Florida....and a time of Thanksgiving

It's always when you're away from your family and friends that you truly appreciate all that they bring to your life.  God has changed my life in many ways this year.  He's asked me to go out of all I know and pushed me into a new and different place.  It's been everything I knew it would be, and then about 10x more.  I'm so thankful for all that he has set in front of me.  All the friends, my church family, and the family I work for.  They were brought to me, and the transition was hard, and challenging, but also a time of joy and excitement.  I'm so excited to be here.  I get the opportunity to see and experience all these different things. 

I spent Thanksgiving in Florida with my work family.  Henry's parents own a condo in West Palm Beach Florida.  It was absolutely beautiful here, and an amazing weekend.  The ocean was incredible, and I've never been in an ocean where it was worthwhile to put on goggles.  Gigi and I swam along the beach for hours picking up shells and looking at schools of fish.  I've never had so much fun in an ocean before.  The water was so incredibly clear you could see forever.  I felt like I was in some sort of movie.  It was an amazing time.  I woke up every morning and took pictures of the beautiful sunrise.  I was amazed by the beauty every single morning.  I would sit, and pray, and just thank God for that sunrise. 

I'm thankful that I was able to come even though I was sad to miss my families traditions.  I've never had a thanksgiving like this before.  We didn't do any cooking, and we were on the beach most of the day. 

We went to dinner at the Palm Beach Yacht Club which was very nice, and very fancy.  It wasn't the same, but it was nice.  I didn't make my famous coconut cream pie which is my thanksgiving tradition, but I might try to make it this week if I can find the time.  I've been craving a bite of my decadent pie.  

Well, I had a wonderful trip to Florida.  I've taken a few pictures, but I wish I would've taken more.  I just was captivated by the ocean and spent most of my time swimming. 
I'm somewhere over Florida on my way to Atlanta then onto Baltimore.  I gave up my seat on an earlier flight for two free round trip tickets.  Although it was a pain to sit in the airport for 4 hours, I'm happy for the ability to go home once or twice this year for free.  Airtran flies direct from BWI to SEA.  So, it'll be free to fly home for Meg's wedding!  Yay!  Anyway, I'm excited to be on my way home, and I can't wait to get back to my normal routine.  Making me even more happy then being home is the fact that I'll be flying back to Florida in a mere four days.  This time I'm not flying to Palm Beach though, this time I'm flying to Panama City Beach to see my dear cousin Hilary and her husband Tim.  O, I can't wait to see them.  It's been months.  Florida two weekends in a row.  It's a tough life here in DC.
Sorry for so few posts this month.  I'll try to make a video blog soon.  No time, no time. 
Love you all!

 

 

Smallz

Molly came,

Molly went.

Joy and fun

tears and mess

eating cupcakes

eating cake

eating out, and

PF Changs(burr)

Drive downtown

Stress and joy

DC  night

crazy fun

Down Independence

Turning on 7th

Up Constitution

to 17th

Skipping Movies

babysitting forgot

going at midnight

late night, too fun

Girls are crazy

my new life

Molly is patient

far to nice

Molly came

Molly went

tears, goodbyes

how time flies

So much happened

So little time

My dear sister

what a delight

November? Already?

October 9th.

That is pitiful.  I can't believe it's been nearly a month since my last blog post.  Crazy.

DC has been lots of things, but mostly it's been fun.  The weather is lovely, and it's finally starting to get cold and winter seems to be on its way.  I'm starting to really get to know people, and I'm meeting new people all the time.  I knew I was a social person, but it's interesting to see how my personality is manifesting in these new surroundings.  It's hard to give an overview and also give details.  So, for now, I'll just give you a few general things that have happened or are happening that you can grasp. 

I started running.  Well, I'm attempting to be a runner, but it's challenging.  I've been just running a little and walking a lot.  About 2 hours each day I spend walking the trail.  I find that these hours are some of my favorite of the day.  I'm often caught talking on the phone, but I also spend a lot of that time thankful for the beautiful landscape and praying.  I'm flying to Florida to see Hilary in just a few weeks and while I'm there we're planning on walking a half-marathon.  I'm excited, nervous, and realizing that 13.1 miles is a long way.  Mostly, I'm excited to see my dear cousin.  :)

I'll be in Florida the last weekend of November for Thanksgiving, and I'm going back the very next weekend to see Hilary, so I'm definitely looking forward to warm weather and the beach.  (sigh) I'm really looking forward to the beach.  

The girls are great.  They continue to challenge me, but I love them so.  I just enjoy being with them.  The longer I'm here the more I love them.  We're past the initial "new" phase which is so nice.  They're beginning to understand me and my way of doing things, and I'm beginning to anticipate their moves and understand them a little better.  I just love being here. 

My room is starting to feel like my room.  Sarah painted me some amazing flowers that now hang over my bed.  I'll post some pictures of my bedroom soon(but if you come visit me you can see my room in person...haha).   It's nice to have a place that feels like it's mine though.  My room has really become my retreat.  

Molly is flying to visit me on Wednesday night.  I'm soooo excited, and can hardly wait for her to get here.  My kiddos are excited too.  Alicia talks about Molly visiting almost every day.  She's so cute, and I know Molly and the girls are going to love each other. 

Overall I'm still just amazed at my surroundings, and amazed at where God has brought me.  He has taken care of me on a level that even I could not have been expecting.  I'm living with an amazing family, and enjoy these girls so much.  :)  I'm so thankful.

Saturday

Sorry I didn't find the time to type a real blog today.  I had hopes, but it just never happened.  I had a lovely week, and there were some real successes on the work front.  We had not fight getting Alicia into her clothes both Thursday and Friday(we had screaming fits both Tues. and Wed).  I know it could be worse, but I'm still not used to her getting so upset about clothes.  She got a few new things shopping today, so hopefully she'll look forward to wearing those clothes.  The week just went well.  I was very active because of my new project Slipping into September.  You can read all about my weight loss adventures with my best friend Kendra. 
I hope you all had a great week, and maybe I'll find some time to type tomorrow. 

Hmmm, Pumpkin Spice Lattes

The beauty of moving to a location where not a single soul knows you is that you can be who you want to be without anyone having any preconceived notions or expectations of how I should act, feel, or be.  Not to say that I've changed much, but it's like a fresh, clean slate.  It's fun making new friendships.  Letting people in on my life, learning about them.  My small group that meets on Wednesday is fantastic.  Less than two weeks I've known these people, but within the body of Christ they're my brothers and sisters and their love for Christ is evident in numerous ways.  It has allowed me an ability to feel at home, finally.  In some ways it feels like months, and in other it feels like I got on the plane yesterday.  Already this has been such a great opportunity to grow, and I'm just getting started.  What does the future hold for me?  Well, I can safely say that it holds hours of driving two little girls all around DC and Maryland, early mornings, busy afternoons, and lots of challenges.  I'm looking forward to it all. 

I've taken to sitting at the Starbucks across the street from my house.  I'm trying to get to know the baristas.  There are lots of high school students here because so many families live in the neighborhood I live in.  I've rediscovered that I LOVE pumpkin spice lattes.  They're not low on calories, but they're definitely worth running off. :)  So delicious. 

I spend a lot of time reading.  I'm enjoying it.  If you have any suggestions for me to read....please, send them my way.   

I wish you all could be sitting here with me.  So many funny little things happen that are hard to explain, but funny none the less.  People watching rocks my world.  People here are vastly different, but similar all at the same time.  This girl just walked in with 4 in heels, and could hardly walk, but right behind her was her mom......

after you see her mom you realize why this girl is wearing the most ridiculous heels and outfit. 

Like mother, like daughter. 

The mother looks like she could be on real housewives of DC(and maybe she is...I live in the right part of town).

Interesting

A High school teacher just sat at the table next to me, and he's grading his papers....boy I don't envy him. 

An old man and woman are cute sitting in the comfy chairs having a happy conversation, and the weird man in the red hat is sitting in the corner...he's probably a spy or undercover, that's what I'm guessing.  the spy museum said there is a ridiculous amount of people that are spies/undercover in DC.  So, I'm always on the lookout(wink, wink).  So, as you can see, these people are quite a bit different. 

I love DC  :)

5K

So, I signed myself up for a 5K.  It's to support the local crisis pregancy center and I'm really excited.  My friend Sandra is going to do it with me.  I can't wait. 

If you want to support me just let me know.  I can send you the link to my website that allows you to make donations to me without much hassle. 

Blog's have been fewer lately mainly because things have settled into a bit of a routine.  I love being here, and I love that my relationship with each girl seems to be growing stronger and stronger. 

My church is fantastic, and I love that God has sent me to this church.  What a great blessing it is on me.

I'll be writing more later.  

 

Here is Love

Discipline is love.  A great love.   

He disciplines and refines me.  

Here is Love.  By His mercy he shows me my faults and commands me to follow Him in all things, to turn from my sin and cling to His righteousness. 

I often fail.

He loves me.

I was reminded last night that the ultimate sacrifice has been paid for me.

I'm free because when I stand before God my sins will have been atoned for.

 "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,  and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.  For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—  but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.  For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.  More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation."  Romans 5:1-11

Church

I've been looking for a church since I arrived, and now that I've been here a month I was starting to feel a little lonely.  Not knowing anyone is really a test of sorts.  Trusting in God to supply my needs, leaning on Him in a new and different way then I've ever had to before.  I don't know what He has in store, but I do know that He is my king, and anything He brings me He also brings me the strength to handle.  

I think I've found my church.  I've gone from SVC to SRC.  Solid Rock Church was thee most inviting, encouraging, loving church I've ever entered.  Very sincere people, and a very diverse group.  People from every walk of life.  This is just what I was looking for.  I'm thankful for such a delightful Sunday.  I'm going to try their Wednesday meeting this week.  I'm excited to go. 

 "How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

 They feast on the abundance of your house,

and you give them drink from the river of your delights.

 For with you is the fountain of life;

in your light do we see light."

Psalm 36:7-9

Brick, Brick, Brick

Hello Friends,

I've survived another great week.  It's wonderful how the timing of my new job has allowed me to ease into the routine.  Gigi and Alicia go to two different schools that are quite a distance apart.   So, I'll be taking Alicia to school dropping her off, then taking Gigi to school.  However, Gigi was in school this week, but Alicia was not.  So, I was able to comfortably drive to school without having to worry about one of them being late or traffic slowing me up, since Gigi's school is heading away from the District, not towards.  I was thankful for my time with Alicia.  She and I had a wonderful week of baking, playing, arts, and just errands.  It's always good to have a little bit of direction too.  When we went grocery shopping together she was able to tell me which kind they usually got, and things like that.  She is a delightful, energetic, artistic child.  

Gigi is quickly holding a very dear place in my heart as well.  She is so smart, yet so unable to grasp what is right in front of her.  She is troubled with doubt and insecurities, but she is a joy.  She makes me smile, and we've had some really important moments.  I'm loving her already. 

My job is a delight, and living her is so very easy.  They've done every thing possible to help me feel comfortable, and I do.  I love my space and time, but I also love spending time with the girls. 

Their piano has quickly become my favorite place in the house.  Anyone who has ever lived with me won't be surprised by that(especially Kendra and Debbers).  I play almost every night.  It brings me a total sense of calm.  I'm thankful for that more than almost everything else.  God has given me that time to just think, reflect on him, and sing praise...even if I can't sing out loud, my heart is rejoicing. 

Living in a Jewish household has been interesting, and I've learned a lot.  I'm overwhelmed with all the traditions, commandments, and Hebrew, but I like learning about it.  Gigi goes to a dual language English/Hebrew school, so needless to say I can't help her much with her Hebrew homework.  :)

As far as finding a church goes, it has been a little bit harder than I thought.  Although I knew it would be difficult, it's been more challenging than I could've imagined.  There are SOOOO many churches here, but knowing which ones are even worth visiting is near impossible.  I emailed one of the HUGE churches I visited and asked if they could make a recommendation to a smaller church.  I wasn't sure if they would email me back, but they did.  One of the pastors recommended a church about 30 min from here.  I'm going to go this Sunday and see what I think.  I liked their website, and it looks to be quite a bit smaller.  I'm in need of some fellowship, and I would love to get plugged into a good church.  I know my Savior knows my needs, and He will provide, so I'm going to keep trying churches and trusting in Him. 

So, as for the "Brick, Brick, Brick" title I will now explain. 

This will be my second installment of:

East Coast Oddities!

#3 Everything is made out of Brick here.  We're used to seeing brick every once in a while, but here 75% of ALL things are made out of brick.  And, we're not just talking houses.  There are high-rise apartment buildings made out of brick.  Businesses, churches, sidewalks, fences!  So Much BRICK!  Adding to the difference of the brick is that the style of buildings are different as well.  The atmosphere is made so different by that one little thing.

#4.  U-turns.  Maybe this is weird to me only because I was born and raised in Yakima, WA, but having U-turns at all the lights is something I've had to get used to.  I know they make sense since turning across traffic would be a nightmare, but they're just strange.  I'm adjusting to the crazy driving, but I still think it looks funny.

#5.  This one is similar to #4 in that it has to do with driving. 

"Photo Enforced" is a sign that has quickly become my friend, and my worst nightmare.  All my friends that know me and my driving will definitely get a kick out of this.  I've often boasted about my perfect driving record, but I'm sure that it is about to come to an end....thanks to traffic cameras.  These pesky little boxes just take your picture and send you a ticket if you're caught speeding.  There is no crying to get out of it, or arguing to be done.  Pay up.  They come in the mail without warning.  Although I can say that I haven't received one...I must add a, yet.  In the mornings I often catch my self just driving along thinking about 1,000 other things...and bam I realize I'm going 5mph over the speed limit.  In a near state of panic I slow down and look at my location.  Had I passed one of the cameras in my distracted state?  This goes on all day while driving.  I'm so paranoid about having to waste money paying these tickets, that I catch my self safely going 2mph under the speed limit, just in case my speedometer is a little wrong.  O, those awful things. 

Well, I hope everyone has had a wonderful week. 

I love you all!

Ok, so I'm sitting in Starbucks

I decided to start this post with the honest truth.  I haven't found my "place" yet.  You know, that place where you go to get away, get online, or just read and sip coffee.  In Yakima it was a few places, like Northtown, Berts, or even Fresh Taste Meals(my favorite place to sit online and chat with my roomie).  So, that means for now I've gone to a Starbucks to sit and read, chat, and write this blog.  Please find it in your heart to forgive me for this.  I'm working hard to find a place close to home.  :)

As many of you know I spent 5 days in Rehoboth, DE with the family. It was a good time with the girls, and a joy to be at the beach. I was able to see the sunrise over the Atlantic which I was so excited about. It had never occured to me that people on the East Coast don't get to watch the sunset like we do on the West Coast. I have to admit, it was almost better. It is so peaceful in the mornings, and only the early birds get to enjoy the wonder. I could've sat out on the beach all day and prayed. It was inspiring.

My time in DC has continually been great.  The family and kids are a lot of fun, and even though adjusting to a new job and living situation has had its challenges(and will continue to have challenges) for the most part it has been the adventure I was seeking.  I have been acquiring different tales and happenings to tell you all and I had decided to do a video blog instead of writing it out....BUT I can't seem to figure out how to make my Acer Netbook take videos.  I tried Youtube and Help, but can't figure it out(maybe one of my techie friends could help) Anyway, since I can't tell you all using my dramatic skills I've spent a life time perfecting, I'll have to rely on my mediocre writing skills.  

So, I have more than one post worth of these stories that I'm going to call, "East Coast Oddities"

(Soon I'll have a camera, so I'll post pictures of some of these oddities).  Some might not seem that exciting...but it is the all the little differences that contribute to the entirely different cultural experience it is living here in DC.

For your reading pleasure I present:

EAST COAST ODDITIES

#1.  The first thing I'm going to share might not seem like a big deal, but everytime I drive by I laugh.  

7 eleven's are everywhere, BUT they AREN'T gas stations.  Yes, good ole 7-eleven.  They are in strip malls, real malls, they are on street corners, or tucked in next a Macy's.  It's so strange to me, because I instantly associate them with gas stations, but here they aren't.  They are just convience stores where you can grab any last minute snack, magazine, or just in case you're in desperate need of a slurpee(Kurt).  They are very similar inside.  It is just bizarre to me, and I'm definitely not used to seeing them. 

 Yes, this is my the first of many that I have written down.  I have a little journal that I keep in my purse where I write down things that happen whether it is major, or just a simple little story.  

#2 I decided to post another quick story, Susan, my new boss, pointed out to me that both Cherail(the old nanny, and also a Washington State native) and I say, "these ones or these ones" when giving options.  Whether it be, "these pants, or these" or "these socks or these".  I pointed out that it is just the plural form, but she said they would refer to socks or pants in the singular form, for example "This one, or this pair".  Now I realize that I often use the plural form when refering to food, objects, or lots of other things.  I probably wouldn't have noticed but Susan did and I found that interesting. 

Ok, that is all that I have the time to type up tonight.  I've been enjoying all the museums and people.  The metro is worthy of a story or two of its own, so be looking for that.  My list of oddities is rather long, but tonight you'll have to get by with two.  The stories would be that much better if you could here my fake east coast accent while telling...and a few of them require pictures for you to truly appreciate the oddity.  I'll try to share again soon.  I love you all!