Recap: Home

Home was delightful. I came back to LA and enjoyed a NAP as soon as I got home. WONDERFUL way to start off a trip home. We enjoyed Chinese food as a family at home and my best friend stayed the night. Needless to say, there was lots of staying up late and catching up (even though we are in communication every day).

We had a lovely Christmas party at the house. Now that I'm older, it's one of the best days of the year. To see all the familiar faces that we no longer conveniently see every week at church. Sitting with the adults and no longer being bound to the cold garage was special...for both adults and kids alike. I'm blessed to have so many people whom I can consider family.

The Peanut Gallery (most of us)--finally grown up

Random trip to San Diego, some dinners & lunches, two trips to Candy Cane Lane, reunion sleepover of best friends, and an engagement party scattered in between. Lots of family time and more family once Christmas Eve and Christmas Day hit. We played our usual post-Christmas family golf and while we all played decent, it was better to enjoy the sunshine and high fives and laughs out on the course than our scores.

Possible candidate for next year's Christmas card

The MagCrew got together for our annual Christmas hang out. So thankful for these women and their long enduring friendships. There are no other women I would rather sit at King's Hawaiian with for 4 hours than these girls.

Wicked was amazing, and the company was good. A family dinner with old friends just like we used to before all of us kids got old and moved out. Staying up late laughing at the big dining room table with friends who feel like family is a blessing. We even had a family dinner at my brother's new place! Food truck frenzy in Venice and taquitos at Olvera Street and dim sum after church and hash & eggs probably added to the winter layer...but there's nothing like eating good food in LA with a good friend.

Breakfasts and brunches and lunches and dinners and desserts with many friends from college. What a blessing it is to sit and hear what God is doing in the lives of my brothers and sisters! With ministry and relationships and engagements and married life and work. I'm blessed to have them in my life and to have their friendships during our time at SC and beyond.

My friend Brian--friends since Day 1 at USC

The Parkside girls who never locked their door when they probably should have and got me to go to a Christian campus fellowship when I was a freshman.

My pledgesisters & accountability partners

My apartmentmates (4/6 +1) during my last 2 years at USC

I had the blessing of being at SC for a couple of days. Had a chance to meet up with former professors and enjoy being on campus again. It felt a little strange to be on campus without having any classes, but I was busy running around to offices and meetings. I forgot what it was like to share a bathroom and a kitchen and every other living space, but crashing at the sorority house was a blessing. I loved sitting in the prayer room and praying over one of the girls whom I had never met in person until I arrived. I loved standing in the back of the living room during their meeting and listening to 35 women raise their voices to worship Jesus. I loved spending time with both of my littles and all of my kids. I loved sharing a meal with some of the alumnae and recanting stories that should never be shared in public places. I loved my time with the sorority for the very reason I loved being an active part of it--they remind me I'm a changed woman and I am loved by God.

Alumnae dinner at El Cholo

My kids

Had one last sleepover with my best friend Tuesday night before an early morning breakfast with my pastors. I stopped at church one last time on Wednesday night for basketball with the old guys. A Chipotle outing with Dad and a Panera date with Mom. Back at Tom Bradley and hugging at the security gate.

A whirlwind of a trip home with nothing particularly special or exciting, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. Spending time with the ones I love, the ones who remind me of the love of God.