Last day of summer is tomorrow

Well... dang! This was my first summer without any breaks from school. It went by faster than it ever has before. Eric is back home from a visit in Indiana for 3 weeks, looking at a few full-time positions here in WA. I have picked up some extra work on weekends, and taken an exam through NAIOMT..looking to take another NAIOMT course in October & November. Continue to LOVE my job!! There is not much new here, but loving the time we have together, but all the while missing the fam & close friends from home very much! Here a few pictures of a sunrise at Sunrise Viewpoint in Mt. Rainier National Park over the Cascade Range with Mt. Rainier in the background and our Labor Day weekend in Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula. I can't believe we have been out here over a year...

Me + Chloe

Chloe is a great dog! She is my first dog and I love her so much. She is loving, fun, and a great cuddle buddy. I'm so happy we made the decision to rescue her from the animal shelter.

Indiana Summer

We were back in Indiana for a week... we made our rounds to see only a few family & friends. We visited with the Mathews', Floras' and the Sajabis' (love them mucho mucho) & we had a great time at Erin & Frank's wedding! Then got to see my niece Katie & my bro Terry! Of course when we were home it was HOT & humid! not fun, but very much missed. I'm back to the grind of working a ton! Miss everyone, and thankful for the time I got to visit briefly with a few friends and family. I think my next trip home will be in a couple of months:) hopefully will have more time to visit.

Mount Si Climb

I climbed up Mt. Si on the way to Snoqualmie Pass in the Cascades. Me & my girl Tyrees! We had a good time... and of course Chloe (my lil pup) joined us:) It was 4000 ft change in 4 miles up.

Goofing off! one mile left on the way up

Mountain Summer

We have been busy with Eric's parents last week! It was fun to have them visit with us. We rode horses at Crystal Mtn., hiked (my chosen activity:) ), spent the day in Seattle, enjoyed wonderfully cooked meals together, went kayaking, and ate some seafood! We also had a very hot few weeks prior to this one, hitting the 100s several days in a row.

This upcoming week we are headed back home, in Erin's wedding!! in Ohio, and will be visiting with some friends:) & the Fam :) Can't wait!

Hot Hot Hot

It's about to be warm this weekend way out here in Washington! We had another road trip last weekend up to Lake Cushman outside the Olympic National Forest, we had a great dinner with friends, camped through the cool evening, then went for a hike the next morning. We are trying to prepare ourselves for the upcoming weekend... it's going to be HOT 97 degrees... whew. And by the way... we haven't had rain out here since May... so NO it isn't always rainy & cold out here :) We may either go to Port Angelas, San Juan Islands, or Mt. Adams... we'll see where the weekend takes us. Eric's mom & stepdad are coming in one week! We can't wait!

Eric's pretty picture of convergence of two streams

Memorial to my Mother

It's been five years since my mother's passing; it's amazing what has happened in those 5 years. There are moments I feel I hear her laughter, and others I feel her touch. To describe my mother, she was strong, bold, definite, loving, tender, fun, beautiful, intelligent, eloquent, fantastic, lonely, struggling, sacrifice, listener, wise, gifted, giving, selfless, full of love and she was an awe-inspiring mother. She lives through me, she shines through me, and she is in the Abha Kingdom where I know I can call upon her spirit in times of need. Her death my have been tragic in most eyes, but was a sacrifice beyond what words could ever describe.

When someone dies we put the past behind us & move forward often forgetting that person's existence, it's easier to deal with death that way. So I want to remind everyone of who they remember my mother was & her relationship with them. She was, I bet, there for you when you needed to talk, full of great advice, wisdom and guidance, driving to visit you, opening her home to you, but mostly sincere and sensitive to your needs.
I miss her, and that will never pass. But I know her spirit is ever approaching nearness to God and His exalted rose garden. I love you and I miss you, and I will never forget about you, your essence and your love. Thank you.