It's what keeps us coming back . . . . again & again & again!!!

So, we are very blessed to be such close friends with the Owen Family. We've known them for about 5 1/2 years now and yet it seems like forever - in a good way! Unfortunately, they moved away from Washington 2 years ago BUT they didn't move far enough away to "escape us"! Anyway, two weekends ago we spent some of our vacation time down here helping build a shed for them. We had a blast staying up way past our "bedtime"! We are now back down here to finish up the shed and help celebrate David's 6th birthday! All of this to say - we LOVE our friends and this is what keeps us coming back . . . again and again and again!!!!

my blogging bff wants to fill your thanks tank!!!

One of my very bestest buds is having a giveaway on her blog. So hop on over and check it out. Her posts are always funny and entertaining or thought provoking and spiritually inspiring. Her blog is why I started my own. Let me know if you end up being a winner to one of her awesome giveaways!!!

The End is Here

So the end of the '08-'09 school year has finally arrived for us in Bethel School District in Western Washington. As always, we are excited to see the school year end and for summer to arrive! But I also wonder how long the euphoria of summer will last before we are ready for the new school year to begin?!?! The ending of this year is a little bittersweet because this is the girls' last year at Graham Elementary. A new elementary school will be opening in the fall and because of new boundary lines we will become Nelson Navigators and be Graham Grizzlies no more! While the prospect of being at a brand new school holds great appeal, I think the girls are a little sad to be moving. And I feel pretty bad for them because this will be there fourth elementary school they've been at since starting school! Anah is only going into the fourth grade! But lots of their school friends and all of the kids they ride the bus with will moving so I'm sure it will end up being all good! Here are some pictures of the girls on their last day and also some from their first day as well! Look how they've grown!!!

Savanah Janne' - June 16th, 2009

Samantha Reigh - June 16th, 2009

Savanah - September 2nd, 2008

Samantha - September 2nd, 2008

Some things I learned . . . . while on vacation!!!

My sisters, cousin and I just got back from an amazing trip to Belize, C.A. "Belize" it or not - C.A. does not stand for California but Central America. (I actually knew this before leaving for Belize but was a little shocked at how many people didn't even know what Belize was!) Anyway, it was such a beautiful place and we had a ton of fun. I thought it might be interesting to share a couple of things I "learned" while gone!

• i am actually capable of drinking not one, or two or even three but FOUR whole cups of coffee in the morning without reheating a single one if I take the time to sit down and enjoy my coffee without being distracted by other things.
• i can survive without Facebook for a whole week and not even have withdrawals.
• i'm surprisingly getting much better at the whole flying thing and did just fine on all of our flights to and from Belize as well as the two tiny airplane rides we took while in Belize flying from Ambergris Caye to the mainland and then back again - no nausea and no panic attacks.
• i didn't miss my cell phone one stinkin' bit while gone and could have went a whole nother week or two without turning it on once i was home!
• i am not as young as i once was and that fact doesn't bother me in the slightest.
• i am not now - nor was i ever into the "party scene".
• i truly enjoy karaoke even though i am not very good at it!
• i smile too big for pictures.
• i smile too much for snorkeling.
• i am getting to old for sleeping on hide-a-beds!
• i look better with a tan!
• God has created the most magnificent world and I love being able to see all the things and places that he has made.
• the Caribbean is indescribable in its beauty!!!
• i love meeting new people and getting to know more about them and their lives.
• i don't like being ignored!
• i could live in Belize if the opportunity ever presented itself!
• Belizean Red Beans and Rice is SO YUMMY!!!!!

Blessed by my Momma!

Though I'm a day late - I still want to wish my Mom a very Happy Mother's Day! I am truly blessed by the most wonderful momma in the world. I love you, Mommy!