I Love

Well, I’ve finally moved in to Desi and Mike’s house in Orange County. And by “moved in” I mean I loaded my car with all my clothes, some of my shoes, and some accessories, realized nothing else was going to fit, and unloaded in Costa Mesa. (Rach Pap was kind enough to inform me that this means I have too many clothes. And also that it made her want more dresses.) I’ve spent every weekend thus far in Malibu visiting the boyf, so I haven’t gone back home to get the rest of my things. So I’ve been washing my hair with baby shampoo and using the same dulled razor for the past two weeks. But this weekend I intend to travel back to Ontario, land of my raising, to garner what I left behind. 

It’s really interesting living with so many little ones. I’ve never done that before. It’s always busy, but usually pretty fun. Josiah and Rosie are some of the funniest kids I know, and today Rose melted my heart when she pointed to me and said, "I love!" Gahhhh. 

A new addition to our daily routine here: yesterday Rosie started potty training. Day 1 went something like this: every 30 min a timer goes off and Rosie gets to sit on her little potty. She usually starts saying, “I’m doooone” as soon as she sits down. If she gives a little pee, she gets a little Skittle. No opposition to bribing here! But so far she has fought every potty sit. And then she finally peed. While standing on top of the toilet with the lid closed. That might not qualify her for a Skittle, but at least she’s getting closer.

This is the room where I'll be spending 4 mornings a week from now until June. Isn't it cute? That's only one side. The opposite side holds the play-doh and craft tables, as well as a sweeeet lofted playhouse/dress-up station. Oh, to be a two-year-old again. 

Oh, summer, where have you escaped to?

While Pepperdine is notorious for too-long summers, this one has felt surprisingly short. This summer has varied between super busy and completely dead. The biggest event that took place in May was Bible lectures. Party. Oh! And my cousin Diane got married! That was a fun wedding for sure! May also housed a couple spontaneous trips to middle California to meet up with Taylor who was working in Stockton at the time. The city of Avenal is now near and dear to my heart.

The end of June brought a trip to North Carolina for my niece, Liza's, wedding. There was a sweet ceremony on the beach, presided by my dad, and then 10 days of family dinners, exploring Fuquay-Varina, and eating southern things. With June also came a few trips to visit Malibu friends, mostly whenever I was feeling an itch to get out of Ontario (the itch that never stops itching).

 I was home for a total of 4 days before leaving again, this time for Costa Rica! This video of Taylor probably sums up the trip better than I can right now.

July focused mostly around one main event: HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART II. What else is there to life? The midnight premier was a joyous occasion with costumes, laughter, tears (many tears), and a British feast before the movie. Oh and there was that time one of my best friends, rooommaaate, Amanda got engaged. Wait, what? AH! Oh my gush.

Now it's August. My friends are starting to spread across the country to begin the post-grad phase of life. I'll be headed to Arkansass in less than a week to spend some quality time with the lovely Thompson family and my dad, who will be driving with me, then flying back. Then, once I'm back in CA, I'll be making the move to Costa Mesa! Ah, I look forward to it all.

Oui?

Being home for the summer is always.. difficult. My family usually travels so it's hard to get a summer job (not that I'm not so thankful for the vacations! I am!), which leaves me at home with only my imagination and a lot of country music. Many potential activities are are inhibited by the fact that I have no steady income (and now looming loan payments. Oh, dear God.), so more often than not, in order to pass the time, I cook. So far I have concocted a coconut-pineapple coffee cake, pecan-chocolate chip blondies, mushroom-bacon stuffed pork tenderloin, and German chocolate cake balls. One of the biggest perks of spending this summer at home (I haven't lived at home for the past 3 years) is having access to (mostly) unlimited ingredients and fancy bakeware. And since today I've already tried to alleviate my boredom by creating very juvenile watercolor and oil pastel pieces of "art," I've decided to retreat to my faithful fallback. On today's menu: French onion soup. I'm trying out a recipe I got from Smitten Kitchen, one of my new favorite blogs. I wish I knew some cute French phrase to end this with, but alas, I do not.

Well, never mind. My mom can stockpile various dried fruits, apple juice, Bisquick, and popcorn like nobody's business, but when a girl needs some beef broth there's none to be found! Next time, I guess.