a very merry half-birthday!

My friends took me to Sea World for my birthday present....and although it was approximately 7 months late, I was THRILLED! Who knew a killer whale could make a girl so happy? The last time I saw Shamu, I was 6 years old and in Florida. I gotta say, the whale ages well, especially for his daily commute between Orlando and San Diego. It was a fantastic day filled with some of my favorite California buddies, yummy Mexican food in Old Town San Diego, shopping at a craft fair, sea life, dolphin splashes, silly shows, and take-out at La Jolla beach during sunset. Although there were a few minor issues (gum on the bottom of my purse, ice cream bar falling on the ground, red streaks down my legs, and one blister), the day was amazing, and I gotta say once more how blessed I am to have such amazing friends!

Schools out for the summer, kids....

...but not for me! I started my 6 week intensive classes last week, and boy it has been rough....especially after a fantastic week in the Midwest. I guess I cannot complain, as I only have two classes, a nanny job one day a week, and get to do fun things like go to San Diego, the beach house, and Yosemite. AND then spend August in Wisconsin!

I have always loved summer, it is filled with my greatest memories. During the cold Wisconsin winters I would dream of my summer plans and goals, usually thinking I would start over on forgotten New Years resolutions. I always had good intentions to do things like not be as afraid of snakes, spend as many days at camp as I could, make giant sand castles, catch fish, and then in later years learn how to play guitar, learn how to drive stick, work out more, etc. This year is no different, as my summer goals are to have as much fun as I can while still studying, to explore California, make it through the whole Jillian Michaels workout, actually finish a Beth Moore devotional started 2 summers ago, start to paint, work on a photography project, and spend quality time with my friends and family.

I am thankful for this time I have to rest, do fun things, and also do classwork, before the busy-ness starts again in the fall. I am so blessed with the family I get to nanny for one day a week, they are incredible and so sent from God. They have 3 daughters (11, 9, 6), that are so sweet, unique, hilarious, and have already found their way into my heart. They have this amazing sense of adventure and we get to do fun things like make up cooking shows, play a Barbie board game, play in their yard with their dog Sam, and walk for ice cream. I love it. And my classes are pretty good so far. The one I'm taking in class is Sociocultural Issues in Counseling, a topic I love, as my minor was in Cross-cultural Studies. I'm excited for this class, and enjoy it as the professor is extremely quirky. AND, Colleen and I have it together, and get to giggle at his lame jokes. He already loves us, and has noticed we laugh at everything he says, which just encourages him all the more. My other class is an online one with a lot of work, so I'm thankful I'm taking it when I don't have THAT much going on in my life.

I know this summer is going to go fast, but I am so going to enjoy (hopefully) every minute of it!

Happy (late) Daddy's Day!

Wow, what to say about my daddy. I truly don't have words, I get choked up just thinking about him, but I will try. Saying he is an amazing man just doesn't cut it. I could not be more proud of who he is, and how God has worked in him and through him. It's that goose-bump, heart-raising, tears-in-eyes type pride I have for him that makes words not enough.

When I was little, I wanted to be just like my daddy. When he would get home from work, I would be ecstatic, and knew that I had his full attention. He could get me out of a bad mood like nobody's business, just by singing on the top of his lungs "I Will Follow You", or giving me a whisker rub or tickle torture. Yes, I was my daddy's girl. And I still am. I do want to be like him. I desire that strength. I want his ability to learn and succeed at everything. I want his gift of teaching.



At this time that I see my daddy go through the pain of cancer and treatments, the disease that has taken his body and parts of his mind, I have the peace and assurance that God is completely in all of this. He has used my dad as a vessel for His glory, and for that, I couldn't be more proud.

minnesota, meet california. california, meet minnesota.

This photo makes me smile...I love my friends!

I have to first say what incredible incredible people I have in my life. I know I say this over and over, and sound like a broken record, but it really is true. And, one of my favorite things is to introduce friends to each other! So, what better place for it to happen then at the Grand Canyon? I found out some of my bestest friends from Minneapolis were road tripping out to the Grand Canyon, and since it's only 6 1/2 hours from me (how crazy is that!), I knew I had to meet them there! So, my adventurous California buddies Danny & Colleen accompinied me to the great GC! And, it was incredible.

We took off early (ish) on Saturday morning, and were wondering how the weekend would go, after looking at the weather and seeing the 60% chance of thunderstorms all 3 days we would be there! It rained a little on the way there, which provided some fun shots, as well as an incredible sky and super green trees.


We got to the Grand Canyon area, and had to look for a camping site. Since it was Memorial Day weekend, of course everything was booked....so we camped in the National Forest for free! We set up our tents close to some others, then went to watch the sunset over the canyon. It was gorgeous, and we had fun climing around on the rocks (mom, don't worry, Colleen and I were safe...Danny on the other hand, we were worried about him).

We got back to our tents, and the people that were camping right next to us were there. We asked them if it was okay if we tented next to them, and they said no problem. They asked where we were from, to which we replied "California". We in turn asked where they were from, and they said "WISCONSIN"! I said no way, that is where I grew up, where are you all from? They were a college group from Stevens Point, how random! One of the guys asked where in Wisconsin I was from, and I told him it was close to Ladysmith....and guess what....he is from Ladysmith! I knew him from High School, we have some mutual friends. Small world, isn't it?

Sunday morning we woke up, packed up our stuff, and went hiking. I was so excited to be able to spend some time at the Grand Canyon, and I must say, the view from the top is beautiful, but the view from hiking down into the canyon is incredible! We had our lunch packed, our camel packs filled with water, and were ready to go. The way down was so much fun, but I was unsettled because I saw the look of pain and frustration on those that were on their way back up. We said "hello" all cheery to them, and they looked at us and said "enjoy the way down, that's the fun part!". I took all the photos on the way down, because I knew I would have to concentrate on the way back up :). On the way back up, I told Colleen how much I wanted a shower, and as I finished the sentance, the thunder cracked and it downpored! It rained most of the way back up, which was refreshing.

After our hike, we got some food, firewood, and went to my friends campsite! I was so excited for my friends to meet each other, I could hardly contain myself. I knew Danny and DK would hit it off, as they share the same birthday, the same name, both went to private schools and worked at Jewish Community Centers. We ate dinner and had S'mores over the fire, and laughed hystarrically at DK's blind dating stories.

Monday we woke up and walked around the Canyon, it was so much fun to just be in the presence of my Minnesota friends. We took some great photos, ate a picnic lunch, and enjoyed the view! It was a fabulous Memorial Day weekend, and I can't wait until I get to be reunited with them in August, and again in October for Amy & Noah's incredible wedding! And, my friends hit it off so much they are now Facebook friends :)

Love these girls!!!