P.B.

So, I just got off the phone with my best friend from growing up, Jen Picos. She told me that the pastor I grew up with has been diagnosed with cancer in his brain. He has had melenoma (sp?) skin cancer for years and now it has apparently moved into his brain. Apparently he doesn't have long to live. He is in his 80's and has lived a great life but it is still sad to think that his life might come to an end soon. Jen said that she was going to write Pastor Bonner (my family nicknamed him P.B) a letter about how much he has meant to her over the years and all he has done for her family and I couldn't pass up that opporunity myself. I think I will write him a letter but in the meantime, I wanted to let my blog friends know a little about the difference this precious man has made in my life.

When I was home for Christmas last year, my sisters and I took a trip to the grocery store to pick up some ice cream and in walked PB. He asked how each of us were doing and was so sincere with his sweet words, telling us he was proud of us and happy for where our lives have taken us. He knew what each of us were doing and all about my sister's families. It was obvious that he cared about us and was keeping up with our lives via our grandparents (or some other source). This is who PB is, a genuine, sweet man who truly cares for people.

One of my favorite quotes (I am not sure where it is from) is, "Preach the gospel and when necessary...use words". PB lives this quote out perfectly. Looking back on all the years I have known him (or remember him since I have known him all my life), I don't remember the sermons he preached but I do remember him showing me Christ through many things: his actions, his concern for people, his sweet nature, his nonjudgmental nature and his love for life and God. I have respected and admired this man all of my life, there is not one negative thing I can say about him. He has lived his life truly loving and serving God and His people and it shows. I remember PB as someone who always visited the sick in the hospital, attended all the funerals, showed up at many youth events, showed up to graduation parties (I still can remember the hug he gave me at my high school graduation party and the words he shared with me about how he was proud of me), played with the kids, and he seemed to get along and connect with all age groups.

He truly is a man of God and has lived his life to the fullest. I hope that one day, when I have aged, people can look back on my life and say that my love for God was evident and that I showed Christ to others not through my words but through my actions.

PB is a special person and I truly hope that I will be able to see him again this side of Heaven.

Back to School

Yes, it is that time again....I can hardly believe it! The summer months went by way too fast and I had way too much fun! :) It was a great summer full of great family time, fun weekend trips with friends and nannying for a very sweet family.

I feel like this post is boring without pictures but you will have to wait for some pictures! :) In the meantime I will leave you with some highlights of the first week of school (minus no sleep and the craziness of getting back into a crazy busy routine):

1. Receiving big hugs and love from my students from last year. Even though they were such a challenging class, I miss them and love every time I get to see any of them!

2. Hearing one of my new students tell his classmates that this is going to be his best year ever on the first day of school.

3. Coming back to my classroom not knowing that my students were in there waiting for me! I opened the door and the said, "Surprise! we love you!". On that day, I so needed to hear that!

4. Coaching volleyball with my great friend Angela and hearing my volleyball girls use the word "precious" because they know I am obsessed with that word.

5. Having a parent from last year tell me that my love for my students is so evident and that I made a significant difference in her son's life.

6. Being back in the community that I love and having so many meaningful conversations with my amazing coworkers.

Can you tell I love my job and where I work? :) It definitely has its challenges but it so rewarding all at the same time.

Being an auntie is the best...

I have had so much fun hanging out with Sydney (and Tiffany and Nick :) this week. I have missed being able to play with her as much as I am able to with Micah. Tonight I am watching Sydney as Tif and Nick went on a date. I thoroughly enjoyed my one on one time with her: we laughed, played, laughed some more and then played some more! :) For the month of August, I am living with Steve, Heather and Micah as I am in transition from one apartment to the next (long story), so it has been fun to see Micah (and Steve and Heather :) every day. Sydney and Micah both have such sweet personalities and are so easy to love! Here are some recent pictures of their cuteness.

Micah and Sydney playing together.

Sydney has been fooled into thinking that yogurt is ice cream.

I leave the room for one minute and this is what I come back to....

She is so easy to love on and make laugh :)

Micah playing in one of my moving boxes. He had a blast peeking in and out of there. He looks so big and handsome in this picture!

Redfish Lake

Once again, our family vacation to Redfish was a blast! We had crazy weather: sunny, warm, thunderstorms, pouring rain...it was fabulous! We spent most of our time at the beach this year which was fun and entertaining with two little ones!

Sydney reading her "booka"

Heather, Micah and Mom doing one of our favorite Redfish activities: sitting in front of the lodge.

Micah showing Sydney some love.

Sydney and Auntie

I only went on a very short kayak run this year as it was so windy and hard to steer but I still had fun! :)

Where has the summer gone? I have had such a blast this summer: traveling and nannying for such a sweet family. I am not ready to give in to the fact that school is just around the corner!

Creation

I have always wanted to go to Creation and this year I was finally able to go. We had a blast! It is held at the Gorge in George, WA...a very scenic and beautiful place! It was awesome to be able to listen to concerts and/or worship God under the stars and overlooking the beautiful Columbia River! I got to see some of my favorite bands, some of my least favorite bands and was introduced to a few new bands that I enjoyed!

On top of listening to music, I had a blast with the people I went with. Angela is a teacher I work with and we were there with her mom and brother and a family from her church. We all clicked and just had a great time together. It was fun camping, enjoying freezing cold showers, basking in the sun and swimming in the river.

Angela and I, freezing cold the first night.
The sun setting behind the Columbia River.

Sharing one of many crazy moments together.

This is us ready for the candle lighting service...too bad it was so windy that our candles would not stay lit. Oh well, it is still a fun memory.

Angela and I enjoying a bit of sun and music.

Now I am off for family vacation at Redfish Lake. I am SO excited, we have all been counting down the days for so long! Now the time has finally come! After that I am going to be staying with Tif, Nick and Sydney for a week which should be fun! When I get back, I only have one week of summer left and then it is back to school I go! I cannot believe how fast this summer has gone but it has been loads of fun!

Lake Chelan

This past weekend, I took a very quick trip to Lake Chelan. I went over there to cheer on my dear friend Debbie as she ran a triathalon (and her friend Danielle) and hung out with her son Daniel as they participated in the race. I had a blast hanging out with Daniel and also being able to see one of my roommates from college, Meyo, who I haven't seen in five years! It was so great to see her and hang out! Lake Chelan is absolutely beautiful and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there!

Meyo and I.

Me posing for a picture as Daniel and I waited for Danielle and Debbie to come by on their bikes. We followed them along the trail and stopped ahead of them so we could cheer them on and take some pictures.
Daniel and I having fun together.
Danielle and Debbie on the run!
Daniel posing with Debbie once she finished the race!

Wordle

This is a fun little waste of time project! :) Click on the picture to see a bigger version and to figure out how you, too, can be as cool as me and have one of these on your blog! :)