What are your weekend plans?

Planning anything fun this weekend?  We're having a laid back one, where I'm hoping for some alone time, some Brian and Charlie time, and some friendship time.  Don't let me forget the most important - some Jesus time.  Oh how I need an extra boost of Him right now. Still meditating on being filled (and overfilled would be nice, right?). 

I snicker as I pose the title of this post as a question.  You my little friends are not big commenters.  Which is fine if that's how you like it. I will still keep on keepin' on.  ;) 

Be Filled my Friends

via Pinterest

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Ephesians 3:14 - 19

Napa Valley

What a delight Napa Valley was. The amass of rolling hills covered in vineyards, the good nature of the people there, the incredible food and wine.  You don't often here of the great food in Napa, but they really had the best food. We stayed at the Westin Verasa Resort in the heart of Napa.  As soon as we arrived we walked through the town and enjoyed a nice wine tasting.  While there, we met some locals who told us of a few good restaurants in the area, one of which was Bottega, Michael Chiarello's establishment in Yountville.  We were lucky enough to snag last minute reservations due to someone cancelling and oh goodness am I grateful. It was out of this world - I recommend it in a heartbeat.

The next day we ventured to Swanson Vineyards for a lovely wine tasting. Most of the pictures below are from this place.  For someone who appreciates those small details, Swanson does not disappoint. 

 

San Francisco

Oh dear Lordy, if I do not get up at least one vacation post before the end of Brian's birthday, I think he may have a mini-stroke.  We've been back for almost a week now, and though I don't want to admit it, it's taken me almost this whole week to catch up from being away.  It doesn't matter though, every minute of that vacation was incredible and words cannot describe how necessary it was for us.  Anyways, enough talk.  Shall I show you some pictures?  First stop, San Francisco. 

We had a short stint in San Francisco.  Walked our way from south of the Financial District up to the Wharf, through Chinatown and other neighborhoods.  My legs were sore, so on the way back we learned how to take their public transportation (aka buses).  Every city is just a little bit different..

  

More to come my friends, don't you worry!

There's a Birthday to Celebrate Today!!

Happy 26th Birthday Brian!! What a ride of a year this has been, huh?  We've learned even more about each other, we've grown closer in ways I didn't think we could, and we've been separated in ways I didn't think we should (my work travel).  Oh darling, you have held this year together for us.  I've just been trying to juggle, but it's all an act. I could not have done this without you.  You could not have done this without God.  Thank you for being my rock.  Thank you for leading our family so humbly, so tenderly, so lovingly.  Goodness, am I grateful for you.

Now here's 26 reasons why:

1) You are SO fun and make me laugh, literally every day.

2) Kindness and strength are two of your greatest assets.  How do you balance them both so delicately?

3) You love better than anyone else I know.  You are loyal, so loyal. 

4) You take care of EVERYTHING when I am away from home (the bills, the house maintenance, Charlie, the yard, food, etc). 

5) You plan for our future with diligence and direction from our creator.

6) You are sexy and stylish. 

7) You love giving good gifts, from the heart.  You don't mind receiving them every once in a while, either ;).  How many times can you shake a box and reassess its contents? Like 10. 

8) The way you love Charlie is remarkable.  He is like your son, and its stinkin' adorable. 

9) Family is so important to you.  You Veecks are tight knit, and I love it.

10) The internet goes out so you make our friends music videos to keep entertained.

11) You make amazing scrambled eggs wrapped in a tortilla shell.  Yeah baby. 

12) You're humble and apologize during arguments, even if it may not be your fault.  You take charge to resolve conflict because you are the leader of our household. 

13) You have blue eyes and dimples.  Must I say more? 

14) You lead incredibly well; consistently and fruitfully. 

15) God is your first point of contact, and all decisions stem from Him. (phew - He is so much smarter than us and you know it!)

16) We have the same desires for the future. 

17) When I'm lonely on the road, you send me random videos of Charlie running around the house.  Just because.

18) You love your job and your dedication to it is admirable. 

19) You invented tent jumping (see below).  Need  I say more? 

20) The tent comment reminded me what a burly outdoorsmen you are.  No way I could have hiked Tallac without you. 

21) When you get a good idea, you don't stop until you see that idea come to fruition.

22) You love Lake Tahoe the way I do, for similar reasons.

23) Garage sales, estate sales, thrift stores are your best friend. It's so entertaining to see what you come back with and watch you make it beautiful again. 

24) Charrrrliee, come to candy mountain Charlie.  God, please don't let us name any future children Charlie..

25) You are a good friend.  Dedicated and loyal.

26) You think I am beautiful, and tell me often, especially at the times I need it most.

I'M BACK!

Hi internet friends. Sam here.  I'm back, begrudgingly.  Vacation was AMAZING. It was exactly what we needed.  I missed some things back home that I wish I would have been here for, but other than that it was the perfect getaway. 

I have pictures at home that I promise I will recap on here soon, but for now hopefully these iPhone pics will whet your appetite. I'm back in PA this week and definitely tried checking into the wrong hotel this morning. My car is now valeted at a hotel 10 blocks away from the actual hotel I'm staying at.  bugger.  Guess that just means I have to take my car out shopping tonight to make up for it?  ;-)

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On a much different note, my heart is heavy for two dear friends, Brett and Colleen.  They lost their sweet baby girls this past week, and I seriously challenge you to read their story  (and pray for them if you feel so called) here, here and here.  They are heroic, really.  But, even more awesome is how God is moving in this situation.  It is humanly impossible to be in their kind of spirit of joy and thankfulness without God. 

Just. Need. To. Make. it. Through.

One. More. Day..

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