Enter this!

   Okay so I usually don't blog about others giveaways... Mostly because I read about them AFTER the fact:) But a friend of mine, who happens to be SO creative and talented, is about to launch her new website this week! In honor of that she's doing a giveaway of the headband above. Beautiful right? I think so! Soo head on over to her blog: Tasteful Tatters Blog and enter the giveaway:) I know I have a few followers so I'd like to see all of you that take the time to read my blog, to hit up her blog! Plus I'd like to see one of you win! Let me know if you enter!

Other ways you can check out Tasteful Tatters:

Etsy.

Facebook page.

Website.

{p.s. I got to shoot all the photos that will be in her new lookbook! I'm so excited about it!}

{p.s.s. Yes, I took the above photo. Beautiful model right?!}

Please Don't Go.

This is a picture that was taken tonight. These two girls are my best friends here in Monterey and the military is taking them away from me. Ashley, the one on my right is moving to Georgia this coming Friday. Summer, the one on my left will be moving to Hawaii come August. I'm having a really hard time with this. I try to avoid the subject but its not really something that can be avoided.

Its hard for me to grasp the fact that someone I cherish and love so much is going to be gone within a week. Its very unfair if you ask me. But life has never been fair. This makes me upset. Its hard for me to write this without crying because when we first moved here I really struggled with loneliness. Then I met Ashley and we bonded right away. It was such a blessing that she too had a daughter Riley's age and was a young mother like me. We spent many days at the park and at each others houses. We watched our daughters go from crawling babies to walking toddlers together. We did photo shoots together and spent most of the money we made on food:) We would go to the gym and then go to Jack in the Box for curly fries, ha! Her friendship has been something I haven't taken for granted.

Remembering the things we did together and knowing that its all coming to an end is depressing. I hate it. I have a hard time saying goodbye. I hate when change involves people leaving and not being close anymore. I know its not the end of our friendship, I just wish she was going to keep living in the house down the street. I wish that Riley and I could continue to walk down there to go play with Kyleigh. I wish that we could still have good conversations in the car.

Friday is still a few days away and I'm going to enjoy the last few days we have together. I'm thankful that I met Ashley and I'm thankful for all the fun times we shared. She's a person I definitely thank God for. My life wouldn't be the same without her. I may be having a hard time with her leaving, but I'm more than happy I met her and her friendship means the world to me. I'm excited for what awaits her in Georgia!

[Thankfully I won't have to write a post like this for Summer for a little while!]

Gratitude Thursday: Surprise!

I'm grateful for the girls here in Monterey.

Last night was girls night out, and what I thought was simply dinner at a Japanese restaurant, really turned out to be a baby shower for me! So fun:) I have wonderful friends here in Monterey. I love them dearly. I really wasn't expecting a baby shower this time around so it was a nice surprise. Like really, what a wonderful way to show a friend you care. Plus we didn't have to play any ridiculous games, just sit around and enjoy each others company. Very refreshing.

I'm so blessed to have met the women that I did when I moved here. They have helped make my transition to Monterey so much more enjoyable. I hate thinking about the fact that most of them will be leaving in the next few months though. Why must the military take away my best friends?! Despite impending departures, I am happy with the time we've shared and the times we'll share in the future.

I am constantly thanking God for their friendship.

Parts of home.

This past weekend four of my good friends came up for a visit. It was wonderful! It felt like I had parts of home with me in Monterey. Their visit came at the right time. I've been longing for home and for the people there. I can't tell you how refreshing it was to sit on my bed and talk for hours with the girls while the boys played video games;). I hadn't had a deep conversation like I did this past weekend in months... I loved it! I didn't want to say goodbye but it was comforting to know that I'll be seeing them all in a month. I wish that when I did come down for Thanksgiving I could just stay there in Southern California. I will have to make do with a week!

Sometimes I wish my adjustment to Monterey would go much quicker. I wish I wouldn't get as homesick as I do. I always thought I was the type of person that could just get up and move anywhere without any problem. I'm learning that I'm not. I am having such a hard time being apart from my family and my friends. I hate too that Riley is growing up so fast and everyone is missing out on it.

I am grateful though for the people we have met, for the friends I've made. I'm grateful for Leif's job. I'm grateful for Skype so we are able to see our families and friends. I'm trying to remember that God brought us here for a reason. Some days its easier to remember while others, like when I really want to drive over and see my mom, its not. God is good though. Always.

Our Trip down South.

We took a little trip down to LA this past weekend for a family members wedding. It was a lot of fun. I always enjoy spending time with Leif's family and extended family. Before we made the trip down south, Leif's parents and sisters got to stay with us a few days. I was happy that Riley got to spend sometime with her grandparents and aunts that she doesn't get to see that often. I was also happy to be able to spend time with my in-laws.

We stayed with my family when we were in LA. That's always enjoyable. My mom watched Riley a couple of times when Leif and I hung out with my sister. I didn't get to visit my brother which I'm bummed about:( But hopefully in a few weeks he'll be making the trip up here! Leif and I got to visit our old church and spend sometime with friends from there. When we walked into the church someone came up to us and said "Welcome home". It really felt like we were coming back home. Its hard to know we won't be visiting the church for a few months. I wanted to tell everyone "See you next Sunday". Thankfully we have facebook and I can keep in touch.

The wedding was beautiful and I wish I had taken pictures. I spent a lot of time socializing, so taking pictures didn't really happen... During the whole trip. I do know that other people were taking pictures so maybe we'll get some? I didn't grow up around a lot of family so I love spending time with all of Leifs Aunts, Uncles, Grandmothers and cousins. I'm happy to have married into a big family and I love that Riley gets to experience that.


On another note: Isn't Riley getting big? I keep looking at her, trying to remember when she got taller and lost some of her baby rolls. Her two top teeth have come down and we think we can see another tooth on the side. Feeding Riley has gotten a lot easier since I can (for the most part) give her whatever food I'm eating. She still takes the bottle, but I'm giving her a sippy cup here and there. Her new favorite things to do are wave and clap. She's been cruising the furniture and lately has been standing without holding on to anything. Recently she developed a bit of separation anxiety, from Leif. Its cute and in the beginning I was a little jealous, but I realized she knows that I'm always there, no matter what. Leif on the other hand, isn't.


Oh and a few prayer requests please: Leif and I are in the process of considering buying a house up here, since we plan on staying three or more years. We need God's guidance and wisdom. I have a few photography gigs coming up and I just would like those to go smoothly:) And last but not least prayer that this pregnancy goes well! Thank you!

::I'm sorry I've been lacking in posts and pictures. Ive been trying to keep my computer use to a mininum and the time I am on the computer is catching up with friends via iChat or facebook chat, and/or skyping. I've been really bad about editing photos, returning messages and comments!::

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.

Some photos: Celebration Sunday.

Last Sunday our church had a celebration in honor of our pastors 25 years with the church. It was basically an amazing big picnic. I snapped a few photos since it was our last Sunday. I wanted to remember the day. It was so wonderful. Nothing like worshiping Jesus amongst trees and grass, barefoot:)













I need to get on the packing. We're behind. I've been spending a lot of time editing photos and trying new stuff out on photoshop. Its too much fun. Plus Riley has become a lot more fun to play with so I've been devoting a lot of time to making her laugh instead of packing boxes. Nothing wrong with staying up all night Friday to pack:)

Intercession

Hi Margaret,
In praying for you and your family, the Lord has shown me a beautiful image of you and Leif reaching out to those whom the church normally would not. That is powerful for the Kingdom of God and a ministry in great need. Keep seeking Him for your calling in Christ Jesus.

Last night someone sent me this message and it really meant a lot to me. First, that someone was praying specifically for Leif and I, and that God put this on their heart. And second, that He has a plan for us. Ever since we found out about Monterey I felt like God was leading us there to do something great for His Kingdom.

Continue to pray.

Hallelujah!

I love this picture so much.
I feel like it says so much about my relationship with Leif
&the love we share.
I'm happy I get to serve God with him.

Packing Party

So I got this idea to have a Packing Party from my friend Megan, and I thought what a good way to get some packing done and over with! Well between 4-12 last night we had folks coming and out, there was a lot of eating, wine-drinking, and socializing. Not one box got packed:) I wasn't bummed about it though because I got to spend time with my favorite people and I'm not really sure when that will happen again.

Here are some pictures from last night:











Thanks to everyone who came out:) I'm sorry we didn't snap pictures of everyone, eek. Next time!

Good Friends and Food.

I have good friends. Really, I have wonderful friends. And my favorite thing to do with friends is cook & eat.






Last night two of my favorite people came over and made us dinner. We went to Trader Joes, picked up some things, & got some Champagne to make mimosas. What followed was a lovely Chinese dinner outside on the patio. So perfect in so many ways! I'm blessed!





I think not being able to have dinner parties, or Family Sunday Dinners will be one of the hardest parts of moving. Its such a big part of our lives and it'll be weird not being able to throw one of these dinners together. Thank God for trains, buses and cars:) And I'm already thanking God for the people He'll bring into our lives when we move.

Gratitude Thursday, on Friday: Friends.

I've been really bad about posting what I'm grateful for on Thursday. Eek. I decided to go ahead and just do it today because I truly believe, better late than never:)

Best friends look like this.

I'm grateful for my friends. Every single one of them.
I'm grateful for their love and support. Especially this last year.
I'm grateful that they have stuck by my side through thick and thin.
I'm grateful that they continue to bless my life with their friendship and their love.
I'm grateful for long conversations about God and life.
I'm grateful for the prayers they pray for me and my family.
I'm grateful for their honest hearts and truthful spirits.
I'm grateful for their willingness to always come visit, even on school nights:). For being so understanding when I can't be somewhere because of the baby. For the effort they continue to put in to our friendship although times have changed. We've changed.
I'm grateful to God that He has given me the most wonderful friends.

Lets be honest...

... being a stay-at-home-mom is hard. And when I say its hard, I really mean lonely. I think that's the hardest part of mommyhood for me. The late night feedings, no problem. Being spit up on and poop explosions, not a big deal. Dealing with a fussy baby, I've got that. But spending almost everyday cooped up inside with really no where to go and no one to see, well that is killing me! Slowly. I seriously did not want to get out of bed the other day because I didn't want to through another boring day doing the same routine. Alone. Yes, I have Riley. And please, don't get me wrong. I love my daughter, I adore her. I would rather spend a million days with her than anyone else. BUT that doesn't change the fact that I need adult interaction. I need to leave my apartment. I need to do more than cleaning, because honestly, after awhile you run out of things to clean:) And I can't just cook all day, because well you run out of eggs eventually and then milk... I count down the hours until Leif comes home.

How do I go about this though when everyone I know is still in school and living 30 or more minutes away? Most of them don't plan on getting married anytime soon, and the ones who have or are, aren't going to be having children for awhile. We recently started going to a church out here in Pasadena, and its full of young couples with babies. We still haven't really made any friends there though. Its depressing and hard. I think the only way I've really stayed sane is the fact that I get to go and visit my friends on weekends and they try to come up and see me during the week when they can. At the same time I wish I had a good friend who lived around here, who also had children. I need someone I can relate to on that level. Thankfully I have met some nice girls online (babycenter.com) who have been more than wonderful and encouraging. I am so grateful for their friendships. Why must they live far away???

I know God is good... and He'll bring women into my life at the right time. In the mean time I'll be patient and try to enjoy the lonely days because those are the days that I usually talk to God the most.


And I'll also continue to enjoy the friendships I already have: I've been blessed and will continue to be blessed through them.

More pictures of course:)

Here are some recent pictures of Riley. I can't get over how cute she is! I'm constantly thanking God for blessing Leif and I with such a beautiful daughter. And look at her curly hair!









So last Friday night we had some good friends come over to meet Riley. It was a lot of fun for Leif and I because we haven't really seen too many people since Riley was born... It's always nice to have close friends come to visit. And it was great being able to introduce Riley to them! These friends were the first ones we, well I told when we found out I was pregnant. So it was pretty special when they came over. I'm very grateful for wonderful friends like these.