Him and Me

August has been a busy month marked by good summer fun with the kids, lots of canning for me, and the usual stresses of the corporate world + commute for Eric.  It's easy to slowly and silently drift apart, unless you are mindful of the effort needed not to. 

Eric and I celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary, and we enjoyed a fun little weekend getaway.   We have come to realize just how important it is for us to get away - even if just for one night.  Honest and vulnerable communication happens which fosters trust and intimacy and that draws us closer and locks our hearts together again. 

We have a beautiful life and I am so thankful for all that the Lord has blessed us with - really there is just too much to list here.  

I am especially thankful for our little home in the quiet woods, which 28 years ago was a dream we thought would only ever remain a dream.   

But Eric knows my salt-water heart yearns for the sea something fierce.  I know he knows because his salt-water heart does too.  

What better thing then than a weekend getaway by the water.
We started with lunch at a Hawaiian restaurant in Everett.  

Then we spent the afternoon in the little seaside town of Edmonds walking around, holding hands, poking in cute shops and independent bookstores, and enjoying the farmer's market. 

Then we headed up to Mukilteo where we walked along the beach and talked and kissed and laughed.

Our hotel was right on the water.  :-)

He has loved me sacrificially.  Over the years he has given up things that were important to him because he thought it the best way to provide and protect and nurture me. 
He has done what was commanded... "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her"  Ephesians 5:25  

"It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."  Genesis 2:18
I alone have the privilege to be his wife.  I alone have the privilege to complete him. I alone have the privilege to support him like no other can, because no other is made suitable for him.   God brought us together.  Of that I have NO doubt!

It was so good to celebrate "us" -  To refocus and refresh our hearts with thankfulness for each other and gratitude to the Lord. 

To talk of the future and dream a little.

Eric saw this little guy hidden among the pebbles.

I saw the view through this hole in the log. 

It's how it is with us - often he sees the details, and I see the broader picture.  

I think that's precisely God's design - the compliment that completes.  Marriage is just that. 

The day we said, "I do" we became our own special family.  With the birth of each child a new layer and depth has been added to it, but when the children all leave to begin their own families, we will be what is left.  Him and me.  So we invest now for our future. 

Cali Vibes

When it comes to Cali I am a little biased.  Born and raised there, it will always be home.  It's familiar, and it's fun.  There is so much to see and do.  

Here are some of my favorite things that give it its unique Cali vibe...

Convertibles!

They are the bomb!  

Coffee! 
and coffee houses.  They are catching on to Pour-Overs.

  

People moving!

How I wish Washington would catch on to this!  See the "X" in brickwork in the middle of the street? When the light is "go" for pedestrians, traffic stops all ways allowing for crossing in the usual way or criss-cross in the X.   Considering the volumes of traffic that flow in the city streets, this is brilliant.
It's the details (like brick in the street) that give it charm and style.

Architecture!

Old and restored

Artsy
(It's Walt Disney Hall - what else would you expect?)

Streamlined and modern

Fun places to eat!
There are endless choices of really good food, that burst with flavor.

From beach-town seafood

to iconic fast food burgers and fries

to trendy coffee bars (with full menus)

to upscale fine dining with outside seating options

Shops!
I mean look at this amazing bookstore.

And this sweet shop called Sugarfina.

Talk about charming.  And while you may see this store pop up elsewhere in the country, I bet it is safe to say that it all started in California.

Palm Trees! 
Nuff said

The Beach!
Nothing, and I mean nothing screams California more than the beach! 

So there is a little bit of my Cali for ya.  

Scroll down for the best kept secret

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It DOES rain in California 

;-)

A family visit

Since Eric has family in Eugene, Oregon, and since it is only a couple of hours south of Portland, we made plans to see them.  After fighting traffic for way too long, we finally rolled into Eugene.  We were pooped, but it was so great to see everyone.  (By the way, how is it that you get so tired from just sitting in the car?)

 

It was late evening, but the Aunts ordered pizza from the Pizza Research Institute.  Both the food and the conversation were so satisfying after such a long day.  In spite of 10 hours in the car (when it should have been 6) the kids did SO great.   

 

The next morning they took us to their favorite spot for breakfast called the Hide Away Bakery. 

 

 

I'm a sucker for outside dining! 

 

Eric with one of the aunts and his 2nd cousins. (His cousin's kiddos)

 

Elaina is an artist.  The Eugene vibe suits her well.

 

After breakfast, they took us to their favorite park (which happened to be Makeda's old school that has been shut down.)

It was just what the cousins needed... active, outside play time together.

 

 

 

 
It was such fun to see them, even if it was just for a short time.  It sure made for some good memories and a great start to our Oregon road trip.