Miss Katie May, No Longer a Miss

Are they not just the sweetest, most darling lovebirds?

We paused the craziness of working on the house (more on that later) for a weekend of celebration with my dear friend, Katie, in Magdalena. Katie and I became the best of friends when God placed us in each other's lives. I remember when I first arrived at Tucson airport for the first time. The girl with her nose buried in her book in the backseat of the Schick suburban that took me to Mexico seemed so different than me. I doubted we'd hit it off very well. We just didn't seem to have that much in common.

Only Narnia,

and thrifting,

and Jane Austen,

Adventures in Oddessy,

4-H memories,

Phil Wickham, JJ Heller, John Mark McMillan, and a hundred other musicians,

and coffee,

nutella,

and all things vintage,

long walks and talks,

an affinity for sweaters and sandals,

and, above all, Jesus.

He's all you need in common anyway.

If I had to sum up Katie and I's friendship, I'd have to say "iron sharpening iron" at it's finest. To the glory of God, He made us friends to make us better lovers of Him. And we both miss the days when we lived just a few minutes away from each other, spent time together almost daily, shared life together. Now, we have to settle for sweet visits in person--her to California or me to Mexico, skype dates, and text conversations.

When Jonathan came into the picture, Katie dubbed him "the BFF-in-law". A title he takes very seriously. I'm so glad he could take time off to come to the big weekend with me. My moral support as I rather bittersweet-ly stood by my best friend while she gained a new best friend. As it should be, as it should be, I remind myself. *tear*

And we of course brought Eddie along for the ride. He loves Katie a lot too. The first time they met, he was smitten. I seem to remember his totally dazed, relaxed, and completely in-love, look into her eyes as he lay on her lap. And he's been to CVE several times, but each time he's more interactive (and a tad bit more clingy, I have to admit. Partly his age, and partly so much love from so many people; I don't think he gets it yet.).

 

Walking the streets of the this town I love so much, with these people and others I love so much.

Speaking of people I love,

this talented, beautiful, special girlie was in there! 

We always seem to miss each other when either of us are in Magdalena. I haven't seen her in ages! And it was her first time meeting lil' Eddie! She's blossoming into such a lovely woman!

The above photo was taken at the pre-ception: the big party the night before the wedding. All the guests were there celebrating and enjoying the yummy tacos and soft serve ice cream. I think my favorite moment has to be when the bridesmaids joined in with the background music serenading Katie and Denver with "their" song. And the decor? Just what you'd expect from Katie May. Like that super creative book wall! 

And the chalkboard was a big hit!

#katiesdreamteam (minus one, not sure where Karalea was off to)

It was such a joy and honor to get to hang out with these ladies as we loved and supported Katie through the wedding weekend! Katie as a common denominator made us all fast friends, even though we represent different spheres of Katie's life. They are all amazing women, and we had a blast!

The best we could do for a snapshot with the happy couple.

And I have to say, Denver is a sweet guy, and super blessed beyond compare to get to be the one to marry my Katie. There were some sweet and very romantic moments witnessed throughout the weekend, but my personal favorite was being right behind them as they walked out of church after the service. He swung her in a celebratory circle, both of them incandescently happy!

And they're off! "Just Casados"

I'm Thankful For...

 ...Eddie and Grandpa,

 Eddie and Grandma.

I'm thankful for the sweet treat of spending a week with them and everyone else we love in Magdalena.

I'm thankful for...

 ...how much Eddie obviously adores Katie. This is very important.

(Oh, and that chocolate goatee, he's not allowed to be able to pull that off.)

 I'm thankful for adventures.

Supervised adventures, that is.

 Chewing face! Nice catch, Grandma!

Hey, if you only had front teeth you'd have to resort to the same technique.

Oh, words can't describe how thankful I am for this happy boy!

Since getting home from Magdalena last weekend, he's been doing this adorable thing. After we tickle him, which we apparently do a lot, he tickles himself while, in a very high-pitched voice imitates the "tickle-tickle" noise we must make. So. Cute. I. Can't. Stand. It!

 Oh, he also takes steps. 

Which he's very proud of himself for doing.

Except when he falls down, then he's just frustrated and confused.

 This special place, with these special people.

 He's decided he really likes birthday parties, 

so we're going to drag out this celebrating thing.

 He actually really loves his tias, but sometimes he doesn't show it very well.

 "Hold it for me, Momma, I don't want to get my hands dirty."

 One is FUN!

Mmmm. Delicious.

And beautiful.

Happy Thanksgiving, 2014

Sweet Princess Keyla

Sharing her kitten with Eddie.

It was such a joy to be with Keyla in June when we visited Magdalena! Though her body was breaking, her overflowing joy, contagious smile, and absolutely royal manner revealed the Creator's mighty hand was on her. She was so full of His love then, now she's engulfed in it, in Him, held in His arms, kissed by His lips, knowing the fullest joy, and I'm sure, leading the chorus--"Yes! Jesus loves me!"

"Though in this moment we may weep,

The grave is not the final word.

The song that spread the skies will make our bodies rise,

The day that He returns."

South of the Border

Over the weekend, we were extremely blessed by a quick trip to Magdalena. It's been almost a year since Jonathan and I were there (when Eddie was just the size of a grape, or something like that), and I've been itching to go. Mostly to share Eddie with those people that have meant so much to me and whom God has used to shape who I am today. Eddie brings me so much joy, and I wanted to spread it around! And our joy-buckets were filled too!

 Keyla shares her kitten. Eddie thought that was pretty cool.

 Tia Jacks.

 Tia Yaneli did a great job spoiling Eddie!

And, as always, Pau's enthusiasm is so catching!

 Gabby spent a few months living with us right before we moved to Magdalena.

So crazy that just a few years later we're meeting up while I'm back in town 

to introduce our little ones to each other.

 I'm not sure who was more excited, Eddie or Pau.

The picture doesn't do justice.

As always, we were encouraged and challenged. I faced a little apprehension as we began the 10-hour drive Thursday evening. It's easy enough to be excited about seeing friends that feel a whole lot more like family, good food, and fun, but realistically I had to prepare myself for how things have changed, people have changed, since I lived there and was a part of that community. In some way, I'll always belong there, but in other ways, I don't belong there anymore. Which is strange. And bittersweet. I can't expect to be able to "pick up where we left off" with everyone, although, praise God, that happened in some cases. But I wanted to embrace whatever God gave during the trip. And there were some sweet, sweet times.

And we made some wonderful memories with my parents too, since they were game enough to not only come along, but do most of the driving which included all night Sunday for the return trip.

 First stop: Cafe Sed. Mmm, nutella frappe!

 Riding on Dad's shoulders.

 My mom and Queen Victoria.

Old friends and new friends.

Tori warmed up to Eddie in a hurry. He wasn't so sure how to react to her affectionate squeezes! She wanted to hold him, hug him, and he sometimes looked like he just wanted to escape! 

 Antonio. Now there's a big dog. 

I was surprised Eddie wasn't more intimidated by him.

 

Oh, and Uncle Nate was there!

Such a good time! And it was easier saying goodbye knowing we'll be back soon! We have another weekend trip planned in July for a wedding! For now, it's good to be home. We saw my parents off this afternoon and now we're hoping for a quick transition back to "normal" life. As I type, Eddie is rolling around the floor complaining. Why? Hmmm...missing Grandpa and Grandma already? That's my guess. I sort of feel like joining him!

Tia Tania Comes for Easter

Behold the bright and risen Son! More beauty than the world has known!

I'm face to face with Love Himself, His perfect spotless righteousness.

Oh, a thousand years, a thousand tongues are not enough to sing His praise!

Boldly I approach Your throne. Blameless now I'm running home.

By Your blood I come, welcomed as Your own, into the arms of Majesty!

The Art of Celebration

Rend Collective

I love Easter.

I think every year when the time comes to remember the immeasurably horrific and beautiful events of that week two thousand years ago, it reaches deeper inside me. It moves me in a new way, a more profound way. 

What was special this year? A few things. At our Good Friday service at church, I sat beside one of my favorite people--sweet Tania. 

Let me insert here that the time God had me in Magdalena, I walked with some amazing people through some unbelievable circumstances--some extremely difficult and some unspeakably wonderful. Anyway, that kind of thing marks you, changes you. And it knits you forever with those people. And I miss them so much sometimes it physically hurts.

All that to say, when one of them comes to visit... Ahh! Sweet times! I loved standing in the hallway, way too late at night, chatting over all kinds of things (why is it those conversations never happen during daylight hours while sitting on comfortable furniture!). I loved being in the same room with her gorgeously contagious smile again. 

And this guy? He was totally smitten. He loved just chilling with Tia Tania.

And she didn't seem to mind holding him. All the time.

Totally spoiled! I love it!

We did some fun stuff--like thrifting, singing, walking along the beach, buying half price Easter candy, but mostly we just hung out with Eddie. 

Squinting in the sunshine while we ate frozen yogurt.

And then there's the Easter outfit. 

I mean, seriously? Could he be any cuter than this!

I hope you had an Easter just as wonderful as we did, celebrating the Savior early Sunday morning from the mountain as the warm sun rays spread over the city. Wish I would've snapped a photo, but it wouldn't have done it justice anyway...

Visitors!

We love it when people visit us!  (*hint, hint*)  And you'd think living in an exotic location like Los Angeles would bring in dozens of families on vacation.  Not so much.  We get a few every summer, but not as many as you might imagine.  I guess people do other things, like hike in Colorado or go boating on a lake somewhere rather than come to the smoggy big city, never mind that we have beaches and nice hotels and hiking and attractions and wonderful people--like us!  Okay, enough of a travel sales pitch.  All that to say, a few weeks ago, when I met a darling young girl at Girls' Camp whose family was planning to vacation near L.A., I immediately suggested we meet up!  I didn't really think she'd see it through considering I was scaring myself away with my over enthusiasm, but she did! Last week we met her and her family at The Getty Museum, a beautiful art museum not too far from us.  Amazing architecture, beautiful gardens and fountains, and, of course, lots and lots of art--it made for a fun afternoon.  Well, that is to say, their oldest daughter, an art major, loved it.  The younger...was patient, we'll say that.  That evening we went to Santa Monica Promenade to watch the street performers and ate dinner together.  

I forgot to take pictures.  Well, I did snap one shot of the gardens before putting my camera away and totally forgetting about it.  Typical. 

 But, here it is, the one I did remember to snap!

A few days later, we enjoyed some more company and a church picnic!  Bill Schick brought Manuel for his routine doctor's appointment, and Karla got to come along!  Karla was one of the 5 girls who lived with me at CVE.  We were reminiscing that, even though that was just a little over a year ago, a lot has changed for both of us!  She and her younger sister, Tania, are both in the process of being adopted by Bill and Joan.  This was Karla's first time in the States!

Sunday, as I said, was a church picnic.  It was gorgeous weather, the food was fantastic, and the fellowship even better!  And, as is tradition, the kids broke a piñata!

 Little Evy takes a swing at the shiny star!

 Her older brother's turn.  I love that he's wearing his candy bag as a hat!

 Now they're blindfolded!  I love everyone's faces here!

 Some of the spectators.

Unfortunately, my camera died before I could document the mad scramble for candy which is so classic!  Sorry!

The rest of the week was full of catching up with my lovely Karla.  She's so grown up!  This last year she did a fantastic job with the 1st and 2nd grades at the school on CVE campus, and this year she'll be teaching English.  It was so good to catch up with her!  

 Ice cream at Manhattan Beach Creamery.

Tiramisu cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory.

Apparently we bond well over food!  Random fact, we accidentally got cheesecake on National Cheesecake Day, so the place was packed but the cheesecake half price!  

We spent time at the beach, went for a walk, sang together, and generally goofed around.  She got to spend the night with me too, which was a lot of fun!  

Actually, Karla's spending the night worked out perfectly because Jonathan left for a quick trip up to Cupertino (near San Francisco) for, of all things, a job interview at Apple.  Speaking of job interviews, thank you for your prayers regarding our future.  These next few months will bring lots of change to our family, and sometimes the unknown can drive us crazy!  Me, especially.  But we're learning the daily surrender of choosing to trust God and wait on His good timing!  And He's never late!  Some sweet words that have encouraged me lately:

"Be still my soul: the Lord is on your side;

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

Leave to your God to order and provide;

In every change He faithful will remain...

Be still, my soul: your God does undertake

To guide the future as He has the past.

Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know

His voice who ruled them while He dwelled below."

I love this modernized version of the hymn sung by Jadon Lavik.  Check it out.

Be Still My Soul by Jadon Lavik