We had a nice weekend. The thing we miss most about home is family so it goes without saying that whenever they are in town it's a real treat for us.

Josh's parents and his brother were here. It was the first time they have been up since we moved so it was a real treat. We had family dinner on Saturday night up in Walnut Creek with his grandparents and Auntie and Uncle. Then on Sunday they joined us at church. It was nice to show them around and for them to see our little world.

John and Dallas had a conversation about blessings on Sunday. Every Sunday each message seems tailored to me. Self awareness can be daunting yet also encouraging because in the end, God is a redemptive God, and a loving God.

I had a moment during worship. It was a coming together of all we have been blessed with lately and a chance for me to publicly, and yet privately, thank Him for his shelter and belief that we are worthy of those blessings.

God is good friends, all the time. All the time, God is good.

The Annual Oscar Post

Did you watch the Oscars last night? 

The ladies were great. These were some of my favorites: 

The full gallery here. 

I thought the musical performances stole the show. Jennifer Hudson! Catherine Zeta! Les Mis Cast! That unknown lady who sang the Bond song! Adele!

And more on our weekend tomorrow. Have a great Monday. 

Friday Favorites

I think we are finding our groove again. Yesterday I had a chance to walk a few blocks to Starbucks during my lunch break. The weather was perfect and I took it slowly. Once there I indulged in my favorite vanilla latte and a little treat, took it outside, grabbed a seat in the sun, and enjoyed the perfect day and the peaceful moment. It's the little moments I've cherished lately.

My favorite little moment from last weekend 

And my favorite little moment from this week.

Hope you have a beautiful 'little moments' kind of weekend.

A Really, Really Big Box

Do you recall me saying I was determined to get a coffee table and a rug this year? Well, "this year" came sooner than expected. Josh and I walked into my parents house on Saturday to be greeted by a big box - a big box filled with one heck of a coffee table. 

OMG.

Sometimes the greatest gifts do come in really, really big boxes. ;)

It's slowly coming together..eek!

Also, I am saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Jerry Buss. Two great articles if you're interested.
The Lakers Lose Bus, The NBA Loses A Titan
ESPN Jerry Buss: A True Sports Visionary

To 30, and Beyond!

Did you get my reference to Toy Story? Loved that movie. :p

This weekend we were in to LA to celebrate Josh's parents 30th anniversary. It was a low key, good time. Lots of food, good conversations, and belly laughs over old wedding photos.

I hope one day we will celebrate our 30th. It's a true triumph to weather all that life gives and still stay on top. 

Happy President's Day, hope you are enjoying a blissful day off today!

Friday Favorites

A post Valentine's Day treat for you.

Have a 'love'ly weekend friends!

Crazy For You

My favorite DIY girl, Jordan, has love all over her blog, including a tutorial for this awesome garland. 

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Josh and I went to Target the other night to get one another Valentine's Day cards. Once there he told me he didn't want one. I told him just to show me the one he picked while we were there. Aren't we over-the-top romantic? :p

Josh did find a card for our nephew, so we bought that. :)  His first Valentine's Day!

Hope your day is filled with joy and lots of love from friends and family. 

8x8

It's week two and I'm settling into a rhythm. I am more prepared at home. My Mil suggested we marinate lots of meat over the weekend and so that's what we did. A big help. I have dinner planned for the week and each meal ready to be slipped into the oven before I leave for work. Lunches are packed the night before and my breakfast laid out to accompany my morning devotions. Outfits are prepared in advance and Josh now irons his own shirt in the morning. 

Before we'd be working out at 11. Now I'm sleeping by 11. The weekend has certainly been added to, like making the bed, washing/folding our clothes, changing the sheets, vacuuming, dusting, and grocery shopping. Poor Josh. His life has certainly changed the most. :p What I used to do while he was at work, he now contently does with me in our off hours. 

I don't know what will last and what routine will fade. But for now, it's working. 

It is a privilege to work and I am grateful as I navigate a new world, a new culture, and new people. 

My 8x8

"You, make me new,
you, are making me new.
You make beautiful things,
you make beautiful things,
out of the dust."
-Gungor

Have a great day peeps!

A West Coast Weekend

 Josh and I had a lovely weekend.

We drove down to Santa Cruz on Saturday and ate here. It was the best food and I cannot get it out of my head. Then we headed to the coast for a sweet walk along the shore. It was cold but the sun was shining and people were surfing, dogs were playing in the sand, and couples were holding hands. It was perfect.

How was your weekend? I hope beautiful as well, and full of simple surprises and moments of joy.

Let the light of Christ shine today!

Friday Favorites - The Days Long Gone

As if this was meant as a repercussion for not working a whole year, I am now out the door now before Josh wakes up and home after he's returned. Last night I opened the door to be welcomed by an unmade bed, unfolded clothes, wash to be transferred, dinner to be cooked, dishes to clean, and a living room to put back together. Visions of the last year of a perfectly put together house quickly faded.

Josh has been a stud. My first night I was so tired I barely spoke a word before succumbing to my sheets around 9:30. He did our taxes while I slept. Last night he helped me cook dinner.

I am so lucky.

It is stimulating being back at work and I am enjoying it.

Midday I received this text. A moment of familiarity in a day of new people and new things.

/ / W O R L D  W I D E  W E B  / /

My favorite Super Bowl Commercial. What was yours?

The perfect Valentine's Day blanket for wealthy people's babies. ;)

A thoughtful and beautiful food blog.

What I bought to put my lunch in for work. So cute right?

Something I'd want for Valentine's Day.


Beautiful weekend to you!

Kicks and Giggles

I'm beat. I can't muster enough 'whatever it is' to tell you about it right now. It was good. I met at least 70 people, of which I could confidently introduce you to 10. There was a lot to take in. Um...It was good. Wait, did I say that already? I am going back tomorrow.

In the meantime this Manti Te'o EHarmony Ad made me pee in my pants.

Manti Te'o's EHarmony Ad - watch more funny videos

Um, a big yes to 0:41, 1:04, 1:36

Kicks and Giggles for you and a 9:30pm bedtime for me. Good night!

Is it Tuesday Already?

We had a solid weekend in bright and sunny Los Angeles this past weekend. Josh took Monday off so we could stay all day Sunday.

A lot of highlights - a bridal shower, Westlight kicking off a new season of the church, babysitting the little munchkin, cooking for superbowl, and hanging out with friends and family.

All in a weekends work.

For Super Bowl we made Baked Fontina (wowza!) and Soft Pretzels with a Roasted Jalapeno Cheese Sauce. 

Tomorrow I begin my first day of work and finally join the working class. Who knew that would be so exciting? Wish me luck, or even better, lift up a prayer to the Big Guy for me. :) Have a great week!

Friday Favorites

I think I'm assimilating to the Bay Area. Yesterday I was driving behind a car going 55 mph on a wide open freeway and it didn't even bother me.

My favorite MMS this week.

// Web Favorites //

Josh loves Google, and I do too.

Love noodles and live in the Bay? The Great Noodle Quest

The best resume I've ever seen.

"Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I Started Cooking"

And the dress I bought for my first day of work.

Have a great weekend!