I am thankful for classy food (salmon + couscous + asparagus + wine = definitely classy) and great friends. I'm thankful for work, where I get to play with two adorable babies and celebrate with everyone. I'm thankful for my husband, who is kinda nerdy but super wonderful. I'm thankful for Colorado and the fact that autumn is coming soon. I'm thankful for Bloom and our house church... For the way we laugh and agree and disagree and talk about the Kingdom. I'm so glad I get to do life with these people.

I miss California, I'll be honest. I long for it, deep inside me, sometimes. But I'm so happy here.

Tomorrow: Me, girl baby, boy baby. Stroller, walk, park. Blanket, grass, sun. Journal. Nap? Them, hopefully. I just don't feel right sleeping on the job. It's going to be a good Friday.

Wednesday.

It's been a long, rough week. And it's only Wednesday.

Thursday.

Last night I had an incredibly vivid dream that I was pregnant. It was so vivid that I didn't sleep on my stomach for the rest of the night, just in case. It has made me ponder the idea all day. When I think long-term, I know that we just don't want kids yet. Eventually, yes. But not yet. But that dream made me wish for it, just a little bit... And when the sweet babies seek me out with their eyes, and a big smile spreads over their face when I smile at them... That makes me excited, too. How much more will my own children be delighted to see me? The kisses and cuddles and all the things I've studied about how to raise/care for children... It's scary and exciting to think about having our own.

But for now, I love our life. I love this season. I love living downtown, riding my bike to work, working at Champa, beginning to lead a house church, our church, riding our bikes to church and the farmer's market, spending lots of quality time with my husband... It's great.

This weekend I am looking forward to meeting little Amelie, to spending time with family and friends, and reading the paper with my husband.

What are you looking forward to this weekend?

I am so thankful for the little insights I got this week into some of the kids at work. How I was able to move past their surface behavior and realize the feelings behind it. It reminded me how much these kids just need love. They need hugs and play and smiles and words of affirmation. They need me to be consistent and not let my frustration get a hold of me.

...it's so hard. But I'll try. I promise. I'll try my best.

Got to spend some time with family yesterday. It was good. We're so blessed that we're close (in proximity and friendship) to David's sister and her husband, and that David's parents live only an hour away.

We're planning a trip to Chicago in the fall... I'm really looking forward to it. It's true that I really feel like I need a vacation from work, but it's more than that. I'm so looking forward to seeing Jenny and meeting Eric, to seeing where David grew up, and to spending time with my husband, and sister and brother-in-law.

Also, Samuel gets back this next week. I wish more than anything that I could be there to greet him at the airport... To see firsthand how he's been changed. But I'll settle for pictures sent over email and his voice over the phone. I'm so unbelievably proud of him!