enjoying myself fully!

Hello All!
I'm currently in Los Gatos staying at my Mom's home. My little Sister in Law and I left from Fresno yesterday around 6:30pm, and drove straight through to Los Gatos arriving at around 9pm. From then on it's been laughter, rest, good food, shopping, making memories, lots of walking, enjoying this PERFECT weather. We've truly had a lovely girly day. We slept in till about 9 this morning, had cereal, i sat on the porch with my Oj and cereal, and read my bible, enjoying my Mom's breautiful overfilled front yard with all sorts of flowers and plants. I showered and got ready and Jess and I trekked Downtown, to thrift stores, vintage and french indoor decor stores, and an amazing bakery for some delcious chocolate cookies, walked to my high school and strolled down memory lane. Walked through town and ate at Pizza my heart... I feel so full right now... not from the pizza, cookie, or coffee, but my life feels very full of good. I am thankful to the GREAT Lord for all the lovely life he's given me, an amazing family, a great home town, a beautiful school, and lots of new things to look forward to. All I can say is coming back here helps me appreciate my roots, and my wings. Tonight we'll meet up with my Daddy, and we'll venture to Santa Cruz to meet up with my Sister and her husband and children! I cannot wait. My family from AZ are some of my favorites :) My aunt and cousin will also be joining us from the N. Bay, and they're some of my other favorites! It's tradition for our family to go to the Boardwalk on the Pepsi nights, and Michael's sister Jessica has never been to Santa Cruz or the Boardwalk! Boy is she in for a fun night :) I'll post ALL the photos soon!!

a lovely morning

I rarley complain...

but I HATE the Mall... I've really never been a huge fan of malls, maybe when I was 12 and wanted a boyfriend I went to malls and enjoyed myself. But ever since I matured and became who I am today, I despise them with every FIBER in my body... whew that feels better...

a budget and a great recipe!

Michael and I have been wanting to really tack down
a new budget. Since we gave up our home and
simplified and moved into a smaller and SO much
cheaper apt. we really wanted to tack down a
budget to really squeeze everything we could
out of our income, and save a TON for a new
home.

We looked through our expenses from
June and we ASTONISHED at how much we spent on
eating out and yes, starbucks.... we have cut
ourselves down on every area on our lives, and
are REALLY trying to be good stewards of God's
Money! We've been using our new found budget
for about 10 days now, and throughout this
process I've felt free... I'm learning that
I really need boundaries as a person. I can't
live without them.

So just a word of advice if you aren't
on a budget, weither married or single, with child
or without, it is a VERY smart decision. My associate
Pastor once said during a sermon on budget, that if
you're not on a budget, you are not being a good
steward of God's money, at first I was offended
and thought, no we're not on a budget but we're not
by any means stupid with our money, and have learned
in our marriage, by mistake and God's grace, to
spend our money wisely. But I knew that offenses
don't come from God, and I really had to search
my heart and came to realize, you really can't be
good and wise with money, unless you are on a budget.
So here we are! :) We have about 1/3 of the dinning out
budget, then we were spending in past months, and it feels
GREAT.

I appreciate things SO much more when I know I only
get a little of it... it's a like a REALLY great friend that
lives out of town. You get to see them and you soak up
every moment, memory, laugh and bit of them you can, because
you know you aren't going to see them everyday like you do
your other friends... :)
There's freedom in wisdom.

And for that recipe... :)
In late December/ early January when my Mom and Michael and I went
on our CA,AZ,UT,MT,NV roadtrip, we stopped down at my Sister
Shelly's house for a few days visit. While we were there my
sister whipped out a hot dip she had made for Christmas...
and I fell in LOVE.It's so simple, delicious,
and just be prepared for MANY who try it,will ask for the recipe! :)



Southwest Dip:

1 Can Whole Kernel Corn- drained
2 (small) cans diced green chilies- drained
2 tbsp diced Jalapeño
1 cup chopped red bell peppers
1 cup of the following:
Mayo (not low fat), Parmesan Cheese, Monterey Jack Cheese.

Mix all, melt and keep warm in mini crock! Dip goes best
with tortilla chips! Enjoy!

something good is in the works...

Love List- July

I LOVE kari jobe... She's amazing. She's a worship leader at Gateway Church in Texas. And a Woman after God. She's very inspiring, and her songs go to the deep places of my heart, and soften me enough to gently sink into God's presence. I totally encouage you to download her album, only 10 bucks on Amazon.com. I am giving a copy to the girls in my small group. Check her out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loy6qk5a2mQ