a few of my favorite things...

You know those specific smells, sounds or feelings that trigger memories. Or the experiences and moments that give you chills or an overwhelming sense of happiness. Well, here’s a few of mine…

Suave Professionals Moisturizing Shampoo: New Orleans mission trip, the showers in the trailer outside the church

Singing or playing with a group of musicians: gives me chills every time, especially if it is a large group, reminds me of junior high and high school band and choir

Poignant, clean smelling cologne (not sure what brand or who wears it, but I only come across it occasionally): makes me think of toothpicks…I have no idea why…but I do love that smell

Lemon Zest: so fresh and…zesty!

Shoulder and Neck massages: the feeling of chills that lingers afterward

Waking up in the morning when camping: all cozy and warm with the chilled air surrounding you

Having a baby fall asleep in your arms

Picking someone up at the airport: I have a love/hate relationship with this one…it’s fun to watch every one else meet up with their people, but I don’t like the butterflies of excitement in my stomach

Smell of Indian food coming from our neighbor’s apartment: takes me right back to India, oh the wonderful food

Seeing all the stars at night so clearly: inevitably “Our God is an Awesome God” plays in my head

The song “Lady in Red”: dancing with John at prom…it bothers me like crazy because the guy totally is off key at one part, and I never wear red, and it’s about a woman…but I still like the song

The first sip: when you pop the soda can open and it bubbles and fizzes, nothing beats that first gulp…which john all too often steals  … the second is just not the same

A freshly cleaned home: a made bed, a sparkling kitchen, vacuumed carpets…aaahhh, nice

The immediate sense of comfort when I change out of work attire into pajama pants and a sweatshirt

Enya: Driving in the car from PA to SC with Mom, Jana and John

Scum (the card game), volleyball, Bonnie’s basement and porch: high school youth group, Sunday nights after church

A few specific worship songs (Can You Feel the Mountain Tremble, Come Now is the Time to Worship, Victory Chant) : Saturday night worship at Mountain View

Catalina Salad Dressing: dinners at Gem-Le-Ar with the whole family, followed by a round of Shang-hai

Random…I know, but good things, great memories!

new hair

it was time for a change...i thought i would add a little red to the mix!

bigger is better...right?

john loves pancakes. each time he makes them, they seem to get bigger and thicker!





i'm not so sure they could get any bigger :)

web cam

let's just say that it is incredible that you can talk to someone halfway around the world, let alone see them! we haven't been able to see chuck, connie and the girls for quite a while now, so it was great to watch them run around, dance, eat breakfast, get stuck in a laundry basket (asha), make faces back and forth, have a tour of their home, see connie's pregnant belly and just see their smiling faces.

(i don't exactly enjoy the fact that i can see myself also, or know that they are seeing a bigger version of myself, but it's okay...i know it's all worth it and such a blessing for all of us.)

aside from all the frustrating moments that stem from technology, i am SO thankful that it is available to use in such neat ways!

camping

we went camping over the 4th of july weekend with my mom, dad and sister. our campground was just off the mirror lake highway and we had the perfect spot...it was secluded, by a little stream, not too far from the river and beautiful. we took sage and she really enjoyed being outside all day and playing!

we chilled (literally) around the camp fire, played games, took walks, went up to mirror lake and the falls. i love just hanging out with my family, so it was a great weekend!

(i know this whole blog thing is about writing and stuff, but the cat is laying halfway on my keyboard, so i'm just going to post mostly pictures this time!) they kind of explain themselves :)