My Christmas Wishlist '11

Welp I've been compiling a list of things I want for Christmas this year in my iPhone and decided it's time to put it all down on "paper". Since I just started blogging I thought, "why not make a post about it!?" just because I can. I love blogging!

So here it is, the wishlist for this year.

Dear Santa,

a. Unconditional Love perfume.. I can smell it when I think of it and it's my favorite Philosophy scent!

b. Black Boots from Target.. I decided on the cowboy style, thanks to those who helped me choose

c. Eddie Bauer Aah-Some Fleece.. I'm in love. I lost my North Face fleece 2 years ago and I love this to replace it!

d. Winter White Infinity Scarf .. loving it!

e. Hummingbird Feeder .. for outside our kitchen window. I sound so olddd!

f. Black Puffy Vest ... !!!!!!!!

g. Dance Central .. for our Kinect, so I can burn some much needed calories

h. Pretty Off White Blouse .. I love the flowy style that's in right now

 i. Rust Colored Cardigan .. not to brag, but I look great in this color!

j. Cozy Slippers.. my feet get so freezing up here

Well, I could always come up with more. Not that I need any of this! Stay tuned for my Christmas decor; I'll post it this week.

Through the midst of choosing gifts for my family (some homemade, can't wait to share) and choosing gifts I would like to receive, I try to keep focused on the fact that this month and holiday are a celebration for our Savior. Without His birth, we would all be a big hot mess. I am thankful for His daily grace and forgiveness in my life.

Our Thanksgiving Weekend!

We drove to Arizona to visit my grandparents for Thanksgiving this year. During the winters, they live in an "RV and Golf Resort" with around 800 other people their age. I miss them a lot but they have lots of amazing friends down there! Now that we are in California, it was only a three and a half hour drive to see them! We are already planning on going back again. I didn't get the traditional Turkey pic, sowwie. But, here are a few photos documenting our weekend.

I had to snap this picture of my grandpa's trophy for the week. All the men golf together and each week the worst player takes this home! Haha!

Since I miss my pup so much, I was happy to be around Alex (or Big Al as I like to call him). He is the sweetest old dog, and we played a lot of fetch together!

Generally we make turkey sandwiches the day after Thanksgiving. I like mine on sourdough bread with nothing but dark meat and lots of cranberry sauce. MMM. This year we decided to make turkey soup, and I asked for dumplings. I just love soup with dumplings. My grandma made the whole thing up without a recipe and it was soooo yummy!

Mexican Train. I WON!!

 Here are Mana and Papa with the kitties. Mana has Norman and Papa has Hadley. We were nervous to bring them, but they did.so.well. in the car and while we were staying there! They're traveling kitties!

They're in love. [It's okay, they're not siblings.]

Lastly, I had a really great hair day today. I had to document. [Don't mind the fact its in a messy bun now. Story of my life.]

Things I didn't photo document: my grandparents' hilarious friend Bob [one of those old men that if they were younger would be creepy but since he's old he is super funny]; going to Mexico for the morning; my grandparents devil kitty growling at Hadley and Norman; the beautiful drive through the California/Arizona desert [Zach has never seen desert before - he said he felt like he was in a Western movie!]

Well that was my long weekend, I hope yours was just as wonderful! I'd love to hear about it.

I Made Stuff

Both of these projects are long overdue. I started them in September aka pre move; and didn't make sense to bring out all my packed craft stuff until we got here. So, I know I'm a little late for all the fall decor, but here is what I made this weekend!

Felt Rosette Magnets
These are SO easy to make. I would probably do a terrible job of explaining, so instead I'll let Mrs. Priss do the talking. All I did was glue them onto magnets I purchased at Michaels and now my fridge is adorable! I used a little bigger squares than she did, so my flowers are ginormous. Note to self: less is more.

Fall Yarn Wreath
This I also started in Seattle where our walls were tan. If I could do it over, I'd pick tan yarn this time so it stands out more. (I envisioned the contrast between the cream yarn and tan walls..) My dad actually helped me wrap this wreath, since it takes about 3 hours to do. He couldn't bear to watch me slowly wrap one more time around, so he took the yarn, I held the wreath, and he completed it lickety-split. How very manly, Dad. Anywho, I just wrapped the wreath in yarn, glued some sparkly  leaves and berries (I'm infatuated with glitter), and some felt rosettes, and voila! It's fall time in here :)

Yes, I am still getting giddy over the sun shining. I love California :)

 I'd love to see pictures if you decide to try some rosettes or a yarn wreath!

I Need Your Opinion!

Happy Sunday to you all, I hope you had a fabulous weekend! I spent mine with my little sister who turned 21 yesterday. Happy birthday, Cara!

Today I was working on my Christmas list, because a few family members have asked about it. I've wanted some black boots for awhile now; I used to have one slouchy pair and one pair with buckles, and I walked holes through both of them. I think I've practically earned a new pair!

Anyways, here's where you come in. I found these three on Target.com and I like all three styles. I might look around at other stores but these are the general styles I am debating about. What do you think?

a is basically a combination of the pairs I used to have, slouchy and a buckle. I feel like I could wear these with jeans and a hoodie, or with a dress and leggings.

b is kind of a fantasy. I've always wanted cowboy boots and have never had them. I know these aren't real cowboy boots, but they are super dee duper cute.

c I have these in cognac and love them; I think they are classy. I love that I can wear them with everyyyything. The only downside is that they are tall - like almost to my knee.

So, what's your vote?! Help me decide! As you can see, I've already evaluated all of them and I still can't decide.

Thanks for your help! :)

Linky Friday: I Believe and Fill In The Blank

Linking up with Hollie for: I Believe

{*} That we need to be more aware of the people who sacrifice so much of their lives for our country! Happy Veterans Day to active military, military vets, and to their families who also give so much!

{*} That simplifying your life is exhilarating.

{*} In the power of certain books. Love & Respect has honestly changed our relationship and given us a huge amount of wisdom to start our marriage with.

{*} In giving hugs.

{*} That what you say you will do, should be done. Whether its "I'll call you!" or "I'll pray for you," do it. [Sorry Elise, I owe you a phone call.]

And my first time linking with the little things we do for Fill in The Blank

1.   My favorite new blog of the moment is     my unrehearsed life   .

2.   Something I am thankful for is   not to be alone on this adventure; I am so thankful to have my husband with me      .

3.  Something that made me laugh this week was    whenever I am really tired I get punchy, and when I said something the other night Zach looked at me with a blank stare and said "are you drunk??"    .

4. An item that is currently on my wish list is    a hummingbird feeder   .

5.  I am excited about   seeing my sister tomorrow for her birthday [the big 21!] .

6.  If I were a color I would be     purple. 'nuff said .

7.  My favorite way to spend a chilly fall day is by    having a fire, a blanket, and a couch  .

Thanks for reading, y'all!

The Big Move

Where to start... Well. First things first, we're here. I am thankful we made it, although the drive from Seattle to San Diego was long, emotional, stressful, and tiring. We're here. When we arrived, it was pouring rain. Lunch was being served a half hour after we arrived so we got to meet a few of the staff that was working. Since it was Sunday, most people had the day off for church.

We didn't unload the moving truck that day (because of the massive amount of rain) which made me a little uneasy; I wanted a home. As soon as we drove away from Seattle, I felt homesick. Moving is familiar to me, but to be transparent, as soon as we got to my grandpa's house the first night, I broke down crying and told Zach "I just want to go home." I don't know what it is with me lately about having this "home" I keep talking about. I just want to feel settled, permanence, comfort, and not so many things up in the air.

Monday morning we woke up to BEAUTIFUL blue skies and not a cloud in sight. Already I felt refreshed. Two guys that work here helped us unload the truck, and it only took about an hour. I was beyond thankful for their help.

from our front porch

Every single person we've met at the camp has been so incredibly welcoming. The first morning, I went into the dining hall to get some coffee, and a girl named Jodi approached me, told me how she'd been waiting to meet me since she heard we got hired, and mentioned that she knew it must have been hard to leave our friends and family in Seattle. Already I knew I would like her, because immediately she showed compassion. Then, she came out from behind her counter, and with a smile on her face told me, "I just want you to know how glad I am that you're here. I can't wait for our friendship to develop, so we can look back and say 'Remember the first time we met?'" and gave me a big hug. Tears welled up in my eyes. She will never understand how much that meant to me, to be welcomed with a hug and such intentional words. If you ever read this Jodi, thank you.

Before leaving Seattle, I told Zach I was going to be intentional about my attitude. I am pretty good at always putting on a happy face, especially around new people.  I am making a conscious effort to be real, not just happy. I want my smiles to come from joy, not from what I feel like people want to see.

Speaking of being intentional, I now live an hour from any sort of grocery store, and an hour and a half from big stores (Target, Michaels, Costco, etc). And half of the hour is a 7 mile road with 12 switchback turns, at a 7% grade incline. Yup, we live on the top of a mountain. In San Diego County. Makes for incredible views. But, it means that unless I want to burn up a ton of gas and time, I better get real organized, real fast. So far I have been keeping a list of things we need from town; and I will have to be really good about meal planning too. So much for the late night runs for ice cream, or more importantly, a forgotten ingredient for dinner. I have a feeling we will be learning how to be innovative with our food, space, and free time.

We've majorly downsized in our home. Which is great. I absolutely love our new space, just is taking a lot of creativity to find a spot for everything. But who doesn't love a good challenge :) I am so excited to share pictures of our new house just as soon as everything's put away. Those that know me, know I am not very tidy. But trust me, I will be now! There is no room for untidiness and I am honestly excited about keeping a clean and clutter free home; I think it will be refreshing.

Here's who has been roaming around our house since we arrived, he is just one of about thirty we've seen!

Did I mention that the property is actually in a State Park?

So here's to simplicity, fresh relationships, becoming tidy, pulling together my emotions, and being content that I have a place to rest my head, and a husband to hold me through it all.

We're here.

The Time I Gave Away my Dog and Felt Like a Total Loser

You guys. On Saturday we took Hugo to his new home. I have always looked down on people who give away their animals, and could never believe I would have to do that.

I am a complete animal lover. Well, most animals. I dont like rodents or lizards or insects *shudder* but all the other ones I like.

I consider animals to be the same as children; when you have/get them, you have them forever. Unless of course your animals get violent with real children, thats the only excuse to send them "away" if you ask me.

Well the place we are moving to does not allow dogs. Usually this would have been a deal breaker, except that I so clearly felt God call us three distinct times. So I did it. It was quite possibly the hardest thing I have ever done.

I'll miss you sleeping in with me.

I cried all the way home. I cried again before bed. I cried when I woke up the next morning. I miss you dearly, Hugo. My little buddy.

I'll miss you laying on my feet while I get ready for bed every night.

I miss your cute little face.

He taught me responsibility, and how to be accountable for another living being. I cared for him, and I loved him well. It is still surreal to me not to have him at home with us, and part of me wants to wake up and have him back with us. He has a great new mama and I have no worries for him.. I am just very, very sad for myself.