7 Quick Takes Friday

If you read my last post, about Remembering our friend Praise, you can probably tell that it's been a tough week. So, today for my 7 quick takes, we're going to work on counting our blessings, and so here you go...7 things I am thankful for this week in the midst of grief.

**1**
Look who is one!! Photos from Lily's first birthday made my week, along with getting to video chat and watch her WALK! She can do a few steps at a time before sitting down again but she can totally do it!Yes, Megan made the Sesame Street cakes for the party, I know, they're amazing :)
**2**
Jenn & Sandeep's wedding was last weekend, and it was such a fun wedding week! I had a blast getting to know Sandeep's family, helping out with random tasks, and celebrating this amazing couple. Here are a few photos I loved...this one is from the rehearsal dinner where the bridesmaids all got to wear saris.My toast to the happy couple
**3**
Downtime. It has been such a busy fall. We've had stuff every weekend for the past two months, many of which have been out of town events. Most of our evenings have been full as well. This week for some reason we were given a break, which was a huge blessing especially in light of trying to deal with Praise's death. We've had extra space just to sit, to enjoy a spontaneous meal with friends who are also grieving Praise, to read together lying in bed one night, and to watch a few episodes of The Office as a distraction. We didn't have to be anywhere any evening this week except Friday night, and now it's almost 3 on Saturday and I haven't had to leave home yet. We literally have nothing on our calendar for today which was shocking to us both. So Charles is out watching college football with friends and I'm here enjoying quiet, apple cider, and have just finished the second book in the Hunger Games trilogy. I am very very thankful for a bit of a break!

**4**
Getting lost in a story. Last weekend on the way to Portland I read the first book in The Hunger Games trilogy. I finished it and immediately started the second one because I wanted to know where this plot was headed. I just finished the second book a bit ago and am taking a brief break before probably picking up the third book (thanks to my Kindle I don't have to wait for a library or bookstore, I can download it from my couch) :) It's been quite awhile since I have been so caught up in a story that I can't stop for anything. Suzanne Collins has crafted a magnificent, very disturbing, captivating saga that I am loving these days!

**5**
The Event. Last night was our youth programs' first crack at a big outreach type event, which we appropriately named The Event. We have a fabulous youth space in the basement of our church with various rooms to use, so they were transformed into a fantastic party for our high schoolers to bring their friends to. The main space was a big dance floor with black drapings, white twinkle lights, and a DJ. Another room was set aside as the cafe, with food, drinks, couches, and more music. The game room had pool, fooseball, air hockey, and wii stations set up. We had just over 40 kids show up and had a great time hanging out with them. I wasn't so sure how up to a big halloween party I was going to be, but honestly, dancing around singing Taylor Swift songs for several hours was very refreshing :) I was thankful for the chance to let loose and just dance for the evening!

**6**
Dinner with unexpected friends. On Wednesday night we had our friends Brian and Courtney over for an impromptu dinner. They got married two weeks ago today, went on their honeymoon, and returned on Monday to find out the news about Praise. Brian, Chuck, and Praise all co-founded the Fuller Surf club a few years ago and would spend every Friday together enjoying the beach. We've never hung out as a couple with the two of them, but as the two guys were talking about Praise earlier in the week they agreed it would be good to share a meal and a time of talking about her and how they were doing. It was fun to be the first people to hang out with this great couple as they returned from their honeymoon, and while it was a tragic event that brought us together I am thankful for their presence Wednesday night.

**7**
Afternoon naps. On top of everything else I managed to catch some cold (probably from the airplane last week) and have been fighting that this week. I am thankful for a bit of a quieter week at work that has allowed me to get a bit of extra rest this week.