Oh Mondays..

When I woke up this morning, the first thing that came to my mind was the word, "faith." You see, in the past few months - more than anything, the hardest thing for me has been to have faith for the unknown. But why else would we have to have faith? Silly, right? 

I've been learning that unknown territory is scary, spontaneous & sometimes ugly - but in all that, believing that God has a good plan, I have faith that there is beauty in all of this. 

live by faith, not by sight. 

Today, my sister Dee & I took my cutie pie niece to the beach. Her nickname is Lala, if you didn't catch that from the photo. This girl is a basket full of crazy! Seriously. She keeps us {or whoever is watching her at that time} on our toes. She sure is cute though..

Today was a chill day. Chill enough that I actually got around to washing my car {it's been ages}, doing laundry, cleaning my room {& throwing things away - I love to throw things away} & ... I had enough time to make a Blueberry Nectarine Crisp. So. Good. Too bad we were lacking in the ice cream arena because that would've been perfect on top of this! 

I don't really have a recipe for this bc I just made it up but I'm sure you can find something online.

I used about:

3 Nectarines

Cupful of Blueberries

1 peeled & cut into small pieces Apple

About 3/4 of Flour

Cup & 1/2 Brown Sugar 

Cup of Oats 

1/2 cup of Butter 

Place all the fruit on the bottom of a casserole dish.

Mix all dry ingredients & then mix in cut pieces of butter. Make sure the mixture turns crumbly before sprinkling it over the fruit. 

Bake on 350 for 30 minutes. 

& wallah, got yourself a pretty darn good crisp. 

Happy crisp eating & Goodnight. 

Love & Miss You.

This was Christmas 2010. I remember the moment I took this picture because he was in the middle of crackin' jokes about that hat & how it would look fabulous on me. He was always crackin' jokes. And then would end them with that mischievous smile & a good ol' squeeze of a hug. 

Papa Dennis... I remember when you were first diagnosed with cancer. I was living with you guys. In the midst of the shocking news - and as bad as the reality was, you remained secure. I watched you throughout this whole process, and never once did I hear a complaint out of your mouth. I actually would often hear you singing. It would be early in the morning when I would be getting ready and I could hear you sing, "I get to love you through whatever comes, what a privilege." And through this whole process, that line has been your every move. Thank you for that example of loving through whatever.

 Gosh, I'm sitting here thinking about all that you've imparted into my life. And let me tell ya, it sure is a lot. I often think back to things that you've taught me, whether it be from my high school days when you were my teacher, or from times when you would preach from the pulpit at church, or times when we would spend time as a family. You see, when I moved in with Eric & Lisa, I didn't realize that I was actually going to become apart of the Trout clan. But low & behold, you had it in your heart to welcome me in, as your own... as a TalamaTrout. I. Loved. and still Love. That. 

You were full of life, love, laughter, wit, wisdom & truth. I'm grateful for you. Well, more than that - I'm overflowing with joy & admiration at the thought that God allowed our lives to intersect. So thankful. And even more today, I'm thankful that you are not suffering anymore. 

Pastor Norm said it so well, "The Lord gave us almost three years with Pastor Dennis, while science said we only had six months." 

My heart is full of gratefulness that God gave you those three extra years, and it's even more grateful that you went in peace & in the presence of your family. 

I love you Papa Dennis with all my heart. 

Grace, grace. (I will always remember those words)

I love my Tumblr.

Last night I was going through my Tumblr . It's like my journal. I love it because of the fact that it's been with me for... maybe 3-4 yrs. Yeah. If only there were a way to print my Tumblr out & make a book. Now wouldn't that be cool.

Here are some screenshots of some random posts. 

^^^ Love this outfit. A lot. 

I love Thursdays.

Thursdays are like my Saturdays. 

I love them.

They're my relaxing days.

And this is what I mean by relaxing. 

I get to hang out with my little friend Jasper.. pretty much all day. He's seriously the sweetest thing; so cuddly and perfect. He smiles with his eyes and loves to talk to me. Or himself. Whoever is listening really.

And this whole week, I've been helping a friend of mine put together two panels (to fit a 30 ft x 10 ft wall) of paper flowers. Lots of work, but so much fun as well. I don't mind crafting.. and if I'm getting paid to do it, that's even better!

After I helped Kaleb, I met up with my lovely friend Elisa for dinner on Alki. Perfect night to eat outside. El Chupacabra. Hated the service and atmosphere - but their salsa was amazeeeee. I hear their burritos are to die for as well. Anywho, look at that sunset. Seriously? God is amazing. That's amazing. I wish I had a house right on the beach so I could have this view everyday. It wouldn't get old to me at all! 

"...and every one of them is tasting the hard work of trusting, and the excitement of risking, and the goodness of believing." - katrina hope

It seems that whenever I check out my friend Kati's blog - I always end up reading something that rings true to all that's going on in my heart & in my head. As of late, I feel as if I've been on this crazy roller coaster ride. The one where my legs are dangling from the seat and the roller coaster is sending me into circles, turns, backflips, front flips, fast stops & fast starts... and up really steep climbs and down really crazy drops - and it feels like, at any moment, my whole body could go flying out of my seat. Exaggeration, much? Nope. Not at all.

It's scary. It's fun. It's life changing. It's challenging. It's hilarious. And sometimes I cry.
And then I remember that God's intentions for my life are good. Well, good & perfect.

And so, in these times of "tasting the hard work of trusting, the excitement of risking & the goodness of believing," I choose to remember that in all of this - this is good. Simply put, I believe in a good God, who has nothing but good - no matter how it looks - for my life.

Happy Thursday.

Brother love.

Allow me to introduce my big (& only) brother and his little twin. Yeah. Is this photo killin you as much as it kills me?! My sister in law, Carrie, posted this on fb awhile back and I almost fell over in my chair because of laughter. I really did. I remember the moment very vividly. My bro is SUCH a wonderful dad & it is so cool to see him be a dad to a baby girl. He's been the big brother to 5 sisters... So it's been fun to watch him with his own girl. Big guy, big heart. He's seriously a teddy bear ;) The best big brother a girl could ask for. Love him & his new little family.

Fromage

Cheese. Love. I love cheese. And not American cheese wrapped in plastic peel off wrap. but real cheese. I find them beautiful. I find them interesting. All the different pairings. It's amazing. Some of my favorite pairings: Brie + Pear Dubliner + Apricot Havarti + Blueberry spread Just thought I'd share some of the things I love.

Sunshine.

Sunrise & sunset in Toronto, Canada.

Independence Day.

America, I love you.

Yesterday started out with not being very sure of plans, except for the fact that I was getting to hang out with some dear friends of mine. 

Sometimes the best times in life end up being spontaneous. 

Yesterday was one of the best 4th's I've had.

*I've got some amazing friends. The day was spent soaking up some sun by the pool, snacking on yummy food all day, roaming downtown Kirkland & just laughing the day away w/these ladies!

*8 kids later & these two people are still madly in love, full of wisdom, so real & some of the best people to be with. Love that I got time with the Hallstroms! 

God bless America.

Now if I could only figure out how to go back to bed.... 

Time isn't slowing down.

It seems as if, just the other day I was a little baby. Not a care in the world.. and all my life really revolved around was playing in the dirt, eating pb & js & building forts. 

And then some days, I wonder... what ever happened to the scary days of being a freshman in high school? 

And then the days of experimenting - God only knows why - with so many different hair colors, I'm surprised my hair didn't just fall off of my head. Happy sweet 16, by the way. Good Lord. 

And today... I'm thinking about how much time has passed. And how it will continue to pass. I'm no longer a little kid... a preteen.. even a teenager. I've grown up. Semi scary... and partly exciting. With everything going on in my life right now, I've been thinking a lot about living a life worth living. 

I can talk about all the days I've wasted on insignificant things & people. But I won't. 

Today, I'm thinking about all the days I've spent significantly. Full of life, joy, fun, adventure, family, friends, laughter, peace, change.... Yep, I'm thinking of those days. And I'm thinking of the ones to come. 

I'm not getting any younger and time isn't slowing down for me. I pray always that I never lose sight of the significant things in life and that I always give it (whatever that may be) all I've got. 

Cheers to growing up. 

Every second is a blessing, a gift. Live them fully.