Random things on my mind:

I have probably visited www.etsy.com and www.theknot.com 10,000 times in the past month. It's becoming a HUGE obsession..

This recipe for Oreo Balls is taunting me. Has anyone tried these before? They sound very yummy!

In the middle of my second winter in Oregon now...and I still love rain! I think my 23 1/2 years of living in the desert makes me REALLY appreciate how much moisture we get here.

I got a really warm, huge blue down mummy Marmot sleeping bag for Christmas (that was a lot of adjectives at once! probably not grammatically correct...oh well) so now I really want to go camping and try it out. Kory got a new backpack and we both got solar-powered flashlights, so we need to go try out our new gear soon.

Kory and I are attempting to make his grandmother's famous turkey soup tonight and I'm SO excited! It is delicious :)

We got Toy Story 3 and Inception for Christmas gifts...two VERY different movies, but easily my two favorites from 2010.

Thanksgiving Trip

I am leaving Oregon this weekend and will spend 10 days in NM/TX with family and friends! I am SOOO excited!!! :)

This post was not initially going to be filled with ridiculous pictures, but once I saw the above picture, I just couldn't help myself.

Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

Things I Love

Here are some things I've recently discovered and totally love:

Can't wait to make this avocado-ranch dip!

Totally addicted. Just finished season 2.

NEED this owl cookie jar immediately.

Plan to make my own version of this post-Thanksgiving.

New fave app.

Twilight & Roloff Farms

**I wrote this blog several weeks ago, but apparently I never posted it. Oops!**

This weekend, Deb and I headed to Portland to see some of the locations used for filming Twilight. Though the story takes place in Forks, Washington, many of the Forks scenes are actually filmed in St. Helens, Oregon. This little town was also used to film the Disney Channel movie, Halloweentown. I haven't seen it yet, but now I definitely want to after seeing a lot of the places shown in the movie. We took a self-guided tour of both movie locations, as well as the places around town believed to be haunted by ghosts.

Charlie and Bella's house was away from the road, up a hill and very out of the way. The people who live in this house have posted signs asking Twilight fans to stay back from the house. While I understand their desire for privacy, I think I would handle it much differently. I would quit my job and become a Twilight tour guide! You could pay a small fee and I would give you a tour of the inside and outside of my house, as well as walk through all the town's Twilight locations. I would take tourists pictures with cast cut-outs, tell stories about what it was like when they were filming, probably have a midnight Twilight reading when the full moon is out...you get the picture :)  I am sure many of you are judging me for my love of Twilight right now, but I'm really just thinking like a savvy entrepreneur!

It's interesting to me that many of the businesses they used to film were changed into a different location in the movie. A hair salon became a prom dress shop, an attorney's office became a bookstore, a house became a restaurant. This probably happens a lot in movies, but I have never really followed the trail of movie sets before :)
 
They did have an Experience Twilight store downtown that understands the tourist draw of the town. They are on the right path, but I just feel like there is so much more they could be doing!

 
Later that afternoon, we met Lynsey and Anna Kate at Roloff Farms and I got to check an item off my bucket list! I love the TLC show, Little People Big World, and was very excited to meet the Roloff family and see their farm. The whole family was incredibly friendly and down-to-earth and were so grateful that people would come visit their home.

We took a wagon tour of the farm and I was very excited we got Jeremy as our driver! I just wanted to have one of the Roloff's driving us and not some random crew person. I was kind of surprised at how close everything is on the farm. I thought it was much more spread out from watching the show, but you could easily walk to all of the attractions (pirate ship, cowboy town, castle, etc.)

It's crazy that the Roloff's are celebrities, because they really are just a normal family. It is probably very strange to have thousands of people taking your picture on the weekend and then study high school geometry and play volleyball on a Monday.

Matt's Dad, Jeremy, Matt's Mom, Molly and Me

It is a little sad that we aren't much taller than her...

This trip has made me want to watch/re-watch Twilight, Halloweentown and Little People Big World so I can see it with a new perspective and compare it with what I saw in real life. I plan to be home this next weekend and relax, so I think I'll do my follow-up research from the couch this Saturday :)

P.S.
There are many more pictures from this trip on my Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2027585&id=160201160&l=3564f51386

Spring is still too cold for me.

40 days of water is OVER and I can drink Dr. Pepper again!! I did pretty well and didn't really crave DP a lot, mostly out of habit. I think I can continue to drink a lot of water, but I'll enjoy a DP from time to time.

Talk about the butterfly effect...The earthquake/tsunami in Chile boosted the economy in Oregon! Apparently, Chile had several plywood mills that were destroyed and that work has now been given to Oregon mills. So, several Oregon operations have been able to hire back some laid-off workers and give them temporary work until the Chilean production plants can get back up and running.

I wish it was warmer already! I have been wanting to go camping for over a year now and we didn't go last summer so I have to keep waiting for it to warm up so we can go. There are several trips I've got planned for this summer including Crater Lake, the Redwoods and going to a few more coastal towns. I wish Kory didn't work on Sundays because that means we can't really go anywhere that's farther than a day trip on the weekends. Oh well, at least we live in a really cool place with a lot of worthwhile destinations just a few hours away.

Easter was pretty boring and that made me sad. I really wanted to dye eggs and get into the spirit, but maybe next year. I spent the entire day Saturday reading Breaking Dawn...and I do mean the entire day because that things is 754 pages!! It was really good--obviously I couldn't stop reading it. I woke up and decided to start it and the next thing I knew it was getting dark outside and the whole day was gone. I love books like that where you get so lost in the story and can't put it down! SPOILER WARNING: If you haven't read all of the Twilight books and don't want to know the ending, stop reading now!!!

I think the ending was a little too picture perfect...everyone lives, is happy, falls in love, etc. I think at least one of the characters should have been killed (a Cullen?) and Jacob should have just had to go on with life without imprinting. I mean, I love a happy ending, but it was just not realistic enough for me. haha I just realized I'm asking for a book about vampires and werewolves to be more realistic.

Even though it sounds lame, I really love playing Sims. Kory had the computer games and got me hooked on them. If you don't know what they are, I would try to explain them to you but that makes them sound even dumber. Basically, you get to build a family and home and live these characters lives for them. haha You can pick jobs, go to work, make friends, cook meals, sleep, swim, go on vacation, have a party, study and learn, and really do most everything you can do in your own real life. It really is fun, even though it sounds like it would be crazy boring.

Football and Resolutions

National Championship tonight! Hook 'em Horns!! It starts at 5 on the West Coast, so I will have to rush out of work and get home so I don't miss too much of it.

It is now illegal to talk on your cell phone while driving in Oregon unless you use a wireless hands-free device. I still haven't got one...I probably need to get on that. I think it's a great law, but it's seriously annoying to me as someone who enjoys talking on the phone in the car. Yes I know it's dangerous and I would NEVER want to put my life or someone else's in danger...so I guess it's good they passed a law to make people like me be more careful.

I am not going to Lubbock for Master Follies this year...and I'm very sad about that. Two years in a row now! :( I can't believe I haven't been back since I have been out of college. Oh well--I suppose this is the price I pay for living in cool, far-away places. I care way less about seeing the shows than I do about seeing people.

We're taking the youth group inner tubing in a couple weeks and I am SO excited about it! I am not sure why, but I am beyond pumped. I know it will be fun, but I might be getting my hopes up a little too much. I do love playing in the snow and we haven't got ANY here, so maybe that is part of it. I never would have thought that Southeast NM and West Texas would get more snow than somewhere this far north. It's probably because we're so close to the coast I guess. I will get to wear some of my new super warm clothes to play in the snow too, so that is exciting.

The holidays continue for Kory and I! We have Christmas, New Years, 2 year anniversary, my birthday and Valentine's Day all within 8 weeks of each other.

Ty got me My Spanish Coach for the DS for Christmas and it's awesome! I feel like I'm learning a lot and it's pretty fun. My favorite is this game where you get to whack gophers on the head if they say the Spanish word you're looking for.

I think we're all aware that most of the time when we tell someone we are praying for them or we will pray for them, we actually don't. Ok, well I'll just speak for myself...I don't actually spend much time in prayer after saying that. I am really trying to work on that. I have good intentions when I say it--it's not that I want to lie and make them think I care when I really don't. I just forget about it and never remember it again to follow through with the prayers. So, two people have asked for my prayers this week, and I have prayed for both of them several times. So far, so good!

I'm also trying to read the Bible through this year and I have read every day so far (you only read 6 days a week). I realize we're barely a week into January, but I'm celebrating the small victories. I rarely make New Years Resolutions, but this year I decided this was a great time to start making some spiritual improvements in my life. If you feel bold enough, I would appreciate you asking me about these resolutions from time to time to keep me accountable. I will do the same for you if you'll tell me what improvements you're trying to make this year!

New New New

I can't believe Y2K was 10 years ago! Remember when we all thought there would be flying cars by 2010? A lot of big events in my life happened in the 2000's: got my first car, graduated high school, moved away from home, started and graduated college, moved abroad, got my first real job...a lot of growing up happened in the past decade, particularly in the past 5 years!

It is crazy to think about what this next year and decade will hold for me. I'm going to just think about the next year because I can't even begin to comprehend what my life might look like in 10 years. I get very excited by the thought of change and new things happening and exciting events in my life. For some people, I know that stresses them out and they just want things to stay the same. I love thinking about all the fun things that could happen in this next year...especially the ones I won't see coming at all! I would have NEVER guessed one year ago that I'd be living in Oregon right now with this job.

It was a very bittersweet thing to return to Myrtle Creek after Christmas. Before I left, I would tell people at work at church in Oregon that I was going home (to Artesia) for Christmas. Then, in Artesia, people would ask when I was leaving and I would say I was going home (to Oregon) on Monday. I definitely feel at home in Oregon and when I got back to my apartment, I had that relief that comes from being home. It's just a strange feeling to say "my parent's house" or "my parents live in NM". I guess everyone probably goes through this at some point in their life, so now is just my time to work all this out in my mind. Unless something drastic changes, 2010 will be the first time in many years that I lived in the same place for an entire year.

I rarely make New Year's Resolutions. I remember one I made in high school and that was to become ambidextrous. I actually followed through with that one and can eat and write pretty well with my left hand. Obviously, my right hand is still dominant and I use it for most things, but I think my ability to use both hands is at least above average.

I fell down the stairs at work today. Painful, but mostly embarrassing. I was trying to put the water bottle lid on right when I fell, so water went everywhere. I had to immediately go teach a class after that incident, so that was pretty lame. I have been reading Twilight and I feel like just reading about Bella's clumsiness has made me clumsy! I had never read the Twilight books--not against them or anything, just never got around to reading them, so a lady at work brought it to me to read. I really like it but it's definitely different reading the book after seeing the movie. I just picture the movie characters and scenes as I read it, but I don't mind because I HATE the picture I had in my head being ruined when I see the movie.

My job interview is tomorrow--yay! I'm so glad it's finally here. I've been waiting and hoping this day would come since July, so it's great that it finally arrived. Now, if I don't get this position, it will be quite awkward to keep working here with the other person who got the job. I feel really confident though and am planning to just get the job so there won't be a problem :)

Kory and I plan to stay in for New Years Eve and do very little! We're both so exhausted from our travels and crazy pre-Christmas schedules that we're really excited by the idea of watching movies, playing games and laying around on the couch for the Holiday. Mostly, I'm happy we'll be inside where it's warm! I just realized that one year ago I was arriving in London. Wow.

Holiday Pictures

I always made fun of people who dressed their animals in costumes, but this was so worth paying $1 for the Santa suit.

Kabie loved being in his sweater. She laid down there forever and almost went to sleep. I think she must have liked that it was warm in there.

My Christmas tree finally got some presents underneath it this past week.


Presents under the tree at our church building to give away to struggling families in our community as a part of our Christmas Service.
The kids sang several Christmas carols and were hilarious. I love that kids they can sound terrible and still be so stinking cute!

At our youth group Christmas party, one of the middle school girls did face painting. She did a great job!

Random Thoughts about Christmas & Summer

I am getting very excited to fly home for Christmas this week! I fly out Christmas Eve morning, so the airports might be pretty crazy. We'll drive to Portland after our youth group Christmas party on Wednesday night. My flight leaves at 7:25 a.m. so it's going to be a very early morning after a very late night. BUT being home with family for Christmas will make it all worth it!

We had our Christmas Service and Giving Event last night and it went really well! We had 30 families and 91 children who received food boxes and Christmas gifts. We also had a fun program with Christmas carols, skits, an awesome music video, stuffed animals for each of the kids, a children's version of the Christmas story and an awesome message about Peace on Earth from Kory. I have a few changes I'd like to make to our program next year, but it still went really well, especially for my first year organizing it.

Kabie (Kory's kitten) is a definitely a female. That girl has some insane mood swings. One day she loves being held and will fall asleep in your arms or lap and follow you around and loves affection. The next day, she runs from you and refuses to let you touch her and will go crazy if you try to pick her up. Maybe she is still adjusting to her new home and owners? Perhaps we need a visit from the Cat Whisperer. Does that even exist? I know they have one for dogs and horses.

A lady at work recently asked if I had a Master's or just a Bachelor's and I said "Oh, I just have a Bachelor's." Then another lady piped in, "JUST a Bachelor's?? What do we have? None of us have a degree period." :) Thank you! I worked stinking hard for that degree.

I am so ready for summer! Now that I know how wonderful Oregon is in the summer-time, I am planning so many fun trips and activities as soon as we get some warm weather. I am becoming a pale Pacific Northwesterner...but not in the cool, vampire way. I want to go camping on the coast, swim a lot, visit Crater Lake, go white-water rafting, see the Redwoods, hit Cannon Beach, float the river, go to SU Falls where you can slide down the waterfall, hike a 14er or two, and definitely spend lots of time chilling in the water that is so abundant around here! Oh sweet summer...come quickly!!

Kory's Xmas Present

GREAT Weekend

The concert on Friday was awesome!! That band is so incredibly talented. Kory and I were both SO impressed! Unfortunately, we didn't have a great turn-out of teens, but the ones who were there really enjoyed it.

My Saturday was pretty close to my idea of a perfect day. I woke up late, took a nap, watched a movie while cuddled up on the couch, decorated my apt for Christmas and ate dinner and hung out with Kory that night. I rented My Sister's Keeper because I knew I really wanted to see it, but I wanted to watch it at home where I could cry as much as I wanted with no inhibitions. I laid on my couch under a blanket, eating popcorn, drinking a Dr. Pepper, enjoying a chick flick and just crying my little eyes out. PERFECT!! I know guys will never understand why you'd want to do that, but females will totally get it when I say it was a healing cry.

One of our youth group girls brought me a 4 ft Christmas tree and a table to set it on. She is very sweet! I put lights and ornaments on it and got it all decorated Saturday afternoon. I drank some egg nog and had a grand ole time. It's a pretty small tree and it's nothing grand or fantastic, but it makes me happy so that is all that matters. The only other decorations I have are some place mats, kitchen towels, candy bowls and the wreath, but they are all out in full force. I'm thinking I'll probably try to buy some more Christmas decorations when they go on sale right after Christmas Day.

I'm trying to be pretty thrifty right now and save my money since I don't know how long I'll have a job. That is the main reason why I didn't just buy a tree. My temporary positions ends in January and I will hopefully interview for the limited duration position in the next few weeks, but I'm in the waiting process right now.

We ate at Olive Garden in Eugene last night. Gosh I love that place! Neither of us had eaten there in a year or two, so we made the trip to do some shopping and eat there. I could eat my weight in those breadsticks dipped in alfredo sauce. Yummy!

It was COLD COLD COLD this morning when I left for work! Yikes! Everything was frosty and it looked like we had a light dusting of snow last night. I get to leave work at 3:00 today to head up to Albany, OR for a 3 day training. I am not entirely sure what the training is about, but I think it's an orientation to basically teach me to do the job I have been doing for the past 5 months. Should be fun :) I am excited to get out of the office and take a trip though. I'm sure Deb and I can have a good time while we're there.

Concert and Christmas

I wrote this last Friday and forgot to post it, so here it is now.

We have a free rock concert at our church tonight for the area teenagers. The band is called The Beautiful Is Dead. Several of the band members grew up going to our church and their parents still attend. They are not a Christian group, but are just a group of Christians who play music together. We're excited about this outreach opportunity and hope we'll get a lot of community teens who wouldn't otherwise set foot in our church building.

My plant at work recently started attacking me! I looked up one day and it was growing towards my face and every day, its limbs grew closer and closer to my head. I had to move it to the other side of my cubicle so it wouldn't obstruct my view of my computer screen. It has really flourished there and even started blooming with some tiny cute flowers.

I just found out we have those lights in our office that have Vitamin D in them...SADD lights maybe? I think that is what they are called. Anyhow, because we can go a long time without seeing any sun, they give off Vitamin D and are supposed to keep us happier and non-suicidal. I suggested we get some UV bulbs as well and we can tan while we work!

Remember that dead plant I had a picture of a while back? I keep forgetting to water that thing and it has come very close to death several times. I decided to bring it to work with me because I spend more time at work than I do at home, during the week at least. Everyone waters their plants on Friday afternoon too, so I should be better about remembering to water it.

My wonderful mom surprised me and mailed me all of my Christmas ornaments as well as some lights and tinsel to go on the tree! I was SO excited to open the package the other night. I had decided against getting a tree because I would have nothing to put on there once I had one, but now I can get one! A girl in my small group told me she has an extra tree I can probably borrow this year. Ideally, I'd like a real one because they're everywhere here, but I don't have a stand either and am not sure how I'd get it to my apartment anyway. So, however it works out, I'm excited to have a few Christmas decorations in my apartment. I bought a wreath this week but can't hang it on my door because there is no hook, so I have it hanging on my porch light instead. Classy, I know.

Post-Thanksgiving Update

Thanksgiving break was so fun and relaxing for me! I can't really explain why, but for some reason, Robby and Lynsey's one-year old daughter, Anna Kate, thought I was the coolest person ever! Of course, I loved the attention and the fact that she was always looking for me, letting me hold her, sitting in my lap and giving me the goofiest smiles ever. The second I walked in the door, she walked up to me and held her hands up for me to hold her like we'd known each other for years. She has the cutest little fake smile she would flash at me every time we made eye contact. We laughed at her "stranger smile" many times during the weekend.

We went to see The Informant the day after Thanksgiving and I wasn't really impressed. It doesn't really have a plot and isn't too entertaining, in my opinion. It's based on a true story and it's really just setting up this very quirky character the whole time. It's also really hard to follow and I spent almost the whole movie just trying to keep up. I did enjoy New Moon, however. I know it's corny and geared towards teenage girls, but I am a sucker for a love story. I can handle a little cheesiness if it is a happy ending :) I'm definitely Team Jacob. After seeing him, Edward just seems like a pale, skinny, old guy without much of a personality. Yes, I'm totally shallow and Jacob's good looks don't hurt either.

My wallet went missing about a week ago. It was such an ordeal because basically my money was trapped in my bank account and I couldn't access it. I had a hold put on my checks and went ahead and canceled my debit card just in case. I had other checks so I tried to use them, but nowhere will accept a check without picture ID. My driver's license was in my wallet so I had no picture ID. I also couldn't withdraw money from my account at the bank without picture ID. So, I figured I could just get another Driver's License and then be able to get money out. Well, you have to pay for a DL and they don't accept checks, so I couldn't get money to pay for that! Ugh! Anyway, hopefully it is all worked out now, but it's been such a mess. Luckily, my wallet was found and hadn't been stolen, so no money was gone at all. It was a good way to not spend any money for about a week or so at least!

It's Civil War week in Oregon! That means that Oregon State University and the University of Oregon are playing each other in college football this Thursday. People have been talking about it for months and I'm getting really excited for it. Of course, I'm a Ducks fan and hope they win. We'll go over to watch the game and eat pizza with a very fun couple from church. They are a divided family--she loves the Beavers and he is a Ducks fan. Should be interesting!!

I just realized I haven't taken any pictures in quite a while...so this blog is probably boring you all with just stories. I'll try to take some pictures and post them this week.

Recent News

Kory is gone the rest of the week to Austin to be with his family for Thanksgiving. I'll head up to Portland on Thursday to celebrate with the Wells--I'm so excited! I'll bring my awesome cooking skills and make some killer frozen rolls for us to enjoy.

I'm currently working on a program for a Christmas Family Giving Event at church next month. It will be a candlelight service followed by giving needy families food/clothes/toy boxes. I'm really excited about this and think it's going to be a great event!

I am also going to begin working in the nursery at church once a month during services--should be interesting. In theory, it sounds easy enough to watch some kids while their parents are in the auditorium, but somehow I have this feeling I have no idea what I'm getting myself into...

This week I put in my application for a new position that is opening up at work. My current position is temporary and ends January 15. This new position will last through June/July 2011. It's essentially the same job I've been doing...just for an extended time period. The Employment Dept is creating lots of temporary and limited duration jobs to beef up staff during this tough economic time. The idea is that when the economy improves and we don't need so many staff people, the jobs will naturally come to an end and they won't have to lay off a bunch of people. I have to go through the application and interview process just like everyone else...no special treatment for me being a current employee. :( Sad day.

Fun Fall Pictures

Youth Group Pumpkin Party

My veggie platter I took to the Boo Bash Potluck at work

Halloween Costumes at OED (Oregon Employment Dept)

My new fun rain boots! And yes, I have them on with my orange pj pants. I looked awesome!

Fun Fun Fun

Youth Group Wednesday Night
Pumpkin Party last night
Boo Bash at work today, ChristFest tonight
Oregon/USC game tomorrow

LOTS of fun to report on/post pictures from! I will start with Wednesday and Thursday. One of our youth leaders had to step down from volunteering, so I have taken over the juniors and seniors in my small group. This worked out perfectly because we have only had 1-2 seniors coming lately, so now I can have a bigger group and more kids consistently. The juniors are a really crazy and fun bunch, which I really enjoy, but getting them to focus has been quite a challenge lately. I'm not very good with this "discipline" role.

We had a really fun party for the youth group last night. I wore my kimono and Kory went as Peter Parker. We carved pumpkins and watched Nightmare Before Christmas and had a costume contest and played Haunted Hallowingo (BINGO). I made sugar cookies for everyone to decorate, but we ran out of time and didn't get to do that. I was glad I had already carved a pumpkin this year and could just watch and take pictures of everyone else.

After the party, we had rehearsal for ChristFest at church and then I had to put my food together for our potluck today at work. It was a late night and it has been a long time since I stayed up late! How did this happen to me? Ugh. I used to be such a great night owl and I went and got old with everyone else. I really hate that work has done that to me. I feel like a small part of me has died.

So, tonight is ChristFest and then we'll head to Eugene for the Ducks vs. USC football game tomorrow. Should be a really exciting game! I'm pumped! I'll post pictures of everything as soon as I can get them all uploaded.

Pumpkins and Hair-cut

We didn't get to go to the Roloff Pumpkin Farm last Friday. Very sad!! :( It was supposed to be raining really hard Friday afternoon so we cancelled and then, of course, it didn't actually end up raining. I did enjoy a lazy day at home though, so I won't complain. Kory and I carved pumpkins that night to make up for my pumpkin sadness. You can see how stinking thick that thing was!! It was definitely a workout to get that thing carved.

I also got my hair cut this weekend. Here is a picture at the middle school bowling event where you can see my new hair-cut. It's quite a bit shorter, but doesn't look a lot different than before. My hair has a mind of it's own and it pretty much does the exact same thing whatever the length. I like it though and it takes way less time to dry, so I'm happy.

Pumpkins!

I have really been wanting a green Oregon ducks sweatshirt for a long time now. Even before we moved here, I wanted one because Rachel has had one forever and I loved it. They were pretty expensive everywhere I looked, so I kept waiting to get one. We are going to an Oregon Ducks/USC football game on Oct. 31 for Kory's birthday present, so we went to the Ducks store in Eugene last weekend on the way home from Seattle to get some Ducks gear to wear to the game. They had $15-$20 sweatshirts so I finally have one now. I'm very excited!

We have our first soccer game this Saturday and it should be really funny. I had to miss team pictures last week, which made me very sad. It was also our last practice, so I'm just really hoping these kids learned what a thrown-in and goal look like.

Even though the mornings and nights are getting quite chilly, it is still warm and sunny here in the afternoon. Of course, that means I miss all the sunshine because I'm at work. Boo. I have soccer games the next 3 Saturdays, then the Ducks game, then Danielle's wedding...so I have lots of weekend fun to look forward to right now!

My next trip that I am VERY excited about is going to Roloff Farms just outside Portland. If you have ever seen Little People, Big World, then you know what I'm talking about. This pumpkin farm is run by the Roloff family and is only open to the public during the month of October. Lynsey, Anna Kate and I will venture out to the farm on Friday, October 16 and I can't wait! I have that day off work because the State of Oregon has begun implementing unpaid furlough days for all state workers. So, it stinks I won't get paid that day, but I'm excited because I get to take a fun trip and maybe see some celebrities! You can bet we'll be taking the wagon tour of the farm...hopefully Zach won't drive us off the bridge!! (Probably only my Mom will get that)

Here is the link to my Seattle pictures on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2018613&id=160201160&l=bced65d879

VBS, Mattresses, Weekend Plans

Kory and I both bought new mattresses last week and they finally came in today. I am excited to sleep in my own bed tonight! The couch was getting pretty old. We are in the middle of VBS this week, so we're at the church from 8:30-12:30 for that every day. Since the youth room is all decorated for VBS, we had to have youth group at the park tonight. It feels so good outside in the evenings though--I love it!

I am excited for this weekend's activities also! Friday we'll have our last day of VBS; Saturday we'll go white water rafting with a group from church; and Sunday night we have an all-girls sleepover for the high school girls at the church building. Should be lots of fun! I am SO grateful to get to do all these fun things before I have to start working every day.

Here are a few pictures from the past week:

Kory grilling our hot dogs when we cooked out in the park on

the 4th of July

this park is just a few blocks from our apartments

our picnic in the park; Kory also tried to teach me to throw a frisbee but i am AWFUL at it

these clouds looked really cool when we walked outside of Walmart--they don't look as good in this picture though. i hate that! it's always so disappointing!

Kory's cocoon he's been sleeping in while we waited for mattresses to arrive

Weekend Update

I had a fun, yet not too eventful weekend. Saturday Kory and I spent the morning playing video games and messing around on the computer. We had to run to the church to pick something up and on the way home, realized we hadn't eaten lunch yet. Since it was the 4th and all, we decided to stop by the store, pick up some food and go to the park and cook out! We had hot dogs and threw the frisbee while they were cooking. It was great! Kory had the sad realization that the reason the park was so empty was because everyone else was with family and friends at their homes...but we still had fun with just us two.

Dan Jocoy, Tri City's preacher, is out of town for 2 weeks so Kory preached today. We spent all afternoon Saturday working on church stuff. Kory was preparing his sermon and I was working on class material. Since Kory had to preach and do VBS this week and prepare youth group and lots of other things, I taught the high school class for him this morning. Saturday evening we had supper and watched a movie before heading out to the fireworks in Riddle, a small town about 10 minutes away. The fireworks were really good, especially for such a small town. I was very impressed. This year is Oregon's 150th Birthday so there are events going on all year to celebrate that occasion.

I had prepared well to teach class today and had all my notes ready. I got to Kory's office at the church building this morning to print off my notes and his office computer wouldn't recognize my USB drive. I wrote down some notes from what I could remember and then just had to wing the rest. We had 4 kids in class this morning--1 of them is Autistic and 2 of them are currently in Rehab. They are all great kids, but it definitely made for an interesting dynamic in the class! Kory did a great job preaching today. His sermon was titled "Christianity Isn't Boring!" and it was very well received. One of the amazing things about this church is that his lesson wasn't needed to guilt or convict people; he was merely affirming what so many of these people are already involved in. TCCC is a family of movers and doers and passionate Christians! It's so awesome to be involved with all the good that is going on here.

VBS is this next week, so Kory and I both will spend our mornings at the church building helping with that. I am the assistant to the craft lady and Kory is a crew leader, which means he is in charge of a group of 3-5 kids and will stay with them all morning ushering them between stations and such.

We found Sonic in Roseburg (20 min north of us and the town I'll work in) and have been there twice in 3 days now! I didn't realize how much I missed it until I had a Vanilla DP there Friday. Oh it was heaven! We went to Roseburg this afternoon for a Sonic and Wal-mart run. I have a feeling I will be making a lot of those while here. We also went to Home Depot and Kory was smiling ear to ear when we left. When I asked him why, he told me that "being in that store just makes you feel like a REAL MAN!" He then proceeded to grunt like Tim Allen! haha I also found out they have Hobby Lobby in Roseburg, so I am pumped to visit there soon!