Mosaic

So I finally went to Mosaic tonight (a college worship service at bethany baptist). I have been wanting to go for months because I always hear such great things about it but have never made the time or effort to actually go. I told myself last week that I am going to start doing things that I have been wanting to do. And it has already paid off in such amazing ways! My friend Hope joined me tonight and she loved it as well so we will definitely be going back next week and we Can't wait.
God is good.
<3 J

baby cousin

This is my beautiful baby cousin, Aden. (this picture is from July so he is much bigger now) Isn't he just too cute? My uncle and aunt have been fostering him since the day he was born and are hoping to adopt him. It has been a very long process and as the days and months go on, my family grows to love him more and more. He's so sweet and funny and playful and adorable and I just love him. I think of him often and every chance I get to see him is wonderful. It is amazing to see how fast he grows and the new things he learns. He will be one in march, so hopefully we get to through him a big birthday party. Anyway, I wrote this post about him because he is one of my favs and he makes me smile :) I will definitely be praying for him and my aunt and uncle so we can keep him forever.

Hope you all had a wonderful day.

<3 J

P.s- did anyone get a chance to watch american idol?? I forgot to set it on my DVR :(

Weekend madness

This past weekend was an absolute blast. It was all about fun and relaxation.
On friday night Sam and I went out to pizza and a movie. We saw hotel for dogs which was enjoyable and right down my alley. We laughed to eachother when we realized we were the only adults (young adults) in the theatre alone and without any kids, although it comforted me to laugh in parts of the movie I know the kiddies would appreciate. All in all, we had a great date-night and it was so nice just to be in his company.
Saturday I went to WorldMarket and picked up a few spices for my mom and myself so we can begin experimenting our new found creations in the kitchen. It is so fascinating to see all the different spices and ingredients and see what works well with what. Such an adventure! Then my roomies and I had a girls night (which we haven't had in a verrrry long time and was much needed). We got all dressed up to sit and do nothing and just enjoy one another. We took a bazillion pictures (such girls we are) and played would you rather for hours which was a hoot! It was fun just to catch up and chat about complete randomness.
Sunday was another great day! My mom and I went to a cooking class at Toscano's called italian comfort foods... the name alone had me sold on it. It took place in the restaurant and hosted 50 eager learners. At first, I was a little apprehensive because I was clearly the youngest one there and I had to play the role of a 21 year old because we were wine tasting, but I quickly dropped my shyness and loved every minute of it! The food was phenomenal as was the wine. I am so lucky to have a mom who loves to do such fun and new and exciting things with me. She is wonderful and I am so so thankful for her.
So that's it! That is my weekend in a nutshell. And tomorrow I am going to the Seattle Premium Outlet mall. I cannot wait!!
Bye for now,
<3 J

Doin' work in the kitchen

Last night was our second cooking lesson with Kalli. It was themed trip to spain. Everything was so delicious! My favorite dish was the stuffed peppers (center picture). It was surprisingly easy to make and even easier to eat! We also made a spanish dessert called oranges in wine (top right), another tasty recipe that was a delight to eat because it doesn't have that thick or heavy aspect of a tipical dessert, but it was rather an extremely light and cleansing treat. After all was said and done, we all rested extremely satisfied and full. Buenas noches bonitas!

<3 J

Samuel J. Beatty

This is my Samuel. He is one of the most wonderful, caring, trustworthy, fun and loving people I know. I am truly the luckiest girl in the world to have the relationship we do. We have been together a little over a year now and let me tell you - - it has been the best year of my life. He is the type of guy every girl dreams of and honestly I can't even begin to tell you all of his amazing qualities because it would take far too long and not even get close to saying everything I want to say. So I will leave it at that. My family loves him, my friends love him and most of all, I love him. Plus he's just cute. How could you not love him?

(sidenote) my mom commented on how I wrote a post about Vince Vaughn before I did one on Sam. I sort of laughed to myself and then decided that she was right. What was I thinking? But I think his post totally dominates Vince's in comparison.

<3 J

Vince Vaughn

I watched the break-up today and it only helped to solidify my love for Vince Vaughn. He has been one of my favorite actors for a long time due to his humor and his rugged manliness. He is in some of the best movies ever created (i.e. Swingers, Wedding Crashers, Old School, Dodgeball, and Anchorman). I get a lot of my laughs and jokes from his movies, and it's quite often to hear me rehearsing some of his hilarious movie lines just simply for the fact that they are brilliant and catchy.
This is for you, Vince.
<3 J

One of my many fascinations

Trees- I love them. I find them to be very beautiful and unique. The tree in the picture is a pear tree-one of hundreds in the orchard. My family took a trip to Oktoberfest in Leavenworth this year and the house we stayed at had this beautiful orchard in its backyard. Needless to say, I fell in love with it.

But anyways... for some reason I always find myself searching for my camera whenever I come upon a new tree. Back in the day (a year ago) I actually wanted to get a tattoo of this amazingly big and branchy tree I've loved for a long time on my side. But I quickly dropped that idea at the thought my parents might actually disown me. But a girl can dream right? Hahaha.

(Here's a story for you. The only bad encounter/memory I've had about a tree to date.) This past Christmas, my genius dad decided to get a Colorado Blue Spruce tree, thinking it would be a good way to keep our devilish cat off of it seeing as it is very pokey....BAD IDEA. If you take anything away from my posts, take this advice- - -NEVER get a colorado blue spruce for your christmas tree. It is hands down the most painful experience trying to decorate. Ask my mom. We had to wear two pairs of gardening gloves just to even attempt it. So you can only imagine our tree wasn't very decked out this year.

Hope you are having a tree-rific day!

<3 J

Kalli's Kitchen

My mom asked me last week if I would be interested in taking cooking classes with her and the rest of the fam. Of course I said yes (how could I not?? it something I've been wanting to do) so she introduced me to Kalli's Kitchen (click to go to her link).

The best part about taking Kalli's cooking classes is she comes to your home! Last night was our first class and it went fantastically! She arrived at our house and we got to work right away. One of the classes we signed up for was called Thai it Out which was all about Thai cuisine..mmmm. It was a blast and such a great way to get the whole family included (see dad above).

Anyways, I definitely recommend looking into this if it is something you are interested in. She was very fun, easy to learn from and you don't have to worry about anything except cooking- Kalli takes care of the rest (i.e. ingredients, aprons, cleanup).

My favorite dish we made were the fresh spring rolls. Talk about delicious and nutricious! I will undeniably be making these again seeing as they are wonderful snackies and great party food!

Tomorrow night is our next class (trip to spain) and I cannot wait!

<3 J

Bringing you up to speed..

After graduating from high school about 2 years ago, I never knew my life would make such a transformation. Some things I never envisioned or thought possible became a reality for me... and I have embraced every second of it. Some bad, a lot of good.. but all worth while. So allow me to open my world to you.

^- -This is me at my happiest moments in life. With my two most loveable, hugable doggies.(Samoyeds) Malibu is 2 years old and has been such a wonderful addition to my family. He is so smart and so sweet and he will steal your heart the second you meet him. I don't know what I would do without this guy.. and his little brother (not blood related) to the left is our mischevious Kona. I got him for my mom this september for her birthday..man was she shocked!! haha. We love him dearly and he has really come to be such a great companion to our family.

(Sidenote) People who will eventually look at this blog and know me really well will get a good laugh out of this first post because I would put a picture of my dogs up here first. Not my mom, or my boyfriend or my friends...but definitely my dogs. hahaha. But don't worry it won't be long before I put family and friends pictures on here (just in case you thought you were in the clear mom..).

More to come soon...

<3 J