Dear Future Husband: Thoughts On Family

Dear Future Husband,

This last month has been incredibly hard, probably the most difficult of this year. It has been a time period where I have learned so much about honoring family. Some of the happiest times I've had over the last month have been with my family. I spend a lot of time with both sets of parents. On the days that I don't see my adopted Mom I call her. I have a meal or coffee with my adopted Dad regularly. Tuesday nights I have dinner with my parents. These are some of my favorite times.

I hope as a couple we find ways to honor our parents. I hope that in doing so, we grow in our relationships with them. That we model to our children and our friends and family what that looks like. I hope that we prioritize these relationships. That we encourage our children to have healthy relationships with their grandparents as the grandparent role is so special. That we establish family traditions.

Love,
Your wife

The Berlin Wall

On this day in 1989, the Berlin Wall fell down. As an American, I can't fathom what it would have been like to have lived on the other side of the wall because I live in a country that provides me with freedoms that I can't imagine not having. May we never forget what it means to be free.

Sister Style: On Wednesday's We Wear Pink [A Day Late]

We were all quite in shock the day after election and all forgot that it was Wednesday. The girls wore pink accessories and forgot to snap photos. I captured this shot of my pink attire right before I headed to work.

Recap: Election Day 2012

Election Day is a big day in my family. We had been closely watching the polls, keeping track of the politicians and propositions that we supported, and had lots of healthy discussion in anticipation of Tuesday.

Tuesday arrived with a patriotic outfit, David and Roger interviewing Republican candidate for Senate, Elizabeth Emken, and an election party with friends. While many of the things that we voted for didn't turn out in our favor, we still have a duty as Americans to pray for our leaders, our county and our fellow Americans.

Sabbath+Ruth

This past weekend I stayed at the adopted parents house while they went to Pasadena overnight. I knew I was going to have a pretty quiet Saturday and was looking forward to it because even when I have quiet Saturday's, I still fill up my time with work tasks. This Saturday I tried something different. I promised myself that I was going to not turn on my laptop all day. I also wasn't going to do any work on Saturday. This is a huge deal for me as I always have something to do. So I slept in, played with the cats, read my Bible, napped. I let my mind and my body have a break. I still need to work on checking Facebook and Instagram less on my cell phone, but that's for another post.

I was determined to finish the book in the photo on Saturday. I've always loved reading, but over the last few years haven't had nearly as much free time to do so. I always have a stack of 5-10 books next to my bed and had been working on this one for about a month. Part of me kept telling myself to put it aside as it didn't seem to have much depth to it. But, I kept on. Ruth has been one of my fave women of the Bible since I was a little girl. When I was younger, I thought the book was cool because the main character shared her name with my godmother. As I got older, I admired Ruth's loyalty to Naomi and strived to embody that trait. This time I saw something different in Ruth's story. I saw a woman with unwavering faith and trust in her heavenly father. A woman who knew no better who had a childlike faith and trusted in God's provision. Through that trust, the Lord provided even more than Ruth could have imagined. I found myself convicted. I was reminded that the Lord is the creator and provider of all that I have. That I need to be more honest with Him because He already knows the desire of my heart. That I need to change my thoughts and my prayers to reflect more gratitude for what He has done and for what He is doing.

For that I am grateful.

Truth

Happy Friday

Just a little love note that my friend Lauren had on her blog! Happy weekend!

Dear Future Husband: Insights from My Parents

Dear Future Husband,

The other day Dad and I were having lunch while Mom was on the phone with my Oma in Holland. Mom and Oma talk every single day. My Dad leaned over and he said,

"When Mom gets old, you have to promise to call her every day. You also need to move into the neighborhood so we can see you and your husband and our grandkids all the time."

Later in the afternoon Mom and I were in the car talking about friends and relationships and you. She said, "You know what, no matter who you marry, Dad and I will love him because you love him and he makes you happy."

I want you to know that you are already loved so much. That you are prayed for. That my parents already love you even though they don't know you yet. That as the head of my family, my Dad wants the best for you and wants you to eventually be the head of our family. For that, I am so grateful.

Love,
Your wife

Life In iPhone Photos

It's been a crazy week.

Last week started out super emotional because of this news.

Friday, I turned 24. My day started off with a fave drink from Starbucks, birthday call from Charissa and Andrew, lunch at CSUF with David, Wendy and Lars, shopping at Forever 21 with Wendy and then ended with dinner with Alex and the rest of the family at Macaroni Grill.

Saturday evening, Wendy and I went to the women's conference at our old church for a few hours. We didn't plan on both of us wearing gray, but we often match without planning it.

Sunday was church and Blackberry Bush. Always a happy place.

Monday started with coffee with my friend Lauren. We went to middle school together and reconnected over Facebook. I love the sweet friendship we have. The evening saw the first of two trips to the pumpkin patch.

Yesterday's highlight was breakfast and window shopping downtown with another dear girlfriend, Janelle.

Today was our weekly women's group followed by lunch at Panera (we also went there last week). They have Mac N Cheese which I love!

A few other highlights of the past week included:

Lots of trips to Trader Joe's! They are the best grocery store ever!

Wearing a new outfit that I bought in Denver and buying three new dresses (one maxi I wore for my birthday, one sweater dress, and a crepe '60's mod dress to wear to a wedding). I really love dresses and wedges!

Cuddling with the kitties.

Notes from family and friends.

Breaking Amish

New name badge at Old Navy (I had lost mine weeks ago).

Sister Style: On Wednesday's We Wear Pink - Halloween Edition

I added a little orange for Halloween.

Karmen is in the middle of cleaning up damage from Hurricane Sandy.

Charissa looks absolutely beautiful!

Sister Style: On Wednesday's We Wear Pink + A Special Guest

Karmen

Charissa

Me

Hair change - my friend Ruth did a quick up do for me at our women's group!

Our beautiful special guest, my adopted Mom, Wendy!

You May or May Not Know

1. I'm obsessed with dresses and wedges.
2. My fave show right now is Breaking Amish (I never watch it on TV, always online).
3. I prefer tea in the morning and coffee in the evening.
4. At any given time, I have 5-10 books next to my bed.
5. I just bought hot pink cowboy boots (I had a pair as a little girl) and am telling myself that I'm in desperate need of more cowboy boots!
6. I've been wanting Panera's Mac N Cheese for about 3 weeks!
7. I don't have the top sheet tucked in on my bed.
8. I don't really like working at a desk. Depending on what house I'm at, I work on the couch or my bed.
9. I'm super organized, yet my bedroom is a complete disaster.
10.  I love sending people handwritten notes and cards.

Election 2012: It Is Finished

After 2+ hours, I finally finished filling out my ballot! Are you ready for the November 6 election? Be sure to take the time to really read and research before you vote! If you're in CA, take a look at The Bottom Line Voter Guide and be sure to pass it on to everyone you know! 

Sister Style: On Wednesday's We Wear Pink

Seeing as it's Wednesday, which is the designated day of the week that we wear pink, here's our outfits for today!

Charissa

Karmen

Me

Happy Wednesday to you!

For My Future Mr.

To my darling husband,

Even before we met or were even married, I've been praying for you and for our relationship.

I pray that you are kind, wise, strong, humble and courageous in all that you do.

I pray that you seek the Lord and continually pursue a relationship with him each and every day.

I pray that you have a wonderful family whom you love and that loves you.

I pray that you have friends that you can go the distance with and Christian men that you are accountable to.

I pray that you are kind and respectful to your Mother and grandmothers and to anyone that is older than you.

I pray that you have mentors who are speaking into your life.

I pray that you never stop learning.

I pray that you take care of your health.

I pray that you make careful decisions with your finances.

I pray that you work hard and that you love what you do.

I pray that you have activities and hobbies that you love that fill your time.

I pray that you are actively involved in your church community.

I pray that you love to laugh.

I pray that you will be the head of our marriage and our family.

I pray that you will ask David for my hand in marriage and that you will work hard to have a good relationship with him.

I pray that as the provider of our family, you will have favor in all that you do.

I pray that as a couple that we will seek the Lord together in all that we do and that we will keep the Lord at the center of our marriage.

I pray that as a couple that we will pray together regularly.

I pray that as a couple that we will be actively involved in our church community.

I pray that as a couple we will help each other pursue our dreams.

I pray that as a couple we will learn how to effectively communicate with each other.

I pray that as a couple we will learn each others love languages and be respectful of them.

I pray that as a couple, together we can build a home that is a safe place not only for our children, but for all who enter it.

I pray that as a couple that we will make a point of getting along and spending quality time separately and together with each others best friends.

I pray for our children, that we will pray for and with them daily and that we speak words of blessing over them.

I pray for you as our children's father, that you may show them the love that the Father has shown us and that you will be everything that they need in a Dad.

I pray that as a couple that we will fight fairly and that we will be respectful of each other. That we can speak the truth in love to each other, even when it's hard.

I pray that as a couple that we always flirt with each other and never stop pursuing one another.

With all my love,
Your wife

Big and Little Sweet Moments

This weekend was full of lots of sweet moments, both big and small.

Friday night started with big news as my sister and brother shared with family and friends (a few of us already knew) that: 

Needless to say, I am incredibly excited for them and can't wait for June! I know that they are going to be the most wonderful parents and I can't wait to meet (and spoil)  their little sweetie!

Sweet moment #2 came on Saturday afternoon. The parents and I had made a trip up to Hollywood as Dad had a meeting. Mom and I had decided to wander down to Rodeo Drive for lunch. We then headed to the Beverly Center which left us feeling like we had just been in a scene from Alice and Wonderland. By the time we got back to the hotel to meet Dad we were completely frazzled. Being the incredible guy he is, he declared on the way home that, "Sometimes you just need to stop for ice cream!" So we stopped at McDonalds for ice cream and sat and talked and laughed. We had such a fun time hanging out and hearing all about the meeting!

These sweet moments are the highlights of my days! They are the little pieces of life that  I treasure in my heart!

Sister Style: On Wednesday's We Wear Pink

Charissa came up with the genius idea of wearing pink on Wednesday's after the scene in Mean Girls where Karen declares, "On Wednesday's we wear pink!" Here's what we came up with! Sunday's Karmen has decided that we're going to wear our hair up!

Karmen

Charissa

There's a pink flower in my hair on the right.

Bought these bad boys last night!

Monday Blues

Today has not been the best day. I woke up cranky. I was worried about time management and scheduling. Having too much to do and not enough time to do it.

I had to keep remembering that my mood doesn't get to control my day. Despite my loved ones giving me encouragement, hugs, texts, etc. my mood still didn't improve. I am the daughter of a loving God who is with me always and sees my bad days, walking beside me through them. So I need to keep telling myself that, I don't need to be cranky because I am extremely blessed.

My weekend in photos

It was a super tranquilo weekend in the mean streets of Huntington Beach. It started off with lounging on the family room couches with the kitties and Mom while watching TV. Stayed over at the parents on Friday and Saturday night (they went to Pasadena for the night on Friday night). 

Had a much needed low key Saturday. Slept in on Saturday morning. Did my devos out on the hammock followed by some office work. Breakfast for lunch at one of my fave local restaurants, The Sugar Shack (all the cool kids go straight to the back patio). Nail appointment and Skype date with my ladies. Started reorganizing our home office with Mom in the evening and then lounged on the couch and surfed Pinterest for two hours (the time goes by so fast)! We always end up looking at cat photos!

Today was church and Blackberry Bush. Pulled out a super flowy dress and wedges (actually Charissa picked the dress the day before)! Saw my dear friend Janelle and planned some fun girly outings with our Mom's in the next month! I have totally missed that girl! Came home for a nap and dinner and then met the man BFF in the evening. We hadn't seen each other in about a month because we've both been traveling and have been crazy busy. He likes to swipe my iPhone and leave crazy videos on it when I'm not paying attention.

All in all, I am one incredibly blessed lady! Here's to the start of another crazy week!