Beautiful Wedding

Another favorite memory of 2008 was the wedding of Rob's brother Todd to his beautiful wife Jeli. The picked the most beautiful location, Long Beach's aquarium. These pictures are from the rehearsal . The whole wedding was themed around the aquarium. What a unique and stylish wedding it was! Just take a look of the view of the alter. Stunning!

Beautiful Grandma Rose

Us at the beach house we stayed at with the Chaney family in Huntington Beach.

Disneyland

So another highlight of this year was our trip to Disneyland. Rob had not been since he was a kid and as a "Johnson" I was itching to go. Disneyland has a very special meaning to the Johnson family. Some of our most favorite memories were built either at or traveling to and from Disneyland. One of my favorite is the infamous brush microphone used during the car ride singing 50's tunes with mom, dad Christa and stefi.

Our time there was just as it was meant to be: Relishing in childlike fun, distracked from the worries of the world.

Winter Wonderland

I hope you smile and maybe even laugh when you receive our Christmas cards. Pathetic I know, sending Christmas cards of our dogs. But what can one say other than they bring so much joy to our everyday lives that we can't help but hope they might do the same for you.

The pictures are from Thanksgiving spent with the Chaney family up at the cabin in Pine Top. I hoped for snow on the way up and was delighted by the snow storm that fell on Thanksgiving day. I walked the dogs much to their disdain but I cherished in the blistering wind and crystal snowflakes.

Time with the family was wonderful! I must say the highlight was celebrating in my sister-in-law's growing bundle of joy due later this year!

LA: Not a dog friendly place

So one detail I missed in the last blog that on our way back to AZ we decided to take a detour and go to LA to visit the beach. The dogs had never been and we thought what a fun day it would be playing in the water and lounging on the sand. Well, we found out after 3 attempts at different beaches and nearly dodging a ticket from the ONLY life guard on duty in all of LA that dogs are not allowed! But we were able to sneak in one lonely picture as we were being escorted back to the car...

This past month we traveled to Palm Springs for our annual reunion. We decided with the holidays just around the corner we would make it a world wind trip. We traveled for a total of 48 hours and spent almost 30 of them in the car driving! We didn't have a babysitter for the pups so we brought them along thinking it would be a great adventure...and that it was. They were miserable...they hated being in the car and every time we stopped to let them out to go potties or get gas they were sorely disappointed we were not where exciting. Not grandma and grandpa's, the doggy park, the park with the patos and pajaros or even back at home. They cried and barked pretty much straight the entire drive there and back. We stayed at a motel 6, one of the only places they allow dogs. And we thought the drive was rough on the dogs the minute we walked in the hotel room they ran back out to the car wishing we could only go back home.

The event was beautiful. We reconnected with the same group of friends we see every year. It is the only time we actually see or even communicate with them. But because of history, love and acceptance the minute we see each other we reconnect. One of them got engaged this past year. We were able to spend much of the evening sharing funny dating stories, wedding stories and even lessons learned in marriage. Lots of laughs and hugs when it was time to go. I am already looking forward to next year. Here are a couple of pictures from the trip.

This first picture was taken on our way back. We got caught in a storm and experienced one of God's wonderful creations. The rainbow was a gentle reminder of the weekend of His faithfullness and promises.

Pictures from the Party

Finally got the pictures from the Christmas Tree decorating party! No idea why the are all sideways but I guess it goes with the Dr. Seuss theme!

Chistmas Tree Party

I love traditional annual events. We celebrated my most favorite one this past weekend...our Christmas Tree decorating party. We purchase our Christmas tree from the same lot every year (I guess this has only been our third year but still). The lot is located not to far from our house and is run by a faith based halfway house. The men in the program cut the trees and man the lot. For some reason I can justify the silliness of killing the forest and American commercialism knowing that the labor is provided but such a blessed group of men.

The most memorable part of this year's event was the addition of a new family member. Usually it is just Rob and I but Stefi joined us this year much to my delight. The evening started with decorating Christmas cookies that I labored over all afternoon...Ok so maybe I just bought the prepaid and turned the oven on but still. We made lovely green and red cookies while singing along to Christmas carols.

After the cookies were lovingly decorated Rob came home and off we go to purchase our tree. Last year our tree was so big Rob had to chop off the top so it could fit in our place. So this year he was convinced we needed a smaller one (silly Rob!). We arrive and I think Stefi is slightly put off by the biker man providing security or maybe it was the fact that someone tried to show Rob in the halfway house! We make into the lot and of course Rob and Stefi left to their own devices pick out the most "Charlie Brown" tree in the whole lot. I finally give in after looking at all the more beautiful trees and decide it was the experience I was looking for not the perfect tree.

After loading the tree in the car and being gouged it by it several times on purpose, as part of Rob's great sense of humor, we make it upstairs. This is where the fun really begins because this where we get to eat! As part of our tradition we only eat appetizers. We had veggies and onion dip, bean dip and several types of chips, 3 different types of cookies, olives, pizza slices, Hershey kisses, chocolate covered cherries and...well I think that is but I can't be sure.

After eating more than our fair share of food it is time to decorate the tree. In order to inspire the two deviants Rob puts on the Mariah Carey Christmas DVD. Well, I think it might have inspired them too much because as I painstakingly began putting up the lights in an organized fashion so as not to miss any portion of the tree, nor show any plugs, Rob and Stefi decide to take the three reels of lights left and just throw them on the tree. And I mean throw literally. Again I give into the fun because there is no use with these two I realize. So our Charlie Brown Christmas Tree went up in true fashion and fun was had by all.


The evening ended at around 10 pm and by then I think we all needed an Alki Selser and some non Mariah Carey music...or maybe I just did!

But the evening was a blast. It was memories built after missing so many with my younger sister. It was like revisiting old times with her but even better because Rob could be a part of it. I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful way to begin the holidays. I feel blessed by family, love and laughter!

I will have to post pictures later as the computer is not being helpful.

Silly Rob! Fun is for kids

So for Rob's 33rd birthday I decided to throw a party much to his dismay. Rob isn't big on birthday parties and even less when their his... But given the fact that this year we got to celebrate with our three beautiful nieces and two handsome nephews he aquiesed to the idea. In true Gordon fashion my uncle agreed to barbecue for 35+ folks on our rooftop. We had hamburgers and hot dogs. Nothing fancy but it did the job. We were able to spend the day surrounded by family and friends and celebrate in one more year of life with my handsome husband. The highlight of the day was definitely watching the kids help Rob open his gifts. Thank you to our family and friends who made this birthday one to remember!

Christa's Wedding

So I am just now downloading all of our pictures from the past year. I have so many memories to catch up on. With the holidays just around the corner I can't help but be little sad that the family is so far apart. The above picture was taken at Christa's wedding shower. It was a rare moment that all three girls were together. By the smile on all of our faces it shows that sisterhood is a blessing from God to be cherished every day!
A father and daughter relationship is a special one. It prepares you for the wife you will become.
So if a picture steals your soul what happens when it is then posted? It is a double steal...

The Thorne Matriarchy

What many people don't know is that Christa and I began dating our husbands at the same time. We laughed and even cried as we shared our first dates, kisses and even arguments. We were blessed to be able to walk side by side during this exciting time in our life. And as you can tell we always kept our sense of humor.

Good News

So, after all my moaning and groaning about the house we finally did something about it! We had a haloween party for some of our dear friends and decided it was time to do our fall cleaning. Because I started yet another round of layoffs with my staff I needed some therapeutic cleaning to keep myself busy and out of my own worrisome thoughts! The Monday before haloween I decided to take every single item out of every single closet (including the bedroom) and lay it out in our entry hallway. I figured if I had to stare at all of it I would figure out what I really wanted to keep and what I didn't and it worked! It took a little longer than I thought but by Thursday night I had thrown out/donated over 8 black plastic trash bags of good out. It was beautiful. Our closet is finally organized and we even made it down to Ikea to purchase a dresser and shoe racks. Our entry way closet it dedicated only to our cleaning goods and the overflow of Rob's studio. Oh that was another huge major task- Rob's studio. Wednesday night Rob emptied the studio onto the leftover floor space and we spent several hours building a very large red cabinet to house all of the loose ends in the Studio. And what inspired all this? The bedroom and living room. The bedroom was filled with living room furniture (TV, book shelves, etc) and because of the comfort of our living room (or the lack there of) we haven't spent more than 15 minutes in it since we moved in. So the great move happened. We now have a beautiful, clutter free bedroom with a reading corner made just for me. Our living room is now open and inviting to have people over and just chat. 15 people were here last Friday and there was enough comfortable seating for all that encouraged discussion and fellowship. Oh it is great!

The icing on the cake was the washing off all the windows and de-cobwebing the outside patio. I even managed to get some gloves on and kill the black widows much to my husband's despair who prefers to capture them and set them free in the wild. Too much work if you ask me...
So the baseboards didn't get done but the dusting did and the moping of the floors with some much needed bleach. The counters received tender polishing and CLR is now my favorite new cleaning product in the bathrooms. By Friday morning only hours away from the party I was still cleaning but feeling a great sense of accomplishment.

So needless to say I nested this weekend and it feels like a new home, except better...organized, inviting and ours. Oh, And before I forget the best part we took the time to hang all our paintings and pictures. We still don't have any pictures of us up in the house but nevertheless we have a basquiat in the hallway, some of Rob's own in the living room, picasso in the bedroom and some vintage french adds in the bathrooms.

I feel blessed with a home filled with love and made with love! And so all may know, Rob helped me every step of the way. It was a true partnership. What more could a girl ask for!

Cara

Day after

Well today is the day after elections. Last night before they announced Obama as president I had the opportunity of getting stuck pulling out into 24th st. behind the motorcade as McCain drove to the biltmore. I must admit I was proud to have voted and even more excited that I might just get to watch the next president drive by. I did watch McCain's speech and more than ever I thought what a graceful man he is. Mom called this morning to see if I saw him walking to get his morning coffee at the Starbucks we share but of course I did not. But I did think to myself I hope him and Cindy are enjoying some peaceful time after the storm. That is my prayer for them. I can only imagine the exhaustion they are feeling and I pray for restful peace now that the storm has passed.

Happy Election Day

I was proud today to say that I voted for McCain and Palin. I have kept my political views quiet and struggled with the many disparaging remarks from everyone around me regarding "how only stupid people would vote for McCain". Clearly I see differently.

I had the opportunity to hear both of the them speak this year at National Council of La Raza. I was able to understand first hand the persuasion of Obama's gifted speech giving abilities but in contrast was truly humbled by the honesty of McCain. It was only weeks later when interviewed by a prominent faith leader that McCain spoke from the heart and shared that his biggest regret in life was the failure of his first marriage. I can only imagine how that must have felt when Cindy heard those words. I also heard Palin's first speech and was inspired by her strength. I find her to be woman of strength. Of course God only knows the heart of each person. But as a feminist minor in college I am excited about the opportunity to see a woman in office. And not just any woman. A women who is raising a family who is not embarrassed or ashamed of being called a hockey mom. After hearing commentary after commentary regarding her lack of experience and so forth I felt even stronger that she is woman I want to vote for. I want my vote to stand not just for any woman being in office but for a woman that has raised a family, is walking through the heartache of a teenage pregnancy with her daughter and proudly raising a child with special needs. I feel it is time for me to support a woman with real life experience. A woman living life on life's terms. Of course there are many other reasons to vote and I don't expect everyone to share my views just please don't judge mine as I won't judge yours.

In Case You Needed A Smile Today...

Nesting

So I decided to take tomorrow and Monday off of work. Prudent? Probably not, but necessary. I am tired and even feeling a tad bit depressed from the long hours spent at work. I found myself this week not responding to things as I normally would or even should. Even the small things are enough to make feel like the world is falling apart around me. And of course my husband spoke nothing but love into my life, when he himself had worked a 12 hour day, came home to find me in tears and when I told him how I felt he simply replied, " It's ok that you feel this way. I understand why." Enough said to give me the peace I needed to get out of my funk. He did ask me what I could do to help the situation and after several hours of pondering and praying I realized that I have an intense desire to nest right now. Maybe it was reading my cousin's blog or simply the fact that the dogs ate their 5th pair of shoes in the past two weeks but I realized that I would like to get things more organized in our home. First order of business is personalizing it. In some ways it still feels like a hotel. After over a year of living here we still don't have any pictures of us up anywhere. We also need a couch and a TV in our living room. I was opposed to this at first as I thought that it would become a reading room, or a music room, or simply a chatting room but it hasn't. Instead we just curl up in bed every night and watch TV there. There are days like Saturday that we spend all day in our bedroom, watching football and dosing in and out of sleep. And while days like these are needed I would also like a place where we can invite people to curl up on the couch and watch a good movie with us. We are also in desperate need to clean out the closets. We can't even open our bedroom closet without things falling out of it.

Of course, I blame my mother for this "organizational gene" as I like to call it. And there simply is no truth to cleanliness is Godliness. But on the other side of the coin I would like to bring some serenity to the home by creating a more inviting environment for us and for others. I do think my mother has always done a fantastic job of this.

So with just two days off I don't plan on undertaking any great tasks (like the bedroom closet) but I do think I might visit TJ Max in honor of the Johnson family and see what I can find.

What a day

Today I had a closure ceremony for one of my programs called, Tiempo de Oro- The Golden Years. It is a prevention and treatment program for older adults experiencing depression and isolation. It has been a federally funded research program for six years now. The funded ended this year as it was only a research grant. We have been in a total of six communities and served hundreds of older adults. It really has been my favorite program thus far that I have ever worked with. While we have received funding for the program in a new community we had to say good bye to these six communities.
The event was not planned as it should have been as I have been overwhelmed with other projects like a national training conference I facilitated and hosted last week but never the less it was a beautiful day. So the sound didn't work and the video stopped midway and of course our timing was all wrong. So the entertainment was not there on time. Oh, and of course everyone showed up a half an hour early which meant we couldn't complete our practice run thru of the event. But what a day it was!
My most favorite part was the fact that Stefani was there to join in the day's festivities. She helped so much from running and getting us breakfast to handling the lights. She was an awesome help! My second favorite part was seeing all the seniors that could still get up and walk (and some that couldn't) get up and dance throughout the room while the Mariachi played. They sang off tune and danced as much as there legs would allow and it brought tears to my eyes.
The reason I love this program is described in it's name, The Golden Years. Many people look to older age with fear and trepidation but what I have learned is that souls are like Gold, there value only grows with age. Our older adult years are to be met with joy, as we carry the wisdom of all our past years with us. It is our time to pass our memories and wisdom to those around us, our children, grandchildren and even young social workers like myself.
The women and men that I have worked with in this program hug and kiss me like a daughter. They always wear there Sunday best while while sharing there stories of yesterday. Most of our seniors are former field workers who marched with Cesar Chavez. There hands are weathered as are their faces from being in the sun for so many years. Their souls are also weathered. Our seniors, first generation immigrants, have long since been forgotten by there families. I know this sounds harsh but the gap that grows between generations as culture is lost and not passed down can be immense. The Golden Years program has one rule, You Are Family. The reason for this being for many of our seniors this is the only family they have left. The mailman is their son, the checkout lady at the grocery store there daughter, their neighbor, there sister and there comadre their mother.
I was blessed in many ways to be part of this family and it has encouraged me to not fear aging and welcome my wrinkles as symbols of wisdom. I have watched them face illness, death, loneliness and depression with courage and faith. Faith you might ask? Yes, since it is a culturally adaptive program it was founded on the principles of spirituality and God. All of the counselors are believers and use faith as the healing tool. I guess you might say we fooled the government, I like to believe that maybe they got it right this time.

Our day opened today with a prayer amongst the staff . So while I was stressing out and running around like a mad woman, being stern with my staff (as Stefi called it) I knew God was present. The very fact that I was able to stand in front of 150 people and speak was a miracle. And while Tiempo de Oro may be the only family for many of our seniors I was able to look over and see my family, Stefi, supporting me every step of the way!

What a day!

3 years

Today Robby and I are celebrating our three year anniversary. God is good! I though I would share some of my insights on the subject. Here goes:

Lesson #1- Your lessons in marriage may not translate into the marriages of others and visa versa.

Lesson#2- Justifiable anger is best left to the more qualified.

Lesson #3- Check your expectations at the door.

Lesson#4- God's grace becomes more real every day.

Best Friend

I couldn't be more excited to be auntie to three beautiful girls and two very handsome boys! Boys, you might ask...my bestie that I have know since birth (or at least we claim that to be true!) has two beautiful boys and is now starting the adoption journey. I just can't hold in my excitement for her. My brother and sister's journey has been so beautiful and I am still in awe that I have three beautiful nieces. I hear their stories and I am struck by God's goodness. I know that God not only chose for these three beautiful girls as blessing to Sean and Cate but also as blessings to each and every family member. And now, I get to walk every step of the way with my best friend and her family of two. I will be there to share in the glory of expanding her family to three children. She is an amazing mother, wife and friend. We have shared in every stage of life together and I feel as if it couldn't get any better. But it does. God is good!

Maxwell

For all you Urban Hang Suite lovers...Maxwell is in concert pending the release of his new album.

For Sale

Two Dogs For SALE. Will bark at 4:30 am for food. Will bark at 6:00 am for more food. Will not come or sit. Will use the bathroom mat as a toilet. Will use new area rug as a toilet. After an hour spent cleaning the area rug, will use area rug again as toilet. Love chewing shoes, especially brands such as prada and gucci. Will run around house on a panty raid. For SALE for $.05 each.

Ok, so some days you need a bit of humor to get you through. The dogs are actually at Grandma and Grandpa's this weekend spending some quality time with there new cousin parsnip while am trying to seek some balance. Over the past two weeks work has consumed me. My shortest day yet, including Saturdays and Sundays, has been a 15 hour work day. I love my work but I also love being a wife, a daughter, a grandaughter, sister, auntie and best friend. Balance is something I crave. I have yet to realize how to be a career woman, a family woman and a friend. I see other women in my life and somehow they seem to have figured it out. But that is the catch, one shouldn't look to others before looking to God.

So this weekend I will continue working preparing for the week ahead hoping that next month will slow down. But today I am grateful that the house is quiet and my husband is making me laugh. I am greatful that when Robby walked in the house at 8:30 pm I was able to put my work computer away for the night and eat a homemade piece of strawberry pie (very exciting when dinner consisted of cheetos and beef jerkey). Grateful when in the past week meals consisted of microwave dinners every night, McDonalds for breakfast and Jack in the Box for lunch (salad of course to balance the egg mcmuffin).

May sound like I am complaining but quite the opposite, just seeking some insight from others that might experience/d the same. But please don't mention the words character building. The words that resinate in my heart right now are balance, patience, wisdom and most of all, boundries. Boundries so that I have something left at the end of the day for those that most need it.

One last note. Years ago I developed a friendship at work that has lasted more than many others. She is woman of God. Her love language is acts of service. She has spent days moving box after box, listening the groans, moans and well, quite honestly the many fights that happen in the desperation and exhaustion of moving. She opened her home at 3:00 am to host a garage sale for us. She has met me countless times at 10 pm to take the dogs on a 5 mile walk. She has been a faithful, encouraging, accepting and honest friend. She has been a sister to me for 5 years now. She never fails. On monday of this week we met up to catch up on life and I had been at work since 4 am and still had work to do when I met her at 5:3o pm. She sat with me inside Paradise Bakery with a migrane and helped me sort out over 200 pages of statistics. The love that she shares is beautiful.

Grandma's Blessing

So I have been sick for over 5 days now and going stir crazy. This is my third round of antibiotics in the past six months...yuck!

But on a lighter note...Grandma's are such a blessing! This past week I was feeling down and out and I knew that the one thing that I needed was a moment of fellowship with my grandma. We decided to be bad and split a hamburger and shake from my favorite hamburger joint and what a blessing it was. I left feeling encouraged, loved and ready to face the world again. My grandmother is a patient, quiet spirited and strong woman. A woman that only I can pray to be someday. I was talking to her about the book I am reading, The Shack. It is about a "great sorrow" and the healing of God in the form of a southern cooking mama. While reading this most unique description of God I giggled and decided to take what I wanted from it and leave the rest. But sometimes getting out of your comfort zone is just what you need to see God in a new way. To get in touch with one of His infinite ways of loving you that you haven't experienced in while. But back to the "great sorrow". My grandmother shared with me how her great sorrow led her to be the woman she is today. A woman of faith. May we all be reminded that our great sorrows are leading us down a path to faith, serenity and love.

Shower Pictures

So, I know a little late... but better late than never. Here are a few of the pictures from Christa's Wedding Shower. It was a wonderful event filled with laughter and maybe even a few tears. Christa of course was a beautiful bride and her smile in the first pictures says it all. I think I can speak for the family when we say that your wedding was a blessing to all were able to share in it. We love you and our new family member Daniel!

Beautiful Kiss on a Sailboat

This moment was to celebrate our first sailboat experience together.Unknowingly, before we met we separately dreamed of sailing the ocean for months on end. Our dream came true even if for one day.

Inner Child

The first picture is entitled, "Fangs and Cigarettes". One of the many things I love about my hubby is that he is really in touch with his inner child. Rob and Stef started a tradition a while back that includes candy and lots of it. I don't remember when it started but every time he knows he is going to see my sister Stef he scouts of all the local candy/ speciality stores to find the most disgusting and uneatable candy. He buys way more than he needs and alongside Stefani they eat much as the candy as humanly possible without throwing up. A favorite is pop rocks with soda.

Another part of his inner child includes his boy scout days. The pictures on the rocks are part of our day trip turned science field trip exploring ocean life. If I do recall right, Stef and Rob even jumped in the ocean.

All the pictures were taken in Monterey, CA where my parents are suffering for Jesus. It was our first trip together to visit them and what a wonderful trip it was. As I look back on the pictures you can see the relaxed look in our faces and silly moments followed by bursts of laughter. Even though separated by thousands of miles you can feel the love the moment you gather as a family again.

Family Garden

These pictures are from one our last garden parties all together as family. The reason for the event was my sister's engagement. This garden is more than just a garden. It has seen most all major events in the Johnson/ Thorne clan. It saw all of our major breakups and new loves. It was the site of celebration for our engagements and pending marriages. In many ways all of us girls grew up in this garden under the careful and loving guidance of our uncle. He mentored, encouraged and dreamed with us through the good, the bad and the ugly. The garden still exists but just doesn't seem the same with all of us living apart now. But the garden is still there waiting for every visit from my mother, father, sisters and uncles and aunts.

Also unique to this one event was the addition of two of three most beautiful girls in the world. My nieces. You can see by their yummy smiles and curious looks how much sunshine and love they bring to the garden, our family and our world.

Purpose

Yes my husband is really handsome I know! But what I also know is that his life is filled with purpose. This picture was taken at a "unnamed event" where I was able to celebrate his life and his journey. We recently went to a funeral of a friend of his and the story the gentleman's wife shared was much like mine. At times I am saddened by the amount of time he spends outside of our home serving others in need. My selfishness asks why he doesn't spend that time with us. But my heart knows why, his life was pre destined to serve young and old struggling for one more day. That may sound a little dramatic but when you attend a funeral like we did and you are able to see the impact one man has made by just suiting up and showing up you know in heart why. This moment reciting the serenity prayer with a church filled of individuals touched by this one man's life and his wife's testimony of love and support for what her husband stood for gave me immense strength and courage to shed a little bit of that selfishness.

Hawaii Outfits!

So non of the pictures from our trip to Hawaii turned out so well but they are memories nevertheless. I have to share with everyone reading this blog that my in laws are a great blessings. Many people when they speak of in laws do with some sort of hesitation, nervous laughter or maybe even disdain. But not me. From the moment I met my new set of parents I knew that I would be forever loved and part of the family. They have taught us unconditional love, grace, poise and godliness. We have become not only family but friends. We enjoy our dinners together and days spent by the pool. I must also admit that even though I cringe at the thought of wearing matching hawaiian outfits for Christmas pictures I also love the sense of family that comes with it. We celebrated Dad's birthday in Hawaii this year and every moment was filled with a sense of quiet peace and love. Even swimming the bay on a stormy/ wave crashing day is a memory to cherish!

Cutest dogs alive

So I know I talk about my dogs way to much and of course we ARE that couple that has replaced children with dogs but come on take a look at these two, can you really blame me?

Throwing a Fit

We entitled this performance " The Great Fit". These pictures were taken at our old place while he was going through his rebellious phase...of course he is still in this same phase right now. Some days we find it funnier than other. The day we took these pictures we were able to sit back and laugh at the absurdity of our one year old dog throwing a full blown fit!