The Dream V. The Reality

When we first started talking about possibly moving home it was so fun! Family dinners with whomever is home on a weeknight. Emerson and Landon going to Awana at our church on Friday nights. Josh and I hosting a mid week bible study. Quick meet up's with friends and long dinners on the patio. 

My parents live just down the street from Josh's parents and my sister lives a mere 10 minutes away. So obviously school pick up of my niece and nephews from school. Homework at our kitchen table before running off a little energy in the yard while I cook dinner. My imagination ran wild with glee.

The other exciting part was being able to design our own place. In the early design stages I happily fell asleep dreaming of the home I've always wanted while pretending we were working with a limitless budget in a limitless space. 

But after months of back and forth with our architect, it has been made clear that the dream and the reality don't line up. Say what.

the dream

the reality

What began with Carrera Marble countertops and steel windows has dissolved into an IKEA kitchen and laundry in our bedroom. While I am absolutely prone to emotions (varying degrees often within the same sentence) you might imagine the high and lo's that have accompanied the design of this house. And we haven't even started building yet. hmmm... lol. Pray for me this year. Certainly not the end of the world but an adjustment for sure. So goes life!

An L.A. Girl

Before we even had the money figured out for the house my mom was telling the whole world that we were moving home. I would walk into church and people would come up and say how exciting that we were moving back. I would always respond, "well, we aren't sure just yet". My sister finally told me to cool it on the Debbie downer response but I would much rather under promise and over deliver than over promise and under deliver.

Everyone, we are not yet moving back home! ... but we are looking into it.

It's funny, when we mention to people out in Santa Clarita that we are thinking of building a tiny place behind our parent's house they give us the weird sideways look like, "Why would you ever do such a thing when you have such a big beautiful house?" But when we talk about it with people in LA it's like, "Wow, what a great idea!"

We have enjoyed Santa Clarita. It is calm and beautiful. People are nice. No one honks. Parking is free. Doctor appointments are easy and the offices not crowded. Public schools are great and private schools are affordable. Why would we be willing to trade all that, you ask? Family and community. Over time our values have changed as we've grown individually but also as parents. We recognize that we cannot raise our children alone successfully. We need a church community who love on them and also a place where Josh and I can sink our teeth into. And it goes without saying that family trumps all for us.

Truth is, no matter how many places I've lived, I will always be an LA girl.

Traffic and all.

First Date Night, Check.

Guys, I think Josh took our "date night once a month" resolution to new heights.

Saturday night he said, "So I have a surprise for you" and I peeked behind his back thinking I was getting my favorite blueberry muffin, but no no no instead he had booked a hair appointment for me for the next morning and then asked his mom to come and stay with the kids so we could enjoy an overnighter in Laguna Beach. *jaw dropped 

But wait. It gets better.

Once we checked in I found out that he had booked a couples massage. A MASSAGE LADIES! Complete with a private outdoor jacuzzi and champagne at sunset.

Guys, I am so unworthy. And also, this definitely makes up for the insanely  s l o w  s p e e d  to which he functions and also that he doesn't like to use the last bit of toothpaste. :p lol

Thankful!

The Same Girl

The Same Girl who just told me that the prayer to change her heart didn't work, did an extraordinary thing tonight and asked Jesus to come and live in her heart forever.

It wasn't a surprise really. We've been having some fairly deep theological questions (as deep as a 3 year old can go) recently. As I was putting her to sleep, she told me that she decided God was in her heart. I responded by telling her he isn't there automatically, you have to ask Him if he will come and live in your heart. But if you do that, you are saying that you are going to try your best to obey God's ways. She nodded emphatically and we prayed together. Actually, she just folded her hands and said, "Jesus, please will you come live in my heart so I can go to heaven...tomorrow."

I said maybe she could hold off going to heaven till she was older and she agreed. We went and got Josh and Landon and prayed together again as a family.

I will exalt you, my God and King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you
and extol your name forever and ever.
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
His greatness no one can fathom.
One generation will will commend your works to another;
they will tell of your mighty acts,
they will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty.
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
They will tell of the power of your awesome works,
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They will celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
Psalm 145

Friends, if one of you may be disheartened, let these words seep into your heart. "..I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19

The End Of Me

Today my daughter woke up a bit cranky. Everything needed to be hers and be about her and it was just about driving her brother and I crazy. FINALLY she pushed me a wee bit too far and I put her in a timeout. After she did her time, I called her over and I said, "Emerson, I think we need to pray and ask God to change your heart and change your attitude today...etc. etc." She reluctantly agreed and we prayed. She went back to playing and all seemed well.

Ten minutes later she came up to me and emphatically declared that "THE PRAYER DIDN'T WORK MOMMY!" -_-

This girl is going to be the end of me. 

Our Bomb Cyclone

Man what is with these intense storms? We are just coming out of a bomb cyclone of our own actually. New Years day I woke up feeling pretty crummy and two days of fever and congestion was followed by two days of fever for the kiddos. Doozy start to the year. But daddy, infant Tylenol, and Peppa got us through.

My daughter is chill when she is sick. She is my little gift when ill.

But my son..oh, my son!

You'd think this was it or something for him.

Today he was feeling a little better.

FINE. I'll KEEP YOU.

I lost a few pounds this week - a positive byproduct. Even though I didn't make that resolution.. maybe I should have. lol What I am committing to this year is getting myself physically healthy (I've been dealing with a frozen shoulder situation) and also, Josh and I are going to try and go on a date once a month, just the two of us.

Hope the beginning of your year was wonderful - stay healthy!