Happy New Year!

What will you be doing?! I'm ringing it in at Jon & Ranae's with Jeff and some of our other good friends. We have so much to celebrate and be grateful for. But I also just love fresh starts, and am taking full advantage of starting new. New perspective, new hope, new faith, new wonder, new opportunities, new love.
Cheers to 2012 being another wonderful year! 

Of course!

How to Make a Baby from Cassidy Curtis on Vimeo.

Cate Parr, Fashion Illustrator

I see Cate's work and am inspired all over again to keep practicing my watercolor skills.

What I'm listening to today...

HINK OUTSID THE OX

I love this print!

Found Here

Nice Layers

The History of the Sky

Watch this.

I wish there was a way to capture life like this. Where every day is a box, 

filled up with the most meaningful moments.

Ukraine's Green Mile Tunnel

I'd like to be the conductor of the train that runs through this forest.

I'm in love.

Save the Date!

This is the Short Version

The day: Saturday, October 22nd, 2011

The scenario: Jeff, Kati and I were going on an early sunrise hike, but because of the rain, we cancelled. 

So Kati and I decided to go to Oddfellow's for brunch instead. Fun, right?

The problem: I woke up that morning sicker than a dog. The nasty head cold I woke up to provided me with a migraine, which provided me with the nausea. BUT! I would prevail. I was determined. I hadn't spent time with her in months and I missed her! I had new music to show her! She had new music for me! I couldn't just cancel. I probably should've stayed in bed, but I knew I could come home and sleep the rest of the day. 

But what ended up happening that day was completely different and wonderful - a day I'll never, ever forget. 

Kati picked me up and drove me to Oddfellow's. 

While she was "parking", and I was "going in to get seats" I ran into this fine fellow.

(Kati, you sneak!) :)

The Fine Fellow

He hijacked my day. 

He put me on a boat.

And asked me if I would be his wife.

I said yes!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He hadn't realized I was so sick until I was actually on the boat looking for the best place to puke my guts out. Luckily I didn't! But the whole time he was so sweet and so understanding - and then eventually I could actually sit up and carry on a normal conversation. 

I started feeling better, and it ended up being the perfect day, just two best friends hanging out and in love.

I can't wait to be Mrs. Rose Kline. 

boat picnic

the beloved ring (more stories to come about this!)

our view of Lake Union from the electric boat he drove - so pretty & peaceful!

and finally, Michigan

LOTS has happened over the last month, and it would be wrong to get ahead of myself, so I'm going to write about Michigan, and then move on with my life.

First of all, can I just say I love the light tunnel in the Detroit airport? One morning around 5am, during one of our layovers there, we were the only ones walking through. It's so dreamy. Then again, when you're in love, everything seems dreamy. Until I ruined the moment by spilling coffee all over Jeff. Whoops.

It was my complete joy to meet Jeff's family. They instantly felt like my family, and I was at home with them. Mike, Lynne, Allison and Cayden are in my heart now and I find myself missing them.

Let me describe them.

Mike: all smiles, all sweetness, full of unexpected humor and depth. I'd met him a few weeks prior to our trip, when he came out here for the week the MC's graduated, so we were acquainted. I knew I really liked him, but it's an entirely different thing when you're staying at someone's home and apart of their day-to-day life. My favorite moment with him when when we were sitting around an outdoor bonfire one night. At that point, I knew in my heart I would marry Jeff, and become apart of the Kline family. But as Mike and I sat there talking, I was overcome with it again, so grateful to become apart of a family, with a dad, who is loving and faithful and kind. I don't know if he could tell I was crying, but I was. His example to me as a father to Jeff and Allison, a grandad to Caden and a husband to Lynne makes me trust not only him, but the son that he raised to be just like that. Since then, we've exchanged meaningful letters and conversations and I can say that I love Mike!

Lynne & Mike on Crystal Lake

Lynne: beautiful, down to earth, unassuming, with the best, dryest humor ever. As soon as I met her, I knew we would have a real friendship. She had a way of making me feel comfortable even though it's the first time we'd ever spoken. When I was expecting to be drilled with 20 questions, she sweetly gave me space to talk and get to know her with ease. My favorite moment with her was when we were walking along the foggy beach of Lake Michigan (photo below) and she told me how she came back to Christ, and they eventually adopted Jeff and Allison. Her openness to me about her story surprised me - mainly because I realized she was trusting me with a deep part of who she is. I respect her so much and I can only pray to be the type of mother she's been to them. Side note: It was cool watching Jeff laugh at things she would say. He loves her humor and gets that same dryness from her.

Lake Michigan Lighthouse

Allison: fun, endearing and brutally honest. I couldn't help but appreciate every quality of Allison when we met. I never had to guess what she was thinking, because she would say it. When we first met, she hugged me like we'd been old friends forever. She's been through so much in the last year and you can see how tired she is in her eyes. But she is a miracle. She really shouldn't be alive right now, but she is! In the midst of some crazy health problems, she's been raising a beautiful son, working and bought a beautiful home. I'm inspired by her drive and persistence through it all. One morning I was getting ready in the bathroom and she sat down and talked with me while I got ready. I love that she made a place for herself in the middle of my routine. In that moment, we felt like sisters.

Caden: no words.

Okay, so yes, there are words, but words will never do this kid justice. He's honestly the sweetest little guy I've ever met. He gets his endearing side from his mama. He has so much energy and is so curious and excited about everything he sees. There's not a rebellious bone in his body - just pure wonder. I loved the way he trusted me instantly by giving me his little hand to hold. I probably won't see him until the Spring...too long!!

Caden!

Some more favorite highlights:

saw my first firefly
climbed the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes
rented a beach house on Crystal Lake
long walks
lots of coffee and cherry pie every morning
saw "Raising Arizona"...a goodie
Jeff bought me a beautiful antique jade necklace!!!
meeting Jeff's bio family
swimming in Crystal Lake
watched old videos of Jeff as a kid :-)

Jeff & Caden

There were so many wonderful little memories that can't be put into words (like sitting on the dock on Crystal Lake) that I will remember forever. This trip made me more confidant than ever that Jeff is a man I love and trust and respect. He's someone I want to spend my days with.

It was hard coming back from a trip that was so defining and meaningful. It felt like I was jumping onto a moving train when I got home and haven't slowed down since. Because of that, it's taken time to slowly process all of it and more and more realizing the value in all of these relationships Jeff and I both have. Family is so important because it gives us something bigger than ourselves to be apart of. It reminds us where we come from and that we're miracles, placed by God to be connected to specific people at a specific time....fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, husbands and wives.

Thriller!

There's a nursing home in Kirkland called Merrill Gardens. I used to go there and read to patients, do crafts, just talk and we even did a modified version of swing dancing once. But on Halloween this year, they dressed up like zombies and did a choreographed dance to Thriller. Elderly Zombie Apocolypse - - yes please! Watch all the way to then end, 4:33 is hilarious.

Intermission

Georgia

So...waaaaay back in early September my bf and I (bf stands for best friend and/or boyfriend...same diff) flew across the country to Georgia to visit my granddad, who I haven't seen in a long time.

Before I start showing off pictures, I will say this: Jeff is so awesome to travel with. We weren't able to sleep through the first red-eye flight so there were lots of games of war & battleship. Sometimes I get nervous to fly, but not this trip. It makes me love thinking about all the other places we'll go someday. When we got to Georgia, we drove through the Smokies, and saw all sorts of small mountain towns. There are rivers everywhere, and the hills are so green! I thought it would be hot and muggy, but the weather changed right before we arrived, to record-breaking rains the entire time. Aside from the pictures I'm posting, we did a ton and had a great time with my family. We had good conversations and I met family I'd never met (Uncle Jim & his daughter Cassie). I tried (and loved) grits for the first time. Jeff shot a machine gun. We discovered our mutual love for a certain country singer. Jeff did a bunch of projects around Grandad's house. I slept in every morning. Jeff made me coffee every morning. It was a wonderful time.


That's my grandpa! Isn't he handsome? He drives the biggest truck you will ever see,

and it has a horn that sounds like a locomotive in your ear. 

This is the front view of their house, Loafer's Glory. He and his wife Chris have a beautiful piece of property, full of cats and dogs and chickens and horses and deer and apple trees.

This photo doesn't do it justice.
Picture a long, winding uphill driveway. So long you can't see the house at the top.
Picture it surrounded by green, rolling hills bordered by green forests and creeks.

Jeff and I went out riding ATV's almost every day. At first we rode on the same one. We drove through miles of the Smokey Mountains, and even got lost once. Then we joined my uncle Jim and cousin Cassie and we each had our own. We had to move fallen trees and go through creeks.

I would do this everyday if I could. It was adventure at it's finest. I like driving fast.

This is Molly (it's a dog if you can't tell), and her blonde locks. She followed us everywhere.

My uncle Jim took us to a farm up the road where I met a Zebra for the first time.

Pretty eyes!

And I got to look at this face from morning 'til night for the whole trip. What a lucky girl I am.

It was a wonderful time with my Grandad & Chris. I ate more than I've ever eaten in my life.

I saw some beautiful country. We got to relax, and the monsoon rain helped us do that. Our plans to raft and be in the rivers didn't happen becaue of that, but it forced us to stay in, watch movies, play pool, take naps and eat some more. Just what we both needed!

After 5 days in Georgia, we flew to Michigan...

Dahlia Power

Have you ever seen a dahlia as big as a frisbee? a plate? a fat mans face?

Now you have!

He scattered our debts upon the waves...

Road Warriors

This post is for you, Linda. 

It doesn't require any commentary and the pictures say it all. 

We're baaaaack...

It was a wonderful time! Photos to come shortly!

Tomorrow, Tomorrow

Tomorrow Jeff and I leave for our trip. 

It's only a day away!

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO:
sleeping sound through every flight
playing thumb wars if we get bored (or just want to hold hands)
not losing any luggage
 foggy morning hills and dales (what's a dale, anyway?)
Georgia peaches (guaranteed they taste better there)
drive-in movies
sleeping in
Chris's killer bloody mary's for brekkie (seriously AMAZING)
riding motorcycles and horses
white water rapids (Level 1, por favor)
lightning storms
fireflies
small mountain towns (don't think of Deliverance)
conversations with Grandad
meeting Lynn, Allison and Caden (so excited!)
meeting everyone else (really)
visiting Jeff's hometown
long walks
listening to more of Mike's stories
tall sand dunes on the shores of Lake Michigan
enjoying the non-stop rest and adventure with Jeff (!!!)


This trip already feels so blessed. All the details came together just like we prayed for.
I feel really fortunate to be able to go on a long, full vacation with my wonderful boyfriend.
It will be full of meaning and substance and irreplaceable memories.

So long, for now! 

Say Something Nice!

We need to do something like this in Kirkland. :) It totally made me smile.

[Except I'm trying really hard to ignore how many germs are on that thing.]

In 3 weeks it will all be over...

"What will be over?" you ask.

This will be over:

I'm going to Michigan with Jeff to meet his family. Wooooooooooooo!

I pray to the good, kind, gentle, accommodating and sweet Lord of Hosts that I don't make a complete fool of myself. 

But seriously, I'm really excited. Excited, as in, I have no idea what to expect, but I'm looking forward to seeing that side of Jeff's life. His dad is in town this week so we've just met, so I have sort of a preview of what our trip to Michigan will be like. He's the most warm, genuine man with the greatest laugh. We had dinner at Milagro a few nights ago, and at one point we were all weeping from laughter. Personally, I think if you can laugh with someone that hard that you just met, that's a good sign.

Now if I can avoid long, awkward prayers at the dinner table, pool volleyball and admission to milking my cats teats (which I've never done), I'm good to go.

Our trip to Michigan will actually be Part II of our adventure out East. Part I is Georgia, and Jeff is coming! Yeeee! $%&@#!!! Can you sense my excitement? First ever vacay with my man!!

Lord, have mercy.

Your Song, My Song, His Song, Her Song

Fave BAND! Great SONG! New VID! Awesome BEARD!

Also check out Rivers & Roads. Gorgeous location and killer acoustics.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Jeff and I tried watching the Perseids meteor shower this weekend, but were so bummed at the clouds covering up the show!

I hope you had better luck than us!

(photo found here)

P.S. Jeff's new form of entertainment is asking me to whistle "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"...because I stink at whistling! Then he makes me laugh, and really can't do it. I sound like a dying tea kettle.

Blue Ridge, Georgia

In just a few weeks I'm going to visit my Granddad and his wife Chris in Blue Ridge, Georgia. It's been about 8 years since we've spent face-to-face time together. I'm looking forward to seeing what his life in the eastern hills is like. They live on a huge piece of land down in a valley, in a big house with lots of rooms. They have horses and motorcycles and gardens. I can't wait! I want to pick apples, drink sweet tea, sit on the front porch and hear stories about his life. HE, on the other hand, is hoping I'll go river rafting on one of the Level 5 rivers near his house. Sorry Granddad, but I don't want to die.

[photo of the Blue Ridge Mtns. found on this sweet blog]

In his younger years, when he was in the Navy, he was the most handsome man I've seen in photographs. Then years later, he wore his hair long with tiny glasses and leather and rode Harley's all over the U.S., and looked just like Jerry Garcia. Still handsome, in a different way. Now he's 72 and his hair is short and I want as much time as possible with him.

I don't have very many family members who are active in my life. I wish I did. Family to me is like the missing link, the thing that helps me make sense of who I am, why I am, etc. When I have a family someday, I want my kids to have a sense of belonging, of knowing who they are, whose they are, and why they are. I want that sense of legacy to start now, with my family, my Grandad, and this trip.

I hope he's prepared to answer all the questions I have for him. I want to know about our Cherokee relatives, and how connected he is to them. I want to ask him about my Grandma, the one I've never met, what he remembers about her, and if her hair was really as platinum blonde as the black & white photo I have of her makes it look. I'm going to ask him why he left Southern California and Warner Brothers and moved across the country to start a new life. I want to know what it was like when my mom got back in touch with him after almost 15 years of silence. And I want to know what it was like for him to say yes to Jesus Christ, just a few months back. And just ask him what it's like to be him.

I might be able to dig these things out of him, and I might not. Either way, I pray it's a sweet time with him and Chris. I'm just happy I get to be with him.

Waves & Sand

This song is ok, but I like the video because it reminds me to not get so old and responsible that I lose the wonder I had as a kid, where every step into my yard became an adventure, where I didn't mind so much what people thought of me, and where everything had meaning.

move.learn.eat

1 trip of a lifetime

3 guys

44 days

11 countries

18 flights

38,000 miles

2 cameras

1 terabyte of footage

3 ambitious linear concepts

3 beautiful short films

Rick Mereki: director, producer, camera & editing

Tim White: DOP, producer, editing & sound

Andrew Lees: actor, mover, groover

Found here.

On a lighter note...

Every time I watch this, I weep. My body doesn't know how else to respond. Laughter is not enough.

BARTLE DOO?!!

Friday Thoughts

I like this guy (a lot).

And I like it (a lot) when we're together.

On a dock.

In the sun.

Or wherever.

He makes me smile (a lot).

And I'm so thankful I'm in his life.

Perseids

The last few years, I've gotten to watch the Perseids meteor shower pass through the skies over my house at night. Or should I say morning? I've set my alarm for 2 or 3am sometimes. Luckily, we have a pretty comfy hammock, so that helps. But it's ALWAYS worth it.

This video shows Perseids over Mt. Rainier. Incredible!

This year, the peak viewing time for Seattle is August 13th. I will be there, praying for clear skies and welcoming the wonder.

One in 8 Million

I ran across this website a few days ago.

One in 8 Million - New York Characters in Sound and Images






I love the uniqueness of each person, and I love the fact that they are all created by and known deeply by my Father. It makes each one feel like less of a stranger to me.

Listen to the stories and look at their pictures. I've only watched a few, but I'm so glad I did. I'm going to try and watch them all. Whoever created this website did such a beautiful job!

Beach poppy

I went to Seabrook, WA this last weekend with the gals. It was so lovely.

Words

This is one of the more sweetly convicting songs I've heard, and such a good reminder of the power of my words.

You have a choice
You have a choice to make
Are you gonna speak life
Or break the back of your brother?
Are you gonna lift up?
Or are you gonna choose to curse each other?
'Cause it's our greatest weapon
In His image you were made
You have a choice
You have a choice to make
Life or death
Blessing or cursing
Hope or doubt
Faith or fear
Purpose or confusion
Love or hate
It's your choice to make

April, May

Oh man. April, May's Fall 2011 line is gorgeous.

Jungle vs. Woods

Sometimes, when the Holy Spirit is speaking to me, I hear Him right as I'm waking up, in the in-between.

About two months ago I woke up to one of His rhetorical questions, and I've been thinking about it again today.

Would you rather be at peace in the jungle or lost in the woods?

I could come up with a my answer, with good reasons and guesses as to what He means, but I don't think that's the point. I think He wants me to let the question settle in deep. And I think He wants to use it someway, either to point to my future, or to confirm my past. Or to just let me sit in the tension of it, which He loves and I don't love so much, and let it create a deeper trust in me.

So I'll settle into the tension today, and watch Him fashion my life, and confirm my belonging to Him, no matter what it looks like, jungle or woods.

Listener

I woke up with this going through my head.

everything falls apart at the exact same time
that it all comes together perfectly for the next step

His voice is a hard one to forget. I saw this video a couple times a few weeks ago, and for some reason it didn't reappear in my memory until today.

The lyrics are too much to quote, and I can't pick my favorites, so here they are, all of them.

Secrets are My Fave, Part 2

I got another installment of mystery flowers yesterday: this time, dahlias!


Except it's not a mystery anymore. They were from a client's garden. :) How sweet is that?!

Pretty darn sweet if you ask me.

Summer Solstice

"Close your eyes and follow God." [Fenelon]

One day, several weeks ago, I was convinced that a relationship with Jeff would never work. And the next day, God broke through all that and put him in my heart, and everything changed. My hollow reasons turned into a yes of sweet self-suicide. I realized this wasn't as much about Jeff as it was about the tight grip I had on my life.

That day, as the Holy Spirit made His way past my senses, as He unlocked my fearful heart and reminded me who I am, and as He whispered His promises to me, I became compelled to put away my sight, not taking into account what I do or don't see with my natural eyes. I made a decision that I wouldn't be ruled by my own preferences or passing feelings, reaping the bitterness of my own appetite. I'd be giving myself too much credit by saying I just made up my mind to say yes, because my heart change was simply a work of the Holy Spirit - it was a work that was born of pure faith and a sovereign gift from God. I know this.

"...she received a special assurance from God. What God did in this case made it perfectly plain that His purpose is not a hit-or-miss thing dependent on what we do or don't do, but a sure thing determined by His decision, flowing steadily from his initiative." [Romans 9:11,12]

So it suddenly all became very simple: let go of the life I think is mine, reject fear, embrace His wild plan for me and hang on for the ride. And say yes to Jeff.

"But God is greater than our hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves." [1 John 3:18]

I'll spare you the details, except to say this: I'm thrilled to be on this journey with my dear friend Jeffrey. I respect and trust him. I love to be with him, and when I'm not with him, I miss him. He's kind and thoughful. He's full of strength and conviction and depth. He makes me laugh so hard. He's a maze of brilliance. He adds so much value to my life. And he's given me a place my heart can safely land.


"Full of peace and safety, adventure wasn't missing. It pulled through every fiber forming the rugged hills and delicate wildflowers. It existed as an integral part of the peace, and now I could identify it. God's spirit made me safe on the cliffhanging adventure of growing close to the Maker of the universe, the ultimate hand holding my small life." [Perpetua]

The field surrounding Clise Mansion - the place everything changed.