Pretty much sums up our wonderful and whirlwind trip to the states.
Spent a fantastic week with my parents in the Homer area where
We enjoyed catching and eating fresh red salmon, A backyard hot dog roast complete with gooey s’mores, hunting for frogs in the pond, wresting with Uncle Josh, reading lots of stories, sharing with Homer Christian Church, doing puzzles with great Gramma “Nana”, playing on the pirate ship, bouncing on the trampoline with Aunt Heather, taking advantage of Gramma and Grampa and going on a date! and picnicking on Whiskey Gulch. It was a great time.

From Homer we headed to Sitka where Micah’s brother lives and spent a week enjoying
Some of the local hiking trails, visiting the library, hanging out with family, getting to know Emily’s family, hosting a bachelor party (Micah=), ironing groomsmen outfits, picnicking on an island, kayaking, being happily surprised when Josh and Heather walked on the plane and spent the week with us, staying up late, eating well at rehersal dinner, spray painting signs, taking care of last minute wedding errands and most of all being there to share in Aaron and Emily’s big day!!

From Sitka it was on to Newberg where it felt like summer time with motorcycle rides, cold watermelon, reconnecting with friends, burgers on the grill, Tuesday night prayer meeting, reading stories on Gramma’s lap, a day at the beach, playing with the water hose, enjoying the neighborhood park, thrift store shopping, munching popcorn at a local concert, jumping on the tampoline and buying things like pancake syrup and coffee creamer.

Whew…as I said it was a wonderful whirlwind!
Check out some pictures on the pictures and videos page

posing for Daddy

Been singing "I got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy down in my heart!"

Tucking Samara into bed is one of my favorite times of the day. We both share our “thankful for” things of the day, then we talk about what we want to pray about and follow that by taking turns praying. Lastly I sing a song that my Mom sang to me and my brothers as we were tucked in at night. It’s to the tune of Alleluia, Alleluia but we sing “Mommy loves you, Daddy loves you…and go on with all the people I can think of who love Samara. Many of you reading this are in her bedtime song each night. Tonight as I was praying I thanked Jesus for loving us and for his presence in us . After I prayed Samara was really quiet for a minute then she said “Do you think Jesus likes to hug my bones?”
“What” was my reply thinking that I’d misunderstood her
“You said Jesus is inside us, does He hug my bones?”
“Well….Honey I bet Jesus loves to hug your bones and your heart, and all of you.”
BIG smile “Jesus loves me, Mommy loves me, Daddy loves me, Noelle Loves me…..”