from our deck. After the show we pulled on the plush bathroom robes and sat out on the porch, shared our highlights from the show, Josh pointed out some stars, and we gazed at the twinkling water. Heaven.

A bit of the closeness of San Francisco meshed with the quaint beauty of a younger Carmel. A winning combination if I do say so.

I know you're thinking it, so I'll go on and say it. I'm one lucky girl. :) 

A Proper Like Celebration [2 of 3]

I love the theater. It stimulates the mind and fires up the imagination.

I know Les Miserables is a classic but neither of us had seen it. Many months ago (before the Great Back Relapse of 2012) we had purchased balcony tickets at a great price since I was interested in seeing something in one of the SF theaters.

Les Mis is a sad story. I thought the set pieces were tired and repetitive but the performers were excellent. My favorite scene is when everyone dies in the revolution. Morbid ya? But It wasn't my favorite because everyone died (hello people. -_-) but how they portrayed their deaths. Beautiful!


The building was just as impressive as the show. It was built in 1926 and the walls and ceiling were just stunning. Unexplainable really. If the worker guy wasn't so bothered with us common folk talking photos during intermission I'd have a shot for you. But alas, he was particularly bothered that night and particularly bothered at me (see what I do for you folks? hehe). So instead I stole a photo from someone else who snuck a photo and posted it on yelp. 

We sat in the very last seats on the balcony. But because we sat in possibly the worst place in the whole theater, I can say in all authority that the place really doesn't have a bad seat in the house.

The intricate walls

The ceiling centerpiece overlaid in gold

A Moment's Pause

A slight interruption before continuing on.

Tonight a post on facebook brought me to my knees. It was a simple note to a baseball team from a son who can't come and play because his mom is in her last days losing a battle to cancer. I am not close with this family but have known them my whole life. I served alongside her husband these last few years and so was somewhat privy to the comings and goings of the family. What I do know of the mom is full of nothing but kindness and generosity.

At the same time many of my friends have announced they are getting married or are having beautiful babies.

My sister recently so poignantly noted that God's heart must be both rejoicing and breaking in light of each tragedy and each triumph. This is true in my little world but I know it is also true in yours. I cling to this promise:

"For the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide them unto fountains of waters of life: and God shall wipe every tear from their eyes."

Revelation 7:17

A Proper Like Celebration [1 of 3]

This weekend we had tickets to see Les Miserables in San Francisco. What was supposed to be the highlight of the weekend turned into just a piece of it.

On Friday I was texting Josh about Saturday night dinner options in the city and he oddly kept putting me off. He kept asking me to wait till he got home so we could do it together but as each minute ticked on by my worrisome nature increased. 

He came home and leisurely ate dinner and then leisurely read up on some football stuff. He then leisurely went to the bathroom followed by a leisure stroll to the couch. In my version all that took 2 hours but in his all that took 15 minutes. :) You be the judge. -_-

FINALLY 2 hours (or 15 minutes) later he casually asked if we should look at dinner options. I jumped right on that like a moth to a flame and eagerly showed him all my research. He let me go through ALL THAT and then casually said, "So, I have a surprise for you. I booked a room at a little place in Sausalito for Saturday night and made dinner reservations at a place there. Would that work?"

Little Booger. He tricked me.

My mind came to a grinding halt and everything I had imagined for the weekend was rearranging itself in lighting speed (like Bella but after she became a vampire). Apparently Josh decided we were going to celebrate our first anniversary proper-like and together. Turns out he had not only booked a room but he had planned the entire weekend down to every last itty bitty detail. We ate and hiked and beached here. Ate dinner here. Saw Les Mis here. Stayed here. And then hung out here. 

All in all a most wonderfully unexpected weekend from a most wonderfully thoughtful guy.

Pics from Saturday morning

P.S. More on Les Mis later. And then Sausalito after that. 

Ready or Not, Here We Come

Regular college football fans might be gearing up for the upcoming season. They would probably be looking for tickets to the first home game and anticipating seeing their favorite players back on the field. 

But I am not married to a normal football fan (as you may have surmised). In our house, college football goes year around and right now the last few recruits are filling out for the class of 2013. You heard me right, 2013. Josh sent me this list of verbal commits today and I could just feel the hopeful anticipation reverberating from my phone. 

To Josh this little picture embodies his hopes for his favorite team to (dare I say it?) return to the top. The man's joy knows no bounds. 

And it all comes to beginning Saturday, September 1st. Ready or not, here we come.

Last Night Wonder

Last night my Instagram was a'light with breathtaking photos of the night sky. Pictures of the sunset taken by friends and friends of friends just kept popping up. And from all over too! One was taken as far away as Mammoth and another hours away at the beach. It was just too beautiful to keep to myself, so I stole them to share with you. (shhh, please don't tell on me!)

Did you catch it too? 

Summer Dates in LA: Hollywood Bowl

Oh the memories I have of summer nights at the Hollywood Bowl! I would venture to say, there is nothing like it anywhere else in the world. It’s not just an outdoor concert, it’s an entire experience that showcases the best of LA. But to first timers, it might be a little confusing. There are two ways to go - the fancy way and the not-so-fancy way. 

 If you want to save money, this is the way to go. Pack a picnic of all your favorite foods. Make sure you’ve got a blanket to wrap around your legs, jackets, and binoculars if you bought the cheapest seats. The Hollywood Bowl is notorious for terrible parking, so do what we all do and opt for the Park and Ride”. Pre-order your bus tickets and then meet at any of the designated stops around the city. Hop on a bus with all the other bowl goers and strike up a conversation with your seat buddy. Once you arrive, remember your bus number so you can find it later. Follow the traffic towards the entrance. Pick up your tickets at the box-office and splurge on a program (It’s the only way to know what’s going on). 

Take the moving walkway or brave the hill. If you have a sensitive toosh pick up some seat cushions. Find an open spot along the way or eat at your seats before the concert begins and enjoy the show! During intermission bust out the bubbly and dessert. And as the night cools, share your blanket (and the binoculars). 

The way I have never gone, but by-golly I will one day! Splurge on box seats and make reservations for Patina at the Pool. Can’t hop on a bus for this trip (not in that casual elegance). Instead, go with the Bowl Shuttle. Drive to a designated lot near the Bowl and hop on your reserved shuttle seats. No need to worry about binoculars, food, or cushions. Just take you, your date, and your warm jackets. Pick up your tickets and a program and join the foot traffic. No need to get on a moving walkway, just show a worker your tickets and be escorted to your fancy seats! Dinner will be served madam. 

What A Beauty

This bike makes me want to have a flat on the Magnificient Mile and bike the six miles to work every morning in my sharp J.Crew suit and Kate Spade crossbody ipad case. 

Pretty sight for a Monday morning, eh?

Yard House

My old haunt. Article here. 

Sorry Josh! :)

Walked into Target the other day to pick up some conditioner and left with some great summer shorts. I went home and immediately tore off the tags and put them on. Do you ever get that excited about something? :)

Some more goodies from the one-stop-shop.

shoes, shorts, earrings, top, necklace

Blog Love

Apparently our wedding was featured on ceremonyblog.com today. A whole year and some months later. I guess our photographers submitted them because I know we sure didn't.  If you're interested, the link. 

Summer Dates in LA: 3rd

Take a Thursday off (gasp!) and head up to Joan’s on Third in LA. Order a yummy latte or cappuccino, take a seat and savor your delicious beverage and enjoy one another's company. Before you leave, take a look at all the specialty items and sample whatever they have out for the day.

Walk east on 3rd stopping at any of the boutiques that catch your eye. Pass all the restaurants until you see Toast across the street. Order a half sandwich/half salad combo (or anything really, it's all good) and sit outside so you can spot the celebrities pretending to blend in. 

Drive over to The Grove in LA. Grab a place on the bridge and enjoy the show at the mini Bellagio fountain. Then meander over to the stage lights and be an extra on Extra. Shake Mario Lopez’s hand and grab a photo or two of whoever he’s interviewing that day. Head up the street, window browsing until you reach the very end.Turn left and enter into The Farmer’s Market for dinner. Tour the whole place before deciding on something to eat. Get it to-go and take the cute trolley all the way back down the street. Grab a blanket from the car, find a spot in the park, and end the night eating dinner while watching a movie classic under the stars.  

P.S. If you really want to impress, later that week, surprise your date with the tivo’d episode of Extra with your (now infamous) cameo appearance! 

Cake Topper

Doh, forgot this one! 

Wedding #3

We were in LA for a wedding this past weekend. Jenna and Josh are just the sweetest people on the face of the earth. I mean, they're the type of people who would take a bullet for a stranger or donate their kidney's to some kid on a commercial. Much better people that I am. So much better that you're kinda suspicious of it. ;) j.k.

Anywoo, they were married at the Swiss Park Banquet Center in Whittier, Ca. The whole thing had a bit of an 80's feel with a bunch of really amazing homemade touches.

Photobooth!

And for the finale, this one is entitled, "Kiki Rules" (bottom left photo, center)

Health Update

While I was running last night I was listening to "Your Love Never Fails" on my ipod and there's a part of the song that says,

the chasm is far too wide
I never thought I'd reach the other side
But your love never fails

I stopped running and the weight of the truth hit me like a ton of bricks. Here I was running. Running! In the middle of the field, with all the other people around, I lifted my arms to the heavens and repeated over and over "your love never fails". I can honestly say there were times when I never thought I'd get better. Six months is and isn't a long time. And although 'six months' just rolls off my tongue now, when we were in the thick of it, it truly felt like an eternity.

Don't get me wrong, the road to recovery is still a ways out. Part of my back is completely immobile because it hasn't moved in a long time. But the good news is the herniated discs seem to have finally slipped back into place. I am working on strengthening my core and hips, and regaining my flexibility. It is our hope all this will help my back to loosen up so I can be free from pain soon.

You must be sick of hearing about my health woes. I'll tell ya, I'm sick of it too. But I wanted to tell you about my revelation of freedom to encourage you in case your chasm feels far too wide. I'm telling you, His love never fails.

Summer Dates in LA

A friend of mine recently asked for some date night suggestions. The question sparked my fancy and the ideas kept coming long after my friend had moved on. For the next several weeks I thought I'd do a fun little mini series on Summer Dates in LA.

First up, one of my favorite places. Malibu.

Malibu Country Mart, John's Garden, K Chocolatier's, Malibu Seafood Fish Market

1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th!

Happy 4th everyone. One of my favorite bloggers posted a little DIY party banner for today's celebrations. I love her because she's so crafty and she generously shares her templates and tutorials at no cost. 

So, if you're in the mood, here's the link to the 4th of July party banner tutorial. Stay safe and enjoy the fireworks. :)

Half Moon Bay

And on Sunday after church we traveled to Half Moon Bay expecting the same 72 San Jose degrees. Instead we were greeted with a thick marine layer than had rolled in and settled. 

Even though we didn't get to beach it like we planned, it was beautiful and moving. Quiet and immensely powerful, deserving your reverence. We drove in the car in one mood and switched to another when we stepped out into it. The way only the ocean can make you do. 

 The cliffs were infinite that day.

And this fisherman making his way.

Gen 1:9 And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. 10. God called the dry ground "land", and the gathered waters he called "seas". And God saw that it was good.  

"..how wide and long (longer than the beach!) and high (higher than these cliffs!) and deep (deeper than the ocean!) is the love of Christ." Eph3

A Delightfully Fatty Saturday

On Saturday we practically ate our way through San Francisco. If you've been around, you know I'm on a quest to try all the best foods in SF. I was excited to go because I am finally well enough to handle all the standing, walking, and sitting. Even though I had to wear my mondo sized marathon shoes, I totally made it. Thank you Jesus!

We decided to take the Bart since I had never experienced it before. It was less *word searching* hostile (found it!) than the NY subway. I was quite in awe of all the diverse white people. That may sound weird but I'm telling ya it's true. Not quite what I'm used to being from LA. :)

ANYWAY, back to it. The Bart, lovely. Much less stressful to use than having to navigate the cramped roads and impossible-to-find parking. 

Our first stop was Pizzeria Delfina. It's been at the top of my bucket list because it never fails to be at the top of everyone else's bucket list. And man, it did not disappoint. I was mentally prepared for an hour wait but to our surprise we sat immediately! If you know SF, then you know all those foodies book reservations months in advance. We totally lucked out. 


Margherita Pizza and that small bowl of goodness in the back was to die for. Some fancy mac & cheese-pasta-red-sauce-braised-pork hybrid that melted in your mouth. Kid you not, I was savoring each bite as if I was being taped in slow motion. And the Margherita was so good I would argue it is the best I've ever had (seriously Ramsey, you'll have to come and try it).

Then afterwards we heaved ourselves over to Tartine - one of the best bakeries in the city.The morning buns and fresh pastries looked so tasty. I know we just ate, but I had to get something. :) 

You'd think we'd be done, but no no. Classic Bi-Rite Creamery was just down the street so after we waited in 3 different lines (no kidding!) we were rewarded with a scoop of homemade salted caramel and brown sugar ice cream. Even now I close my eyes and am transported back to that first taste of heaven. -_- Proof it was good? Mr. Lactose Intolerant himself couldn't stop from digging in. 

There was no stopping us so we broke from the locals and BART'ed it up to Fisherman's Wharf. From the dock Josh took this picture of Alcatraz. It was breezy and as the hour passed the fog slowly rolled in and covered the infamous island. It was beautiful.

All that walking helped to combat all that eating. That's what I keep telling myself anyway. ;) The crowds were thinned, the weather refreshing, and the company rated outstanding.

If there was one thing I would leave with you it's this. They sure do know how to do food right. 


Hope this short week brings a reprieve from the daily grind. Happy Monday!