Mrs. Rogers Neighborhood

To say our first anniversary was wonderful would be such an understatement.  We took the train down to San Diego and stayed in Little Italy and had the most incredible weekend filled with amazing food, lots of walking, and heartfelt conversation.  It is so amazing to watch a year go by and see how far you have come.  While we were in San Diego, I realized how much more I love Bill than I ever have before and how amazing it is that love can grow. He was so thoughtful and brought coffee mugs to make our room feel homey, made sure I treated myself to what I really wanted and brought a smile to my face every moment that he could.  I made the little banner pictured above for our room (1st year anniversary is paper) and gave him a few little gifts, but our focus was taking time out to  just be together.  Sometimes it is more important to be present than to buy presents :) The morning after we got back, I had flowers delivered at my work with a sweet note and have been receiv

My best friend is having a baby boy.   She put a lot of pressure on me, letting me know this post would go in the baby book and most likely be something she treasured always, so I feel like I want to do even better than I generally desire in presenting my words eloquently.  So here goes nothing :) Heather Simone and I are not best friend's for superficial reasons, our relationship runs deep.  It is more than just a girlfriend I chat with or shop with, this girl can literally predict the words that are about to come out of my mouth.  She is more like a sister than a friend.  We have not always been this way, but God absolutely had these plans when he brought us into each other's lives.  He dropped us in front of each other when we were both searching for real and true friendship, and what he led us into is such an amazing testimony to what the Lord can do when two people decide to become the people they know they are meant to be. She inspires me.  She really pays at

Bill and I headed up to San Francisco and Napa for a couple of free nights because we sat through a timeshare presentation, and while this was earlier in the summer I wanted to share a little about it because it was just so lovely. We started out the trip with an afternoon in San Francisco.  We showed up without a plan and with wandering spirits, and really enjoyed our time walking together.  We check out China town, strolled through an independent book store, ate soup out of bread bowls, and took in the city.    We headed up to Napa to stay at a fantastic time share property which had a vineyard on site, amongst many other amenities, and just sunk into it all.  This was Bill's last week as a wine distributor and we capitalized on his connections and got lots of free tastings and discounts.  Everyone in Napa was so nice to us, and we ate so much decadent and delicious food.   It was such a different trip for me, because I had no agenda, we just did what we felt like doing.

While many people covet my 5 minute drive to the beach, there is something about a cabin in the woods that strikes my fancy much more.  We all find beauty in different part's of God's creative hands, and these pictures make my heart race.  Pine trees, the changing of the seasons, warm mugs full to the brim with steam coming off and coziness abounding.  Man oh man...  Now I just have to figure out how to work from home and make plenty of money so I can live in a little cabin in the middle of nowhere with my handsome husband... Any suggestions?  

For those of you lucky enough to live somewhere where it is crisp and breezy, the leaves are changing colors and you actually need scarves and boots...I am jealous of you. I love the fall.  This is the season I miss the most.  While it gets cool in the evenings here in sunny Southern California, I could do without this 80 degree weather during the days! I envy those enjoying this season in all its glory.  I still participate in all things fall, but it just is not the same...

I mean I seriously feel like it happened fast.  I didn't share ANY of my summer adventures and I feel like I want to play a little catch up.  I had such a lovely time this summer just being present with people and spending time outside in the sunshine.  Life moved so rapidly, that I had to take a moment to look back at the pictures on my phone and remember how lovely it has been the past couple of months.  Birthdays, babies, friendship, family and outdoor concerts are what I treausured most this summer.  Here is to a fall equally full of lasting memories :)

Family. My most recent trip to Baltimore reminded me how blessed I am to have the family that I call mine.  I had the privilege to be in my little brother's wedding and stand next to a couple who's love for each other is incredibly sweet and just continues to surprise me.  I have always been proud to be his sister and her friend, but this week was proof that our family is better for adding Nikki. The entire week felt like a blur.  So many incredible memories were made and I am thrilled to have been there for as long as I was.  I also got to spend time with my bestie, who is having a baby in the spring, and to say I am incredibly grateful for that time is an understatement.  She is family to me.  Gosh, life seems to be flying by.   The day of the wedding was not the most beautiful day by a weatherman's standards, but the wedding itself was magical and incredibly memorable.  As the rain fell on the guests, and Stephen held an umbrella over himself and hi

I am COMPLETELY ripping off this blog today:  Yummy Mummy Kitchen  - even the picture above came from there.  I took a picture of this soup when we made it, but it just didn't do it justice.  However, it was just too delicious to not share it anyway and give someone else complete and total credit! So here is the recipe, taken straight from Yummy Mummy Kitchen , that I found through Pinterest!  Oh man, did it put me in a cozy fall mood :) Curried Pumpkin Lentil Soup Serves 6 Ingredients: 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil  1 small onion, chopped 1 small apple, chopped 48 ounces vegetable broth 2 (15 ounce) cans pure pumpkin 2 teaspoons mild curry powder (can add more to taste) 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1 1/2 cups dried red lentils (green lentils are okay too if that's what you have on hand!)  1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk 1 tablespoon honey (or agave or maple syrup)  Fresh cilantro or slic

On the heels of my previously serious post, I want you all to know I am living by this motto frequently lately.  I am joyful.  God has always given me joy, which is why so many people do not know about my fear.  Lately, including a few days ago when I posted of my fear, I have felt increasingly relaxed and ready to conquer it all.  God is so good, ya know?  I mean really... Wow.  You may not understand how he has anything to do with me conquering my fears, but it is his word and the hope of a life spent honoring him and eventually at his side that gets me through each day.  I am safe in His arms.

There are days where I feel overwhelmed and exhausted and for no reason.  I just feel like I cannot handle anything else, including what is already on my ever filling plate.  Lately, I have been getting overwhelmed in odd moments.  A small item added to my pile throws me into a state of chaos.  I wish I could say I have it under control, but the truth is that it is a daily battle.  In the moments of extreme panic I have to decide to allow God to be in control.  Ultimately, it is a fear of a lack of control.  Fear of losing what I hold tightest to in this world.  It sounds extreme, but it really is something I have to constantly struggle with and  Does anyone else struggle with this?  I want you to know deeply and whole heartedly you are not alone.  Which helps me to know that I know I am not alone.  I am taking this process one day at a time and one battle at a time.  I feel like it may be something I battle for the rest of my life, though I daily pray for the relief of this overw