Family Time

My Mom and Dad arrived from Oregon a week ago today, thus the week of no blog entries. They stayed with Matthew and I in our sauna apartment... thankfully the air conditioner managed to kick out enough cool air to keep us alive. We really enjoyed having them with us. We still had to work during the day, which I think was a good thing. It gave Dad a lot of time to spend with Grandpa and Mom visited with all sorts of friends of hers from the area. Then at night we were able to relax together. Unfortunately, Mom and Dad are realtors (quite portable) so they ended up having to work a fair amount over the internet and phone. But in between, we made good use of our magic bullet. We whipped up all sorts of smoothies, blended mochas, shakes... it was a bit out of control.

Dad is staying with Grandpa this week- Mom is now in Big Lake with Jennelle's family (sister). I was able to stay with them over the weekend. It was hot, but SO GREAT spending quality time with the kids and of course Jennelle and Matt... and their fabulous A/C. I brought Bertie, who reaked havoc on their house when she found a tennis ball. We no longer allow her to possess those things because she is incessant with wanting to play fetch. Then when she gets bored (after 10 hours of straight fetch, I tend to get a little annoyed with throwing the stupid thing) she starts eating the fuzz off of the ball. Then she throws up. Thankfully there were 3 kids and 4 adults for her to run through, so she played fetch for 3 straight days and never had the chance to eat fuzz. The cutest part about the fetch activity was watching my niece, Kyla (just turned 1), throw the ball for Bertie. She'd laugh so hard everytime she threw it and Bertie would come and drop it in her lap for another go. I decided that someday I'm going to have a Kyla- sweet, observant, giggly. I am praying I don't have a child like I was- I would get so mad that I'd pass out from holding my breath. I really don't know how I survived this long... although it does explain a lot. Thankfully I gave up that antic at a young age, or it may have deterred Matthew from promising to spend the rest of his life with me.

Bertie and I drove home last night and arrived at our sauna around 11. Seriously, how is it possible for an apartment to get that hot!? God, are you telling us we need to lose a few pounds, or what? I actually enjoy being at work more than at home because I can bask in the A/C. Love it. Poor Bertie, though, just sits in that dreadful place, panting. On top of that, she seems quite depressed that I wouldn't let her take the ball home. I'm a bad mom.

At the moment it is 97 degrees outside with a heat index of 107.

Reading for the soul

This morning I slept in and it felt terrific! When I woke up, I didn't feel like getting out of bed, so I started reading another book out of the series Francine Rivers wrote on women from the Bible. She wrote five books on five different women, 'unlikely women who changed eternity'. So far I've read 3 and have really been thoroughly convicted and inspired by them. These women were all faced with impossible circumstances but, rather than giving up on life, they believed that God had more for them. They were ostracized by friends and family for turning their backs on the idols they were brought up worshiping. They persevered through their individual storms and came out with amazing character and faith... and were blessed abundantly because of it.

These books are not a difficult read (only about 130 pages each) so I read the entire book on Tamar today before starting my day. What a woman she was! She was handed a really rough set of problems to deal with: forced into marriage to a vicious, brutal husband, then after he was struck down by God, she was given over to his brother, who was even more cunning than the first. He refused to give her a child (which was absolutely necessary for women back then) to be her first husband's heir. That husband, too, was struck down after only 2 days of marriage! Talk about anxiety. She played an important role in Judah (one of Joseph's brothers) laying down his pride to receive God's forgiveness and blessing.

Anyways, I highly suggest this series of books. Check them out from your local library if you don't have the money to purchase them (I chose the library). You won't regret it.

Reading these books makes me realize the shallowness of my thinking and overall faithwalk at this point. These women endured unthinkable hardships and yet maintained unshakeable faith. God is still the same- He desires the same obedience and fellowship with us today, as He did back then.

As a woman grasping after God... I look up to these women. Someday when my life is over, I hope people will tell similar stories about me- that they will say I was an unlikely woman who changed eternity.

world's shortest personality quiz

This was the easiest personality quiz I've ever taken. One click and wallah!

Your Personality Profile

You are nurturing, kind, and lucky. You want to help everyone. You are good at keeping secrets and tend to be secretive. A seeker of harmony, you are a natural peacemaker. You are good natured and people enjoy your company. You put people at ease and make them feel at home with you.

The World's Shortest Personality Test

community

Today I had an unexpected meeting with an artist named Shayann Hoffer. I stopped off at a small local market that's held Thursday nights in town. I went to sort of scope it out to see if it's a good location for selling the things I've been making (picture frames, necklaces, etc). It only costs $5 to set up a table for the afternoon!

When I was looking at one display of paintings and prints, the artist happened to notice my Oregon keychain and asked about it (she went to the U of O). That led to a conversation about Oregon, life, creating...

It felt great to connect with someone on a creative level. Here are a few pictures of her work. I really love her use of blocks in her paintings- I really like the color combinations as well... like a dreamland of sorts. If you want to see more, click here

I love this 'Chick' chalk drawing. Very different from the others, but it makes me smile.

lost in sleep.

Have you ever felt like you are floating through the days in a fog? Like you have so many things that you want to get done, but when it comes down to actually accomplishing, you can't do it? I've been feeling it these past few weeks really hard. It could have everything to do with the sauna I live in, at least that's what I am hoping. I refuse to believe this is the new me. No way...

I am so glad to have started in on my art again. It makes me so happy to have the opportunity to work with my hands and allow the creative side of me come out in the little pictures and words I put together for each little miniature necklace charm... I think I will do this for awhile. It's exciting to think about the future and the possibility of selling them and other things I make to earn money for us.

Curious, isn't it, that most people live out their entire lives allowing the size of their paycheck to determine what they do with most of their awake hours. I don't want to be that person. Denying the gifts God placed within you is like denying who you are. Like a fish who insists it is human. It will eventually dry up and cease to exist. Hmm... deep, right?

Okay, I'm done. The moment is past. Feel free to move on to the next blog now- I'm going to bed.

can I have another weekend to recooperate?

Today is Sunday... oh how I wish it were Friday so I could have another weekend to rest. Matthew and I have been at Sonshine Music Festival since last Thursday. He ran sound for one of the 5 stages... and I was his faithful assistant (aka supplier of food and beverages, sunscreen applier, etc). It was great to be able to enjoy so many live bands! I haven't heard the final count, but last year there were about 23,000 people and they estimated that this year would pass that.

Main Stage

The weather didn't quite cooperate with all of the festival plans. Thursday evening a HUGE storm came through leaving everyone looking like drowned rats, tents flooded and collapsed, and quite a bit of damage to the main stage where Kutless, Jeremy Camp, and Newsboys were scheduled to play. The massive canopy over the top filled with rain then collapsed from the weight, ruining sound equipment, a brand new custom set of drums, and crashing down a 20 foot high lighting tower. The power of this storm was incredible! The bands never had a chance to play that night (obviously) but thankfully they were able to get everything cleaned up and ready to go for Friday. Friday and Saturday we didn't get anymore rain, but had scorching temperatures between 95 and 100+. It was (and still is) HOT. The storm or heat didn't seem to discourage too many people, though. I was so thankful to be able to drive home each day to take a cold shower... plus Matthew and I were blessed to be able to sleep in a borrowed RV with A/C! Thank you Jon and Kelli!!!

Matthew bought himself a new set of Risen drums at the festival. They are quite nice looking with a fuzzy, maroon paisley wrap. They are a custom set that Risen made just for the festival (they make custom sets for each of the 5 stages every year) and Matthew was able to buy them for about half price. I was really impressed with the guys that operate Risen. They were all at the festival and reminded me a lot of the OC Choppers, how they make custom bikes then take them to shows and treat them like their babies. They were so excited that Matthew was the one taking this set home (this set was their favorite) that each of them welcomed us to the Risen family.

One of the neat aspect to Sonshine this weekend were the backstage passes we got because Matthew worked for the festival. Rather than pushing through crowds to get a closer look at the bands, we just walked through the gates backstage and were able to stand right up next to the stage. We had a chance to chat with a few artists (or rather Matthew did) like David Crowder and Third Day's Mac Powell. I'm more of a people watcher than an in your face kind of person. I really enjoyed going backstage and climbing up into one of the sound trucks where we had a great view of the show and could look out over the massive crowd. It's amazing watching a sea of people worship God. Amazing.

Oh, and we got free meal tickets too! You gotta love free food.

I did it!

Alright, I told you guys about a month ago that I was going to dabble in some jewelry making... here is a small sampling of the things I made. These are two sided pendants- each side has something completely different. I don't know how well you can see thse, but most have tiny watch parts on one side. I love how intricate the parts are, so I've been playing with them a lot. Let me know what you guys think, or if you have some ideas for me!

Sunday

Heather and I practicing her makeup for the Big Day in August.

Matthew and I came home at 1am after Kyla's birthday party to find this ginormous paperbag turkey sitting in front of our door. Thank you Adam and Danae- we feel so special to have been blessed with such a gift. I think. Bertie was thoroughly freaked out by it.

I love this picture. Sundays after church we eat lunch with a group of friends. This last Sunday we all went to the park and had a picnic. Rayna (Jon & Kelli's little one) LOVES the swings! Check out her shirt- backwards and inside out. She insisted on wearing THAT shirt THAT way several days in a row... she thinks the printed letters are pretty. What a character.

picture time

Pictures from my niece, Kyla's 1st birthday a couple of days ago. Check out the killer swimsuit Matthew and I got her- I think it accentuates her pot belly quite nicely, don't you?

Zoey and Auntie Tina

Zoey lost her first tooth the day of Kyla's birthday party. She was so excited that she carried her tooth around in a ziploc, showing it to everyone.

sorry.

sorry about my absence. I can't believe how quickly time seems to go these days. Ever since I was in school and actually had a summer vacation, I've been in this mentality that summer is when everything slows down and I get to enjoy life. Maybe I should've flunked a few grades because I really miss that.

We have had our share of fun this last week, though, which has been huge for Matthew and I. Last weekend we were able to go stay at a lake cabin with some friends- our first 'summer' activity! We relaxed for a full 2 days and ate... among other things like burning to a crisp because our sunscreen was expired and stepping in a pile of dog poo wearing flip flops (a personal favorite). Matthew and I are looking pretty attractive with our new tan lines, though (we're actually still quite red). I had no idea people could burn in such odd ways. We have stripes on our legs, and splotches everywhere else. We may have to take Matthew to the doctor this week because his shins are looking really bad (it still doesn't turn white right away when you push on it). So let this be a lesson to all of you- BUY NEW SUNSCREEN EVERY YEAR. Those expiration dates are not there just for the fun of it.

Today was quite exciting! We went to Kyla's 1st birthday (at my sister's in Big Lake). It was really, really great to spend time with family. It amazes me how much those kids change everytime I see them. I'll have to post some pictures later.

As for right now, I'm going to bed. It is 1:40am now and waaaay past my bedtime.