Fun in the Summer Sun :)

Happy Independence Day everyone!  Andrew (Gary’s cousin/the best man from our wedding) is here visiting currently.  He and I are completely sunburnt from a day in Malibu, but more about his time here later…..The following is an overview of events since the last update:

 

June Gloom?!  Not here!  Ok well maybe the weather is a little gloomy in the mornings, but apart from the chilly weather, our June has been pretty fantastic!  Here are some of our recent highlights:

1.        Nathan’s visit!

Day 1:  We picked Nathan up at LAX Sunday morning and headed to lunch where we watched our high school friend Graham Rahal finished 3^rd in the Indy 500.  Then we walked along the pier and beach at Santa Monica.  Some friends met us there and we ate at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. 

Day 2: Memorial Day – We got up early and drove down to Rosarito, Mexico.   After a venture trying to find a place open on a holiday to buy car insurance for Mexico for the day, we quickly made it across the border.  When we got to Rosarito, we looked for the taco stand with the most people at it and decided to eat there.   Gary and Nathan had delicious shrimp tacos and I had the best horchata of my life!!  Then we hit the beach.  It was chilly, but Nathan got in the water for a few minutes.  The drive back was most interesting, as crossing back into the US takes awhile.  As you wait in several mile long rows of cars, people beg for money, try to sell you souvenirs, and sell snacks.  We hadn’t had dinner so we got some awesome snacks on the way out! 

Day 3:  I worked, so Gary and Nathan had a boy’s day.   They visited the Santa Anita racetrack, LA Coliseum (at USC), and Rose Bowl.  Then we all went to Hollywood for a taping of Jimmy Kimmel featuring Carson Daly and Flavor Flav.  We ate at the Hard Rock with Jeremy and Amanda afterwards, sitting near the band featured on the show that night. 

Day 4:  Gary was supposed to work but caught my cold and stayed in for the day.  I took Nathan on a girlie day!  We went to the Grove and Farmer’s Market where we ate lunch.  Then we went shopping (I mean….laughing at prices!) on Rodeo Drive.  We saw Mr. Bijan’s Bugatti which was the most awesomely ridiculous car ever!  We got cupcakes at Sprinkles nearby to take home!!  Nathan grilled chicken for dinner J

Day 5:  I was back at work, so Gary and Nathan visited the Gamble House (a cool architectural home and the location of Doc’s garage from Back to the Future).  Gary also took Nathan on a tour of our church and drove him around Beverly Hills to see some celeb/big houses.   We went to Barney’s for dinner to watch the NBA finals.

Day 6:  Gary was working an needed the car so Nathan and I had to get by on foot!  Gary dropped us off at Urth Caffe to start our day.  We walked along Melrose, stopping in some shops along the way.  Then we ate at Pink’s (famous hot dogs – although, Nathan got a burger) and continued our trek to the Grove.  We lined up for the filming of Extra featuring Christina Aguilera and her team from the Voice.  We got their pictures and autographs and had a fun time!!  Gary got super stuck in traffic, so Nathan and I waited for a bit and then we all stopped for some local California style pizza!! 

Day 7:  Before taking Nathan to the airport, we hit Venice Beach and enjoyed watching the, well, everything!  It is quite an experience!!! 

It was sad to send him back on a plane, but we were so grateful Nathan came to visit!  We had a wonderful time together!!!  (All of the pictures are on Nathan’s facebook, so if you can’t access that but would like to see let me know.)

2.       Job Updates:

A.      Gary has a new job which we are very excited about – feel free to contact him to learn more!

B.      I am still enjoying spending my days with the baby (now 7 months)!  He is crawling, has said “daddy” in context, can pull himself to a standing position, and is just a bundle of joy!! 

C.      I have dropped down to one day a week at VS so I can have a free day each week to do housework or relax at the beach!

 Fuller Update:
            Gary received a scholarship that was a complete answer to prayers, and will be
            starting classes in September!  Praise the Lord!

3.       My BIRTHDAY!!

23!  Seems like a real adult age – haha!  I worked on my birthday (which included a trip to and tour of Nestle as employees could bring their children that day – so I took the baby to his mommy!).  In the evening, Gary and I headed out to Red O Restaurant, by Rick Bayless (the top chef of Mexican food basically in the world).   It was the most delicious thing ever!  Our favorite part was our first course: sopes – masa balls with black beans, plantains, a red sauce and goat cheese.  Delish!!  It was simply amazing and highly recommended ;)

4.       MOVIE PREMIERE!

Gary won/earned tickets (via an app and thanks to Subway) to the world premiere of the Green Lantern at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood.  We didn’t get to walk the red carpet, but certainly enjoyed it nonetheless!  We got free popcorn and pop, and I sat just a few rows in front of Jake Gyllenhaal, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and more!  It’s not really my type of movie, but I enjoyed the experience and it actually wasn’t that bad! 

Happy LOVE Day!!!! :)

Happy (late) Valentines Day friends and family!  We hope you had a wonderful day with the ones you love.  We unfortunately didn't even see each other on Monday due to our work schedules, but to compensate, we went to a movie the night before (at the ever romantic dollar theater, of course...and by the way, we saw Tangled, which you all need to see if you haven't already - I think it's right up there with the Disney classics). We also went to Lone Star (cheese fries = FAVE!) on the way back from Orange County a few days ago.  We were there because ...
GARY GOT THE JOB!!!!!  WOOHOO!  PRAISE THE LORD!  We think it will be a great fit and wonderful opportunity :)  So we had to head back to Newport Beach so he could fill out his paperwork, and then we spent a lovely afternoon at Huntington Beach, napping in the sun and sea breeze and intently watching the surfers preparing for a competition (I've determined I definitely want to learn how to surf - I doubt I'd be good at it, but it looks so awesome!).
In church news, we just finished a class on spiritual gifts and serving in ministry at First Baptist.  Gary has been enjoying playing in the praise band, and we've started conversations about youth and children's ministries.  There is an upcoming 2-day mission trip to Tijuana, but unfortunately it will be while Jill is here visiting, so we will not be able to attend.  We have still been enjoying our small group and just tonight went over to the house of some friend's from church for a game night.
This week we've hardly seen each other because of his new job and my increased hours (thank you, Jesus!), so there is really not too much to report.  We hope this update finds you well and warm ;)  God bless!

It's the most wonderful time of the year :)

Greetings friends and family! Here's the low down lately:

Unfortunately, probably from the business and lack of sleep, Gary did end up getting pretty sick.  It's just a yucky cold, but it's been hanging on strong - 9 days and counting...He's probably not been getting much better because of our weird sleep patterns - thanks work ;)  The other night I stayed til almost 4am and never leave before midnight :-/  I was working with a family to explore the possibilities of nannying; however, we couldn't really get the schedules worked out, but I'm sure God will find me the right family eventually!

So, I was so excited to leave the land of snow and cold! however, I am beginning to miss it.  When I see New Yorkers on tv all bundled up, it makes me miss this time of year back in the midwest.  It just doesn't quite feel like the holiday season here.  It makes me wonder if without those environmental things that put us in the holiday spirit, LA/warmer climate people are more concentrated on the material aspects of Christmas - you just don't get those warm fuzzies inside.  Gary encouraged me to focus on the real meaning of Christmas (not the snow, etc.), but it's those other things that helped my thoughts focus on Christ at this time of the year.  Sometimes it just makes me laugh - like when we hear song after song in the mall about snow and three of the four girls I talked to one night had never seen snow!  It's just different here - any ideas on how we make make it feel more Christmasy in 70 degree weather?  ...Maybe we'll try to go up to Big Bear (I guess it's the best place to go for snow in the mountains - about 3.5 hrs away).  Anyway, those were just my random thoughts - I'd love to hear your favorite part of the holidays & what puts you in the Christmas spirit!

Thanks for reading :) Ta ta for now!!

Sorry we haven't updated recently ... its thanksgiving week, and we work in retail ;)

Hello friends, family, and faithful followers!!  Sorry we have not updated in awhile, but we do not currently have internet access at home.  I am currently sitting in Borders at the mall, but more about that later - let's back up a bit!
CHURCH
-On Sunday, we officially joined FBC Pasadena :)
-We are getting involved in the Sunday school class and are enjoying making friends and finding fitting ministry opportunities!
JOBS
-I finally started my job!!  Not everything got worked out perfectly, but at least I am working!  It's pretty different since this store is HUGE!!  I am figuring out the differences and think everything is going alright :)
-Gary has been hard at work - at Brookstone he has been very busy since it's primarily a gift store and they are gearing up for the holiday season.  He's doing an excellent job at Godiva ...
-My first day was Sunday, and it took us 4 hours to close the store (which I've heard is not unusual here) - so I worked over 9hrs, on my first day back ... I had the energy, but my feet and back weren't used to it anymore.  Luckily, when I walked out there was my beautiful husband who had just finished his first shift at Godiva and was waiting for me with two full bags of chocolate!!! WOOHOO!  I'm going to like him working there for sure! :)
-BLACK FRIDAY!!  First of all, Gary was crazy at went to Walmart at midnight to get some things he'd been wanting - crazy kid (he had to be at work at 5am).  Anyway, this brings me back to why I am at Borders at the mall - I got off easy today and am only working a few hours this afternoon ... Gary however is working 16hrs today and tomorrow both between his two jobs :/ (it's okay, it means God is providing!) .... he planned to ride his bike at 4:30 this morning (went out and checked the tires, etc. yesterday so it would be ready to go) so I wouldn't have to get up and drive him in, but when he went out his bike seat had been stolen.  We had heard about a major bike theft problem, and bought the type of lock suggested and hooked it up well, but evidently, they'll hake just the parts - and there's really no way to stop that other than keeping it in the house (yuck!).  So he had to hurry and drive in (figuring it would take longer with traffic than biking).  Then he had to get me in between his two jobs, so I am taking advantage of the free wifi and trying to stay away from the craziness!  Anyway, just pray Gary has the strength to get through these few days and we can figure out the bike situation (since we sold my car before we moved, and really need that second mode of transportation).
THANKSGIVING
We had Jeremy over for Thanksgiving yesterday - he made the turkey (since he was concerned about my proposition to just make turkey cutlets since I don't do bones!) and I made everything else - garlic mashed potatoes, greek salad, stuffing, rolls (since I found my grandma's raspberry jam and Gary found his favorite peanut butter spread from back home), green bean casserole, pumpkin pie, and the highlight of the meal - REAL legit cranberry sauce!!! - the boys loved it!!  We had a lovely time, played some games, and just relaxed a bit ....
FOOTBALL
-I am in 2nd place in our fantasy football league!!!!! whattt whattt?!  I made the playofffssss!!!
-Our big rivalry games are tomorrow - OSU v. M*ch*g*n and ND v. USC ... unfortunately, Gary will miss watching his live since he will be at work, but I will be able to watch my buckeyes kill the team from "that state up north" for like the millionth time in a row!

Well, I think that about wraps it up my friends.  We'd love to hear how you spent your Thanksgiving and Black Friday as well :)