She's Sun and Rain

Katie and I at dinner on Saturday night. On Monday we went to BusyBodies! It's a gym sort of place, locally owned, where kids of all ages go and play together. Ella loved it! Flying Ella :) I love this little girl! Me trying to be artsy! haha. She is definitely a studio baby! She crawls all around the dance studio where Katie teaches. Destiny Dance International Marissa! I hadn't seen her since Italy in 06 :) Me and sweet Ella!

Ella liked climbing on my suitcase :) We hiked up Pinnacle Peak in Glendale, where Katie, Chad, and Ella live (and their boxer Sierra of course). You can see the whole city and the mountains everywhere. It was 90 degrees at 10am! Katie was being sneaky!

Ella Claire :) We went to swim class on Friday...then Mila came over for dinner! It was a yummy meal for sure. Ella took 6 steps on her own Friday night! I was so excited to be there for it :)

I'm heading to Phoenix today to see Katie and Ella and have a vacation :) I am so thrilled to be going out there again. Last time we had so much fun. Hiking and shopping in Scottsdale...and the tentative plan is going to consist of a lot of the same fun. Ella has a swim lesson on Friday, going to the studio on Saturday to watch a dance rehearsal for a charity, then shopping in Scottsdale, and then maybe a trip to Tucson. I love being around Katie. She's an amazing person, mother, and friend. She never, and I mean never has a negative word to say about anyone. She's always positive. And she is an incredible mom, she's so playful and fun with Ella. I learn so much from her. She's got everything you could ask for and is one of the most humble people I've ever met. I just love her! She's my twin, we were friends from the moment we met in 10th grade. Phoenix is a beautiful city, and Arizona, or what I've seen is captivating. The mountains are everywhere, and ...

I think I left my journal on the plane. This means some stranger on the next flight from Chicago to somewhere, is reading it or read it. They got a story let me tell ya.

I watched the Kite Runner last night. Wow. I woke up thinking about it. The sadness in the world from the things that happen to people. The things people do to hurt other people. What a messed up world we live in. I'm also reading Heaven by Randy Alcorn and it talks about - heaven. So even though you see all the mess in this screwed up world, you know there is hope in heaven and living with God forever. I'd recommend this book to anyone. ..... Stopped by the church yesterday and am once again reminded I should start my own company. Or something. I think it is possible and could be a good thing. Wedding planning. It could give me a great schedule, flexibility, and hopefully enough income to get by without sacrificing time that should be used elsewhere. I need a name though...any thoughts? ..... I stopped by McDonald's this morning and got a sweet tea. Get this. I get to the window, and say "I would like a medium sweet tea"...she says..."you can get a large one...

Los Angelos on my birthday. 27th. I'm going to turn 27 next year too. The Original Gino's East restaurant in downtown Chicago. Delicious food at 9pm after an exhausting day! The crazy snowstorm in the midwest that resulted in lots of flooding. I flew over on my way to Minnesota...they weren't kidding. Lots of snow. Taylor and I in Kansas City, KS. I am the idiot who pulls over on the side of the road to take these pictures. :)

Picture: This is from our Wednesday night Hometeam. Do you remember that song...well, I do, that song we would sing at the end of the service on Sunday morning while holding hands with everyone in the pew..."I'm so glad I'm apart of the family of God...I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood,...." Picture: From Rebecca's Baby Shower, Kristi, Casey, and myself. We had the Pursuit (our Youth large group meeting) on Sunday night and Brad had a talk with the kids about where we've been the past year and how to grow the student ministry. My cousin stopped in and she said it felt like she was coming into a family meeting. I thought that was really cool. We are a family. These kids, and these leaders, are my family. I love it. Picture: Our fearless Youth Pastor Brad giving the thumbs up, with DJ - his beard, and the guys Picture: These are the girls homteam leaders. Haha. Back row: Kristi, Rebecca, Me, Front row: Casey, Emily I was reading my p...

Millie Hollomon photography. Absolutely amazing. Her blog is milliehollomonblog.com. My old roomate Rebecca is a photographer for her company now. Millie photographed Rebecca's wedding, that I was in - and her photography is just amazing. I feel like I should say this! Shelly Moore Band. Shelly was also my roomate in college also - with Rebecca. We had a house on Swift. It was an amazing house. We had acoustic sessions all the time, and shag parties on the deck covered with white lights, and lots and lots of singing. Shelly has a band, and it's pretty wonderful. She praises Jesus with her voice and Mike's guitar. www.shellymoore.com . You should buy her cd. Charlotte South Fellowship Where I hang out, praise Jesus, and learn more about Him. Where I spend time with the High Schoolers. Where I listen to KC Clark's voice on Sunday mornings and Kenny's preaching. Where I serve. www.charlottesouth.org . Cheersport Where I work. www.cheersport.net . I plan cheerleading co...