I've been elfed?

So my friend Megan elfed me and a few of our friends...I think its funny!

take a look here.

It's Christmas!!!

Today we have our Christmas party with the JH staff and I am very excited!

John and I put up our tree right after Thanksgiving, so here is the pic finally.


and then there is Jeff Maguire, our student ministres pastor...enough said :)



MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Tuesdays...I love you!

Tuesday is one of my favorite days of the week. Yes it is long, I leave the house at about 745am and do not get home till about 845pm...long day, but I love it! It is a day where I just feel such joy.

It begins with a all staff storytime, where different ministries tell us what God is doing at our church, I pretty much always get goosebumps. Then we have time just with the JH staff, we share about students and leaders and what God is doing within our own ministry, I love it! We finish up with prayer for our students, leaders, and team.

After that, we'll head to team lunch, which with our group can always be an adventure! Coming back to the office and finishing some work, I then head out to prepare for my small group. Last night was our Christmas party and I gave all the girls picture frames with a group shot of all of us. It was pretty cute! Small group is always fantastic, 6th grade girls are darling!

Finishing up small group I head for home, usually to meet my sweet friend Tara to laugh and watch the BIGGEST LOSER! I love this show!

Then to debrief the day with the most wonderful man in the world, my husband JOHN. This day is usually busy so we don't have that much time to chat, so I love to catch up with him at the days end!

Tuesdays I love you!!

The Ritz Carlton

So the other night John and I went on a date! We headed down to the Ritz Carlton to look at the Christmas lights and the big waves at the beach...here are a few pics...
the walk up the drive way

the tree!

the giant gingerbread house, I took the pic with my iphone and couldn't fit it all in one shot (right side)

(left side)


I f you have never seen the giant gingerbread house I would suggest it! We had so much fun! I love my husband!

A taste of the future...

So last night John and I watched Avery (4) and Brylie (almost 1) Shinners, two of the cutest little girls! Anyway, John and I definitely got a taste of what having kids is like. By the time we left we were both exhausted and it had only been 4 1/2 hours! :)

We watched Hannah Montana, I fed brylie and John made cookies with Avery (too cute)! Then Avery and I attempted to make snowflakes, and finally settled down to watch the beginning of the Santa Claus 2!

It was just a reminder that we love spending time with other peoples kids, but are in no way ready to have our own :)

today was a good day!

-I went to walmart to get some supplies for some small group leaders... yeah for a new 6th grade girls group!

-had lunch with allison murray...so fun! I freaking love her!...and got to see some old friends :)


-got some starbucks and began to work on my message for the weekend. Our series is on Christmas carols and finding the true meaning of Christmas. Last week Phil did "Silent Night" and for this weekend I have chosen "Drummer Boy" hopefully it will be good. Lately I have had such a heart for our students to understand the meaning of the season. I work with students from some of the wealthiest families in Orange County and my prayer is that they would have a desire to give to others, rather then focusing on what they can get for themselves.

-made dinner for my handsome husband. I decided to try something new and it turned out to be delicious! I made chicken with corn cilantro salsa, it was really good~! And John cleaned up!!

-We are finishing the Georgetown vs. Alabama basketball game, then we're off for a date of Starbucks, Christmas lights at the Ritz, and then down to the beach to see the big waves!

...today was a GREAT day!

so what we've been up to...

So John and I went to Oklahoma for thanksgiving and it was so much fun! Here are a few pics from our trip!

this is a group of some of the greatest youth pastors in our country and some of John's best friends.

John and I with our sweet little niece

Yup, another night at the Melting Pot in Oklahoma City

john and I on the patio at his parents house

Back from Oklahoma we went to the Christmas tree lighting at Mariners, it was so much fun!

Dinner at El Ranchito in Laguna Beach

no blog lately!

well, life has been a little crazy, busy, overwhelming, fun, and exhausting. Therefore, I have not blogged as my husband reminds me of everyday! So, this is only to say it's coming!

ok, so a lot has happened in 5 days

Saturday
-Got in a sumo suit at work. It was very hot! But really funny!


-drove to San Diego for the half-marathon and stayed in a very ghetto hotel with some of my best friends



Sunday (more pics to come)
-Ran 13.1 miles in the half-marathon in Coronado. It was such a beautiful run, at one point there was water on both sides.

- finished under 2 1/2 hours (not that great) thought I was going to die!

-sent Kristen off to the hospital

-hung out with my friends

-went to bed at 9am



Monday (more pics to come)

-slept in, then had lunch with the girls

-came back to my place and went to the pool, it was 90 degrees!! Got a little sun

-checked on Kristen, she was doing better

-complained of stomach pain

-had dinner and dessert with the girls, played Wii and guitar hero



Tuesday

-went to work

-had a meeting on top of a hill :)

-complained about my stomach, Phil joked about me being pregnant (so not true!)

-had team lunch (Happy Birthday Sadie!!)

-met with a volunteer

-came home and thought I might die

-went to 6th grade small group night out, we went bowling! so fun! But was in so much pain!

-Came home to meet Tara and to watch the Biggest Loser at 9pm

-1030pm she was taking me to the hospital

-11pm checked into the ER, too many tests went on, John and I were there all night



Wednesday

-430am got admitted to the hospital

-total blurry, but I know Allison Murray came :) And my husband was the best thing in the world

-2pm had a endoscopy (spelling?) a camera shoved down my throat to look at my stomach

-finally found out I had a few ulcers (yah crazy! they say it was in combination with the 13 miles and the ibprofen I took before and after the marathon)


Thursday

-slept terrible! the hospital was crazy packed so they stuck me in the Stroke unit! yeah! Kind of funny that everytime someone came in to check on my roommate, they were shocked to see a 20something year old.

-got released at noon with a months worth of ulcer medication to take

so yeah! ridiculous I know! And soooo glad to be home!

getting ready for tomorrow!

Well, the day has come! My friends are in town and we're ready to run the 13.1 miles in the morning! It's half-marathon day! I'm just excited that we all get to be together!

I'll bring back pics! Wish us luck!

Junior highers, my Husband, Starbucks, and a cool night...

4 things I love! Of course my Husband the most! But yesterday I had a pretty lazy day after church, I was exhausted and delirious so I slept through some football and watched some football. The reason I was so tired was because the night before we had our annual JUMBOLAYA at church! It is an event for Junior High students only at our church, it is designed to reach students who don't go to Mariners. Anyway, it was so fun and chaotic, but it was a good chaos. We had about 700 students and about 70+ adult leaders. It was a great night, I didn't get to bed until 2am.

Anyway, last night my back hurt because I had been laying on the couch most of the day. John and I decided to get a Starbucks before we watched Extreme Home Makeover. Anyway, we decided to walk, yes it's that close!!!! It was a very enjoyable walk and the air was cool and crisp!! Fantastic night with the Hubby!

I've been tagged by the wonderful Allison Murray!!!

in 3 words or less...
1. Where is your cell phone? In my purse
2. Who is your boyfriend/girlfriend or Husband/Wife? John William Snyder
3. Where is one of your parents? At home
4. Cheesecake? New York, Please!
5. Your favorite thing to do? Hang with friends
6. Your dream last night? Raelyn got engaged
7. Your favorite drink? Chia Tea Latte
8. The room you're in? comfy, colorful, mine!
9. George Bush? He is great!
10. What you're good at? A good friend
11. One of your wish list items? Awesome new camera
12. Where did you grow up? Orange County, California
13. The last thing you did? Ordered glo sticks
14. What are you wearing? Jeans and sweatshirt
15. Who stole your sunglasses? My sister, Evelyn
16. Ketchup? On hamburgers/fries
17. Your computer? mac book
18. Your life? So BLESSED
19. Your mood? Cheery, excited, fantastic
20 Your next blog? this
21. Your car is? It’s still running!
22. Your summer? Tropical vacation
23. Your relationship status? Married toanamazingmanname, John
24. Your favorite color(s)? pink 
25. When is the last time you laughed? During lunch

I tag Kayla J & Jordan Gunderson

we're ok...just breathing in a lot of junk

Well, luckily John and I live about 20 miles from the blaze, but it is burning very close to Saddleback. Pray that the firefighters gain strength, that they can get more help, and that the wind STOPS!

Thank you for all your phone calls, emails, and text messages!

So here's the scoop about Branson, Missouri!

It was truly an amazing trip! I felt a bit selfish because my friends are such amazing God-fearing women that encouraged me and loved me the entire time, I just tried to get all that I could from them! I truly felt so filled by the time I got in the car to leave. Most of them work in youth ministry and truly with all their heart feel it as their call, their passion, and their life. I love being around people that love students just as much as I do.

Anyway, everything was fantastic, from the bachelorette to the rehearsal to the wedding day! The following aren't my pics, but other were generous to send me theres (can't find the camera cord again!)

This is all the Kwest girls, who were in the wedding, at the rehearsal dinner. It was at a delicious BBQ place!


The beautiful bride and her groom. I think most of us were so thrilled this day had come! They couldn't be more perfect for each other! God is going to use them in amazing ways!


All the Kwest staff in the wedding


kwest girls



All the kwest staff at the wedding



Me and Raelyn


Ali and I back together again! It was so fantastic to see her! This is us at a piano bar after the wedding, there was like 15 of us, no one wanted to go back to the hotel because we won't all be together again for a long time!



Overall, the weekend was so wonderful. Then I hitched a ride with some friends back to Oklahoma and got to see John and the fam. I changed my flight so John and I headed home on the same flight!

Back from the Ozarks!

So I got back monday morning and of course I have so much to tell you! But it was such a fantastic weekend! So many stories and pics, got to find my camera cord to fill you in!!

sitting in San Diego!

Well, I am currently sitting in the San Diego airport waiting to fly to Tulsa, OK to stay the night with my great friend Raelyn, then wake up tomorrow and drive to good old Branson, Missouri! So fun, I am in Danielle's wedding and I get to hang out with all my camp friends for the weekend! I will miss my husband terribly!!! We just got our apartment and I have to leave, but I will be back monday morning!

Anyway, it was a great drive down! Allison Murray is the best for taking time out of her busy day to drive me all the way to San Diego! But I think we both love hanging out, so I know it was totally not a big deal.

So for the next few days, it should be non-stop fun and very little sleep :)

yeah!!

Ok, so this weekend started off by me running 7 miles! The longest run so far in the training for the half marathon. Well, I have been running and playing soccer most of my life and you would think that I would not make one of the biggest mistakes after that many years. Well, I did! The night before I had pizza and Dr. Pepper. Terrible idea! It was such a hard run, but I made it!

Next, John spoke in the Junior High ministry at Mariners and did fantastic! I am so grateful that he is being used here! So after the sunday service we headed home to meet the fam because Evelyn, Aaron, and Jilly (new dog) were in town! So fun! But let's get to the real reason I am thrilled!


WE MOVED IN TO OUR APARTMENT SUNDAY AFTERNOON!!!!!

We are now current residents of Dana Point! I will say at first we were totally overwhelmed with the amount of boxes and stuff we had, but now that we have emptied a lot of them it's shaping out to be soo cute!

After a looong day of moving we headed over to Annie & Elizabeth's house (who live right down the street!!! We shop at the same grocery store!) to hang out and have dinner! Drew Peterson was in town and John was very excited to see him! After a long, HILARIOUS game of catch phrase, we headed HOME!!!! YEAH WE HAVE A HOME!!!

100th post!

Yes, I feel like it has taken me a long time to get here, but I made it! Ok so, I have friends who write like 100 things they love when they get to 100, but I am just going to tell you a bunch of stuff. I don't know if I'll make it to 100 and I am pretty positive that you won't read through them all, but that's ok, it's just fun for me to do! P.S. they are in no particular order...

1. I love Jesus with all my heart
2. My Husband John is seriously the greatest thing in my life, he's my best friend and we have soooo much stinkin fun together!
3. We finally have an apartment and will move in in the next few days!
4. I hate "one uppers!"
5. I really don't like when people are mean to my friends!
6. I love my friends to pieces! They are so fantastic!
7. I go through different words every few months, I am now on fantastic, it was fancy last month.
8. I love that I work with junior high students and feel 1,000% called to it.
9. I don't like it when people talk one way and live their lives the total opposite.
10. I hate cuss words, I mean my opinion you just sound sooooo stupid!
11. Coffee with Allison Murray always makes me happy!
12. I love CSI, but was very disappointed in the 1st episode this season
13. I love watching football on TV, john has converted me from PRO to COLLEGE
14. USC is my favorite team
15. I love to entertain
16. I love to cook and can't wait to get my kitchen back
17. I have always loved soccer and am getting back into playing again!
18. I love romantic comedy
19. I really want to go to a Justin Timberlake concert
20. I would love to take a photography class
21. I think my mom is the greatest woman in the world
22. I don't like bad drivers
23. I have a small group of 10 6th grade girls and I am a little nervous
24. "we're gunna die!!!" is my favorite quote from Michelle Harris
25. I LOVE the Melting Pot for dessert
26. I am a TV junkie!
27. One of my favorite vacations before I got married was Australia and then Figi with my great friend Erica Monson
28. My wedding was the 8th wedding I have been in and I will add number 9 next week! (yeah Danielle & Austin!)
29. My brother makes me laugh because of the carefree way he lives his life (I admire it)
30. I would like to wait till I am 30 to have kids :) we'll see how long this lasts
31. I would love a new car, but realize mine works just fine and we have no car payment, so if you make fun of it, I really don't care. Wahoo 1994 Honda Accord!
32. I love that I have had to work since I was 14. I feel like it really taught me to be responsible
33. I love great conversations about God (especially over coffee)
34. I pray that one day John and I can afford a house here
35. So excited that we will live 4 minutes from the beach and I get to take PCH to work everyday and see the ocean
36. I love when people go out of their way to serve others
37. I really DON'T like people who are fake
38. I miss my students from saddleback
39. I love Maggi Moo's ice cream
40. My favorite drink at Starbucks right now is Soy Chai Latte
41. I love that a parent told me she didn't sign her kid up for small group because she was lazy and now she is on a waiting list
42. quote of the year, "I fear that I will wake up one day with testicular cancer!" Bethany Johnson (obviously this is taken out of context, but still soo funny!)
43. I love going to the beach in the winter and wearing a sweatshirt and jeans and drinking starbucks
44. I love to sing! I got to lead worship here this past weekend and it was like I was home!
45. I love to learn from others
46. There are not many days I go without talking to Allison Murray :)
47. I love watching the OFFICE!
48. I love breakfast food! I love making it and going to great breakfast places! Original Pancake house in Laguna Niguel is amazing!
49. I love that when I open my fridge it's all my food! Not my roommates!
50. I love being married~!
51. I love not have mis-match furniture anymore and knowing that all the stuff I decorate with is mine!
52. I love a great movie!
53. I love the feeling after a great long run!
54. I love getting on the scale and seeing that I've lost weight!
55. I miss summer time!
56. I wish that my student loans would magically disappear!
57. I love coming to work in the morning and seeing the sweet pre-schoolers!
58. I love that we live .75 miles from the beach & I work 6 minutes from it!!!
59. I love our thursday afternoon JH staff meetings
60. I love finding mullets, found one at the DMV with a rat tail coming down from the right ear! So wish I got a picture!
61. I officially changed my last name to SNYDER
62. I really want to take a hip hop class
63. I'd love to play guitar, but I have really tiny fingers
64. I am running a half marathon on November 11th with 4 of my great friends
65. I love to laugh, I know shocker!
66. I have converted my entire life to MAC
67. John and I have date day/night on Sundays!
68. I love that I met with a volunteer today at the "Bluffs" haha. It's a shopping center in Newport Beach
69. I think it's hilarious and fantastic that we have students from Newport Harbor
70. John is speaking this weekend in the JH service and I am singing with Roy & Phil
71. If $ was no object I would love to have the new box Mercedes!
72. My reasonable dream car is a Toyota 4Runner, but will probably get a Yaris (no time soon)
73. Now that I hit 73 I'll keep going!
74. If you have read to 74, send me a message!
75. I will turn 25 this next year and feel kind of old!
76. I have always claimed that I don't like Mexican food, I now must say I am a convert! Yes Kristen it's true!
77. I am so glad I went to College, lived on campus, & played soccer
78. I have never had a boss I did not get along with, plenty of coaches though!
79. I love the song in the "A Diamond is Forever" Commercial, "How can I tell you that I love you!" And it was written only for the commercial and wish it was a complete song!
80. I love to paint rooms, we can paint at our apartment, but because I made John paint our entire house in Oklahoma he says he never wants to paint again! Anyone want to help me :)
81. I love to learn new things I didn't know before
82. I would love to be a better surfer
83. My sister lives in Vegas with her husband and that makes me very excited
84. John and I have plans to travel to Europe with in the next 10 years
85. I have never been to Catalina (I know!!)
86. I am a terrible bowler & golfer
87. I love watching the Biggest Loser! I get so excited for them!
88. I have never seen more over-weight people in my life than I did when I was in Oklahoma
89. I really want a new bike, well, just a bike in general!
90. I have no desire to ever live in LA
91. "I would like to die laughing at age 87" on the breast cancer commercial, and I would have to agree~!
92. Have I mentioned that "I LOVE BEING MARRIED!!!!"
93. I love Daphnes!!!!
94. I miss my friends that live out of state!
95. I have so many great memories from college!
96. Totally lame that I don't know how to use a sewing machine and I really want to learn!
97. I really think IN N OUT is a fantastic place to have a burger!
98. I love the movies Lord of the Rings...ahah I know Nerd Alert!
99. I can't believe I spent all this time doing this!
100. I love John William Snyder more than anything in the world!

finished...if you read through all this THANKS!

this morning...

Well, I arrived a little early at work today to get some stuff done before our tuesday morning meetings when I recieved an email from a mom that holds a very different point of view (than me) about who our small group leaders should be. Basically it just saddens me that her student will miss out on a great experience in small groups, because of something I consider lame. I am trying to put myself in her shoes, but I just think it is silly. So I am just feeling really bummed!

UPDATE

Well, John and I have been in the housing search (renting not buying) for the past 2 weeks and I think that we found it! It is a townhome in Dana Point! I know, totally different location than what we have been telling people, but because of John's schedule it is better to be closer to his work, plus it's cheaper :) We are so excited and can't wait for visitors! We will let you know when we sign on the dotted line. And just remember with the journey we've had things could totally change!

Seriously STOP calling!!!

Ok, so for the past 2 weeks I have been getting probably 3 to 4 phones calls a day from the same number....


800-936-1153

I have googled it and nothing, called back and nothing, answered and nothing! If you know how to help me solve th mystery, PLEASE! Now I have only answered twice, so I have only wasted 2 minutes, but it is just sooooo annoying! They never leave a message, just nothing!

just something I have been thinking about...

I don't know what has brought it on, but lately I have been overwhelmed with the fact that people come in and out of our lives. People that I knew years ago have been popping in my mind. I have no way of getting in touch with them and it just baffles me that at a time in my life I was sooooo close to these people. And now, I can barley remember their name, but their face is so clear.

I just wonder what they are up to, if they fell in love with the Lord or are still walking the wide road. I never thought I would get to this place in my life where people have become a distant memory.

Now on the flip side of that I have so many amazing friends in my life, old and new, but stinking amazing! I am so grateful for them and they are such a blessing to me!

I just want to know what happened to all these people in my past. So if you are a person I once knew and haven't seen in years, say hi! I'd love to know what's going on. I want to hear about your adventure, the ups & downs, great times & sad times.

I'm just so curious....

Ok, so here are the stories...

Sorry, it took me a few days to get this up, but I have been a little busy. Anyway, you will see a recurring theme in this entry. Basically, I will tell you something sad/frustrating that happened and then you'll see the BUT THEN or LUCKILY this happened, which makes the stories bearable to tell, you'll also see we waited a lot. For those of you have have read John's blog, you probably have a good idea of what went on.

1. Ok well, It all started with me driving down to San Diego on saturday, to catch my direct flight to Oklahoma City. I decided to leave with plenty of time ahead because you never know if there will be traffic. Anyway, I get to the airport at 4:30pm for my flight that leaves at 6:30pm. I know a little too early, but I am still working on thank yous from the wedding (I promise they are coming!! We love and appreciate you so much!) so I had plenty to do. At around 6:15pm I think hmmm, shouldn't we be boarding? Only to find out the flight is delayed another 2 hours! Well, the Lord has been teaching me a great deal lately, so in this moment of course there were passengers who were irate, but I think I am finally getting to the point where when there is NOTHING I can do about something I just have to sit in! So that's what I did, I sat and waited. BUT THEN, they called us up and we were all given $200 vouchers to fly again! I have never gotten that for a delayed flight in my life! The airline is called Express Jet, check them out the next time you fly :) Anyway, we finally board the plane scheduled to arrive in OKC at 1am (poor John). But I arrived!

2. So the following morning John and I woke up at around 700am to head down to our house in Moore, the moving company (I had found) was supposed to arrive in the morning. So we pulled up to house (very stranged to be back) and waited. And waited and waited, until John finally googled the company only to find out it was a scam. Yup! I said it a scam, I felt like such a fool, they seemed totally legit, and yes I did see the Dateline or 20/20 where they exposed these people, but I truly thought I had checked them out! Anyway, they never showed and had my deposit of $999.16. LUCKILY, I put it on my visa and was able to get fully reimbursed for the charges. The only problem was that the new people moving in were moving in that afternoon! So we struck a deal with them for us to leave our stuff in the garage and that we would find a new (real) moving company this week! LUCKILY, are great friends Sean and Michelle came over to help us get it all into the garage and find a new company (WE LOVE YOU GUYS!) In the end I still felt like a fool and just felt so sad that there are people in the world like this. I have to tell you thinking back on conversations with the company of course now I see some red flags, but they were SOOOOOO nice and I think 6 different people contacted, so I thought it was a real thing!

3. Moving on, this is probably the story I laugh the most about. Monday nighT John and I went down to OKC to meet Sean and Michelle for dessert, to thank them for all the help they have been to us over the last several months of craziness. Well, 900pm on a monday night the city IS NOT super busy, but we saw the normal $5 parking signs so we pulled in only to see no one standing at the both. So I figured that they didn't charge after 9pm. As we get out of the car we were approached by a guy in an OU shirt (Boo Sooners, we don't like you) he hands us a parking stub and says, "what's going on here tonight?" I start looking around the lot to see 4 cars and think what kind of question is that, obviously nothing. John hands him a $10 bill and the guy says "oh I have to go get changed, I just got a $100 bill from this guy and I am trying to run 2 parking lots." Well, John realized that he had 5 $1 bills so it shouldn't be a problem, then the guy says, "No man, I really need to go get change, I promise it will take me 60 seconds." So John and I are baffled and the guy took off, we then looked at each other and said, "I think that guy just ripped us off!" So we waited and waited, only to realize we got scammed by an OU fan! I thought it was funny, but John was so mad, after the weekend we had, I totally understood! Fortunately, we got to enjoy a delicious dessert with our great friends, so it made the night great!

After all that went on it was a great trip, we laughed a ton because of everything and got to spend some great quality time with John's family. The funeral was amazing for John's grandpa, I hope I have a 10th of the amount of people at my funeral. John's grandpa was a GREAT man and loved so much by everyone in the town, it was a very neat sight to see! Seriously, there were so many people there! Thank you for your prayers for the family!

Seriously, I have some ridiculous stories!

Ok, so John and I just flew in this morning from Oklahoma and I have so much to fill you in on. But we arrived at 9:30am I came straight to work and am preparing for leader training tonight...craziness! So I will fill you in tomorrow!

Thanks to all of you who have been praying for John and his family:)

Will life every slow down?

Well, I am catching a plane tonight to head back to Oklahoma to celebrate and mourn the life of John's grandfather. He passed away last night with his family at his side. Fortunately, John was out there this weekend for a wedding, now I just have to get there. We will come back tuesday morning. Prayer would be great!

Well, let me catch you up on my last week!

Monday: do nothing day!

It was the first day since John and I moved back to cali that we could just lay around! We slept in, went swimming at the pool. John surprised me with the 1st series of Heroes on friday! We watched a few episodes then went back to swim! We picked up some pick-up-stix and just hung out! It was awesome!

Tuesday: Great day at work

Every tuesday morning the entire staff at Mariners get's together to tell stories about what God is doing in different Ministries at our church. It was awesome! So neat to see what God is doing in our community.

Wednesday: Wood Ranch

After a long, fun day at work, John took me to Wood Ranch in RSM. So delicious! I have the greatest husband!

Thursday: busy day

Woke up early to meet Tara and Tiff for a 3.5 mile run around Mission Viejo lake. Kicked my butt!
Worked a full day, then John met me at work, we looked around Irvine at some apartments, then headed to Newport where we went to Rusty Pelican for some really great fish! After that we headed over to the Blakeney's where we watched to Colts victory!

Friday: Fun day!

John and I woke up early and he took me over to Sadie's house (co-worker). She and I went to the spa (I was so sore from the day befores run) after that we headed out to target, home goods, and finally landed ourselves at Ikea. We were searching for the perfect stuff for our office.
Afterwork I headed home to meet John, as I walked in the door he said he had something for me...guess what...



Ummm, he is amazing! I love him so much! After my fun surprise we headed out to John's schools football game. It was so fun, we ran into some old students from Saddleback, watched CVCS dominate, and hung out with Shaun & Teresa. We left at half-time where it was 65-0 CVCS, final score was 92-6! Craziness. After that we went to the Blakeney's to watch Preminition with Sandra Bullock (not great!)

Saturday: Football & fall kick-off

Most of the morning we watched college football, around 2:00 I headed off to work to get ready for Fall Kick-Off! It was so fun! A bunch of crazy things going on at church, tons of new students, and my first time to speak (only a little bit). After church our staff headed over to Sadie's, ate dinner, and for whatever the reason watched UFC...kind of funny!

Sunday: Mellow

After church I took a nap (I was exhausted) the John and I met Allison Murray for dinner! It was so fun at BJ's pizza! again delicious!

And finally today: Day Off

not a ton, ran 5 miles with tiff...I'm tired!

We're home~!

Ok, so it has been a fabulous 2.5 weeks at my new job and our new church, but we are so exhausted from all of the events. We are finally going to settle into being back in california. So if you have called me in the last few weeks and I have yet to get back to you, I apologize! We have been so busy! I promise I will do all of my catching up this week!! But for right now...I'm going to take a nap!

We sold our house!!!

Hooray!!! We are so excited! It is a huge burden off of our shoulders to not have to pay a mortgage anymore! We sold it to what sounds like a great young couple! Here are a few pics of what we did:

KITCHEN BEFORE...






KITCHEN AFTER.....





THE LIVING ROOM BEFORE...




THE LIVING ROOM AFTER...





THE MASTER BED & BATH BEFORE...






THE MASTER BED & BATH AFTER...





AND NOW THE REST OF THE HOUSE...

GUEST BEDROOM


GUEST BATHROOM


JOHNS OFFICE


BACKYARD



I guess I am a tiny bit sad, John and I put so much hard work into it, but we KNOW we are now where we are supposed to be! We'll have another house one day :) For now we have great memories of our first one!

And we're home....oh wait, but off again!

Well, we just got home from our staff retreat in palm desert and it was awesome! It was so great to not only get to know the JH staff better, but the HS and College as well! Such great people! Here are a few highlights!

-John winning in poker and therefore we could afford to eat breakfast at the hotel, it was delicious!
-Sadie and I realizing we have a lot in common! So fun!
-Shopping at HomeGoods with Alicia, Amanda, Sadie, and Briley (Alicia and Phil's 6 mo. old) and Brylie taking to poop of her life! It went everywhere. Who new so much stuff could come out of something so small!?
-Getting lost on the way back from bowling! And searching for a RiteAid only to be disappointed by the selection of ice cream!
-Riddles where the answer is Dry Ice!
-laying by the pool all day!
-Morning devotional with the Staff
-PF Changs, ummm, delicious dinner and great conversation
-the night at the ghetto ice rink, where many spills were taken
-getting to see Katie Shannon!
-Late night oodles!

All in all, it was a great time and now we are off to Palm Springs for our Volunteer Staff Retreat. I know you are thinking, when does this girls work? I will be in the office today! We will officially be home monday and then I think a normal routine will set in!

And we're off again...

Well, John and I are off again, we head out in the morning with the student ministries team to Palm Desert for a staff retreat! We are so excited, 3 days of hanging out, relaxing, and getting to know really great people! We will return on wednesday afternoon! John starts work this week at CVCS and he is so excited! I can't wait to go visit him and see him in his new element. Seriously, God is blessing us so much!!!

We did get an offer on our house, we are just now waiting to see if it will go through! Our hope is to be in our new place by the end of september or 1st week of October, so be looking for an invite to a house warming party!!

I am pretty sure I will have internet in Palm Desert so I will hopefully let you know how much I am enjoying it!

Just got back from Summer Camp!

So John and I just arrived back in Mission Viejo from summer camp with Mariners Junior high! Umm and I have to be honest probably the best camp experience as an adult in my whole life! It was a houseboat trip to lake shasta in Nor Cal. Here are some highlights:

-taking 52 students and seeing them all connect in a very cool way with each other and Jesus
-going tubing with the sweetest little 6th graders and getting wrecked
-being able to just hang out with students and not worry about anything else
-watching our students do crazy jumps off the top of the houseboats
-a student in our group named Connor, seriously hilarious!
-the hike to the waterfall, students slipping into different pools along the way
-Marshall Quakenbush being the first to throw himself into the mud
-the students got to go wakeboarding, kneeboarding, or tubing everyday!
-getting to know a very cool group of paid staff and volunteer staff
-watching John connect with so many students and volunteers
-ummm, laying in the sun all day!!!
-late night dutch blitz and speed uno
-taking 50 Junior Highers to Denny's at 430 in the morning because our bus driver was a speed racer!
-I can't believe this is my job!!

And of course I have no picutres because of a lame camera, but when I get them from others I'll put some up!

High School Musical 2 Review

Well, last night after John's softball game we headed over to the Johnston house to watch High School Musical 2 with some friends! It was so fun! The movie ended up being very entertaining to watch!

Highlights:
-baseball dance routine
-Troy's solo in all black
-the final kiss!!
-hearing Katie Edwards chuckle on awkward scenes
-and Abby asking Rachel, "I don't understand why everyone is laughing?"

All in all I think the first one was better