celebrations galore

"happy halloween" was my last blog..seriously!? not that i have readers waiting with baited breath for my next entry, but that is just sad.

well, since my last post, we celebrated my dad's, brother's and husband's birthday; not to mention Thanksgiving and my sister's baby shower. okay, so maybe it's just been a busy couple of months--or maybe i just need to stop making excuses and start blogging more!

speaking of baby showers , we celebrated the upcoming birth of little Toos two weekends ago and it was a blast! taking her namesake into account and her daddy's birthplace, we partied it up mardi gras style--with beads and feathers galore! (no flashing, though. it was an all ladies shower! come on people.)

i have more photos to post from the shower, but for now i will just share one photo (taken by my sister-yes, i stole it from her blog) of a crafty creation i made for Toos. i'm relieved that this isn't a close-up photo, considering this pillow was sewn by hand and by a total amateur seamstress. i come from a family full of artistic people, who showered my and my siblings with handmade treasures when we were littles ones. i love the idea that maybe one day Toos will look at this pillow and be reminded of the many people that loved her even before she was born!

(ps- the nursery is narwhal-themed. google it if you've never heard of it; they are pretty awesome little sea creatures!)

Happy Halloween!

In honor of Halloween, and my mom (because she always used to make Halloween-themed cupcakes for my birthday), I decided to make some candy corn cupcakes of my own to help spread the holiday cheer!

The cupcakes are in costume too! ... they're flowers! As for me? I'm a zebra.

Tiny Bean

This past weekend we got to visit with our Visalia family and that means time with little Lindsay! She is about 11 lbs now and looking a bit fuller- so cute! Big blue eyes and dimpled chin, coupled with a laid back demeanor equals adorable baby.

how cute...

....are my parents?

Celebrate Good Times

This weekend was fabulous. "What makes a fabulous weekend?", you may ask. I will tell you- it is a weekend that starts with David Bazan and ends with RockBand. Throw a birthday celebration with dear friends in the middle and teaching little ones about baby Moses, and there you have a fabulous weekend.

But I have one. MAJOR. regret.; no pictures to show for it.

I forget that when all else fails, I have the iPhone to document. Fortunately, I was able to capture one picture- Unfortunately it involves none of the above mentioned people. What is wrong with me?

One of my best friends, Katie, turned another year older (and might I say, more beautiful) this past week and we were able to meet up in Santa Monica to celebrate with her, David, Linds, Raan and Mark. The night started with wine and a tour of the newlywed's (the Partons) new pad, and boy is it cute!! I might have been a little jealous. The majority of the night was spent at Bottega Louie; a super fun restaurant in downtown L.A. The food was good, but it was the ambiance and service that really made it the place to be.

I had a few present ideas for Katie and each fell pretty flat-- either I couldn't find what I was looking for or what I found just didn't seem 'Katie' enough! While at Target, I found myself perusing the booze aisle as a last resort-- I didn't want to show up empty-handed people. After finding Katie a fitting bottle of fine Merlot, I saw it.

I stood in the aisle, staring, as if my eyes were adjusting to the site in front of me. It was almost out of body- and I realized why all of my other present ideas had fallen through.



Genious! It was the adorable label that drew me in (which matches nearly perfectly with Linds' table runner!) - and then... I saw it- 'Kate & Cassie'. Are you joking?? The back label read, in short, something like:

"Kate and Cassie have been friends forever and while they couldn't have more different personalities, they both share a love for wine."

Perfect.

Happy Birthday, Katie.

Pink Peacoat

i'd say she's ready for fall! aj & crys were nice enough to send me photos of elyse in the stylin' jacket curtis & i got her for her 1st birthday! good thing it fits just in time for the cooler weather.

is it just me, or does it look like she feels as cute as she looks?! we may have a fashionista on our hands....

Little Doll

We waited two longs months before getting some face time with our precious newest niece, Lindsay Marie. Lil' Linds was born a bit early and was just over 4 lbs on her world debut, but from day one she was as cute as ever.

As the weeks have passed, Lindsay has only grown bigger and stronger. It is quite clear that the Master Physician has been with this darling little one with each step; continuing to knit her together, even outside of the womb. She is a tangible product of His love and grace, and she is beautiful!

Happy Birthday Ma!

Yesterday, my beautiful mama turned ...mmm.... thirty two, I think! Curtis and I (and Betty) serenaded her via Gmail video. My smarty-pants sister was thoughtful and crafty enough to video us into the birthday fun since we live too far to get to participate in many family milestones like this. To the tune of 'Can't Buy Me Love' we re-wrote lyrics including "we just don't have too much money, so this is your birthday song!" Of course, we'd shell out major bucks on Ma T, but it was a 'homemade' birthday theme, so we went with it and I have to be honest, it was SO much fun.

Aside from seeing my mom smile and laugh as we bumbled through the goofy song, the best part was getting to see Elyse clap along, only to shout 'Coooty!' and 'Cas-IE' when we finished.

If you live far from people you love, might I suggest video chat? It's a tad bittersweet because it's aaaaallmost like you are really there, but aren't---but it sure beats not being there at all!

Table for One (plus doggy)

Since Sunday afternoon, I have been living life as a single girl again. No, not reeeaaally, actually single. Curtis has been out of town all week for a youth waterski retreat (yes, wakeboarding too. yes, i'm super jealous) so it's been just me...and Betty. We've had some serious bonding time this week and she is probably realizing how unexciting home is without Curtis...and how much better I am with my better half. Nonetheless, we have managed get into a little trouble... Well, okay the trouble Betty got into all on her own...



Betty makes Christmas in August!

But, mostly we've just been hanging out at home and at the park- Betty's favorite!


Resting with BFF, Loofa Dog.

Getting posey at the park.

As much fun as I've been having celebrating a "girl's week" and slacking on making decent dinners, I'm ready for my table for two again.

Genious

I'm guessing that this brilliant invention has made it's way to your town by now, but our local Vons just got a facelift (it was much in need) and with it arrived these adorable carts. As an every-other-day grocery shopper, I tend to stick to the baskets..... but sometimes they get suuuper heavy and I'm wishing I'd selected a cart when I first walked in.

In any case, these carts have two baskets stacked on top of each other and are so easy to maneuver. I have a new found joy grocery shopping these days. Here's to you easier-to-maneuver-grocery-cart inventor person.

This is what vacation should look like; hawaiian shirt, check. Doggy-sized chaise lounge, check. Not a care in the world, check. Thanks to Ana & Ricky for outfitting our pooch vacation-style!

this weekend was all about babies and dogs. what could be better? (top: my niece, elyse, 15 months, bottom: new puppy betty, 3 months)

Happy Spring!

To help usher in the new season, Google borrowed artistic inspiration from Eric Carle, the author of the famous children's book 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'. As I child, I loved everything about this book from the story line, to the bold colors to the fun pop-up element. It encompasses the whimsy, imagination and humor that appeals to children and grown-ups alike. Never before, though, have I looked through such eyes of appreciation at this book that once captured my undivided attention. Did you know Carle creates the look of his illustrations by painting tissue paper? So simple, but the results are nothing short of fantastic.

Did you know, too, that Carle has a TON of other children's books? I'm sad that I was only introduced to two of his books- 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' and 'The Very Busy Spider.' Looking through his list of works and reading the titles, I have the overwhelming desire to buy them all for my future children, nieces and nephews, and even grandchildren! I mean check out some of these titles: 'Baby Bear Baby Bear, What Do You See?', 'Does a Kangaroo, Have a Mother,Too?', 'Pancakes, Pancakes!' and 'Why Noah Chose the Dove.' I mean, isn't your heart melting already?

In honor of Carle, his art and creativity, I'm posting illustrations of a few of his favorite things! Enjoy!

Little Ones to Him Belong

On Sunday mornings I am privileged to teach a class of adorable preschoolers. Curtis thought it was something that might take away the “baby bug”, but I’m afraid he is mistaken! The children range in age, from newly 3 to almost 6, and each week I learn so much. Not only do I learn as I prepare for the lesson, but I get to see the world through the eyes of people that haven’t been on the earth for very long. Although they are younger in age, and younger in their walks of faith, they teach me.

Shelby is a Sunday morning “regular.” Any given Sunday, she will come prepared with her children’s Bible that she gleefully complains is “sooo heavy!” and then pretends to fall over. She is also one of our resident comedians. Her joke makes me laugh every time. And while I know she is merely noticing the size of the Bible in comparison to her small frame, I can’t help but think and pray that as she grows older, the picture book she holds in her little hands never becomes too “heavy” or burdensome. I hope she is able to find freedom in that heavy book, and moreover, in her Creator.

Antonio is four years old. His family regularly attends the church but, due to the option of attending two different service hours, I only see Antonio half of the time. I have been delighted to see Antonio’s social growth over the passing weeks. The first time I met Antonio I couldn’t get any words out of him- he preferred to speak in snorts. Yes, snorts. Pig snorts to be exact. Of course, I couldn’t help but laugh and even join in sometimes. As endearing as it was, I hoped for the day when Antonio might feel comfortable enough to use his words. This past week, I was not prepared for what happened when class was over. Antonio’s mom was at the door to pick him up; he ran towards her and I thought that was the last I’d see of him until next week. Upon handing his mom his craft and lesson book, he immediately turned around and ran towards me, arms open and grinning. I quickly crouched down so I could give him a proper hug and not an armful of legs. (Which turned out to be a really good decision because I’m sure his running jump would have made me lose my balance) He didn’t say anything, but he gave me the best little person bear hug I have ever received. His actions were far more special than any words he could have used that day.

Needless to say, the pain of waking up early on Sunday morning quickly turns to joy. I am so richly blessed to have the chance to interact with these children of God. It is an ever-present reminder for me that I, too, am a child of God; still growing and still remembering that where the spirit of the Lord is, there is indeed freedom.

Dancing Through the Darkness

Life presents endless occasions and reasons to show gratitude to God. Personally, I am thankful each morning I wake up next to my husband, in a warm house, and that I get to walk straight into a warm shower. Although my heart does recognize these blessings, you won’t hear me audibly shouting ‘Praise the Lord!’.

Can you imagine actually saying sentiments of your heart, aloud? All the time?

‘Thank you, Lord, that there is one bunch of asparagus left! Without it, dinner would just not be what I had in mind,” or “Praise Jesus for this perfect parking spot!”

I mean, you would start to get some seriously strange looks. But, would it be such a bad practice to get into? Perhaps doing so would conflict with our attempts to appear as a fully functioning members of society and therefore isn’t very realistic… but it’s a thought.

We’ve all seen musicians-from Kanye West (the least humble human on earth, maybe with the exception of Brandon Flowers) to Carrie Underwood “Thank Jesus” when accepting awards; and although they don’t always specify what they are thanking Him for, we assume it’s for the gifts they were given. Likewise for the occasional athlete that will look or point upwards in acknowledgment of the Person who enables him or her to physically achieve.

What if we took these models of showing appreciation, but applied it to moments of disappointment and loss? What if people saw us praising God, even in times of sadness, loss and uncertainty? What if Kurt Warner got on the mic post-Super Bowl and exclaimed, “Praise be to God for this loss!”


It’s all too easy to thank God for an award or something else wonderful. How much more loud would our testimony be if people saw us praising through our sorrow?


And how much more would our faith stretch and grow if we chose to dance through the darkness?

(a portion of this blog was inspired by the blog of a friend)

An Affair to Forget

I’m back!

Yes, I have finally returned from my blog sabbatical, stocked with fresh material. By now I’m sure I’ve lost all three readers I once had, but I’m okay with that. I’m finding I treat this blog as I once

treated my journals when I was growing up; I only write when something noteworthy happens in my life. In my youth, something “noteworthy” typically revolved around a boy I liked or friend who hurt my feelings. Now, a more mature me chooses to blog about happier snapshots of my life- like how adorable my niece is.

Today, however, I am blogging on something that makes me the opposite of happy.

I am blogging about something that makes me angry. Very, very angry.

Over the past few months I have been hearing a radio ad promoting an up-and-coming website. The website is called ‘Ashley Madison.com.’ As the ad explains, they provide a service that attracts new members every twenty seconds. Wow. This must be something pretty extraordinary, I’m thinking. The ad goes on to explain exactly what ‘Ashley Madison’ is all about : “It’s for people already in relationships, but in need of something more.”

More? This can’t be…. Are they talking about…. What in the world?

With furrowed brow, I continue listening to a conversation between two girls (actors).

“I’ve been seeing this new guy, and he’s fabulous!”
“Does your new guy have a friend?”
“You don’t need his friend. Just go to Ashley Madison.com.”

Their latest ad includes various people, sharing their relationship woes.

“There just isn’t any passion in our relationship anymore.”
“My wife used to be my lover. Now, she’s just my best friend.”
“We used to have sex all the time. Now, we never do.”

Ashley Madison’s suggestion in curing your already struggling relationship? An affair!

An affair.

An affair?

A banned Superbowl commercial for this very website had the tagline, “When divorce isn’t an option.” I am relieved they chose to not air such an advertisement.

Never before in my life have I ever wanted more to be a marriage and family counselor. I would offer free services and would advertise on the same stations that air the Ashley Madison ads. Anything to prevent more people from joining this affair-encouraging, cheating-promoting, infidelity-glamorizing website.

I hope, wherever you live, that you don’t have radio stations that play this ad.

It’s a harsh realization that this is the world we live in today; a realization that, when all is said and done, doesn’t make me mad as much as it makes me sad. Really, really sad.

(Sorry about the downer everyone. Happier blogs to come!)