We are family

About a week after we moved to California, my mom told me she got tickets for her, my dad, and her parents (my grandparents) to come visit in November. I was stoked. My grandparents are a young 82, and just a joy to be around. However, they do not travel much anymore. I think they have only flown once or twice since 9/11. So you can imagine what an adventure it was for them to travel all the way to Californ-i-a, for the first time ever! I am so very glad they came.

We didn't do your typical sight seeing, because that could easily get pricey and crowded, but we did take them to see La Jolla, a beautiful city just north of San Diego that sits right on the water. Let me just tell you, it is a little slice of heaven. A beautiful shade of aqua water, blue skies, tropical flowers, and beautiful rocky beaches and sea caves. Paradise, only a short drive from home!

While at the MCX, a lady told Papa he looks just like Andy Griffith. What do you think? I always did when I was little.

The best part of the trip was of course the time we spent together. I love to hear my grandparents' stories. Papa always tells us the stories of the girls he was "going" with in high school. He and my grandma grew up in the smallest town in Tennessee, Red Boiling Springs. "Me and Junior (his deceased brother in law) had seen Jean and June (my grandma and her twin) were cheerleaders, and heard they wanted to go with boys with cars. Well now, me and Junior had cars, and that's how we won them over. They would have taken anyone with cars!"

She is quite a catch!

It clearly wasn't just the car, he is a lady's man!

At one point, we were discussing my grandma's excellent skill of couponing. Papa: "That's how she got me! But she's still clipping those coupons looking for a better deal!"

Papa: "We've been married for 62 years, and you know, that woman still locks the bathroom door when its just me and her home."

Yes, they've been happily married for 62 years. Let's pray that I will be as fortunate to have 62 years together with Jason! Also, grandma is a twin, and my cousin has twin boys. Jason tells me he is hoping for twins at some point. I see my family is causing us to set some high expectations :)

My sweet parents, following in my grandparent's footsteps of a long, happy marriage

It was a wonderful time, and I was so sad to see them go. In fact, I think this was the hardest goodbye I have had to say to my family. But I enjoyed all the special memories, and I was fortunate enough to have an extra day with my dad while Jason was in the field.

Friends through thick and thin

I never though I'd be "that person" who likes their dog more than you should, but here I am, picky about what I feed him, making sure he gets to run and play everyday, and always wanting him by my side. It's embarrassing really, but I know it will die down once I have real children. Nonetheless, he is my buddy, and he spends the most time with me.

We like to hug and dance

For now, Jason and I keep practicing our "parenting skills" on Starbuck. Yeah, and it is already clear that I am a voice to be reckoned with.

Just look at that focus, and how well he is listeni-... nevermind

 Let's face it, he is just a loving puppy, trapped in the body of a bear.

Just a disclaimer, he doesn't jump on me like this. He does this only on command, if that makes you any less petrified of him.

And I wouldn't have him any other way.

Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile

I love fall. My love for fall has grown over the years, and I owe it all to my mother. She always was excellent at making home feel like "home": clean, beautiful, and warm. And oh, those fall candles! I never understood her love for candles until I had my own home to decorate. Every year that fall approaches, I have vivid memories of coming home from school on a nice fall day, and seeing the lovely colors of the trees, and coming home to a home decorated with so much fall beauty, it was worthy of a photo shoot for Pottery Barn. Even my mother-in-law is exceptional at fall decor, and making it a season worthy of anticipation.

Well, California is wonderful for many reasons, but I can't say it's quite as easy to enjoy fall, when it is still 80 degrees out! It is just an adjustment. However, the last few days we had a "cold front". Let me first define a severe weather alert for you, California style: Weather expected over the next 2 days with winds up to 10 mph, temperature 15 degrees below the usual at this time of year (High of 60), and scattered showers; possibly a thunder here or there. So yeah, when I read this "severe" weather alert, I thought... Oh! They mean that wonderful season of fall will be here for a short time! Well, it's time to get moving.

Step 1: a fall treat. Caramel Apple Pie. We really don't have treats like this very often, but we had company. Also, baking is way way fun! But seriously, best. pie. ever.

Step 2: a Fall soup to warm your soul. Tuscan style potato soup. One of our favorites.

Now, just add a fall scented candle. It filled the room, and made you feel all warm and fuzzy

It definitely doesn't hurt if your husband brings you a beautiful flower arrangement one day, just because.

These last couple days, although busy, were so refreshing. Listening to the rain hit the earth, feeling chilled enough inside to grab a sweater, and cozying up with a bowl of hot soup really made our lovely home feel like home even more. Now, all we need is some family to visit us... coming November 2011 :)

Busy: the equivalent to being blessed

Well, apparently going from sitting at home all day to work, school, and being a wife is a big adjustment! Don't get me wrong, I couldn't feel more blessed. My job is the most exciting job I have ever had, and I love the people I work with. I can't believe how quick I began to love these middle schoolers, in spite of all their challenges. I have learned many lessons from them:

1. We are a desperate hopeless people on our own, in need of a Savior
2. Referring to how desperate and hopeless we are, God is a VERY PATIENT, merciful God. Many days I come home and tell Jason I used all my patience for the day at work, and he reminds me "that is not true patience". He is so right... darn it :)
3. There is no reason I have been so lucky to grow up with a loving, God-loving family, other than God's grace. So why not share that with everyone else?

School has been great as well. There are many advantages to online school as well as disadvantages. I really enjoy self-managing my time and classes, and I enjoy organizing it all into my own schedule. I probably do 5 hours of school work every weekday, so it is demanding. The main disadvantage is when you are struggling with a concept, you have to be able to communicate very well your confusion in an email to your professor. Having said that, it is a good thing to learn how to communicate better, always... especially for that wonderful thing called marriage :). Well anyway, I am thoroughly enjoying my classes. I do get overwhelmed at times, but I will never take this opportunity to earn my education for granted: it has been a long unpredictable journey.

A boy and his dog

Jason and I decided to introduce Starbuck to the Pacific Ocean on Sunday evening. He loves the water, and this summer while at the cabin with our families in Minnesota, we were able to teach him to jump off the dock. He would swim all day if we let him! He loved the ocean just as much, but, like always, was a little scared at first. Nothing that couldn't be changed by a little play time with Jason.

Even more exciting was Jason recieving his first promotion, from 2nd Lt to 1st Lt!

"Gonna put the world away for a minute..."

OK, Jason and I had a great Saturday. Anyone could get used to this California life pretty easily. When the weekend comes, its not just a weekend, but basically a mini vacation once a week. Instead of telling you about it, why don't I show you...!

"think I might have found me my own kind of paradise"

"got the blue sky breeze and it don't seem fair"

"only worry in the world is the tide gonna reach my chair"

"its a sweet sweet life living by the salty sea"

 This is our house... just kidding! But you totally just got on Expedia to buy your tickets to see us, didn't you?

 Jason said my hair looked crazy. If you know me, you know it could have been worse.

"One day you could be as lost as me"

 Boogeyboard- my new obsession. The water is pretty cold here, but seriously, its not as bad as I first thought. Plus, I'm not your typical girl afraid of the cold water. Most of the day, I had to keep telling Jason "its really not that cold".

"change your geography, maybe you might beeee..."

 Jason loves his new swim shorts. He loves that they are short. Thank you, Kirk Kinsey, for that inspiration.

Saturday night we made cookies and cream ice cream. It was the best ice cream I ever had.

 And then, we put Jason's dog tags on Starbuck. He tolerated them all night.

So, as you all can see, California weekends are always vacation for us. And if you're looking for a mini vacation, you just found your free hotel! :)

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Well, I am stealing this clever little post from my good friend Kari Kinsey, but I wanted to share a couple of my favorite things lately...

don't you just love my dinosaur wrappers?

These, my friends, are strawberry orange whole wheat muffins. I call them that because that makes them sound healthier than they are. the end. You don't need to know the bad, just the good. But, they really are whole wheat strawberry orange muffins. Delicioso!

Grandma Jean's recipe for strawberry jam

This jam is scrumptious and magical. And, now that I know how easy it is to make, I am still hoping people will "ooh" and "ahh" and how cool it is that I made my grandma's strawberry jam. I just love the jars too. They are from crate and barrel, thanks to a very old wedding gift card I had hoarded for the past 1 1/2 years. There is just something magical about grandma's cooking, right?

Yoga, specifically my all-time favorite, Crow. Thanks to Taryn Phillips for introducing me to how incredibly cool yoga is! And being so patient to teach my my favorite pose.

why, Starbuck, aren't you annoying?

 I really wish I could complete my training, because I want to learn so much more! But its going to be a few months till the trainings I need are in my area.

My awesome husband, and precious nephew Ralston. He is way cute

Starbuck, about 13 weeks last summer

What a cute little baby he was.

I hope you all are having a great August!