Heyyyyy batta batta, sa-wing batta

Got to love a good softball game and an adorable running photo shoot!

I have the most precious cousins. I mean seriously, it doesn't get much better than this.

Coach Robby.

The beloved Smarties

I'm the cutest and I know it (bum bum bum bum bum ba dum).

I'M NOT CRANKY!

Lego. Let's go.

So the fun part about my job... I get to be a kid. Rough life, eh? Seriously. I got to go to Legoland today with three of my favorite people on earth.

WAIT! Before I start on the day at the land of the legos, I must first mention that I had a great sleepover last night... with a 5-year-old. No, I was not babysitting. I invited her over. After a night of delicious dinner, a lovely walk, and donchas, we snuck into bed and watched Thumbelina. The BEST part of the night was when I began falling asleep before the 5 year old (big shocker haha) and I suddenly felt a face very close to mine and then I felt my sweet CJ kiss me on the forehead. I opened my eyes and could have cried at the sweetest, softest smile she had on her face. I swear, that kid is a 50-year-old in 5-year-old's body. 

Okay, back to Legoland.

It was a BE-A-YOOTIFUL day in Carlsbad. Sun was shining and we got there RIGHT when the park opened so there really weren't any lines. Honestly who could ask for a better day!?

Some of my favorite things from the day:

.:. Jack's eagerness to get past the chained off area

.:. Kirby's fear of the Dragon Coaster (I knew that kid and I had something in common)

.:. Jordan's laugh (it's quite contagious)

.:. "Up in the sky, No?"

.:. Jordan's little trick on Jack... let's just say, she takes after her mother.

.:. The car ride home. So fun.

Enjoy the pictures!

The map guy (Notice his name in the background... total accident!).

Big girl rides for Jordan.

Just gloating... no big deal.

I mean... come on!

Super cute...                                                           Struggling.

The horse... yet again.

Look, Hannah!

For Grammy and Papa! The Venetian!

Who knows what Jack is doing, but Kirby and I... were best friends.

Never grows up. And thank the Lord fro it.

It's Aliiiiiiiiiiive!

Oh, hi there.

I hope you all remember me.

I am truly TRULY sorry that the last time I blogged was almost 20 DAYS AGO!!! Woah, where has time gone!?

Well sadly, this is not a full update of my life within that time because quite frankly it's been a long (fun, but long) day and I am wiped and already tucked into bed. I just felt the need to say a quick hello and a PROMISE that by the end of this weekend I will update you all on my crazy, fun, adventurous life (my life is totally not all those things I just want to sound more interesting hehe).

Part of why I haven't updated yet is because my iPhoto is kind of wiggin' out and not acknowledging that some of my photos exist... whatever iPhoto, I WILL win this battle.

BUT here are a few quick highlights of the last two weeks.

Being a nanny is literally the best job in the world. I LOVE the kids I work with (Luke, Jordan, Jack, Kirby, and SOON Mia!). Seriously so blessed by this job. I already appreciated what my mom has done for me, but I get to appreciate it even more, and more than that, I get to put her parenting into action. I love kids and am loving this opportunity to share the love of Christ with these kids I get to work with.

My sweet CJ graduated from Preschool last week... kinda a big deal. I mean do you see the turn out for one kid in the class of 4... yah, she's pretty cool. Only one cousin left until they are all in school! They are growing up so fast!

Haiti. 

Honestly, there will be an entire blog post dedicated to this incredible topic, but for now let's just say, I am hopefully returning in December. 

Can't wait to share my experience with you!

Okay. Wow. It feels good to be back! 

Haiti, Here We Come!!!

So here I am. At LAX, full from Chili's, and SUPER excited.

Definitely a different trip then my mom and sister have been on. I am going with a high school and I am a chaperone. Let's be honest, I will probably end up being more like the kids than in charge.. what's new.

PAUSE: so cool, just as I am writing this, a lot of the kids gathered around the guitar and started singing "No Place I'd Rather Be." I am already so blessed by these kids. I can already see how much love they have for each other and for Jesus and for each other. SO STOKED for this trip to get rollin.

Well, we are boarding!!!

Almost the weekend!

I had made a bit of a promise to myself that I would post every weekday for the rest of the summer in order to keep a bit of consistency....

Oops. Like that was actually going to happen.

I traveled a lot this week so I will give myself that, but I really am going to try to stick to that for the rest of the summer!

A little recap of the week:

This perfectly captures our relationship.

.:tuesday:.

I took a trip up to Orange County to see my dearest cousin, Mary, and her lovely husband Shane.

Let me just say, we made THE BEST pizza ever. I am planning on making it tomorrow night so recipe is soon to follow :)

Mary is such a blessing to me and I absolutely love that she is close enough to me that I can come up for a day and just sit with her and look up youtube videos with her and cook and talk and... the list could go on and on.

I love you Mary. PS: Gwirth.

Remember her :)

.:wednesday:.

 Right after I received my shots for Haiti (I leave Sunday by the way... what!?), I ventured up to Murrieta to visit my other dear cousin, Abbie to help her with wedding planning for her wedding at the end of August!

So much fun to get up there and not only spend some time with my beautiful cousin, but I also got to lead worship with her fiancé, Will. Let me tell you something... I miss leading worship. I really do. There is something about it that just really gets me. I love singing with such talented people and creating something that pleases God. 

The team at their church is quite the talented bunch!

Oh! I also got to see my Beck brothers for a little which was quite the treat!

Anywho, I can't wait to help out more with the wedding Abigail Ashley!

.:thursday (aka today):. 

Today was a pretty relaxed day. I went to lunch with Ms. Cassi A. Such a lovely lunch date with a girl that has been such a blessing in my life (ps I still use the blanket you made me! Happy graduation Cassi!!!). Then home for a little rest time, some laughs with my mom and then off to dinner at the Reeds to see our long lost friends the Marbreys! So You Think You Can Dance started up tonight and I couldn't be happier.

You know I think the things I can't do move me the most. I LOVE So You Think You Can Dance more than any other competition show on TV and I think it is because I can't dance (.. well I can grove, but I can't "dance"). Honestly, I hate to admit that I am a baby, but I am moved to goosebumps, chills, even tears during almost every show. So funny that I am talking about this, because last night's message at church was about "taking over the world" and using the gifts God gave you to do so. It's just incredible that God has blessed us with such different talents and we should be using them to our fullest. 

I continue to pray that  God uses me in Haiti!!!