Time...

First trip to Disneyland!  Thanks to the amazing gift of an annual pass, we are hoping to go often!

Disneyland with Tangled - Esther wasn't happy that a boy was there too!

First Day of Preschool!  Esther and Bella both love their preschool so far, and we can walk there!

Dress up time for Bella!

Ready to ride bikes at the Park with some new friends!

It's amazing what a gift time is.  I have seen that firsthand this last week as I have been the recipient of the gift of time with Janelle, Esther and Bella.  Because classes don't start until the 26th (with orientation the week before), we have been able to enjoy some great time together as a family.  From sitting down to meals together to heading to Disneyland to playing games to going to the playground, we have been having great time together.  I am so thankful for that. 

I think we have always had good family time together, but this feels much more spacious, like there is nothing else to get to, no e-mails to check.  I know that life will get moving again once school kicks in.  I know that the rhythm will change then.  But I want to keep this time-together thing going.  As I have prayed about this year, I feel like the goal for the year is to do two things well (under the Big umbrella of walking closely with God in Christ by the Spirit) - School and Family.  That's what I'm here for.  School and Family.  I have already started to feel the pull to try to start doing stuff in a ministry here to feel like I'm valuable because I am producing.  I have been trying to fight those urges and seeking to trust God for my value as His son.  You could pray for me in that!

We connected with a great church, Knox Presbyterian Church, that we are getting more familiar with and more excited about.  There are a lot of folks from Fuller who go there (including profs - very fun!), a ton of families with young kids, and all generations.  We are thankful for having a local church to start calling home. 

Since we are in a break between quarters here, there is still a sleepy feel around the school and apartment complex, but more and more life is stirring.  We have begun to get to know some people here - wonderful people.  It will be fun to see how God leads in regard to community here.  I have been letting go of my expectations and seeking to gratefully trust God for however it works out. 

Some Pasadena - Boulder/Louisville comparisons for you:

1. They both have mountains in the backyard, but Boulder's are a lot higher and greener.
2. They both claim to be fit, but somehow there are burger joints on about every corner (remember how McDonald's couldn't stay in business in South Boulder?)
3. They both claim to be way into biking, but I'm not sure if I have seen a real bike lane yet. 
4. They both have every hip chain store you could think of (pottery barn, anthropologie, etc)
5. It's a 90 minute drive to Winter Park, but it is only a 45 minute drive to Disneyland and the beach.
6. They both have great libraries with great stuff for kids, but Pasadena seems to have much more.
7. Boulder's demographics of 95% caucasian are quite different than the huge diversity of Pasadena (especially at Fuller where there is a huge Korean population, and especially in certain neighborhoods that I am still learning about).  
8. They both have awesome playgrounds for kids (that we have been enjoying!).

Overall, we are getting used to living in a city, which is an adjustment for us.  We have realized that most of America isn't like Boulder/Louisville!  The open space and beauty and infrastructure and active lifestyle and healthy eating elements of Boulder are apparently not normal everywhere!  :-)  I also know that Boulder is not the promised land, and I am excited to learn from and appreciate this community and this experience of living in a (very nice) city that is part of a really big city (LA). 

Love to you from the Buckners!