birds & books

Taking Root

2013-10-05T11:44:00.004-07:00

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." - Jeremiah 17:7-8

My favorite tree lives in my mom and Will's front yard. Many of you have climbed it, sat under it, watched its leaves change, and swung on the porch bench while admiring its orange and red leaves during the autumn season. It is beautiful. It is the tree that my mom sends me pictures of every fall, knowing that I will be overcome with happiness when I see that its leaves are starting to change. The roots of this tree are incredibly strong. Its sister tree, that lived on the side of the house before they had to take it down, was so strong that the roots grew beneath the foundation and started to send cracks up a wall of the house. These trees are big and their roots are deep; their branches are as sturdy as their leaves are beautiful.

It has been a little over seven months since Kevin and I arrived in D.C. and almost a year since we moved out of our tree-house apartment in Sacramento where we could reach out our window and pluck oranges from the giant orange tree next door. Moving to Washington and building a new life 3,000 miles away from home has been a journey that will continue to teach Kevin and I new things everyday as we take root here.

***

Trees grow like weeds here; everything is vibrantly green and lush. Many of the trees in Washington, we have come to learn, are prone to falling over in storms because they never grow deep roots. It rains so often they don't need to dig down deeply into the earth to find nourishment and they topple over when the winds whip against their tall trunks and their own weight sends them falling. However, there are some trees that have managed to dig their roots deep and have outlived most of their counterparts. They thrive despite the intensity of the storms and remain sturdy and rooted.

In DC we live on the top level of a brick apartment building. Outside of our bedroom window is a 70 ft. tall american sycamore tree that shades our street and whose branches I can admire from our bedroom window as I sit at our desk. Sugar and red maple trees are also in view and reach up to the heavens with their enormous branches. I have learned that sugar maple trees average about 1 foot of height growth annually for their first 30 to 40 years. As they age, their height growth slows down dramatically. Sugar maple trees can average 300 - 400 years in age. In sum, the trees that line our street have been here much longer than the politics and noise of Washington and have dug their roots deep enough to withstand the storms of this city.

Growing roots in a new place is one of the hardest things Kevin and I have ever done together. It took us over 4 months to find a church that we could call home and it has been a challenge of its own to make new friends. In the first few moths of living here, I told Kevin countless times that I wasn't sure how long I wanted to stay, I missed our family, friends, and California's culture, and that it didn't feel like home. My roots were extraordinarily shallow; with any afternoon stuck in traffic, lonely evening missing the excitement of crowds of friends, an argument between Kevin and I, or the feeling of saying goodbye to our siblings, parents, or friends from home would spin me into a storm of doubt and send me toppling over.

We have been studying at church the many similarities between Washington DC and Corinth, the city that Paul wrote the books of 1 and 2 Corinthians to. Paul spent 18 months in Corinth, nourishing and caring for the people there. Washington, like Corinth, is a transient city. Over a third of the population turns over in the DC metropolitan area every five years. Similarly, Corinth was a city situated between trade ports and people came and went constantly. Educated, sexual, athletic, and wealthy are also characteristics that can describe both the historic city of Corinth and the city of Washington DC. Some of the most prestigious universities in the world are within walking distance of our apartment and three of the five wealthiest counties in the country are in the DC metropolitan area. Every weekend you can find triathlons, crew races, marathons, walks, or bike races scattered across the city. Corinth was home to one of the most world renowned athletic competitions, only second to that of the Olympics in Greece. These cities are both filled with people that are driven, passionate, and dedicated as much as they are selfish, lost, searching, and anxiety ridden. Both of these cities are cities that God has showed that he cares deeply for and has done incredible work in. In this same way, God has continued to reveal his faithfulness to us through the work he is doing in our lives here in Washington. He is at work, and that work is not finished.

***

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." - Colossians 2:6-7

Kevin and I were walking home from one of our evening strolls through our neighborhood about a month ago when we passed by a plot of mint that was growing on the side of the street. Without much thought, I went to pull a sprig off the plant and accidentally pulled it up by the root. Embarrassed and shocked that it came up so easily, I just kept walking, holding it and promising Kev that I will plant it somewhere when we came home. (disclaimer: There was still a bunch more mint growing where I snagged it and so I didn't steal a whole mint plant, I promise.) When we got home I pulled out a little planter that I had stowed away below the sink, intending to plant some herbs in our kitchen. I wet some soil and churned it until it was soft. I dug a hole and placed the mint inside. I patted down the soil around the base of the plant and placed it the window for it to absorb the sunshine that streams into our kitchen every morning.

My prayers going into this move were that Kevin and I would embrace the adventure we were on, grow closer together and to Christ as God revealed all the reasons he opened the doors for us to move here, get jobs and build our resumes, and be blessed with the wonderful time that we would get to spend with our siblings while living on the east coast. What I found my prayers more often than not to be once my feet were on the ground here in Washington was for God to help us take root. It is a simple prayer but one of the most complex equations to solve. Growing roots takes not only time but essential nourishing components that, only if all are present, allow one to thrive.

I had absolutely no idea how hard it was going to be or how much time it would take for Washington to start feeling like home. We have been blessed with an incredible amount of people who have spent lots of money and time to come visit us. We have gone on lots of adventures and explored so many new places. We have been blessed to live near siblings who we can visit and who we have so much fun with. These things have been of immeasurable comfort and a great source of joy throughout the past months, but when we drive home or say goodbye I quickly realize that the day-to-day cannot be sustained by the hopes of returning to the excitement of an adventure or the calming conversations of loving friends and family. To thrive, we must take root.

***

A week after I planted the mint in our kitchen, I plucked off the leaves that had died and added water to the soil. I sprinkled coffee grounds in the with the dirt to add nutrients. Before the second week came, there was a tiny new green mint plant poking up through the soil. When I saw this for the first time, I yelled in excitement for Kevin to come see. This mint had not only taken root, it was thriving; it was healthy and growing.

Moving to Washington has stretched me in ways that I had never experienced before. Kevin and I have been drawn closer together and closer to God through these changes. Expectations that I didn't realize I had until they were broken about timelines, new jobs, making friends, finding a church, and living in a big city have revealed the importance of leaning into the soil that we have been planted and trusting that God will continue to provide the things that we need to grow, take root, and thrive.

Taking root is a process; it is a beautiful testament to God's faithfulness to see the first signs of things starting to work naturally instead of clunking along in exhaustion and confusion with only the hope that things might get easier with time and a sense of desperation for the comforts of home and familiar faces.

Our journey in Washington has just begun. We have have just started to see the first signs that we are starting to thrive. In the past couple months, we have been blessed with a church that we have fallen in love with. We have had the opportunity to become small group leaders and spend time with hilarious and down-to-earth highschoolers. We have siblings that we have been able to make new memories with and share in each other's lives in ways that are difficult to do when living far apart. We have built friendships with people that we can have both honest conversations with as well as insane amounts of fun, and who are just as goofy as we are. We have started jobs that are both challenging and rewarding and are committed to continue working hard at them. We will certainly experience plenty of storms ahead but by taking root and leaning into our faith, I am certain that we can stay as sturdy as the sycamore tree that is outside our bedroom window.

***

Thank you for reading and for the encouragement that you always give. This blog was started years ago and may be taking on a new form as life changes. What an incredible gift to be able pause, write, and reflect. This was always my hope for this blog, to be a place that I could come and be honest and share. Thank you for being a part of this journey.

Yellow Flowers and Springtime Vineyards....

2013-05-18T06:23:00.000-07:00

Amanda and Ty snapped some shots of Kev and I last weekend when we went wine tasting in Leesburg,VA together. The vineyards were so beautiful and the yellow flowers were all in bloom...I couldn't help but share.

Thanks for reading!

Familiar Faces Make a New Place Feel Like Home

2013-05-13T18:54:00.000-07:00

Sometimes there is nothing like the people you love who can make a new place feel like home. We have been beyond blessed by people coming to visit us during these first few months in D.C.! The excitement of a new city can be so wonderful, but sometimes nothing beats eating, drinking, and laughing with family and friends. Here are a few photos from the adventures we have shared with people who have brought a taste of home to Washington for us.

Exploring old town Alexandria with Kara and Kevin during our first week in D.C.

Only after 3 weeks of living in D.C. Megs came to visit! We were able to celebrate Meggie and Kev's birthdays together! It was an insanely fun week, to say the least. It felt like we were neighbors and roommates all over again - a true taste of home.

Birthday girl with her new shoes on, a birthday balloon, and a crown. Perfection.

Hanging out at Mt. Vernon- meeting George Washington's sheep.

Meggie throwing some punches.

Annapolis, MD

Sprinkles vs. Georgetown Cupcakes...Sprinkles for the win!

Mt. Vernon with Meggie and Kev

A wonderful brunch with Doug and Anne Bradley in Georgetown!

Nationals Game with Robbie!

Last weekend my Momma and Will came to D.C. for a quick getaway! We hiked, explored Annapolis, went to dinner downtown and had a great time relaxing and hanging out together. Nothing like having parents come to visit!

Mom and Will in Georgetown.

Annapolis, MD

Dinner downtown with my mom and sister

Tyler and Amanda spent the last week with us. We went to a Nats game, went wine tasting, played lots of games, and explored D.C. together. It was a blast!

Old town Alexandria

City Livin'....

Thanks for reading!

Our New Adventure, Our New Home - Washington D.C.

2013-05-12T09:07:00.001-07:00

In mid-February Kevin and I moved to Washington after nearly a year of planning, saving, anticipating and praying and we have a lot to be thankful for. Our boxes are unpacked, food is in the fridge, we have started new jobs, explored new places, made some new friends and are excited about nestling in here and making this really home (at least for awhile).

Georgetown on a Saturday afternoon in April.

We have been walking around the city nearly everyday exploring and falling more in love with this area. We live in northwest Washington, in a neighborhood called Glover Park. Our apartment is one block away from a national park called Rock Creek Park. Teddy Roosevelt used to ride his horse through the park and carry a revolver on his hip after he would swim naked in the Potomac....ahhh, the beauty of learning fun historical facts about this area.

The Potomac River - April.

One of the best things about living here is that we can drive to see Brian and Kara in a half an hour - a little better than a 5 hour plane ride from Sacramento - and we are a short 4 hour drive from the Sugarbean Farm!

Georgetown University, founded in 1789, is one of the oldest universities in the country and is just down the street from our apartment. The neighborhood of Georgetown borders Glover Park and is lined with boutiques and restaurants that tempt me to shop endlessly (a serious problem when trying to make rent in Washington). Many of the homes in Georgetown have gas lamps out front and the sidewalks are made of bricks and cobblestones. It feels like a step back in time.

Georgetown University

Also a short walk from our apartment is the National Cathedral. The dream of the National Cathedral dates back to the days of George Washington's presidency, though building did not start until 1907. The stone that made the foundation for the cathedral came all the way from a field outside of Bethlehem. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his final sermon in the National cathedral and it is the place of many prayer services, funerals and presidential speeches.

Here are a few photos of the new apartment and some of the adventures we have gone on lately.

Sitting on the docks of the Potomac

Stopping in front of the National Cathedral on our way to the zoo

Our neighborhood covered in snow in February

Great Falls National Park

Thanks for reading!

Adventures in Washington for the 2013 Presidential Inauguration

2013-02-07T15:52:00.002-08:00

Kevin and I had an EPIC weekend a few weeks back that I have to share with you! We went up to Washington for the Presidential Inauguration right after we got back from our road trip. It was an insanely fun weekend that couldn't have been more awesome.

We got to hang out with Kara, my lovely sister in-law, visit with friends from the campaign I worked on, go to Congressman Bera's new office, attend a swanky California Democrats party, find our future apartment, and last but certainly not least, go to the 2013 presidential inauguration.

The whole weekend was so amazing but going to the inauguration was something I will be talking about for the rest of my life. The most incredible feeling was knowing that Kevin and I were there while history was in the making. I was so thankful for the opportunity to be present as our first African American president began his second term in office on MLK Day. All political views aside, that is a beautiful thing worth celebrating.

Here are a few photos from our trip.

Congressman Bera's new office building...a little step up from the Elk Grove campaign office.

Congressman Bera's new and improved office.

Washington Monument.

A great bookstore near Dupont Circle that serves brew and books...our kind of place!

Exploring the city with Kevin.

California Democrats Ball with my friend Allison

My handsome man and I at the CA Dems Ball

Congressman Bera and I at the CA Dems Ball

2013 Presidential Inauguration

Kevin and I in the sea of Obama supporters

Kevin and I with our friends Allison and Daniel at the inauguration.

Thanks for reading!

Walking Along the Tracks in North Carolina.

2013-02-07T15:27:00.000-08:00

Kevin and I walked along the train tracks that run a few blocks away from the Sugarbean Farm today. It was drizzling out as we ran alongside the trees that separate the tracks from nearby farms. We snapped a few photos along the way and then I had some fun editing when we got home.

Thanks for reading and humoring me and my train track photos.

A Good Ol' Roadtrip Across The U.S. of A.

2013-01-23T15:05:00.000-08:00

8 days, 3,300 miles, 50 hours of driving, 8 states, a car filled with an entire apartment worth of things, A LOT of roadside food, a few dinosaurs, wind, snow, rain, sun and a whole lot of country songs.

This is my story about driving across the good ol' U.S.of A. with my awesome husband.

The Route

Day 1: Roseville,CA - Santa Cruz,CA
Day 2: Santa Cruz,CA - San Luis Obispo,CA - Solvang, CA - Santa Barbara,CA - Los Angeles,CA
Day 3: Los Angeles,CA - Phoenix,AZ
Day 4: Phoenix,AZ
Day 5: Phoenix,AZ - Albuquerque,NM - Amarillo,TX
Day 6: Amarrilo,TX - Oklahoma City,OK Little Rock,AK
Day 7: Little Rock,AK - Nashville,TN
Day 8: Nashville,TN - Durham,NC

It was a bitter sweet exit as we left Roseville on our journey back to North Carolina. We spent 3 weeks at home for Christmas and took a wonderful trip up to Kevin's parent's cabin at Donner and spent New Years in Chico. Leaving friends and family was tearful (to say the least) but knowing we had a big adventure ahead was a really great distraction from it all. By the time we left on our road trip I had drained just about every tear (literally) I could from my body. It was time to be happy and joyful. This trip was nothing short of both.

Kevin packed our car to the brim with the things our parents had graciously let us cram into their garages these past few months (and by full I mean we couldn't see out the back window kind of full.)

First Stop: Roseville, CA - Santa Cruz, CA

Our first stop was Santa Cruz to spend the day with my Aunt Junco and Uncle Dave. They live in a beautiful home tucked into the winding green roads of the Santa Cruz mountains. We went to Aptos and ate lunch and visited beautiful lighthouses along the coast. Junco educated Kevin and I on traditional Japanese cooking and made a delicious meal for us. (Our mouths still water thinking about it.)

The beach in Santa Cruz

Visiting a lighthouse in Santa Cruz

Kevin and I with Dave and Junco at the beach in Santa Cruz.

Junco and I cooking.

The AMAZING meal that Junco prepared for us!

Day 2: Santa Cruz -San Luis Obispo - Solvang - Santa Barbara - Los Angeles

This was such a fun day and probably the most beautiful of our entire trip. We headed south on the 101 to San Luis Obispo. We got into SLO around 10:30 and met up with our buddy Kyle for coffee at my very favorite coffee shop, Linnaea's. I used to study there all the time when I was at Cal Poly my freshman year. Kayleigh, Amy and I probably spent more time at Linnaea's than in class our freshman year. The drive down the coast was unbelievably beautiful and seeing Kyle was awesome.

We stopped in Solvang on our way down the coast. Solvang is this adorable little Danish town. The architecture, the food, the street names - all Danish. It was the kind of place that I would love to stay at a bed and breakfast and eat lots and lots of my Grandma's Danish Goulash all day.

It was a clear and sunny day - perfect for driving along the California coastline. This was on the beach in Santa Barbara.

That evening we spent the night at Tyler and Amanda's adorable house in Los Angeles. It was so much fun! We ate dinner together and went to a local brewery and grabbed drinks after.

Day 3 & 4: Los Angeles - Phoenix, AZ

We left LA the following morning and headed East on I-10 towards Phoenix, AZ. We drank date shakes at Hadley's and found some epic dinosaurs just outside of LA. Our friends Kathy and Phil recommended us stop for shakes and dinosaurs and it was nothing but awesome. When we arrived in Phoenix we spent the evening with my Aunt Carol and Uncle Enrique. We ate dinner and chatted and had a great time with them. We stayed an extra day in Phoenix to hang out with my grandparents and aunt and uncle. Kevin and I went to a desert garden filled with cool glass art inspired by the plants of Arizona and then went and ate DELICIOUS Mexican food. Later that night we had Chinese food with the family and got to hang out with my grandparents. It was so refreshing to spend time together as a family.

Grandma and I.

Kevin loungin' and doing some light reading at the desert garden.

Scary HUGE cactus needles!

Carol and Enrique :-)

Grandma and Grandpa.

This reminds me of Buffalo Bill, the children's book. Did you ever read it? If so,doesn't it look like it?!

Day 5:Phoenix,AZ- Albuquerque,NM - Amarillo TX

This was our longest day of the trip. We traveled just over 700 miles and, despite the somewhat bare landscapes at times, we had a blast. We learned that AZ has mountains with ski resorts and Albuquerque has great Mexican food and Amarillo smells like manure(literally the entire town smelled like cow poop). All in all, it was a great travel day and we laughed a lot at the barren landscapes of this nation.

Day 6:Amarillo,TX - Oklahoma City,OK -

Little Rock,AK

Welp, the Panhandle of Texas is a little less than exciting... followed by the windy planes of Oklahoma.... Not much to tell about that drive....uh...we sang and laughed a lot but the actual geography...hmmm...I will have to think up some more commentary in my sleep....you'll get the idea when you check out these pictures.

Getting to Arkansas felt like a breath of fresh air. Lakes sprinkled the hills and trees dusted the ground on the Arkansas border. It was really beautiful. I am not sure if it was the hours of 'nothingness' that made us appreciate Arkansas so much or if it is actually that beautiful, but either way, we loved it.

We went out to dinner in Little Rock at this fun Czech/Danish/German restaurant and ate some really good food. After dinner, we walked across a footbridge that crossed the Arkansas River (which has alligators in it!). It was a very refreshing and romantic evening after a long couple days of driving.

Day 7: Little Rock, AK - Nashville, TN

The drive to Nashville was beautiful but very very very very very rainy. I don't have very many photos of the drive because it was pouring out for most of the drive. By pouring I mean flash flood warnings kind of raining. We crossed over the Mississippi River which was cool because we have been reading Huck Finn in North Carolina.

Kevin drove most of the way and when we arrived in Nashville our hotel was, well, GHETTO. Within the first 10 minutes we decided we needed to relocate. (Drug deal outside, burnt out light bulbs in our room, green shag carpet, busted lock on the door....) So, after getting our money back we drove to downtown Nashville and checked into a much better hotel and started exploring the city.

Do you remember that song "Where have all the cowboys gone?" by Paula Cole? Well, the answer is NASHVILLE. It was CULTURE SHOCK. Huge belt buckles, cowboy hats, tight jeans, tucked in flannel, live country music pouring out of every bar....It was awesome! Kevin and I got great Southern BBQ for lunch (flexitarian moment) and wandered around the city all evening. We ended up at a bar watching a country band from Alabama play. A guy sitting in front of us had a confederate flag on his shirt that looked like it was on a beer can and above it were the words 'Sippin' and Dippin'...Nashville is the south and felt like the south. It was SO fun. When in Rome, do as the Romans do....and when in Nashville, get a budlight and stamp your foot because it is going to be a good ol' time!

Beautiful church in Downtown Nashville

REALLY good BBQ for Lunch.

Down by the waterfront in Nashville

Coyote Ugly...A sight to be seen

And more BBQ....

Our view from our hotel in Downtown.

Day 8: Nashville, TN - The Sugarbean Farm

This day was nothing but sweet. We were anxious to get home to the Sugarbean Farm and back to Durham. It was a beautiful drive! We drove through the Smokey Mountains and passed signs for Moonshine. It was so nice talking with Kevin and looking forward to what was ahead. When we arrived at the farm we were greeted with big hugs from Kendy and Josh and were so happy to see them.

It was an incredible trip and I couldn't have asked for a better travel buddy. I am so happy that Kevin is not only my husband but my best friend. We have the best time together and even in towns that smell like cow crap we still seem to have fun. I loved seeing the country like this and we were so blessed to have not even a flat tire along the way. We made memories that we will hold close to our hearts for the rest of our lives....I can already hear us telling our future grandkids, "when we were 23 we drove across the country with all our stuff in our car and only a few dimes in our pockets..."

Cheers to road trips and thanks for reading.

Now that the dust has settled....

2012-12-10T11:43:00.000-08:00

Before I can begin to talk about North Carolina, our move across the country, the chickens or Thanksgiving I have to take a step back to September - when I wrote my last blog post....

Chapter 1 - Go Bera!

After posting about a morning trip to farmer's market back in September, I went black for awhile. I was utterly consumed with the campaign I was working on. My mind was saturated in work. I was at a loss for what to write about other than the campaign, which people could just read about in the news. The days ran together as the hours got longer and time slipped away... eventually bringing us to December.

When working on the Bera for Congress Campaign I was a finance assistant but mostly took care of event planning for fundraisers. In September alone I was helping plan over a dozen events all over Northern California and running around like a mad woman - as all people do on campaigns in September.

Some highlights from the campaign: I was able to meet President Clinton at a rally in Davis when he came to endorse Dr. Bera. I had the honor of working with some incredibly driven individuals and build some great friendships with them. I had the privilege of getting to know Dr. Bera, who worked unbelievably hard to unseat a Tea Party Republican who had been in CA politics for the last 30 years. Dr. Bera continuously gave the people of the 7th Congressional District a new vision and direction for what lies ahead and the hope that change is possible.

It was an honor to work for Dr. Bera and to be a part of the team. It was a whirlwind that couldn't have been more worth it. Every other day the New York Times or the Associated Press would stroll into our headquarters building and interview Dr. Bera and try to capture just how monumental this race was and the amount of energy that surrounded it. If you're interested to read a few of the articles, feel free to click below:

The New York Times
The New York Times
The National Journal
The Washington Post

After many long days in the campaign office and restless nights thinking about the to-do lists ahead, the election day came. On November 6th my family and friends joined me and hundreds of other supporters at the election night party. For the first time in months there was a moment to pause and be proud of the work we had done. Thousands of volunteers, lots of generous contributors, miles and miles traveled all around Northern California and now, it was simply in the hands of the voters of Sacramento. We had done all that we could, and it was time to take a deep breath while our eyes stayed glued to the results as the votes were counted.

Bera was up by 174 votes by midnight on the 6th and the counting continued for the coming days and weeks that followed. On November 15th the Associated Press announced Dr. Bera victorious as the final votes were still being counted. The last week of November the votes were finally all processed and Dr. Bera had officially won! By the time the race was over, I was on a farm across the country playing with chickens and could let my heart warm from the feeling of a job well done and the calm of knowing now was the time to enjoy and relax.

Chapter 2. A New time and a New Space

Kevin and I arrived in North Carolina on November 16th and were immediately swept up into the romance of farm life. Kevin's sisters and husbands as well as our adorable niece, Davy, greeted us warmly as we arrived at the Sugarbean Farm. My mom, Kara, and Kevin's parents arrived shortly after and we spent the week of Thanksgiving playing games, sharing delicious meals together, chasing chickens and sitting by the fire.

I had spent months and months looking forward to this very moment and it had arrived. It was glorious. It was one of those times that I wished time would slow down and so I could soak up every second because it was pure gold. I was missing my brother but knowing we would see him at Christmas softened the sting of spending Thanksgiving apart and allowed for the enjoyment of the present.

After our families left, Kevin and I took a trip to the Outer Banks for our first weekend away together as a married couple. It was refreshing to spend some time alone with one another and to do what we do best, embrace the adventure of exploring a new place together.

A few highlights: We saw where the Wright Brother's first flew, looked for wild horses and went to a lost colony, visited an aquarium and saw our first alligators, walked on the beach and collected shells, went to a brewery two nights in a row because we couldn't get enough of their Hefeweizen, read books out loud and drank lots of hot coffee.

Since we have been back, we have been learning a lot about chickens. Kevin has now helped with three days of slaughter and I am slowly becoming more comfortable with the whole process. The first day I hid inside and stayed in denial; the second day I helped with plucking the feathers and the third I plucked the feathers and helped catch the chickens before they were 'harvested.' I plan on doing an entirely separate post dedicated to talking about the farm and the chickens. But for now, know that I am so encouraged that Josh and Kendra are ethically raising the happiest and healthiest chickens I have ever seen. It is really healthy and good for me to be a part of the process and embrace that this is where meat comes from.

On a less intense note, yesterday there were a record # of eggs laid - 24! My very favorite part of the day is going out to collect the eggs and to come back and stand at the sink, rinsing the eggs while looking out on the yard. At night we all go out together to get the chickens into the coups and play a game of chase with the stragglers who resist going inside to sleep with the others. We always end up laughing and chasing a rooster across the yard as it runs away as if its life depended on it.

Kendra and I have been getting up to do yoga in the morning together and in the evening the four of us have started to read Huckelberry Finn out loud around the fire. I fully believe this book was meant to be read in this setting. It truly comes to life with the sounds of the crackling fire from a wood burning fireplace on a cold winter evening.

Today, Kevin is making homemade butternut squash ravioli and I am making bread for dinner. Life is good. We are blessed to have this time with Kendra and Josh on the farm before we head to D.C. and couldn't be more happy to have the dust start to settle as we have landed in North Carolina.

Thanks for reading!

Sunny September Sunday Morning

2012-09-09T21:49:00.001-07:00

This morning Kevin and I woke up and went straight to Starbucks to get piping hot lates before we headed to our favorite farmer's market. Orange, yellow, red, and green vegetables made the bottom of the cement overpass light up with the colors of autumn.

We walked away with bags full of potatoes, onions, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, pumpkins, green onions, spaghetti squash and bone marrow (guess who purchased that one). When we came home Kevin started in on making beef broth and let it simmer into the evening. Cheers to a wonderful Sunday in September.

Here are a few photos from our day:

Thanks for Reading!

Kevin Brought the Fall Home

2012-09-04T12:00:00.004-07:00

I love the fall. It is no secret. I love the leaves, I love the smells, I love the food, the clothes, the weather, the holidays....

With September right around the corner and the giddiness of all that is fall approaching, I became a little sensative and had a bout of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) a few days back. Kevin, Meggie and Kyle headed up the hill to the happiest place on earth, Apple Hill. I had to work and wasn't able to join and so I had, what can be called nothing but a 'pitty party.' Instagram photos of them picking berries and enjoying walks amongst the orchards was torturous as I sat in the campaign office. I drummed my fingers on my desk and longed to be 40 miles East of where I was.

I told Kevin that I wanted nothing more than for him to bring fall home to me. He certainly brought some cider and some fun photos of the day but they caused nothing but jealousy. As soon as the camera was put away and the cider ran dry, it was clear that I wasn't going to let it go until I had celebrated the start of autumn as well.

So, last night Kevin surprised me with everything fall. I came home from work to fresh flowers, fall candles, Norah Jones, a pretty table set, warm apple pie, apple cider, pasta and artichokes. My heart melted. He is the sweetest man in the whole world. I couldn't help but snap a few photos to remember last night by.

Thanks for reading and happy fall.

One Step Closer

2012-09-03T15:16:00.000-07:00

This weekend Kevin and I had our very first moving sale. We labeled, sorted, priced, cleaned and organized our apartment, sorting out what we wanted to move with us and what we wanted to sale. Friends drove into town to buy up our old goods and it was a blast! It meant so much to have so many wonderful people together to support Kevin and I in our decision and help us get a gas money fund started for the big drive ahead.

Our apartment is looking a lot more bare now, but it makes Kevin and I one step closer to moving to the North Carolina and D.C.!

Here are a few photos from the weekend:

Ben was trying a few things on for size

The Albinis were all shopped out

De'veres brunch after church

Blu Nami!

Everyone has fallen in love with watching baby Albini move in mom's stomach

Thanks for reading!

125 Days, 3 Thousand Miles, 4 Siblings, 50 Chickens , 500 lbs shipped, and a BIG life decision.

2012-07-15T08:44:00.004-07:00

Kevin and I have been thinking and praying a lot these past few months about our dreams for the next 5 years. We have been asking hard questions and having long talks about the possibilities of 'what could be.' When all was said and done Kev and I decided we both wanted three very distinct things to shape what our life looks like for the foreseeable future.

To live in a big city with abounding job opportunities so we can find jobs that we are passionate about & that pay the bills

To explore a new place together

To invest and serve in a church & our local community

THE PLAN TO MAKE IT HAPPEN

Present - November:

I am going to continue working as a finance assistant and event coordinator for the Bera for Congress campaign. My job will conclude around November 15. Kevin is going to finish out his internship at First Baptist Church of Davis and then find a temporary job until November.

Mid-November - Mid-spring:

Kevin and I are going to move to the Sugarbean Farm! This is an organic farm that Josh and Kendra, Kev's sister and brother in-law, started right outside Chapel Hill, North Carolina one month ago. They currently have fifty little chickens running around and just bought their first tractor. They will begin planting soon! We are going to go help them on their farm and spend some time in North Carolina as we prepare for the next step.

My dream of the farm:

Kevin's Dream of the farm:

Here are a few photos of the farm:

Check out the Sugarbean Farm's blog here.

The new chicken coop that Josh built.

Mid-spring: While living in North Carolina we are going to be working on the farm, playing games with Josh and Kendy and applying for jobs in Washington D.C. By mid-spring we hope to have jobs lined up in D.C. and make the trek 4 hours north to settle in our nation's capital city. We have always loved Washington and are so excited to be closer to my brother and sister in-law who live right outside the city. We can't wait to arrive with all the cherry blossoms in bloom and find a cute little apartment and start our life together in Washington D.C.!

We are so excited for this adventure but we know that the next few months will be bittersweet as the reality of this decision sinks in. We don't have all the details worked out and there are so many things to do before November comes but we know it will all work out. We are going to miss our friends and family so much but we have faith that God will keep our relationships strong and provide an apartment with room for an air mattress for guests to come and sleep on all the time.

So, there it is. The news is out- let the adventure begin. Thanks for reading and cheers to taking chances and going for it!

Tree Painting

2012-07-14T08:11:00.000-07:00

Brian and Kara just made the second bedroom in their apartment into a study. The pictures that I have seen show that it's filled with leaning bookshelves, black and white photos and an awesome brown leather chair. Brian approached me a few weeks ago asking for a large painting to go up the wall in the study. He sent a few photos of some ideas and today I finished the painting and am so excited to ship it to them! Here are a few photos of the painting process.

Thanks for reading!

One Year...

2012-06-21T11:32:00.002-07:00

One year ago Kevin and I made vows to one another in front of friends and family and started our lives together as a married couple.

This year has flown by and brought so many wonderful experiences, opportunities for growth, and incredible memories that I will always hold onto. We moved into our first apartment this year. We went on our first vacation alone together. We shared our bank accounts for the first time. We planned our futures together and we helped one another as partners who support each other. We tried our best to love unconditionally and have surely grown closer through the learning process.

We celebrated our one year anniversary with a fancy night on the town at a restaurant we have wanted to go to since we moved to Sac called Ella. We ate and drank and talked over candlelight. We laughed and reflected back on how far we have come as a couple since we first started dating as 14 year olds and smiled as we thought about what the future may hold for us. Our waiter surprised us with a plate of ice cream sandwiches with a single candle to signify our first year anniversary. We both made a wish about what we hope this next year will bring as we blew out the flame together. We smiled and exchanged a kiss. I am so blessed to have Kevin as my husband and I am so excited to see what year 2 has in store.

As an additional surprise Megan called the restaurant and sneakily paid for our entire meal! What an incredibly generous friend we have! We are very blessed by the people in our lives and couldn't be more thankful for their generosity.

Thanks for reading. Talk to you soon.

The Manhattan Project

2012-06-11T20:44:00.001-07:00

Check out this time lapse video of Manhattan. It is amazing!

A Wild Goose Chase

2012-05-29T09:04:00.002-07:00

Last week Kevin and I had dinner with my mom and Will (homemade pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw and corn on the cob...yum!). After dinner my mom said that she wanted to go find some ducks to feed and promptly pulled out some oyster crackers she bought just for the occasion. Without hesitation we headed for the river. Outnumbered by big ol' geese, the ducks were few and far between. Here are a few photos from the adventure.

Enjoy.

And that is the end of our wild goose chase.

Cheers - to the future Mrs. Lauren Garcia!

2012-05-28T09:53:00.003-07:00

Two months from today two of my best friends, Ben and Lols, are getting married! What a joy! This past Saturday Megan and I had the honor of throwing Lauren a bridal shower to celebrate her and Ben's upcoming wedding. It was such a fun process planning the shower with Meggie and it was so great to see everything come together. We couldn't have done it without the help of our friends and family and we are so thankful for their help. I loved being surrounded by such wonderful women while eating great food and celebrating the future Mrs. Lauren Garcia! Lauren is so loved and her positive attitude and joyous spirit are contagious. Here are a few photos from the shower. Enjoy!

The End.

Audrey and Adam's Beautiful Wedding

2012-05-28T08:59:00.004-07:00

Yesterday we had the honor of attending Kevin's cousin's wedding. It was stunning. I only snapped a few photos that I will share but I have to start by describing the scene. Kevin's aunt Ginger and uncle Kent live in a gorgeous home tucked among acres of almond orchards. The beautiful patios, rolling green grass, outdoor kitchens, a tree house, lap pool and a classic car collection make it the perfect place for a wedding. Kevin's dad officiated the ceremony which made it even more special to watch. As the bride and groom walked back down the aisle an little plane flew overhead and dropped rose petals from 10,000 feet. The petals rained down on the bride and groom in their first moments of marriage and soon cheese, salamis, olives and wine started to circulate among the guests at the cocktail hour. Kevin's sisters and their husbands and our little niece were able to come from Hawaii and Seattle to attend the wedding and we had a blast with them! A gorgeous dinner was followed by a coffee and dessert bar and dancing. There isn't enough I can say about this celebration- it was amazing. I am so happy to be a part of this family and It was such a great night to remember.

A trip to farmer's market down the street

2012-05-17T09:06:00.004-07:00

There is this great little farmer's market in Cesar Chavez park just a few blocks from our place every Wednesday morning. Kevin and I strolled over to get a few things this morning and I couldn't help but take a few shots of the beautiful veggies that were being sold.

Making Farmer's Cheese

2012-05-16T09:22:00.001-07:00

Last week Kevin anxiously anticipated a little package arriving in the mail...a small indiscreet envelope that would have bacteria inside.

"Why," you ask...

The envelope was filled with little packets of starter cultures for chèvre cheese. It arrived on Friday and by Saturday afternoon we had cheese!

Chèvre is French for goat and so chèvre cheese is goat cheese...but we used cow's milk and so Kevin made us chèvre's big brother - farmer's cheese.

Ingredients: 1 gallon of Whole Milk, Salt, Starter Culture

Time: 24 hours

Result: Lots and lots of farmer's cheese (it kinda tastes like cream cheese)

Here are some photos from the process.

Enjoy!

1. Heat the milk to 86 degrees. Pour in the starter culture and whisk it together.

2. Cover the pot and set it out for 12 hours in a room that is 70 degrees.

3. Add the salt and drain the cheese for 12 hours.

4. We got creative on how we could drain the cheese without a HUGE bowl or a bucket.

5. The cheese will reduce down and thicken as it drains.

6. Put it in jars and enjoy

Look how much 1 gallon of whole milk made!

7. The Best Part- EAT.

The End.

Best of the Week: Changing Education Paradigms

2012-05-08T10:55:00.003-07:00

A wonderful clip that will get your wheels turning....rethinking HOW we think about education.

Wine Bottle Vases

2012-05-07T17:07:00.004-07:00

The time it took: 2 hours

The point: To be crafty and cheap

The Supplies: wine bottles, spray paint, tape, paint brush, acrylic paint

The result: fun new vases for the table

Step 1: Use goo-gone to remove the labels on empty wine bottles

Step 2: Spray paint the bottles and let them dry

Step 3: Add some jazz

Step 4: Set them on the table and enjoy

Behold, the photo booth photos!

2012-05-01T11:55:00.001-07:00

The photo booth photos from our wedding have finally been found! They were tucked into a tiny pocket of an old purse...I can't blame Kevin for this one!!

It has been SO fun looking through the photos and decorating our hall with all your smiling faces! We love you guys and hope you enjoy the photos!

No place like Napa

2012-05-01T09:59:00.002-07:00

A few weeks ago Kevin and I took a day trip to Napa. When we were winding our way through the rolling green hills on our way to highway 12 we talked about how many pivotal moments have happened in our relationship while visiting Napa.

Our 3rd and 4th year anniversaries were spent in Napa long before we were ever served a sip of wine. We went there multiple times with Kevin's family and stayed at a beautiful family friend's house that sits right on a vineyard....We got engaged in Napa at a restaurant called REDD....We had a wedding shower on Kevin's Aunt and Uncle's vineyard and we spent the first days of our honeymoon in Napa....Kevin ran his first 1/2 marathon in Napa last fall and a few weeks ago....almost a year into being married, we returned. We drove up into the hills that surround Napa Valley and got lost on the winding back roads. Here are a few photos from the trips that we have taken to Napa over the years and our return a few weeks ago.

4 year anniversary Fall 2007

Engagement day May 22, 2010

Wedding shower spring 2011

1/2 marathon fall 2011

2 months out from our 1 year wedding anniversary!

The End.

Stop and Smell the Roses

2012-04-30T22:27:00.003-07:00

Dust and Elephants:

Before I begin I need to address the elephant in the room of this little blog that sits in the corner of the blogosphere and has started gathering dust....I haven't been blogging much (if at all) lately because I have been utterly occupied with an internship at StudentsFirst.

StudentsFirst is an education reform nonprofit that is working to pass legislation that makes sure students have access to a great education no matter what their zip code is.

This internship has been a dream come true and I can honestly say that I have found my passion. Working to better education in the United States is something that has captivated my heart, caught my attention, and has kept me insanely busy (in a good way) these last few months.

I have traveled to Connecticut, Missouri, L.A., Fresno, San Jose and back and forth from my home in downtown Sac to the new office headquarters just blocks away. I have learned so much about myself, about the public education system, and about what I want to do with my life over the past few months.

Why write:

I hope going forward that I can make up for lost time and continue with making this blog a place to share stories, express thoughts and most of all take the time to stop and smell the roses that God has given me.

There is something so therapeutic and calming about creating a synopsis of an experience- to capture a memory and put it into a story that is frozen in time. It feels satisfying to take hold of certain moments of my life and appreciate them for what they are.

On Sunday Kevin and I were on a walk and found ourselves at the Capitol Rose Garden. I couldn't help but snap some shots of these gorgeous roses. I hope you enjoy.

birds & books

Taking Root

Yellow Flowers and Springtime Vineyards....

Familiar Faces Make a New Place Feel Like Home

Our New Adventure, Our New Home - Washington D.C.

Adventures in Washington for the 2013 Presidential Inauguration

Walking Along the Tracks in North Carolina.

A Good Ol' Roadtrip Across The U.S. of A.

8 days, 3,300 miles, 50 hours of driving, 8 states, a car filled with an entire apartment worth of things, A LOT of roadside food, a few dinosaurs, wind, snow, rain, sun and a whole lot of country songs.

This is my story about driving across the good ol' U.S.of A. with my awesome husband.

The Route

First Stop: Roseville, CA - Santa Cruz, CA

Day 2: Santa Cruz -San Luis Obispo - Solvang - Santa Barbara - Los Angeles

Day 3 & 4: Los Angeles - Phoenix, AZ

Day 5:Phoenix,AZ- Albuquerque,NM - Amarillo TX

Day 6:Amarillo,TX - Oklahoma City,OK -

Little Rock,AK

Day 7: Little Rock, AK - Nashville, TN

Day 8: Nashville, TN - The Sugarbean Farm

Now that the dust has settled....

Sunny September Sunday Morning

Kevin Brought the Fall Home

One Step Closer

125 Days, 3 Thousand Miles, 4 Siblings, 50 Chickens , 500 lbs shipped, and a BIG life decision.

To live in a big city with abounding job opportunities so we can find jobs that we are passionate about & that pay the bills To explore a new place together To invest and serve in a church & our local community THE PLAN TO MAKE IT HAPPEN

Tree Painting

One Year...

The Manhattan Project

A Wild Goose Chase

Cheers - to the future Mrs. Lauren Garcia!

Audrey and Adam's Beautiful Wedding

A trip to farmer's market down the street

Making Farmer's Cheese

Best of the Week: Changing Education Paradigms

Wine Bottle Vases

Behold, the photo booth photos!

The photo booth photos from our wedding have finally been found! They were tucked into a tiny pocket of an old purse...I can't blame Kevin for this one!!

It has been SO fun looking through the photos and decorating our hall with all your smiling faces! We love you guys and hope you enjoy the photos!

No place like Napa

Stop and Smell the Roses

Dust and Elephants:

Why write:

To live in a big city with abounding job opportunities so we can find jobs that we are passionate about & that pay the bills

To explore a new place together

To invest and serve in a church & our local community

THE PLAN TO MAKE IT HAPPEN