pretty much the coolest dad on the planet

Today was a fun-filled day! My papa drove up to see me for the annual birthday visit. We went out to lunch, adventured around town, went shopping, laughed, and dressed up like pirates and ninjas. Yep, my dad dressed up like a ninja and hung out with my friends because he loves me that much. And he is super cool. My friends all agree. So, here is some evidence of our fun, and THANK YOU papa for everything! I love you!

falling deeper

The word that God keeps speaking to my heart is one of letting go of control and logic and reason and arguments...and falling into His precious and safe arms. The following song lyrics have been catching my ears every time I hear them...

"Light up the night's last regret
Burn your only safety net
Step to the edge it's such a long way down"

So true...such a long way down. Is that what prevents me from doing it? Or is it simply the idea of change? Letting go and doing things in a way completely different than my stubborn independent way has been so frightening that I have yet to truly do it. I have had a safety net, an exit in case something went wrong or did not live up to the expectation. Now is the time to let go...freefall into the arms of Jesus. Unless a seed falls to the ground and dies...

vacation...

Why is it that when you are about to take a vacation you find yourself working extra hard so that you can go on vacation? It makes no sense! But we do it all the time! I find myself with a pile of paperwork to do before I go on a vacation for a week and a half...yuck. I always do. So I am taking a mental break to ponder this very issue. We feel like we cannot go and relax unless everything is done...or else we fear coming back to the pile. Vacations are meant to refresh us, so we work really hard...and then need the refreshing. I have 240 hours of vacation. Do you know how many days that is? 30!!! I could be off for a month and be completely fine. Wow. I am at the max. So, it is official. I am taking a vacation. What am I going to do? Well, relax, for one. And do some small but tedious projects that keep being put off. And I am going to Spirit West Coast at the end of it. Nothing too big. But I will be taking a whole 8 days...barely a dent in my stockpile of hours. Oh well, at least I am trying. Yay vacation!

this summer

It is summertime! It is July!!! Crazy...my weekends are filling up rapidly as I am diving into summer. So far, it overall has been a lot of fun- BBQs, hot tubs, karaoke, lots of hanging out, fresh fruit at farmer's market, beach time, etc. On the table ahead is garage sale, camping, bridal shower, birthday party, music festival, vacation!!!, and a wedding. I think I will blink and it all will pass. I hope not. I hope to enjoy it all. But there is an element of time flying and me holding on...

Ha. Today started my birthday month. The reason I say this is because we "celebrated" it at work. So, I wholeheartedly embrace my birthday month. Secretly, I am selfishly wanting to be celebrated by myself and not have to share my birthday with others...I am feeling the sibling syndrome where the kids who have siblings with birthdays near theirs get frustrated because they have to share their birthday with others. I know like ten people with birthdays surrounding mine. I think it is because last year I did not really feel like my birthday was anything special. And so this year I want to make up for that. I don't usually feel this way. There is just something about this year. And yes, I agree that it is totally selfish. I love my friends, and I know it is insane to do ten birthdays in fifteen days...eh. We will see. It would be amazing to be pampered! Pedicure, massage, get my hair done...

How did my blog about this summer get to be about my birthday? Just in the flow of thought, I guess. :)