Trip #2: Spokane

So, trips #2 & #3 are back-to-back. I headed to Spokane for a couple days (trip #2) then to WA DC (trip #3) for a week then back to Spokane for a couple days and then back to Longview. This post will be about both parts of my Spokane trip.

My favorite part about going home is to see family. Plus, it has normal weather. Like sunshine. Often.

Anyway, I have a cute baby nephew, Lucas, who will be 2 in December. He came in the car to surprise me when my mom & dad picked me up. It was a good surprise. He can't quite say my name yet so it's Mimi. The other day I was talking to my brother Tyson, who was babysitting, and he told Lucas Aunt Mimi was on the phone. All I could hear was his excitement grow and "Mimiiiiiii". Super cute. Miss that little guy. But of course I wouldn't be a good auntie without pictures....
The picture above shows us playing with bubbles. Lucas can't say my name but he has the word 'bubbles' down flat. It's one of his favorite things to do. So, we tried to make our own bubble solution which worked ok but not great. However, that doesn't really matter to a 1 1/2 year old. We were doing fine as you can see by the picture and then Lucas got a great idea...I'll show you in pictures.



Yeah. pretty funny. Bubble making was over but he was loving it. Cute kid.

So, I did do something OTHER than play with my cute nephew the whole time I was home--just one other thing. I went to my friend Annie Swanson's wedding. It was on a Sunday afternoon and it was sunny (even though it looked like rain was threatening early in the day). The wedding was held outside and the reception in a place called Mitchum's Barn. I'm really not kidding. It was laid back, simple and beautiful. The Young Life Area Director for the Spokane area did the ceremony. Before the ceremony he had asked both of them the same question: What do you love most about your future spouse? The answers were great and it was really fun to hear them. So, again, congrats Annie & Drew!

Volleyball Update

Quick volleyball update. If you didn't already know, I'm the head varsity coach at Three Rivers Christian School in Kelso. This is the 3rd year for this program and my 2nd year as it's coach. Last year we went 10-12. This year we're 9-1 as of right now (10-1 after tonight...and that's not being cocky--this team just sucks) and 4-0 in league, which means we are officially in districts!!! Yeah!!

2008 District IV Volleyball Tournament:
Nov 4: TRCS @ #4 Seed, Taholah, 7pm
Win that game:
Nov 8: @ Lake Quinault v. Lake Quinault (currently undefeated), 5pm.
Win: Championship and automatic state berth, 8pm.
Lose: @ Lake Quinault, 7pm, winner to state

Trip #1: Salt Lake City, Brad's Wedding

Salt Lake City is a great place. Beautifully surrounded by this huge mountain range. I woke up every morning to sunshine and mountains so close it looked like a 10 minute drive and you were there. It might sound funny but I had some of the greatest quiet times in the shadow of those mountains in a city dominated by the Mormon presence. I spent 4 days with one of my best friends, someone who I see once every 3 years on average (stupid schedules....). I got to help his fiancée and family prepare for his wedding, from making labels to picking up the tuxes with the guys to meeting the extensive family...some of whom are a bit on the crazy side (I have stories and I was only there for 4 days). I got to meet his other best friend, Jason, and another friend, Aaron, who came into town. I got to know his fiancée and talk to her. Crissy is a great girl, a lucky girl. She has a great husband who is one of the best people I know.

I sat in the audience watching this traditional Catholic service. I watched the grandparents participate. I watched the love radiating from them for their grandson. And part of me ached. I don't have that family dynamic. My grandparents, my half sisters, my aunts, uncles, cousins and everyone else related to me have made choices, choices that have estranged them from my immediate family. And I know that my parents have made choices in this, too. I'm not blaming anyone or angry at anyone. Actually, who am I kidding, there are people I blame and I am a bit frustrated. I do have to be honest that watching Brad's wedding with his grandparents made me realize that that part won't be in my future wedding, at least not on my side. I have a couple older cousins and an aunt who are great and wonder how I'm doing but I have to be honest that I envy the people who grew up hanging out with cousins, who play on their high school sports teams with their cousins, who go over to their aunt's house to hang out (completely on their own volition). Nothing I can do, not to say I haven't tried. But there are choices I can't make for other people and there are hurts that real. My family is what it is.

As I said before, I'm not angry or even despairing over what I don't have. I do know that I missed out on some immense wisdom and stories of the past and to opportunity to get to know relatives. However, I'm where I should be with what I should have. I have a God who watches over me and loves me in ways I can't even describe or probably even know about. I trust Him and his choices in my life.

Sorry for the little rant there. The great thing is that this is my blog and I can say what I want and share what I really feel!! hehe. Thanks for reading.

Trip #1...check.
Trips #2-7...coming soon.

Crazy Summer 2008

So, this summer was nothing short of chaos. 6 trips jam-packed into three months. As I get more time, I'll add details and pictures to each trip. For now, here's the list of what's to come:

1) May 28-June 1: Brad's Wedding-Salt Lake City, Utah
2) Mid-June: Spokane to visit the fam, Annie's wedding
3) Mid-June: WA DC with my mom!! Vacation!
4) July 12-18: Young Life's Wildhorse Canyon-Antelope, Oregon
5) July 29-Aug 7: Beyond Malibu Sea Kayaking-Egmont, BC, Canada
6) August 22-30: Mission Trip-Botswana, Africa

Yep. That's it. 4 states (Utah, WA DC, Virginia, Oregon), 2 countries (Canada, Botswana), 2 continents (North America, Africa). I should calculate the mileage.