Bring it Quantas

As you can see by the look on my face .... I am ecstatic for our 16 hour flight from LA to Sydney!!!!! Ready to board our flight and be there already.

Our 10 hour layover was well spent with my girlfriend from high school. It had been probably five years since I had last seen Tiffani, but it was as if no time had passed at all. An eventful day eating In and Out (YUM) and spending the day in Manhattan Beach. Definitely the most fun layover I'd ever had ;)

Next stop .... Aussie Land!

Movies with your man

Growing up, my mom was (and still is) a flight attendant.  It was always a treat for dad to order a Big Foot pizza (blast from the past) and take my brother and I to the movie store when mom was traveling.  I had the hardest time convincing them to rent a chick flick .... two against one, they vetoed me every time.  Because of this, I love action and most "guy movies," but Gabe keeps getting movies that have suspense added to the mix, which takes it to a whole new level.

If you're looking for an intense movie to watch with you man ... 

I recommend the two below

Harry Brown

Mystery/Suspense & Drama

The Square

Action & Mystery/Suspense

So much for thinking I am tough, I was proven wrong when I was hiding under a blanket and squeezing Gabe's arm.  I get SO sucked in, always have, always will.  I'm a scaredy cat.

These flicks were well worth the heartache - check em out!

Now I'm going to read and think happy thoughts.

Voltage HELP

My Paw Paw advised me to look up the voltage of all things I would want to plug into a converter since the US system is different than Australia and most other countries.

Cell phone charger ... Check

Cannon camera charger ... Check

Panasonic camera charger ... Check

Sony video camera ... Check

Chi straightener ... FAIL 

Warning: Chi flat irons only work in USA and Canada with 110 Voltage.

DO NOT use in foreign countries with voltage converter!

I just had a flashback to my trip to Vegas without my handy straightener.  BOY, was that vacation rough without it considering I use a CHI every day and have since 2003, and I used it the morning of my flight and forgot to pack it after it cooled off.  Thankfully my hair isn't out of control curly, but I depend on it!!

Has anyone had luck using their CHI straighteners outside the USA or Canada?

Making a list

I thought this email from my cousin was too cute not to share!

Had to add a photo so ya'll could put a name with a face

2009 Christmas with Gaylen (preggers w/ Paisley)

Kels --

Your going to think I'm crazy but I love lists and organization more than anything. And I needed something to do while Paisley was napping.

Things for Airplane:

Carry on bag/purse

*magazines

*books

*snacks

*ipod

*light jacket (in case it gets cold)

*hand sanitizer

*chapstick

Things to wear:

*flip flops

*tennis shoes

*heels

*socks

*cute dresses

*casual dresses

*shorts

*tanks

*light sweaters

*hat if sunny while touring

*2 pair sunglasses just in case

* panties

*bras/ sports bras

*workout clothes

*pajamas

*jewlery

Miscellaneous

*mini toiletries for easier packing

*more sanitizer

*sunscreen

*camera/ charger

*video camera/ charger

*cell phone charger

*medicine/ birth control/ tylenol

*smaller purse for touring

*hair dryer

*chi iron

*brush / teaser comb haha

**She also told me to print it out, laminate it, and put it on my bulletin board!  Maybe she missed her calling to be a teacher!!!!!

Shopping Heyday!

Apparently, when traveling to another country,

it is necessary to restock of many fun items.

This translates to me having a HEYDAY shopping for my trip!!!

From a new carry on bag for the 29 hr plane adventure

to a dress to tour Sydney .....

And I am on the hunt for a satchel to navigate my way through the city.  I just purchased from Target.com, and now sure which one I will pick, if any, depending on the straps and material.

This navy one

This yellow one

This brown one

The goal is for my hands to be completely free so I can hold my ...

NEW CAMERA 

that will always be remembered 

for documenting the Land Down Under!

The last week has been spent trying to learn, learn, and better learn this fancy thang'.  The Panasonic FZ35 is my new prized possession, haha, I would carry this out with me around my neck if my home was to catch on fire!  I love it that much :)

Now, I need to get under better control.

Church for the rest of us

We checked out a handful of churches after moving to Seattle, and we attempted to get plugged into some while not succeeding and then happened to be youth leaders at another. We were searching for a young congregation that would challenge us spiritually as a couple while doing so individually too! It wasn't till a colleague of mine who we volunteered with regularly as he was the youth pastor in Woodinville who knew us personally and thought Eastlake would be a refreshing church for us.

Eastlake Community Church,

I am so glad we found you!

*I am still bummed it took us 3 years to do so

It didn't even take 30 minutes of being in the church walls that this church would be home for us.  It's different than the other big churches out there, and Paster Ryan often says, "God made us a mega sized church to make a world class impact."

photo found at Eastlakecc.org

I blogged about the benefit event our church was hosting, Drinks for Drinks, and it was a HUGE success.  This is just one example of why I am so proud to be part of this body of Christ with dear friends who have turned into life-long relationships!

If you live in the Seattle area and are looking for a church,

check us out :)

Gracelynn Gayle is here!!

Ladies ... Let me introduce you to the most beautiful pregnant woman in the entire world.  39 weeks of such a cute cute momma with a new do' in Gracie's room before heading to the hospital for surgery!

Arrie and I use to match with darling little blonde bobs, and this picture makes me want to chop my hair tomorrow.  Gabe says no .... but he's not the one that has to mess with it daily, right??  I have thin hair (my stylist calls it "kitten hair") and I only wish I would wake up with thick locks tomorrow, which is why hubby suggests I get extentions.  Hmm, if I was a celeb maybe, but not in this lifetime!   Check out the photo underneath "About Me" at the top of my blog, and let me know your vote~!!!

Now, the real reason for this post ... Gracelynn Gayle!!

Made her grand entrance a whopping 8lbs 2oz and 21in long.

My parents AKA Pa & Ninnie

Thrilled to have two beautiful grand babies.

(I promise I will give you some too - hehe!)

"I sing for joy at the works of Your hands."
- Psalm 92:4

It's been a hard day missing out on the birth of my niece and not being there to support my sister in law :)  I was there in spirit and hoping to make it to Dallas this weekend to see the precious punkin' head.  Life is just so hectic before Australia and with flights as heavy as they are with summer traveling.  Only shed a few tears ..... so far!  

Buddy and no sun

Willis thinks he is going to the park .... But in actuality we're headed to get a haircut. I'm about to rain all over his parade!!!

Speaking of rain, today is a dreary day in Seattle and it so happens to be one of the most loved weekends of the summer. Seafair is just madness on the water with an aquatic celebration filled with hydros, Blue Angels, and lots and lots of people. We weren't so sure about freezing our tails off on the water, but may get our there tomorrow. I'm in, but Gabe isn't so sure. I have a lot of convincing to do considering it is suppose to be overcast half the day .... Although fun with friends is my kind of activity sun or not.

I'm off to upload photos from our event at Eastlake last night. What a blessed evening for a good cause with generous people!

Happy Saturday readers!

GooGoo for GAGA

It's NO lie that I am a Lady Gaga lover!!

Her new album was just released in the US earlier this week .... eeeeek!!!

Have you heard it yet? 

P.S.  She's coming to Seattle in TWO weeks!

CADDY WINNER is ....

The winner of this darling caddy from Kirkland's is ....

I couldn't figure out how to save the proof of #39 being generated, so good thing I am trustworthy :)

 La. said...

Blogger hates me and deleted my comment so I am commenting under anonymous! Anyway, I think it is so cool that you have so many followers and I'd use it for Gooner's things instead of schlepping her stuff from her room to the bathroom.

http://arsenalfamily.wordpress.com

Congrats Arsenal Family -- Gooner is going to love it!

Contact me so I can get this shipped out asap!

*I used RANDOM.ORG for the very first time, and I was pleased with the simplicity of it.  Definitely beats writing down name after name and my handy assistant (Gabe) draw a name.

Drinks for Drinks

Back in May (click here), I blogged about My Charity: a non-profit that is bringing clean and safe water to people in developing nations.  I was instantly touched by the thought of not having clean and purified water to drink from .... don't miss this quick clip! 

This Friday, we are getting together to celebrate Drinks for Drinks, which is a benefit concert at Eastlake CC.  Looking forward to the Herding Cats playing (who Seattleites love!!) and spending time with great friends!

Just $20 can give one person clean water for 20 years!

Eastlake Community Church's: MyCharity Campaign

We have surpassed our goal and still have 43 days left:  God is good!  I belong to a church that is doing amazing things nationwide as well as worldwide.

Outback Panic

It hit me, it's August, and we're leaving for Australia in few short weeks ...  and I had only thus far booked our flight!!! 

This girl (me), panicked slightly and got busy spending hours (and hours) researching and reading reviews on places to stay and things to do.  I asked Gabe what seemed like five times to look at the hotel to make sure he was seeing the same thing as me.  He gave me the go ahead, and I finally made a decision to stay in the heart of Sydney since it kept calling my name with Darling Harbour, Hyde Park, The Rocks, Centrepoint Tower, and Circular Quay all being walking distance away.  I pray it is amazing as people say and hope the photos really do represent what I think I'm getting ourself into - LOL. 

I have to give a huge thanks to a fellow blogger, Marian, who was so fabulous to pass along feedback from a girlfriend who use to live in Australia.  Her advice made picking a location that much easier since I knew the must-do's in Sydney.  

Now, if someone could please plan the other eight days for me!

Anyone have any suggestions for Brisbane and Cairns?

Anyone, anyone?  :)

*Wishful Wednesday will be back in action after my travels to the Land Down Under