Farewell Goodbyes.

Hello.

I was going to go into this candy store.  

It was in Old Town San Diego.

Then I thought, if I go into the candy store, I will buy a lot of candy.

Then I would eat this candy and become lethargic.

If I became lethargic, then I would not work out.  

If I did not work out then I would get fat.  

If I got fat then I would not fit into any of my clothes.  

If I didn't fit into any of my clothes then I would have to spend tons of money on new ones.

Then I would be broke.

Moral of the story: Don't go into a candy shop.

This past weekend, I was able to go to San Diego with my family, and experience one of my favorite places, with my favorite people.  This will be one of the last moments I will have with them for awhile, as I am moving to Kentucky.  

Just being able to spend time with the people that I care most about; that is something I cherish.  When I am with them, nothing else really matters.  Work, though I am not working right now, money, stress, yard work, worries...all of this goes away with well needed family time.  Just a few memories I will have of this trip:

My mom is crazy clean, and I will miss going to her house, just to get yelled at for being not as clean as her.

My sister, and her funny faces and dance moves that can lighten a room.  She is the bee's knee's. My best friend.

My Uncle Scott...our Chewbacca voices, jokes, sarcasm and ability to make anyone laugh.

My little Brooke.  She now makes funny noises at people like her father and I. So proud.

Kevin. Cooks a mean breakfast...his biscuits and gravy kill it.  Also, he is a wimp when it comes to the cold and can clean a car like no ones business.

My Aunt Loretta thinks everything is pretty and can spot a cheese crisp from a mile away. ;)

Sam...her sarcasm is great and the joy she brings to her sister Brooke is amazing.

It's going to be hard leaving these people.  All I have ever known has been alongside these people.  I have been to California every summer since I was a youngling with these people and it is a memory I will cherish. I love all of you.

And these are two of my favorite shots from this weekend, and I will explain why...

And...

The first picture shows the peace of sitting on a surf board out some 100 yards from shore.  I have mentioned this is in my first blog.  That feeling of knowing that you are apart of something so much bigger than yourself.

Just sitting there and flowing in and out of waves, listening to the shore break behind me.  It helps me to realize two things: One, God is beautiful and two, He is so much bigger than we could ever imagine.  Not only that but we are apart of His plan.

Psalm 103:15-16 says, "As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like the flowers of a field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more."

I love this.  We are nothing more than the life we have; just a segment on God's time line.  Here today and gone tomorrow.  

See the ocean is huge...covers 70% of the earths surface.  And every second of everyday there are waves breaking on shores all over the world.  And each wave is unique in that the power, break, height and peak could all vary.  Yet, they are there for a few seconds than gone.  They break, with such beauty, and then they are no more.  See God's plan is an ocean...huge and vast.  And every day He uses people in His plan to bring glory to Him.  We are His waves.  There is beauty in all of us, no matter size, race, popularity or worth.  He is using all of us to make the perfect swell and I find that beautiful.  Complete beauty.

The second picture...well I just like it and Rip Curl is a rad company.

Roller coasters are sweet.  Especially these old, rickety ones.  The kind that give you whip lash and a bruised tailbone, all in a minute ride. Love em'.

Im going to miss my sister. Not just miss, but probably cry my eyes out because of absence from her. Nikki, since I know you will read this I feel ok saying your name like you are reading this, I love you.  You are a bright young woman that has the world at your finger tips.  Be smart.  Do the right thing.  Follow Jesus. Love people.  You are good at all of these and I know that you are going to succeed beyond any one could of ever thought. I am so proud of you and who you have become.  So happy God blessed me with the best little sister ever.

She is awesome.

The other day we saw a plane flying over us and my mom said "Look at that plane.  It is flying so low.  Must be because the clouds are out." 

I thought that was hilarious.

Also, my uncle Scott assumed that the military base home were spanish housing models and loved the paint and tile roofs.  

My family cracks me up.

I read this comic book today and remembered the simplicity and stunning beauty of a hand drawn story.  Technology is taking over.

Do what ever makes you happy.  And do that for the rest of your life. You will be happy forever. Those who don't are missing out.

Don't get on a scale. They are pointless.

My next post will be written from Kentucky...pray for us, as we move and find sanity in the chaos of moving.

Until next time.

-JTD-

(P.S. I can't help but post one. She is stunning. And a bit crazy.)