when you can't have a vacation

hmmm. i don't really have a whole lot to say right now, but i'd like to at least pop in. i've gotten a bit out of the habit of blogging.

a lot has been going on, but i think it would sound all "wah wah wah" to share it all with you.

lottttttts of stressful events happening over here. lots of money gone. lots of trips to the dmv and the doctor. lots of forms to fill out and more money to spend and more waiting and worrying. lots of getting pulled over for things like half of your left brake light is not lighting up and did you know the lights over your license plate are out? here. let me give you a ticket for that.

all this adds up to complete exhaustion and (more than) a hint of apathy.

i'm just trying to pull together some motivation to get things done when i'm having trouble caring about anything other than my need for a vacation.

since a vacation isn't a possibility right now, i'm learning a lot about the need to take little breaks and how to actually implement that into my life.

taking pictures of your extremely cute/devilishly handsome boyfriend in line at the dmv can be a break:

dressing up can be a break:

removing all makeup, taking the contacts out, & switching to glasses for an early evening walk can be a break:

snacks in the bath can be a break (btw, drinks in the shower are nice too):

i even put together a little diagram of "little breaks" i can take:

i'm trying to continue to add to my little picture. and i'm trying to be very intentional about my attitude and behaviour when i take a break - usually this means "no worrying about other things when you're on a break!"

what are some things you do to take little breaks? maybe i'll add them to my list.

easter

i have a feeling that this post is going to have a lot of pictures...and i might yammer on a bit. that happens sometimes when i'm exhausted...which i have been for the last couple days.

we had a really nice easter. our church, rock harbor, joined up with some other churches for a really big service at the orange county fairgrounds. there was singing, dancing, a message, and a ton of baptisms. it was really cool. the only downside was the evil, blistering sun that i had to hide from the entire time:

and i still left with a sunburn on my shoulders.

next up was a really delicious picnic (great sandwiches, mom!!) in the park with my family, minus my little sister, ivy. she's in italy right now with her school. lucky thing! and easter was actually on her 18th birthday! we missed her a lot!

mom

zachary & chrystal

buttercup

(can you tell i made levi upload the hipstamatic app on the leviPhone??)

we had a grown up easter egg hunt. stupid little kids kept trying to steal our eggs! how rude, right?? if my kids started trying to steal other people's easter eggs, they would be in soooo much trouble.

...anyway....we all filled up eggs for each other. it was really fun. my mom's eggs were best. she loaded them up with cash. i, unfortunately, didn't find any of the cash eggs...except for the one my brother filled with pennies.

yeah.

however, levi found the $20 egg! that made up for my bad luck!

we all got pretty creative with our eggs. zachary filled one with celery. levi gave a chile filled egg. and i filled one of mine with paper clips and a note that said, "i love you. love, jasmine." lots of fun!

i think this photo's funny. levi is choking, and i'm just relaxing with my root beer, waiting for him to finish. haha!

then he's blinded by the sun.

then he manages a squint at the camera.

more blinded levi. poor levi.

there. now he's safe from the sun.

and to sum up, here are my shoes:

i hope you all had happy easters too!

tomorrow can't be friday!

i am WIPED OUT.

i spent my spring break running errands, cleaning, and trying to take care of things on my to-do list...even though it seemed like everything i crossed off was replaced by another to-do...

i started a list of all the things i accomplished this week to post on the blog...but it was far too long and boring to expose any of you to, so i erased it. let's just say i kicked some serious to-do list ass. unfortunately, the list isn't empty. damn you, list!!! i will defeat you!

one of the highlights of my week was stopping by SusieCakes in newport beach for a piece of their amazing tropical coconut cake. if you ever have the opportunity, please go there and try it. i had a dream that it was my birthday, and my birthday cake was an entire SusieCakes tropical coconut cake. it was a really good dream.

and now it is time for a bath.

good night!

more pictures of macarons than you'll ever need to see

i was soooo spoiled yesterday.

levi gave me one of the best days i've ever had.

i think i'm gonna have to do a numbered list for this one.

1. in the morning, i hung out in bed playing where's waldo on the leviPhone while levi baked shortcake for a fresh, delicious strawberry shortcake breakfast.

2. red bull and a really great podcast from our church on the way to LA.

3. macarons!!!!! we bought a dozen for us and a dozen for my brother and sister-in-law. they were amazing. amazing. AMAZING. i was so sad when they were gone.

3. shopping! at anthropologie!! i fell in LOVE with this dress. seen here - the model looks almost as cute in the dress as i did. :) i think it was made for me. i couldn't stop spinning in it. it has a great skirt for spinning - see the pink underneath? so cute! sadly, the dress had to stay there. it's too expensive for us right now. PLEASE go on sale, dream dress!!!

4. i did, however, leave anthropologie with an adorable skirt and top...sale items! woo!

5. mcdonald's happy meal for lunch.

6. levi bought me my favorite flowers - ranunculus.

7. annnnnnd when we got home, levi surprised me with an extra little present from anthropologie - this beautiful, little, yellow butter dish. i had no idea he bought it! i have a serious thing for butter, and all my kitchen accessories are yellow, so, obviously, this is a perfect gift for me.

see?? i was NOT joking when i said i was spoiled yesterday! levi makes me feel so loved. he's so thoughtful and giving.

and cute.

and fun.

and dreeeeeamy.

some kind of wonderful

today, levi straightened my hair.

i think it makes me look a bit like mary stuart masterson.

(photo found here.)

happenings of the day that were some kind of wonderful:

1. found a very very promising remedy to one of the unfortunate side effects of my medication.

2. dropped my web design class that was sucking the life out of me...with no repercussions! woo!

3. take home french quiz. much better than an in-class french quiz.

4. played with sand & action figures in counseling.

5. received many amused glances from fellow drivers whilst belting out the across the universe version of "don't let me down."

6. mcdonald's happy meal.