29 Big Ones....

I just wanted to say Happy Birthday today to my sister Ranae! Love you Nae

Having fun in Oregon!!

It has been a couple of weeks since I have blogged, but that is only because we have been busy having a wonderful time here in Oregon! The past 2 weeks have been a blur of family, friends, weddings, birthday parties, camping and the sort. We went to our friends Amy and Mike's wedding last weekend (picture of me and Amy), Braden's kiteboarding tournament (picture) and a car show where Braden's dad was showing his old Chevelle. The weather is up and down, but we can't expect any different from good ol' Oregon (after all, the rain is what keeps it so beautiful up here). We are blessed to have this time with our family and friends.

Being here sure makes it difficult to return "home" to Cali and school, but that is where we are in this stage of life. Time flies so quickly and in the long run, a couple of years is nothing compared to the rest of lives. We are enjoying the adventures of a new place, new culture and new friends that we know we will stay in contact with for the rest of our lives.

While in Oregon Braden competed in a kiteboarding competition up at Bridge of the Gods in Stevenson, WA. There were a couple hundred competitors and it was so much fun watching all of the guys and gals compete and seeing my husband out there with them! It was his first tournament (after only kiteboarding for a few months) and I am very proud of how he did. We were able to camp up there with our cousin Trevor, and Braden's dad and step-mom.

I am switching jobs (and it is a very good thing). The day after we return home I will start training at the school for my new position. I was asked by our student life director to be a "LEAD" Scholar on a committe of five people. We will be planning school events, coordinating events and publicity with the community, organizing student activities, new student week, working hard to get students to vote and everything else that goes along with being a "Student Life Coordinator". This a big opportunity for me as I aspire to be an event coordinator. Not too many people actually get job experience and training during school so that when they graduate they aren't going into the field empty handed. I feel so blessed to be asked to do this job! AND I receive a scholarship towards my tuiton as well. EVEN MORE.... no commute since I will already be at the school 5 days a week for my classes, I get to work between my classes and put in time when I can! It is amazing!!!!

Please be praying for this upcoming year as Braden and I are now starting our senior level classes....eek! Exciting and hard. We feel so blessed and life is wonderful, praises to our wonderful Lord who continues to shower us with grace and mercy every single day.

T minus 24 hours...

In less than 24 hours we will be on a plane headed for our beloved Oregon!!! We are so excited to be able to visit our friends, family and beautiful home state for 3 WEEKS!!! We are so incredibly blessed to be able to come home for such an extended time. YAY!

YAY for family

I love having family come visit here! Laura and Sam were in town this last weekend for a wedding that Sam was in. We were able to get together with them on Saturday and spend a large portion of the day hanging out, catching up and talking about the wedding. We had a blast and one day was just not enough :(. Then on Tuesday we were able to get together with Braden's aunt Shelly who was in town for a wedding as well.

Although we love it down here and are so blessed with opportunity to go to a wonderful school, we sure miss family and look forward to being back in Oregon so that we don't miss out on anything. Here are a couple of pics from breakfast with Sam and Laura (Oh and me with my short hair).

The Happenings and Prayer

Hey all! Well I have not posted much since we do not have too much going on. Work for me, work and school for Braden...that is pretty much the jist. We do have some fun things coming up though! Laura and Sam (the newly engaged couple) will be here this Saturday to visit. Friday is my friend Tracy's big 25 and we are spending the afternoon/evening at the beach for some volleyball and bonfire fun. Working those days too though :(. We are leaving for Oregon July 23rd through August 13th and we are pretty stoked! Our friends Emily and Gavin are getting married the 20th (which we have to miss...so bummed), Amy and Mike the first weekend in August, and Jenna and Ryan the weekend after that! Wow, a lot to keep us busy.

Please pray.... for Tonya and baby Natalie. Pray for their health (emotional and physical) and also for a safe birth. Pray for all of the summer teams that are out right now and that will be going out this summer to witness to our depraved world. Pray for finances, I know most of you feel the belt tightening as well with gas and food prices going up, being a student is not easy. Pray for safe travels as we head to Oregon. And pray for health as I have been having increasing endometriosis pain.

We love you all and miss you! We are so excited to be able to see you face to face! Please call and we can plan a time to hang out and grab coffee or something!

Quick note

I just had to post a short one today to say...I am so excited about coming home for a long visit in less than 2 months!!! YAY! Anyway, have a great day!

I'm It!

Four jobs I've had:
1. Club Attendant at Cascade Athletic Club
2. Nanny
3. Food Server at Outlaw BBQ
4. Personal Care Assistant

Four movies I've watched more than once:
1. Newsies
2. Little Women
3. Sweet Home Alabama
4. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

Four TV shows I watch:
1. CSI: Miami
2. Shark
3. The Hills
4. Ugly Betty!

Four places I've been:
1. England
2. France
3. Scotland
4. Oaxaxa, Mexico

Four people who email me regularly
1. My parents
2. My teachers
3. Myself (sending citations from EBSCOhost)
4. Concordia

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Tomato soup
2. Crab
3. Pizza
4. Coconut

Four places I would like to visit:
1. Greece
2. Australia
3. Israel
4. Carribean

Four things I'm looking forward to in the coming year:
1. Going to Oregon in July
2. Friends weddings
3. A new little Maddox for Ben and Brandy
4. Christmas!

Four Friends I'm tagging:
1. Heather Overby
2. Ranae
3. Cherianne
4. Ashley Hynes