Hello 30, Goodbye '13.

Sometimes you need to walk away. Just walk away.
Like when you are trying to hang that weird plastic stuff on your windows because it is supposed to help you keep your house warm and the plastic keeps clinging to you.
Or when you are trying to beat your husband's high score on the phone game "Dots" and have officially cramped your fingers into a permanent "index pointing" position only to realize your score is so low that it doesn't even make the board.
Or when you are trying to get the "perfect" sock bun that everyone says is so easy to do, yet somehow you are the only person in the world who's hair thinks it would look better as a 80's rock star sunburst.

Or when something becomes so overbearing and looming that the pressure makes your heart want to sink faster and more traumatically than the Titanic.

I know that writing is a form of therapy for many. It is a form of therapy for me. At times.

But there was a time that I needed to walk away. When the thought of writing yet another post about our continually postponed adoption made me feel like I was wrapped up in clinging plastic and stuck with my fingers in "index pointing" position. (Awkward picture, eh?)

So, in true form to how I do most anything that I am overwhelmed with...
I walked away.
Unannounced.
I didn't write, I didn't call, I didn't text...I kind of just shut down.
It is clearly not ideal and often quite hurtful to people that I am close with but who really wants to hang out with a girl with crazy hair wrapped up like a plastic mummy? Exactly.

In my time away, I turned 30. Which obviously made me much wiser and sound of mind. I had some time to reflect on this past year and all of the really incredible things that I DIDN'T write about. Yup. Thats right. Good things actually happened! I was just too consumed with our adoption to recognize it.

I realized that although our journey has been crazy and amazing and tons of people have wrapped their arms around us in support, prayer, and love...it is not the only thing going on in my life. And when I let it get to that...I felt smothered. I felt trapped. I felt exhausted.

Just like those people that ONLY EVER talk about their kids. We were ONLY EVER talking about our adoption. And we don't even have a kid yet! Yikes. Not cool, Andersons. Not cool.

So, now that we are both thirty, flirty, and thriving-ish? and clearly WAAAY wiser than we were 12 month ago...
We wanted to share a few moments that made this past year make us not want to walk away and shutdown from the world. Obviously, some adoption stuff is interweaved but hey, we can't just pretend it isn't happening!

Quick Recap:

~Began January with beginning our adoption from South Africa. Announced it with a pic of us through a pic of an iPhone. Classic. 

~ Spent amazing times with friends on the sunny beaches of California. Should have taken advantage of that more (cough, -13 today, cough).

~ A visit from my beautiful friend Jenny, Erik's 30th birthday trip to Chicago for the Cubs Home Opener, and family visits out to California full of wine, golf, and blueberry picking.

~ Quality and amazing friendships made over the past 6 years because God brought us to California to begin our marriage, all of whom we have been unbelievably blessed by!

~A sad farewell to a trusty ole car that was stolen and stripped and towed to the salvage yard. RIP Green Machine.

~Dossier #2: finished. 

~ Celebrated 5 years of laughing, loving, crying & adventuring by getting tattoos. We are so romantic. 

~Finished up our year at Modesto Covenant with an incredible group of students, a crazy Adventure trip to somewhere in Nevada, and people who will forever be a part of our hearts. They packed up our apartment into a UHAUL in less than 2 hours. No joke. Rockstars.

~We moved. Like big time moved to Minnesota. God called, we answered. Our journey was epic. Still is. 

~ Moved into a 1923 house that we love, started at a new church that we love, live in a city that we love. I mean...it's okay or whatever.

~ Travelled to Colorado for my cousin's wedding, spent quality time with the fam, and DANCED like I had the lead role in Footloose.

~Our nephew, Wells, was born and we are obsessed. 

~Watching Bella walk in snow for the first time in her life. Hilarious. 

~Enjoying being close to one of my favorite families in this entire nation/world, seeing family more often, cutting down our own Christmas trees, and exploring parts of the Midwest I've never seen before. 

~ Siblings. 

So here's to a new year, probably filled with a lot more adoption news than anyone ever wanted to know, but also filled with sweet moments outside of that which define our lives and bring us life. 

I suppose sometimes walking away to gain perspective on all the good isn't so bad after all. 

Cheers and Adios to 2013. 

AND....We're back in the game!

Summers are crazy. That is just the truth.

Everyone looks forward to summer because they are ready for a break...and then all of a sudden, summer is halfway over and everyone is thinking, "Holy crap! Where has the time gone!"

Don't get me wrong, I love me some summer. Warm days, cool evenings, tan skin, slushies till you turn blue in the mouth...yes...Youth Ministry summers are the best.

It is nice to get caught up in the tidal wave of activity and even nice to get lost in the busyness of not being busy with the usual tasks of life.

We have had some great moments...
Summer kickoffs, BBQs, Hawaiian vacations, Weddings, VBS skits, pit stains (sick), twinkly lights and fine beverages enjoyed with friends...

And lets not forget about the anxious awaiting of our USCIS approval for adoption. :)

Oh yeah...that whole adoption thing.

My life has been so consumed with adoption for the past 6 months, I sometimes forget that there are other things going on...you know like...life.

And honestly, the "Summer Sweep" has been a welcome distraction.

This new found busyness has become so unfocused on the future of our lives and way more focused on the life we are living presently.

I'm learning that God is all about our present just as much as He is all about our future. And I think I often miss things by being so consumed with what is to come. I forget that the life that is happening NOW is the life I am meant to live NOW.

So, although Summer is...well...summer...

The tidal wave is refreshing. And perspective changing. At least for a little while.

The Gift of Rest

You may not be hearing from us for a while.

No, we are not swearing off Facebook or Twitter or Blogspot or Instagram or...any other social media facet of our lives...for the sake of a June version of Lent.

No, we haven't joined a commune...although there are days where the idea seems tantalizing.

But yes, we ARE moving away to a far off land. For 10 days.

Let me start from the beginning...

About a year ago, Erik and I were sitting at a dinner that we had been invited to with some friends of ours, when I felt a subtle squeeze on my leg.

Erik tends to do this when he wants me to say something like, "This has been a wonderful evening, but we must be going now." I told him before we even got there that if he played this card...I would ignore him. (I know...sweet wife.)

So I continued in conversation, pretending that I didn't feel the squeezes getting harder and more anxious. Being the very understanding and gracious spouse that I am, I started bringing up new topics of conversation and asking more and more questions to our hosts. (Seriously...so sweet, right?)

As the night finally came to a close, we said our thank you's and goodbyes and hopped into the car to go home, about an hour after the squeezes began. I was about to lay into Erik with a huge lecture about how we had discussed this habit and its ceasing when he blurted out...

"JESSA!!! I think we have just been given a trip to Hawaii...plane tickets and all!!"

Um....come again?

Needless to say, the following 20 minute drive home included a lot of "WHAT THE HECK?!?!"s and a lot of screaming.

The good kind of screaming.

We have felt so blessed in unfathomable amounts of ways...encouraged, uplifted, prayed over, supported. Especially in this last year.

We have been overwhelmed with love and kindness. And as we look back and think about this moment (almost exactly a year ago), we see this awesome outpouring of God knowing exactly what we would need, exactly at this time.

Rest.

And we see a family, so generous, so caring, and so open to listening to God's call to love His children through what they have been given.

So, in approximately 48 hours, Erik and I will be boarding a plane to a far off land, filled with rest, relaxation, restoration, and well...just good plain ole fun. We will have space to laugh, enjoy each other's presence without interruption, adventurize, and spend some time with people we love very dearly (my sister and brother-in-law will be joining us for part of the trip)!

We want to be very clear that NON, NADA, NOTHIN', NOT A CENT, of the money that we have worked for, fundraised, and been given for our adoption is going toward this trip. We feel that it is super important to state this because there are a ton of people who have graciously supported us in our adoption journey and that is incredible sacred and special to us.

This trip is a gift. A huge gift of rest. A welcomed, anticipated, and completely humbling gift that we are ready and excited for.

Yes, my bag has been packed for 1 1/2 weeks...

...and yes...Erik is still yet to pack. 

So...I bid thee farewell. At least for a little bit. 

Need us? We probably won't answer. We will be at the beach. 

Aloha!  

Traveling the World...One Plate at a Time.

Hanging out with High School students is the best. Especially when it means you get to try new things.

Me and a few of the wonderful ladies from our High School group have made it a habit to get together for dinner once a month and try out the awesome cultures of food that Modesto has to offer. Surprisingly, there are quite a few!

Anthony Bourdain...move over!!

So far, we've hit up the All-American/Greek pita, Japanese Sushi, and fine Indian cuisine complete with dinner time Bollywood entertainment!

We try to find places that the majority of our circles of friends and family don't go. No chain restaurants allowed.

It is awesome!

There is nothing like sitting around a table and experiencing food and culture that we don't usually partake in or, in most cases, are too scared to try. It is quite the thrill waiting to see what each dish will look like when it comes to the table!
As we eat, we come up with crazy ideas of the next places that we will stumble upon in our travels!

So far on the docket we have Authentic Italian, Thai, and...Russian?

However, the best part...by far....is the great conversations we have, the life experiences that we talk about, and the time we spend just being "world travelers".

Often times, the best part of traveling isn't even the places you go. It is the people you are with and those that you meet in the process.

And these people are some of the world's finest.

Cheers!

Oh. Hello Summer.

Fres-Yes and Fitzsimmons

All I have ever known of Fresno is that it doesn't have much to offer.

Well that is just not true.

Fresno? FRE-YES!

As a Christmas present to Erik, I bought him tickets to one of his favorite artists, William Fitzsimmons. As an added bonus...we got to take our great friend, Tom, with us!

We had an amazing time wandering the streets of the underwhelming yet still somewhat exhilarating Tower District while waiting for the doors to open for one of the most intimate and moving shows that I have seen in a long time.

And I couldn't have asked for a better crew to go with!

Top 10 Things I Have Learned from Erik...

1. The more you listen to 970 ESPN radio, the more you understand about every sport that has ever been played. Therefore, it should be on at all times.

2. Gum isn't good unless you chew 2 pieces at a time, more volume...more flavor.

3. Panda Express is not worth it.

4. Sweet Baby Ray's is good on anything.

5. There is no better feeling than jumping on a bandwagon before it becomes a bandwagon. 

6. You can always make it seem like you know what you are talking about, as long as you act like you know what you're talking about.

7. You are never too old to enjoy a good concert in the city...even if you have to stay up past midnight. 

8. Always appreciate a man who has a deeply rooted loyalty to a sports team...even if you don't like their team.  

9. Never give up on your passions, even if you loose track of time and get distracted by life. Your passions make you into the person that you are...so make time for them.

10. You can never encourage someone enough. Always have a truthful and kind word to share with the people around you. 

Bonus!!!!

11. Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, with all of your strength, and with all your mind...

And love others as yourself. 

The list could go on for days...seriously...he is a genius! 

But to keep it to a reasonable reading length, I will just say this...

Each day I am learning more about how to love and cherish my husband. And each day he teaches me something new through being the person he is and the man he is becoming. I don't think I give him enough credit for his wisdom, guidance, love, and direction.

So, today on your birthday, Erik, I want to say...

Thank you. Thank you for being so strong, so humble, so understanding, so patient, so loving, and so willing to journey this life with me. I am blessed by you each day. You make my life better each day. And I love you more and more each day. 

Wouldn't and couldn't do it without you. 

Happy Birthday!

28

Wow. 28. Really?

Although the years have passed quickly...I know that, Lord willing, I have so many more to look forward to.

In reflection of these past years, I honestly have to say that I feel so blessed. I have the most incredible husband in the world, the most encouraging and loyal friends, and family that supports and loves me through everything. I don't think there is anything that I could or would change.

So, if you are reading this and you are a part of my life...thank you. Thank you for all you have done to shape me, build me, encourage me, challenge me, and guide me into the person that I am today!

On that note..here is how I spent my 28th birthday! Enjoying my most favorite things in the world...my husband, my sweet pup, my camera, and the Lord's incredible creation!

I'm so grateful for a husband who understands just what I need on my birthday!

Take A Photo.

NA NA NA NA!

There is hardly anything quite like an overnight in Santa Cruz, CA! And there is absolutely NOTHING like an overnight in Santa Cruz with some of the best friends that anyone can have!
In honor of friendships, marriage, new jobs, new callings, 1 year finished of seminary, and a 2nd somewhat-annual trip together, the Nunans and Andersons took Santa Cruz by storm on Wednesday night! We had such a blast catching up, hanging out, drinking Starbucks doubleshots and laughing till all of our ab muscles ached through to the next day!
We are so thankful to have such incredible friends and will miss them dearly as they venture into a new chapter of life in Fort Collins! THE ANDERSONS LOVE THE NUNANS!!!!

Pinning.

Ok...have we all experienced Pinterest? And have we all decided that it should be called "Pin-obsession"? I can't stop, people. I have a serious problem. I'm a board and a pin away from checking myself into rehab. Or should we say (insert cheesy catchphrase) "Pin-hab"?

If you haven't heard about it...I apologize in advance. You will probably need to check into "pin-hab" with me once you do. My friend, Katie, introduced me. It was like a REALLY good blind date. One of those ones where you show up at a friend's house thinking that you are going to just hang out, but secretly they have invited over another friend that you don't know as they cross their fingers and hope for fireworks and shooting stars at first meet.

Like that.

Only better.

So, my friends...may I give you another reason to spend way to much time on the internet obsessing over things you love... pinterest.com.

Pinning=Winning!

Not Yo Momma's Jam!

Mason jars are making a comeback, peeps! And the greatness is...most of the DIY ideas are cheap and easy! I even spray painted some of them white (using a paper star cutout taped to the front to leave a star-shaped impression). Here are some picture of our backyard and how I turned those suckas into mood lighting for the patio! :)

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