My Sweet Gram

If there was one person I would want Landon to meet, it would be my sweet Gram.

She was the best at loving me. She loved my brother and I more than anyone or anything else. And don't think I'm just saying that...she would tell anyone.

Not many people get to say they had the honor of growing up living in the same house as their grandma. However, I am.

Some of my best childhood memories revolve around her:

     I loved waking up and smelling the wonderful smell of her homemade bread. I would toddle downstairs and she would be kneaded the dough and she would even give me my very own dough ball to play with.

    She never missed a dance recital....even if they were painfully long. 

    Playing Yahtzee and Don't Wake Daddy. Somehow...I always won.

    Getting me ready for school in the morning was always eventful. She didn't really know how to work a curling iron and she never seemed to get my pigtails even. 

    She let me watch Days of Our Lives or Golden Girls instead of taking naps.

Whenever I had sleepovers, she always made sure my friends and I had enough to eat and she would offer hugs and kisses to them as if they were her own granddaughters. 

    She hugged and kissed me every chance she could get and she always told me how much she loved me.

    I always had in her my corner. Even if I was wrong, she was on my side.

I try to honor her life by loving people, inviting people in, even when I don't want to, trying to bake like her, and practicing patience regardless of the circumstance.

I will always remember spending her last days with her. Even though she couldn't talk, she somehow managed to get out one more, "I love you."

If You Need A Little Laugh...

Sometimes, you just need a good laugh.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from awkwardfamilyphotos.com

Every family needs a "Beauty and The Beast" family photo.

A boy and his sweeper 

Good Morning!

Rough day...

Nothing says, "Merry Christmas" like a shirt full of facial hair!

Humm....There is just so much going on in this picture.

Why does Santa have a black eye?

Where can you find a pencil that big?

Just in case you needed a little laugh ;-)

My Husband is The Bomb.

These are the most important men in my life.

I didn't know that I could love Tyler any more than I did on the day I married him. When we had Landon, and I saw Tyler interact with him for the first time, I fell even more in love with him. There is no other man I would want Landon learning from.

Tyler loves me unconditionally and he shows it daily. He is passionate, determined, hard working, patient, compassionate, selfless, protective, ect. He is everything that I hope Landon grows into.

I love watching Tyler teach Landon new things. Whether is is, "We don't pinch Mama, we love her." or teaching him how and why the plants grow. Tyler is the best dad for Landon.

Some days I look at Tyler and wonder how I got so lucky to have him as my husband. His ability to balance school, work, studying, and his family amaze me.

If Landon grows up to be half the man his daddy is, he is going to be an awesome human being.

"This Love is Ours"

9.28.2008, Tyler and I met for the first time in a general education music class as freshmen in college.

12.25.09, Tyler asked me to marry him

Him and his family drove to my house Christmas night, surprised me, and in front of our families, in the house I grew up in, he got down on one knee and proposed.


Poor guy was scared to death...and this is why.
Tyler and I had NEVER discussed the idea of getting married. And when I say, "never" I mean the topic was kind of forbidden. We didn't want to talk about it until we were ready. Tyler literally was asking me about marriage for the very first time when he proposed and really had no idea what I would say.

After I said, "Are you serious?" I said, "Yes."

7.1.11. we got married.

5.19.2012 we moved to California so Tyler could attend Fuller Theological Seminary

12.12.12. we had a baby.

We had never talked about marriage before Tyler proposed.

We got married "too young" and we had no money.

We uprooted not even a year after we got married and moved across the country (still no money).

We were away from our family, only married for a year, and we had a baby.

But regardless of doing things differently than most people, our marriage is flourishing and beautiful. 

I reflect on this story often because it is ours and we totally own it. 

We don't do things the way most people would do them, but I think that is what makes our marriage great. 

The theme of our wedding was, "A Flower That Pierces The Concrete." In the midst of darkness, ugliness, and death, we want our marriage to be different and something beautiful for not only us, but for the world around us. When Landon and our (possible) other children grow up, I hope they will be able to see a marriage that is unlike any other marriage they have seen and as a result, they will live their lives differently as well. 

One of the best things about Tyler, is his passion for our marriage. He is constantly working on himself to make our marriage the best it can be. I always say that I would never be able to do this life with anyone except him, and I truly mean that. 

Not a California Girl

I'm sure you have heard the song, "California Girls." Its pretty obnoxious, but annoyingly catchy. However, I never really payed attention to the song until we moved here. As I was going to work one day, I started listening to it and said to Landon (as if he cares), "This song has a lot more meaning when you can relate."

Let me just break down some of these lyrics you:

The lyrics will be in blue ad my response will be in black.

"I know a place, where the grass is always greener"
     Fasle. There is no grass here. Unless it is fake.

"Warm, wet, and wild. There must be something in the water."
     There is definitely something in the water, because the water that comes out of our sink is cloudy and little things tend to float to the top. And! There is a big water shortage because people have to water their fake grass all the time.

"Sippin' gin and juice. Layin underneath the palm trees"
     Laying under palms trees is pretty nice, but I've heard that rats live in the tops of them.

"You could travel the world, but nothing comes close to the golden coast"
     Just go travel the world.
   
"Toned, Tan, Fit, and Ready"
     The expectation to be in shape and fit is disgusting, and for me, completely ridiculous. People aren't trying to be healthy for their well being, they do it so they can look good. People don't run for the health benefits, they run so they can show off the newest nike shoe.
     There is a lack of confidence around here, and its masked with the latest fashions. It is rare to see a girl walking down the street in sweat pants and a t-shirt. Keeping up with the newest thing has to be exhausting.
     Also, "Toned, Tan, Fit, and Ready" only applys to the rich, white elite culture where the standards are much higher.

"The girls a freak, she drives a jeep, and live on the beach"
     First of all, that isn't really a sentence (thats fitting too). Second of all, the only people living on the beach are the homeless people.

"I'm okay, I wont play, I love the bay, just like I love L.A."
     Living in L.A. has instilled in me a fear of cats. Yes, you read that right...cats. People bring them out like they are dogs and they are so creepy and unpredictable. And speaking of dogs...everyone feels the need to take their dogs EVERYWHERE. Even in restaurants! Yuck. The little, tiny white dogs are the worst. They get under your feet and somehow take up the entire sidewalk.
     
"Venice Beach and Palm Springs summertime is everyday"
     Have you ever been to Venice Beach? Seriously...the strangest place I have ever been. It is full of medical marijuana places and strange street shows. Not exactly a dream destination.

These are just some of the lyrics that cracked me up.

My point is, we have LOVED our time in California. We have gotten to do a lot of great things we wouldn't have been able to do had we stayed in OH or PA. We love Pasadena and will definitely miss it when we leave. It is beautiful and filled with great restaurants, beaches, mountains, and things to explore. The culture, however, is very different and not always desirable. The high maintenance, fear of not fitting in, and money, is something Tyler and I just don't fit in or agree.

Also, I would never want to be put in the category of "California Girls."

Incase you were curious, here is the music video.

Biking > Driving

Last March, Tyler and I bought bikes.

At first, I did not enjoy riding. Its not that I didn't know how to ride it, but until you really get the hang of shifting gears, it is hard.

Alliance, Ohio is not exactly the most friendly place to commute by bike. You get yelled at a lot and drivers definitely do not know the rules of bicycles on the road. Rules such as, a bicyclist has the same rights to the road as a car, and it is actually illegal to ride your bike on the sidewalk. 

Anyways...I did not always enjoy riding my bike. 

Hills were hard, Tyler was faster than I was, and it was miserable biking in the cold. Of course, I could have just taken the car, but we committed to using the car as little as possible and I was determined to get to the point where I loved riding my bike.

We moved to California, and biking here is a lot different. We have our own bike lanes and cars are a lot more respectful and cautious. There are even these billboards displayed:

Over the past few months, I have truly fallen in love with riding my bike. I prefer it over a car any day, especially because traffic around here is terrible. I'm happy to say that we bike everywhere except to the beach and to the mountains. I love the exercise and I love the feeling of freedom riding my bike gives me.

For Tyler and I, riding a bike just makes sense. We want to help restore the world and for us, biking is a way to do so. When we had Landon, one of the first things we wanted to do with him, was take him on a bike ride. Obviously, we couldn't do that, but we were highly anticipating the day when we could go on a family bike ride. As soon as he was able to fully support his head, we started biking with him.

Now, I know what you are thinking...

     You are crazy for biking on the road with your 5 month old. However, we feel strongly that he is just as safe in his bike trailer as he is in the car. In fact, there are more car accidents than biking accidents. And! Drivers are so friendly and cautious when they see that you have a child's trailer on the back of your bike.

Besides the helmet, he enjoys riding in his bike trailer a lot more than riding in the car. He either talks to himself, chews on his blanket, or just falls asleep. We have the pillows for extra cushion and comfort.  His trailer is attached to my bike and he gets to sit back and enjoy the ride while I do all the peddling.

We recently went on a bike ride along the beach and it easily became my favorite thing we have done in California. Not only was the ride beautiful, but I had the honor of riding beside my husband while our little boy rode behind us. For me, the day was so fulfilling and I felt so blessed to have the privilege to ride a bike in such a beautiful setting.

I can't wait for the day when we buy Landon his first bike, but for now...I like that he is riding safely behind me. 

P.S. If you are driving, and you see a bicyclist, give 'em some respect and be a little more cautious when driving past them.

38 Lessons Learned

Saying, "I've learned a lot" over the past year would be a huge understatement. I can't believe it has only been a year since Tyler and I graduated college and drove across the country to live in California.

I think as humans, we are always learning new things about the people around us, the world, and the life we are supposed to live.

Here are some of the things I have learned (in no particular order).

1. Tyler is the greatest man on the planet. I see some seminary wives living such dreadful lives so their husbands can pursue what they want to do. Tyler never makes me feel like that. He is always encouraging me to find what I want to do in this world and he is supportive. I believe our marriage has developed into something really beautiful over the past 2 years and I can't imagine doing this life with any other person. He is the love of my life and my best friend.

2. The love I have for Landon is unlike any other.

3. My bike is one of my favorite things.  

4. There is no shame going to a food distribution. Fuller has a free food distribution for students and people in the community. It has been a blessing to us.

5. Don't box your life up the way you think it should go. God can shatter those boxes at any moment and turn it into something much more beautiful and fulfilling.

6. You don't usually get excited over little things until you have a baby. When Landon rolled over for the first time, you would have thought we won the lottery.

7. California weather is miserable during August, September, October and November.

8. Hotel pools are easy to access. Without a room key ;-)

9. LA traffic is as terrible as they say it is. 

10. Your baby's first holidays may not be sweet and joyous. 

He was obviously not interested in Christmas presents or Easter eggs.

11. If you are registering for your baby shower and you are debating whether or not you need something...you don't need it. Trust me. 

12. Living in seminary housing doesn't alway mean the people around you are friendly and nice.

13. Avocados have become one of my favorite foods.

14. I would choose Tyler's cooking over a restaurant any day.

15. I took my back country roads and small town for granted while I was growing up.

16. Ants can take over a kitchen very quickly.

17. Businesses make it very inconvenient for mothers to nurse their babies in public. 

18. I have gained so much respect for single parents. I don't know how they do it.

19. Playing Call of Duty can form great friendships with people.

20. High school and college years are the easiest of your life.

21. Not having cable is a great thing.

22. Regardless of all the terrible and tragic things that happen in the world, there are some really beautiful and generous people out there.

23. My husband is one of the hardest working people I know.

24. Not having a washer and a dryer in your apartment is annoying, yet very humbling.

25. Fun Fact: At night, in LA, you are always within 20 feet of a rat. Wanna come visit?

26. Hiking with your husband can be a very spiritual experience.

27. I could eat an entire box of honey nut cheerios...without milk.

28. I love pomegranate seeds.

29. You appreciate seasons much more when you don't get to experience them.

30. Hospital bills and student loans are annoyingly expensive. I think education and getting medical attention should be free.

31. Living behind a gas station sucks.

32. It is awesome when you can pick strawberries out of your own garden and eat them.

33. Living in California is too expensive and it isn't as glamourous as people think.

34. Choosing to nurse Landon has been one of the greatest decisions I have ever made. To think he is growing and developing because of what I'm feeding him is so rewarding!

35. European board games are better than traditional board games.

36. Turnips are disgusting.

37. Old friendships can be mended.

38. Don't always be so sure that your not pregnant ;-)