Two to Tango {J and J}

The McLeods are the kind of friends everyone wants to have.

They will laugh with us

and cry with us.

They exemplify a Godly marriage,

as they place the Lord at the center of their lives.

It's been such a blessing to watch them

mold their two lives into one.

Jeremiah and Jessi, 

I love the rich love you have for one another,

and the way you show it to each other again and again.

Happy 2nd anniversary!

May this year be the best yet :-)

Freedom isn't free

Remembering our many 

service men and women 

who protect our nation

so we can live freely.

Thankful for their sacrifice

and the sacrifice of their families.

Wings like eagles

"Even youths shall faint and be weary,
   and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
   they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
   they shall walk and not faint."

 [Isaiah 40:30-31]

Happy Thursday!

Contentment with a Purpose

I have a dilemma.

I can't figure out how to be content while striving for more.

I jump between two thought processes:

the first: How can we tangibly get from point A to point B. 

the second: I'm fine where I am, I will wait for the next life change to come to me.

Lately, it's been more of the first,

specifically looking towards the next life changes on the five-year calendar:

when we have a yard...

when i'm working in a hospital...

when we live somewhere it rains more...

when we have kids...

when i have vacation time...

In the midst of thinking about the next thing,

sometimes it's hard to remember to be content where I am.

It's a difficult thing to balance... 

being content where I am and continuing to move forward and not settle.

On my own, I tend to be a settler.

I'm thankful to have a husband who encourages me to press on.

I believe God works every day.

That means He is working now.

I don't wanna miss it.

Paul speaks my mind in Philippians 3:

"One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." 

and again in Philippians 4:

"I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content"

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

God, help me to be wise in my thoughts,

to be content with where you have me

while striving for what else you have for me.

Jesus speaks on the "end of the world"

 "But concerning that day or that hour, 

no one knows, 

not even the angels in heaven,

nor the Son,

but only the Father. 

Be on guard, keep awake. 

For you do not know when the time will come."

Mark 13:31-33

Lord, 

May my eyes be focused on you always.

Make me one to trust your timing and your perfect plan.

Give me strength to be on guard,

and tune my ears to hear you when you speak.

"Have you not known? Have you not heard? 

The Lord is the everlasting God,
   the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;

his understanding is unsearchable.

He gives power to the faint,
   and to him who has no might he increases strength."

Isaiah 40:28-29

Open House for a Cause: Part 2

We had such a great time at our 3-day open house a couple weeks ago,

and in large part that was due to the sweet spirits of our friends and family who came.

my cousins, Marie and Jennie

mom's buddy Carol who is a past 3-day walker and huge supporter of mom :)

my dear friends Katie and Jennifer

my Aunt Linda (2nd cousin in Italian = aunt), Aunt Maralyn (great aunt in Italian = aunt), and dear sister

my hero, walking buddy, and mom

as guests exited, they could select a few fliers with information about breast cancer

as well as a tribute to those we are walking for

farewell!

Although a ton of work, we had so much fun and are so thankful to those who came and supported us also! 

To those who couldn't come but have supported us in other ways - financially - we say, thank you.

Open House for a Cause: Part 1

A week and a half ago, my mom and I hosted a huge open house
to raise money for the Susan G Komen 3-day
we are walking in this November.

It was so much work,

but so much fun.

Although we didn't have a huge turnout,
everyone who came had a lot of fun and we were blessed by their generosity. 

Special thanks to:

Jennay with Pampered Chef,

Jacqui with Mary Kay,

Sandra with Party Lite,

and Katrina with Cookie Lee.

You ladies were great and we appreciate you being a part of our event.

So, the morning of the event was quite crazy and I didn't get a ton of "before" pictures... 

so some of these are "during" and "after" photos...
but you will get the idea. 

The entryway, complete with many facts about breast cancer and cute decorations by mom.
the facts continued throughout the home.

me and my walking/fundraising/event planning buddy :)

First stop: candles at Party Lite! 

I made all the signs. They were excited about them :)

Looking in from the front door

Coffee, tea sandwiches, and veggies with dip to start!

bbq meatballs, chips and salsa, and cookies to continue.

The Mary Kay booth with Jacqui and Mom
Jacqui has previously walked in the 3-day so she was a great support.

Pampered Chef by Jennay!

more snacks :)

beautiful Cookie Lee jewelry by Katrina!

homemade cards by yours truly
{totally discovered something new I love to do!}

Our donation area and place to watch videos about the walk and the organization.

Outside, we had beautiful potted flowers my mom planted 

and homemade strawberry jelly she made - so yummy!

Pink juices - strawberry melon and pink lemonade :)

So this was the basic set-up!

Part 2 of the open house segment will include some fun photos of our guests :)

I have called you friends...

"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 

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 15:12-15 

Tonight, I saw these verses evidenced in the lives of our friends. 

Over the last few months, John has gotten to know the guys who lead the Hispanic church at SMCC.

  [Brother Issac, Pastor, J, and Brother Jason]

These men are men of God. They fear the Lord and love each other. 

They laugh together, hug each other, and pray for one another.

It has been such a blessing to watch these men do ministry together in such a great way.

Tonight, we gathered together to celebrate the birthday of Pastor and his beautiful twin sister.

[Cecilia and Pastor Erick]

As we drove, we discussed the worries of life and the exhaustion of looking at another week ahead.

When we walked through the door of our friends' home, 

immediately the joy of the Lord met us.

We ate some amazing homemade food from El Salvador, played fun games, 

chatted, prayed together, and laughed... a lot.

I am so thankful for the fellowship of these friends.

They welcomed us with open arms, even though we don't speak Spanish very well,

and offered their home to us anytime.

Pastor exemplified this passage in his words and actions tonight, as he does everyday.

True friendship is hard to come by,

and although I have only known this group of people for a short time,

it feels as though it has been a lifetime.

Thank you, Pastor and Yami, for inviting us into your home

and allowing us to celebrate with you.

Your marriage is such an encouragement to us and your faith is inspiring.

We love you more than we can express

and are so very thankful for your hearts and friendship.

Dios te bendiga.

[J & C, Issac & Alma, Pastor & Yami, me & J]

Sneak Preview: I love Country

Anyone watching American Idol this round?

I've loved Scotty and Lauren from the get-go.

 

All I can say is, these two must be the top 2 this week.

But after I saw this, I think Scotty may have won my vote.

Why?

Because I love Josh Turner.

I love when people are surprised (in a good way).

I love when Christians take opportunities to profess their faith.

And because I love Country music.

{did you know that about me? a little tidbit :)}

Love this {super mature} kid's heart for the Lord, for people, and for wholesome country music.

Way to go, Scotty!

[Lauren... I'm still rooting for you too, girl!

You both rock and both will go far with your gifts of music :)]

Results are in

Remember how my mom and sister entered the look-alike contest?

They held a fashion show and then revealed the winners.

I of course had to attend to show my support!

  

Mom and Carly opted out of the fashion show ;)

but honestly, they are the cutest!

 {and the happiest... look at the intense faces waiting for the winner announcement!}

They didn't win.

The lady in the back of the picture above with the blonde curly hair won. Her and her two daughters.

I failed to take a picture of them... I still think C and Mom look more alike.

Mom and C are my favorite mother-daughter (plus me) combo/trio out there!

Love you, sissy and mom! You are my favorites.

Next year, we'll get 'em.

Week past and weekend to come

Monday: Homemade Mexican fiesta... successful at that!

Tuesday: Free Coffee Bean summer ice blended drinks

can i just say... cookies and cream ice blended? A-MA-ZING. my new favorite fo-sho!

Wednesday: Meeting a nice new doctor, 

having mrs. dr smile and say "i should have known" when i said i'm an RN, 

and entering into the Sharp healthcare system [as a patient]

thank you, work health insurance. this is a first for me.

Thursday: Haircut and catch up with my friend Kelli visiting from Sac-town

it... is... too... short! this happens everytime. a picture will come soon.

Friday: Super sale at Kohls...
$10 free coupon + shirt with no tag + guy at register quitting his job = free for me.

Followed by a night with no plans! 

And here's how this weekend is looking:

a little organizing this and that

a little cleaning here and there

a fun car trip with mom and Carly to north county 

celebrating my friend Casey at her bridal shower with my mom

a trip to paper source {!!!!}

church, church, and more church (in a good way)

some Bible reading

some bill paying... call me crazy but I actually like paying bills

some time with my hubby

our Hispanic pastor/friend's birthday party!

some blog catch up - reading and writing

american idol watching

and possibly some card making

Happy Saturday!

Blessed are the mothers

"Her children rise up and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women have done excellently,

but you surpass them all.""

Proverbs 31:28-29

Today, we celebrate moms.

To be a mom is the greatest gift of all, I am convinced.

The most challenging, the most exhausting, the most rewarding.

[not that I know from first-hand experience... one day]

Since my mother-in-law wasn't available on Mother's Day,

we celebrated her last weekend.

We had a lovely Italian dinner followed by some incredible frozen yogurt.

Kris is gracious and kind,

thoughtful and trustworthy.

She raised two wonderful sons,

one of which I am lucky enough to call my husband.

I'm thankful to call her my mother-in-law

and to experience her love and commitment to her family.

[i failed to take pictures... all i have is my frozen yogurt and my golden spoon... forgive me...]

I spent much of this weekend with my mom.

Saturday was our big open house 3-day fundraiser (which I'll tell you more about soon).

Last night, we celebrated my mom at the Point of Grace concert at church.

We love Point of Grace and when I found out they were coming

I knew we had to go.

It was worth it. 20 something years later they are still rocking it. :)

I stopped by her house after church today to give her a hug and a little gift.

My mom is loving and genuine,

constant and supportive.

She has poured her heart into my sister and me,

and because of that, I know without a doubt my mom loves me with all she has.

Most people claim their mom to be the best there is.

I make the same claim.

My mom wins.

"Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."

Happy Mother's Day to my mom.

Happy Mother's Day to my mom-in-law.

And happy Mother's Day to all the other moms out there who love their children just as deeply.

What a gift to be a mom!

So excited to join the club one day.

[not for awhile though]

;-)

One for the books

While I'm not one to be the most up-to-date on the current news

[as in, I get my news from my husband and family and call it fact without even looking it up typically],

tonight, I turned on the news for the President's statement

[after receiving a text from my mom and a phone call from my father-in-law notifying me :)].

About what?

Osama Bin Laden has been killed.

Eleven years later, justice is finally served.

It's a big day in America.