Finally

I found a type of exercise that I enjoy. That $$ I put down for 15 visits to the pool is also another great motivator to get out and do something active! (I get a thrill seeing the man punch my swim card each time I go. Clunck. Has been to pool. Has exercised this week. Yes!) Gotta do something about all those calories I consumed during the holidays with the fam. Hello, swim center....

How to cure a crappy day...

Buffy Seasons 3 and 6 in the mail from Amazon....check.

In Style' February issue PLUS TV Guide with Jack Bauer on the cover, also in the mail.......double check.

Having nothing to do tonight other than watch the Heroes that I taped last night while I was swimming (triple check to exercising!) and play with some paper, paint and playing cards (thanks E!)
Plus, I watched my favorite episode of Firefly today on my lunch break....I've been journaling like crazy lately and that always make me feel better....Getting super excited to take some more pictures. The ones on this post are the first that I've taken since the beginning of December!

And most of all, my boss was able to recover our entire mailing list which decided to corrupt itself and send me into panic mode. It's now backed-up 3 times. Thank you, M!

Ahhhh......

Yummy

Got this yummy book yesterday. Love Ali's stuff. Her blog is so fun and inspiring. She inspired me to do this, which I still have on my computer staring at me everyday.
Decided that I want to create more this year. In so many different forms: yarn (knitting and crocheting), paper (cards and scrap), writing (journaling. I am really, really loving it again. Been reading back over past stuff. ), photography (film, digital and Photoshop) and painting. Want to step out of my comfort zone and do something new.

I couldn't sit still because...

the room was so full of ghosts from the past. So much that I was almost in tears because of all the memories.

That's how I felt when I went home for Christmas and went to my old church that I practically grew up in. My parents still go there. I spent so much of my growing up there. Childhood, middle school and the horrible high school years. I got saved in a little room in the basement during Sunday School in 4's and 5's class. I rolled down "the hill" in my Sunday dress. I ran around the circle painted on the parking lot. I played hide and seek with all the lights out. I had lock-in's and Bible studies and lead praise and worship. I taught Awana's, played with kids, made life long friends, found mentors, just basically learned who I was and who God within the walls of that community. It's as much of my growing up and a part of who I am as my family.

I was sitting in the pew singing a hymn on Christmas Eve. My brother was standing right next to me. We were sitting on the same pews that we had sat on for years and years. And as I sat there, I suddenly was overwhelmed with the 1,000's of memories that I have from that place. SO MUCH has changed. When I go back now, many of the familiar faces are gone and have moved on. But in that moment, in that breath, it all came alive again. Everything melted away and I was seeing things like they were then. My youth group friends were all around me. We were laughing and talking about school and friends and life. My youth pastor (who was an amazing influence in my life) was looking at us laughing and cracking jokes. A million tiny, memories that I've forgotten were suddenly so tangible that I could reach out and feel them all over again. I had to choke back the tears.

At the end of the service that night, I was standing talking to a group of my old youth group friends. We were standing, much like we used to, in a circle discussing life and work and everything else that came up. I looked over and the new kids (the current youth group kids) were doing the same thing in their own circle. I laughed and said to my little group, "look at that! It's just like us 10 years ago." It's kinda comforting to know that the tradition lives on.

Dear goodness, I miss those days.

Dancin' the night away....

My house was full of people, music, laughter and lots of dancing last night. What better way to ring in the new year than to be with friends. Not that any of us were very good at it, except for the bro. He was the master last night. Smokin' on the dance floor. I thought our ancient floor would give way last night in the cottage from all of the foot stompin'. Watched "The Ball" drop on TV and was thankful I was warm in my house and not on the streets of NYC. Crazy fun time. If you have never tried DDR, it's a must for your New Year's list of things to do.

Found

Hidden in my stack of California pictures. Dog beach from our San Diego stop.

Currently enjoying...

these...

Regina Spektor's Begin to Hope LISTEN HERE

Battlestar Galactica Season 2 soundtrack LISTEN HERE (I LOVE a good instrumental soundtrack and this one is surprisingly amazing!)

Curious George soundtrack LISTEN HERE (my sweet roommate got me this for Christmas. It reminds me of driving down Alaska's highways through the wilderness with Steph and her two little ones asleep in the back seat. Love that!)

Wicked Original Broadway Cast soundtrack LISTEN HERE (can't get enough of it!)

I'm terrible at finding new music. Each of these, except for Wicked which I discovered for myself about 3 years ago, was recommended or introduced to me by a friend. Wanted to share the love.

Holiday tradition

Last year it was 24. This year it's Heroes.

I've been wanting to watch this show since I saw the first one on my vacation in California. However, it just didn't fit into my schedule, and I was begged not to jump in after missing so many episodes because it would "ruin everything!" So I waited.
Thankfully, NBC takes pity on those of us who miss it on network TV. I watched all the past episodes on their website. The wait was worth it. LOVED IT! Go and check it out for yourself. My favorite characters are Hiro and Peter Petrelli (loved that actor as Jess on Gilmore Girls). Love me some good, new sci fi!

While I'm at home...

with the family, I'm using their computer. The one with all our pictures from the trip to the west coast in September. Since I haven't taken any pictures today, thought I'd post some of these. I realized that I still haven't finished posting about that trip. Shame on me. It was so amazing. One of the best I've ever taken. Here they are....oh, and these were all taken by my mom, so I can't take any credit for how good they turned out. Enjoy!

Getting back on the boat in Astoria, Oregon. Nerds? You betcha.

Our tour trolley took us across the Golden Gate and let us get off to take pictures before doing the rest of the city.

Cannon Beach, Oregon. We rented a car when we did the stop at Astoria and drove here. It's SO BEAUTIFUL here. The cutest little sea town. The weather was perfect.

On the tour trolley. Hello, Golden Gate Bridge! It was amazing. So much more beautiful than I expected.

Oh, yeah! I forgot about this shot! At the end of the day, we had about an hour left in San Fran before we had to be back on the boat. We decided to take a street trolley to Lombard Street. I HAD (one thing I've always wanted to do) to ride on the outside hanging on to the poles. SO NEAT. This was one of my favorite memories of this city.

The Roosevelt Hotel across from Grauman's Chinese Theater. I LOVED this wall paper. Not really this picture though. Yuk!

As many of you know, I've spent many an hour in the "Mystery Machine" at camp. Got to see the real one from the movies when we did the Warner Brothers tour. It's much smaller than the camp one!

Totally cool shot. Me at "County General Hospital" from ER. I've been an ER fan for years and years, so this was super fun. Recognize this entry way where the doctors go in a out as well as the ambulances?!

The "front door" of the ER. The doctors come in and out of this door all the time on the show. There is a rain machine way up by the roof of the building to change the weather.

On the cruise boat leaving Vancouver.

The tar pits in LA. Smelled absolutely horrible.

Veronica Mars Studio. They were filming that day too. Too cool!

Catalina Island off the coast of LA. I went kayaking with Mom, Dad and Timmy went diving. This picture makes me laugh cause we look like major tourists. Look at those expressions...

Kodak Theater, where the Oscars take place every year.

Happy Christmas!

I decided to make my own Christmas cards this year. Most of them have been mailed out and to those I may have forgotten, or you haven't gotten them yet, here's sneak peek. I didn't feel like sending out 6 pictures of me, so I decided to use shots of a couple of the places I have been this year. What a crazy year it has been! Reading back over my blog entries and my handwritten journal is such a lesson in God's provision. There are so many things that He has accomplished in my life, and so many things that I know He still would love to do if I would just get out of the way and let Him. I've been blessed greatly and grown. Still so much left to learn. That's what makes life exciting, right?! Who know what the next year may bring.....

I'm be home with my family for Christmas (except my preggo sis and her hubby. sniff, sniff.) and will post when I can. I hope that you all have a wonderful holiday, eat lots of cookies, enjoy your time with loved ones, and bask in the miracle of the God in heaven who came to earth. That thought has been giving me chills lately!

These are a few of my favor-ite thi-ngsss....

This post brought to you by my wireless internet. Love it...Mmmmmm...
A new headband from South Moon Under. If I only had the $$ to buy what I really want in that store. Everything!

Nothing better than a pile of new books to read. Thanks, J for the fun present!
I posted about this before. It sits on top of my computer and I look at it a million times a day. It still makes me smile each time.

I just have to have all of my favorite pictures near me. This fun mix hangs above my bed.

A new shirt from Forever 21.
Big Ben keychain I got from Harrod's in London. I LOVE this thing.

I made these CD's as a Christmas gift. Used this amazing wrapping paper that I LOVE as the cover.
My grandma sent me a yummy warm Christmas quilt. Thanks so much, G-ma!

What things make you smile right now?

Happy Birthday,

to you, little brother....

I heart NYC ***updated

More to come....

wickedly speechless

Yes, I was. I still don't really have the proper words to articulate how amazing this musical is. I sat with a huge, goofy smile plastered on my face for most of the performance.

Want a little taste?
You can listen here.
Or see pictures here.
And if you can go see it, DO IT!


[View Guestbook][Sign Guestbook]

gave it a good ol' try

So, you've all heard of scrapbooking, right? Yeah, me too. Never been into it. I always thought it was silly cause there was no way that I would ever be able to scrap the bazillion pictures I take. Then I found a whole other world of scrapping that I had never known about. (thank you Elsie, Tara and Ali!!!)I'm still not 100%, but it's definately is fun to play around with.
This is my first try at 100% digital. Paper, ribbon, stickers, journaling, photo. Everything is done on the computer. Want to try? This is where I got all the supplies FOR FREE! Pretty cool. I love Creating Keepsakes magazine. It usually makes it's way with me up to the check out counter at Barnes and Noble once a month or so.
[View Guestbook][Sign Guestbook]

picture fun

playing with Photoshop last night. love these.
[View Guestbook][Sign Guestbook]

Links to amazing stories

As I go through my day, I usually think of at least 10 different things I could blog about. Problem is I usually forget by the time I get home and have time. So today, I decided that I would do it now while I'm thinking about it.
As you all know, I am a BIG advocate of adoption, especially China adoptions. My blogroll is full of blogs from families that have adopted or are getting ready to do so. I love, love, love following along and seeing their little ones grow and blossom. Several of the families that I have been following for over a year now have decided to adopt again. It was so exciting to open their site for the day and read the fun news. So I wanted to share their fun stories with you. Each of these sights are public sights and I found almost all of them on a site (www.chineseadoptionstories.homestead.com) which is in my "Links" section on the right.
So, if you are looking for a good read, forget the book and click on one of the links below. You won't be disappointed.

http://www.twotwinterrors.blogspot.com These are Emma and Esther's stories. Their oldest sister is the one who writes the blog. On the right side, they have a link for their individual stories plus their "movies." I LOVE this site. They are in the process of adopting a boy. Their 7th (!!!) kid! Be sure to click on Esther's blog to read her fun story. She just came home this summer.

www.waitingforsophie.blogspot.com Sophie was adopted from China a year ago. Right now, the family is in Guatemala adopting 2 more. Her new little sister's site http://princessisabella.blogspot.com/ is full of fun news. They are waiting for their little boy now.

www.always-in-myheart.blogspot.com today's post was a tear jerker. This family has adopted 4 little ones from China. And wait until you hear the story for their 5th. I just love the quote under "about me." Their videos are under the link "our family website." So neat! If you don't have time to read everything, watch the videos!

http://www.jazzieandtahlia.typepad.com/ 2 little cuties. Both from China. The pictures of these girls are priceless. Be sure to watch the videos under the Videos links. I've watched them several times.

www.familyalwaysandforever.blogspot.com The first site I found. Start HERE. Miyah's story grabbed me from the first picture. They are in the process of adopting their second.

And if you are touched by the stories and want to get involved, head on over to Shaohannah's Hope. It's an amazing organization that gives grants to Christian families who need funds. You can donate $$, pray for specific kids, or buy a Christmas ornament which all the proceeds go towards adoption grants. Plus, it has great info if you are wanting to adopt but don't know where to start. I've LOVED being a part of this ministry.

Enjoy reading!

Been thinking

and working lots lately. Our staff was on a staff retreat for the last 3 days.

Been thinking about lots of stuff: friends.... it's December and the year 2006 is about over (does anyone else think that this year went by quicker that normal?!).....enjoying the Scrubs premiere last night (this clip from the upcoming musical is hilarious!)....contemplating spending an enormous amount of cash on a new camera....thinking about where my life is going.....thinking about the things I see in myself that I need to change....being more confident in who I am as I get older(which is huge for this introvert)....realizing how much my life has changed in the last 2 years....feeling guilty for things that I fail to do. I guess it's just one of those days/weeks when I feel more caught up in my own head than I do in the world around me. Always good to re-evaluate and take inventory. I don't ever want to be at a point where I think "I am there. No change needed."
Also feeling the need to create something. Just don't know what it is yet. It's exciting to anticipate what it may be though.

[View Guestbook][Sign Guestbook]