Decorate Your Soul

My blog has been a bit neglected lately. Seems that weekends mixed with summertime draw us outdoors to play and splash and run and swing (and jump, but you probably knew that).

I thought I would check in with my friends. You know the ones…

A few months ago, our church announced an upcoming marriage retreat and I was ready to go. Basically, my bags were packed before we had a hotel room. But… our budget didn’t really have room for it. See, June happens to be like Christmas around these parts with birthday celebrations, Father’s Day, an anniversary and car registration to take care of, our income is tapped dry. So, no marriage retreat for us.

Then, one Sunday, I was sitting in church and I felt the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit remind me that I hadn’t really prayed about it. And wouldn’t you know, I hadn’t. Sometimes I fear that I put God in a box and don’t really let Him do the work He is capable and well experienced at when I try to do things myself. So, I sat there during worship and just asked Him to know my heart, that if it was His will for Andy and I to go to the marriage retreat, that He would show us how to work it out in our budget, or in general work- just to work it out.

Before bed that night, I checked my e-mail (because I compulsively check it, I am not even going to sugarcoat it) and in my inbox was a note asking how would Andy and I like to go to the retreat for free- they needed a photographer for the event. Um, yes. End of story.

So, that’s how we got to go to the desert this past weekend- but the story doesn’t end there. We needed childcare. I discussed the options with Andy and I called my mother-in-law. And wouldn’t you know, she just happened to be off from work the very same weekend as the retreat and quickly accepted her weekend with the girlies!

That is why you cannot put God in a shoe box. He has plans bigger than the ones we can plan ourselves. I couldn’t have planned it all out any better. Really.

So, the weekend came and we were set to be the photographer for the event (Andy’s job: hold the reflector- and might I add, he did a very good job), but there was a bit of a hitch- no one wanted to come outside in the 106 degree heat for a quick photo upon arrival (see the blue bench in front of the waterfall- perfect location for couples’ photos, right?).

So we changed the day. And the location. But in the mean time, I found this super fun, colorful tiled wall to snap photos in front of. I really wanted to hang out here all weekend. But it was outside in the blistering heat. I convinced some friends to follow me to the wall:

That’s Megan and Aaron- they are expecting Baby #2 this fall- aren’t they cute?

Most of the couples from our Young Married’s small group went to the retreat this weekend and aside from being filled up with solid messages by our pastoral staff, we hit the pool with these good people where we played some sort of crazy noodle / beach ball game. Then we shared our "how we met’ stories and of course, what’s a church gathering without food?

Finally, what kind of event would it be (with Susie) if I didn’t get the whole crew in front of that wall without a jump?

Good times, good times. And now we’re home.

Hey- have you jumped lately?

I came to a stop and the man driving the car next to me was fitting in a flute practice session. I mean, he was really playing his flute at the stoplight.

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I really enjoy watching the planes come in two at a time at LAX. It fascinates me how they are synced up to land at the same time.

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I do not miss the crazy traffic in the LA area. Last minute lane changes and bumper to bumper traffic, blech.

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KIIS FM knows how to throw a mean party. My friend (that until today only lived in the computer) Christine and I met at Griffith Park today and whilst there, a Family Fun Day was occuring by the well-known LA radio station where our kids got to jump in a bounce house, get their faces painted and see a magic show. Such a wonderful time!

And we’re off to the desert.

1. Chocolate Chex Mix Turtle. My new favorite grab it and pop it in snack. A wonderful mix of salty and sweet combines to satisfy both needs on your palate. Yum. Chex never disappoints.

2. Kirkland Signature Diaper Wipes- These wipes are sold in bulk (wait- what isn’t sold in bulk at Costco?) and with 8 packages of 88 wipes each, these wipes top our list for best bargain finder for cleaning up bottoms, hands, faces, etc. I was really impressed with these wipes after my daughter wrote up and down her arm with a permanent black felt marker and one wipe took off the mess. Awesome. Also, since there are eight packages per box, it’s real easy to throw one in the car, the picnic basket, Petunia, the real changing station, etc. Love these.

3.

Paper-Source anything. Of course they have all your cardmaking needs, but the paper is exquisite and there are a variety of colors and ohmygoodness could I hoard the stuff like crazy. But I have to share, too. I know.

4. Dora the Explorer Game House (I can’t believe I am endorsing this one since it has a thousand pieces)- Sarah just received this game from Shannon and not only does she love it, we have found it entertaining, too. There are six different games to choose from and the "house" holds the pieces in the drawer (you will have to find an organizing system for all of them, but it’s doable). From quick games like Crazy Eight to longer games like Bingo and Checkers- both of the adults and the younger ones are involved (Ashleigh lines up the Domino pieces).

5. Household wipes- grab one, clean the kitchen counter. Grab another, clean the bathroom counter, grab one, clean the top of the washer and dryer. I keep them under each sink for quick accessibility. I am now officially a wipe kind of gal. I have glass wipes and countertop wipes and I have heard there are even wood cleaning wipes…