birthday favorites

Our first birthdays in New Zealand. For those who don't know, mine's the 7th, Logan's the 8th. Blessed by church ladies and gents who took us out separately to celebrate. Lots of phone calls and facetime from home throughout the weekend. A small group of friends to enjoy soup, cake & games. Lazy Saturday morning filled with Reese's puffs cereal (kinda family tradition), SYTYCD episodes and opening presents. Of course, followed by more eating, late brunch and pizza for dinner.

I liked this birthday.

happy birthday, kati

I'm a little behind on things, but for good reasons, we visited Indiana last week and are now in Arizona visiting my grandparents. Last week, this pretty girl turned one. It still warms my heart to remember receiving the phone call telling me she was born and leaving finals to go hold her, such a week of celebration.

Kati is precious. It's crazy to believe she is already a year old, less a baby and more a toddler. She is a sweet girl, and I 'm excited to see her personality develop. It melts your heart to see her brother Moses hug and kiss her. When she ate her cake for her birthday, Moses fed her bite by bite and then would sneak two for himself. I'm glad for her babysitter who sends photos of Kati when she watches them. Thankful for technology that lets you share experiences even with distance. Because I definitely want to keep up with her as she grows. Love you, Kati. 

happy birthday, dad

Already teary eyed writing this, thinking of how to express love and gratitude for my father, the first man who ever loved me. Today is his birthday. I wish I was home to spend it with him and my mom, maybe go on a motorcycle ride since the weather is so gorgeous, go eat some East End ice cream.

My dad is amazing, taught me how to work hard, ride a dirtbike, drive, so many things. There were deeper things too. Growing up, I can still hear him saying, "The Bible has something to say about every issue and every season of life. It's there just look for it." I'm thankful I was raised that way. Even with his crazy schedule of driving truck, my dad was there for important things: birthdays, piano recitals, ballet recitals (which I know he and my brothers would have preferred to miss), cross country games, graduations. He's worked so hard and given us so much.

I love his warm laugh and quiet nature. I really find everyone likes my dad. He's a good listener and so loyal. I love when he gets excited watching football games. When he holds my nephews and nieces, my heart melts. He loves them too. Happy birthday, Dad. I love you.

Oh, and Dad, I've always loved that you were born on St. Patrick's day. I think that's neat. I'm always amazed when people say, "Is St. Patrick's day on the same day every year?" Yes, it's my dad's birthday.

phoebe turned one

As I mentioned Monday, my neighbor Phoebe turned one, a perfect excuse to get our apartment complex together. I made Phoebs my favorite cake by smitten kitchen (seriously, I will die with that recipe). We kept a slice peanut butter free since you're not suppose to expose kids until they're eighteen months old.

Goodness, I love seminary community. Seriously, so fun. And I definitely love Phoebe.

happy birthday, ari

This kid. Seriously, look at him. He's cute, and funny, and awesome, and last week he turned two.  Since Logan and I've been in Jersey, we tend to mimic the little voices, noises, and faces he makes in our daily conversations. Our recent favorite is his battle cry. Seriously, he makes us laugh. When he smiles, your heart melts over and over again.

He is all boy. Climbing, swiping everything electronic, sneaky. His parents already have a ton of stories to prove this. At the same time, he has a big heart. When he hugs my dad, he wraps his little arms around his neck and rests his head on his shoulder. I love it, such a sweet kid deep down. He is still such a baby to me, but he's growing. Two, already.

I love you, Ari.

haley is five

This girl, sheesh, she's pretty. Today, my niece Haley turns five. As I mentioned on Daylen's birthday, five seems like a big deal to me because I vividly remember my fifth birthday.

She is creative and strong. Seems weird to describe a five year old that way, but she is all girl with her stamps, coloring, and singing then she has this pleasant courage and strength. She can stand up to all her boy cousins that outnumber her. Luckily, this past year she gained two more girl cousins.

Plus, who knows whether she'll have a baby brother or sister next June? Either way, Monica and I both think she'll be pretty motherly to her new sibling. She received an American Girl doll for Christmas, and tomorrow, she's going to the store in Chicago to have tea. I am super jealous.

Happy Birthday, Haley. Your aunt and uncle love you.

to my mom

Happy Birthday, Mom. I'm sorry I can't be home to celebrate your birthday, but am so excited for you to visit this week. It makes it easier knowing that in a few days we will be cooking, laughing and spending time together.

You are a hippie still to this day loving things homemade and organic. You are beautiful, strong, and steadfast. You love God, dad, and our family with every beat. You have been a mother to more than just us kids, but also to our friends who lived at our house growing up. You are such a giver. I am who am and the things I care about are deeply shaped by the guidance from you and dad. Thank you for raising me in the church, teaching me to be involved, putting me in places to be transformed by Christ's love, giving grace, teaching me to forgive, and loving others to a fault (this might be genetic). I know that some people don't have moms like you, so involved and caring. I am so thankful.

As I get older, people hear my voice or see me, and say, "Man, you remind me of/sound like/look like your mom." It is a compliment of the kind, warm, and giving person they know. I feel pretty comfortable about growing more and more into that type of person.

Happy birthday, I love you.

daylen turns five

Oh my goodness, how is this little man already five? I can't believe I'm missing his super sweet bowling party on Sunday. He's at an age where he'll know who was and wasn't at his birthday party. I remember everything about my fifth birthday: doll dress cake, barbie kitchen, and my banana seat bike. I should make a cardboard version of myself to be at the party or photoshop myself into photos.

I have so many stories, photos, and videos (such as the one below) of this kid.  I remember when he was born on my soccer sectionals senior year, going to the hospital after the game, and loving that cute button nose. I can't forget when he first started talking and going to East End Douple Dip for ice cream. As soon as we turned off state road 19, he knew exactly what we were headed, and his little voice would say, "Fry fream." We've watched a lot of Thomas the Train and raced cars. I love it when he gets hold of his mom's phone and calls me. She has no idea until she checks her phone later in the day. He loves to talk, and I defend him because everyone said that about me when I was little. Now he's in preschool, and he tells me the letters on my shirt and asks what it spells. Little man growing up.

Happy Birthday, Daylen. I love you.

moses is two

Happy Birthday, Moses. I still remember this day two years ago. It was the first weekend Logan came back to Indiana since he left for seminary. You were cute and little. And now, you're running around doing the pogo dance. I'm sorry I missed your birthday party yesterday. I wonder if your parents had more news such as expecting another sibling like they announced at your party last year.

You're such a happy and kind boy, so loving to your baby sister Kati. You stole everyone's heart at our wedding this summer. Please never stop being cuddly because I love it when I pick you up and you put those big arms around my neck and squeeze.

Don't worry. I didn't forget about your birthday present. I'm working on it. It will be in the mail soon (along with your cousin Alex's... I need to work on sending presents on time, huh?). I love you, Moses.

happy surprise

 Today is my friend Lauren's birthday. Lauren and I have a special friendship. I saved Lauren from being the only girl at Shepherd-Hoffman Pizza Hut outings. She became my first friend from Taylor. We both connected through our husbands who already were friends, but luckily, we like each other as if we found one another on our own terms. We have the best conversations over coffee about anything and everything (you know, like high school, work, college, our husbands, our hopes). But most importantly, we share a deep desire to be transformed more into God's image and have seen how He moves in each of our lives. I can't imagine life without her (especially after this past year). She is such a giver and cares way too much for people. It's pretty inspiring. This girl deserves a lot so together her husband Mark, Logan and I (well, really, my mother-in-law helped a lot, too - thanks, Karen!) threw her a surprise birthday party on Sunday involving lots of dessert, a couple rounds of playing celebrity, assembling wedding programs (she's gaining a sister-in-law next weekend), boys entertaining the girls by merely being boys (Kan Jam and fishing), and So You Think You Can Dance episodes. Summer birthdays are the best.

But seriously, Lauren, you are loved. Can't believe you've only been in my life for three years. Happy birthday!

happy birthday, ari

Yesterday, we celebrated my youngest nephew's birthday. I love little Ari. My sister-in-law did a sock monkey theme, which was super cute. Playing with my nephews and making videos of them is definitely more fun than studying for tests.

I know I'm biased, but my nephews and cousins are cute.

twenty-one

Weekly update! Okay, I turned twenty-one and had fun celebrating.

Let's start with Sunday where I spent the whole afternoon getting burnt at the beautiful beach La Selva. I learned my lesson that I should use stronger than 4 SPF.

After a long day at the beach, we stopped at Marianne's ice cream in Santa Cruz where I had delicious black cherry fudge ice cream.

Morgan Hill is the neatest place. On Monday, I celebrated my birthday lunch at the cutest Thai restaurant. Isn't it neat that it's basically someone's home?

While this photo does no justice to its yummy-ness, I had the best Pad Thai on my birthday.

After lunch, Kate and I spent the afternoon shopping at outlets until my cute friend Bethany came to visit. We decided sushi was the perfect way to end my birthday. I can't really express how much I really, really like sushi, and the man drinking his water in the background of the above picture.

Again, this girl made my birthday. Both Bethany and Kate made California feel a little more like home considering I couldn't be with Logan and my family. Not to mention, all those who called and told me happy birthday (brothers, and friends, and parents) made it complete.

I am so blessed.

This sweet girl made my birthday special.

I am twenty-one!

Ah, life is beautiful. I'm feeling more myself every day; this skin feels good. Such a day: I am spoiled. I enjoy Indiana weather even if it is windy and chilly. I spent the entire day outside, talking with friends, and listening to music. These cute kids came to campus:

One of my amazing residents spared her extra points to buy me a mini red french press! It is cute!

My roommate loved me and brought me back sushi from Indy: California roll, Futo Maki, & Spicy Salmon. Next, I experienced Middle Eastern Night at the Lodges where a pretty woman from India taught us dancing - it was so Bollywood.

Afterwards, many ladies gathered in Apartment J to surprise the grown-up Brittany Horswell for her twenty-first. She drank strawberry-lemonade sparkly with fresh fruits showing off her juicy Anthropologie dress. She is beautiful.

Last, Bobby Wrigley showed off his Sigur Ros dvd. Such a good time, night, and fun with friends. I can't ask for anything more (well, other, than wishing Logan was here).

Peace and grace.