thirty five

Thirty five years ago, these two sweet people stood in the Arizona desert and said yes. That decision gave life to four kids, eventually four awesome partners, and now eight cute grandchildren. Today I celebrate the love of my parents, their commitment to one another and God, their unconditional love for our family. Mom & Dad, I love your love, and I love you.

(And while we're on a series of marriage-related posts, happy anniversary to my brother Curt and sister Julie two days ago!)

my brother curt

This month my brother Curt and his cute family are moving to Billings, Montana. Their journey to this point has involved a lot of waiting, twists and turns. I'm amazed by their patience, not surprised by God's faithfulness. On Easter Sunday, he wrote this challenging and comforting post. It's really good.

I love you, Curt. Wish I could help pack or make meals since your kitchen is in boxes. Can't wait for a chance to visit your new home.

little baby sister

I just love this song, reminds me of how protective my older brothers use to be. It's cute except that it makes me miss my family. That's okay. I'm allowed to miss them. Not a burden, a gift to have loving parents & grandparents, strong brothers & caring sisters, and eight (soon to be nine!) of the coolest, cutest nephews & nieces.

celebrate

To the woman who gave me heart, determination, and Carol King. Happy birthday, Mom. I love you.

june is one

Oh, baby June, you're one already. It goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway. You are a babe. Good luck to your dad and brothers keeping boys away from you when you're older. I have faith they'll protect you, adore you, love you. It's already so evident. When Daylen looked at these photos, he said, "June is so pretty. She is beautiful." I adore every time Ari comes over and kisses you on your head. In those moments when I see the three of you together, I have flashbacks of my brothers and me. Such sweet moments.

June, my prayer for you is similar to your cousins. I pray for good health and safety, for who you'll become, that you'll be caring and loving. I look forward to continue being a part of your life. I trust God to protect you even when our family can't. But know, we will always fight for you, support you, care for you, love you. Because you must know, your aunt and uncle, our family love you so very much, June.

We always will.

indiana peonies

Logan graduates from his Master of Divinity tomorrow. I'm just so proud of him. I'll save all the nice things for a post when I can show off photos of his attire and that gorgeous university chapel. 

And we are blessed to be surrounded by our families this week. Glad to have them back in Princeton. My parents spoiled me with a bucket of peonies from Indiana. I have a bouquet of these pretty things in every room of our apartment. Our home smells like a garden. It's my favorite.

richmond, virginia

tucson, arizona

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.

seattle, part one

The first time Logan and I visited Washington state was prior to our honeymoon cruise to Alaska. We spent four days on Whidbey Island, which we loved, but didn't really get to experience Seattle. Since Logan had a reading week, we thought it was perfect timing to visit family and see Seattle.

It was a great spring break, I mean, reading week. We lucked out with mostly clear skies and sunny weather. We saw Mount Rainier and the Olympic mountains almost everyday. We loved seeing Jolie and Steve, seeing a glimpse of their new life in Seattle. We're glad they chose Seattle over NYC, seems such a good fit for them. We're so happy that they're happy and loving Seattle. We loved our time with them, goofy and ridiculous as usual. We've been so blessed to see so much of family this year.

While traveling home, Logan and I tried to decide who wins: east coast vs. west coast. The conversation turned into what we love (Maine, California beaches, fish tacos) and what we don't love (east coast traffic, crowded, LA traffic). Seattle is added to west coast love, with its pretty mountains, random lakes, manageable traffic and population. Such an easy-going city. Plus, Seattle loves soccer (we went to a Sounders game). Logan loves soccer.

Get ready for tomorrow, a post filled with photos of places we visited and the food we ate (this is all I do in cities, seriously).

Oh, and if you are wondering whether I love the coasts more than the midwest, don't worry. The midwest is like the cream in the middle of an oreo. I will always love that flat land and its wonderful people.

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.

indiana christmas

How can I capture the week we had in Indiana for Christmas? Joy, peace, love. It was our first visit back since we moved. Thankfully, we managed to see most of our immediate family (except for my parents visiting my grandparents in Arizona). All seven nephews and nieces, four brothers and four sisters, parents and grandparents (an anniversary dinner for 65 years of marriage, amazing). Plus, some time with close friends in the area (one who had a beautiful baby girl). Praise God for safe traveling around northern Indiana. He even brought snow. I love Christmas, and my husband, and our families.

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.

new york style family time

Oh hey, is that Clark Kent? No, just my brother Joe who came to visit. We went into the city twice, and both times, some random stranger commented he was Superman. It was a pretty good vacation for them. Joe and Mallory attended the The Colbert Report, waved at Lady Liberty from the Staten Island ferry, witnessed Occupy Wall Street, ate at Tom's Restaurant (the famous Monk's Cafe in Seinfeld), walked around Central Park, felt overwhelmed at FAO Schwartz, browsed stores on fifth avenue, glanced at Rockefeller Plaza (the tree is up and being decorated), sat in Times Square, and ate pizza in East Village.

I love when family can visit. It is super fun to share our home, watch movies, show them around Jersey, and always a great excuse to eat really good food. I can't wait to see everyone at Christmas. This was such a tease. Love you, Joe and Mal.

eleven eleven eleven

Yes, I made this. Today should be a holiday. Oh wait, it is. Happy Veteran's Day to my Grandpa and brother Ben (and shout out to all my guys at Genesis Place). Happy Birthday to Danielle, Zach and Shanna. Happy six months of dating to Bethany and Mike (I ate a tasty cake in honor of you).

I'm so excited it's Friday. It has been a really full week, and I'm ready for this weekend. Another brother and sister-in-law in Jersey, yeah buddy. We're going to spend tonight downtown Princeton and head into the city tomorrow. I love family time. What are you up to this weekend, friends?

twenty-eight

Happy birthday, bro. Wish you were having another Indian theme party. Thanks for always being there, for marrying me and Logan, for loving your wife and family well, for loving God. Miss you, love you.

fall break

It was a good week.

I'm thankful for a job interview, babysitting, family visit, job offer (yes, praise God), more family time, skype with Logan. I still experience some angst and worry. The excitement and nervousness co-exist. It's kind of like how the perfect fall weather turned into a cold snowy day. At least, it was a pretty snow with big thick snowflakes.

family visit

Oh hey, Haley came to visit.

Not much time for blogging. Living it up with family. Feels so good to have them here. Tomorrow, they meet NYC for the first time. Wish us luck.

weekend catchup

Oh hey, how was your weekend? It was a pleasant couple days celebrating an exciting time for a close friend, community cookout, sushi, good fall runs. Logan left yesterday afternoon for New Zealand. We drove to JFK, said goodbye until Halloween, and that's it. He's still on the plane but they should arrive around 7 or 8 this evening (which is Tuesday morning around 9 in Auckland).

Rather than heading home to a lonely house, I stayed in the city to catch up with Courtney, an old nursing friend who works in Washington Heights for New York Presbyterian Hospital. We headed downtown to Shake Shack in Madison Square Garden. For the first time, New York City was pretty magical to me. During the day, it is all business, busy and full of people. But last night, it was more calm, all lit up, plus those cheeseburgers and apple pie ice cream were unbelievable. It felt different.

I survived driving through New York City. I feel good about that.

Well, happy Monday. I planned a pretty full week since Logan is gone. My brother, sister-in-law, nephew and niece are coming on Wednesday. I'm so excited.

(photo via  wallyg)

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.