Chivalry

If anyone out there thinks Chivalry is dead, they haven't met my boyfriend. He opens every door for me, carries bags of groceries or boxes, makes me dinner and the kicker.. takes off his jacket on the Disneyland Tram and covers me with it so I don't get cold on the way to the car.


I have a big slight independent side and some of this was hard to swallow at first. I kept the " I can do it myself" attitude for a while but it is slowly going down the tube. I have to say though... I kind of like that. I like being taken care of and I feel like he shows how much he respects me by doing these not so little things.

Sometimes I feel like we become complacent in our relationships. This is simply an observation. I am by no means an expert on dating or relationships. After a long time together, doors don't get opened, bags don't get carried etc. Why do we eventually stop doing these little things for eachother? I hope Jared always opens the door for me and carries bags for me. Not because I am incapable of doing those things or because I feel like he should be superior over me but because I feel respected and taken care of.

I hope I can always show Jared respect. I hope I never stop picking up a random packs of his favorite gum, stocking my refrigerator with his favorite soda, making him dinner or rubbing his back. I hope I can always think beyond myself and do something nice for him every day. Nothing extravagent. Just simple things that remind him how appreciated he is and how thankful I am to have him in my life.

So, dear readers (all 3 of you) I challenge you to pick one person in your life and do/say something nice to them every day over the next week. That may or may not be buying gifts for someone. An extra hug, a card, a random "hey hope you're having a good day" text or voicemail will do the trick. Give it a shot. Look beyond your busy life, your bad day and your pride. It's hard but it can be done. I've already chosen my person.. how about you?

Daniel and Sarah

There are some people that come into your life that become friends. Others become more like sisters and brothers. During high school I was blessed with a group of ladies that will forever be like sisters to me. Today I watched, teary eyed, as one of those women got married.

Sarah. Sweet, funny, creative, passionate, loving, beautiful Sarah.

The day was more beautiful that anyone could have hoped. Sure it was sunny and warm but what made it truely breath-taking was the love that filled the air. Love between friends, family and most importantly, Sarah and Daniel.

With tears streaming down their faces, the bridesmaids looked on as their friend marrried her love. I personally was thankful for the cover of sunglasses so no one could see my nearly overflowing tear ducts slightly watery eyes. The vows were heartfelt, the officiant was funny and nothing was traditional. Everything about the wedding fit Dan and Sarah's style.

It was even a high school reunion of sorts. Most of the ladies from our "group" were in attendance. A couple were missing but they were there in our hearts. It was great catching up with these women. They are absolutely amazing and I am thankful they are still part of my life.

I have yet to go to a wedding where the flower girl doesn't try to steal the show. This little one decided the flamingo decorations were pretty nifty. Especially when she plucked it off of its legs. Do not fear my readers, it was a fake flamingo. NO live animals were injured during the wedding events.

I am a sucker for the Bride and Groom's first dance. Regardless of who it is, the knot forms in my throat and I have to keep myself from breaking down into joyful sobs. You can see just how much these two love eachother. It does my heart good to see Sarah so incredibly happy. Dan is a wonderful man and treats Sarah like the treasure she is.

I am so thankfulI was able to be part of this epic event. Congratulations Dan and Sarah! I love you both very much.

Wild Animal Park

A few weeks ago Brian, Katie, Peyton, Jared and I went on an adventure to the Wild Animal Park.
First stop was the petting zoo. Those animals seemed a lot bigger when I was younger. Poor Katie was just trying to get food so Peyton could feed the deer like creatures but said creatures were just too impatient and ate it right out of the machine.


We saw the Lorakeets which I clearly loved. Can't you tell?

We got a great hike in while looking for the elephants. Unfortunately my brother is a man and didn't listen to his little sister. Instead of looking at the map at the top of the hill, he waited until we were at the bottom to see if we were going in the right direction. I'm sure his very pregnant liked that part. Of course to get to the elephants we had to go up the path that everyone else was walking down. I'm pretty sure every single one of those people walking down were thinking " haha suuuckkkeeerrrs!". regardless of the hike we saw the most adorable Baby Elephant.

Of course we saw Lions and Tigers and... oh wait, wrong story. We just saw the lions.

And what place isn't fun without a small area to let your kids run loose and get soaked.

Peyton was all about seeing the giraffes, and the gorillas and.. well, you get the point.

Of course they have photo spots through out the park so brian, katie and peyton climbed behind one for their kodak moment. Peyton, being the 2yr old that she is took it quite literally when brian told her to put her head in the hole. She quickly put the top of her head in the hole. With a little direction, she finally put her face in the hole.

It was a very fun day. I leave you with a few more pictures for your viewing pleasure.




I think someone had an extra fun (and tiring) day.

Uncertainty

I hate not knowing what the future holds no matter if it is the near future or distant future. The planner in me wants to have every step of my life planned out so I know exactly what to expect. I highly dislike the uncertainty of not knowing what will happen. All to often I depend on myself to figure life out and God is the after thought. How does that order get so messed up over the years?

As a teenager you life a carefree life and figure by this age, I will do this or that for a job, live in this community and be married with this number of children. You assume you will have life figured out by the time you are 21 or so. 21 rolls around and you're still clueless. 25 comes and goes and you have more questions than answers in some areas. 29 hits you and you still don't know what the heck is going on. So at what point in your life do you figure it all out?

Never.

I'm learning it is not my job to have it all figured out. It is not my job to plan out my future and fill God in on what my expectations are. It is not my job to try and make things happen.

It is my job, however, to trust. Trust that the God of all creation does have it all figured out and He knows what He is doing.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11