Thursday, August 20

Lake trip- Aug 18th

[mom & dad- we're floating down the channel]
Tuesday afternoon was the perfect lake trip...
  • hot weather
  • cool water
  • great snacks
  • floating down the channel
  • jumping off the boat
  • relaxing
  • feeding the ducks/swan
  • spending time with family & my bestfriend!

[Lex cliff jumping]


[the "ugly duckling"]

[my LLT!]

Monday, August 17

Pictures & Lists

That's what this post will be, and what my life has been like lately!
Since my last "actual" update (Aug. 1st) I...

  • Helped out with Steph & Phil's engagement session
  • Did some shopping with my mommy
  • Had 2 pre-marital counseling sessions
  • Shopped with Kim & Alexis for the new pastor's welcome gift
  • Finished ALL 150 wedding favors thanks to Rae helping me!
  • Attended Kim's baby shower (I can't wait to meet Zoee)
  • Went camping with family and friends- it even rained and dropped below 60*
  • Took Tena out for his birthday =)
  • Attended Jordan's birthday/going back to Dordt party
  • Got my hair cut
  • Attended the welcome party for our new Associate Pastor
  • Took the kids to McDonald's while my mom and Kim's husband attended a leadership meeting at church.
  • Finally ordered all of our engagement photos, and bought stuff to make the scrapbook for the bridal shower/goodbye celebration
  • Worked on a new blog for my old boss (yay! making some gas $ for my cross-country trip)
  • Made Rae a going away gift...and went to her party (but we'll see you soon!)
  • Got talk with Taylor, I'm excited about our Maryland futures- haha.
Alright, that's it for now... who knows what this week will bring! Next Thursday I am off to Maryland with load #2 of my things... get ready to see me wearing the same clothes over & over ;-p

Sunday, August 9

"The Drifter"

She packs the boat,
She's ready to go.
The rudder is set,
As the sail billows.
Where she goes,
No one knows.

Oh the freedom she must feel,
With her hands upon the wheel.
The waves crashing,
The taste of ocean spray,
Not one rule to obey.

But oh how lonely it must be,
So many nights alone,
Upon the open sea.

No one to enjoy the journey with,
No one to comfort her when she's sick.
She just keeps drifting...
Drifting away.

The drifter has no name,
The wind chooses her destination,
It chooses her fate.

If you meet her,
Savor that moment,
It will be gone before you know it.

To the drifter every place is the same.
New faces and new names,
No friends, no fame.

Back to the boat and off again,
The drifter has no home,
Why she travels no one knows.

Written by: Taylor Younker
August 9, 2009

Saturday, August 1

A baseball game to Cirque de Soleil

This week was definitely full! Sunday afternoon I enjoyed a baseball game with my dad, we beat the Pirates 9-0! That evening I went to college/career group at the Bradford's house and ended up buying dinner for everyone. It was good though- chili dogs!

Monday my dad and I went to the mall to look at wedding bands for Quinn- no luck, but Andy and Tena were at work (Eyemaster's) so my dad ended up getting a new (and much needed) pair of reading glasses. We also ate lunch with Andy, Kim, and the kids. That night Ashley and I went over to Tena's and watched "The Departed" - the ending made me SO angry...

Tuesday I found myself in Cake Heaven (aka: ABC Cakes) with Rae picking out things for my wedding cake! I'm excited for her vision... it sounds amazing. =) After getting the grand tour of the new XA House, Rae, Carly, Sam, and I enjoyed some grub at Toby Keith's. We've all agreed we need to go back for the live music/dancing night before Rae and I leave the state!

Wednesday proved to be entertaining... went back to my childhood days at Stapley Pool. Kim, Andy, and the kids enjoyed two hours of fun in the sun. Elli was thoroughly entertained by the in-pool playground, while Zeke much preferred the warmer water of the lap pool. After our swimming adventure, we came back to my house for an amazing roast dinner (thank you mom!), I felt bad though because Storm (being Storm) terrified the kids with his shark-boy face... ugh.



















Thursday morning I had a meeting with my old boss (prior to my internship) for a different job... blog design! Exciting. Her ideas are really great, family centered, and what we need on the internet rather than all the trash that exists now. After my meeting, I headed over to North Phoenix to meet with JD for pre-marital counseling, fun times. Then that evening I met up with Rae and her parents treated us to Margarita-ville and Cirque de Soleil's Saltimbanco... I thought it was amazing!

Friday I finally found a wedding band I liked for Quinn... since they no longer make the one he had picked out. Good thing with the store I bought it from- if he absolutely does not like it, we can exchange it for one he does. That night Ashley, her mom, and I went to see "The Ugly Truth." It was hilarious- but definitely lived up to its name, very crude.

Today I got to enjoy an relaxing afternoon with someone I've known since I was 3 or 4yrs old... Mrs. Hansen, thanks for the quesadillas and marriage conversations, it's always nice to get the perspective from someone who has been married for a year and a half! I also helped Mrs. Krahn with her husbands surprise party by making milk/white chocolate dipped oreo's... they were a hit. =)

I wonder what the coming week will bring?