Opposites Attract

You know how they say that opposites attract? Well, for Ian and me, that wasn't really the case. We're both pretty low-key people who like to do a lot of the same things. We both make decisions with our intellect, not our feelings, we both like to make quick decisions and don't need all the options, we both like to be home most of the time, etc. Of course, we have our differences. Ian likes to be indoors and I love the sun. He always tends toward grace and I tend toward truth. I think 5:45 is 5:30 and he thinks it's 6.

But the place where the old adage "opposites attract" is the most true for us is in prayer. Last night we had an epic conversation about the purpose and power of prayer and it was a classic case of a Calvinist verses an Arminean (in this case, the Armenian is the Arminean). It was a good conversation, but it made me very aware that we approach the subject quite differently. The questions of "Is God able to change this situation" verses "Does God desire to change this situation," went round and round, with the question "What role does the human will have in all this?" added on top. Ian believes God does all the pursuing and I believe free will is somehow involved. If God does all the pursuing, why do some situations not change? Did he not want to restore that area of brokenness or answer that prayer? But why would he not want to? Or was it that the people involved weren't willing to bend? But isn't he also the one who softens hearts?

Did we come to a solution? Of course not. How can we solve what 2,000 years of scholars have not resolved? But this we know - the Bible calls us to pray, and so we will. And we should pray with faith, even if we aren't sure God wants to or will change the situation.

Date Nights for Childless Couples?

Ian is taking me on a date tonight. We are going to Kamal Palace (super yummy Indian food) then we are walking over to the Pier 1, which is a very special treat for me. That place is my Mecca. We are in need of some new wine glasses, so hopefully being specific will keep me from going crazy.

Anyway, back to the purpose of the post. Last time we went on a date, I mentioned it in passing to a co-worker. That person said to me, "You guys don't have any kids...why do you need a date?" Of course, I declared that we do need dates, but now that our next one is rolling around, I found myself thinking more about her comment.

And I'm more convinced than ever that even childless couples need dates. I know, I know, I don't really know how much parents must need them, but isn't it good to build into your marriage and set aside time to celebrate each other even when there are no kids? In fact, won't our dates now someday make our parenting easier, as we discuss ideas and theories over dinner that we hope (if the children don't thwart us too much) to implement when we someday do have kids? Yes. I'm convinced of it. And I won't let parents talk me out of it!

Also, how can you not go out and celebrate when the United States government gives you $8,077.44 just for buying a house before July 31st? Isn't that amazing? I somehow doubted that it was really true, but the check I deposited today does not lie. Thanks Uncle Sam!

Family Vaca

This past week, Mom and Dad took us all on our annual Sunukjian Family vacation, this year to Lake Arrowhead. As always, it was great. We laughed, we ate (a lot), we played games, went to two lakes, went hiking, had an epic talent show and generally had a great time.

Highlights from the week for me were:

• Playing games (see photo below of our poker night- we hit the table the first night we were there - we don't waste anytime in taking each other's money!)
• Having so much time with the nieces and nephews (these pictures don't even begin to represent how many pictures of them there were, but since this is my blog and not one of their parents, I'm not required to put up every single picture)
• The couples' dinner out - last year, my parents started this awesome tradition where they keep all the grandkids, give Peter a wad of money and all the couples get to go out together. It was a highlight last year and this year again!
• Talent Show - I dragged Ian into doing an entry with me, called "Dance Off." It basically entailed really bad dancing and he was so good at it that I pretty much laughed the whole time instead of dancing.

Poker night - David ended up the big winner.


Family Photo - with two new additions this summer, we had to do one!

Hiking in Deep Creek.

We were responsible for Joseph on the hike and Uncle Ian watched him very carefully.

Us, before couples night out. Aww, we're so cute!

Look at those two! I couldn't resist posting this photo. That's Hannah, Sarah's girl, and Samuel, Mary's son. That's just one of the MANY boxes we used to cart our massive amount of food up to the mountains.

One last comment - for me, the big hit "special treat" wise was the fruit roll ups. What are those things even made of?

Thanks Mom and Dad! We had a great time!

A Backyard Transformation

Due to popular demand, I am posting some before and after pictures of our backyard transformation. Drum rolll please...

Before:

And now....

Doesn't it look so great? Once again, a HUGE thank you to all our friends and family who helped us do it! (And Hector's Lawn Service, who did an amazing job.) (Okay, and the many other contractors who also did an amazing job.)

An Interesting Tension

I find myself in an interesting conundrum these days. There are two situations in my life that have recently occupied my thoughts and have caused me to ponder my own power. One is a decision that I have all the freedom and power to make - but I feel torn by the pros and cons of each side and seem unable to make a decision. And so I'm frustrated by my inertia.

The other is a decision that is not in my hands at all, a choice I can't make for myself, and so I am frustrated by my lack of control and the forced patience I'm required to exercise.

As I think about these two situations, I find it interesting that with the one, I have all the power but can't make up my mind. With the other, I have none of the power and yet know so completely how I would like the situation to go.

Is that irony? Or a classic case of juxtaposition? Or just life?

Caving In Already

Someone who reads this blog (and there's only a few of you, so I won't name names) told me that I must have pictures. See? This is exactly why I was worried about starting a blog. She had the nerve to tell me that some readers (meaning her) are growing restless...should I even say - bored?! Terrible! How can that be? Leave it to a good friend to tell you the truth, even when it hurts. =)

To appease the masses (ha!), I'm posting two pictures. They're all I have, sent from a friend who took pity on me and Ian and took our picture.

This first one is of us at a gourmet Food Truck event in Downtown Long Beach. The food was very yummy, but we mostly enjoyed being outside with our friends.

And this is us at an Angel's baseball game with our friends Keith and Chanda (who supplied the photos).

These photos are evidence that contrary to our feelings that we spend all our time on the house, we've actually had quite a lovely summer!