Our little friend from Germany.

Our long time friend Crystal {in the middle}, was visiting from Germany, so Josy, Jessica, Blanca, some of the babies and I got to meet up with her at Starbucks. It's ALWAYS good to visit with friends and pick up where we last left off, like no time had passed at all. Those are the friendships that you KNOW are meant to last. I LOVE these girls, and I'm always grateful for the time we have together.

XOXO

I JUST read this in my GLAMOUR magazine two days ago on the airplane. I LOVE it. It's fitting since in December this year I will be turning the big 3o. S C A R Y, not really but kinda. And since I also came across this today on Pinterest {i'm soo OBSESSED!}I wanted to post it on my BLOG as well. So here we go...

By 30, you should have ...

1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come.

2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.

3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.

4. A purse, a suitcase, and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.

5. A youth you’re content to move beyond.

6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age.

7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age -- and some money set aside to help fund it.

8. An email address, a voice mailbox, and a bank account -- all of which nobody has access to but you.

9. A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded.

10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.

11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra.

12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.

13. The belief that you deserve it.

14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine, and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don’t get better after 30.

15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship, and all those other facets of life that do get better.

By 30, you should know ...

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.

2. How you feel about having kids.

3. How to quit a job, break up with a man, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.

4. When to try harder and when to walk away.

5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.

6. The names of the secretary of state, your great-grandmothers, and the best tailor in town.

7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.

8. Where to go -- be it your best friend’s kitchen table or a yoga mat -- when your soul needs soothing.

9. That you can’t change the length of your legs, the width of your hips, or the nature of your parents.

10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.

11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.

12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs, or not flossing for very long.

13. Who you can trust, who you can’t, and why you shouldn’t take it personally.

14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.

15. Why they say life begins at 30

What's on your personal list of things to have and know -- and possibly do -- before turning 30?

4Th Grade trip to Sacramento

Tuesday morning, bright and EARLY, 3:30am to be exact, Kailee and I woke up to get ready for her 4Th grade trip to Sacramento. At 4:30am we arrived at the airport to meet the rest of Kailee's class. At 9:00am we were already at our first stop, the amazing State Capital Building. It was beautiful. So full of history, and wonderful architecture. We also got to visit sutter's fort, the Sacramento River, Old town Sacramento, Old Town Sacramento Railroad Museum. We did Gold panning, made necklaces with trading beads, the kids went swimming, we shared hotel rooms with other mom's and daughter's and got to know a lot of the other parents. I REALLY enjoyed the two full days I got to spend with Kailee. I'm so thankful to have been able to take such a great trip with Kailee and make memories that we will both remember for a lifetime. Here are some of the millions of picture's that I snapped over those two days...

AND of course a Starbucks run, because NO trip would be complete without one!!! 

Happy 11th Anniversary to US!

Happy 11th Anniversary to my LOVE, Jason! We have been so blessed to have each other, and to have three amazing kiddos. Life is so much better when you're with the one you LOVE and would go through anything with, and come out stronger together than ever before, I'm so thankful to have THAT with the man I LOVE. Happy Anniversary babe! ♥

There's that ache...

I've been MIA in the blogging world for quite some time. Sometimes I'll be sitting in the quiet, and I get this ache in me to write, to express, to get the words flowing out of my soul onto my computer screen. For me writing has always been so therapeutic. I think it helps me in life, to heal, to express myself, to be who I am, to grow as a women, as a wife, as a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend, and as a daughter of god. It's a blessing to be able to write, to open yourself up so feely. When I'm not taking advantage of my writing, it makes me feel like I'm missing something. I've felt that way a lot lately.

So here I am today, the perfect, relaxing Sunday, snuggled up on my couch with a blanket, rain in the background; I hear hitting the pavement, Jackson sitting at my feet playing with his favorite toys, hubby napping a few feet away, and the girls on their weekly Sunday afternoon getaway to grandmas, and there it is; that ache in me to write freely and openly but today I WON'T ignore it. Because today I am in a MUCH, MUCH better place to do so.

Life is such a blessing. Even when your faced with those damn unexpected bumps in the road. The bumps in the road that send you reeling into a complete and udder mess, until you catch your breath and realize your not walking this road alone, you have HIM, you have God. He would never give you anything you can't handle. Today I KNOW that. Five months ago, I wasn't soo sure. That was when God threw a wrench into what I had thought were "my" plans, and not the plans HE had for me, for my husband, for my children, for OUR family. His plan was much bigger than I one I could see. And I can stand strong on my belief in him and be thankful for my eyes that he opened, my heart that he softened, and my hardness that he broke down until he showed me that he's there with loving arms, that life is too hard to walk on your own. I'm thankful he brought our family back to him, where we need to be, where we feel at home.

Today I am thankful for a God that forgives, and has shown me to do the same. To look at people through HIS eyes. I am thankful for my husband, for opening himself up to God, to me, to our family and to our friends, with his struggles. Jason has come far, he continues to fight, to show our family his strength even in his weakness. Today I know with peace in my mind and a heavy heart that we are a STRONG family, who God has built up in a time of dispare. And my heart is overwhelmed.

LET YOUR HOPE MAKE YOU GLAD, BE PATIENT IN TIME OF TROUBLE AND NEVER STOP PRAYING

-ROMANS 12:12