heat wave

This week all the rave on the news is temps foretasted to be in the hundreds by Saturday; in other words, perfect beach weather all weekend long. Lucky for me, the heat began escalating on Wednesday and reached 90 by 12pm on Thursday, so I grabbed my coffee and we made a pool day out of it to soak up my last day off. Andddd I have a feeling this is going to be our very favorite part of living in our condominium very soon. You know, besides the ice cream truck that rolls through every day and makes me feel like a little girl! (Something about that song...) From dreading polar vortexes to embracing heat waves. I'd say, we've come a pretty long way from what life used to look like not too long ago. :)

happiest 29th to G!

I love these few photos from a sweet little surprise that was perfect in my eyes because he loved it. 

G...he doesn't ask for much, simply love, and that's what I hope to shower him with every year of his life. 

Happiest birthday to my love! 

moving do's

When moving with no furniture to your name....

Do remember: that eating standing up will not last forever.
Do believe: that you're smart enough to build a table and chairs even if your brain hurts in the process.
Do trust: in your furniture choices because it will all come together, I promise.
Do laugh: at each other when frustrated; living in an empty space is something you may never experience again.
Do have patience: when you're trying to explain why you absolutely NEED ..... and the other begs to differ.
Do know: that you're in this together, and the truth is that the one who dwells with you is your home.

Everything else simply adds to the good stuff.

Driving this huge truck was so intimidating at first, but by the time we went to drop it off I was seriously attempting to convince G that our next car must be a SUV! lol

Selfie break! 

I guess I was too tired to even think about taking pictures of us building the table and chairs, but we love the finished product! And breakfast the next morning was extra special.

Oh and...come on over peeps! We now have a place for you to sit AND eat. #stayfancy :)

a day trip to OC

A note about this adorable shirt that is my fav- found on sale at Jcrew. XL. Got it anyway! Hey!

A couple days ago g and I decided we needed a break from all the moving, furniture shopping, and craigslist hunting that had been going on all week. Sometimes you just need a getaway with your boo, for reallll! So g cut his class and we got in our car and drove up to Tia Ro's house in Orange County! Originally I wanted to stop by a popular donut place by her for the way home, but we ended up chatting away with my aunts all day and collecting succulents from her neighbors front yards, among other things. Shhhh! 

I'd say the day ended great. We had plants in our hands and love in our hearts after a tough drive there, So thankful for little getaways...

on the hills

Exactly one year ago today, we were having dinner on Huntington Beach with Tia Ro and Joe to celebrate G's birthday. That was the last day of our trip to Cali. A trip that would help us determine if it could be our next destination. Our new address. We were excited more than anything because the school we checked out for G was pretty amazing, and we would be living close to family for the first time in years. But in the months thereafter, the plans began to change - God had something a little different in store.

Instead of being in the LA area, we'd be moving closer to San Diego. A place we both had never considered living before, much like Chicago. G began looking  into Westminster's program for Theology, and for him it was the best program he found out of dozens of schools he looked into around the globe. The places we seriously considered before deciding on SD ranged from South Africa to Germany as well as several states in the U.S. But somehow, the Lord guided G into finding a school is Escondido, California about 6 months before I was graduating. Last minute happenings have been a constant theme for us thus far!

From considering Southern California last March, to living here and (brace yourselves!!!) *moving* into our new apartment, I'd say a whole lot can certainly change in one year! Who would've thought that of all days, our move-in falls on G's birthday! Tomorrow! What a gift Lord. I'm so thankful and giddy and cannot wait to make it ours with lots of pretty things....

From a home in the city to a home on the hills.

sand + salt

If there's one thing I love, it's a warm day off with G by the sea. This week we had one of those days, and we ended up going back to the very same place we keep falling in love with every time we visit - Carlsbad Cliffs. It was high tide and the moon was full. The air, warm. And the breeze, steady. Waves were crashing against the rocks, and surfers were riding the moving sea. Lessons already made our list of to-do's, but on that day it was all about soaking it all in.

this month: march

FEELING : happy about having Fabz & Merc *hopefully* visit us next week!
LEARNING : to ignore emails that tell me I need that new dress as I enter  month two sem shopping.

PRACTICING : self-control, obviously!! ^^^^^

MASTERING : work out videos on YouTube that feel so much better than paying for a gym membership. 

EATING : birthday treats for and with my someone special.

PLAYING : our new mixed CD's in the car that remind me of the mixed tapes days.

FINISHING : the search for our lost mail with every new text that says, "It came back...."

READING : papers because who likes to proof read their own work right after finishing it anyways?

WATCHING : shows that are nothing but guilty pleasures I am too embarrassed to list here. But seriously, Chris.

WEARING : dresses as the forecast so far reads in the 70's. 

WORKING : on shifting my mind to mid-week = weekend, if that makes sense. 
WALKING : for hours thanks to work, I love you. 

TRAVELING : means mini road trips, and we'll be venturing to LA soon.

DESIRING : to finally call the place we've been waiting to move into, home. 

CELEBRATING : G's birthday with more than a few surprises along the way!