Monday, December 31, 2012

The Things of 2012 and the Thing for 2013


What a year, eh? Besides the introduction of and the mass popularity of Gangnam style, a lot happened this year. The Curiosity Rover landed on Mars, Obama was reelected to a second term, the Middle East continued the Arab Spring, Linsanity began and ended, the Sandusky fiasco slapped us across the face, the Pussy Riot's painted a grim picture of freedom, Lance Armstrong was stripped of his titles, the Pope began tweeting, London celebrated the Queen's diamond Jubilee and the Princess announced she was pregnant, Hurricane Sandy hit us like a ton of bricks, the Fab Five was labeled, Husain Bolt did it again, and Michael Phelps became the Greatest Olympian of all time.

It was a learning year for me and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Mostly because I ended up on top - and because I am so settled and bizarrely content, I can't even stand it myself. One of my goals last year was to get closer to God (be careful what you ask for, ha!) and I can say in all authority, I did.

(If you're curious, the single most defining moment of my yearthe day that changed all our livesand probably my favorite post of the year.)

As we look to 2013, this is the last thing I want to leave you with in 2012:

Be willing to go out on a limb with Me. If that is where I am leading you, it is the safest place to be. Your desire to live a risk-free life is a form on unbelief. Your longing to live close to Me is at odds with your attempts to minimize risk. You are approaching a crossroads in your journey. In order to follow Me wholeheartedly, you must relinquish your tendency to play it safe. 

Let me lead you step by step through this day. If your primary focus is on Me, you can walk along perilous paths without being afraid. Eventually, you will learn to relax and enjoy the adventure of our journey together. As long as you stay close with Me, My sovereign Presence protects you wherever you go. 

-Jesus Calling, 12/9

We only live once!

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Battle of the Sexes

Last night Josh and I headed to the valley to spend time with his high school friends + wives/girlfriends. the group is a lot of fun - but it got funner (yup, used it) when we played Battle of the Sexes

Have you ever played? The group is competitive so it was fun. I was trying to be on my best behavior so I was only a little bit competitive. :p 

We lost in the tiebreaker, but if I'm going to lose, I'd rather lose with these girls than win with those boys. :)


1 more party, a wedding shower, new years eve festivities, and new years family party to go! 

Friday, December 28, 2012

A Vacation from the Vacation

Yesterday was exactly a year from when my back went out. My text to Aimee and Melissa:

"Just realized a year ago today my back went out. You never know what the year holds, but this remains, God is faithful!"

Yesterday Josh and I took a mini vacation from our vacation. Priceline a great deal at the Hyatt at the Pike in Long Beach. The price was so good I thought we were headed to a dump, but I was happily greeted by this:


Okay, back to the chaos. :) Two more parties to go, then New Years Eve!

Thursday, December 27, 2012

The Gift of Giving

This year instead of telling you what I want, I'm going to tell you what we gave. Aren't you curious?

I'm a terrible present giver. I don't like shopping and I never know what to get. Are you like me? Aimee used to do most of my Christmas shopping but now (for most gifts) I'm on my own. EEk! Someone give me a brown paper bag!

Even though we were on a tight budget, I was still happy with each gift we found. Here's a peak into what we bought for Christmas.

1. We spent the most on our parents. They deserve it. We wanted to do it. We made a parent wedding album for them. We didn't buy albums from our wedding photographers so this was the alternative. I loved how they came out. Thick and full of fond memories for them...I hope. :p


2. We made grandparents mini versions of the wedding books.

3. Our nephew got a "Cole's Little Book of Names and Faces" book from Pinhole Press. Brilliant idea really. It's educational, developmental, and the perfect age for him. I had so much fun finding each person's photo. The hardest thing was deciding who made the cut!
4. Also from Pinhole Press, we bought Blane and Aimee a customized magnetic emergency card for their fridge.

5. Melissa got the Starbucks Memories Gift Card. Have you seen it? They are so cute! She doesn't have to use them on me, but I figure I'll get one or two of them. :)

6. Leah and Sherwin was a no brainer. We picked up a Lenox "First Married Christmas" ornament for them. It's fancy looking and reminds me of Leah.



7. Josh picked out a Ben Sherman shirt for his brother (not this one, but you get the idea).



8. And the hardest person for us to find something for this year, Josh's sister, Kylie. I always end up deferring to the gift card (Madewell), and inevitably that's what I ended up doing this year.  -_- It was our worst gift, but the one we spent the most energy on. Go figure.


9. For Sheldon and Kristen, a different "First Christmas" ornament found by, none other than Joshua himself.

10. And lastly, certain families near and dear to us received homemade peppermint bark.

Call me old fashioned, but I love when people love what we gave them. =) So happy that the shoppings done for the year. Phew!

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Day After Recovery

I'm posting so late because I just woke up. -_- haha. Yesterday was amazing in many ways but I'm too exhausted to go into detail now (plus we're off to eat). Here's some snapshots.





All I can say is, God is good and I am blessed. 

Monday, December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas Eve!

Josh and I have had the best few crazy days. My highlights, Sunday worship! A beautiful way to begin the festivities, and family Christmas last night (dad's side) was the best one we've ever had - think singing, games, food, laughing, and really great conversations. 

Tonight we have another family party and we'll be running around today until the last possible minute. How many parties are you going to? 

Some pictures from our days (the only ones I've got after all this craziness. :o)

Dressed up in his Sunday best (and matching his dad)

Melissa leading the church Christmas Sunday - really anointed!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Friday, December 21, 2012

Friday Favorites

We are headed to LA to officially begin Christmas.  I can't wait because this is what is waiting for me.


4 days till Christmas everyone, as if you didn't know. :)

Thursday, December 20, 2012

The First 'Last Thing of 2012'

Josh's last day of work in 2012 has arrived!!

more beautiful photos here

Tonight we pack up our place (including Lady Jane) and tomorrow we head down to Christmas. I'm sad to see her go, with all the daily joy she has brought to us, but the time has come. Let the festivities begin!

5 more days!

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Gifts from the Heart

A few weeks ago Josh and I were strolling through the mall and we stopped in Williams Sonoma. We love walking around in there to browse the trinkets and specialty food items. They were giving little tastes of their Peppermint Bark. I had never had it before. It was all sorts of wonderful! Well, all sorts of wonderful until I saw the price... $48.00!


While Josh worked late, I made a few batches of my own using this friendly recipe (plus a hint of peppermint extract). I was curious if the consistency and taste would be similar, and to my delight, it was.

A few homemade Christmas gifts checked off the list (and not at $48.00 a pop)!

I'm compiling a post of all the gifts we bought/made this year. Aren't you curious? I'll post it after Christmas...but not a day sooner :)

6 more days!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

I stumbled across a new blog the other day and I was hooked, line, and sinker (is that how that goes?). Anyway, one day she posted on how to make your very own wreath. Beautiful! Then, after that I noticed that everyone was making wreaths this year.

Personally, I'm the type to just buy one. But in my mind, if I lived on a farm I'd get up in the wee hours of the day, gather the items from my vast acres, haul it back to my beautiful old barn, and make tons of beautiful wreaths for me and my neighbors for Christmas. *dream sequence ending here



P.S. I've got a hankering to try something new in the kitchen... I'll tell ya about it if it's amazing or if it was down right terrible. :p 7 Days till Christmas!

Monday, December 17, 2012

"Come to Me"


I have not spoken of the Sandy Hook Tragedy because, frankly, it hurts too much to think about and honestly, what is there really for me to say? Like you, I am heartbroken.

Last night I told myself to suck it up, and I clicked on CNN and went through the pictures. Afterwards, I took a deep breath and listened to Obama's message from the town. He praised the women who died protecting the kids and I was holding it together until he began reciting the names of the little children. I wasn't prepared for that and my heart twisted in my chest.

Charlotte, Daniel, Olivia, Josephine, Ana, Dylan, Madeleine, Catherine, Chase, Jesse, James, Grace, Emilie, Caroline, Jack, Noah, Jessica, Avielle, Benjamin, Allison.

"Let the little children come to me" Jesus said, "and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."

If you would like to show your love:
Sandy Hook Elementary School
12 Dickenson Drive
Sandy Hook, CT 06482

Weekend Recap sub titled, "A Suspect Hello"

We went down to LA this weekend to help A because Blane was heading out of town.

When I first saw the little Tank Engine I lifted him over my head in jubilation and he responded by barfing in my mouth. -_- "hello auntie jj!"

This was taken before Blane left. Could we be anymore ridiculous?

Our reward for the weekend was tons of smiles, gurgles, poops, and babble. Soooooo worth it.

8 Days till Christmas!

Friday, December 14, 2012

Friday Favorites

A milestone kind of week for Cole. His 1st friend, and a cutie to boot!


I'm especially loving the bib sizes and the short limbs. :p Sigh, I love Friday Favorites.
Have a warm weekend - 11 days till Christmas!

Thursday, December 13, 2012

A Peak Into A Special Moment

Today I have a special treat for you. I've asked some of my favorite people to share with us a favorite photo from their wedding. I loved seeing what was so dear to everyone's heart from one of the most memorable days in their lives. Just putting this post together made me all gush inside with feelings of romanticness sprouting about.

Enjoy! *tissue box and "awwws" welcome.

Jordan and Jordan
So many reasons why I love this photo...being held and kissed by my high school sweetheart, dear family, and friends who have been there from the very beginning and who continue to walk with us and a beautiful reminder of God's amazing beauty all around us. - Jordan

more beauties after the break...

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Christmas Trees

I love that Christmas is celebrated around the world. And, hand's down, the best decoration is the Christmas tree. The world out did themselves this year. Aren't these amazing?

Rockefeller Center, NYC

Germany

Prague

Paris

more here.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

The Composition of Great People

At the HT fundraiser last Friday Josh and I sat across from a fascinating couple. They were in their mid to late fifties, had been married four years, and just saw their respective children graduate college. Instead of taking the easy life to retirement, they have decided to adopt some older, unwanted, children from foster care. Because they can. Because their hearts are bigger than the entire world.

I can't get them out of my mind.

I think those people are in another world and I could never possibly be like them.

Then I read this:


Food for thought for today. Have a wonderful Tuesday!

P.S. A collaborative post coming up later in the week. I'm so excited, stay tuned!

Monday, December 10, 2012

Bring It Asians

How was your weekend? We had a fun few days. Friday night we got all fancy and attended the HT Fundraiser Dinner, then Sat. we shopped and laughed in Walnut Creek with friends, then later had dinner with Josh's grandparents. Sunday we went to church where I sang my heart out from the back row, and then afterwards we braved the scary world of a non-English speaking asian buffet (have you ever been?) so we could have all-you-can-eat-sushi for a ridiculously great price. 

Said asian buffet

And my reward. Oh yes baby!

It's been cold here in the Bay and all the trees are bright red or brilliant yellow. The season amazes me and I love it.

We only have a few more weeks left in this year. I can hardly believe it. Hoping you and I end this one with a deep joy, the kind that settles you and gives you hope for the future.

Friday, December 7, 2012

From Us to You, Merry Christmas!

Our Christmas Card


Nothing you haven't already heard, but put together in one card. Funny how you can condense a whole years worth of life into three paragraphs. 

May your Christmas be filled with the wonders of His love!

(printed at moo.com)

Thursday, December 6, 2012

A Welcomed Little Helper



Last week I spent hours writing our return address on our Christmas cards. My hand nearly fell off and the ink almost ran out. These address stamps from Paperwink are adorable and just what I needed. Plus, they are reasonably priced and would be a great stocking stuffer.

Did you get our Christmas card yet?  Posting it next!

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

You Are Beautiful

I saw this article link over at A Cup of Jo and it made an impression on me. It's called, "I've started telling my daughters I'm beautiful". Here's an excerpt:

I don't want my girls to be children who are perfect and then, when they start to feel like women, they remember how I thought of myself as ugly and so they will be ugly too. They will get older and their breasts will lose their shape and they will hate their bodies, because that's what women do. That's what mommy did. I want them to become women who remember me modeling impossible beauty. Modeling beauty in the face of a mean world, a scary world, a world where we don't know what to make of ourselves.

I am surrounded by mommies and soon-to-be-mommies and much of my heart is with them, rooting them on, and all the while they are teaching me important lessons for the future.  Josh and I aren't trying for a tot right now but, one day, when we do have kids I don't want to be the self deprecating person I often find myself to be.

And along the same lines, a great post from Aimee.

Have a beautiful Wednesday friends.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

The Off Beat Ones

My sister finally got her wedding photos. I know it's a year later, but here are some of the off beat favorites. (You know, the ones that won't make it into the wedding album but when you see them it warms your heart). 

Blane's outfit was so him. You had to look closely though to see all the details.


Grace breathing a nervous sigh before go-time.

One that probably only me (and his mom) would appreciate.

Don't-look-too-long-or-will-tear-up!

Lots of faith in that first row, lots of faith.

I spot a father in law!

 Con-cen-tra-tion, concentration is a game, keep the rhythm or you'll be, out the game.

Grandpa forgets grooms name. Crowd goes wild. 

The two (of four) who made it all happen.




Many, many, more but the ceremony holds my fondest memories. We have two weddings (so far) in 2013 to look forward to, so fun! 

Monday, December 3, 2012

Good Day to You

In honor of the impending royal baby, I am speaking in my English accent today. Will you join me, dear?


I've been happily blogging, but nothing I can post...yet. Like this year I'll be posting the gifts we bought and how much they cost. (I'm always curious, aren't you?) But I can't show you that until after Christmas. In the middle of all that I realized I haven't said hello to you yet. Hello!

This weekend was pretty low key for us. We didn't go down to LA (shock!) even though there were things to go for - Grace's annual bday dinner, the Jordan's Christmas get together, and the Arnold house hangout. We are trying to be more present here and trips to LA always set my back, back.

Instead we went and saw Skyfall, ate a $6 burger at Flemings happy hour, went to church, and finished our Christmas shopping. It was quiet and nice.

Hope you can concentrate at work or school this week. Isn't it hard when so many fun things are happening?? Have a thankful Monday!


P.S. My sister's car was broken into over the weekend. This is a scary reminder to watch your stuff this season. And if you don't live in a fortified apartment maze like we do, then please lock those doors and windows.

If you're really paranoid, you can buy this:

(This one is a decoy, can you believe it? Trick those tricksters!)