Shopping + Girlfriends

I've been here before...and I'll likely be here again...  But I've got some pretty great girl friends.  This past Saturday, I found myself sulking a bit and bumming it on the couch.  Honey Isaac & our Celtics have a tough game the night before. 
But rather than be left to my own devices(I had absolutely no intention of doing anything til date night began.) - two of my sweet friends texted to see about going shopping for a girls day!

Well thankfully this month, Honey Isaac and I set up our budget and had allotted some funds for me for some new clothing (hallelujah!).  And who passes up on an opportunity for girl time & shopping.  Even though I'm not super great at shopping for myself, I happily agreed!  We made our way to the nearest outlet mall to do some damage...except by damage, I really mean make our way thru the stores while trying not to be too stingy.  However, it was awesome to not be the only one who wanted/needed to stop in the store and do some quick math.  Talk about good, like minded friends!

First stop was Banana Republic outlet...found myself a cute pair of eggplant pants (apparently dark colored jeans are still "in" for the fall) and a navy light cardigan.  Nearly ate about half my budget -- which had my stingy meter on full alert.  So we all promptly made our way to LOFT for some better deals.  To which I ended up getting two cardigans, two v-neck sweaters, and a blouse.  Morale of the story ladies & gents...go shopping with good  friends, they see things MUCH differently than you, can be great encouragers, help you stay on budget track, and it's simply more fun!
My own personal lessons for the day.....I need to expand my wardrobe a bit more. I confided to my friends that I have a problem with only purchase v-neck t-shirts, and I have a serious problem purchase cardigans! They're seriously an addiction of mine. Lots of colors in short, 3/4, and full sleeve. The other lesson: find pattern that's versatile & be sure to get multiple kinds of pieces to make full outfits.  This most recent trip I ended up with only one pair of pants and the rest tops...which is totally fine, but I need to remember to incorporate shoes, accessories, etc.
Makes me wish one of my favorite fashion bloggers lived closer...I'd call on her in a second!

All in all an agreement was made to make a monthly shopping trip together & help one another purge our closets quarterly!  Huzzah for great friends!
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These Days...

Well my friends we have survived the first week of real football practice, survived our first game (a whopping 4 1/2hrs south from us, and ended in a bitter loss...sad day), and survived our first weekend of meetings.  Needless to say, it feels good to actually be back in to what is the Parker's "normal" routine.  I always feel a little jolt as we move in to this season....a small shock to the system as it all comes together.  But once in the swing of it, it feels right.  Sure there are nights when I'd like my honey home early to eat at a "normal" time & it'd be awesome to snuggle on the couch the entire Sunday afternoon....but truth be told, Isaac is doing what he loves & what he is meant to do.  How can I be mad about that??

And these days....have already brought a few instances where my husband's incredible patience has needed to shine through.  For which I am amazed - can't say I would be as gracious, as cool under pressure, or as clear minded. Can we say rockstar or what?! 

But most importantly these days - I've been reminded (even though that ugly little voice is trying with all its might to distract me with lies) that I am loved and supported by some pretty wonderful family & friends.  Ever have one of those days when just everything seems to be falling apart at the seams?  Yup, that was my Tuesday....or what I'm calling Monday on steroids.  Rather than crumbling to that ugly voice (which would and sometimes still is my norm) - I thrust out my hand to my sweet friends; who without hesitation offered prayer, encouragement, and love.  Let's just get this clear - for a girl who never thought of herself as a "girls girl" - I am BEYOND grateful for this group of women who I am growing to know, trust, & love.  What a blessing to know I can turn to these women even with the smallest, or ugliest things and know that I'm not alone.  Weight lifted! Which in turn obviously makes me want to return the favor - to them, to the other football wives/girlfriends, to my other dear friends, to family...catch the drift? Ya know, pay it forward??

Just for good measure - here's a photo from Honey Isaac's first football game... I was a smidge late, and missed the kick off (insert wife guilt here....) but by & by could not be more proud of him.   

That's him in the center w/ the black hat & blue shirt.  Thankfully we're on to the next game & everyone is ready to take on the new challenge.  Will try to keep my cool at the game this week...don't want to be the cooky wife! 
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The Hunger Games, Sunburns, & the Ale Trail

We have returned from our long awaited, and long over due, vacation.  Sadly...to be honest.  I always hate leaving Eagle Crest. It's definitely one of my most favorite, sacred places.

The first moment I stepped out of our car last week Saturday and caught my first sniff of those lovely juniper trees I was in heaven! The first weekend we spent time with my folks & boy did I kick the weekend off like a rookie! Mom & I spent a few hours at the pool while the guys golfed -- and dope that I am entirely forgot to have sunscreen be put on my back! Well...except for the parts I could reach with my own hands, rubbing in my spray sunscreen! A mere 3-4hours later in the Central OR sun and I was pretty toasty! So toasty in fact that mom & I had to spend the next day in sweet Sisters, OR just to avoid the pool.  How lame, the thing I love to do the most at Eagle Crest & I botched it for myself for like 2 days!

A nice weekend with my parents led straight in to a few days just Isaac & I -- which let me tell you....this time was much needed!  We haven't had quiet, alone time with no work or football distractions in some time.  Sure he took care of a few items but for the most part it was just us relaxing, watching the Olympics, and hanging out! Let's just say it was awesome :)

Highlight of my week was finishing about 5 books - and primarily the entire Hunger Games Trilogy.  I'm not one who jumps on band wagons much.  In fact, I tend to steer clear of all the "popular" things for a while. So with all the craziness dying down I tracked down a set & happily read thru them in 4 days.  It was great! Not as intense as I was expecting, but the 3rd book definitely was the best of all 3.  There were a few moments of "oh my goodness!" But it definitely makes me want to see the movie now & anticipate the upcoming movies!

And finally ended our week with wonderful friends joining us for the last few days.  Time filled with my best girl friend at the pool while the boys went on adventures (let me tell you friends...this is the BEST set up for traveling with friends!).  We'd laze around in the morning, make our way to the pool about 11am and stay there til mid afternoon.  Ahhh...it was awesome!  Highlight of this time was doing the Bend Ale Trail.  The Bend, OR visitors center has a designated a route to take to visit some of the best known & newer breweries in the area.  You go & taste, purchase some drinks & food and get a stamp!  Once you've visited all the breweries you take your little pamphlet back to the visitors center for a prize! It's definitely a fun way to spend some time with good friends.  It can be as cheap or as expensive as you want -- we spent some extra purchasing some beer pints at each spot & some yummy food.  Definitely something to check in to!
 
Though I promised photos....I can not deliver. I get too focused on who I'm with and what we're doing to stop & document (silly me...).  I think that's going to be one of my goals this fall while Isaac is off being a big time head coach & all.  I'll start documenting what happens so we can look back & enjoy.

SUUUUUUUPER side note....Honey Isaac & I bought a new small vacuum cleaner (our hardwood one bit the dust after 3 years...) & it's a lovely Elextrolux.  And sweetie Isaac said I could be just like Kelly Ripa now... Yah, not so sure about that. ;)
Happy to be home as always, but football is now in FULL swing with lineman camp this week, team camp next week, doubles the following week, & then practice before the first game.  Jealous yet??  I'm trying to squeeze out my last few projects from Isaac and then it'll be all hands on deck for me with the house/cleaning/cooking/etc.  Such is life!
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Random Thoughts & Photos

Well it's been another "new normal" kind of week at Casa de Parker.  Filled days & evenings, small moments with husband, hard but good conversations with husband/friends/family, & reminders that my Lord is good...

Our best friends were in town visiting from Hawaii - This is Heather...sporting Isaac's new helmets for McNary.  She's uber tough...can't you tell?? ;) We heart them & am thankful for our friendship - she & I have been thru thick & thin, best friends since 5th grade!

 MacKenzie girl here is my 14yr old niece -- just was "promoted" from 8th grade last night, and is officially now in high school! Yikes...I remember when she was just a wee babe. Such a funny, wise girl.  And thankfully she loves the "retro" cheer sweater I picked up for her to support my alma mater & her new school.

 Ike & I made the trip out to South Salem on Friday night to see and support the senior class at his former school.  It was such a treat to walk the grad line with him and hear so many kids thank him, to hear them tell me he was/is their favorite, etc.  And there was one kid in particular we wanted to see; who I know has told Isaac that he hopes to be the same kind of man Isaac is & how Isaac was the father he never had, that in many situations he just wanted to call Isaac "Dad."  Let's just talk about super proud wifey over here - a reminder that all the long hours & extra work are important, they are meaningful, & a bigger game is at play.  Following graduation we made our way to our favorite teriyaki spot in town (the sweet owners know & love us). Lets just say, since our life now fully revolves around Keizer we'd both been craving this meal! A special date night with my Asian honey. ;)

 Sunday afternoon was B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L in good ol' Oregon.  So while Isaac kindly let me spend alone time at the gym (running did not go as well as I hoped, but yoga was great), he & Boston boy did some major yard work. These two are besties, and I know when the day comes we'll both be heartbroken when Boston is gone.  He's a big lug...not your typical small, slender lab...he's a beast! But beyond loveable & kind spirited.  And now my yard looks trimmed & beautiful :)


Random thoughts for this Wednesday:
1. I love friends who are encouraging, especially in the area of healthy living. I so appreciate encouragement, kind reminders, & grace! 
2. It's time to get my hair cut again - but I'm afraid my hair dresser cousin is still going to be disappointed in my "damaged" hair...it's much better than it was previously, but now I'm all anxious about it.  Silly I know.
3. Hoping the Ft. Collins, CO fires won't disrupt our travel plans to see family this weekend...must call hotel.
4. Exactly 45 days til our Eagle Crest vacation! HUZZAH! Top 5 favorite places on earth.
5. Can someone please teach me how to be a wash & go kind of girl...I want healthy happy hair, but mine always seems to be a frizzy mess if I leave it to its own devices.  Ready go!


Welp, that's all I've got for today friends....
<3

 

Blogging Bum

Yup -- that's me! The latest blogging bum!  For a multitude of reasons I have been MIA.  Lately, I'd rather be spending what precious time I do have with Isaac...darn football.  And then this weekend was spent with 4 wonderful girl friends of mine.  Though I promised to try and take photos -- true to form, I was having far too much fun to even think about it! I did bring my camera with the best of intentions.  But there's something about taking walks, random/spontaneous Zumba parties, & a nerve-wracking Stanford game that keeps a girl preoccupied.

I will say that I was reminded again of how thankful I am for the blessings of wonderful girl friends.  It's always so surprising how nice it is to just be surrounded by good friends, talking about serious things, laughing & giggling about silly things, and having a shared love of Christ to be bonded together.  A brisk 2.4mile walk in to Sunriver Village was awesome -- followed up by a cup of coffee & a quick stop at the renovated market.  There's not much that beats a girls weekend. 

And to top it all off -- this week husband has a bye for football, but of course we're going to another high school football game.  It wouldn't be fall without a football game every Friday night.  But this game is the 1st playoff game for his cousin who plays in Portland against another Salem team. So it'll be fun to sit with family, and actually enjoy a high school game with my husband! And we're likely getting tickets to the OSU/Stanford game too which will be AWESOME! Thank you Coach Souza! I pinky promise to take some tailgating/game photos! I'll even get Ike in on the action & to remind me! :)

MUST mail off scarf swap box tomorrow! Waa! Have to get a few more items for the package before I mail it, but boy it takes a lot of thinking! Hope my swap partner doesn't mind that I'm not super creative.....eek.

Have a great one friends! Glad to be back in the mix!
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Girls Weekend -- RIGHT around the corner!

Since getting married I have been keenly aware of the time I need with my girlfriends.  It's totally unhealthy, not to mention un-realistic, to expect & hope for my husband to be everything that I need, all the time.  And thankfully I've got a pretty good husband who encourages the girl time. 

So with that in mind - a few weeks ago, I decided to organize a girls weekend & invited some great buddies of mine.  Two I know from the football coach crew & the other two are just great friends, one who's my best & the other is her cousin -- who I just happened to have grown up playing sports with.  All in all I am beyond excited to have a weekend away with other women who are likeminded & women that I know I can trust.  There's something about spending quality time with people who know, love, trust & challenge you.  And I'm fully intending to just enjoy this time with these friends.

Girlfriends are a blessing - so it'll be fun to see how God moves in this weekend & what He brings to the surface for us.  There aren't any plans, except for who is responsible for what meal.  Other than that it is full on relaxation mode for all of us. Maybe a couple chick flicks.  Maybe a board or card game.  Maybe a walk.  But for sure dinner out on the town on Saturday night.  It's going to be glorious!  I'll try & snap some photos of the adventures to share.  But you know me....so we'll see how I do! :)
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Friendships

The last couple days I've really been thinking about the friendships I have, the friendships that have died out, the friendships that are just beginning, and the friendship I ultimately have with myself.  


So let's start off from the beginning -- and be honest with the world.  I came home Friday afternoon after a ridiculously hectic, chaotic, and mildly stressful day at work.  Now mind you I love coming home, especially when my wonderful husband is home (likely the last Friday night he'll be completely free....).  But here's where it started to go downhill....  After eating dinner I found myself sitting on my couch (much like I am now) and it was like a wave of loser-dom came over me.  Honestly felt like a slug to the gut of self loathing.  It was likely rooted in my exhaustion from the day -- but hey, it sucked no matter how you looked at it.  Anyway I felt like a bum -- all my buddies were off either meeting together, or out doing "fun" things.  It was ridiculous to have spent any amount of time self loathing.  I was able to just voice it to Isaac, be honest about the little voice that was whispering in my ear.  And to be honest, it felt like a weight was lifted.  I brought that ugly voice in to the light & with Isaac's help & support I was able to see it for what it was -- a cheap lie Satan was trying to sell me.  Had I been by myself I likely would have bought in to it completely.  Bless Isaac and his kindness.


The rest of the weekend was spent experiencing those other three parts of the friendship wheel.  I had to spend time with a person who used to be a dear friend of ours.  But over the course of the past two years has drifted, and our friendship with him has drastically changed.  Which has sucked.  But to back up to that I was able to do something good for my best friend Monique.  I'll have to share at a later date :)  But it's good -- and one of those things that make you warm inside thinking about the goodness and happiness it'll bring to her & her hubby.  Love it.


All this to say that friendships are fluid things.  There's nothing stagnant or necessarily permanent about friendships.  They're always changing, growing, being shaped by shared experiences, and deepening.  It's a gift to have a friend -- but a bigger gift to be a friend.


<3
Weight Loss Weigh In: 157.4 (down 1.6lbs from last week!) HUZZAH!

It's Amazing!

Seriously friends -- it is amazing how a solid 8 hours of sleep changes your entire day!  
After a tortuous Group Power class last night I got home and made a crazy thrown together dinner, got caught up on my DVR'd shows and then forced myself to go to bed at 9pm.  Now it was night one of official football practice & I probably should have waited up for hubby to get home.  But I had a morning run on my agenda & knew I was going to need that extra bit of sleep if I was going to crawl out of bed at 5am.

So I pushed myself to bed, took out my contacts and crawled in to bed (wincing the whole time...damn that Group Power...makes me feel like a weak bum!).  The only time I woke up the entire night was when Isaac got home about 10pm. Other than that, it was solid sleep time.  I even woke up about 10 minutes BEFORE my alarm! Of course I lounged til about 5:10am, but then I was up and at the gym by 5:25am! Go Me!  A quick 45 min, 2.75mi run later and I was back home.

Normally I'm dead by this point in the day on days where I go to the gym early.  But today...today I'm wide awake and still going like crazy!  I've got energy & I'm not entirely sure where it's been stored all this time! Loves it!
Next on the agenda for my afternoon is a walk with my work out buddy & BFF Monique... Loving all this energy! And the sun & blue skies don't hurt either!

Do you work out in the mornings? Evenings? What's your workout routine?
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A New, Shared Commitment

I am so thankful for the friends that I have -- I have the best, most supportive friends out there.  And it means the world to have a friend who supports you in the area that seems to be the one of most struggle.


The area in my life where I seem to struggle the most is my weight and confidence about myself.  No matter what I would do in the past I would always be extremely hard on myself and beat myself up.  I would try and try and try to do the "right" things, eat the "right" things, not eat the "wrong" things, etc.  But no matter what I did, I was always on my own doing it.  Which of course inevitably led to exhaustion and taking a "break" from working out.


But these days I have a friend who encourages me even on my worse days.  Encourages me to keep my chin up, and take life, and my struggle one day at a time.  To take on daily challenges instead of looking at the biggest goal way on down the road and feeling like a failure if I don't reach that right away.


Thanks to Monique we have made a new, shared commitment.  This week our goal is to do something active each day.  No matter what it is, we are doing something active.  Tonight it was Group Power (a group weight lifting class) at our local athletic club.  Tomorrow morning I'll be running in the morning and then again in the evening.
My seasonal goal right now is to lose 10-12lbs between now & Christmas break when we head back to Hawaii.  So any suggestions for a week 2 goal??


So here's to new commitments! And just to keep myself honest, I'll post my weigh in's.
Starting off at: 159lbs (yikes!)  Only direction for me is DOWN! :)
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Rock 'N Roll Half Marathon - Seattle Edition

I must first confess that I am not a photog by any means.  I thoroughly intended to snap more photos (even photos on my phone) of our adventure to Seattle.  Photos like the architecture, the race, etc.  But in reality I only ended up snapping a couple of photos of the restaurant we had dinner at on Friday, the damage we did, and our post-race dinner.  I apologize blog friends.  I will share those photos though with you.....starting....now

 Monique & her cousin Rachel - 2/3 of our running trio!

 The cutie restaurant we ate at -- Mioposto

 Carne Calzone, Marghertita Pizza & a Personal Pizza...DELISH!

Cleaned our plates!

Happy campers!

Post race celebratory dinner -- Turkey Taco Salad

Rachel & her husband Casey's dog Blaze -- the most chill golden retriever EVER! So cute!

All in all, a GREAT weekend with friends.  Only thing missing was hubby of course.

Ran my race - pretty much solo, but it was good, first time I've really done that.  Didn't finish too terribly well, but I hadn't really trained, so I was happy to finish & still be walking! :)

Next time I want to train and get well under my latest finishing time -- we'll see how that goes!

<3

Don't Give Up Your Power

Recently had a girls night with two of my great friends (love those girls....we even talked about how they would drive an hour to pick me up if I had a flat tire, cursing all the way down & laughing all the way home).  In said girls night we had some great conversation  - and one topic in particular stemmed around how a girl two of us knows is afraid to hang out with someone.  Why might you ask is she afraid to hang out with a potential new friend?  For fear of making a 3rd party upset with her for hanging out with the new friend.

My reaction you may be wondering? HOW FLIPPIN' STUPID!  Why should a 3rd party have any kind of control/power of who you want to hang out with and get to know?! I mean really people, we are all adults & have the capacity to decide who we want to spend time with.  Most of me just thinks this girl is kind of sad for letting that 3rd girl have any kind of say, and part of me feels mad on behalf of that girl for being "friends" with the 3rd girl.  What kind of friend puts parameters on who someone can and can not be friends with and/or hang out with.  Friends don't put those kind of restrictions on other people.

Let's be honest here folks, you have all the power & capability in the world to be able to decipher who is worthy of your time & who is not.  People who try to impose such silly parameters on others are not people who I would deem as "friends."  Friends are those who support you, encourage you, and above all else recognize that you are a capable individual.  Seems simple, I know - but it sure does seem to have so much power over some.
As for me -- there is no way on earth that someone would ever tell(or imply) me who I could & could not, should or should not be friends with.  Maybe that's the stubborn Norwegian in me - but I'm not one who's "told" to do much of anything, let alone who I deem as worthy of working in to the folds of my life.
All this to say my friends...don't give up your power, your voice, or your choice of who you want to be a part of your life.  No one else should make that decision for you.  And if at the end of the day you don't find that potential friend as someone who you want to share your life with then that's fine, because it's your call.

Ever dealt with something like this or seen this situation play out?
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A Full Weekend -- Can't Complain!

This past weekend was incredibly full!  Literally had maybe only a couple of hours to myself on Sunday.  Other than that it was jam packed!

Friday night -- cousin's wedding in Milwaukie, it was pretty, definitely fit my cousin (& aunt), saw old high school friends, high school teachers and spent the night with family (especially favorite cousin Tasha & husband Chad).
Saturday -- work at the Bridal Gallery in the morning (love going in there - the girls that work there are wonderful, so fun & funny!), quick trip home and an hour to rest then it was off to the Keizer Iris Festival Tent with 2 of our favorite couples!  It was great.  And I just love the KeizerFest - it always reminds me how much I love Keizer and growing up/living in Keizer.  It's kind of dorky to stand in a HUGE tent and see basically everyone in town and know pretty much the whole tent, but there's something fun about that too.  Our friends the Johnson's had never been before, so I explained many of the nuances and fun facts about the festival & the highlights of growing up in such a small town.
Sunday -- church in the morning, quick trip to the office and then home to nap for a few hours.  YoungLife meeting about camp (well...we didn't talk about camp much, but that was supposed to be the goal), and then GIRLS NIGHT at a local restaurant for half off appetizers!  Girl time is so precious...and because of them & their encouragement I was convicted (in a good way) to go home and have an honest conversation with hubby Isaac.  Love those two girls Mo & Lauren...they're rock stars.

Alright back to my studying & random work projects... Hope you're well friends!
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Sometimes...

you just have to give thanks for your friends!

As of late I've been blessed with a bunch of hang out time with my great friends.  I can't complain one bit, because it's made me realize how different each of my friends are.  And how they each bring out a different side of me.  What a treat they are!  

But in particular, I'm recently excited at the prospect of two of our friends dating! *gasp!* I played matchmaker a bit...and though I'm always a bit nervous when I try to hook up two of my friends, I think this might be a pretty good match!  The guy in question has never been married, only dated a couple of girls seriously - and is generally the 3rd, 5th, or 7th wheel in our group of friends. But never does he make you feel bad at all, he's just along for the ride and enjoys being together.  The girl in question is a dear friend who is admittedly terrified of the possibilities...will he call again, is he interested, does he think well of her, etc.  Our first get together, our guy friend thought she was engaged - so didn't even really interact with her!  Guys sure are thick headed sometimes! ha!  But so far it looks promising.  I keep telling my friend, just go with it until the Lord says stop! And I'm trying to remind her not to be afraid/fearful!  So think good thoughts for these two! They'd be a great match in my opinion!


In other news...hubby comes home from Houston tonight! Huzzah! I sure do miss him at night - I had forgotten how safe I feel when we're together.


Have you ever tried to hook up two of your friends?? How did it work out?
<3
 

Wee Bit Wednesday + No voice!

Here we are again -- Wednesday, or hump day as some like to refer to it as.  Link up & follow along with LeighAshley

one - what is your favorite breakfast food?

Strawberry Belgian Waffles & bacon from OPH...delish!

two - how many pairs of shoes do you currently own?

   I should probably be ashamed by this...but hey, shoes always fit, so I always buy them

at least 30-35 (flip flops included)

three - city or country?

country...no question

four - what is your favorite part of your job?

the flexibility of working with family - i.e. if hubby & I get stranded in Hawaii when we fly standby, I don't worry about getting fired! Phew!

five - what is your favorite junk food to snack on?

Um, probably cheese quesadilla with gooood guacamole & salsa YUM!

six - have you ever been mentioned in the newspaper?

does an engagement announcement count?

seven - do you use post-it notes?

yes - for work; otherwise no

eight - do you have freckles?

yes...I joke that in the summer I don't really get tan, I just become one giant freckle!

nine - is it ok for men to wear pink?

absolutely!

ten - when was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper?

goodness -- I don't even know. Ages ago.  I want to do that more though

Well I'm on day 3 with no voice - and let me tell ya, it makes work a bit of a challenge.

That aside - I'm so thankful for good friends these days.  Monday night after hanging out at a basketball game with honey Isaac, we stopped by our good friends Monique & Chris' place to visit.  What a blessing to have great friends at this stage in our lives.  And Friday night I'll be hanging with my great friend Kathryn...that said, think good thoughts for her! I may have made a potentially great love match between her & another friend of ours.  It'd be fun to see if they really jive & match! Yahoo!

<3 

Surrounded by Love

I know I've mentioned this before - but this has been an incredibly difficult time for my family.  But even in the midst of all of that chaos one thing has rung true through it all...I am surrounded by love.


This entire weekend I saw how people around me & my family love, care, & support us.  It was nice to be encouraged and supported at work on Saturday.  It was nearly overwhelming how many ladies came Saturday night to my mom's house - we all gathered together to eat, drink wine & share fond memories of our mothers.  My mom wanted to do this to honor everyone that has supported her & our family during everything.  I have to say this was the best thing I've been a part of in a while. We had family there with us - girl friends of my mom - ladies we know from work.  Just a wonderful picture of the people of our lives.


And Sunday was spent with Isaac...at church, running errands, napping on the couch, and watching the Super Bowl with my parents.  Probably the most low key Super Bowl - but perfect for all of us.  I was just so thankful that my parents and I still have a very tight relationship & that they are so supportive of & love Isaac as well.  It's a blessing for sure how well we all get along.


So in preparation for Wednesday's service & events to remember Gran...I'm going to do my best to hold on to the feeling of being surrounded by love. I'll need it for sure.
<3

Girlfriends

I have to admit - I have never really been one who has multitudes of girlfriends.  I'm more of a lone ranger with a select group of friends, some of whom happen to be girls.

A couple of years ago I really started praying that God would bring some true, grounded friendships with girls who challenge, encourage, and most of all love me for who I am.  It's taken some time for these friendships to come around - and I'm still one who has a small group of trusted girlfriends; but I truly feel like God answered my prayers!

Here are a couple of my great friends who I treasure:

 Monique

 

Monique is one of my greatest friends!  One of those girls that you just know if you need anything will be there in a heart beat.  She recently got married and was on her honeymoon - so we had no communication for a week & a half! Crazy!  But I am incredibly thankful for her.  She some how gets me to do things I normally wouldn't....Example: running.  She is so kind and gentle and aware of her surroundings.  She brings about a softer side in me.  And I love that our husbands get along so well -- it's one of those things where you don't even worry about the awkward silence, because we're always laughing.  That's probably one of the best parts about our friendship, the laughter.  There's always something to laugh about.  It's so fun!

Heather

 Heather has been one of my best friends since the first day we met in 5th grade!  She had just moved from another school to ours and we were at the same desk group.  Let's just say we bonded over a mutual love for all things Sanrio (it was the mid-late 90's...give me a break!).  Thru middle & high school we ebbed & flowed, but really bonded our friendship in our junior & senior year of high school.  We both chose to go to the local community college and ended up having a ton of classes together still.  My parents look at her as one of their kids, and her folks have lovingly called me "Froggy" since 5th grade (I have a tendency to lose my voice frequently).  She is such a lightning bolt - and marches to her own drum no matter what.  She's my go-to fashion girl when I need help, but most of all she knows who I've been, who I am, and wants me to be the best person I can be.  Plus it was fun having her stay with Isaac and I while her hubby Jim finished some school in VA over the summer.  We've been thru thick & thin together -- and I'm sure there's more to come!

Kathryn

Kathryn -- boy oh boy!  She seriously intimidated me the first couple times I met her.  Like border line afraid because she was that confident.  But bonded over  New Years weekend in Bend, primarily over Guitar Hero (at one point I thought she was going to have an seizure from playing for 6 hours straight)!  There have been so many changes in our friendship over the last 3 years, and I am so thankful.  The biggest, and most significant, change to our friendship came when Kathryn accepted Christ as her Savior.  I can vividly remember sitting in a local restaurant crying tears of joy listening to her share how she was ravenously reading thru scripture and sharing how God was meeting her in a really dark time.  I am so thankful for her -- she shares an innocence of loving God that you don't often find.  She cares so much for her students (she's an autism specialist for our local school district).  And most of all -- she is striving to love & glorify Christ in all that she does! Plus she pushes me to better - a better athlete(she's super intimidating in this aspect too, but I love it!), a better woman, a better wife, and a better follower of the Lord.

Lauren

We were introduced by my old mentor.  I think the first time we had coffee I might have scared her (I was talking about having a beer at Oktoberfest & maybe threw out a couple swear words here & there).  But out of it all she is a great friend.  Lauren is who I went to talk about what to expect on my honeymoon and we shared about our fears about being married, and now we share about the other things going on in our lives.  She is probably one of the least judgmental people I have ever met, and really strives to see the good in others; but is also equally logical.  If something is off, if someone is off -- she can see, feel and call it by name.  I so appreciate that in her.  She's no nonsense without being abrasive.  It's a quality I strive for (and tend not to be so hot at...).  Plus she's a freaking amazingly hard worker! This girl works in a law office as a clerk and then is in her 2nd year of law school! She is a rock star!  She always psyches herself out for exams, but KILLS em' every time!  I love that we are both down to earth and just have a good time sharing our lives.

These women are blessings that's for sure.  God has answered prayers - and of course continues to do so.

Who are you thankful for in your life right now?  

<3

A Quiet Day = Day Dreaming & Music

This quiet day has been such a treat - I've been working on my real estate courses, my wonderful husband picked me up for an impromptu picnic lunch & frozen yogurt, and now I'm rounding out my day listening to "The Beatles" station on Pandora again.

I'm in love with "Imagine" & "Yesterday" by The Beatles... well I think technically "Imagine" is by John Lennon.. Regardless, I loove those two songs specifically.  So calming - and their quiet way, just scream summer to me.

here

And I'm finding myself dreaming of a place like this today...

But here in the real world - we're having people over for our first BBQ with the new backyard & pergola this Saturday.  I'm pretty excited!  A little nervous too if I were being completely honest - I want to make sure it all comes together beautifully.  Any suggestions for good summer drinks or easy side dishes??  Ike is whipping up some steak & chicken with his homemade Strawberry BBQ sauce.  

And thankful for the way our small group is coming together -- It is so fun moving towards a place of trust, fun, and honesty with a group of people.

Loving summer this year!

<3

1st BBQ of the SUMMER!

That's right - I said SUMMER!  This past Saturday evening hubby Isaac & I went over to our friend Ashley & Scott's house for the first BBQ of the summer season.  The two were recently married, and it was their first event having a group over for a BBQ.  It was so great!  We had margaritas, Coronas, hamburgers, some great macaroni salad, along with all the other BBQ fixings!

I have to admit - I had such a good time!  It was incredibly nice to just sit outside in their backyard and visit while enjoying the great weather.  It was the first time Isaac & I had done something like that with that particular group - but we both had a great time.  And honestly, I feel a little lame by how much I've already said what a good time we had; but it's true & we did!!

After dinner we delved in to a hard core game of Scene It Squabble (read men vs. women)!  We got beat horribly by the guys -- but I have to admit, we did get a couple last minute wins which were fun.  My favorite moment: beating Isaac at a "Notting Hill" question...it was a little sweet because that is his favorite Julia Roberts movie.


It has been such a joy spending time with friends lately and I think it has really sparked in both Isaac & I the appreciation of quality friend time.  This past 11 months we've been really good about taking time to spend together, and get to know one and to bring our two lives in to one.  Which I have so appreciated!  And now I'm looking forward to spending time together with other couple friends.  We're ready for some fun! :)
Besides the email hack - it was a very full & fun weekend!

<3

Friday Thoughts...

Two of mine & Isaac's friends were recently divorced - which in itself was heartbreaking.  They were our "go to" couple friends, we matched with one another so well and got together often.  We so loved our friendship.Through the divorce though we have remained friends with both - and still treasure our friendships with them. They are two of the greatest people we have met and spent time with.  And in this year, my friend has come to know the Lord as her personal Savior, she has accepted His gift of forgiveness & transformation & has become a new creation through & through!  It's been so sweet to see how God has softened her once distant heart - and changed it in to a soft place, yearning for the love & guidance of Christ.  Her desire for the Lord is so evident - it is so clear - so concrete.... it challenges me to find that place within my own relationship with the Lord.  To put my earthly self aside and seek out His will, His wisdom, His power, His forgiveness, His love first above all.

There have been some definite hard times in the last couple months that she has faced and is facing now - but I know and am incredibly confident that her primary focus will be on leaning on the Lord & on His understanding.  There are so many scriptures that come to mind when I think of this friend & the situation... But I lean on this...
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  As it is written:  'For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.'  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:35-39

Regardless of the situation - no matter how desperate the circumstances I am not alone - nothing can come between the love my Father has for me and I for Him.
So I will wait & trust in that.

Hope all have a great weekend -- it's time to rest for sure!
<3

Blow This Pop Stand!

I am SO looking forward to getting out of town tonight - granted it's only for one night, but it is SO welcomed!
Headed out to the best beach camping spot... Beverly Beach State Park for Miss Ashley's bachelorette weekend with great girls and fun in store.

Back on Saturday afternoon...just in time for WyldLife club. 
Have a great weekend friends!
<3