Coffe dates

A new coffee shop opened up downtown, so Randy and I thought we would take our technology down and check it out. We both knew we liked the coffee & tea as their flagship store had been open for a few years on our side of town, but it was cool to go and just hang out and actually experience the coffee and the atmosphere verses grabbing a cup and coming back home.  

The Pacific Avenue location of The Verve is gorgeous. Open, airy, tons of seating, free wi-fi, amazing friendly staff, exceptional coffee and just all around amazing.  I can't stand the taste of coffee so I usually get a mocha with caramel syrup added to it in order to hide the flavor. This coffee is so well made that there is no need for anything to "cover" the taste.

Looking forward to another coffee date with Randy tomorrow!

Randy scoping websites

My mocha & iPad

 Shot of my mocha from today, isn't it pretty?

Tried an apple slipper on Tuesday, delish!

The cool lights

A convenient coupon we received in the mail!

Family Night

Later that night, we all went over the hill to San Jose for a family night. We decided on dinner at Red Robin (Andrew's favorite) and bowling at 300.  It was SO much fun!  300 is a beautiful bowling alley and totally modern - little things like the bumpers automatically coming up for the kiddo (if they want them), music videos and black lights make it so much fun.  Definitely a place we would go again (I'm even tempted to go for my birthday!). 

You're a good man

God has truly blessed me with an amazing husband that I am so thankful for. When Randy and I were married almost 10 years ago, the vow "in sickness and in health" hit home for both of us due to my Lupus, however I don't think either of us realized the fullness of which that vow would be tested in the first 10 years of our marriage.

Randy has always put me first when it comes to finding a job. You see, it's imperative that I have health insurance due to both the Lupus and kidney transplant. Randy had an interview today for something that would be pretty close to his dream job and his chances of getting it are pretty high, but they do not offer health insurance for spouses or family. It is such a dagger in my heart to know that I essentially am the dead weight that keeps him from moving into a job that he would flourish in. He is such an amazing man and has so much to offer the world and I can't help but think how much easier it would be for him to move to a position he loved if he didn't have to always worry about my health being taken care of.

This was the card we were dealt though, and I am beyond grateful that my husband has truly honored the vow of 'in sickness and in health" when most men his age haven't even had to entertain the thought of such a thing.

Thank you Randy. Thank you for being such an amazing friend, husband, father, provider, emotional support and all around good man.  I love you.

If you are a praying person, please keep this job in your prayers. Randy will be sending them a counter offer to include health insurance for me. We just ask if this job is meant to be that they will respond positively and agree to providing me with insurance, as well as me being able to join the plan despite my pre-existing condition.

Proud

Right now Randy is at an informational meeting for the AIDS Lifecycle Ride. The ride is something he has wanted to participate in for quite some time and I'm so proud of him that this may finally be the year. Doing this ride would put R completely out of his comfort zone, but his passion for showing the AIDS community Christ's love (which is different from how many people believe the church treats the community) outweighs the discomfort of having boundaries pushed.

I'm super stoked to be supporting him in this and will be posting more about it as we find out information - how you can support him financially, through prayer, etc.

The Times, They Are A Changin'

I'm gonna take the easy way out today and share a post from my husband, Randy's blog. Enjoy.

Valentine's day - Bah Humbug

frus⋅tra⋅tion

–noun

1.	act of frustrating; state of being frustrated: the frustration of the president's efforts.

2.	an instance of being frustrated: to experience a series of frustrations before completing a project.

3.	something that frustrates, as an unresolved problem.

4.	a feeling of dissatisfaction, often accompanied by anxiety or depression, resulting from unfulfilled needs or unresolved problems.

Frustration pretty much sums up the way I'm feeling right now. We have been struggling financially for well over a year and are so close to being "okay" that it's palpable. R had planned an amazing night to celebrate Valentine's Day tonight since we won't be able to celebrate on the actual day due to our roles at Elevation. However, once again financially it wasn't possible.

It got me thinking, why am I frustrated that we can't celebrate Valentine's Day? Why is this even such a special day that there's a need to show off what a significant other does for the other for just one day? Check out the 4th line of the frustration definition....where do we get the idea that Valentine's Day needs to be full of chocolates, flowers, cards, diamonds and other worldly things or else we are "unfulfilled." When did it become okay to rate our self worth based on our status (facebook, social, relationship or any other)?

Don't get me wrong, it's great to show your special someone outward signs of love or give gifts, but why do I think I deserve to be showered with these things to equate my husband's love? I should just be thankful that I have a life partner. Someone who has been with me through my highs and my deepest, darkest lows (and wow have there been some crazy lows the past couple of years).

Is it okay to be frustrated at our situation? I think s,o but I shouldn't let that ruin the rest of the weekend. I am so thankful for my amazing husband. I truly love him more than he'll ever realize and am thankful for every second I get to spend with him. God has truly blessed me.