tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79197917255405285052024-03-14T02:12:11.625-07:00Young LifeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919791725540528505.post-37116113020730251382009-07-15T13:49:00.000-07:002009-07-15T14:43:22.788-07:00Montana Adventure<div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">Family vacations are fun for me. I don't mean it sarcastically either. My family is FUNNY and the vacations are FUN. We left last Wedesday for Missoula, MT and spent the week in Whitefish with my brother, SIL Sara, their unborn child, my mom and her husband. Instead of chronicling our time, I thought I would just post some lessons learned.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">Lessons learned while vacationing in Montana:</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">1. Washington State patrol doesn't care if you don't have cruise control. They don't care about anything really...except bruising my soul with a $175 ticket.</span></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">2. I don't know how families road tripped successfully previous to the invention of the DVD player. </span></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">3. Jordan and I can be creative when confined in a car for 10 hours. Here are the following terms we created for people that live in Missoula...we don't know or care which one is actually correct. Missoulians, Missoulagorians, Missoulorinthians, Missourangatangs, Missoulippians.</span></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">4. You can be instant friends with people before ever actually meeting in real life. Gloria, Chris, Elizabeth, Craig, Noah, Katie and Lolo....thanks for letting us be part of your family. (I remembered all those names <em>without</em> referencing facebook BTW)</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">5. I am a bona fide mountain biker.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">6. My husband is a very very very good mountain biker...and he looks sexy in action.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">7. Grizzly bears hide very well in their country. Tree stumps can look like a grizzly bear and scare bona fide mountain bikers.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">8. In Glacier National Park, chipmunks think they are actually the same size as the griz. They are fearless and majestic...they also seems to appreciate my singing.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">9. My stepdad may actually be part griz due to his deep desire of all things huckleberry.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">10. When I say the word "griz" in Montana then I feel like I fit in.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">11. Some families talk politics, some entertainment, we however choose to debate biblical and medical ethics for hours. Then we laugh at hot pockets.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">12. My mom is my favorite woman in the world. I could just sit in her presense without speaking and feel satisfied.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">13. When I hear my brother talk about his love for Christ, I am overwhelmed with every spiritual emotion.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">We really loved Montana and can't wait for the next trip! This was the conversation while pulling into our neighborhood last night after 10 fun filled hours in the car:</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">Austen: "Mom, are you so excited that we are back home now?"</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">Me: "Yes baby I am very excited."</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">Austen: "Well, I'm not."</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">Me: "Why not, sweets?"</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">Austen: "Because Uncle Matt and Aunt Sara are still in Montana."</span></div><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358802355556884434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/Sl5KWah-n9I/AAAAAAAAAl4/iLLpDzm4EiU/s400/P7100119.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">Glacier National Park<br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358802349161797106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/Sl5KWCtRVfI/AAAAAAAAAlw/TDBPz7aVeic/s400/P7100095.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358802331341565890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/Sl5KVAUmL8I/AAAAAAAAAlo/zEpCd3wq7Pk/s400/P1030332.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358802327198875954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/Sl5KUw45wTI/AAAAAAAAAlg/eQuGFCEucwQ/s400/P7100091.JPG" border="0" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919791725540528505.post-12063361552464115522009-06-01T21:37:00.000-07:002009-06-01T22:13:54.409-07:00I blog when I want.<span style="color:#000000;">I am secure enough to know that I am not witty enough to blog on a frequent basis. Mostly it's because I have nothing interesting enough to say. HOWEVER, this weekend was the most interesting/fun/exceptional/awesome/appreciated I have had in a while. Leah and Gracyn came to stay with us for a few days and here is our journey of love. The pictures are totally out of order. I haven't figured out who is dumber...me or blogspot. Beware, your computer may in fact be crashing at this very moment due to the insane quantity of pics I uploaded. Sorry about that.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342588723634482914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSwI009ruI/AAAAAAAAAcc/bBmlSpG2els/s400/June+2009+066.JPG" border="0" />There is so much joy that it is unbelievable.</span></div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSwIR_NoiI/AAAAAAAAAcU/3iqXBbubD_M/s1600-h/June+2009+085.JPG"><span style="color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342588714282230306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSwIR_NoiI/AAAAAAAAAcU/3iqXBbubD_M/s400/June+2009+085.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> Ian. How stinkin cute are you?!<br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSwICpK09I/AAAAAAAAAcM/exK69Mkmf2Q/s1600-h/June+2009+092.JPG"><span style="color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342588710163239890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSwICpK09I/AAAAAAAAAcM/exK69Mkmf2Q/s400/June+2009+092.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> Rachel, Mily and G handed out the bday love.<br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSwHgXKgAI/AAAAAAAAAcE/cYZ4B_4N7Xg/s1600-h/June+2009+093.JPG"><span style="color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342588700960915458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSwHgXKgAI/AAAAAAAAAcE/cYZ4B_4N7Xg/s400/June+2009+093.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><br />Ballerina in training.<br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSvW2Ot2mI/AAAAAAAAAb0/AjXCf8dEBys/s1600-h/June+2009+086.JPG"><span style="color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342587865017473634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSvW2Ot2mI/AAAAAAAAAb0/AjXCf8dEBys/s400/June+2009+086.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><br />Landon is in training for something else...professional caloric intake master.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSvWnD521I/AAAAAAAAAbs/oaVXzMr2VdI/s1600-h/June+2009+081.JPG"><span style="color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342587860945591122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSvWnD521I/AAAAAAAAAbs/oaVXzMr2VdI/s400/June+2009+081.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><br />Cute kids eating cupcakes the sizes of small baby's heads.<br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSvWDk2rGI/AAAAAAAAAbk/66XYO4gv4E4/s1600-h/June+2009+047.JPG"><span style="color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342587851420118114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSvWDk2rGI/AAAAAAAAAbk/66XYO4gv4E4/s400/June+2009+047.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><br />Seriously...do they not look 16 years old? What is happening?<br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSvV9roc8I/AAAAAAAAAbc/qROo_KnAsPI/s1600-h/June+2009+063.JPG"><span style="color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342587849837933506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSvV9roc8I/AAAAAAAAAbc/qROo_KnAsPI/s400/June+2009+063.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><br />Ian beware...she is cute but she will attack.<br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSvVtXnm4I/AAAAAAAAAbU/EiRw4rgJROg/s1600-h/June+2009+055.JPG"><span style="color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342587845459024770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSvVtXnm4I/AAAAAAAAAbU/EiRw4rgJROg/s400/June+2009+055.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> Hiking with the Aunt Tops and Uncle Joels.<br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSueh2a4uI/AAAAAAAAAbE/nHznXr_SfwU/s1600-h/June+2009+040.JPG"><span style="color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342586897474183906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSueh2a4uI/AAAAAAAAAbE/nHznXr_SfwU/s400/June+2009+040.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><br />Deuce coup.<br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSued4VlAI/AAAAAAAAAa8/-kq2qY99ppE/s1600-h/June+2009+039.JPG"><span style="color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342586896408482818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSued4VlAI/AAAAAAAAAa8/-kq2qY99ppE/s400/June+2009+039.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><br />Oh yeah...that happened. There is no shame in the deuce coup.<br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSudxi08kI/AAAAAAAAAa0/tJwmd32WCv4/s1600-h/June+2009+033.JPG"><span style="color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342586884507103810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSudxi08kI/AAAAAAAAAa0/tJwmd32WCv4/s400/June+2009+033.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><br /><span style="color:#000000;">This is what NW peeps do when it doesn't rain...play in the fountain. We get confused when dry.<br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSudnMc9TI/AAAAAAAAAas/j2bCpaRv8c0/s1600-h/June+2009+025.JPG"><span style="color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342586881728902450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSudnMc9TI/AAAAAAAAAas/j2bCpaRv8c0/s400/June+2009+025.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><br />He's on a boat.<br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSudUZkq1I/AAAAAAAAAak/P11MnZgJGS0/s1600-h/June+2009+021.JPG"><span style="color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342586876683660114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSudUZkq1I/AAAAAAAAAak/P11MnZgJGS0/s400/June+2009+021.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><br />A and G on their very first roller coaster ride. They chose front seat b/c they are hard core.<br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSt2QiWVgI/AAAAAAAAAac/3CjXg5exRCw/s1600-h/June+2009+014.JPG"><span style="color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342586205631829506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSt2QiWVgI/AAAAAAAAAac/3CjXg5exRCw/s400/June+2009+014.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><br />Cheesin it up in front of AGCI.<br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSt2ATcdvI/AAAAAAAAAaU/gc0NvfAStec/s1600-h/June+2009+012.JPG"><span style="color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342586201274349298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSt2ATcdvI/AAAAAAAAAaU/gc0NvfAStec/s400/June+2009+012.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> Not too much longer!<br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSt1vmubkI/AAAAAAAAAaM/pgLomG-Aq6Y/s1600-h/June+2009+008.JPG"><span style="color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342586196791815746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSt1vmubkI/AAAAAAAAAaM/pgLomG-Aq6Y/s400/June+2009+008.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><br />The view from the rooftop of Joel and Sara's crib.<br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSt1cwa88I/AAAAAAAAAaE/YpEVYjtDYYI/s1600-h/June+2009+005.JPG"><span style="color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342586191732208578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSt1cwa88I/AAAAAAAAAaE/YpEVYjtDYYI/s400/June+2009+005.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> Who needs a car when you have blue Papa?<br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSt1L_rBCI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/ZXxAogwtfWI/s1600-h/June+2009+003.JPG"><span style="color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342586187232773154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SiSt1L_rBCI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/ZXxAogwtfWI/s400/June+2009+003.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">Reunited BFFs. They never skipped a beat. </span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span> </div><div><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">There are so many things that I loved about this weekend...I can't even put it into words. Some friendships are so sweet that explanations and adjectives only do a disservice. I have no idea why God would gift such people in my life. I am wholly un-deserving.</span><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919791725540528505.post-14676374679664898802009-03-05T13:08:00.001-08:002009-03-05T13:23:00.904-08:00Today is the day!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">I can't believe it! I have gone from fear, to sadness, to complete excitement today! A couple last minute things I wanted to share.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Communications: This is going to be a social networking nightmare for some of you, but here are the options...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Twitter: www.twitter.com/haititeam09 --- This is our team's twitter account. It will randomly updated with the Haiti happenings.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Blogs: simplyjy.wordpress.com --- This is Jordan's blog and he will update whatever communications the two of us are able to have</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">sarahcase.wordpress.com --- This is one our team members who will be blogging while we are there. She has taken multiple trips to this same site and has plenty of valuable insight I'm sure!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">I found out from T-mobile that there is chance I may have "some" service with my trusty blackberry. It will cost me $2/minute to make calls. 35 cents to send a text and FREE to receive a text! So I will only call/text Jordan when able but if you want to send me one, then I may actually be able to read it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Okay...I have one more hour with my family so I am closing this computer and kissing babies.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919791725540528505.post-18137971952677157032009-02-27T15:22:00.000-08:002009-02-27T16:10:22.182-08:00Haiti FAQ<span style="color:#000000;">I will be leaving on Thursday afternoon for a much anticipated trip to Haiti to work with a medical team. I get a lot of questions about this and I thought I would take the time write out my answers here.</span><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#660000;">When is your trip?</span></strong><br /><span style="color:#000000;">I leave March 5 and come back March 15.</span><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#660000;">What will you be doing there?</span></strong><br /><span style="color:#000000;">I'll be working with a team of about 15 people offering medical care to a village of people who otherwise have no access to care. We will be seeing people for whatever issue they may walk in the door with. We treat them the best way possible with the means available. The clinic has a pharmacy full of medications and we try to give each person is given a bag of rice.</span><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#660000;">Who are you going with?</span></strong><br /><span style="color:#000000;">A team from my church, <a href="http://www.mosaicportland.org/">Mosaic</a>, who is teaming with the <a href="http://www.haitifoundationofhope.org/">Haiti Foundation of Hope</a>. There is good info on the HFH website!</span><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#660000;">How much does it cost and how did you pay for it?</span></strong><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Total cost is $1700. Our families were very generous this Christmas :)</span><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#660000;">What if you die/get AIDS/get kidnapped? Isn't Haiti dangerous?</span></strong><br /><span style="color:#000000;">This question may seem kind of funny...but it could be the most common question. What if I do? It is obviously not my goal or plan to become sick, stolen or dead. The leader of the team we are going with has been travelling to Haiti for 25 years. They lived there for 2 of those years. There are a number of precautions we are taking to protect ourselves and I take that very seriously. I work in an area of nursing where bodily fluids flow freely at will. It will not be a new concept to protect myself from that!</span><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#660000;">Why Haiti anyways? </span></strong><br /><span style="color:#000000;">My answer may not satisfy some people. God placed Haiti on Jordan and I's hearts over a year ago. Since college I have been exposed to mission opportunities, taken mission trips and heard hundreds of missionary stories. While I felt propelled to help in some way with these trips and stories...rarely did my heart break for them. I am saddened by a lot of things, but not moved into action. In summertime of 2007 when I started reading some of the blogs listed on the bottom right of my blogroll...(the Haiti ones and the Ivey's) I literally could not stop myself from being consumed by it. God was molding and shaping my heart for those people for some weird reason. I convinced Jordan to read the stories I was seeing, so we read and we cried and we prayed. We still don't know what that all means, but when we moved back up here and visited a church who had a partership with Haiti and was taking a medical team there in March...it was obvious to us what our first move would be. I honestly believe this is just the first step to what He is doing in us. </span><br /><strong><span style="color:#660000;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#660000;">What about your kids?</span></strong><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Teaching the kids about this trip has probably been the best part so far. Let's be honest, Noelle is 2 she doesn't know what the crap is going on. Landon is about to turn 4 and he is very much aware of things, but no so great at processing the why's and how's. Austen is 5 and needs to know every detail about everything everywhere all the time. We have been talking casually about Haiti for over a year now, so when the idea came up of me going...they just expected it. We talk about how fortunate we are to have food, housing, medicine, mommies and daddies and school. We talk about how God has given us those things to be His hands and feet. We were not chosen to have these things because of good things we or our parents do. By His grace, we have been provided for and by His grace we will continue to provide for the needs of others. It's simple really. </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#660000;"><strong>Are you scared?</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Yes, of dumb stuff mostly. Nothing to do with kidnapping or HIV. I am afraid that I will be dysfunctional after not being able to kiss my husband and babies for 10 days. </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#660000;"><strong>What can I do to help?</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">You can pray for us. I have an excellent prayer letter that I would love to send anyone who wants it. It outlines what we will be doing and where we will be day by day. You can also call my husband and be sure he hasn't listed any of the kids (Landon) on craigslist. Maybe even cook him a meal or bless his heart bring him coffee. If you don't live near us then just call him to let him know you love him and be willing to assess his mental status.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919791725540528505.post-38044935513707751422009-02-15T16:52:00.000-08:002009-02-15T17:03:57.250-08:00How did this happen?<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303192560491243570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SZi5iUeTKDI/AAAAAAAAAZU/3N9k0ROVncs/s400/old+comp+682.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SZi5ixUlTeI/AAAAAAAAAZc/0yLcrgYspY0/s1600-h/February+2009+004.JPG"></a><span style="color:#000000;">How did this teeny tiney little 5 pound baby turn in to a crazy pot bellied 2 year old girl? I can't believe it.</span><br /><br /><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303193954607429282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SZi6zd9f9qI/AAAAAAAAAZk/SsoibyOUUOI/s400/February+2009+029.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919791725540528505.post-37367258852890105402009-01-12T11:24:00.000-08:002009-02-15T16:52:05.957-08:00Spiritual advising<span style="color:#000000;">I have told a few people about this conversation the boys had the other day in the car, but it just keeps getting funnier. </span><div><br /></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">Setting: My car, me driving, and boys in the back seat. Going to a friends house.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">It is mostly quiet and then Austen starts with the questioning...</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">Austen: Mom, do you know who some people love more than <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">anyone</span> in the world?</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">Me: Who is that?</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">A: Jesus.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">Me: That's true, some people do love Him more than anything. I do. </span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">A: Me too.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">(Enter Landon)</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">Landon: I don't love Jesus. I don't love boys. I only love girls. I only love one boy and that is McQueen.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">A: Landon, yes you do love Jesus. He lives in your heart and He talks to you and you love Him!</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">L: (voice a bit louder) NO Austen, I don't love Jesus. I can't hear Him with my ears and He does not talk to me! I only love girls!</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">A: (now screaming a bit) Landon, yes Jesus does talk to you. He talks in your heart and that's why you can't hear Him with your ears. He talks to your heart!</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">L: (his loudest most irritated voice) I do not love Jesus and I can not hear Him!!!!!!!!</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">A: (addressing me this time, quietly and soft) Mom, don't worry. Landon does love Jesus in his heart, he just doesn't want to say it, but I know that he does.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">L: (screaming at this point) I can NOT hear Jesus with my heart or my ears Austen, stop saying that to me!</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">A: (Louder than any TBN preacher you've ever imagined) Landon, Jesus does talk to you in your heart and He is talking to you RIGHT NOW. He is saying "Landon, STOP COMPLAINING"</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">I decided to interject at this pivotal point before Austen demanded that Landon close his eyes and raise his hand.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">So that was about a week or 2 ago and then today while at the table coloring Landon proceeded with this conversation:</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">Landon: Mom, we can never be God.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">Me: That's true baby. There is only one God and we are His people. He made us and He loves us.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">Landon: Yeah. (short pause then he yells to Austen in the other room) Austen is that true? </span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">Austen: Yeah Landon that's true.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">Landon: Oh. Can God turn people in to pieces of paper?</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">Me: He won't do that to you, sweets.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">L: Oh (short pause) Austen is that true?</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">A: Well, God CAN turn your in to paper, but He won't. God can do anything.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">L: Yeah, God can do anything.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">So I stand corrected. I thought for sure Austen had lost his effective witness to Landon that brimstone and fire day in the car. But apparently he has gained respect and became Landon's closest spiritual advisor.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919791725540528505.post-16599977708788620642008-12-22T16:11:00.001-08:002008-12-22T16:11:43.844-08:00We got elfed.<div style='background-color:#e9e9e9; width: 425px;'><object id='A129813' quality='high' data='http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=7IAwhkBlMKuogzBU&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=ElfYourself' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' wmode='transparent' height='319' width='425'><param name='wmode' value='transparent'></param><param name='movie' value='http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=7IAwhkBlMKuogzBU&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=ElfYourself'></param><param name='scaleMode' value='showAll'></param><param name='quality' value='high'></param><param name='allowNetworking' value='all'></param><param name='allowFullScreen' value='true' /><param name='FlashVars' value='external_make_id=7IAwhkBlMKuogzBU&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=ElfYourself'></param><param name='allowScriptAccess' value='always'></param></object><div style='text-align:center; width:435px; margin-top:6px;'>Send your own <a href='http://www.elfyourself.com'>ElfYourself</a> <a href='http://sendables.jibjab.com/ecards'>eCards</a></div></div><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTIyOTk5MTA2ODM1OCZwdD*xMjI5OTkxMDk2ODgzJnA9NDE4ODEzJmQ9MjAyNjcwJm49YmxvZ2dlciZnPTEmdD*mbz*wMzIwZTdjOGExNTM*YmU3OTc*ZDQ2NzI4NjVjZDdiMw==.gif" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919791725540528505.post-21067692365633430872008-12-22T13:00:00.000-08:002008-12-22T13:24:21.422-08:007 Years<a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view&current=oldcomp031.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/oldcomp031.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br /><br />7 years doesn't seem like much when I am expecting a lifetime, but a lot of has happened in these years! I seem to be in to making lists lately so why stop now?! Here is what we have experienced so far!<br /><br /><ul><li>Convincing people to come to a wedding 3 days before Christmas...true love right there!</li><li>Graduating nursing school one week before our wedding, moving across the country one week after.</li><li>Starting a married life in a new time zone with no family around.</li><li>Finding lifelong friends that we couldn't imagine living without.</li><li>Finding out we are pregnant one week before our first anniversary. </li><li>Finding out we are pregnant when Austen is 10 months old.</li><li>Moving from WA to NM on Austen's first b-day.</li><li>Finding out we are pregnant when Landon is 14 months old.</li><li>Breastfeeding 32 out of 84 months of marriage.</li><li>Buying/building our first house</li><li>Selling (kind of) our first house.</li><li>Moving back to WA on Austen's 5th b-day.</li></ul><p>Typing all that out seemed a little crazier than it seems in my head! Throughout all of these circumstances we have learned to fully trust God with ALL things. He has molded us, challenged us, tested us, disciplined us, provided for us, blessed us, and loved us. It's overwhelming to think of all we have learned in 7 years and is incomprehensible to imagine what will take place for the next decades to come! I will never understand the mercy and grace He had planned for me when I met Jordan. That man is beyond what I could have ever dreamed! I love you babe! Here to a lifetime of more anniversary's....but hopefully the last one snowed in!</p><p align="center"><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view&current=oldcomp101.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/oldcomp101.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></p><p align="center"><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view&current=oldcomp054.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/oldcomp054.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919791725540528505.post-12545565184563834662008-12-05T18:35:00.000-08:002008-12-05T18:50:32.080-08:00MakeoverI switched up my layout a little bit...cute?! Yes, I know. Too bad my screen widths changed so the pictures I already have posted were too wide. I can't fix it, but all future pics will fit...don't worry mom!<br /><br />I am a really bad blogger lately, but want to be more up to date. <br /><br />Here are some things we are looking forward to:<br />1. Cutting down our Christmas tree tomorrow from my favorite tree farm ever. <a href="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=410163190">Love</a> it<br />2. Road trip to MONTANA to stay with Matt and Sara for a few days.....YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!<br />3. Spending time with friends here.<br />4. Wassail.<br />5. Getting Noelle a Christmas dress and seeing how cute she looks it it. (vain I know)<br />6. Mailing New Year's cards instead of Christmas cards because I am ridiculous procrastinator.<br />7. Haiti trip - SO scared/excited/mortified/elated.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919791725540528505.post-76231574564208380052008-10-28T12:17:00.000-07:002008-10-28T13:14:06.901-07:00Probably the best weekend everI had to post 2 entries today only because this one deserved it's own. My mom, Matt and Sara came to visit us this weekend and we had SO much fun! It was jam packed with fun and we did a lot in a short amount of time. Too bad they couldn't stay longer because there is so much more I wanted to do!<br /><br />Here is the run-down in a fun format to show what went down!<br /><br />My mom came in on Thursday night and we basically kissed kids and laughed until it was time for bed.<br /><br />FRIDAY<br /><br />I took my mom <a href="http://www.ikea.com/"><span style="color:#000066;">here</span></a> in the afternoon. She had never been (sad). But she thought it was just as awesome as I do! We even had the swedish meatballs for full effect. The kids wore themselves out at the play land so we came home took naps and at leftovers. All around fun relaxing day!<br /><br />SATURDAY<br /><a href="http://www.burgerville.com/"></a><br />First thing we did was go <a href="http://www.vancouverfarmersmarket.com/"><span style="color:#000099;">here</span></a>. I love it and I got the most amazing bouquet of fresh flowers for only $8...i wish I had picture evidence, but I don't!<br /><br />I was really going for the whole "northwest experience" for my mom and basically rejecting anything that can be done or eaten in Albuquerque. So we went <a href="http://www.burgerville.com/"><span style="color:#000099;">here</span> </a>for lunch and it did not disappoint...sweet potato french fries never do.<br /><br />We picked up Matt and Sara from the airport at 4 then hopped on <a href="http://trimet.org/max/index.htm"><span style="color:#000099;">this</span></a> (because we are so urban now) and ate dinner <a href="http://www.oldtownpizza.com/"><span style="color:#000099;">here</span></a><span style="color:#000099;">.</span> They thought it was just as cool as we do! This is the first place we ate at in Portland almost 7 years ago and it only gets better.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view&current=October2008mompics036.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/October2008mompics036.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Matt and Sara representing OTP. I could not possibly say in words how much I love them.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view&current=October2008mompics039.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/October2008mompics039.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Me and my mom at OTP...photo courtesy of Austen :)<br /><br />After dinner we walked <a href="http://www.pioneercourthousesquare.org/"><span style="color:#000099;">here</span></a> (love it) then hopped back on the train to our car. We had to save the best for last and go <a href="http://www.icecreamrenaissance.com/"><span style="color:#000099;">here </span></a>for dessert. GOSH...it is the best ice cream ever created...it seriously makes my heart race just thinking of it. It was a hit all the way around and it got brought up at least every other hour for the remainder of the weekend!<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view&current=October2008mompics042.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/October2008mompics042.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Young family shared this brownie sundae beast. Ice cream flavors included are as follows: chocolate, pumpkin pie, coffee addict's choice and peanut butter blitz. 6 dollups of whipped cream, 1 fresh from the oven walnut brownie, 1 million chocolate chips and drizzles of hot fudge and caramel made it by far the best sundae ever created.<br /><br />SUNDAY<br /><br />I didn't think we could possibly top the ice cream experience of love, but Sunday was pretty awesome. Here were the 3 goals of the day: have fun, see the coast, have fun. Mission accomplished. We left the house about 10:15 then stopped<span style="color:#000099;"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/http//www.tillamookcheese.com/"><span style="color:#000099;">here</span></a> for lunch. YUM. Any place that has makes and sells cheese and ice cream will be a hit with this family. The bonus...who has ever seen "smiley face fries"??<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view&current=October2008mompics043.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/October2008mompics043.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Now we all have. Let's move on.<br /><br />Next up we saw <a href="http://capemeareslighthouse.org/"><span style="color:#000099;">this</span></a> and <a href="http://capemeareslighthouse.org/Octopus_Tree/octopus_tree.html"><span style="color:#000099;">this</span></a><span style="color:#000099;">.</span> We loved it. Tillamook coast is really beautiful...It was really God's creation at best. Here is some proof.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view&current=October2008mompics050.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/October2008mompics050.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Okay...so that's not scenic, but it's cute.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view&current=October2008mompics054.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/October2008mompics054.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The lighthouse...we walked all around in the top of it...awesome.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view&current=October2008mompics060.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/October2008mompics060.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />"AAHAHHHHHH the sun is in my eyes mommy!" "Shut it kids, we are taking a family picture"<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view&current=October2008mompics057.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/October2008mompics057.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Pacific ocean via Tillamook.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view&current=October2008023.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/October2008023.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A loved the octopus tree.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view&current=October2008031.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/October2008031.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />That girl likes to walk :)<br /><br />We had to pull over on the side of the road on the way to our next stop to take advantage of this unbelievable view.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view&current=October2008047.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/October2008047.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view&current=October2008050.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/October2008050.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After Tillamook, we headed <a href="http://www.cannonbeach.org/"><span style="color:#000099;">here </span></a>and it was AMAZING. I think everytime I have been to the beach here it has been cold and rainy. This time it was different...so beautiful. It was the first time the kids have seen the beach and the boys loved it...Noelle actually hated it, (not surprising) but she'll like it next year!<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view&current=October2008062.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/October2008062.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view&current=October2008065.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/October2008065.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view&current=October2008067.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/October2008067.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view&current=October2008078.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/October2008078.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view&current=October2008097.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/October2008097.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A perfect weekend. They left yesterday morning and I have looked at these pictures about 50 times since! We are heading to Seattle on Friday to see Jordan's sister and family. Did I mention that we really are loving it here?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919791725540528505.post-48730036523083416962008-10-28T11:44:00.001-07:002008-10-28T11:57:45.373-07:00October catch upThis is my attempt to catch up on blogging after a month. I enjoy reading other people's stuff MUCH more than posting my own...but my family seems to want to see pics a bit more frequently than I am posting! <br /><br />Me, Austen and Noelle spent some time in the backyard doing "yardwork" a few weeks ago. There are 4 big garden boxes that we are going to attempt to use to grow a vegetable and fruit garden next year. I have NO idea how to grow things, so any tips would be much appreciated! Me and Austen did plant some bulbs yesterday...the bag said they were VERY easy to grow. We'll see come spring!<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=October2008003.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/October2008003.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />This will be the veggie garden!<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=October2008005-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/October2008005-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Thankfully Austen is willing to handle the garden wildlife, because I am NOT.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=October2008010.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/October2008010.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />This is where we planted the crocus bulbs! There will be a spring update pic!<br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=October2008018.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/October2008018.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Crusin the trike.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=October2008023-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/October2008023-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Apparently cleaning the feet was just as much fun as dirtying the feet.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=October2008033.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/October2008033.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Overalls are only approvable for the pumpkin patch...otherwise just don't do it.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=October2008043.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/October2008043.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I just realized this post is a little Noelle saturated...oh well :)<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=October2008044.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/October2008044.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Austen is very excited to have the biggest pumpkin...too bad he couldn't even pick it up!<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=October2008048.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/October2008048.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Landon...he does exist.<br /><br />On a side note...the weather has actually been amazing here so far. I keep expecting the rain to come, but it hasn't yet and we have been taking advantage as much as possible. We feel so blessed to be here at this very time!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919791725540528505.post-37809969329541722672008-09-20T11:51:00.000-07:002008-09-20T12:03:27.462-07:00Downtown P-townWe have been very "tourist-y" since we have been here so we took the obvious trip to downtown Portland last weekend. Last time we lived here we always drove downtown...driving the wrong way on one way streets, never finding the right bridge, and basically getting lost every time. So this time we parked at the closest Max station to us and rode the train into downtown and it was SO much better! The kids loved it...obviously...what toddler doesn't like train rides. We are trying to do as many fun things outside as possible before it starts raining! Next weekend we will probably be going to the coast...the boys are begging to see "the beach"!<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=September2008001.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/September2008001.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The boys stared out the window during the whole trip. Jordan just...stared.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=September2008002.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/September2008002.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Quite possibly the best pad thai ever.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=September2008006-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/September2008006-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Austen LOVED this! <br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=September2008011.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/September2008011.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />More proof.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=September2008013.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/September2008013.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />This was in Pioneer square. It was a little amphitheater set up and when you stood on the little circle it made a crazy echo that only you could hear.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=September2008016-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/September2008016-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />It was a double piggy day.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=September2008017.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/September2008017.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />He loved it!<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=September2008022.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/September2008022.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />She hung in there until about 4:15..then enough was enough.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=September2008023-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/September2008023-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Every post requires one of these.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919791725540528505.post-81717002797857971692008-09-07T20:51:00.000-07:002008-09-07T21:30:05.376-07:00The last 8 days8 days ago we ate breakfast, said goodbye to my mom and set out on a long LONG journey cross country. It is weird to describe what has happened in 8 days and I won't be able to do it justice. I wanted an amazing photo documentation of our road trip, but I didn't get enough! Oh well...these will have to do! <br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=September2008003.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/September2008003.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Jordan had a major truck driving job to do! He was pretty much amazing at it.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=September2008004.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/September2008004.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Noelle before we even left the driveway...happy girl :)<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=September2008006.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/September2008006.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />My view for 3 days.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=September2008016.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/September2008016.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Cheesy 4 corners picture...Look at the cute chubby hands though!<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=September2008020.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/September2008020.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The Ultimate copilot!<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=September2008023.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/September2008023.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />She was pretty excited about 2 adults and 3 toddler in a hotel room. Me....not so much.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=September2008025.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/September2008025.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />"Raise your hand if it's your birthday today!" Austen turned five in Price, Utah.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=September2008029.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/September2008029.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Wierd forms of entertainment take place on 3 day road trips...don't ask.<br /><br />In the few days that we have been here we have:<br /><br />-Felt INCREDIBLY blessed with having multiple people we didn't even know help us unload our rental truck the night we got here. THANK YOU BEN AND TARA!!! <br />-Reunited with old friends...they made it feel like we never left<br />-Been to Ikea twice<br />-Went bowling at a birthday party<br />-Found a sweet preschool for Austen<br />-Went to Vancouver Farmer's market<br />-Cruised past Multnomah and thanked God out loud for condemning that house. (It was slightly frightening...Mom you would NOT have approved)<br />-Got an overwhelming welcome back at our previous church and spent all afternoon at a church picnic in my favorite park in town.<br /><br />That's kind of a lot in 8 days. I'll leave with even more pics...it's my blog. I pretty much do what I want.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=September2008033.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/September2008033.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The boys at Isabella's BIG AL bowling party!<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=September2008034.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/September2008034.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Reunited BFF's Austen and Isabella. Friends since womb.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=September2008037.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/September2008037.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Sweet toddler bowling apparatus. Why didn't I invent this sweet thing?!<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=September2008038.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/September2008038.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Took this out the window...jealous?<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=September2008041.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/September2008041.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Happy at the church picnic :)<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=September2008042.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/September2008042.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />One more for you mom! She LOVES this hat. It's the only one she'll keep on her head!<br /><br />Despite all the fun...we miss you ABQ.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919791725540528505.post-44886913086178548072008-09-01T19:31:00.000-07:002008-09-01T19:38:29.336-07:00Portland or BUSTWe are in the midst of our cross country trip from ABQ to Portland (or Vancouver if you want to get technical). We are at a truck stop right now outside of Boise, ID experiencing a little bit of traveling delay due to a fatal accident on the interstate. We are about 3 hours behind where we intended to be, but praise God we are safe and have food in our bellies. The trip has been great and the kids are fantastic travelers! I am the whiny one, but I am trying to be on my best behavior...Jordan helps as he is a cross country machine. We hope to be at our new house by tomorrow afternoon...we'll see! Thanks to all who are praying for us...I can literally feel the hand of God on us every mile of this journey...He is so good. <br /><br /> Food is here!!!! Bye for now!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919791725540528505.post-71217340434687631412008-08-25T20:49:00.001-07:002008-08-25T21:59:21.154-07:00Mom...the brideI can't believe that this week is actually here. All of the talking and preparing and planning and here it is! My mom got married this weekend and both of my brothers, my grandma and uncle were here to celebrate. It was fun and now this means that we have to pack :(<br /><br />This will be an ode to family of sorts -<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=IMG_0540.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/IMG_0540.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />My mom, Kim and the boys hanging out at our house.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=IMG_0546.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/IMG_0546.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />With my mom and grandma...I'm pretty happy with my genetics <br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=IMG_0550.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/IMG_0550.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I love my brothers!<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=IMG_0555.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/IMG_0555.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />He's "special", what can I say?<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=IMG_0580.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/IMG_0580.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Noelle loves smelling ALL flowers.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=IMG_0611.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/IMG_0611.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Another photo by Austen the photographer.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=IMG_0635.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/IMG_0635.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />4 generations...awwwwwwww<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=IMG_0641.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/IMG_0641.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The ONLY pic I got of all 3 kids...of course.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=IMG_0661.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/IMG_0661.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I love the McNutts.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=IMG_0672.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/IMG_0672.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Love from Uncle Matt!<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=IMG_0666.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/IMG_0666.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The kids weren't really interested in a family pic.<br /><br /><a href="http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/?action=view¤t=IMG_0657.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e305/stacyroseann/IMG_0657.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I love love love love him.<br /><br />So now the countdown begins...6 days until we go from here to there, dry to wet, ABQ to PDX. We have a lot of packing to do and goodbyes to give out. We are excited and anxious at the same time. I really hate saying goodbye to anyone. It's bittersweet, but there are great adventures that await us in the next time zone.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919791725540528505.post-11309310898035053992008-08-01T00:49:00.001-07:002008-08-01T01:12:53.748-07:00Landon...the ring bearer.<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SJLBezVcPDI/AAAAAAAAATU/qwPNzl57OFM/s1600-h/July+2008+002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229454852250942514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SJLBezVcPDI/AAAAAAAAATU/qwPNzl57OFM/s400/July+2008+002.JPG" border="0" /></a> This picture was too sweet to leave out. Here are the boys at the dinosaur museum. They loved it for obvious reasons...</div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SJLBfIS828I/AAAAAAAAATc/koXJNBKoxyw/s1600-h/July+2008+020.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229454857877642178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SJLBfIS828I/AAAAAAAAATc/koXJNBKoxyw/s400/July+2008+020.JPG" border="0" /></a>JY with A...he was quite the little server that night!</p><p><br /></p><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SJLAv_rkzDI/AAAAAAAAAS8/LzX8XrCZg78/s1600-h/July+2008+010.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229454048111152178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SJLAv_rkzDI/AAAAAAAAAS8/LzX8XrCZg78/s400/July+2008+010.JPG" border="0" /></a> Me and the ring bearer...He was very professional with his ring bearing duties.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SJLAwS3K8NI/AAAAAAAAATE/GX32QprMCbg/s1600-h/July+2008+006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229454053260062930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SJLAwS3K8NI/AAAAAAAAATE/GX32QprMCbg/s400/July+2008+006.JPG" border="0" /></a> And we genuinely had a good ole time together...he's really that funny.</p><p><br /></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SJLAw6b0MpI/AAAAAAAAATM/eQ2APszgyQ8/s1600-h/July+2008+018.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229454063882744466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SJLAw6b0MpI/AAAAAAAAATM/eQ2APszgyQ8/s400/July+2008+018.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>Landon liked the toast. He toasted about 15 times.<br /><br /></p><br /><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxvP0AZgP70hCFu0geYhv5flXMQOfU_fDD8Cqfk0XH-HzhjNVgo2j5n5wxoyeluAhpVUTcgoXOoE2t1d0_5Kg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p align="center">This is just one of the videos of Landon's dance moves at the reception...</p><p align="center">He clearly inherited his rhythm from his dad.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919791725540528505.post-71111534270527799572008-07-21T15:49:00.000-07:002008-07-21T16:07:15.801-07:00I think it's really happening.<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SIUWUXVh-UI/AAAAAAAAAS0/f3UfbuegyAA/s1600-h/ptown.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225607481750845762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SIUWUXVh-UI/AAAAAAAAAS0/f3UfbuegyAA/s400/ptown.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Maybe this post is a little premature...but I think it's actually happening. We really are moving. I guess I just keep waiting for something to self-destruct. We started talking and praying about this move last September. I typically don't like to make long, drawn out calculated motion. I think something sounds awesome, and then do it. But God hasn't really allowed any othat sporadic business...<br /><br />We sold our house...it fell through...sold it again<br /><br />Moving to Portland...moving to Dallas...moving to Portland<br /><br />Got on-campus cheap housing...house got condemned...just secured a home (without "major structural damage")<br /><br />None of these things were really devastating to us...just little bumps in the road. The only thing I really know about the path that God has for us is the <strong>final</strong> destination...I won't really complain about detours or road quality.<br /><br />All that to say...we have a place to live, have a place to work, have a place to learn and now we are ready to go! Now I just need to figure out how to sneak my mom on the rental truck without her realizing it.<br /><br />We do have a lot of fun things happening in the next 6 weeks though to keep me occupied. Landon is in a wedding next weekend. There WILL be hilarious pictures of that. Jordan is officiating 2 weddings...one being my mom's! My family will be meeting my grandma for the first time as she is flying in for my mom's wedding.<br /><br />I am not quite ready for the trauma of saying goodbye to family, friends and co-workers yet, so I will continue living in denial of that reality until the last possible moment!</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225606909562102370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SIUVzDxGomI/AAAAAAAAASs/aAltrULghQk/s400/house.bmp" border="0" /><br />No more front yards landscaped with rocks?! What will we do with all of this grass?<br /><p></p><br /><p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919791725540528505.post-79118253261208409112008-07-11T15:29:00.000-07:002008-07-11T16:03:46.342-07:00Friends and FamilyI have a lot of recent pics of the kids with their little friends and they are too cute! I can't believe that in 6 weeks we will be leaving this place. So this is just a little recap on the haps.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221892377612344434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SHfjc17nXHI/AAAAAAAAASc/yRRz0reKDkU/s400/July+08+055.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center">I should really post the pic of them laying side by side at ages 1 month and 4 months so you can all appreciate this the way I do....not a whole lot warms my heart more than watching these two together. This is Austen with his BFF Gracyn.</div><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SHfjfqx1pqI/AAAAAAAAASk/ig38eFGfHFU/s1600-h/July+08+071.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221892426158155426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SHfjfqx1pqI/AAAAAAAAASk/ig38eFGfHFU/s400/July+08+071.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p align="center">This is something we like to call "tripod". It occurs when you are least expecting it...it's been happnening for the last 6 months.<br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221890466329330162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SHfhtl2PAfI/AAAAAAAAASE/GVMbA_ha_C0/s400/July+08+033.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p></p><p align="center">My dad drove his Harley from Tyler on his birthday to come see us! He is hardcore.</p><p></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221889802937774098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SHfhG-hXMBI/AAAAAAAAAR8/MVDfAfxWvOQ/s400/July+08+037.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Noelle likes swinging at the park...you can even push her higher, she will only smile.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221890511782230578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SHfhwPLDOjI/AAAAAAAAASM/mnE_gM4PCZM/s400/July+08+039.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">I told him "Landon you are too big for the baby swing". He was persistant. And he does not like to be pushed higher.</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221890527130622898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SHfhxIWZG7I/AAAAAAAAASU/0WHf9cVKG5w/s400/July+08+044.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">This is Jacob and Pierce...Noelle's boyfriends. I said "It's picture time babes!". Clearly someone has had some photo-op training.</p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919791725540528505.post-58731996623626781092008-06-17T22:30:00.000-07:002008-06-17T22:55:52.824-07:00Summertime!Our last month has kept us pretty occupied doing mostly...nothing. We've been in our rental house for almost a month now and it's starting to feel more comfortable. Jordan and I have been talking about how weird it feels to know you will only live somewhere for 3 months...we can't really "get settled" or really unpacked for that matter. I think we are trying to find the balance between our excitement of what's to come and still be productive and meaningful while we are here. Tonight we had dinner with my mom and swam at the pool...it was great. Here are some random pics of the last few weeks! Noelle kind of dominates, but what's new.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SFihyW-AvWI/AAAAAAAAAQw/UruPE4mE52I/s1600-h/IMG_0210.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SFihyW-AvWI/AAAAAAAAAQw/UruPE4mE52I/s400/IMG_0210.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213094455212555618" border="0" /></a><br />For the record, Noelle is NOT a fan of the pool.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SFihylDBs3I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/iqO2G1JsCeg/s1600-h/IMG_0220.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SFihylDBs3I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/iqO2G1JsCeg/s400/IMG_0220.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213094458991686514" border="0" /></a><br />I hear that in addition to adding 10 pounds, the camera also can make your face looked jacked up while catching flying children in a pool...weird coincidence.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SFihzWXE9TI/AAAAAAAAARA/JUSb3YJHgKo/s1600-h/IMG_0229.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SFihzWXE9TI/AAAAAAAAARA/JUSb3YJHgKo/s400/IMG_0229.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213094472229123378" border="0" /></a><br />This is the closest Noelle would come to the pool...no kisses for you Dad.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SFihKtQiY8I/AAAAAAAAAQI/pyWpRtcORS8/s1600-h/Noelle+017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SFihKtQiY8I/AAAAAAAAAQI/pyWpRtcORS8/s400/Noelle+017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213093774001071042" border="0" /></a><br />The girl looks good in orange!<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SFihLeaK2mI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/nEhyQIKchdM/s1600-h/Noelle+021.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SFihLeaK2mI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/nEhyQIKchdM/s400/Noelle+021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213093787194808930" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SFihLnWlCYI/AAAAAAAAAQY/zS_SvpYivvY/s1600-h/Noelle+023.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SFihLnWlCYI/AAAAAAAAAQY/zS_SvpYivvY/s400/Noelle+023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213093789595666818" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SFihMHvj_XI/AAAAAAAAAQg/eLuoqJ0MyZw/s1600-h/IMG_0197.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SFihMHvj_XI/AAAAAAAAAQg/eLuoqJ0MyZw/s400/IMG_0197.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213093798290390386" border="0" /></a><br />Grandaddy was in town took us out to eat! It was good times!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SFihMeAuFLI/AAAAAAAAAQo/ZoSEuhyR2aA/s1600-h/IMG_0201.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SFihMeAuFLI/AAAAAAAAAQo/ZoSEuhyR2aA/s400/IMG_0201.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213093804267934898" border="0" /></a><br />A brotherly pedicure. Just take my word for it...this did NOT end well.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SFifgf39AkI/AAAAAAAAAPg/OczFpfco-GA/s1600-h/IMG_0165.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SFifgf39AkI/AAAAAAAAAPg/OczFpfco-GA/s400/IMG_0165.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213091949342163522" border="0" /></a><br />Me and "the officiant".<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SFifg9y68PI/AAAAAAAAAPo/ByU_P-tqiQI/s1600-h/Noelle+008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SFifg9y68PI/AAAAAAAAAPo/ByU_P-tqiQI/s400/Noelle+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213091957374120178" border="0" /></a><br />I seriously can't stop myself.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SFifhOWtiYI/AAAAAAAAAPw/FogzP6HNwuc/s1600-h/Noelle+003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SFifhOWtiYI/AAAAAAAAAPw/FogzP6HNwuc/s400/Noelle+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213091961819203970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SFifhnSVl_I/AAAAAAAAAP4/qkIOZ5qioKo/s1600-h/Noelle+011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SFifhnSVl_I/AAAAAAAAAP4/qkIOZ5qioKo/s400/Noelle+011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213091968511743986" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SFifiIZLrgI/AAAAAAAAAQA/ybpyl4Zj2_w/s1600-h/Noelle+010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SFifiIZLrgI/AAAAAAAAAQA/ybpyl4Zj2_w/s400/Noelle+010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213091977398824450" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919791725540528505.post-29351456122233863612008-05-23T13:42:00.000-07:002008-05-23T14:30:28.689-07:00Relocation Schizophrenia<div align="left"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SDcylgYhUFI/AAAAAAAAAO4/aPOAqCcVgoo/s1600-h/mount+hood+awesomeness.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203683514379227218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SDcylgYhUFI/AAAAAAAAAO4/aPOAqCcVgoo/s400/mount+hood+awesomeness.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I have really delayed writing a blog on what's been happening with us purely because whenever I say we have a made a decision about something...then the opposite seems to happen. It's like we have bad blog-ma or something. Either way, I feel compelled to share so I must.<br /><br /><br />Well, we were obviously pretty bummed about our previous house deal bust, however about a couple of weeks later we received a second offer on the house. The same week that we were mulling over this offer, the college in Portland (Multnomah Bible College) called and told us that we have been approved for on campus family housing....a 4 bedroom almost 1500 square foot house! The rent for the house is about half what we are paying in mortgage! So....after about a week, we did decide to accept the house offer and are now planning on moving to Portland at the beginning of September. As excited as I was about Dallas, I think I would have been devastated to hear that we were approved for on-campus housing AFTER having relocated...so these crazy turn of events really happened at exactly the right time and we are truly thankful for it. I wish I could articulate into words how Jordan and I feel about this move for our family, but I really can't. Just know that as hard as it will be to leave our friends and family here, we are equally excited to see just what God has planned for us in Portland.<br /><br /><br />In other equally exciting news...Austen "graduated" from preschool. We are still undecided whether or not to start him in kindergarten this year. His birthday is September 1st which is THE cutoff day...so we'll see. Landon is still Landon, and Noelle is walking now...so cute! My mom is "offically" engaged and will be getting married in August or September. I am very happy for her!!!<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203683527264129122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SDcymQYhUGI/AAAAAAAAAPA/IMH7WhHNTrI/s400/May+2008+004.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />She graduated from the walker recently, but is still just as excited about it!<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203683535854063730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SDcymwYhUHI/AAAAAAAAAPI/5Jx--FaAZKw/s400/May+2008+001.JPG" border="0" /><br />Watermelon is clearly the summer fruit of choice!<br /></div><p align="center"></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203683557328900226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SDcyoAYhUII/AAAAAAAAAPQ/KhpSaRq33t4/s400/May+2008+002.JPG" border="0" /></p><p></p><p align="center">Sometimes they really do love each other!</p><p></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203683561623867538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SDcyoQYhUJI/AAAAAAAAAPY/J_BGMJfePSk/s400/May+2008+024.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">And of course....the RING. Good one mom.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919791725540528505.post-49783878773944050352008-04-28T14:34:00.001-07:002008-04-28T14:36:42.020-07:00If Gap sold tricycles...<div align="center">Noelle would be a shoe-in for an ad model.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194413090608206498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SBZDL0pXUqI/AAAAAAAAAOI/X_IU8s2oo7w/s400/March-April+08+051.JPG" border="0" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919791725540528505.post-39774998734225208982008-04-17T15:22:00.000-07:002008-04-17T15:31:03.228-07:00School pics<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SAfPjIBn1wI/AAAAAAAAAN4/1ZurY-01CV8/s1600-h/scan0001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190345297924445954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SAfPjIBn1wI/AAAAAAAAAN4/1ZurY-01CV8/s320/scan0001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SAfPjoBn1xI/AAAAAAAAAOA/dq85iELH_eQ/s1600-h/scan0002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190345306514380562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SAfPjoBn1xI/AAAAAAAAAOA/dq85iELH_eQ/s320/scan0002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I've always thought that school pics were so boring and pretty much un-cute....until I got the boy's preschool pics this year. Seriously...how cute is this?! Due to financial situations we had to pull both of the boys out of their preschool classes in December, but thanks to the generosity and grace of Jordan's parents they were able to continue going this year. We are so thankful to them for that! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919791725540528505.post-82690602628802957062008-04-16T12:19:00.000-07:002008-04-16T13:02:34.014-07:00Hopefulness in frustrations<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SAZRX4Bn1vI/AAAAAAAAANw/7wfc9N3_K0k/s1600-h/House_For_SALE_SIGN.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189925091209107186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/SAZRX4Bn1vI/AAAAAAAAANw/7wfc9N3_K0k/s320/House_For_SALE_SIGN.gif" border="0" /></a><br />Here are some things that I have said in the last 2 weeks:<br /><br />"Wow, I can't believe everything is working out so perfectly!"<br />"This is crazy timing!"<br />"I can't believe our house sold!"<br /><br />On Monday morning, my girls at work threw me the most fantastic going away brunch ever! It was fun, laid back and exactly what I had hoped it would be. 5 hours later my travel contract for my job in Plano came in the mail and as I was looking over it all to sign and mail, Bob the realtor called to tell us that the buyer's "pre-approved" loan did not get accepted. He also non-chalantly stated that he would be over in 30 minutes to take our SOLD sign down and replace it with the flyer tube again. <br /><br />So hmmmm....here we are back at square one. I think we are as disppointed now as we were excited 2 weeks ago. I've heard everything from "This must not be God's timing", "This is God testing your faith", "This is Satan trying to tear you down", to "This is worst case scenario". I can not say that I really agree with any of these. It is what it is. Nothing is guaranteed. We wanted to move in 2 weeks, and we planned on it, but now it's not happening and that is okay. We have everything in the world to be grateful for and one setback is not going to destroy that! It's taken me about 48 hours to get over my initial anger and now we are ready to persevere!<br /><br />I have a some faith left in the housing market and it is still our hope to be in Dallas by the fall for Jordan to start at Criswell. A good friend of mine shared this verse to me yesterday...it is encouraging and daily I am trying to figure out how to do what is says :)<br /><br />"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919791725540528505.post-18416745972101439072008-04-06T21:38:00.000-07:002008-04-06T22:07:19.633-07:00Goodbye rain, Hello humidity.I think I may create the ultimate blog blasphemy and create a post with no pictures...bear with me because I just have a lot to say. Jordan and I have had an incredibly crazy last week or so. I think I can best describe the events in a screenplay format....here we go:<br /><br /><strong>Sometime last week</strong><br />Stacy: I've been looking at schools online in Dallas, TX and I think you should check them out. Maybe, just give us some more options.<br /><br />Jordan: Why would we want to go to Dallas...that's dumb. I'll talk to Richard and see what I can find out though.<br /><br /><strong>2 days later</strong><br />Jordan: I found a sweet school named Criswell College. I wonder if it's legit.<br /><br />Stacy: Let's just freakin drive to Dallas this weekend and find out.<br /><br /><strong>Sunday morning in Dallas:</strong><br />Stacy: I like Criswell. And I can give you list of a million reasons why Dallas trumps Portland. But it doesn't really matter because no one is ever going to buy our flippin house in Albuquerque.<br /><br />Jordan: Yeah...stupid housing market.<br /><br /><strong>Sunday afternoon in Dallas:</strong><br />Bob the Realtor via phone: Someone just put a sweet offer on your house.<br /><br />Jordan: Shut up.<br /><br />Bob: Congrats. You close on April 25th.<br /><br />So....this was the turn of events in a nutshell. To say we are surprised and overwhelmed would be a massive understatement. We really had no preconcieved ideas of going to Dallas or even considering it before last week, but for some reason it was on my heart and we started talking about it. It made no sense to drive all five of us down there for 4 days to check it out...we were really just searching for clarity because it seemed that we had none. Why would our house out of the other 150+ homes for sale just in Ventana Ranch sell...and for an actual profit!!!! It's truly a miracle and we feel that we are walking right where God has intended all along. We don't have many details finalized as far as where in Dallas we will actually be living in 3 weeks, but we are working on it and we have a number of options.<br /><br />I am devastated to leave Albuquerque. I can't imagine not living near my mom or our best friends, but in order for Jordan to complete what he dreams to do, then we must. The past 3 1/2 years have created so many memories, that I am liable to break our housing contract if I think about them right now. I'll have to create another blog later filled with all the things I am going to miss here.<br /><br />I look forward to Dallas and Jordan finishing his degree with excitement. If we have to be anywhere else than here, then Dallas is a perfect fit. I look forward to the plans God has for us. And it is my prayer that our eyes and ears remain open to Him so we can follow Him humbly wherever he may take us.<br /><em></em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919791725540528505.post-56863524425988787852008-03-13T21:53:00.000-07:002008-03-13T22:39:35.548-07:00March Madness<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#663300;">If I blogged as much as I thought about blogging, then I'm sure this would be a lot more interesting! Instead, I get sidetracked and a month goes by and I have procrastinated to the max. Either way...we've been having a good ole time and here are some pics to prove it! </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#663300;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></div><p align="center"><span style="color:#663300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177457803568244706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/R9oGcOVCZ-I/AAAAAAAAAMY/fbfOumbOriI/s320/March+2008+134.JPG" border="0" /> Noelle thinks her own feet are pretty hilarious...and basically anything my mom does with her :) </span></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></div><p align="center"><span style="color:#663300;"></span></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#663300;"></span></div><span style="color:#663300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177463580299257986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/R9oLseVCaII/AAAAAAAAANo/cnL0QMcgphY/s320/March+2008+129.JPG" border="0" /><br /></span><div align="center"><span style="color:#663300;">Me and Austen just chillaxin...that kid loves the camera.</span></div><br /><span style="color:#663300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177457812158179330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/R9oGcuVCaAI/AAAAAAAAAMo/9dkPWb_ZQbw/s320/March+2008+120.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /></span><div align="center"><br /><span style="color:#663300;">Um, Landon liked the baby doll a little more than Jordan and were comfortable with.<br /></span></div><p><span style="color:#663300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177457391251384274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/R9oGEOVCZ9I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/nZG-hS58d5I/s320/March+2008+118.JPG" border="0" /></span></p><span style="color:#663300;">Noelle LOVES this baby...she cracks up everytime she sees her and insists that she sleep in her bed...by "insist" I mean pointing and grunting.<br /><br /><br /></span><p align="center"></p><span style="color:#663300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177459302511831058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/R9oHzeVCaBI/AAAAAAAAAMw/mvn4SW6MNi8/s320/March+2008+125.JPG" border="0" /><br /></span><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#663300;">Classic...I have no idea what he is cracking up about.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="color:#663300;">Last weekend we went to our friend Braidyn's birthday party at Hootz fun zone. It's basically a warehouse of big inflatable slides and jumpers things. We had such a blast watching the boys play. I was SHOCKED that Landon ended up liking it. I literally drug him on to the first play set while he was screaming bloody murder...I could see all the other mom's shaking their heads. But it ended up being worth it for him. Next year we will conquer the fear of precipitation, in 2008 the battle against slides was officially won.</span></p><span style="color:#663300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177461050563520546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/R9oJZOVCaCI/AAAAAAAAAM4/TIDX6t4nx7I/s320/March+2008+145.JPG" border="0" /> </span><p align="center"><span style="color:#663300;">Probably my favorite picture of Landon so far too date. </span></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></p><span style="color:#663300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177461054858487858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/R9oJZeVCaDI/AAAAAAAAANA/V2CC6A1vHYc/s320/March+2008+150.JPG" border="0" /> </span><p align="center"><span style="color:#663300;">It's faster that it looks! Austen went down about 1,852 times. </span></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#663300;"><br /></span></p><span style="color:#663300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177461059153455170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/R9oJZuVCaEI/AAAAAAAAANI/vDQ-guVkYg0/s320/March+2008+160.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /></span><p align="center"><span style="color:#663300;">I have to admit Jordan and I had our fair share of sliding too :)</span></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#663300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177461063448422482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/R9oJZ-VCaFI/AAAAAAAAANQ/3dC-tybsHEU/s320/March+2008+157.JPG" border="0" /><br />Here is one party goer who did not slide. I would like to dedicate this picture to the manufacturers of <em>Benadryl</em>...I love you.</span></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#663300;"></span></p><span style="color:#663300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177461067743389794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/R9oJaOVCaGI/AAAAAAAAANY/m7zXaDNnWQI/s320/March+2008+162.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /></span><p align="center"><span style="color:#663300;">"Landon, I promise we will come back to Hoot's again soon" He was not so pleasant on the car ride home.<br /><br /></span></p><span style="color:#663300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177462678356125810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MY-UggGLqnc/R9oK3-VCaHI/AAAAAAAAANg/qq5yVflxElU/s320/March+2008+163.JPG" border="0" /><br /></span><p align="center"><span style="color:#663300;">Just in case you were wondering what Landon looks like at bedtime after a day at Hoot's with no nap...there you have it. (There was no Benadryl involved in the taking of this picture). I do love snuggle time. :)<br /></span></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#663300;"></span></p><p><br /><span style="color:#663300;">In other Young-related news...Jordan is doing fantastic in school. He's maintaining all A's so far...even in college algebra! I am so very proud of him. We've also been checking out some other churches in Albuquerque and are so encouraged at what the body of Christ is doing here. I think we are guilty of putting ourselves in a social bubble and not paying attention to basic needs of others...in our city and as far away as Haiti. We have been incredibly challenged spiritually these last few months. We are daily, prayerfully seeking wisdom in our decisions. I truly believe God has something planned with us that is better than anything I can ask or imagine. But asking and imagining is kind of wearing me out, so I've simply resorted to listening and obeying. </span></p><p><span style="color:#663300;">I think that's all for now. I'll try to be a more consistent blogger....GOSH!<br /></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9