Magical Weekending!

Hi.
How is everyone?
It's already Wednesday Saturday, and I haven't been able to recap my latest weekending. However, the good news is my weekend ended yesterday Tuesday. The bad news is my weekend ended yesterday Tuesday. (Edit: I started this blog on Wednesday, and am finishing it on Saturday, oops!)

Let's just start off by saying, I'd been looking forward to this past weekend for MONTHS.
A while back Katy invited me to come visit, and that visit parlayed into a quick trip down to the land of all things Mickey and Mouse.

I'd been looking forward to it so much, I had a countdown rolling on an app on my phone.

Sometimes when I look forward to things so much, I come back disappointed.
With my visit with Katy, this was not the case. Not even close.

Instead, I wish I was still rolling shotgun by her side. Holding her sweet kiddo's squishy hands and watching some Curious George with a cup of coffee and a pumpkin muffin loaded with pumpkin butter.

Doing life. That's what Katy and I did.
Well, except for the quick visit to Sleeping Beauty's castle.
Still doing life, just the really magical kind. 

I left town early on Saturday AM, surprisingly containing my packing to one suitcase and one backpack.
I grabbed a grande Blonde Roast, 2 pumps of sugar free vanilla, and started cruising down to the middle of the Golden State.

Ahead of time, Katy had sent me the most awesome infinity scarf from our cute friend Cory's awesome shop. Temps were scheduled to be in the 80's all weekend, so it was now or never to keep my neck warm.
(Thankfully, back at home things are nice and cool, and that scarf will be reappearing soon).

About a half hour into my ride, I rolled up next to this orange blob. Which, to an untrained eye, would just be an orange blob. But, it actually was one of the contenders from last week's World Pumpkin Championship! A lot of the pumps come from Gilroy, so I have a feeling that is where he was headed. To be pulverized and deseeded (I'm making that word up) to become a happy pumpkin dad to maybe the 2014 pumpkin champion.

A few repeats of The Civil Wars, The Rend Collective, and a really awesome sermon later, I arrived at katygirl's kingdom. There were some excited squeals from young and old, and before I knew it we were back out the door on our way to the Diz.

But not without a quick stop into Oh, Hello Friend.
So cute.

I got a couple of things I had been wanting, and happened upon the most awesome Give Thanks sign - which just so happened to be made by a friend of mine! (I didn't even know until I turned it over).

After that, we were on our way.
Katygirl found us a sweet little place to stay, complete with a Starbucks on site.
Well done, Katygirl, well done.

We checked in and headed out to D-town Diz.

The sights, sounds, and smells. All magical.
We grabbed dinner and a drink. And ate some magical chips and salsa.

Walked around for a bit. I probably stood in front of the caramel apple window for a bit too long.
I am obsessed with how they are made. They are just so cute. I just want to bite a marshmallow ear off of a Minnie apple and run away.

And we perused the shops. And navigated the Saturday night crowds.
Then headed back to our kingdom for the night and slept under the watchful eye of this carousel horse.

First thing in the morning we were bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready for a full day of mousing around.

And mouse around, we did.

 Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Indy.

Matterhorn, Alice, Buzz, Space Mountain.

Katy takes Buzz pretty seriously.
I, on the other hand, look like I saw an alien.

We explored the Halloween Tree (which is the coolest, BTW), and checked out the day of the dead exhibit.

And grabbed lunch while some one shot some commercial or music video in front of us.
No clue who though.

And after that we decided to Adventure. California Style.

We swung, we screamed, we soared, we were terrified.
And not the way you'd think.

I dragged Katy on Mickey's Adventure Wheel, where she was terrified.

And then we went on the Symphony Swings, where I thought I was going to die for a full 30 seconds.

And after we adventured our heart out, we returned to the land of Diz. 

Where we dined solely on Mickey shaped cuisine.

And as the Diz transitioned from day to night, the castle glowed in the background.

And we returned to the ever awesome Halloween Tree.
Where jack-o-lanterns grow, and twinkle lights glow.

And ate the ears off our Mickey ice creams. First.
Because that's how it's done.

And reflected on a beautiful day hanging out with one of my favorite people at the Magic Kingdom.

That night, we drove back to the katykingdom, and I got to sleep in this beaut of a bed.

And woke up to this beaut of a babe.

And enjoyed coffee with the sweetest critters in all the land.

And got to see a little behind the scenes of @katykristin's #mondaychalks

A few errands.
Katy, you are my hero.

And a little more behind the scenes of katygirl designs.

Where often times, I'm on the otherside of that computer screen, this time, I got to be right there in the flesh.

And after naps, Katy and I, and the critters headed to the park.
And this neighborhood creature of death came to meet and greet me.

And then the kiddos got baths.
And I got a little evening snuggle in with my good buddy Miles.
One of my favorite moments of the day.

And who needs bed head when you have bath head.
OMG. Right?

And soon it was bedtime, and Katy and I enjoyed a little bit of Catfish.
Okay, a lot bit of Catfish.

I woke up to news of Kimye's engagement, and pumpkin muffins. And coffee.

And a quick hug and hello to Lorieloo & two of her three littles.

Followed by some errands/entertaining Cammie.

And then soon, way, way too soon, it was time to say goodbye.
Thank goodness for rearview mirrors and big waving hands.
And a heart full of love and sunshine.

Thank you Katygirl (& Scottyboy too), you are truly the hostess with the mostess.
Thank you for the incredible day at the Diz, and the even more special days with you and your posse.
You are a rockstar mom, and I admire your love for your husband and kidlets, and the passion you have for all you do. You are gentle, and patient and kind. You are thoughtful.  You love big.
And most importantly, you live out the gospel daily, in so, so many ways.

This Week: We Remember.

This week in history is one of a lot of pain for many people.

April 16, 2007 - Virginia Tech Massacre
April 18, 1906 - San Francisco Earthquake
April 19, 1995 - Oklahoma City Bombings
April 20, 1999 - Columbine Shootings

And sadly, on this week the lists just keeps getting longer.
April 15, 2013 - Boston Marathon Explosions
April 17, 2013 - West Fertilizer Explosion

  
 And for me, personally, this week in history has also painful.
On April 14, 2007, my dearest friend Morgan was in a boating accident.
On April 15th, I was told of her condition, and I flew to her bedside at a trauma hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.
I stayed with her two days, and returned home doubtful, but hopeful, for her survival.
Sadly, after a very emotional week, on Friday, April 20th, she was taken off life support and passed away thirty minutes later.

God is Good. And he is gracious. This same week, in 2007, another of my closest friends would have her second baby. And in my grief, they invited me to spend a lot of time with them as they eagerly anticipated her arrival. A sweet girl who's 6th year of life is celebrated this week. The third week of April to me is also about new life and new beginnings, amidst sadness, hardness, and goodbyes. God allowed me to feel quite a range of emotions in April of 2007.

That week in April reminded me that God is real. That he is GOOD. That he provides. That he gives and takes away.

It is in those difficult trials, those days where you don't know how you will even get through it, how you will wake up in the morning and do it all over again, that God reminds you that he provides you with exactly enough mercy to get through each day. Enough for each moment.

Like the manna in the wilderness, there was only enough for that day. And the days you need that extra manna, there it will be. When the Israelites went to bed each night, they could not store up for the morning. They had to trust God that he would provide each new day.

And I will tell you, living through those first days, weeks, months, and year of a tragedy, that was so very true in my life.

That first week, God provided abundance grace and mercy, holding that sweet baby for the first time, seeing joy in my friends' lives, understanding that God truly is in control was a perfect provision. It was the much needed extra manna for those hard days. That first year he provided shoulders to cry on, friends to be with, and more importantly the comfort of His love, sovereignty, and redemption.

God has taught me a lot in these 6 years. Losing Morgan was one of those "Ebenezer" experiences where everything is different, a time I can look back on and be reminded of God's faithfulness in seeing me through the hard times and grief.

He is the provider of the manna in the wilderness. He knows our needs. He meets us in them.

I know he wastes nothing, and that he uses our sorrows and heartaches to comfort others as he has comforts us. I know he is good.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Cor. 1:3-4

Pictures taken 3.22.13 at the Morgan Meredith Rohde Memorial Bench at the Torrey Pines Glider Port in La Jolla, CA.

Baby Love.

So...

Long time, no blog.

Like REALLLLY long time.

But I'm here. 

I've been gone. 

But I'm here again. 

With a few fun tales to tell.

Starting with this one.

The BFF had her baby.

And he is the sweetest thing since sliced bread pie.

He's a happy little fellow.

A gentleman, really. 

A few tickles on his ears and he will give you his best smile.

But really, he is just pleasant as pie any time he is being held.

He is also a rockstar at tummy time.

And Mama Julie, she is awesome.

I think that was my favorite part of the weekend.

Seeing my twenty-plus year friend in a whole new role.

And being amazing at it.

And dad is incredible too.

I think baby lucked out with the best mommy and daddy in the world.

Julie & Dave were the hosts with the mosts.

Well, except for doors, they didn't have those.

(but hey, who needs doors....right? privacy is overrated)

Between naps and feedings, for all of us, 

we hit the town.

The three girls and little man.

One of us is not a fan of carseats.

I know little guy, I know.

But we made it safely.

And there was plenty of produce and delicious foods to go around.

Also, I have said it once, and I'll say it again, I LOVE farmers markets.

(warning: farmers market photo bomb coming....now)

Those last ones are watermelon radishes.

SO COOL.

This farmer's market was one of the best I have been to.

Huge variety of common and uncommon fruits and veggies. 

If I lived there, I'd go every weekend.

Baby took a nap and we got some good friendsie times in.

Shopping and Shave Ice.

While daddy built and decorated the crib.

I mean, how cute, right?

(Julie and I played hundreds of hours of Mario Brothers as kids.)

And we ended the night in style.

Kale Chips & Emma.

Nothing says you've grown up than leafy greens and the grown up version of Clueless.

If our 14 year old selves could see us now.

We were pretty nerdy.

So we'd probably be proud.

And this guy, well, I took home his smile in my heart.

Like a little souvenir. 

And these girls,

well,

we keep making new memories,

as the years go by.

And we let a little one into our fold.

He's alright.

Thanks again to our incredible hosts with the mosts, and no doors.

(like literally, not one single door, but it's cool, "open concept" has new meaning)

Can't wait to visit you guys, and your new doors, again soon.

And to this little guy, rest up, your Auntie wants to adventure with you again.