BJ's Birthday Dinner!!!

~Courtney, Krista, Jill, and Jamie-Dee~
Three of my favorite ladies! I was so thankful to have them at my birthday dinner!

My brother, Brent, always makes me feel so special...

It was such a blessing to have Chrissy there too! Love that girl! :)

Cute pic of Krista and Jamie-Dee

Courtney and Nick joined in on the fun...I was so thankful to have them there...they're a special couple to me indeed!

I want to thank everyone for making my birthday dinner so memorable!
Love to all!

29th Birthday Celebration at Disneyland!!

Lauren and I enjoyed a great day at Disneyland! Glad to spend the day with one of my favorite people! It was a blessed way to spend my B-Day!

I got into the park totally for free! It was a great deal! I also purchased a Disney pass! So, if anybody has a pass too...let me know...I would love to join ya!

Lauren and me in front of the Fantasyland Castle!

Overall, it was a great birthday this year! I am going to love the last year of my 20's! :)

My 29th birthday celebration was a terrific week full of family, friends, good food, gifts, and good times. I enjoyed a morning massage and 2nd Street lunch with my mom, a yummy meal at BJ's pizza with family and friends, and a fun-filled-free-admission day to Disneyland!!!

Brownies & Birthdays!!

I love baking brownies!! I shared this love with my Drill Team recently...my brownies were a hit :) and one of my girls made a curious comment, which frames this blog...she said, "Now, you can get married!" This sparked my thinking that maybe there's a master list that exists that all young women need to complete to reach the pinnacle of being a candidate for marriage...truly...I want to know...what is on this list? I suppose the good news is, I have one thing crossed off-BROWNIES :) Now of course, this is all said in tongue and cheek ;) but all those in my life know that it is a matter close at heart...My 29th birthday was fabulous! I really want to thank all of my friends and family for making my 29th bday so special. Thanks for such nice gifts, cards, calls, facebook messages, etc...I went to Disneyland for my actual birthday and yes-got in totally FREE! I invested in an annual pass so if anyone wants to hang out at Disneyland, let me know! :) The holiday decor is in full swing! There is nothing like a magical walk up Main Street with all the lights, smells and people starting to line the streets waiting for the parade. :) Love it!

29! A new year! New experiences!
~jz

Pepperdine's Posting...

During the summer, I have been doing some cleaning out. I came across a random piece of writing that was at some point turned in during my freshman year at Pepperdine. I don't recall the specific assignment nor the specific course it accompanied. I would like to share part of it with you, as I feel it is a glowing glimpse into my heart at that time in my life... :)


"The other day, as I proceeded hurriedly to my Freshman Seminar course, I was unexpectedly broadsided with the ocean's insurmountable beauty. The breathtaking spectacle stopped me dead in my tracks. Obviously, I'd viewed the ocean since I had been here, however, this was entirely different. I don't think it had ever appeared as gorgeous. The blue-green mass that spread before my feet actually sparkled as if each pinnacled ripple of water possessed a strand of glittering diamonds. My heart glowed as my eyes beheld God's miraculous creation. I asked myself what I had done to deserve all of this? " How could I be so lucky to attend Pepperdine and meet such peace in my life and faith? Is anyone really supposed to be so content?" God has and continues to go above and beyond merely providing for me. He relentlessly fills my life with countless blessings and I stand in awe of His mercy.

When finally choosing this university I knew that with every inch of my existence I needed to trust God alone. As I asked once before, "How did they get my name and why was I included?" The answers stand crystal clear now: by the sheer grace of God. My sole protector and provider astounds me again with His compassion. For He has bestowed upon me a lifetime of riches and priveleges by placing Pepperdine in my life. I know now, to an even greater extent, that you must lean upon no one but your Heavenly Father for He does know the way. I may not have followed anyone's lead in choosing Pepperdine but I have trusted the lead of one noble teacher. I walked towards Pepperdine in faith alone "And that has made all of the difference."

Mammoth Moments...

Jill and Carli-I always enjoy time with Carli...She is unique in that she always makes you feel so special! :)
One the most notable moments during the weekend, was our time devoted in laying hands on and praying for one another. It was an amazing time as we lifted up our hearts in this quiet spot with only the rush of the wind blowing through us...the wind was evident of the Holy Spirit as it would blow even harder in response to our words! :)

My Fabulous Lifegroup...before heading home...

the girls

the boys

We are all thankful for our times in Mammoth...we grew in so many ways...I thank God for each one of the members of my Lifegroup...each of them blesses my life!

Where are we headed next?

:)

More Texas Pics...

Texas was a blast...

Honey and her grandaughter...it was SO great spending quality time with Honey...I love our conversations...she is so special to me! :)

Three generations...Me, Honey and Mom...

Karen and Ashley...My favorite Mom & Daughter Duo!

Ashley & Jill-We were so thankful to have the time together...she always makes me smile!

It was quite the joy to see my great friend, Shawna, and her little girl, Noelle. Noelle is just adorable and on the move! It was a blessing catching up with an old friend and seeing how happy her life is! :) Love ya, Shawa!

Our Stay in 'The Great State of Texas!'

WOW! It has been a good while since updating my blog...thanks for stopping by for the full summer update! :) It has been an eventful time. About a minute after school finished up, my parents and I turned around and headed for Texas to visit the fam. We had a great stay...enjoying the delicious Southern food (many splurges!), great time with my grandmother, Honey, helping Ashley get settled in her new apartment and just relaxing lots. And of course, having some yummy fried okra! :) I love spending time in the Lonestar State because I am with so many I love...

Concert-in-the-Garden is a longstanding Ft. Worth tradition in the summer...it was a highlight of the trip! In spite of the heat, we enjoyed an Eagles inspired concert. Thanks Danny and Katie for a fun night of great music and food...

Mom and Dad at Concert-in-the-Garden! :)

They took us out to Grandbury to this yummy chicken house, Babe's! Boy, did we enjoy a chicken feast! This place was full of character from their unique menu to dancing waitresses!

Our bags of leftover chicken "to go!"

Mom, Dad, and me at Babe's

The CUTEST Nephew EVER!

This pic is from Mother's Day! The Zakaryan Family! ...Asher loves his little sling! We had a wonderful Mother's Day! It was exciting for Kim to celebrate her 1st Mother's Day!
Here's the sweet new Mom with her 'little bundle of joy!'

Bright-eyed Asher! Asher has the most beautiful blue eyes! Love it!

Happy guy! All smiles!

CUTEST nephew EVER!!!

I am really enjoying being an Auntie! It is amazing to watch Asher grow! EVERYONE is crazy about him...me too! :)

Asher has Arrived!

Here's Asher with Grandma Zakaryan! She is SO excited that he has arrived! My mom is amazing with babies and is in 'baby Heaven' with Asher!

I am so excited for my big brother to be a DAD! He is going to be a tremendous father! Asher is in good hands...he has the greatest parents, both Kim and Brent will raise him with love and care...I am so excited for them to be a family!

Here is Asher with Grandpa Zakaryan! Dad has taken quickly to Asher's cuteness! He is crazy about him...I am sure he will begin now preparing Asher for football season! Go USC!

Here is Asher looking quite alert! There is the little guy!!!

Here he is sportin' his cute cap! He is cute in anything! I love that sweetie!

Here I am, Auntie Jill, holding my favorite nephew!

My little nephew, Asher Stephen Zakaryan, was born to proud parents, Brent and Kim, on Tuesday, April 21, 2009! He was 8 lbs. 1 oz.! He was welcomed into this world after many long hours of labor...he truly is a 'little bundle of joy!' I praise God truly for bringing Asher into our lives. He has already brought so much love and joy into our family...of course, I am bias :) but he is the MOST adorable baby around! Keep posted and checkin' for Asher updates!

Asher's Nook!

My nephew, Asher Zakaryan, will be arriving in just a few short weeks! Yeah! Brent and Kim have been preparing for him in many ways. One tangible way they have been preparing has been to put together an adorable nursery all for him. They have thought of every detail! Brent has become a regular carpenter; doing a great deal of wood-work. I know Asher will be glad to come home to a thoughtfully decorated nursery. Here's a few pictures of the fabulousness!


Here's a neat painting done by a family friend...it really features a wonderful verse and ties the
entire nursery together so well!

These adorable letters spelling Asher's name will go on the wall above his crib...

Here's his cute crib with the sweet camoflage bedding!

The little mobile is already in place! :)

The little lamb hanging on the edge of the crib plays all kinds of soothing noises for Asher! He's

really a good purchase indeed! I think Asher will be a big fan of him!

This well organized piece is Asher's changing table! He is all set with these

amazingly nifty cloth diapers! And of course, more camo gear! Love it! :)

The nursery wouldn't be complete without a little chair for Asher...and these

are a few monkey-friends for him too! The Zakaryan's have a strong tradition of monkey fettishes...so, with Asher there is no exception! He will be surrounded with monkeys! So fun!

Well, as you can see Asher will be livin' in style! Brent and Kim have out done themselves!

It looks wonderful! Cannot wait to see Asher loving his new nook!

Dani and Adam's Big Day!

Dani and Adam were married January 18, 2009...it was a gorgeous day!

Love the happy couple!

Me and Ash...it was fabulous spending time with my favorite gal...

Love that girl!

Mother of the Groom, Karen, and Kim together...
Love these two!

A shot with Mom!-Mom-with all of her kids!

The wedding party had an opportunity to pray over the happy couple...

What a beautiful setting overlooking the water!

Beautiful Dani and Dad!

The bridesmaids in position...they each had coordinating colors in relation to how they stood!

It was darling!

The groomsman standing post...

Me and Kim, my sister-in-law! :) She's the greatest!

Dani with her girls!

Ash, Adam and Karen

The cousin pic! The fam just keeps growing! :)

Dani and Adam gazing at all of their guests!

It truly was a beautiful wedding-ceremony and reception! I was thankful to have been in attendance and celebrated alongside them! Congrats to you, Dani and Adam! May you remember your special day always and be blessed immeasurably!