THERAPY

Therapy is...

Kisses.

And giggles.

And tickles.

And squeals.

Dinosaurs and PJ's.

Surviving small towns, dive bars, and dangerous individuals with the most amazing girls you know.

Celebrating birthdays with sillies and cigars. 

Reuniting with friends from afar.

Bosom buddies.

Live music and amazing pubs.

Celtic coffee shops with sweet sea air.

Melodious melodies celebrating our Creator.

Quality time with best your friend.

Beauty.

Smiles.

Quirkiness. :)

The Best Coast.

This amazing woman and her incredible voice and music and heart.

Limitless hours snuggled up with someone wonderful and your favorite books at Stumptown.

CRAB POT

So... one of my best friends just got engaged and she's living in one of my very favorite places (the beautiful Pacific NorthWest, of course!) and I'm going to be one of her bridesmaids, so she's got this dilemma of PHOTOS. I would LOVE, love, LOVE to take them for her... but that would be a little tricky to be in front of the camera AND behind it all at the same time... lo and behold, her wonderful fiancé came up with the brilliant beyond brilliant idea of flying me out there to take their ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS (find them HERE and HERE...)

Seriously, WHAT. A. GUY?!

First and foremost, this was not REALLY a business trip. This was a trip that Courtney and I desperately needed. Girls need their close friends to help them through life's craziness!!

Courtney told me to make a list of what I wanted to do... OBVIOUSLY I wanted to take incredible photos of her and Matt being all lovey dovey in one of the best cities in the world... but I ALSO really wanted to live that scene from the movies where they get some sort of shell creature and have to sit by the water with a big fluffy sweater and they tie a bib around their neck even though they're in public at a fairly presentable establishment... the list actually got pretty long, but that's all that matters for this post. 

Example of my thoughts and aspirations for our adventures:

Which, in turn, naturally turns in to this:

Ah, such therapy good friends, good food, and the sun setting over the best coast can be. My exhausted, weary heart found such rest this trip. 

Courtney and I on the Sound at Crab Pot.

The Viking that I am was MADE to consume meals with hammers... what's taken me so long?!

Matt, Courtney, and me enjoying our gorgeous evening, meal, and friendship at Crab Pot.

We ordered one of the bowls of goodness (they refer to them as 'SeaFeasts' at Crab Pot). They initially brought us a loaf of sourdough bread, still warm, mind you. Once our feast arrived we enjoyed every bite. I can't for the life of me remember specifically which one we ordered because I'm certain we strayed from the mussels... but I know we had crab and salmon. It came out with corn on the cob (us Iowan girls even approved of that) and red potatoes. You can find the full menu at Crab Pot's website. I don't love all seafood, so if that's something leading you to hesitate... don't let it - the food was fresh and delicious, but the experience alone is worth the visit. Two thumbs up from this girl. 

Bucket List: Item #304 - CHECK!

my psychotherapist and her medication...

I won't go into detail, but it's been a bit of a rough summer. 

I probably haven't dealt with everything in the most excellent manner... but it's going to take a while to deal. This heart is a little messy and it's awfully loud, so if you've been one of the poor unfortunate souls who has caught the repercussions, I apologize and will apologize right now for your next encounter because I can guarantee it's not all out yet.

Part of the dealing process has been incredible friends, lots of margs, and ample amounts of dancing. In all honesty, it's taught me that even (and especially) in the hard times, there are life lessons to be learned, growth is a good thing, and people and communities' true character shine through - through this it's been incredible to see such gorgeous people step up to help out and support others.

Los Cabos has muy excelente margaritas - my psychotherapist prescribes these when I freak out...
she then advises hours of crazy dancing.
I generally oblige pretty easily... I like to think I'm her favorite client/patient.

 Los Cabos got to be pretty familiar with our woes as well... they were and always have been absolutely wonderful. Their friendly faces and genuine conversation always provides comfort and satisfaction on a night out! (Not to mention, they've got banana margaritas - REAL bananas! They're like smoothies... with tequila!)

Pump Haus didn't argue with fueling the madness when we requested Fruit Loops shots
to share with our new friends celebrating their engagement and birthdays.

Knight in Shining Armor

So, I've been just a bit more America-sick than usual lately.

It's mid-July, definately camp season. This is the first year since I decided to live for Jesus that I've missed camp. I never thought this day would come. I always saw myself as a little old woman spending my summers at camp. *sigh*

Although I still miss camp... God has provided the best therapy.

Aedan is this amazingly brilliant 4-year-old -- I was telling my friend, Lindsay, last night over dinner how I'm pretty positive I've had better conversations with Aedan than I have with a lot of adults. Crazy, but true.

Point being: he's extremely interested in my stories from Canyonview Camp specifically, (because of the animal names). Last week he said something about a turtle, which lead to me talking about my days as a camp counselor by the name of, 'Turtle', and him asking ALL about all of my friends from camp and their names and their best qualities (seriously!). He asks me to retell stories and remembers crazy details and says things like: "Lauren, remember when you sang the Squeegee song at camp?" Aedan's favorite animal is the Lion because it's the most powerful -- so, of course, he wants to know whether there was a 'Lion' at camp. There most definately was and probably still is, and I was able to tell Aedan that 'Lion's' brother, 'Rhino', is coming to visit... O man, this nearly set him through the roof. Haha. The last three days he says, "So, when's 'Lion's' brother, 'Rhino', coming to visit? I just can't wait to meet him." Ah, he's so flippin' cute!

All in all, while in my heart I'm missing camp (Canyonview and Willowbrook, mind you) something fierce and terrible, God's provided an outlet to let me release all of my longings with this wonderful little person; Aedan.

[sidenote: Today I was looking for my shoes and Aedan was certain they were in my car. He goes, "Don't you move a muscle! Don't even walk anywhere! I'm going to get your shoes, I'm positive they're in the car!" I told him one day he was going to be someone's 'knight in shining armor'. His response: "Well, yeah, but I'm missing one thing, aren't I?" I'm thinking, "What? What could he have in mind?" When I least expected it, he chimed back in to tell me, "A horse. I can't be a knight in shining armor without a horse. I just can't, can I?" Love him.]