Thursday, September 26, 2013

Summer days are over

I am in disbelief. I cannot believe how quickly the year is flying by! Summer is over and fall has officially begun in our part of the world (though not much of a difference in California). But I am overly excited for cooler weather, sweaters, warm drinks, scarves, cuddling evenings and most of the holidays that will be coming oh so soon! I seriously LOVE thanksgiving and most of all, Christmas! But don't want to get too ahead of myself (but I seriously can't wait).

This summer was a struggle for my husband and I. I shared in my previous post (which was like forever ago) that we were in a rut of sorts and were really struggling with contentment. I am happy to say that the Lord has been continuing to refine us in that area and we are genuinely joyful for where he has placed us. The Lord has also been so good and so gracious in growing my husband in leading our home from stepping up and leading in how we arrange our homes to stepping up and leading in how we arrange our lives and our character. In this last couple weeks alone, there has been constant change within us and it has affected how we value our life here where we are right now. This summer was a struggle and hard and yeah, just blah, but by the grace of God his mercies are new every morning and as the leaves and weather are changing before us, so are we. A new season is beginning in our household and I can't wait to see how the leaves change.

{The summer days are over}

Hot summer nights call for cool summer meals.

Our lovely friends from church, Brooke & Jordan. 
P.S. not a fan of pop culture trivial pursuit. Don't know and don't care about it enough.
Summers of course call for amusement at amusement parks.
Have I mentioned I love Korean barbeque? The bessst.
More amusement at the county fair.
Heart attack waiting to happen, I know, but this funnel was to die for....seriously.
Summer...where you can never have enough barbeque...
I have seen the Postal Service live. Check off another one on my bucket list.
And then our car broke down in Berkeley. So that was fun! Bikes were our mode of transportation for about a week until...
...our new (old) car! Still yet to be named. Maybe just Goldie works? hmmm...
Our first trip in the Golden one (?) down to Santa Cruz.
Kodiak reunion!

Peanut Butter Nutella Cookies...need I say more???
Axis Lock-ins mean silly games and fun times....
Axis lock-ins also mean staying up until 3 in the morning and desperately needing coffee in the morning...
This summer my friend Brooke helped me discover Sprouts. LOVE!
This summer Caleb and I finally went out for Sushi for a date night. YUM!
The best banana split you'll ever have. Seriously.

And then there was those times the fire hydrant exploded....
...two days in a row.
And then that other time I finally got to try macarons. yes please.
A Hawaiian dinner sure sounds fitting in the summer time.

Oooh, and virgin Mai Tai's. Yesssss. 
A lot of new things have developed this summer in our family.... ;)
Though it's still as weird and musical!
Coffee dates with World Racers. 
And road trips with the hubby.
Its kind of my thing to always take a photo of being blessed with Chick-Fil-A. LOVE!
Thrifting with beautiful friends in wonderful new places.
And wonderful reunions with new family members!
Uhm, isn't she PRECIOUS! (Our new baby cousin we finally were able to meet.)
Memories at Grandma's house. 
Our beautiful family. 
Bike Riding and finding gems like this...
Milkshakes & Fries = the bessst.
Who will when at a game at hearts??
More thrifting and hipster portraits...
And more adventures to be had!
Feeling my first dose of rain this season --awesome!
Goodbye summer days....


Though it was hard season for us, the Lord certainly blessed us with many things this summer. With so many memories and adventures that continually remind me of the journey ahead. And it all reminds me...

Isn't life loverly?

Until next time (where I'll hopefully be wearing some boots & a scarf)
    - xo Alicia