The end of June

Rick is going to go to El Salvador on a mission trip with some friends. They'll be there from June 27-July 3rd, building a church in the middle of the jungle. Rick has wanted to go on another mission trip since he visited Costa Rica in 1997... and everything for this one has worked out perfectly. Our friend Kristopher (missions pastor at our church) is organizing this group and Rick loves doing stuff with him. The nicest part is that most of the trip is paid for... we only had to come up with $750... and the day after he committed to go, I got a $150 rebate check from our alarm company and a $350 freelancing check from a magazine! Talk about everything working out! God is really cool. His time off from work is even perfect. Since taking on his new administrative job, he has had to use up some of his personal days from his old position. He hasn't used them yet, but they expire July 1st. So now he will use them for this trip and won't have to use his vacation time even! Man, it's awesome when stuff works out. Just goes to show that when we step back a bit and quit trying to do everything ourselves, God works it out just the way it should go. Coolness :)

Don't you think

Barabbas would make a cute new mascot for Old Navy?



I think so :)
Here's his profile

Thirteen years ago today...

after having sweaty palms all night and acting decidedly awkward, my dear, sweet boyfriend Rick proposed to me at my senior prom. Right after the song, "I can't fight this feeling any longer." tee hee!

It was sweet and precious and wonderful and I couldn't believe how lucky I was that I met my soulmate while I was so young. We danced a bit more while I held up my hand and made the little diamond sparkle in the lights of the disco ball. Then we saw Cirque du Soleil at the Mirage... when it was still in the tent behind the hotel. Then we stood atop the parking garage and looked at the city lights and talked about how we would get married in a few years, after I went to college. I had recently been accepted to school at the University of San Diego, and I couldn't wait to go there. Everything in my life was going perfect.

And thirteen years later, everything still is. :)

He wanted to be Spiderman.

GREEN Spiderman.
*NOT* Red Spiderman.

So that's how Riley got his face painted at the school carnival...


He loved it! Hee hee.

Violet and her friend opted for a more traditional face painting job - and were matching kitty cats for the evening :)


Lots of fun at the carnival. Games & candy & sugar & sweets. Can't beat that when you're a kid.

countdown

to the last day of school.
june 9th.
yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss.

i am so ready for the year to be over.
so ready to have a fresh start at home.
so ready to not grade papers.
to not haul around a cart of supplies.
to not have to drop off my son at a sitter.
to not have to drive for 45 minutes each morning to get to work.

i am SO ready for summer.
for playing in the pool at papa & mamalali's house.
for traveling.
for doing creative things again.
for getting my house in order.
for working out.
for working on projects around the house.

this has been a good experience for me.
and the income has been good for us - God provided money when we needed it.
so thankful for God. :)
and so ready to move onto the next big thing.

freelancing.
working with technique tuesday from home.
turning my photography into a real-life business.
being available for my kids.
being available for rick.
being available for my friends.
going to spin class during the day.
daring to try the triathlon class.

the countdown has begun.
28 days to go.

without further ado...

Take your child to work day:

Rick and his "mini-me"


khakis, polos & sportcoats! riley even got his hair all gelled back!


Riley had a great time being Rick's helper at work, and was soon running all over the office, creating havoc in his wake. He made himself right at home!


The Oompa Loompa Girl:

Before the performance...


She was right up front - and did all her moves perfectly!


Stealing a glance between acts...


Violet took her role very seriously. ;)


Afterward there were plenty of hugs for her adoring fans!

off to retreat

this weekend. hopefully rick can hold down the fort with the kids. field day at violet's school on friday and a garage sale on saturday. i will come home to the chaos that will be our house on sunday afternoon ;).

have a great weekend - and special congrats to liane and carl on their college graduations! wish i could have been there to see you guys!!

p.s. mel and papa... still waiting!

melinda & papa

get to it. i have friends who want to see the pictures ;)