After the rain...

cute

mixed signals

     

I love hay bails.  I started to fall in love with Colby on top of a hay bail in Memphis, TN during the summer of 2000.  Of course, as we were on the hay bail, Colby was asking me (for the 5th time) if I saw any hope in the future for a relationship between us and I was explaining to him that I was not interested in ever dating him nor marrying him or anyone else for the matter.  Exclusive relationships were like a prison to me, and instead, I was heading to the jungles of Ecuador to be a single missionary.   I graciously offered him the opportunity to be my neighbor, but boyfriend/eventual husband was truly out of the question.  He kindly listened while he was rejected for the fifth time.  As the night got later and my soliloquy continued, I found myself cuddled up next to him as I explained my future intentions.  He wasn't sure what to do with this mixed message, but he somehow found enough strength to ask me for the final time on September 1st, 2000, if there was any hope for us.  At 5:00 p.m. I had said no, but after sitting through a rain shower, a sunset, and twilight, I finally confessed under a star-studded sky that  I needed him and wanted to be with him. On September 1st, 2001, wedding bells were ringing, and now...well...let me just conclude by saying that every time I see a hay bail I have to smile.

more reunion pictures

for some reason, my dad's computer will only let me add one picture per post....oh well, I guess this just gives me more posts and more points from Jason...(Does anyone else feel like they are in a blog-off?)  

Reunions are wierd.  It was like stepping back into a different life seeing people that I used to spend every day with, yet haven't seen for ten years.  Melissa and I both lost our voices the first night as we tried to talk with everyone in the crowded bar.  I am really thankful that the reunion happened to be the weekend that I was here in town, and even more grateful that Melissa could fly in and stay with me for the  festivities.  I am so blessed to have such a great best friend! 

The Dairy State

I flew to WI with the girls on Wednesday so we could visit with my family while Colby is in Iceland.  The girls are loving time with Nonny and Poppy, I am going to my 10 Year high school reunion this weekend with Melissa Kane, and everyone is having a great time...right, Colby?  Here are a few pictures of our adventures so far.

Colby in Iceland

You can read about Colby's trip to Iceland over at his personal blog.

Andoo

My brother visited last weekend and we had a great time together. Thank you, Andrew, for flying from Connecticut to visit us! Darcy woke up Sunday morning and said, "Ukkle Andoo?" and I had to explain to her that you were gone already. Haley commented, "I like Uncle Andrew. He does fun things with me....mommy, can YOU do fun things with me?" Feel free to visit us in Iceland..the girls will be waiting!

Metacognition

I'm sitting here in class at LU again, at my last intensive before Iceland --Counseling 512: Group Process. Nancy and I drove out here together and are in the same class in the mornings. In the afternoons, we break into groups of 7 where we are experiencing a small group first-hand. I am loving this class and devoting all my focus and energy to being aware of my thoughts and communicating them to the group. It is exhausting, however, to delve into the realms of emotionally hidden depths, in addition to the home work we have every night! Nancy and I went hiking in the mountains by Liberty last night and watched a thunderstorm roll in. Also, we have been going to the track every night and I have been trying to do some speed work. That helps me relax and process everything I've been experiencing. Hang on, Colby! Only two more nights and I'll be home!

Big Girl Bed

Darcy has officially made the transition to her new toddler bed that the Pattersons gave us before they moved. I thought it would be good to train her to stay in a bed before training in Richmond and Iceland. More pictures are forthcoming...

Last Saturday

Last Saturday we went with Pillar to the National Zoo. To add to the excitement, we picked up a "gorilla" who was holding a sign "Take me to the zoo." Ruthe Clifton hid under the bus, Darcy wrapped her legs tightly around me, and Haley Jane said, "Hey, my daddy has that mask!" When the gorilla got on the bus, however, Haley Jane was not so sure.
It was a good day seeing many animals and enjoying fine company. Right at 2:00 (the time we were told to meet at the entrance to leave), the heavens opened up and we were in the midst of a torrential downpour; To add to the drama, we were sitting right under a leaky gutter. After waiting patiently for our bus to pull up, I soon learned that Clint and Jonathan (the driver) were hiding out in the Ape house.
I was trying to make the best of it ("Haley, look...it's like we're behind a waterfall!"), but when the wind changed directions and started blowing the waterfall in our faces, the screaming started and the fun and games were over. Good news: at 3:00, Jonathan finally came with the bus to save us. It was a very memorable day.

Friday is my favorite day

Breakfast together, Big Picture Story Bible, Sesame Street, picnic at Fletcher's Landing, snake sighting, 23 Mile Bike Ride on the C&O Trail, pit stop at Great Falls, baby fox sighting, sore legs, new Crocs dropped from bike by Darcy, new Crocs saved by Mommy who was trailing 300 meters behind, strawberry milkshake at sunset by the Potomac, waiting till 95 clears to go home, taking ibuprofen, going to bed early, exhausted and refreshed all at the same time.