7 Quick Takes Friday

Good morning everyone! Happy Friday! Here's our past week in a nutshell for ya!

**1**
Last Saturday night we wanted to do a date night, we hadn't had one in quite awhile and we felt that it was time. But, we also are trying a lot harder to stick to a stricter budget which meant we weren't allowed to take out any more cash for the week, nor were we going to put our date on the credit card. We had about $11 between the two of us left from our weekly "fun money," but what we really wanted to do was go see The Social Network because it was a film we'd both been intrigued by. Well in LA, you can't go see a movie for $11 (I think tickets are $11.75 each). So we got creative, which was almost as much fun as the movie :) We dug a ton of change out of our cars. We rolled all the random coins we had in piles around the house. I went through every purse I owned (and found a TON of change--ladies, try this, you could easily find enough to buy a lunch out with friends!) And I am happy to announce that we did it :) We came up with $24 ($11 in cash and the rest in coins) and went to see out movie. The cashier at the theater wasn't sure she could accept rolls of pennies to pay for the film but eventually she did. The film was SO worth it. It's been a long time since we've both walked out of a movie loving it--the story, the directing, the acting...the whole thing was excellent. Hooray for fun while not breaking the budget rules!

**2**
Tomorrow morning we fly to Seattle to house hunt which we are very excited about :) We have a list of 7 properties I think that we're going to check out and keep our fingers crossed that we'll like one of them! It's going to be a really fast trip, unfortunately we're not even going to see friends there, but we'll be back in January for good :) We're staying with the great family we stayed with back in September for our interview. Sunday morning they are introducing us to the church and the youth, which we are both excited about. It feels very fun to be taking these next steps towards our new life!

**3**
We are still very much in the grieving process for Praise. It's been a journey that I know will probably continue for awhile. Last Sunday we gathered with some of her closest friends (we were honored to receive an invitation into this small group) for a time of sharing how we're each doing. It was a tough gathering, people aren't doing well with her being gone, which only continued to remind me that grieving is a process. Her memorial service is next Saturday, and I think it's going to be huge, and hopefully a great time of celebrating her and mourning together.

**4**
My mom and dad come next weekend to play in LA! I am so excited! It's been almost 3 years since they have been out here, so I'm excited to show them what life is like here. I'm looking forward to five days of cooking yummy meals together, visiting The Getty (my dad will love this place with his camera!), visiting Josh at Dreamworks to see his photography exhibit, sharing meals with some friends, introducing them to our church and some of our youth, and having them explore the Huntington Gardens (which they're going to do while we're at Praise's service Saturday I think).

**5**
Something that brought me pure joy during this week was the Halloween photos and video chat with my sister and her munchkin :) What was Lily this year? Why a Lily-bug of course! (and yes, my uber-creative sister made her costume out of things they already had around the house. I don't know that we'll have a baby by next Halloween, but the year after--Megs, you're going to be hired as my child's costume designer!)This shoe doesn't need to go on my feet...it's a much better toy!
**6**
I am still obsessed with The Hunger Games. I'm hoping to be awake enough on our early morning flight tomorrow to finish the series--it's amazing. Truly.

**7**
My favorite blog-related tradition is coming soon! Thanksgiving from A-Z--it'll be the 5th year of this for me! Anyone have any ideas what I might be thankful for that starts with an X,Y, or Z? Feel free to share :)