Southern California

The wind is totally blowing my shirt out in this pic…don't get any ideas, haha!

In early August we flew down to Southern California to visit Kevin's family. Avonlea was a champion traveler, I was honestly so impressed with how she did! She found the airplane fascinating and nursed the whole way down, and basically slept the whole flight back (I mean, it is only an hour flight…but I was still elated! haha). BUT…. traveling with a tiny child is no joke with how much extra stuff you need to bring! How can someone so little require so.much.stuff??? The carseat, stroller, ergo, etc. etc. It was all worth it though!

We were mostly in Orange County, staying with Kevin's parents and seeing friends.  We hit up our old favorites in Newport Beach (Mama D's and True Food Kitchen), took the ferry to Balboa Island and did lots of beach walks. I got to see friends from so many different parts of my life down there…Bible Study, Grad School, my old job…it was a blast!

We also spent 2 days in San Diego seeing friends and staying with my aunt and uncle. We hiked Torrey Pines which are these beautiful cliffs along the coast. San Diego was experiencing a bit of a humid heat wave, so it was blazing hot, haha!

I realized by the end that I hardly took any pics with my camera (mostly my phone)…so here are a few I did take. It was such a refreshing trip to be around beloved people, and introduce them to Avonlea. She was SUCH a sweet baby with everyone, made my mama heart so full of thanksgiving.

One poignant part of the trip happened as we sat around the table with Kevin's parents. I was having a bit of a bad attitude that this short trip was our only vacation as a family this summer. Kevin's job has been crazy busy (unexpectedly busy…), and it's was really hard on me as he was gone most of the day, working 12+ hours a day. I dreamed of going to Portland, or Europe, or just somewhere new. Going to SoCal, where we lived for 8 years didn't seem like much of a vacation, so I was pouting (woe is me! so pathetic, I know). But…the first night there, Kevin's dad Mitch pulled out the devotional called New Morning Mercies and read a devotion on how when we are focused on US, our life if full of grumbling and complaining. But when we are focused on Christ and ready to give thanks for all His gifts, we live a life of gratitude and peace. I was SOOO convicted. And honestly, it changed my whole perspective and outlook on this trip. I was able to completely enjoy it, giving thanks for all the beautiful and small ways I was blessed and saw God moving. Isn't it funny how an attitude and perspective change completely gives you life and freedom? Thanks Mitch for reading that devotional to us!!

How is your summer going? We are helping host a block party this Sunday for our neighbors and i'm super excited. We're having root beer floats and playing lawn games. Praying all my neighbors feel loved and welcomed and that we have a blast!! Enjoy your week! xoxo