Hello Collins

And....we're off! First concrete pour was a success Along with a crew involving other people outside  of our humble brigade! This is the garage floor which really should be called  Clay's shop floor haha let's be honest here :) the mastermind at hand :) ten years ago we took this photo upon our move into the Milkbarn, the home that changed me, changed all of us really. What an era that was for us! I mentioned to Clay as we build our home here on the coast,  my heart will finally mend from leaving Boulder. We are much older(sigh),  much wiser(that's good!),  and even more patient(almost killed us and we wanted to quit too many times to count). But here we are.  The immense joy we get when we work together creatively is really something else. It's taken us forever. The pieces are fitting together. God definitely took his time with us. And now...we're back :) (p.s. most of what we'll do will be in my stories section on my instagram @jenniferjoycoll...

There she is! People will drive by and see the fence and maybe even peer down into the hole and not realize the significance of a long 20 years to get here. So to celebrate, I went with Clay via detour to San Luis Obispo :) We stayed at the cutest bed and breakfast:) He is the best I am part real excited and part making myself excited. I try hard to look on the upside but lately it's felt like a hail storm of doubt. I reach up in prayer and just hope my words are not just floating to the ceiling and popping like a bubble... After our romantic stop in SLO, I headed over to Phoenix to see my Mom.  But only got a picture of Peppers looking like a she could be in ad for PetCo...haha Took Daniel and Ella to see Mission:Impossible with Grandma and thought about the Burbank sunset and time I had with Clay amidst the heatdome of 115 degrees:) Summer is just flying by and I don't feel like I have anything to show for it:( But you know, I'm sure I do....I'm just having a hard day...

I can't figure out how to enjoy the 4th of July here.   In fact, I never could figure it out.   I remember moving to the city the summer of'94 after  graduating from BYU. I vividly remember the Bay Bridge shrouded in mist crossing over to the city...unpacking my belongings out of the car and thinking... I'M...UH...COLD? Leaving the sunny parades of Utah and giant firework shows with audiences dressed to the hilt in patriotic colors, probably holding pinwheels in those very same colors, and maybe wearing some face paint. I was completely oblivious to the fact that other places are bereft of these hokey but homey details. I was unaware upon moving here that the damp, drizzly fog with it's looming presence just for the city and coastlines every summer would nearly have me refusing that a 4th of July could ever exist here.  I mean, a plateful of watermelon looks so much happier on a sunny gingham picnic blanket right? I remember praying back in 2002 while heavy and pregn...

Birthday Breakfast! We had an abundant and delicious breakfast at our usual spot,  The Crepevine:) We gave the day to Lucy and she opted for a hike up in Quarry Park in El Granada.. with beautiful views of a foggy Half Moon Bay :) The girls and I caught some sun though in Pescadero at the goat farm later in the day. We grabbed some fresh goat cheese spread and locally made crackers and absorbed some vitamin D :) I bought a beautiful but bland cake for her never again @ The Cakery! When I ask him to smile and look celebratory in her pictures. Sigh and it just kept going... I hope all her wishes come true💛 So many changes for her coming up! First, I can't believe we have a 21 year old. She probably can't believe it either but it's so exciting to get into your twenties...at least that's what I remember.  It's so good to have her home with us.  She brings fun and calm all at the same time. Happy Birthday Lucy!  So many good things coming your way:)  

FSY For the Strength of Youth Conference A week of opportunities to learn and grow and meet new people! I got to take up Stuart, Ella, Audrey, Chester and Danica. I love our youth :) He hurried me out after checking him in the dorm... "okay mom, you can go now"  hahaha   And here is the one picture Chester got of his group:) He came home and said it was the best week of his life. I couldn't have asked for a better experience for him. Yay for FSY!