September Adventuring

Still playing catch up - my favorite month didn't disappoint. 

//I'm a sucker for this type of stuff: 9:09 on my birthday 9/9! 

//Some Starbucks birthday love

//The best birthday "cake" a girl could ask for! 

//Lunch at a favorite spot

//Always seek joy.

//It's the season for hot cups of tea <3 p="">

//On the way to the ferry

//Beautiful Islandwood

//Fun to be a tourist in your own city

//Coming back from retreat -- Seattle is such a beautiful city

//Train waiting

10 on 10 :: September 2014 {Minus the "ten" part}

The 10th was a really rough day.
Not for a really good reason - it just was.
The moon?
The changing seasons?
I'm just tired?

Whatever it was - I couldn't snap out of wanting to scream at people or throw things inappropriately. Sigh.
So that means I barely made it through the day treading water and petered off looking for the 'bright side' early in the day. And after reflecting on the day and realizing I didn't get very far in, I was a bit sad. I missed an opportunity. Not just a "full set" for this project. But of all the days I needed to seek beauty and gratitude this would have been it. But grace is needed too. I'm overworked and exhausted at the moment and sometimes you just have a bad day.

{01}

Leftover Birthday "cake". I looove them! 

{02}

A patch of clover on my way to work. 

{03}

After a few trying conversations I needed some straight-up black coffee in my fox mug.

{04}

Morning noms

{05}

Beauty still blooming from my birthday celebration

{06 - 10}

Not pictured... 

~leaves being swept up in a still-warm, but blustery breeze 

(even if I felt rushed walking to an appointment)

~a stop at the nice new Starbucks to find some dinner 

(even though I was frustrated that I forgot my cup of water and had to run back)

~sunny patios full of chatter and clinks of happy hour 

(even though I was nearly in tears because I could not find where I was supposed to be)

~an incredibly bright, big harvest moon 

(even though I was dripping with tiredness and wishing I was already home)

Still linking up with the talented & encouraging Rebekah! 

10 on 10 :: June 2014

These days are ... indescribable.
The aftermath of Thursday has been heartbreaking and uplifting, full of grief and normal day-to-day stuff. It's hard to reconcile. To figure out just what to do with myself. So grateful to be in the SPU community and have the space to just be and ride the waves -- knowing others get it. They feel it too.

And then there's today. A year ago today I got the voicemail of my mom's tense and teary voice "Do you want me to grab anything from your room?! There's a fire in the forest and I'm getting the hell out of here." And the ten days that followed where I couldn't unglue from the live coverage of my childhood community up in flames, burned to a crisp. And reconciling that our house was miraculously spared when 480+ were not. Prayers for the community - still healing and figuring out life after fire. Life out of ashes. My mom called and left another voice message today - again teary - describing an incredible, complete double rainbow over Black Forest. God is so faithful.

I took these yesterday as a part of 10 on 10...and like most things these days I am treading water and trying to catch up. But this practice I love so very very much and needed it. Intentional moments to pause and see the beauty in the middle of chaos and hurt and good-byes and change.

:: June 2014's ten on ten ::

My morning buddy (and alarm clock)

Celebrating our soon-to-be momma 

Sending off our dear Donna to new adventures!

(I believe I am the one in red shorts holding a torch...I love our small little office so much!!)

Homeward bound

Stuck in traffic for an hour an a half with these fabulous women. There are worse things...

Finally on the train - working on Children of the Day together

Came home to this amazing surprise from Nick! My very own baby blue Continental!! Can't wait to take this baby out!

Dessert - another sweet surprise from my hubby. 

So blessed and warmed by the continued kindness and thoughts and prayers. 

They mean so very much to all of us at SPU. 

Linking up with the talented Rebekah!

Nine/nine

I love birthdays. 

Even when the numbers are getting higher and I have to stop and think rather hard about just what number I'm on...it does help that I catch up with Nick and for 3 days between the sixth and ninth us kiddos (and kiddos-in-law) all line up neatly in a row: 25, 26, 27, 28 this year...and then I catch up: TAG! 

I am alright with another year turning by, it's been a good one. Full of memories and trips and movie nights and fuzzy socks. And I was asked today if I was a returning student or celebrating my 21st so good to know getting older looks younger on me...! It also helps when I'm surrounded by fabulous people. 

If I'd had presence of mind this morning I would have brought the DSLR but I didn't even remember my lunch...or initially that it was my birthday until Nick woke up super early to take me to the ferry because he's awesome. But I want to remember today...so it's about to get all show-and-tell up in here. 

First things first, thank you Seattle for the extra special treat - a fantastically foggy quiet morning that eased into sunshine and 80 degrees in SEPTEMBER. All weekend actually as I soaked up the State Fair and Rodeo. AND Mt. Rainier is glowing in all her clear glory. Whoa I think I got sunburned and have never been happier about it. 

Cruller Cake!

I'm not necessarily a sweets person...candy bars and cake and cupcakes I tend to walk by without a glance, but I showed up this morning to my co-workers putting together a morning birthday party with a CRULLER "CAKE". Don't know what that is? Well, you should find out. And homemade biscotti... If there's anything I love it's breakfast pastries and coffee. Feeling so loved (seriously, Joyce who picked these up on her DAY OFF had an appointment and wasn't even able to attend! I'm pretty sure that qualifies me as being spoiled today)

Foxy

And Joyce and the office made the day again with her handmade fox card (that says "happy birthday, foxy" on the inside!!) as well as lovely bouquets from personal gardens. Shared lunch with Donna today as I forgot my lunch...that woman can make a serious salad!! Blessed to work somewhere with a fun group of ladies that love to celebrate! 

My Festive Office

Even Starbucks through in a Happy Birthday treat.

Iced Passionfruit Tea Lemonaid goodness

I was even feeling generous when a spider crawled out from a flower I proceeded to take it outside instead and scream and smash like the crazed arachnophobe I generally turn into... (Therese and Megan...that was for you...) 

And now headed home to the woods for another delicious "doughnut cake" from Kurt & Lisa! 

(Do you see a theme? I am in love with doughnuts. Please don't do an intervention until tomorrow...)

Another year turns and another one unfolds. 

And I am reflecting on who I want to be in my 26th year...who I've grown to be the last 25. Some things I love, some things I want to change and some I KNOW I need to change... But it's a blessing to sit here, right now, and soak in the love and joy and fun of today. Gathering close (metaphorically or literally) those that make these other 364 days an absolute blast. Thanks for making me feel extra special today, but more so, thanks for making me feel loved and appreciated always. Even when I'm upset, or flustered, or a pain, or grumpy. I want to live this next year for you because you all inspire me, encourage me, make me laugh and I can't think of anyone else I'd  rather share my birthday with. I'm always curious about who wanders by and reads my jumbled thoughts. I know many of you and are dear and close to my heart. Others I found blogging and am always inspired by you. Others are family and have to read this... HI MOM & DAD! But seriously, thank you for journeying with me...my days are blessed.