InstaSaturday

Whelp.  It's Saturday.

Which means I missed InstaFriday.  Again.

Life has been crazy.

Actually, I think I've missed three weeks in a row.

Which means you need to strap on your seat belt. For three weeks of fun-filtered photos.

 

Stop whatever it is that you are doing and make these right now.

Even if you don't have the two items required, go the the store immediately.

I know it's Saturday night. But it's time well spent. TRUST moi.

 

We love ourselves a little Texas Hold 'Em round these parts.

Some nights I play. Some nights I hack on the couch and watch.

 

According to the bridal boutique, my measurements = Size 22.

In real life, I = Size 10.

Therefore, I had to pay someone to take on some beastly alterations.

And the someone I was planning on paying decided to take a little vacay.

FOR TWO MONTHS.  In the middle of wedding season.  Who does this?

Someone who is avoiding turning my 22 into a 10.   That's who.

Fanny, I will not forget this.  I mean it, Fanny.

 

A few weeks ago, Kim and I met Wendy and Melissa for dinner.

Yay for linkable friends!

Never in a million, zillion years did I ever think starting a blog would give me new friends.

It's still a little weird if I really think about it.

But I saw Mel at a U2 concert on Tuesday night and I feel like I've known her for a million, zillion years.

And that is almost more awesome that Bono.

 

Confession: sometimes I go to Starbucks when I don't even want to.

And buy something I don't need.

When I'm not even thirsty.

Actually, I don't even like coffee.

But I want a fancy gold card.

Mission. Accomplished.

 

My sister-in-law-to-be felt sorry for the old people in her life and invited my mom and I to join her Bachelorette cruise.

We invited my cousin and my mom's BFF.  So we weren't the only old people.

Basically everyone in California went on this cruise.

Poor Kennah.  She is such a good sport to marry into this family.

It was fun. REAL fun. We laughed ALOT.

 

And because I am old, I read this while all the young girls were at Rex's.

Rex = Carnival's disco club.  Did I just say disco club?  Oh dear. #OLD

Anyway, read this if you haven't.

I can't stop thinking about it.

And I was so sad when it ended because I wanted to read it forever.

I can't wait for the movie.

 

Am I the only one who wanders the aisles of Target at 10:00 pm the night before a road trip?

Buying things I don't even need for a road trip. I do this EVERY time. And I don't even know why.

 

On our way to the wedding!

Minus daddy who was chauffeuring Uncle Vinny from the airport.

He's not really my uncle but we just call him that.

And he's from New York.  So it totally works.

 

My dad toasting the couple at the rehearsal dinner.

My dad's toasts are always awesome.

Always.

 

Not awesome?  Your kid in a bar at 10 pm.

But a family that karaokes together stays together.

So we took one for the team.

 

A little flower girl stress relief.

Props to Kim for the caption.

 

And wedding prep.

K: "Let the hair tools do the work, Ash."

 

Cousins killing time in the hotel lobby the day after the wedding.

Is the iphone not the best invention in all the world?

Three minutes earlier they were running circles around the reception desk.

What did our parents do in the 80s?

 

I love that our church has pledged 70% of its' budget to meet needs.

Needs within the body and otherwise.  Because it's biblical.  Helping each other.

We took a free will offering for this wonderful cause on Sunday and the church agreed to match.

We were able to donate $717.32 to help Anika's family bring her home.

 

We like U2.  Lots.

We see them every time they are within a 100 mile radius.  Sometimes twice during the same tour.

This particular concert was rescheduled because Bono hurt his back.

So we've been holding on to these tickets since 2009.

Which means my chances for losing them were pretty high.

And I did.  I lost them.

But I found them on Monday.  The concert was on Tuesday.

My mom helped. And my cousin Barbara who was in town for the wedding.

Thanks Mom.  Thanks Barb.  And thanks Ellen who bought the tickets.

It was a great show!

 

She hates cats.  And sweatshirts with cats.

 

I sewed for the first time in my life on Wednesday.

And I made tree pants.

And now I want to sew every free second of my life.

But I don't have very many free seconds.  Or a sewing machine.

So this could be problematic.

 

The carnies are coming!

I like the fair and carnies more than U2.

Our old house was on a main, busy street that connected the fairgrounds to downtown.

Carnie Boulevard during Fair Week.

Some pretty awesome people watching.

I miss Carnie Boulevard.

 

We had a shower for this beautiful mama-to-be today.

Big girl post with big girl pictures coming soon.

 

Whew.

That was alot.

I'm exhausted.

 

Happy weekend, friends!

Now go to the store and make those cookies.

 

 

Branden and Kennah

My little brother got married on Friday.
It was gorgeous. Beyond gorgeous.
The ceremony site.
The bride.
The flowers.
Stunning. Overwhelming.

Such an affair requires much prep.
The venue was amazing.
The ceremony was just down the road but the rehearsal dinner, lodging and reception were all in one spot.
With an on-site babysitting staff.
A camp-like feel, but SO not camp-like.
Rustic, woodsy, scenic. With air hockey. What more could you want for in life?

So fun to catch up with old, dear friends as we were getting ready. Hi Mark! You made the blog!

Videographer in training.  Very focused.

Gorgeous already.  Zero make-up.

This flower girl business is seriously tough.

Rain was in the forecast but held off.  The ceremony was lovely.  Magical.

Dave had the honor and privilege of officiating.  He also used the word "precipice" to describe the ceremony location.
Which was definitely my favorite part.  I love him.  And his fancy words.

My dad has a habit of walking people down the aisle like he's running for office.  Sorry, Grandmums.

My mom has a habit of crying at special events.  Always.

We almost called their gig off the night before.
Basket fighting down the aisle.
Running off into the woods during rehearsal.
I was nervous. Beyond nervous.

But they were clutch. Pros.
I threatened Kayla with no wedding cake.
And Googled "how to say 'if you don't behave, I'll take away all your Minnie Mouse shirts' in ASL"
five minutes before the ceremony.
It was all very effective.

Praying for the couple.  Prize goes to Uncle B for best shot of the day.  Love this one.

That rain that was forecasted? It held off until about 5 minutes after the ceremony.
At that time it began to drizzle and dropped 20 degrees in 3.8 seconds.

The reception was fabulous, as well.  And indoors, so the weather was soon forgotten.
Delicious food, amazing music and wonderful people who celebrated into the wee hours of the morning.

The bride's parents, Mike and Lisa Stewart.  Wonderful, kind and fun people.  Thank you for hosting such a fabulous event.

Uncle Chevy and Aunt Liz.  KIDDING.  Really, it's Uncle Frank.  But doesn't he look just like him??!

I wore fake eyelashes.  And am now faced with a problem that did not exist in my life previously.
Because my real eyelashes are so sad and lonely without them.  I'm looking into eyelash implants.

Behind the cake, Kennah had displayed wedding pictures of all the guests.  LOVED this touch.  So fun seeing couples reminisce over their wedding day.  Equally fun laughing at the hair and style of years gone by.  The 80's were rough on brides.

And no party is complete until the Captain is behind the bar.  And paying the venue's record-breaking bar tab.

Thanks Uncle Bert and JoAnn for letting my steal your beautiful pictures.  You captured the day perfectly.

And congratulations Branden and Kennah! We love you so much!

Sew... You Think You Can Sew?

{source}

I've always considered myself somewhat crafty.
I can whip up a fairly decent scrapbook.
Put together a soccer banner.
Bake here and there.
Knit useless things in long, straight lines.
But that's about as far as I go.

Fabric scares me.
The above cute little print does not accurately reflect my life.
I do not love sewing.
The cutting.  The rolls at JoAnn's.  The measuring.
I chose Liberal Arts, non-credential track as my major in college.
Primarily because no additional math was required.
Actually, ONLY because no additional math was required.
Math and I?  We are not good friends.
Fabric and math?  I run.

Last week, Jessica (have you entered her giveaway yet?) invited me to her learn-to-sew party.
Instructed by my friend and former co-worker, Jill.

At this point I need to interject and tell you about the coolest job in all the world.
It's being the admin for a youth pastor.
Which I was for 4 years while avoiding Math at Cal State Hayward.
Get paid to hang out with high schoolers and the best staff ever all day?  OK.
Design cool flyers for even cooler events?  If you insist.
Manage a data base so methodically that you have every student's address memorized?
DREAM. COME. TRUE.
If I could have majored in data entry instead of liberal arts, I would have.

Jill was the admin for the senior pastor who was Jessica's dad.
I loved that job.  I loved working with Jill.
She always had the most perfect skin and eye makeup, especially eyeliner.
Do you remember weird, random things about people from 15 years ago?  Because I totally do.
Anyway, I'm so excited to be learning from her again.

But I need to buy a sewing machine.
HAAALP.
Seriously.  I'm in need.

Sewing friends.  What machine do you recommend?
And Jill says I have to thread my machine and wind my bobbin.
Um?  I think I can figure out the threading part.  But what's a bobbin?

And non-sewing friends, don't be haters.
Support my new endeavor.
I'll make you some PJ pants.

Cake Batter Rice Krispie Treats

Kayla turns 8 a month from yesterday.

Holy Moses.

How did that happen?

Anyway, she wants a rainbow themed birthday party.

I stumbled upon some multi-colored goodness over at this blog.

And I think they will be perfect.

So I do what I always do.

Whipped up a batch for my favorite church folk.

Taste testers extraordinaire.

And the best part about any variation of the rice krispie treat?

Easy as pie.

Actually.  Who came up with that saying?

Pie is so NOT easy.

I hate making pie.

Easy as rice krispie treats.

That's way more accurate.

And they really are delicious.

3 tbsp butter

6 cups rice krispies

1/3 cup yellow cake batter dry mix (unprepped)

1 bag - 10 oz mini marshmallows

1 jar (1.75 oz) multicolored sprinkles

In large saucepan, heat butter and marshmallows on low until melted.

Slowly add dry cake mix, one small scoop at a time, to melted marshmallow mixture.

In separate bowl, add 6 cups cereal.

Fold in marshmallow mixture and 1/2 jar of sprinkles

Press into any size baking dish.

Top with the remaining sprinkles.

Let sit for 30 minutes before cutting.

Hope's home group meets tonight at 6:30.

Come.

For Ephesians.  And rainbows.

Facebook: 1 Part Creepy, 2 Parts Amazing

OK, so I'm not going to lie and tell you that I LOVE the Book.

To be honest, I'm kind of over it.
It usually overwhelms me.
I've got issues of my own.
I don't want to hear about 638 other issues every time I refresh.
But I love seeing babies and engagements and weddings.
So I check the app.
After Twitter.
Email.
Instagram.
Words with Friends.
And maybe a quick game of Bejeweled.

The Makers Faire was held at the Expo Center this weekend. Freak Fest 2011.  Truly.  Weirdest event EVER.
Think Luke Skywalker, Bill Gates and Martha Stewart got married and had kids. And liked to compost.
I don't even know. It was just interesting. And kind of unexplainable.

Last night, I received an email notification that my friend Dana tagged me in her friend Matt's picture.

What's funny is I think I remember when this picture was taken.
I remember seeing him with his camera and wondering where it would end up.
Then I started panicking about where it would end up.
Then I remembered I have a blog that anyone can look at any time.
And that perpetuated irrational thoughts about ransom and kidnapping.
That's why my face looks disturbed.
And hot glue guns also give me anxiety.
So do upcycled craft booths.

At any rate, this moment is captured forever.
By someone who wasn't even meaning to take a picture of us.
Who didn't even know us. But knows my friend. Creepy amazing if you ask me.

What are your thoughts about Facebook?  Take it?  Leave it?  Talk to me.

A Day Late

InstaFriday weekly recap happening on InstaSaturday.

I had a long day at work and was InstaExhausted.

Also, I didn't want to waste my time on a post if the world was going to end and all.

But.  Surprise!

We're still here.

Matthew 24:34-36.  It's a good read.

OK, back to our life.

Way more interesting than the apocalypse.

Ashlyn had her own mini-apocalypse in the back seat on Monday.

I wouldn't stop at Safeway to get her a DVD and Dora ice cream.

And for a second I thought maybe Camping was right.

It could very well be the end of the earth.

Just last Friday, not this Saturday.

We went to an auction for CityTeam Ministries on Friday night.

Dave runs the Oakland chapter of their homeless and recovery shelter.

Along with pastoring the church plant.

In case you haven't picked up on this fact yet, he's had 208 jobs since junior high.

Usually multiple jobs at the same time.

When I met him, he worked at a florist and was also scorekeeper at the local Little League field.

And he was 9.

The guy ALWAYS needs to be busy.  And it's one of my favorite things about him.

Kayla thinks she's getting a Yorkie terrier after Kobi goes to dog heaven.

She compiled a alphabetical list of potential names in grid formation.

Dave says she can't get one unless it's a boy named Goliath.

That didn't go over so well.

She wants a girl named Beatrice or Watercress.

Of course.

Hope had Communion Sunday this week.

We ate after service.

And then Dave scared the kids.

Typical.

I went to Target for paper towels and stumbled upon this fabulous pairing.

Because who doesn't need a little cardio with their cake pops?

Sweet friends from First Baptist brought us dinner to celebrate our one month anniversary in our new house.

Which I totally forgot.  SO Deb to remember.  That is why I love her.

I love when fortunes preach.  Romans 5:3-5 right there.

And this?  This right here?  My favorite Instagram picture  OF. ALL. TIME.

The pictures from this post inspired a hair highlight and chop for my brother's wedding in 2 weeks.

I love it.

Light.  Free.  Healthy.  Dries in 3 minutes.

At my current unpacking rate, I anticipate seeing our garage floor sometime in 2014.

There are U2 tickets somewhere in those piles.  For a concert on June 7th.

Why did God make unpacking so hard?

Are there unpacking companies I can hire?

Taco Night.

I grabbed cabbage instead of iceberg like I do 50% of the time.

And Dave stopped on his way home to pick up iceberg like he does 50% of the time.

One time he brought home more cabbage.  Hot produce mess over here.

Same time-ish.  Same place.  Next week.  Maybe.