so old . . .

Today was one of those days where the struggles of life (well, at least MY life) seem sooooo very old.  I long for the struggles (or at least the same, old ones) to disappear.  What are the chances?

new city - part 2

In our years in SoCal, we've been very lame church attenders.  It's a long story . . .

3 weeks ago, Dan & I had a conversation that went something like this . . . 

Me: so, um, every week, I'd kinda rather stay & home and watch football than go to church.

Dan: yeah, me too.

Me: I'm not inclined to keep going if I'd rather watch football every week.

Dan: yeah, me too.

Me: So in the famous words of my Grandma Butch, let's either shit or get off the pot.

Dan: (laughs) . . . yeah, I think we need to try out some new places.

Me: Ok, how about we check out that one church Jude & John were telling us about.

Dan: sounds good.

Sunday we attended New City church for the 2nd time (that's a rare occurrence for us).  We were so inspired the first time, that we decided to check it out again.  And . . . it . . . didn't . . . disappoint.   This week, the worship was even more inspiring, the sermon was both encouraging & challenging (again), and we attended the newcomers lunch & got to meet some folks & ask some questions.  

 
The sermon yesterday was about success.  Kevin preached about success not being about the outcome, but about our desire & faithfulness in obedience to Christ & leaving the results in His hands.  I'm 100% on board with that!  Not signing the paperwork yet . . . but I'm pretty sure this might be "the one" . . . stay tuned. 

bittersweet . . . .but mostly sweet

The holidays are bittersweet for me.  In the 9 years that I've been married, I've only been in MN once over the holidays.  So I usually get a little teary-eyed at some point . . . missing being with my peeps back home.  This year had a new twist.  Mahalia kept saying that she thought we should get on an "ay-u-plane" and go to Minnesota.  She just loves the people in MN.

But this year was mostly sweet (in the bittersweet equation).  I've got a laundry list of highlights (& we haven't even hit New Year's or Dan's birthday yet).  Here are a few of the things I'm so very grateful for.

There was this handmade card from Alberto (a friend we've known for almost 7 years).  He's a cherished member of our family, so it was especially cool to get something handmade from him.

Then we spent the 23rd at the zoo.  The highlights for the day included cotton candy and getting the "soft snake" with the remainders of Mahalia's birthday money.  She carried that thing ALL OVER the zoo.  Every 3 year old in sight would point to it & shout "look at the snake!"  It was a hit.

Then on Christmas Eve, we spent the day as a family at Universal Studios.  We ate lunch ($10 off, thanks to a coupon book that we got gifted!), watched people "flying" in a sky-diving simulator, saw Santa, and took in all of the SoCal entertainment sights.  We also caught a matinee in the theatre - a TOTAL bust.  We walked out early - we were all bored stiff.  But on the way out, Mahalia says, "That was SO fun!"  I think she might've been referring to the popcorn (or pop-cwown) as she calls it.  

It wasn't a "white" Christmas - but a very authentically SoCal, sunny one :-)

Christmas Day, we invited all of our friends (with family far away) over for a literal Hodge podge of a dinner.  Being low on cash, we decided that instead of buying anything additional for Christmas, we'd use what we had in the freezer.  So Dan put together an AMAZING spread . . . Mexican rice, Cuban-style beans, sausage links & a killer meatloaf.  Then we forced our talented friends to lead us in a round of The Twelve Days of Christmas.  It was hilarious!


My heart is full . . . and I'm thankful for those I love -those near & those far, who love me so very much.

wow!

At 11:55 this morning, I had made plans to meet Dan at home & then head out to grab some lunch together.  At approximately 12:15 (as Mahalia & I were driving home) I started getting the twinges of a headache.  By 12:30 I was laying in bed with a full-on migraine.  Thought . . . . . I . . . . . would . . . . . die.  It was the worst one I've ever had.  WOW!

And my hubby (being the FABULOUS man he is) offered to do anything - take me to the chiropractor, to get a massage, to the ER . . . anything.  All I could do was whisper back a pathetic request for him to rub my hands & neck.  And he did it for . . . . . over . . . . . an . . . . . hour . . . . then let me sleep for the next 5 hours.  WOW!

new city

A while ago some friends mentioned that they attend New City Church in downtown LA.  Sensing possible change in the future, we decided it'd be a good time to check them out.  So I browsed their website this week . . . and I read something about them being a church for people who don't like church . . . at which point, I knew I needed to check 'em out.

It did not disappoint.  If I were to sum up the message today, it would be his line, "Don't let your ethics get in the way of love."  Beautiful . . . just beautiful.  We'll be going back.

under the weather

I just haven't felt like myself all week . . . what's up with that?  Hoping next week is better.

highlights

Here are a few of my highlights from 2010:

1. I feel God's love more than ever
2. Dan got to work from home all summer
3. Dan's book came out!!!
4. It was my first full year as a full time stay-at-home mom
5. Angela came to visit & we got a girls weekend away in San Diego
6. I witnessed the birth of my friend's baby
7. Chante' performed at Dan's book signing
8. My Mom & Dad came for a visit, and his health is much improved, praise God!
9. Dan's Mom is doing well & has come to visit a few times, much to our delight
10. Dan & I celebrated 9 years together
11. I started serving at PIHOP
12. Started teaching salsa classes
13. Made a couple of new friends that I'm really excited about
14. Enjoyed my "old" friends too (you know who you are :-)
15. Made my "Jericho: Until the Walls Fall Down" praise CD
16. I'm taking Sozo training
17. We got grass!
18. Mahalia got to celebrate her birthday with her cousins in MN & play in the snow
19. Dan & Mahalia got to attend his family reunion in Texas, while I got 3 glorious days to myself!
20. I know & accept myself now, more than ever

dance party

One of my favorite things about being a dancer is sharing my passion with others . . . be it a momentary dance partner on the floor for one song - spinning & styling our way into dance nirvana, teaching a group of students who are working so hard to stay with the beat, or . . .

. . . with my favorite dance party girls!  Literally EVERY time our friend, Alana, comes to the house, she asks if we can have a dance party.  She's a girl after my own heart!

This was actually taken at her house - she's carried on the tradition at her house, but with a fun twist . . . dance party princesses.  I l.o.v.e. it!!!

Uncle Buck's Tree

Yesterday was "decorate the tree" day at the White Hodge casa.  We went to Uncle Buck's tree lot in Monrovia & while the kiddies jumped in the bouncer, Uncle Buck's Elf (pretty sure little elf had been smokin' something :-) helped us get the tree on the car.  It was already cut & mounted with a water area at the bottom - brilliant!

So we went home & started to decorate.  Mahalia & her little friend, Christopher, were in heaven!  It was pure delight until the very last candy cane was hung.

But my favorite part was this . . . 

 

. . . all of the ornaments are piled into one little area of the tree.  Mahalia had been standing on the couch, putting all of the ornaments within arm's reach.  Never occurred to her to spread them out.

I was tempted to rearrange them to make them "more presentable" but then it occurred to me that it's perfect just the way it is. 

So often, I try to make things "presentable" and "just right" . . . but this moment made me realize that it truly is the thought that counts, along with the heart behind the thought & the enthusiasm all together.  Thanks kiddo for another lesson learned.

10 things I love about Liz

I knew I wanted to be friends with Liz the first time I met her.  She interviewed me for a job back in 2003 & she has been a dear friend ever since.

We've spent countless hours together - doing all sorts of things . . . talking, coffee, movies, birthdays, breakups, travel, massages, pedicures, shopping & more talking.

Here's my top ten reasons why I simply adore Liz:

1. She knows & embraces herself
2. She's always willing to make new friends
3. She lives her life to the fullest & makes no apologies
4. She's an incredible gift giver (note fabulous bracelet she just gave me for Christmas - right)
5. She treats herself to things & takes good care of herself
6. She has impeccable style
7. She takes amazing trips around the world
8. She lives each moment to the fullest
9. She loves with her whole hear
10. She 100% embraces single life

first bloom

We moved into this house in December of 2007 & at the time it was only dirt & cement outside.  In my attempt to make the hideous look slightly less hideous, I got some pots & planted a few flowers.  

As with most things in life, when you try to "decorate" the hideous, it doesn't really work.  My poor plant never really "took."  But then when the owner got us some grass & a watering system, they repotted all of my plants into the soil.

I wasn't too sure what would happen - it didn't look like anything was happening for the last 6 months.  Until two days ago . . . here is the first bloom of the season - just opened up 2 days ago!!!  And there's about 30 other buds just waiting to open!

This bloom kind of reflects my life.  In seasons past, I've tried to "decorate" the ugly in my life (attitudes, dysfunctions, problems etc.) to no avail . . . same ugly . . . different year.  But over the last three years, I have uprooted the ugly & replanted my spirit into new soil.  

It's good to see my ugly turn into something beautiful.

a few suggestions

After my date with myself, may I offer you a few suggestions . . .

DO enjoy the view of Los Angeles (it makes me feel so alive).  This is the view from where I parked - I took a moment to look around & enjoy the city.  I just LOVE Los Angeles!

DO read the book "The Art of Forgiving" by Louis Smedes.  It is by FAR one of my best reads of 2010!  And while you're at it, enjoy the Mocha chip blended drink at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

Then, after you've walked around Santee Alley & enjoyed the EXTREME (yet VERY fun) consumerism . . . DO enjoy one of these incredibly delicious (just off the truck) hand made hot dog spectaculars!

A special thanks to Dan for letting me have the WHOLE morning & afternoon to wander around all by myself . . . glorious!

hot date

I've got a hot date . . . with myself this morning!  I'm really looking forward to some time alone.  Here's the "plan" (though I don't care to tie myself down to anything in particular).

Grab a cup of coffee & do a bit of reading . . . before I . . . head down to the fashion district to do some window shopping . . . maybe even buy myself a belt . . . then possibly catch up on a few phone calls . . . then come home & catch a cat nap before the afternoon shift with the kiddies.

Love it!

backseat song

We were on our way home tonight & here's what I overheard Mahalia singing softly to herself in the back seat . . . "Jesus is my favorite.  He keeps me safe & He plays with me all the day morning.  I love Him so much."

Did my heart good.