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I’ve always considered myself somewhat crafty.
I can whip up a fairly decent scrapbook.
Put together a soccer banner.
Bake here and there.
Knit useless things in long, straight lines.
But that’s about as far as I go.

Fabric scares me.
The above cute little print does not accurately reflect my life.
I do not love sewing.
The cutting.  The rolls at JoAnn’s.  The measuring.
I chose Liberal Arts, non-credential track as my major in college.
Primarily because no additional math was required.
Actually, ONLY because no additional math was required.
Math and I?  We are not good friends.
Fabric and math?  I run.

Last week, Jessica (have you entered her giveaway yet?) invited me to her learn-to-sew party.
Instructed by my friend and former co-worker, Jill.

At this point I need to interject and tell you about the coolest job in all the world.
It’s being the admin for a youth pastor.
Which I was for 4 years while avoiding Math at Cal State Hayward.
Get paid to hang out with high schoolers and the best staff ever all day?  OK.
Design cool flyers for even cooler events?  If you insist.
Manage a data base so methodically that you have every student’s address memorized?
DREAM. COME. TRUE.
If I could have majored in data entry instead of liberal arts, I would have.

Jill was the admin for the senior pastor who was Jessica’s dad.
I loved that job.  I loved working with Jill.
She always had the most perfect skin and eye makeup, especially eyeliner.
Do you remember weird, random things about people from 15 years ago?  Because I totally do.
Anyway, I’m so excited to be learning from her again.

But I need to buy a sewing machine.
HAAALP.
Seriously.  I’m in need.

Sewing friends.  What machine do you recommend?
And Jill says I have to thread my machine and wind my bobbin.
Um?  I think I can figure out the threading part.  But what’s a bobbin?

And non-sewing friends, don’t be haters.
Support my new endeavor.
I’ll make you some PJ pants.

Kayla turns 8 a month from yesterday.

Holy Moses.

How did that happen?

Anyway, she wants a rainbow themed birthday party.

I stumbled upon some multi-colored goodness over at this blog.

And I think they will be perfect.

So I do what I always do.

Whipped up a batch for my favorite church folk.

Taste testers extraordinaire.

And the best part about any variation of the rice krispie treat?

Easy as pie.

Actually.  Who came up with that saying?

Pie is so NOT easy.

I hate making pie.

Easy as rice krispie treats.

That’s way more accurate.

And they really are delicious.

3 tbsp butter

6 cups rice krispies

1/3 cup yellow cake batter dry mix (unprepped)

1 bag – 10 oz mini marshmallows

1 jar (1.75 oz) multicolored sprinkles

In large saucepan, heat butter and marshmallows on low until melted.

Slowly add dry cake mix, one small scoop at a time, to melted marshmallow mixture.

In separate bowl, add 6 cups cereal.

Fold in marshmallow mixture and 1/2 jar of sprinkles

Press into any size baking dish.

Top with the remaining sprinkles.

Let sit for 30 minutes before cutting.

Hope’s home group meets tonight at 6:30.

Come.

For Ephesians.  And rainbows.

OK, so I’m not going to lie and tell you that I LOVE the Book.

To be honest, I’m kind of over it.
It usually overwhelms me.
I’ve got issues of my own.
I don’t want to hear about 638 other issues every time I refresh.
But I love seeing babies and engagements and weddings.
So I check the app.
After Twitter.
Email.
Instagram.
Words with Friends.
And maybe a quick game of Bejeweled.

The Makers Faire was held at the Expo Center this weekend. Freak Fest 2011.  Truly.  Weirdest event EVER.
Think Luke Skywalker, Bill Gates and Martha Stewart got married and had kids. And liked to compost.
I don’t even know. It was just interesting. And kind of unexplainable.

Last night, I received an email notification that my friend Dana tagged me in her friend Matt’s picture.

What’s funny is I think I remember when this picture was taken.
I remember seeing him with his camera and wondering where it would end up.
Then I started panicking about where it would end up.
Then I remembered I have a blog that anyone can look at any time.
And that perpetuated irrational thoughts about ransom and kidnapping.
That’s why my face looks disturbed.
And hot glue guns also give me anxiety.
So do upcycled craft booths.

At any rate, this moment is captured forever.
By someone who wasn’t even meaning to take a picture of us.
Who didn’t even know us. But knows my friend. Creepy amazing if you ask me.

What are your thoughts about Facebook?  Take it?  Leave it?  Talk to me.

InstaFriday weekly recap happening on InstaSaturday.

I had a long day at work and was InstaExhausted.

Also, I didn’t want to waste my time on a post if the world was going to end and all.

But.  Surprise!

We’re still here.

Matthew 24:34-36.  It’s a good read.

OK, back to our life.

Way more interesting than the apocalypse.

Ashlyn had her own mini-apocalypse in the back seat on Monday.

I wouldn’t stop at Safeway to get her a DVD and Dora ice cream.

And for a second I thought maybe Camping was right.

It could very well be the end of the earth.

Just last Friday, not this Saturday.

We went to an auction for CityTeam Ministries on Friday night.

Dave runs the Oakland chapter of their homeless and recovery shelter.

Along with pastoring the church plant.

In case you haven’t picked up on this fact yet, he’s had 208 jobs since junior high.

Usually multiple jobs at the same time.

When I met him, he worked at a florist and was also scorekeeper at the local Little League field.

And he was 9.

The guy ALWAYS needs to be busy.  And it’s one of my favorite things about him.

Kayla thinks she’s getting a Yorkie terrier after Kobi goes to dog heaven.

She compiled a alphabetical list of potential names in grid formation.

Dave says she can’t get one unless it’s a boy named Goliath.

That didn’t go over so well.

She wants a girl named Beatrice or Watercress.

Of course.

Hope had Communion Sunday this week.

We ate after service.

And then Dave scared the kids.

Typical.

I went to Target for paper towels and stumbled upon this fabulous pairing.

Because who doesn’t need a little cardio with their cake pops?

Sweet friends from First Baptist brought us dinner to celebrate our one month anniversary in our new house.

Which I totally forgot.  SO Deb to remember.  That is why I love her.

I love when fortunes preach.  Romans 5:3-5 right there.

And this?  This right here?  My favorite Instagram picture  OF. ALL. TIME.

The pictures from this post inspired a hair highlight and chop for my brother’s wedding in 2 weeks.

I love it.

Light.  Free.  Healthy.  Dries in 3 minutes.

At my current unpacking rate, I anticipate seeing our garage floor sometime in 2014.

There are U2 tickets somewhere in those piles.  For a concert on June 7th.

Why did God make unpacking so hard?

Are there unpacking companies I can hire?

Taco Night.

I grabbed cabbage instead of iceberg like I do 50% of the time.

And Dave stopped on his way home to pick up iceberg like he does 50% of the time.

One time he brought home more cabbage.  Hot produce mess over here.

Same time-ish.  Same place.  Next week.  Maybe.

My friend Jessica is a fantastic photographer.

She has a pretty fantastic name, too.

And a pretty fantastic giveaway going on over at her Gigglebean blog.

This is us in 1993. At a youth group retreat near Santa Cruz.

Dave’s the hottie (top row, centerish) in the letterman jacket.

I’m in the row below his, in a white shirt with more bangs than main hair.

Those bangs.  I remember that prep process clear as day.

It involved an unhealthy amount of Aussie Hair Spray and a plastic white visor.

Photog extraordinaire is rocking the maroon Northface jacket in my same row, 4 sets of horrid bangs to my right.

Anyhow, back to 2011.  Quickly.  Please.

Or 2009, actually, when she took family portraits for us.

Before I started this blog.

I could go on and on and on about her magical talent.

But I figured a picture is a worth… Well, you know.

Here are some of my favorites.

Let it be noted that both girls were fighting colds that day and pretty crabby/snotty.

Jess + Photoshop = Adios runny nose x 2.

Jess + bribe candy = Adios crabby x 2.

Girl’s got mad photog, editing AND people skills.

My girls loved her.  And we think she’s pretty great, too.

When Gigglebean hits 500 Facebook fans, she’s giving away a free local photo shoot.

So hop on over to her Facebook page and become a fan.

For your chance to win, leave a comment here saying that you did.

And if you don’t live in the Bay Area, enter anyway.

When you win, book a flight.  It’s a perfect excuse to visit.

You can stay at our place.  I’ll do your bangs.

This morning Kayla informed me that she named her fingernails.

Fang.

Howie.

Corey.

Lily.

and Pinky. Of course.

Fang is the thumb. Which means we need to trim that one.

So that’s weird. And gross.

Anywho.

“It’s Friday.  Friday.  Gotta Get Down on Friday…”

I know it is SOOO 8 weeks ago and she’s already been covered on Glee.

But it won’t leave my head.

Are you one of the 137,886,272 that have seen this?

The good news is that there are 6,852,472,823 that have not.

But you know, I do not envy Rebecca Black.

She’s got some big decisions to make.

Like whether or not she wants to kick it in the front seat?

Or maybe in the back seat?

These two like to kick it in the dog bed.

A dog bed that I bought after our move and was never used.

We have carpet in our new house.

Apparently, Kobi thinks the whole floor is his bed.

So it’s working out well.

Most of you know our littlest is addicted to my earlobes.

So we checked her into earlobe rehab on Sunday night.

Cold turkey.

Me and my ears enjoyed a green tea frapp and carrot cupcake in peace.

While Dave sleep trained a 4 year old.

And it’s actually working out quite well.

She and Dora chat about it until they fall asleep.

No bueno.

I love that the powers that be feel the need to explain to
parents of preschoolers what vomiting and/or diarrhea is.

So far, so good.  Which is fabulous news.

Super Bug is not welcome at rehab.

Frappy Hour!    From 3-6 each afternoon all Starbucks frapps are half price.

I’m loyal to my green tea, 3 scoops macha, light whip blended in.

But I’m about a pump away from perfecting the new Mocha Coconut by voiding it of all coffee taste.

I know.  Big goals.

Speaking of goals, the Sharks got 3.  The dumb Wings got 2.

My husband is happy.

They play more on Sunday.

That’s about all I know.

 

Happy Friday, friends!

Usually I’m lazy and use my camera phone.  Today, I was feeling brave.

And dorky as I lugged Dave’s Nikon around.

Which I have ZERO clue how to use.

Enjoy my pictures.  Taken on auto setting.  Auto corrected in Picnik.  Don’t cringe.

Right ear infection.  Antibiotics Day 4/10.

I wonder why they can’t make all medicine taste so delightful?

Watermelon and waffles for breakfast.

When did she grow up?  And WHY does she keep getting taller?  She looks so old to me here.

My sweet little snow white porcelain doll face has turned into a raging beast this week.

I think it may be a combo of the ear infection and our move but she is not herself.

I wouldn’t let her hold the toothpaste.  The horror of it all.  Such tragedy.

I love this magazine.  It’s cheap.  And SO worth it.  I think I will keep them for decades.

Ikea overwhelms me.  Always.

The little tags and numbers.  The marketplace.  The smell of swedish meatballs.

Self-serve 600 pound boxes.  1 of 8.

I arrived with great plans.

I left with a tool set to put together nothing.

And decorations for Emily‘s baby shower.

Someone please explain this to me.

Why on earth would one wait miles in the sweltering sun for a free 2-item Panda meal?

There were even strollers in that line!  And small children.

They probably used up in sunscreen what they would have paid for in food.

I rearranged this table today.

Do you think the people on the ends will be cramped?

We need to make room for a hutch that I will probably never buy at Ikea.

Kobi helped.  And he does have 2 front paws in case you were concerned.

He always tucks one weird like that.

Catching up on blogs.  Can I share with you a few of my newer favorites?

Something Real

Hello from the Nato’s

The Reed Life

Naptime Diaries

You will love them better than Smart Ones fettucini and broccoli.  That’s for sure.

The Beast spent much of the afternoon on time out in her room.

I tried to catch up on laundry.

And made cupcakes for an event I thought was happening tonight.

But really is next Wednesday.

Kayla wrote and narrated a story about a cowboy named Max.

That was our day.

How was yours?

Those little peek-a-boo eyes allowed me to celebrate my first Mama’s Day 8 years ago.

I was 8 months pregnant.  Large.  Anxious.  Exhausted.  Excited.

So naive as to how much those brown eyes would change me forever.

And bring overwhelming joy.

And struggle.

A supernatural need for patience.

And endurance.

A continuous opportunity to watch my words.  My tone.  My attitude.

A chance to show love and sacrifice differently than I’ve ever known.

More than I’ve ever known.

A humbling change.  Lots of messing up.

Requesting and extending forgiveness.

A change that is impossible without my daily reliance on Christ.

As He refines me.  Tries me.  Makes me more like His Son.

And gives me the most wonderful gift in my two little girls.

A change I wouldn’t change for all the world.

Since most of my brain cells are still packed with my Pyrex, these posts are working out real well for me.

No collective, organized thought required.  Thanks Jeannett. I love you.

Isn’t this the cutest little baby you ever did see?

Her mama, Teri is one of the sweetest people I know and a dear friend.

Teri’s husband, Mike was Dave’s partner on the ambulance when they worked as paramedics.

I also graduated from high school with Mike.  He’s pretty incredible, too.

They cared for Kayla every Tuesday night while Dave and I went to youth group.

Youth group started at 7:00.  Inconsolable, screaming colic fest also started at 7:00.

We owe them BIG. Like 2,178 date nights.

Our new neighborhood is kind of like a petting zoo.

Our across the street neighbors feed ducks.

Our next door neighbors feed squirrels.

And everybody gets their feathers ruffled when cross-feeding occurs.

Ducks are not allowed to eat squirrel food.  Squirrels cannot go near the duck food.

It’s all a bit weird and everybody might just need to find a different hobby.

Anyway, Kayla was feeling left out.

Hope’s order of service on Sunday.

Sidenote: I love the “Worship With Our Children” part.

Patrick leads the kids in song while Claire and Camilla teach them sign language.

And my kid, the only one who really needs the sign language, is usually the only one who doesn’t pay attention.

Kayla has taken a sudden interest in softball. And Dave is very interested in Kayla’s sudden interest.

And I think Kayla is interested because Dave is interested in her being interested. Ya follow?

Ashlyn is only interested in cheerleading.

House cleaning is 300 times more fun when the Supertones are involved.

Six years ago we drove down to Biola for their final concert.

And six years ago I realized I was too old for the mosh pit.

I forget the details exactly, but I remember a kid pushed one of our girls.

And I pinched his ear.  A total mom pinch/earlobe pull.  Out of my control almost.

So the band’s retirement was also my mosh retirement.  It was time.

Unfortuntely, retiring from cleaning is not an option.

I love strawberries left on our front porch.  I love Cindy.

I’m thankful ducks and squirrels do not love strawberries.

Ashlyn had a playdate in South City on Wednesday.  This sign has always intrigued me.

After 9/11 they painted the “U” and “S” red, white and blue.

And when the Giants won the World Series they painted the “S” and the “F” orange and black.

It was pretty thrilling to be so close. I’m not kidding.

Huge fan of flip flop weather.  Huge fan of the fact that our new dentist AND hygienist are former youth group kids.

Not a huge fan of the fact that my oldest needs a retainer, then braces, then another retainer.

We have bedtime issues somthing terrible. This is Ashlyn “playing monster” at 9:59 PM. Send help.

The weather around here has been phenomenal.

It’s kind of hard to tell, but Ashlyn is swan diving at the country club with Pop Pop.

While I was unpacking boxes in a sweltering garage and Dave was working at a homeless shelter.

We have such a weird life.

If ever I were a contestant on Survivor, I would bring my bible and cake.

I love it.

All kinds.

But cupcakes?

FTW.

Currently, my favorite geeky acronym.

“For The Win.”

First place.

Although, I have to tell you.

A girl who knows and shares this key to my heart, came bearing gifts on Saturday.

Tasty, perfect, delicious little gifts.

Cup, meet mini-Bundt.

And take a back seat for a bit.

You guys.  If you live anywhere in the Bay Area.

Drive to Sunnyvale.  Or Dublin.  Or Los Gatos.

And buy as many as they will let you.

Nothing Bundt Cakes, FTW.

OK.  Back to the point of this post.

Mel over at Larson Lingo has a fun little linky party going on.

I love her blog.

I love how she tells her sweet family stories with beautiful pictures.

I love how she interacts with her readers.

Sincere interaction. I can’t wait to meet her.

Larson Lingo.  FTW.

She asked that we share our favorite cupcakes recipes.

Which is like asking me to chose my favorite child.

So I’m linking to my top four (in no particular order).

{Click on each picture to link to original post/recipe}

Cupcake Recap.

FTW.