Candles, Candy, Cooking

Yesterday night was nacho mountian night with some of my friends from my Trinity days. I like that I have friends from university that I still connect with. I wasn't incredibly social at university, but it's nice that I came away with some great and solid friendships.

We always use our new favorite kind of chip, which is the spicy quesadilla tostitos! So good!!
Best quote of the evening: "Do these gummy glo-worms actually glow? Because I don't think that would be very good for you." :) I love my friends. :)

Enjoying good food and company and great musical talent afterwards as we ended the night with some incredible rockband action!
I keep feeling like things are wrapping up but there's lots going on still. Just finished a large stack of marking. And I was reminded of how much I enjoy it, especially because I get introduced to a variety of really great ideas, with a lot of academic backing and research and it is so interesting to read about what other people think about a variety of really interesting topics. Definitely gets me thinking! And after handing in the stack, I received a new, smaller stack! Oh well, I will just embrace it and keep going! Hopefully will get another stack next week!


Yesterday would have been Leon's 30th birthday. That's crazy to me (well especially because that means I'm a lot older than I actually think I am). As I look at pictures of his friends and their get-togethers and lives, I wonder what life would look like if Leon were in it still. What his life would look like. And how my life might be dramatically different from what it is today. I know it's not good to totally dwell on these things, but in remembering, I pictured what life with Leon would look like. And with that thought, life became a bit fuller and better. And it made me miss him a lot, wishing he fit in the way I envision he would have.

Off to Vancouver for a day of adventures with Maia before she heads off to South Africa. Who knows what adventures we will run into? But it should be wonderfully fun! Enjoy your Thursday!

Seasons, Swimming, Sr.

Yesterday a new season began, today a season of my life came to an end.

Tonight was our last official youth night for the year with me being on staff at church. My contract is up end of June. It is weird being done, but funny too because I know I will be doing some of the same stuff in the future and will still be quite involved, it will just look a bit different with not as much responsibility.

Tonight we had a BBQ and pool party and it was a lot of fun! Just great to be together and hang out and enjoy youthfulness.
I love my underwater camera. :) And so do most people! It is fun seeing what photos are on my camera at the end of the night.
Group underwater photo. Best ever. haha

Yesterday I had a wonderful time hanging out with this little guy-can't get enough of him. Even snapped a few pictures.. He snapped some as well. Only because he was mesmerized by the sound the camera made when he pushed the button.


And dinner and cake for my mom's birthday last night with family! Always great to just spend time together and enjoy being with one another. I'm generally fairly busy and have a tough time stopping and simply being.
I couldn't quite find 57 candles, but I figured 10 would do. Close enough.

And so I welcome this new season! Hooray for summer and nights of enjoying being outside in the warm night air. And hooray for a new season in life. One where in some ways I'm doing a lot of the same things I was doing before. But it feels different in oh so many ways.

Summer, Strawberries, Solstice

Today is June 21st which means SUMMER!!!!!

I saw crates of strawberries being delivered today and was in awe because for some reason that symbolized summer in that moment to me. And the rich redness in the strawberries, show the richness of experiences that will come this summer and the juices, the sweetness (I know I'm sappy, it's okay)

I must admit that in the past summer has not really been my favorite season. Well.. I don't know if I have an overly favorite season, but I think I am usually not around during the summer to fully enjoy it, but this summer will be different and I am STOKED! I made a bucket list for the summer with my youth and am excited to start checking some of the things off {once I find it I will share it here!}

Summer has started with 7am tennis. Not smart when you go to bed at 2am, but very fun nonetheless. Except for the fact that your muscles don't function properly with lack of sleep. But next time I expect to be spry and alert. And perhaps I shall relax on that lovely bench as well.
I love tennis and want to become an avid tennis player this summer {riiiiiight}. Hopefully the courts get fixed soon though. The first courts we went to had no fence and no nets. Minor detail. Good tennis players don't need fences surrounding the courts, right?

{Breakfast of champions! Cereal full of fruit and goodness!!}
And Chrystal won the competition, so she will get a prize once I decide what the prize shall be... Good work Chrystal! :)

This weekend I am going camping in Hope, followed by a missions trip to Mexico to build houses, followed by stagette in Whistler, hopefully followed by a trip to New York, followed by Desiree's wedding (but that one's local), followed by a trip to the island, followed by a trip to Portland, followed by a trip to AUSTRALIA!!!

(Okay, so maybe I won't be around that much... but in my mind I will be!!)

{My mom is funny. Yay for trying new fruit and being excited about it!}

This summer I'm looking forward to canoeing, trying new fruit, swimming, bbqs, bonfires, camping, traveling, youth events, musicals, concerts, movies, walks, kite flying, tennis, golfing, random adventures in Vancouver and so much more!!

Happy first day of Summer everyone! Enjoy!

Menopause, Mom, 'Mazing!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A bit happy birthday shout out to my fantastic mom today!!

She is pretty fantastic. And a wonderful mom! She is one of my favorite travel companions, is always there for me, puts up with my crazy antics and my verbal diarrhea, does laundry for me when my machines aren't hooked up and I don't have time to stay at her house to do it, helps me out with youth events, and the list could go on and on and on...
It is a blessing to have her in my life and I am excited to celebrate her birthday today!! And to celebrate the richness that has been evident in it.

We started a bit early yesterday. First we met my friend Sandy for lunch at a restaurant called Eight, which was super good! All fresh food and really tasty!

Then we wandered Granville Island for a while, checked out some Asian markets, went to a musical, went for gelato and enjoyed just walking around downtown!
We were at Starbucks sitting in the sun and my mom was amazed at how incredibly hot her face was and kept asking me if her face was actually in the shade... Finally she looked up and realized there were blazing hot heaters above us! So, with the combination of sun on us and the heaters, it felt like a 30 degree day!
{Not sure if my mom now copies my facial expressions, or if perhaps it's genetic?}
We tried a new fruit called, salak, and it is perhaps one of my new favorites!! I love it and want to go buy some more! You peel off the outer skin and eat the inside as is. I'd say it was kind of like a lychee nut, but I like the texture WAY better! It's kind of acidic but sweet. It's from Indonesia.
We went to Menopause the musical, which was absolutely hilarious. The women in it were exceptional and it was fun hearing all the women laughing because they could totally relate. And the music was super fun too! And the lyrics hilarious!
And then we ended our day with some gelato from my fave place in Vancouver. Mmm... tasty! I made her try the basil and garlic flavors before we got the chocolate ones. ;)

So, happy birthday Mom! Hope you have an amazing and fantastic day- you deserve it! Love you!

Birthday, Bride, Buttons

Saturday was a full day! Spent time with a friend in the morning, went to a wedding downtown, went to my nephew's first birthday party, and then went to a late movie with some friends!

The bride was a good friend from high school. Vanessa and I both went together (we are now officially wedding buddies, so if anyone wants to invite me to a wedding, they should probably invite her too). I had never met her husband but he seemed really cool and the love and admiration they had for each other was completely evident in the shining of it on their faces. His gaze for her the entire ceremony was touching and incredibly sweet.

The church it was in was stunning! Such a beautiful location! And I love that red was her accent colour!

Signing the registry

The best place to write in a joint card... the bathroom floor. Go us! And go sanitation!

Vanessa and I enjoying the lovely day that it was in Vancouver.

Then it was off to my nephew's first birthday party! CRAZY that a year has already passed by. I got him this little dog and I love it. Okay, I think he does too because he had a big smile and enjoyed pushing the buttons. When you hold the bone, the dog follows you around. And sings and stuff. I think perhaps this is the type of dog I should get as well? Probably wouldn't pee on the floor...

I love his golden curls. And his radiant smile. And the noises he makes. And pretty much everything about him. How can you resist really?

Enjoying looking at and touching his cake. They're staying away from getting him hooked on chocolate for now. ;)

In the evening, some friends and I went to a late movie (Toy Story 3) and it was FANTASTIC! I love Toy Story and the third one did not disappoint! I laughed a lot and even got teary-eyed a few times. Go sentimentality. Or raging emotions. Whichever you prefer. Go see it. You will love it! :)