Fantastic Mr. Fox

I'm very excited about this film. One, because Wes Anderson directed it. He directed the majority of my favourite movies: Rushmore, The Darjeeling Limited, Life Aquatic. Two, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray and Owen Wilson are in the film. Anderson usuals. They're also joined by Meryl Streep and George Clooney. Three, its stop motion animation, which is always fun:)

November 13th is the release date!

Because I'm missing you:

Dearest husband this song is for you!


I wish you were here right now. We'd dance to this song and all our favorites.

Remember: Home is wherever I am with you.
Friday can't come soon enough!

Also check out Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros. The version of this song is better on their myspace and the song Janglin' is awfully fun.

Please Pray.

Please pray for baby Stellan.

Currently he's not doing well and is in need of your prayers.
Please head here to show your support: MckMama
Please take a moment to pray for Stellan and his family. For his doctors and the nurses that are caring for him. For the decisions that will be made that will change his life.

Mallori's Visit.

Mallori came up Sunday night and left Thursday morning. It was a good week. We visited the aquarium and ate lunch at the Target cafe:) We got free pastries and bought used books. We discussed marriage and the idea of love. We sat on blankets at the park and enjoyed the cool weather. It was good.

She came at a good time. I was getting discouraged up here in Monterey. Discouraged that I would be alone for awhile. It was such a refreshing and encouraging visit. Leif and I were also able to go on a date. We kept it simple, dinner and a movie. It felt weird going out without Riley. But it was nice and needed.

Group photo at the aquarium

Riley loves the jellyfish

A lobster cake that Leif made

Beth and Mallori waiting for their turn.

Target Popcorn

Mallori and Riley

I have been really bad about updating the blog lately, about returning messages and comments, and emails. I'm sorry! I'm attempting to be a lot better:) I have exciting news and updates for the next post! Yay.

Just a few photos.

The other night we had a dance party. Riley, Leif and I. It was fun.
This was after we danced. Riley wasn't tired at all.

A few nights later Riley decided to play in a box

Its her new favorite thing to do.

I should write an update sometime soon:)

The winner of the coconut oil giveawy is...

....Kate Davenport. Email Margaret your address, and she will have the company mail you a jar of it. Congratulations, and sorry it took so long to post. Margaret's family came to visit for the last few days, so we've been pretty busy. Thanks to everyone who participated. :)

Exploring.

The other evening while out on a walk, we discovered a wonderful field. It's actually on the other side of our street. I fell in love. I think I'm going to take everyone there. I see myself spending time with God up there and having a few picnics. Standing at the top of the field and looking out was beautiful. It basically left me in awe of God's creation. I like when that happens.

*About the giveaway, Leif is picking the winner so he'll post it tonight:)

Joy

"Joy is the absence of fear"

Happy!

Washer & Dryer!

Leif and I got our washer & dryer. Life just got so much easier! We decided to rent instead of owning a pair for right now. I love the pair we got! They're old-fashioned. Leif wanted newer ones, but I'm in love with these. We've already done a few loads, well Leif has. I've been sick these past two weeks, so Leif has been doing most of the housework. What a good man he is:) I never thought I'd actually have a washer and dryer inside my home... This day has come sooner than planned. I never made it to the laundromat, even though I've really wanted to go. I'll probably go anyways, one of these days.

Another happy note: Riley has gone back to her normal sleep schedule. No more waking up at 2am and no more 4am feedings. Her top teeth haven't come in yet, so I think that these calm nights won't last. I am going to take advantage of them while I can!

Look how big Riley is now. Time is flying.

-How many of you sew??? I need to get back into it and I am trying to find a sewing machine. I really want to make some curtains and dresses. :)

Backyard.

Riley and I have begun to explore our backyard. We have yet to mow the lawn in the back so the grass is pretty high. I like to place Riley amongst the grass and watch her crawl around. She enjoys pulling the grass, eating it and rolling around in it. When it tickles her face she laughs. I love it. It makes for a fun time for both of us. Summer is good.



&Hopefully soon I will have a garden to blog about:)

Celebration.

At the aquarium day after my birthday.

Last Thursday I celebrated my 22nd birthday. I enjoyed my birthday a lot more than I thought I would. I had been upset most of the week, worrying that everyone would forget my birthday, and that I would be lonely. Thankfully, when I woke up on my birthday I was so happy and grateful to have seen another year. All day I kept thanking God for His goodness and His grace. I got to spend time with Leif, with a new friend, my sister in law and her husband surprised me and old friends came by with blessings in the form of their friendship, ice cream, and a balloon. The following evening I even got to go to Santa Cruz with Leif and no baby, to see one of my best friends! Such a wonderful birthday:)!

And I serve such a wonderful God.

*Also, my giveaway will end on 13th. I forgot to include that in the giveaway post!

Giveaway: Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil

A few weeks ago I was talking to a nutritionist about what type of oil I should use in my cooking, she suggested coconut oil. So I researched it. I found this website: Tropical Traditions that specializes in coconut oil. On the website I was able to read about the benefits of using coconut oil, not only in cooking but using it as hair and skin care.

"Virgin Coconut Oil is a food, and is one of the best cooking oils you can use. It has been a staple cooking oil for thousands of years in tropical climates. As a cooking oil, its chemical structure is kept in tact and therefore is resistant to mutations of fatty acid chains even when used in higher cooking temperatures, unlike most vegetable oils. Research shows that the medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil boosts the body’s metabolism, raises body temperatures, and helps provide greater energy which can lead to weight loss."

I bought a jar of the coconut oil, used it both in my cooking and on my hair and loved it. Because I loved it I decided to contact them and have them send me a free sample of coconut oil that came with an introduction book. While I don't usually participate in giveaways or hold them myself, I decided that this is something that is worth it. It opens up doors for people to learn more about healthy cooking, healthy skin and hair care, and maybe through doing that, leads to more learning of healthy options.

So, I'm going to be giving away not only the Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil, but also the introduction book.

To enter you can do one of two things:

• Either, Leave a comment with your name and also little ways you make your meals a bit healthier.
  
• and/or Tweet about this, then leave a comment letting me know you've done this.

I'm keeping it nice and simple. I really just want to pass on this information and in turn have you pass it on!

P.S. If you have twitter be sure to start following Tropical Traditions

Showcase: Memes

My friend Michael Kevin, aka DJ Danger, is part of this pretty cool band: Memes. This video they made is pretty cool, and the song is pretty catchy. Its a bit dancy as well!


Enjoy.