June 29, 2005

It's hard to believe that this picture was taken one year ago today and that Melea has already been there and back again. It was such a blessing to be able to visit her motherland with her and to be able to meet her birth family. What an incredible once in a lifetime experience, but the memories will last a lifetime. I still don't fully understand how or why she was placed for adoption, but this I know for sure: Their loss was my gain and I can't imagine my life without her!

{Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed~ Psalm 139:16

"... I know what I am planning for you," says the Lord. "I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future~ Jeremiah 29:11}

It's Here!

Summer that is.

It took longer than usual to get here.

Too much spring and too much rain.

Not that I'm complaining. Really, I'm not.

I like rain.

I just like it better when each season does its thing and stays within its alloted time.

In my opinion April showers are supposed to bring May flowers and sunshine. NOT more rain. Summer should start before, NOT after the official June 21st deadline! And it should be over by fall, etc., etc.

But, it's FINALLY here! And it's sunny. And hot. And I've been busy picking the fruits of my husband's labor. And playing at gardening. And I'M HAPPY.

{There is a time for everything, and A SEASON for everything under heaven~ Ecclesiastes 3:1}

Freestyle Challenge #8

This is the first challenge page I have ever done. It was the perfect page to scraplift. I had all these pictures (and then some) of Mackenzey's first birthday party and I didn't really want to scrap them all. This was a great way to use a lot of them without doing a ton of pages. Plus, I really like the Freestyle style, so it was a perfect solution. While I went about selecting which pictures to use, I discovered that I can print four pictures (and even up to 20!) per 4x6 on my little PictureMate printer. I had a little trouble with the reds and flesh tones though. I think it may have something to do with the size. Still, very good to know. Thanks for the challenge, Kelli!
Rachel took the challenge too and even sent hers to Kelli's blog and posted it on Two Peas .

Lucky Me!

On the 6th of June Ali Edwards posted on her blog that there were a few openings in the classes she was teaching on the 10th at No Bare Pages in Phoenix. I called there and left a message hoping I would get one of them. As you can see from the picture, I did! The class was fun, but most of all I enjoyed being able to meet Ali and scrap with the other nice ladies I met that day.

I've been anxious to post ever since then, but I've been on quite the roller coaster ride. I spent the night in Ashland with Melea so I could drive her to check out housing in Hillsoro for when she starts grad school in August. The weather was lousy! I am sooo sick of all this extra rain we are having. It doesn't even feel like summer and June is already half over. But, we had a great four days together; watching the first season of Six Feet Under (for the first time) until the wee hours of morning, sleeping late, talking heart to heart, eating out and cooking in. Just nice being together :)

On the down side, and I mean really down, she got the info on her student loan package and that was quite a disappointment. The interest on the loans is outrageous! She is even reconsidering. That is NOT something she finds easy to do since she had worked long and hard to get to this point. Whatever she decides she is the one who will have to live with her decision. Of course, I am praying for her, but sometimes it is so hard being a mom.

{But, if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to all people, so he will give you wisdom. ~James 1:5}

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Sunshine Boys & A Cheeky Little Dog

Who needs the sun to shine when you have a new pool just waiting to be broken in? Not Josh or Ian. It wasn't quite full, yet; and it wasn't quite clean, yet; and it certainly wasn't warm, yet. No problem for these two. In fact, they were having so much Nani just had to jump in and join them. Rachel, Travis, Macs, John and I had a blast watching and egging them on.

On our drive home the sun began breaking through the clouds. Beautiful... and listening to Amy and Willie's Hanaiali'i CD I couldn't help noticing once again how similar Oregon is to the Big Island of Hawaii, except for the temperature, of course. Even after living here for nearly 27 years, I still think about how blessed I am to be surrounded by such beauty every single day.

{I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High- Psalm 9:1&2}

Peace Out

Yesterday Melea gave me this picture TJ took of her in Korea last month.
Love it
Just makes me smile
Just had to share