Style me...

It's time for my annual Christmas Card Photo Shoot.  I am one of those people who LOVES to send and receive cards and letters all year long... so Christmas is just a good excuse to send out 150 at a time.  Coming up with a creative card always takes a little time and then picking out what to wear takes even more time.  This year, I am going for the playful, simple, and fun look and feel.  I want the card to be very ME - as I want it to be every year.  

I have had a pretty good idea in my head of what I want to wear for the pictures.  I decided to go to Polyvore to really lay out the look.  Alex Evjen has inspired me in SO MANY ways, especially when it comes to style.  You don't have to be Promise Tangeman or Kelli Murray to have style.  Alex has taught me to take risks, to try things that I wouldn't normally try, to invest in pieces, to take pride in what I wear and how I wear it.  I couldn't help but think of everything that I have heard (or read) Alex say as I was picking out what to wear for the photos this year.  So Alex, THANK YOU for helping to style this shoot, even though you didn't have any idea you were helping.

Can't wait to get all styled up for today's photo shoot with the RIDICULOUSLY talented Tracy!  Check out her work!  You should hire her.  No, seriously.  YOU SHOULD! She is also the San Diego photographer for (once like a spark). 

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Funk

I can't decide if the modern conveniences that we are attached to have made life better or worse.  At the top of this list would be social networking.  I love staying in touch with friends far away, getting to see my friends kids change and grow, and getting to stalk (let's be real, that's what it is) people that I am "friends" with.  I don't love the fallacies that run rampant among these sites.  I don't know that any of us mean to do this, but we do.

Life is oh so sexy when shown through a pretty Instagram filter.

The truth is, life isn't feeling so sexy for me today... for the past few days really.
Here is the reality of the funk that I am currently in:

I haven't talked much about my weight loss journey recently because I haven't seen a loss in a while.  I lost my mojo.  I got comfortable in my journey and stopped doing the things that I knew I needed to do.  I stopped keeping track of what I ate and drank.  I stopped working out regularly, or even at all for a season.  I let myself go.  I let myself go so much that I have gained 14 pounds from my lowest weight in this journey.  14 pounds!  14 pounds makes a BIG difference in how I feel and how my clothes fit and consequently how confident I feeling.  That doesn't happen over night.  That isn't one bad meal.  That isn't one bad weekend.  That isn't one bad week.  That isn't even a lot of bad weeks.  It is the culmination of no longer staying focused on the goal.  I have said that I will make a U-Turn and change a few times, but it is easier said than done.  I keep trying to think back to the drive that I had at the beginning of the journey so I can get it back.  The reality is, I just wanted to change.  I really really wanted to change and I was willing to do anything to do so.  I say I want to change but my actions have not reflected so.  Part of me putting this out there is making it a reality.  I don't want to hide behind pictures that are cropped or filtered just right.  I want to change... it is time for my actions to reflect that desire.

Tuesday was the three year anniversary of my dad's death.  That day always puts me in a funk.  The death of my dad brought with it a whole mess of emotions and thoughts.  When my dad died I no longer had to question whether or not he would show up to my wedding and if he did show, whether or not he would be drunk.  On the flip side, I no longer had the option to have my dad at my wedding.

A few weeks ago I broke out on my left cheek.  I thought it was just the usual post period break out.  Nope. Not this time.  Full on adult acne.  Painful.  Too many blemishes to count.  It isn't my make-up.  It isn't the way I sleep.  It is simply hormones.  It is getting better but is still annoying and VERY noticeable.  I am one of the lucky ones who has never really dealt with acne - even in the teenage years, I only got a few zits here and there.  So, this is a big deal for me.

Being 27 and single at the holidays has it's peaks and pits.  Hearing Dave Barnes sing of how Christmas is a "Holiday made for two" doesn't exactly help in the pit department.  I am VERY fortunate in that I have A LOT of people around me that love me... but there is still the desire to have a handsome man to spend the holiday with.

So there you have it.  That is where I am at... without the pretty facade of an instagram filter and without the photo being cropped.  That's the whole thing...

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The Starter Boyfriend: Part Two

I was you a-typical Evangelical good girl.
In a lot of ways, I still am.

But... I have also grown up a bit in my thoughts and ideas of how life is and should be.

• The thought of waiting to have my first kiss at the altar (something that I once wanted to do) makes me cringe and bust out in laughter.
• The thought of having the only guy I date become my husband seems completely and totally disillusioned.  (Not to say that it can't happen - it has happened to a number of people and works... just not for me.)
• I no longer think that waiting until marriage to have sex is an absolute MUST.
• Now here me out with this... I still hold the same morals and values that I have always held and I still want to wait until I am married to have sex but it won't be the end of the world if it happens before then.
•  The checklist that I had has been ripped up and tossed out the window.

In throwing the checklist out the window, I have tried to date to date... NOT to marry.  This is a new concept when you are fed the buffet of dating advice that I (and many others) was fed going to a Bible College.

I was recently dating someone who couldn't have been more opposite of the checklist that I got rid of.  I did that on purpose.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the time we spent together and I liked him.  If I was being completely honest with myself and my friends, I would say that I always knew that it wasn't going to go anywhere.  In fact, I referred to him as "The Starter Boyfriend".  I didn't mean that to be rude or to dismiss who he was or the time we spent together.  I was just being honest.  I wasn't the one for him and he wasn't the one for me and there is nothing wrong with that.

I learned a lot from that Starter Boyfriend.

• I learned to enjoy the moment.
• I learned to be myself - to take pride in who I am and what I have to offer but to not care if what I have to offer or who I am isn't up to par for whomever it is that I am with.
• I learned to let the guy be the guy - let him pay, let him open doors, let him buy you things.
• I learned to let go - if he wants to be with you, he will be with you.
• I learned to be honest - it isn't easy to tell someone that you are a 27 year old virgin, it isn't easy to tell someone that you like him, it isn't easy to tell someone when you are scared, it isn't easy to ask someone not to drink and drive... but all of those things AND MORE needed to be said.
• I learned to not let the opinions of others dictate how I felt or what I thought.

Those are just SOME of the things I learned... and that was a STARTER BOYFRIEND.  Who, wasn't even a "boyfriend".

So... If I can learn all of that AND MORE from a guy that, I never would have given a second thought to a few years ago, and who I dated for just over a month, how much more will I learn from a longer and more substantial relationship?!

Cheers to the next Starter Boyfriend that comes along.

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The Starter Boyfriend: Part One

The Evangelical Church plants some pretty interesting thoughts about dating, courting, and relationships in general.  Do this.  Don't do that.  It's called COURTING, NOT dating.  The list could go ON and ON and ON.

I am fairly certain that it is no one's intention to do permanent damage, but I fear that is exactly what is happening.  I have seen multiple scenarios play out among my friends and classmates from the teeny tiny Bible College and Faith Based University that I attended.

1. Girl meets Boy at 18 or 19.  Girl and Boy "court".  Girl and Boy don't dare have a sexual relationship of any sort.  Girl and Boy have a short engagement.  Girl and Boy get married.  Girl and Boy get pregnant.  Girl and Boy live happily ever after - often times denying that life is ever hard.
2. Girl meets Boy at 18 or 19.  Girl and Boy "court".  Girl and Boy don't dare have a sexual relationship of any sort.  Girl and Boy have a short engagement.  Girl and Boy get married.  Girl and Boy discover that they didn't know who they were or what they wanted in life.  Girl and Boy get divorced.
3. Girl meets Boy.  Girl and Boy go on a few dates.  Girl and Boy decide to be "boyfriend and girlfriend".  Girl's friends immediately ask when they are getting married.  Boy's friends could care less about the marriage conversation.  Girl and Boy date for a few months and then they don't anymore.
4. Girl meets Boy.  Girl and Boy date - going against the grain.  Girl and boy have a sexual relationship - again going against the grain.  Girl and Boy have a healthy relationship.  Girl and Boy get engaged and married.  Girl and Boy live happily ever after, through the ups and downs that life brings.
5. Girl meets Boy.  Girl and Boy "hook up" or "mess around" or whatever else terminology you choose to use.  That's all.
6. Girl meets Boy. That's all.

Now, there are more than just six scenarios.  Quite frankly, I got tired of typing them out.  There are endless combinations, even within the six that I listed above.  All this to say, I can't help but feel like many of us have been thrown into the torrent river without a swimming lesson or a life vest.  We don't know how to date.  We don't know how to just be.

A first date doesn't always lead to a second date - and that is OK!
A second date doesn't always lead to a third date - and that is OK!
A third date doesn't always lead to sex - and that is REALLY OK!
A relationship doesn't always come after 5 dates - and that is OK!
A really awful date can come after 6 weeks of really wonderful dates - and that is OK!
A relationship that lasts for a year, or two, or three, or even four sometimes ends rather than leading to a big sparkly ring - and that is OK!

We put so much pressure on dates.
We go from meeting someone to planning our wedding and picking out kid names in 30 seconds.
We plan ahead rather than living in the moment.

What if we had starter boyfriends and saw them simply as they were?

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THANKFUL

"It is a miracle if you can find true friends, and it is a miracle if you have enough food to eat, and it is a miracle if you get to spend your days and evenings doing whatever it is you like to do, and the holiday season - like all the other seasons - is a good time not only to tell stories of miracles, but to think about the miracles in your own life, and to be grateful for them."
                                                                                                       -Lemony Snicket, The Lump of Coal

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Twenty two

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope that you were able to spend the day with people that you love and who love you.

I started today with my dear friend Rhonda.  We met up in Balboa Park to do the Father Joe's Thanksgiving Day 5K.  I have done this 5K a few times, and have come to love starting my Thanksgiving this way.  I am so thankful for the friend that I have in Rhonda.

After the 5K, I went to the grocery store to pick up a few things and then headed home to watch football take a nap before heading to to Grandma Brown's house.

I am so thankful that I am in San Diego and get to be a part of my nephew's lives.  These two little guys bring me so much joy.  Celebrating Thanksgiving with them and my sister and my extended family at my grandma's is a blessing.  We are fortunate to have a BIG family that is all fairly close to home base.

This is the first year in YEARS that I didn't do the usual round of Harvey and Knudsen houses.  The Harvey's changed it up by celebrating the holiday at Opa's house and we celebrated the Knudsen Thanksgiving a few weeks ago.  I missed seeing both of those families but am so thankful to have been invited to spend the afternoon/evening with chaos. :)

My belly is full of yummy food and my heart is full from all of the love that I have in my life.

I am thankful.

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Twenty one

I am thankful for my dear cousin Sarra.

This lady is a GEM.
She has a heart of gold.
She loves Jesus in a REAL way.
She is encouraging.
She is HILARIOUS.

I am thankful that I get to call Sarra cousin and FRIEND.

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Twenty

There is nothing like retreating from reality into the mountains.

Make those mountains Breckenridge, Colorado and it gets even better!

Chelsea and I took a little mini vacation (from our vacation) to Breckenridge.  Her friend's family was kind enough to let us stay in their cabin mansion.  I am not kidding... this place is RIDICULOUS!  

I am thankful for time away to just be.

I am thankful for time away with one of my very best friends.

I am thankful for rest.

I am thankful for fresh mountain air.

(Yes, that is a dog, sitting on a bar stool, drinking right next to me.)

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Nineteen

I am thankful for this man.

Andrew and I have been friends for about 8 years.
In some ways, it feels like it has been WAY longer than 8 years and in some ways it feels like we met just yesterday.

Through the good times and bad, I have been able to count on Andrew.

He's just the best.

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Eighteen

I am thankful for my Chargers.
I am thankful for the means with which I was able to purchase the tickets for Chelsea and I to enjoy our rivalry game.

 

The bottom photo says it all...

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Seventeen

I am thankful for football.
There is nothing like enjoying a football game on a crisp fall day with one of your very best friends.

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Sixteen

I am thankful for the means to travel.
I am thankful that I have friends all over to visit and spend time with.
I am thankful for a job that provides time to get away.

 

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Fifteen

I am thankful for the break between concert seasons.

See you in 2013, Cricket.

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Fourteen

I am thankful for the big family that I have.

We aren't perfect.
In fact, we put the fun in DysFUNctional.

Today, we celebrated the life of my sweet Aunt Ida, who passed away a few weeks ago at 90 years old.

Random fact - Aunt Ida didn't know that her real name was Adelaide until she saw her birth certificate for the first time when applying for a marriage license.  I didn't know her name was Adelaide until I walked into the funeral and saw the program.  I have always loved the name Adelaide for a little girl...

We have a big family full of people with big personalities, big egos, and big hearts.

I have to remember that a lot of people don't have a living room full of 50+ people every holiday... it is a blessing.

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Thirteen

I am thankful that I have friends that speak truth - even when it hits like a ton of bricks.

Tonight, I had planned on doing a 7:30 Kickboxing class with a friend.  This is the kind of kickboxing that requires a partner and is NO FUN if you have to partner with someone that you don't know.  Work ran late for her, which meant I had to decide...
1. Go alone and partner up with a sweaty stranger
2. Go to 24 Hour Fitness and do the usual Cardio Day routine

Truth is, I had little to no motivation to do either.  By the time 7:30 hits, I am generally ready to put on some cozy clothes, cuddle up with a book or with my DVR.  The last thing I want to do at 7:30 is work out.

Alas, I am committed to making a U-Turn, and that means working out - especially when I don't feel like it.

I sent a quick text to a good friend of mine and she responded with this...

"You deserve to work out.  It's a privilege, not everyone has two legs and two arms."

Way to pull out the big guns!

BUT

She is right. 
Working out IS a privilege.
And it goes further than just not having arms and legs.

Not everyone can afford to have a membership to a gym, let alone two different gyms, a Barre studio, and a Pilates studio.  (As I write that out, I realize just how much of a fitness whore I have become... I blame it on Groupon, Living Social, and Daily Reader Deals.)
Not everyone has the luxury of having as much free time as I have - sometimes being 27, single, and childless has it's perks.

Working out is a privilege - I needed to be reminded of that.

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Twelve

I am thankful for the freedoms that I have thanks to our forefathers and the veterans that continue to fight to keep those freedoms in place.

I am thankful that we celebrate those veterans by taking a day off to reflect and relax.

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Eleven

I am thankful for friends that you can do everything and nothing with.
Breakfast and a Chargers game on TV in PJS or a Charity Event.
Shopping at Nordstrom or shopping at Nordstrom.com.
Movie at a theater or a movie on the couch at home.

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Ten

Andrea and Amy are those friends that always fill you up, just by spending time with them.

Wedding season wouldn't have been complete without a wedding with these ladies.

We are the bad kids in the back row laughing at inapropriate times.

We chair dance.

We just have a good time.

I am thankful that God put the three of us at San Diego Christian College from three very different places.

I am thankful that our friendship has only strenthened since leaving SDCC.

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Nine

It is no secret that I love my job with Live Nation.

A BIG part of what makes my job with Live Nation so great, is these ladies.

I genuinely love going to work everyday, mostly because it means that I get to see Kristin and Rhonda.  These ladies are more than Boses/Co-workers, they are my friends.

We laugh, we cry (well, I cry), and we just do life together... the good, the bad and the ugly.

I am thankful to have these women in my life.

They have taught me, and continue to, teach me so much about life, love, being a wife and a mother, and so much more.

Kristin and Rhonda - I am thankful for you ladies.  BIG TIME!



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Eight

The journey to a healthier and fitter me has been a long one with losses and gains - ups and downs.  It hasn't been easy by any stretch of the imagination.  Tracking everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, that I eat and drink into my Weight Watchers App isn't fun or easy.  There are seasons when I am REALLY good at keeping track and there are seasons when I am not.

Going to the gym or to Pure Barre or to Victory MMA isn't my idea of a great time but I feel great after my time at those places, so I have to remember that when I am saying less than kind things under my breath while lacing up my shoes.

I have become quite complacent in the past few months.
Missing one work out quickly turned into missing two which quickly turned into not knowing the last time I made my way to 24 Hour Fitness.
Not tracking my food/drinks one meal turned into one day which turned into one week.
Those decisions have consequences...

I have gained some weight.
My body isn't as toned as it once was.
My clothes don't lay as nicely as they did a few months ago.

Today, I made the decision to make a U-Turn.  I want my clothes to fit better and I want to have to buy new clothes because the ones I have are too big, not too small.  I want to like the shape of my legs and butt again.  I want to not have back fat.

Making a U-Turn means focusing and buckling down...
Back to tracking food and drink.
Back to not drinking beer/wine/cocktails unless it is a special occasion.
Back to resisting the chocolate bowl on Rhonda's desk.
Back to drinking more water than I thought humanly possible.
Back to making working out a priority - NO EXCUSES.

On my way home today, I didn't want to go to the gym.  Earlier this week, I ordered a new pair of work out pants from Kohl's (funny that I ordered some work out pants considering I haven't been working out).  I knew that the pants would be delivered soon, I assumed tomorrow.  On my way home, I told myself, if the pants had arrived, I would go to the gym, NO MATTER WHAT.  Well guess what, the pants were there.

So, to the gym I went.

I am so thankful that I told myself that I would go.
30 minutes on the elliptical flew by.
15 minutes on the stair climber was tougher than the elliptical but I did it.
Planks, Russian Twists, Lunges and Squats were killer but so good.

75 minutes later, I was done and felt like a champ.

Here's to making U-Turns and reaching goals!

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AMTM: Part Three

I'm on fire... can't help but post more...

Sometimes you, and by you I mean men, do the following things in an effort to impress us, and by us I mean women:

• Drive Fast
• Act Macho
• Shotgun a Beer - don't get me wrong... I am generally pretty impressed when people do this but there is a time and a place for it.
• Potty Mouth - again, don't get me wrong... I can have the mouth of a sailor at times and appreciate a good F-Bomb every now and again... but just as with shotgunning a beer, there is a time and a place for it. 
• Show off your new LCD HD BLAH BLAH BLAH TV. 

I am going to go out on a limb, as I am doing with most of the statements here and in Part One and Part Two, and say that VERY FEW women are impressed with any of those things.  You know what does impress us though?

• When you drive safer than you might when you are alone, because you have precious cargo.
• When the car that you are driving is in your name - not your parents.
• When you are the one who is paying for/paid for the car that you are driving.
• When the car that you are driving doesn't smell like a gym bag or have fast food remnants and wrappers all over the passenger seat and floor boards.
• When you act like a gentlemen - to us and everyone else.
• When you treat people with respect; The way you treat the guy behind the counter at the store, the waiter, the bartender, or the parking guy says A LOT about your character.
• When you offer us a beer before you jump on the shotgun bandwagon.      
• When you think before you speak; Dropping an F-Bomb within minutes of meeting Grandma isn't always the best idea.  Using colorful language in front of co-workers, family, and some friends is generally frowned upon until a rapport is built.
• When you show us your ridiculous new TV we see that have a bookcase with books that you have actually read.

 

 

 

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Seven

Today, in spite of the current trend in my journey, I am thankful that I started Weight Watchers on January 26, 2011.

It hasn't been easy.
It hasn't been quick.
It has had downs and ups and downs and ups... you get the picture.

Even when it is hard, I have to remember that this isn't about losing quickly it is about learning to maintain and live life.

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AMTM: Part Two

I interrupt the normal November posts of Thanksgiving to bring you AMTM: Part Two...

 

Rather than giving any caveats as to the contents of A Manifesto to Men: Part Two, let's just jump right in...


Just as you shouldn't START a relationship via text message, you also shouldn't END one via text message.  If you don't want to date anymore, have the decency to at least pick up your phone.  Best case scenario would be having the conversation face to face.

If you are upset about something she does, you need to tell her and allow her to think about it and formulate a response/apology.  Shutting someone out or running doesn't solve anything.

Listen when we talk, even when we don't expect YOU to be the one listening.  If we mention that we want something when talking to someone else, and you happen to hear and remember later on, it means more than you know.

Be spontaneous.  We won't always be available to go out the same day that you ask, but you will never know until you try.  Spontaneity goes a LONG way.

Hold our hands.  Touch our legs.  Lead us with your hand on our back.  When you do this, you are letting others know that we are with you.  We want to feel wanted and this is one way to do it.

Compliment us.  You can't get mad at someone else for complimenting our eyes when you don't do it.

Don't be so quick as to put all of your eggs in one basket when things appear to be going great.
Don't be so quick as to throw out the basket when your checklist isn't completely filled.

We like it when you try to impress us.  It shows us that you care and want us to think highly of you.

When you introduce us to your friends, it means a lot.  It is in the same arena as touching us... it is you letting people know that we are in your life.  We like it.

Talking in futuristic terms is scary and exciting.  Proceed with caution.

Splurge on snacks at movies/concerts/sporting events... to you it is an overpriced bag of M&M's but to us, it is you paying attention to the things that we like and throwing caution to the wind to make us happy.  To go further - plan ahead and have those goodies in the car for her to stash in her purse.  It will give you bonus points for thinking ahead of time and it will help to maintain your budget.

Let us control the radio every once in a while.  To go a step further, pay attention to what we like and set it to play before we ask or try to change it.  Again, it is all about you paying attention.

Concerts and Sporting Events are great dates.  Movies are fun.  Dinners are filling.  Sometimes doing nothing at home or sitting at the beach or park is the very best date of all.

When I was looking at the stats on views for this blog, it surprised me to see that the original AMTM post received more than four times the views than most other posts.  Apparently I am not alone in these thoughts...

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Six

I live in a country where the citizens get to elect the leader.
I live in a country where women are given a voice.
I live in a country where people come from all over the world to experience freedom.

I am thankful and proud to be an American.

Barack the vote!

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Five

When I was in the seventh grade, Joelle invited me to SHINE.  SHINE was the Junior High Youth Group at Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church.  I am thankful that Joelle invited me to go with her that Thursday night.  Even more than that, I am thankful that the leaders at SHINE, and at Wyld Life and Young Life, in the following years loved me, even when I wasn't easy to love.

Bre, Lydia, Bethany, Chris, The Cole's, Lyle, Jeremy, LC, Curtis, Rebecca, Mutter, Seth - the list goes on and on and on.  These young adults simply showed up.  There was nothing fancy about the way they loved on us kids.  They took us on trips - which looking back was a huge sacrifice of their time and money. They took us to Cotijas for tacos and to Christy's for donuts.  They showed up to our sporting events, chaperoned our dances, and drove us all over this city and even state sometimes.

They shared their lives with us - allowing us to see them in their best and worst times.  All the while, showing us Jesus in the simplest and purest ways.  They didn't force Jesus on us.  They didn't fight with us to get us to believe in the Jesus that they believed in.  They loved Jesus, welcomed us into their lives, and allowed us to see how all of that played itself out.

As I am working with high school students, I am constantly reminded of how well these leaders loved.  I am reminded of the candid conversations and of how honest they were with us.  I am reminded of how important it is to have positive influences and good role models.

I can say, with all the confidence in the world, that I would not be who I am today if it weren't for each of those leaders in my life.  Statistically, I beat the odds.  Looking at my home situation and different curve balls that were thrown my way throughout life, I should have been a teen mom, have a drug/alcohol problem, be in an abusive relationship, be a ridiculous mess of a person, dead, or a combination of all of the above.  I am proud to say I am none of the above.

So to all of you leaders that loved me, especially when it wasn't very easy to do so - THANK YOU.  Thank you for loving me and showing me Jesus.

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Four

A little over four years ago, my dear sister made me an Aunt, and I couldn't be more thankful for that.

I love being Tia to these boys (and hopefully to a few more little nuggets down the road).

As soon as I walk in the door, Parker yells "TIA!" and runs to me, at full speed, and gives me a big bear hug.  Jackson will waddle over with a big grin on his face, raise his hands, and will nuzzle in for the sweetest hug in the world.

I adore these boys.

So thankful to be their Tia!

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Three

There is so much that I can say about the people in the photo below.

The Carder-Knudsen-Sovacool-Horner Families bring so much joy to my life.

I am so thankful that Kristi and I both ventured to Seattle to go to Seattle Pacific University - even if it was only for a little bit for each of us.

These people have been with me through countless ups and downs.

Being welcomed into their home to celebrate the holidays is always such an honor.  This year, we celebrated Thanksgiving a little early.  The table is always so beautiful, the conversations are never dull, the food never disappoints, and the day is just full of love.

  

 

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Two

For me, one of the best and most important parts of friendship is the honor and responsibility to journey through life with one another.  As the sea of life ebbs and flows, it is important to have people in your boat that you can count on to help you steer through the storms and sun in the best possible way.  With changes in the seasons come changes in faces of those in your boat.

If you would have asked me 10 years ago, who would have been in my boat for the long haul, I would have given you a LONG list of people... and there is only one person who is still on that list.  Five years ago, the list would have been completely different from the list five years prior.  People change - boyfriends/girlfriends, fiances, husbands/wives come into the picture (and sometimes leave the picture), jobs change, babies are born... life happens.  It isn't good and it isn't bad.  Some people are only meant to come into our lives for a season, and that is ok.

As friends have come and gone, I have tried my best to cherish the moments that I have with my friends, as you never know what may be awaiting at the next turn.  When you allow others to journey through life's joys and sorrows, you allow them to peek into your soul a bit.  You allow them to see you at your best and at your worst.  In that, you get to see how they respond to you at your best and your worst.  Along with all of this, when someone invites you to be part of their journey, you should count it as a great blessing and responsibility.

I have had the great honor of walking with my friends through the journey of having twins.  The months leading up to the birth were full of conversations of hope, excitement, anticipation, and prayers for happy and healthy lives.  I was blessed to get to be at the hospital as the twins were making their way into this world - which was a huge honor.  I have been able to snuggle and cuddle with these loves many times since their birth and can't wait to continue to do so. 

So today, I am thankful for friends that have been there for me in the really great moments and for friends who have been there for me in the really crummy moments.  I am thankful for the friends that have allowed me to be there for them during the mountain top times and in the valleys.

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One

It's that time of year again!!! 

I must say, I have come to look forward to blogging during the month of November.  I love that the focus of the main posts is thankfulness.  This season can often bring out the very best and the very worst in people.  It is my hope and prayer that this season would bring out the best in me.

Without further adieu... Day One:

I am thankful for the generosity of my dear friends who continually invite me to attend Chargers games.  I love me some football, ESPECIALLY my beloved Chargers.  It is no secret that it isn't cheap to attend these games.  Let's be real, it isn't exactly in the budget to spend money on game tickets - as much as I would like for it to be.  Thanks to some VERY generous and thoughtful friends, I have been able to attend many games over the past three years.

Tailgating with the Harvey family has got to be one of the highlights of football season.  There is nothing fancy about the way they tailgate... but there is something fancy about the love and fun that you can find there.  Along with that, it is no coincidence that my two favorite people to watch games with are named Kim.  We may be girls but we know our football and aren't afraid to defend our Chargers.

Tonight's game was the perfect way to start off a month of being thankful.

Tailgating Harvey style.

Paige dancing with the crazy pom-pom lady.

Being there for Davis and Dylan's first Charger game.

Getting to FaceTime with Cody all the way in New York.

Thursday Night Football coverage.

 And of course... A Charger Win!!!

 

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