Yes folks, we are off to Hawaii for a mini vacation this week! I've never been and have always wanted to go! An extremely gracious family friend is letting us stay with his family. Also very stoked to do some surfing on the south shore! I think we're only taking 3 boards...

ALOHA!

In Memory of Shadow

I found out today that my cat, Shadow, also affectionately known as Shadow Bad Boy and Shashi, has gone to kitty Heaven. We will miss the kink in his tail and his cute bow legs. And we'll never forget that when he got comfortable on your lap, you dare not move him.

I remember when I first got him - he loved to ride in the car with his sister, Millie (most often known as Mil-Mil) and on any given day, as soon as you opened your car door, he'd jump right on in. He loved Mil-Mil, always giving her affection when she came around, even when they weren't kittens anymore. When I moved away to Florida, my mom took in Shadow and Mil. She sometimes pretended she didn't like him, but I knew she did!

Shadow, we know that you're doing whatever makes you the happiest - whether it's sleeping on the arm of a chair, chasing a bird, or peeing on the carpet, we know you are in a better place.

Rest in Peace, Shadow!

Yay!

Me and our friend from Colorado, Kara

PARTY!

Rob's party was a blast!! And it was just what we needed - fun with the ones we love.

And many of our friends wanted in on the fun! Friends & family from Maryland (Nick & Natasha!), Michigan (thanks Dan & Liz, Mom & Dad!!), Missouri (the Weisgram clan), West Coast friends (Reed!!), friends I haven't seen since college, and our many other awesome Virginia friends! Thanks to everyone who came!

A few photos from the happy event!

Birthday boy & Troy

Jessica & Jaclyn

Troy & Dia

Mom & Dad

Liz & Dan

Brandi & Kyle

Me & Jeskuh

Mama & me

Nick & Natasha

Mike & Ashley

Even Shadow showed up to party!

Happy Birthday Rob!!

Today is a celebration of life!

Happy Birthday to my amazing husband! I'm not sure he's stoked about crossing the "30" threshold but I am so happy to have him in my life! Rob is my biggest cheerleader - he's been to all of my races and constantly cheers me on. He has opened my eyes to a whole world I never thought I'd see , and he's an amazingly patient teacher - he taught me how to surf! And I am not an easy student!

Rob has done so many amazing things and he's good at everything he does, seriously. He's traveled all around the world (and we're not done!), he's a phenomenal surfer and has surfed in many countries - Saipan, Australia, Costa Rica, Mexico to name a few! He's a triathlete. He flies airplanes. He snowboards, rock climbs, mountain bikes, and road bikes. And yes, he's even been spelunking. If it involves adventure or endurance, he does it. He's volunteers his time. And above all of that, Rob is a man that loves God and loves his family and friends, and he'd do anything for any of us. And we know it.

And what do you think Rob wants for his birthday? A new surfboard, of course!

I think that makes 10.


A few of Rob's adventures...

Surfing in Nexpa, Mexico


Hijacking a boat in Belize - he gave it back!!


Santa Barbara Triathlon - 1 mile swim, 34 mile bike ride, 10 mile run

Zipline in Costa Rica


Riding horses through sketchy rivers in Costa Rica

...among other things...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROB!!!

For every person, different things bring comfort to their souls during the difficult times in life. For me, it's God, my husband, friends & family, sunshine, the beach, and my Mama.

Though the last few weeks have been extremely difficult, I was fortunate enough to have my Mama come out to California and be with me. It wasn't really a "vacation" for her... if it weren't for the circumstances, she probably couldn't have made it out here this year. I am so grateful she was able to take the week off work to do it. Although my mom spent a lot of time reading the Twilight series while I laid on the couch not wanting to move, we did get to do a few things close to home.

Breakfast at our favorite place, Uncle Bill's Pancake House

On the Manhattan Beach pier

I am so blessed to have Rob as my husband and we continue to lean fiercely on each other. We are so blessed to have amazing friends and family and are thankful for the prayers and love you have sent our way. We feel it - trust me. I really believe that one of the many ways God shows His love for us is the comfort we get from the love of friends. People we really didn't know that well have come forward to share their private and painful stories just to let us know we are not alone and one day, we will heal. In the darkest time of our life, we experience God's love.

"We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. They are the people he called, because that was his plan." -Romans 8:28