There's a ton I could write about. It's been so long since I blogged about our life in its current state...let's hope the words come easily.  

Let's talk about right now for a minute.

Like how much I love little feet blackened by pavement on late summer evenings.  Even if it happens after bath time.

Or how I feel a little bit on fire for wanting to get a group of ladies together to serve meals at Target Dayton, a homeless shelter nearby. I can't wait. We will start meeting once a month to serve people in uncertain circumstances. I am so looking forward to this. I'm looking forward to getting to know these women better, growing in Christ together.  I also love how there's no such thing as being "a little bit on fire." It's all or nothing.

I'm looking forward to seeing how God is going to change me through all of this. I'm looking forward to taking my kids when they are old enough to go along. We get to be the hands and feet of Jesus. That's just downright incredible....and what an honor!

Other things I'm in love with right now....

I splurged on a pedicure recently. It might sound silly but looking down and seeing those pink toes just makes me smile.

Catching my kids playing nicely together. All on their own...even when it means making a mess.

I'm loving the way dress up has made a major comeback 'round these parts. One minute I'm being rescued by a drove of little firefighters, the next I'm dodging go carts driven by a pretend race car driver.

And then there's the pool. This is the first year it's been fairly easy taking all three of them by myself. We've been hanging out there for hours on end. My heart just about explodes watching my boys toss
the ball back and forth, meeting new friends. It's pretty great chatting poolside with other mamas.

And my girl at the pool? She's just the cutest little lady there in her blue and white polka dot swimsuit. She brings her babies and watches them fiercely. She cradles them in her arms and whispers sweet assurances in their ear.  Just like a real mama.

And my heart just can't take it. How did I get to live this life? When I was a girl my own mom worked full time, usually leaving her too tired to enjoy the pool in the evenings. So many women are in that same position nowadays. How did I luck out?

Maybe it's not luck at all.  It's all I've ever wanted. I need to remember that when my mind starts traveling in different directions and I feel like I need more.

I don't need more, I've got all I'll ever need.

I'm headed to Florida early Friday morning to visit one of my dearest friends. We will begin the drive back to Ohio together on Sunday.  I've got a list of deep questions I'm excited to go through with her. I love good conversations like that. It's gonna be great.

Until then I've got three kiddos to love on.  Right now they're waiting to snuggle up on the couch and watch the Berenstain Bears. That's just too hard to pass up. And it's definitely on my Things I'm Loving List.

XOXO,
Angie

Anniversary Trip Day Two

Here we are mid-June and it feels like this anniversary trip was a looong time ago. I just downed my afternoon bowl of cereal as I sit here and think back to that very special four days. Just me and him, him and me.

Day Two:

We woke up, asked Siri for nearby breakfast places then walked to this adorable diner. That was one of my favorite things about our trip, being able to walk to everything!

We ended up at this great diner, you could order as healthy...or not as healthy...as you wanted. And it was delicious...but then again, every meal we had was!

Then off to the beach for a little exercise.

This was taken after a beautiful six mile run. As you can see, it was overcast and a little foggy, it made for a great run.

Next up, showers and window shopping on Rodeo Dr.

Then it was lunch at Spago. People, we ate lunch side by side! No kiddo between us,  no crayons or kids meal menus splattered on the table. Just us.  I found it refreshing...and a little unnerving. This entire trip I felt like I was cheating on my little people! Like I shouldn't be having this kind of fun without them. I wonder if that's normal....

After lunch and more window shopping we happened upon Sprinkles Cupcakes.

If you don't have time to stand in line (the line was out the door!!) you could just walk up to the cupcake dispenser!  We weren't in any rush so we stood in that line and tried to figure out which flavor to try...a tough decision!

I wish I remembered what flavors we ordered. I'm guessing mine was red velvet something or other and Joe's was something chocolate peanut buttery...

I do remember them being very, very good.

More window shopping...well, okay, I did get to splurge a little on a pair of jeans. I've never done that before, bought a pair of jeans for more than what you find them at GAP.

My new jeans and my new fancy sunglasses! These were my two big purchases. I have to say, these jeans?! I loooove them. SO, SO comfortable, SO soft! The perfect stretch without stretching too much. I did find it funny that I grabbed the largest pair they had on the shelf. If I were to live in LA I wouldn't be able to gain any weight...there would be NO clothes for me!  Reason 1067 I'm an Ohio girl through and through.

After window shopping we drove around for awhile just to sort of get more of a feel for the area, look at those great big houses and pretend we were locals. Which of course was pretty hilarious.  The houses were huge, the lifestyle so different than what we are used to. I loved the scenery. The landscape being so unlike that of Ohio. The palm trees, the ocean, gorgeous.



After our little drive it was time for our dinner reservations at the Ivy.  This time at the West Hollywood location.

Again, I don't remember what on earth I ordered, maybe fish or a salad and of course some sort of chocolate-y dessert.

We then walked out to the Santa Monica Pier. 

We rode the Ferris wheel. 

and the roller coaster :)

Joe has the most hilarious video of us on the roller coaster. The kids thought it was pretty funny :)

Day two was pretty great.  To have endless hours with my best friend without the interruption of our normal obligations was so nice. Such a welcome change of pace!

Back soon with day three!

XOXO,

Angie