San Diego! 2021

California Dreamin'! 

 We had pushed back our trip a couple weeks, and we were excited to get on the road for a short getaway to wrap up a fast summer! 

San Diego, here we come!

We  stayed at the bay, which was downtown and a great location. Next time we will def stay beachfront! La Jolla was our fave beach out of the 3 we visited. 

We got this cool tent/crib thing for the beach and for sleeping for Lulu. Lulu climbs out of her pack n play and we needed something that would be taller and bigger. She did not escape from here! She was not impressed initially either but overall it was a good purchase!  

Meeting our sweet friends at Mission was a highlight!

So night 1- Lulu had a hard time. As in awful. So bright and early Matt & Hannah whisked her away.

COFFEE

This view was from the insanely high Coronado Bridge! Guys. So. High. Matt overcame that fear for us. So thankful. 

The glittery sand though! 

Now she sleeps 

Ready for Ice Cream!

One of our fave parts of Embassy Suites is the Breakfast and Happy Hour. Happy Hour was more portioned controlled than normal, but so thankful it was able to operate!

Beach 3. Our last day was the best. Isn't that always how it goes?  We finally got Lulu in her groove. This  season of life is not as relaxing as I was envisioning ;) Yet the memories made and the fam fun was so worth it! 

Andddd this location was amazing. All the sunburnt smiles. 

Baby Pool inside the tent. GENIUS.

Love you kiddos!

Love you babe!

Taco Tuesday San Diego Edition

And then we drive home 7-21. 

All going well. 

The we ran over what seemed to be a cord or tie strap. 

It was bigger than what it looked. 

It got all messed up in the wheel well and our back tire  started hissing. 

Thankfully we were approaching an exit that seemed somewhat populated- there were farms and a hospital at least! But there were also bees. Swarms of them. We parked like a sitting duck ready for them to ambush. Panic was creeping but we all somehow remained calm. 

And we have On Star. We literally were JUST going over our budget and thinking about the random monthly things we pay.  On Star being one of them! 

But you're saved, On Star. You did your job and we are committed now . 

One little click of a button.

 We had our sweet operator from North Carolina online with us the whole hour we were stopped. She got 911 involved. The officer wasn't able to change a tire, and much to Matt & I's dismay we both don't know how to change a tire! Or even find the spare on our new truck! 

The things you learn in a crisis. 

But the tow company came, and changed our tire.

We like to think we had bee angels fanning our car. NOT ONE CAME IN. You guys, that is a for real miracle. The back door was open for like 20 minutes! We got in and out a few times too! 

But NOT A SINGLE BEE. 

We wanted to replace that tire ASAP so we weren't driving 3 hours without a spare. 

Matt found the exact tire... 5 miles away... in the direction of home... also in a populated area 

( Can you tell I have a fear of being in a rural setting for too long lol)

Discount Tire was next to Chuck E Cheese. 

A literal heaven hug . 

And all the crazy happy faces for being back on the road! Let the naps begin!

We had 1 Mission and that was to get home before 8pm or else the birthday girl's morning wakeup balloons would be effected!

We made it. Thank you, Lord! 

And awaiting the kid's return were 4 Huggies drinks from my sweet MIL, aka bunny feeder extraordinaire! 

Ready for Hannah to turn 11!! 

Joy through the Journey July 2021 Part 3

Happy Monday! Although many if not all the pictures from the past few days look all smiley and cute, this weekend was filled with heaviness as the finality of death was re-emphasized. For the week + Michael was in the hospital with 0 brain activity there was always a hope. Then when they did his organ donation surgery we were thankful that 7 people were blessed because of his death yet it was still heavy. Very surreal and we are not even close family. Guys can you literally even fathom !? And then the memorial service. It was hard. But good. So much beauty from ashes. The song Graves into Gardens by Brandon Lake is a good one- especially during this time. 

You turn mourning to dancing
You give beauty for ashes
You turn shame into glory
You're the only one who can (Come on)
You turn mourning to dancing
You give beauty for ashes
You turn shame into glory (Tell 'em now)
You're the only one who can (Let's turn the graves)

You turn graves into gardens
You turn bones into armies
You turn seas into highways
You're the only one who can (He's the only Lord)
You're the only one who can

Please keep praying for the Brandt family 💔

Switching gears now to our fam's gratitude journal... Multitude Monday strikes again & on time! Hay now!

Thankful for my personal chef. His feasts are always so yummy! 

Thankful for our fab library and for so far knock on wood no overdue books! Those fees kill me and we normally are awful at returning things! But soooo far sooo good! 

Teamwork makes the heavy bag work lighter

2 Dollar Tuesday! Dollar Tree is our jam! 

And of course Taco Tuesday! 

When the visit to the kitten rescue means taking her home that same day. 

Lulu sure does love little Nani!

Thankful for humorous sympathy cards. 

Thankful for a successful interview for his 1st job! He has been dreaming of a "fun 1st job" and wanting to work at QT. The local gas station chain & he got it! ( Now as we see schedules we panic and think it's slightly crazy to be going in yet another direction but we will do our best!)

Jeep Date! 

Nani and Harrison = BFF

GO SUNS!!

With his new job comes some real life. No more beach hair! He needs " collar length and above ear length" & a BELT!? Who even wears a belt as a 16 year old . 

Thankful for our local grocery store- AJ's Fine Foods is so legit. The vibe. The selections. And when our task was funeral flowers, I knew they would create a celebratory tropical vibe that would bring life and color and smiles all around. DID NOT DISAPPOINT 👌

Still can't believe that the smiley guy pictured below is in Heaven. This was from Memorial Day weekend. 

Thankful that Matt could share in his celebration of life and share some life giving words from scripture. 

Thankful for friends that flew in. 

Emma and Hannah were born months apart and Emma's sweet momma bbsat Hannah when I went back to work. These matchy matchy pics always graced my phone and our girls finally were reunited! 

Hannah & Emma 

Gracie joins the mix

Hudson and Mason

These guys. 

Studs all around. 

Ry Zachary Andrew Harrison

Game time : great distraction.

And this pretty girl had an amazing play space to play in during the service and then got a 2nd wind and didn't nap- but those smiles and her snuggles were more than welcomed. 

Thankful for this hymn.

Totally weird tune, yet great words. Enjoy!

If Lulu shares her paci with you - you already know you are loved. Nani - you are one lucky loved on kitten.

Game 3! Go SUNS! 

Besties with their Suns makeup. 

Have a good week friends! 

Love you all !
XO