1-2-3 Yesterday's Highlights

1. Seeing the gas station dad worked at in Berkeley during high school - still standing and still pumping gas! 

                                     

                                     

2. Dad buying something for mom when she wasn't looking. He couldn't keep it a secret tho. That women can sense when the wallet comes out and a purchase is in the making. :)

3. Later Josh sweeping us all in a game of speed scrabble. Dang that smartie. :p

Dad and mom are headed home today. :( We are so lucky to have parents who want to spend their vacation time and money to come see us. Feeling full right now. So incredibly full.

Visitors Welcome

Having dad and mom here has been so great. Odd how you appreciate your family when they're not so close. The irritating is not so irritating anymore and the fun is so much funner. (No offense d&m, just keeping it real. Do you feel the same? :p)

It's been so wonderful seeing this guy relax, 

 going to new places,

seeing them laugh together, 

 walking around holding hands with him, 

begging the guys to "slow down please!" so we can get a shot of those beautiful homes, 

  and laughing, eating, and shopping with her. 

They leave tomorrow so I can't stay and chat. But we'll catch up tomorrow. :) 

Woohoo, hello August!

Found this somewhere (I can't remember where. :/ If you know, please tell me so I can site it!) and I love it. It's a real photo taken during the Olympics of synchronized diving. Isn't it beautiful? 

I'm loving the games. Are you screaming and shouting, covering your ears or biting your nails? I am, even though I already know the results. :)

The parentals are visiting for a few days beginning tomorrow. Mom and I already have a date for a pedicure (last one I had was in January, ewwww TMI!) and I'm sure much fun and excitement will ensue even in doing the most mundane things. 

Many highlights are happening this happy month of August. I hope you are looking forward to something too, especially if it involves a mint chip double scoup from Rite Aid (eyes rolling back and persing my lips in a Bill Cosby kind of way just thinking about it). 

See ya Monday.

Sunburnt Blessings

Josh and I had lunch with these fine people yesterday. Much more than family friends - but people you share your deepest hurts and greatest triumphs with. 

John and Celia lived in LA during John's residency and so our parents became fast friends. And even though they live in Seattle, us "kids" are connected through our own relationships as adults now. 

A simple lunch stop that turned into 2 1/2 hours of sunburnt blessings.

John, Celia, Carrie, Jeff, Lori, and Matthew - thank you for driving so out of your way to see us. We love you.

Our lease is up soon and it's looking like Josh and I need to look for a new place. Have you seen this outrageous treehouse J.K. Rowling has comissioned for her kids? 

Geez, forget the kids. I'd pay rent to live in that thing. :p

Church

I took this picture at camp. All those raised hands, and each one a life changed by Jesus.

Yesterday at church people were sharing what God has been doing in their lives. The whole service was just testimonies! So many people shared that the service went super long (my tummy was rumbling!). Some of the testimonies were from people who had attended family camp but many came from people who didn't. 

It was touching...no no, more than that. It was more than encouraging, more than moving. I can't find the word. I needed more tissue! But from all I've seen, I'll tell ya, no program, no religion, no therapy, or length of time can heal people from so many different situations - divorce, death, shame, loneliness, meekness, depression, and regret, the way Christ can. He redeems, saves, and then gives you so much more.

I'm so happy today - this random Monday. :) I hope you are too.

A European Tourist and Me

Oh I forgot to tell you! Something funny happened in a cafe in Sausalito. Josh and I were sitting at this two seater when two Europeans came and sat at the table to my right. Then the weirdest thing...the man in the white moved his straight facing chair to the edge of his two seater table, right into me! There was sooo much room on the other side. Why wouldn't he keep the chair straight, like everyone else in the place! Josh took a picture because I just couldn't believe it. Just as I was about to yell "get up off me foo!" I was overcome with laughter. It was just so absurd it was funny. 

Here he is leaning forward to grab a bite as you can see in the mirror. It was much worse when he wasn't leaning forward. 

Aren't you guys supposed to be at the Olympics? Bah! :p Which reminds me...Olympic opening ceremony TONIGHT, 7:30! Who's in?

A Visit to Family Camp

This week is our annual church family camp. I popped in Tuesday and Wednesday and had the best time. Camp felt a lot like the weather up there - mild, calm, and perfect. There was a sense of gentleness in everything and you could feel it around the people. 

I had many memorable moments, but my favorite was being in adult session with mom and dad. We never get to worship with them because dad's always up on the stage. It was nice to be able to learn from someone together and to lift our hands in worship together. 

Here is my dad and mom at the snack shop. Aren't the redwood's amazing?

And I had to get a close-up for proof of dad's Great Waffle Cone Splurge of 2012!

Wishing you a sweet and gentle Thursday friends.