turning 4

Oh how I love to watch kids have fun . . . especially my own!  It was a joy to celebrate her 4th with Grandma, friends, aunties & neighbors.  She's one blessed kid to have so many people who love her!

My daily prayer is that she would have relationships with people who draw her closer to Jesus . . . a special thanks to all those who've done just that.

to my unknown sister

We were only 2 blocks from church - on time for the 10:30 service worship.  We hit the park first to get out some wiggles.  After a romp on the slides, swings & exercise machines, we got back in the car.

As we pulled out of the parking lot onto Washington Blvd this morning, I watched one woman grab another woman around the neck & throw her to the ground.  It was done with so much force, that I thought it was a man who had done it.  We slowed down & took a second look.  I drove another block & was finding a parking space, but was haunted by what I just witnessed, uncertain of how to help.

Mahalia asked what just happened, so I explained.  She said, "but Mom, we need to help her.  She needs help, Mom!"  In that moment, it became clear . . . so we made a u-turn and drove back.  As we drove the block back, Mahalia sang this song . . . "we're coming to save you, we're coming to save you."

I wish I could tell you that what happened next made all of the difference to that victimized woman, but they quickly disappeared - obviously knowing one another & wanting to avoid the police.  And as I gave my report to the police, I wonder how that woman is doing.  Did she get assaulted again?  Did the police ever find them?  I don't know.

But I know that my daughter's heart was to save you from the abuse.  Today we stand with our sisters (known & unknown).  As we see your abuse, we will not be silent.  We will stand with you for peace.

a toast to Z

We spent Thanksgiving dinner at our friend's house.  They set a beautiful table - including sparkling glass goblets . . . which reminded me that approximately 336 days earlier we had made a very significant toast at our house at Christmas dinner with those very same friends.

They had received word that their adoption had become final & they would be able to go to Ethiopia to get their 9 year old daughter later that winter.  I remember getting choked up - so grateful that this beautiful girl (only seen in pictures) was going to be a part of our family of friends.

So when I saw the goblets at Thanksgiving, I reached over, hugged Z and told her the story of our Christmas dinner last year & how we had toasted to her being a part of our family.  I told her how excited I was to be eating Thanksgiving dinner WITH her . . . not just dreaming ABOUT her.  

It means so much to me to have her here!  She's every bit as beautiful & wonderful as I had imagined.  I love you Z!

 

buzz has landed

So Mahalia has been begging for a Buzz Lightyear toy for MONTHS . . . since Toy Story 3 came out!  Literally EVERY day she asks me for "big Buzz" and is always SO disappointed when I say "not today, kiddo."

But today . . . Grandma showed up . . . WITH BIG BUZZ.  It's been a flurry of activity since she walked in the door.  Mahalia asked me to give her some privacy with Grandma (so she could have her all to herself).  Hilarious!  I was happy to grant her wish . . . and happy to catch up on email.

overcome

The last couple of weeks, I have found myself repeatedly in tears . . . overcome with gratitude.  I have sat with new friends, with long time friends, with family, all alone, or in a room of complete strangers . . . and I'm moved to tears.

SOOO very grateful . . . for so many things that I can't even begin to list them all.  Thank you Jesus.

grandma, grandpa & uncle jess

Mahalia LOVES Minnesota . . . for SO many reasons . . . mostly revolving around three things: the grandparents, snow, or Chester (the toy poodle).

On our first day there - we went & surprised my Mom in her 3rd grade class.  Mahalia got to be the star.  The students asked her all kinds of questions.  At first she was kinda shy, but then she really got into it.

Then four days into our stay, it snowed 10+ inches!  Mahalia was in H.E.A.V.E.N.  (Did I mention she LOVES snow?)  Anyhoo - my uncle was out cutting up some tree branches that had fallen (because the snow was so wet & heavy).  Mahalia was helping him pick up the branches, but the next time I looked out the window . . . this is what I discovered.  Pretty great uncle, huh!?

Every time I go to MN, I just wanna drive around & see how everything has changed, but I never take the time to do it.  This time was different.  My Dad, Mahalia & I piled into the car & drove around Minneapolis for almost 2 hours, checking out all of my favorite old "nooks & crannies" around town.  It was fun to see how much things have changed!  This is on my favorite bridge - where I did some of my best pondering when I lived there.  I miss you Minneapolis!

up 4

Went to Minnesota to visit family & friends.  Got back today & went to the gym.  Apparently, In ONE week (yep - that's 7 calendar days) I gained FOUR pounds!!!  Sheesh.  I guess I didn't starve!  I think it's partly because . . . of all the cookies I ate :-)

One of my most memorable meals was with my good friend, Angela.  I so enjoyed our meal together because she is one of the people I can be most real with.  She has seen me through MANY seasons & has managed to continue to bless me in each one.

Her plaque (right) is true . . . I was blessed.  I'm glad to be back, but I guess I've gotta get back on track!

adobo & tres leches

Ahhhh . . . we (Dan & I) have spent the last 24 hours eating & enjoying ourselves silly!  It's pretty ridiculously amazing how much fun we've had.  Our kiddo is with friends for the weekend so we can celebrate our anniversary.

Some of the highlights so far:

I just had to let Dan experience the Citrus Salad & Filipino Chicken Adobo Panini at Tribal Cafe in Filipino town in Los Angeles . . . a literal party for the taste buds!

If you're ever looking for a sandwich that'll make you curse, this is THE ONE!

We watched "For Colored Girls" in the theater. I think it's Tyler Perry's best so far. 

And tres leches cake from Porto's in Glendale. . . scrumptious!  Had it at a friend's birthday party a few weeks back & just "had" to have a piece.

We've eaten so much that now it's time for the couch and our annual viewing of our wedding video . . . then maybe some comedy thanks to Netflix.  Ahhh - the good life!

unexpected gifts

I simply LOVE giving & receiving gifts.  It's one of my favorite things in the whole world.

And this week . . . I got two (they even come with fun stories :-)

So lately, whenever I take a shower, it's been a trickle of water coming out of the shower head (and a "trickle" is being generous).  Literally, I'd been frozen solid while showering, because there's enough to get you wet (after a while), but never enough to hit your whole body & keep you warm.  Add that to a touchy water heater & you've got yourself hypothermia via shower (yeah, yeah . . . all you Minnesotans keep your "you've turned into such a sissy" comments to yourself :-)  

So on Tuesday, our maintenance guys come & voila!  A FANTASTIC shower head . . . just like a fancy hotel!!!

Then, my poor husband has slept in a bed that's been too short for him for 9 years (as of yesterday).  We've shared a double bed our whole married life & have always wanted a bigger bed, so his feet don't dangle off the end (in addition to the occasional morning where the kiddo wants to snuggle too & we're all holding on for dear life).

So this morning, my friend gave us her old queen bed (fit for a queen AND her king) along with all of the beautiful bedding.

Hooray!!!  I love unexpected gifts.

9 years tomorrow

Tomorrow will mark our 9th anniversary . . . and our 10th year in a relationship.  It's hard to believe that I've been in love with Dan for more than 1 out of every 4 days of my life!

I remember seeing Dan for the first time.  I remember his sense of humor, his ability to get a crowd rolling, and the fact that he smelled SO good.  And I remember our first encounter . . . he was engaging & REALLY interesting.  I remember our first visit . . . I've never seen a grown man shiver like that day (it was minus 35 degrees PLUS windchill!!!), but MAN was I glad to see him and be next to him.  

I remember the day I knew I wanted to marry him . . . it was only 2 weeks after we started talking (via phone card - in the early days of cell phones :-).  I remember the day he proposed . . . I said "yes" before he could get the whole question out of his mouth.

I have never loved anyone more than I love him.  And I have never been loved like he loves me.