March 27, 2010

San Luis Obispo, California.


It was somewhat strange being back in San Luis Obispo again after all these years. We didn't have the kids with us, so it felt like a weird time warp... like time got crumpled up and folded back upon itself and we were carefree pre-twenty-somethings again, romping around in one of the most beautiful places in the world.



It was no time warp, though. All of our friends, who were once so carefree alongside us, are now parents. They have yummy little babies and have entered whole new seasons of their lives. It was almost too beautiful to look at. This little charmer here is Asher. He belongs to our dear friends Cameron & Anna Ingalls. They are all coming to visit us out in OKC in a couple of weeks, and I'm thinking I'm just going to take this little booger off of their hands for them. I know, I know... I am TOO kind.

We also got to see our bestie get married. It was breathtaking and awe-inspiring to watch. We love these two so much!



San Luis Obispo is like paradise. No, really. Everything in me was trying to figure out a way we could move back there to all the beauty. But, being able to stay at home with my kids is priority for this season in my life, and we couldn't afford the hefty pricetag that is attached to those rolling green hills without me working full-time. (Those hills aren't that pretty, no siree.)



Get this... they still have GLASS coke bottles on the left coast! It made my vintage-loving heart pound to see such a sight. Also, I bought this hat at Forever21 (they have the largest F21 in the nation in SLO) and then never once took it off. I'm pretty sure I've worn it every single day since I bought it. haha.


(photo by cameroningalls)




Chris looked dashing and handsome and relaxed while we were in California. And here I was- convinced he couldn't get any more handsome. I was wrong. California looks GOOD on this man. :)



It felt so natural being back in our old stomping grounds. We got to see a whole bunch of people that we love, and it did nothing but kindle our love for the place and the people we left behind.



I feel like I've spent the last couple of days trying to shake San Luis Obispo back out of the forefront of my mind. I was very sad to leave and have been somewhat mopey ever since we landed back in windy Oklahoma again. I miss my friends. I want to smoosh my worlds together so we can all be one big happy family. A lot of our friend groups in CA have become really splintered and separated over the years due to some really hard church stuff from a few years back. I SO long to see them come back together again and put the past behind them. The whole time I was there, I just kept hearing the word "Restoration" over and over again in my mind. I wish I could be there to see when it happens. (Because I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it will. And soon!!) All it will take is some open and honest dialoging, me thinks.

(That, and maybe a little booze to loosen everyone up a bit.)

haha.

Oh, California! We love you so!! I wish we were next door neighbors...

6 comments:

Andrea Terry said...

Oh, Emery, thanks for these pics! It's good to see home when I'm so far away. What you said about wanting to smoosh your worlds together so everyone can be a big happy family is so how I'm feeling right now!
I'm glad, though, that you got to have fun romping around SLO. Those hills tug on my heart!

Meghan Elaine said...

Ah, a beautiful reminder to me of what an amazing place I live in! (atascadero actually). I actually found your blog through Cameron's four years ago when I was getting married :) Anna and I grew up together. Sounds like you had a wonderful trip~

zaiahbird said...

That's really cool aobut the restoration. I would love to see that happen one day soon.

sheila watson said...

beautifully written by a beautiful girl:)...did you see my chuck in forever 21? he's one of the managers...

Terese said...

Emery,
my sister is in L.A. And while your California is not where she is. It makes me feel closer in a hemispheral way to her. Thank you for your beautiful posts that lift my day. :)

Cameron Ingalls said...

beautiful. :)