Monday, January 31, 2011

Capture the moment

my friend, mr. squirrel, at a recent trip to the lake

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

To celebrate 3 with you



Thank you, J, for knowing me deeper than three years ago.
Thank you for loving me with such a genuine love.
For caring for me, for protecting me, for providing for me.
Our little family is blessed by you.

I love laughing with you,
dreaming with you,
talking with you,
hugging and kissing you.
I love doing life with you by my side.

Happy anniversary, babe.


Love you with all of my heart.
Can't wait to celebrate with you later!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Finally Friday

J and I brought in Friday night with a bang,
ordering an entourage of foods for happy hour at BJs
T'was a blast.

 (a glimpse from my phone)

Do you have any fun plans for the weekend?

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Capture the moment

I love my family.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

The thoughtfulness of friends

Today, I was reminded how blessed I am to have such great friends from all walks of life.

1. One of my good nursing friends sent me a sweet text message thinking of me.
Katelyn reminded me of the solid relationships I built in nursing school;
of girls [and a couple guys!] trying to become what we thought we were supposed to be
while dealing with the chaos and ups and downs of life.
I felt sad as I thought back on all the laughs and tears we all shared,
coffee dates and frozen yogurt runs (all the way up to last week with Mahea!),
study dates, late night phone calls, and 30-email-chains.
I'm so thankful for nursing friends.

2. Katie joined me at Bible study tonight.
She reminded me of what joy overflowing really looks like
in the midst of feeling overwhelmed, excited, and nervous.
Katie and I had coffee last night, and she blesses my life immensely.
We chatted about life, love, and the Lord.
I love that conversations with her are always centered around the Lord.
Katie and Mark were our first friends we made since getting married.
I'm so thankful for married friends.

3. A friend from church brought me a thoughtful gift 'just because.'
Amanda reminded me of the power of thoughtfulness.
We're cooking buddies, even though we've never cooked together.
And she saw her favorite cookbook and thought of me.
Amanda is one of the many amazing women I have met at YMC.
These ladies have been such a blessing in a time of transition to a new church,
looking for a place to belong.
They remind me that marriage is hard, but oh so worth it;
that life is worth living, even though it's truly challenging;
and that God is the one and only hope, and He's ever present.
I'm so thankful for YMC friends.

4. On my way home from bible study, I checked my phone to receive two voicemails from A and J.
They had coffee and both drove home and thought of me.
Jess and Al reminded me of my days at Point Loma,
all the growth that was experienced, the beauty embraced, the maturing in the works.
It's amazing how four years (or 3.5) can be so life-changing. How one or two friends can change your life.
And yet, these girls have. And continue to.
Trials we never thought would come, opportunities we never anticipated arising.
We may go for awhile without chatting, but when we see each other, it's like we never left.
I love the way conversation is easy and for a few minutes, I can slip into the college mindset
where we used to meet at the cafe for coffee and a study date, or late night dorm chats.
I'm so thankful for college friends.

Friendship is an amazing thing. It's such a joy to look at all the different avenues of life and see the relationships that were created in that time, and are still strong today.

5. And then to look at God's Word and see His desire for friendship with us.

"The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant."
Psalm 23:14

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you."
 John 15:13-15


I'm so thankful for my friends.
And I'm so humbled that my Savior calls me friend.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Back on the farm

Remember my amazing friend/past roommate/RA buddy/bridesmaid, Brie?

Well, she's back on the farm now. 

I had the honor of having coffee with her while she was home over Christmas break. 
This girl is so real and so encouraging. She challenges me to live fully. 


Praying for you B. 
Praying that God would guide your hands and your thoughts this year, and that you would find your nitch. 
Praying for peace and blessings and protection over you.

So proud of you, friend.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Happy birthday, Steve!

Yesterday, we celebrated Steve's 50th birthday!

We rang in the evening with Ruth's Chris, followed by an amazingly funny comedy show in downtown. 
Keeping it young ;)

Our view at dinner was gorgeous. We watched a cruise ship embark into the sunset.
 
 Aren't my parents SO cute?!!
[J, Carly and I gave him Yogurt Mill gift certificates and a hand saw]

The fam :) - love them!!
[this is the first homemade card I've made with my cricut!]

Since his birthday is January 15th,
15 fun facts about Steve:
  1. he's an incredible singer and pianist
  2. he created the voices of Sammy, Casey, Sophie and Simon (the animals)
  3. he took me to a fun event planning seminar when i was in high school and told me i could be whatever i wanted to be
  4. he planned for carly and me to be there when he proposed to mom
  5. he used to own a baskin robbins and makes a mean ice cream cake :)
  6. he's one of the most creative people i know
  7. he is a hidden actor, playing the world renown "troll" in Skyline's living christmas tree
  8. he took us all to disneyworld after i graduated 8th grade
  9. he is calm, humble, and quietly confident
  10. he trusts the Lord
  11. he's one of the funniest people i know
  12. he took me to brigantine when i was in college for a special little date
  13. he called me to tell me a medical story, details and all, because he knew i'd appreciate it
  14. he loves my mom with all his heart, and he loves our family
  15. he's one of the wisest men i know
Happy birthday, Stevie!!
I love you!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Living in a 'winter wonderland'

Today, I had a few moments of 'cognitive dissonance,' I believe it's called.

Why?

Because it is 70 degrees and sunny outside.

It's also January 13th.

Isn't it supposed to look like this?


This is what my Dawn's home looks like right now.
(by the way... you have to check out Dawn's blog. she's simply the best :))

I have a mental dilemma.

I enjoy the 70 and sunny weather. 
But I wish it would come, oh... I dunno... in the appropriate season. Like spring. 

And I kinda wish we were having real snow.


But that is okay. 

I will settle for 70 and sunny. 
 And remember that I am so very blessed to live in a place like this.

Truly, San Diego. You are the best.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Search me... Lead me

My prayer this evening...
this month...
this year...
 
"Search me, O God, and know my heart! 
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me, 
and lead me in the way everlasting!"

Psalm 139:23-24


Sunday, January 9, 2011

Dear Husband,

Thank you for Friday night.

I loved going to the Brig with you,
and sitting in the bar for Happy Hour,
loading up on every appetizer imaginable :)
[too bad I forgot to take a picture, since it was such a cool spread of
shrimp and crab fondue, fish tacos, clam chowder, and shrimp cocktail]
We felt so hip as we looked around at all the other younger people there.
This must be where the cool people hang out.

Then, we came home and you made us yummy homemade vanilla lattes
which I doctored up a bit... but not because I didn't like your concoction...
just because I like it a little sweeter :).

We enjoyed a shared box of Sees truffles
(although we definitely were moderate, only eating one chocolate each!)
and brought our goals we each wrote for the year
together
to make our shared goals for 2011.
I like having shared goals with you.
And I like having separate goals that we can each support each other in.

I'm excited for what 2011 has for us.
2010 had more than we could imagine.

I love being your wife,
and I am so glad you are my husband.

Here we go!

Love,
Wife

Saturday, January 8, 2011

11 goals for 2011

A few personal goals for 2011
[inspired by a friend, there's 11 of them... you know, for 2011]
[and no, it doesn't matter that it's actually 2011 + 1 week... because they were written awhile ago :)]

1. Spend time with Jesus daily
in the Word, in prayer, in worship, in nature, embracing His creation

2. Find a job in a hospital
and do a little professional development

3. Pay off my school loans 
yes, this is a lofty goal... but i think it's attainable

4. Put in new carpeting/flooring in our condo
[this is a must if we are ever going to invite people over again :)]

5. Work on our marriage and love my husband even deeper than in 2010
[this is an even bigger must]

6. Take a few trips 
 [possibly Oregon/Washington, to visit my sister, and to visit S&V]

7. Plan our Italy trip and learn a little Italian

8. Try some new [healthy] recipes and make dinner at least three times a week
this may seem rediculous since most people make dinner every night of the week
however, i am not most people [sorry babe]

9. Spend some time crafting and exploring new crafts
and maybe make a few things that are show-able :)
this includes making birthday cards...and sending them on time

10. Exercise. and Be on Time.
these are not related. but both are next to impossible for me to achieve, so they get a combined category

11. Live this passage:

 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." 
Philippians 4:4-8

Friday, January 7, 2011

Favorites from 2010

A Few 2010 Favorites
[with no particular numbering system and in no particular order]



3. Santa Barbara getaway and conversations about our future together

4. Sam and Valinda's wedding and gaining a fun sister-in-law

5. Getting our little Baker and watching Emma bloom into a big girl and Baker's best friend

6. 'Remodeling' our 2nd bedroom and celebrating two years of condo ownership


8. Tea times and coffee dates with special ladies in my life

9. Joining YMC and making some special friends

10. Spending a year with wonderful ladies in our Bible study

11. J's job switch to be closer to home, and new leadership in our HOA

12. Our first camping trip

13. Fun fall festivities

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Capture the moment

maybe my favorite moment of Christmas day
two of my favorites [aka sister and husband] goofing off

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Scrapbooking 101

I love crafting, particularly scrapbooking (although I want to branch out this year to more crafts). 
I haven't been able to do it as much recently because of nursing school and, well, it's expensive! 
But now that I'm done with school, have a craft area (which I'll show you another time), and am inspired instead of intimidated by my crafty friend :), I'm ready to get back into it full swing.

However, I did have a little project I worked on this winter. 
I made a couple scrapbooks for John's two grandmas.

Here are a few excerpts from both.


Saturday, January 1, 2011

Welcome, 2011

"Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” 
And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” 
And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. 
I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts."
Revelation 21:5-6


Happy New Year!!!
(how cool is the date today? 1-1-11)

Christmas with the McGoverns

We finished off Christmas day at John's parents' house for a lovely evening full of 
wonderful food, sweet gifts, and laughs. 


Aunt Barbara snuggling with Emma

John and Kris prepping to call Sam and Valinda in West Virginia for a little video chat :)
It was serious business :)

Baker's new ball

J's new pretty router and socks
 and my new pretty scarf

Stocking time! (Emma remembered how fun stockings can be)

 I made John's grandmas each a scrapbook. They were so sweet looking at them.

 Why yes, we did finish the evening with coffee and cannolis!

What a wonderful evening.
I'm so blessed to have such wonderful in-laws!

What was (in general) exchanged?
J received: a new shirt, a wireless router, and sandals
I received: Anthro stuff! (cute bowls, lotion, and a gift card), an Outback and Coffee Bean gift card, a scarf and matching gloves, and a Mary Englebreit daily calendar
We received: stocking stuffers, Sees balls, a few books, and a family ornament

John received: two new neckties and a book
Kris received: a sweater, Chris Tomlin CD, rolling pin, and Starbucks coffee
Parents received: a family picture and yummy jelly
Grandmas received: homemade scrapbooks, and biscuit mix and jelly

Christmas at Grandma's house

As usual, we headed to my Grandma and Grandpa's house Christmas morning for the most amazing breakfast feast, present-opening, family-gathering, love-abounding craziness!

 Present passing is serious business.

We had fun with my cousins this year.

Caylee and Caitlin
 Nicholas
 trying on his new Charger hat from Uncle Steve and Aunt Lindy

We gave Grandma a little truck for her garden.

 My grandma likes cute funny decorative things like that... :)

I have the cutest sister and mom!!

 and also the cutest husband and stepdad :)


love these ladies


Photo shoot, numero dos


 We had a great time celebrating Christmas at Grandma's house :)