Vacation - Time to Getaway!

We are off to relax for a week! I didn't realize I was so ready for a vacation until the plans solidified and it was all a "GO!" We'll begin our school year when we return. There is a ton of stuff going on in Sept., so this is going to be the calm before the storm! We're looking forward to seeing friends and family, and being hugged and laughing, & having some real heat and summer weather. Please be praying for us. Our van isn't in Primo shape, and we are on a tight, tight budget. We'll be driving around 18 - 20 hours, with 3 teenagers (who love eachother, blessing or blessings!) and Cricket of course.

Doug, if you are reading this, Cricket can't wait to see you!

I may post while we are away. If I even think about a computer in that time!

While I Yet Have Breath...

I was an introspective kid. I don't know that it was on purpose, but having few to zero friends put me in a place where I spent a lot of time thinking. Once I became a Christian, God began to invade those times and they became all the sweeter, but less about me. When I was about 11 or 12, after a particularly hard day of school, I came home and grabbed a notebook and pen and started writing a list. At first I just wrote, then as I sat there the Holy Spirit whispered to me and I wrote His ideas down too. The list was one of "things I would like to do or see while I yet had breath in me." I began it because I wanted a purpose to life beyond what I was experiencing. Over the years I have expanded it, but I committed to never remove anything from it because I wanted it to remain a catalog of God Sized possibilities and not within my limitations.
I was thinking of how wonderful it feels to be an Auntie, when I realized it was another thing to check off the list of "While I yet have breath"...
I thought I'd share the entire thing with you. It is in no particular order. I didn't # them on purpose as I didn't want one to seem more important than another... Prepare yourself! You may be surprised at a few...

Things to Do / See While I Yet Have Breath In Me

· Fall deeply, helplessly, and unconditionally in love with someone who returns the sentiments and marry him. X (11/26/1988)
· Be an amazing friend who has amazing friends.
· Teach someone to read. X (1991, 1994, 2000)
· Ride horses on the seashore.
· Give birth, breastfeed, and raise loving children. X (1989, 1991, 1993)
· Be someone others respect deeply but do not fear.
· Be rescued.
· Memorize a book of the Bible.
· Be hugged by my Dad for no apparent reason & hear him say, “I love you.” For the same reason. X (11/22/06 - he died later that week unexpectedly)
· Bathe in a claw foot tub with tons of bubbles. X (11/26/2000 Anacortes, WA)
· Learn to tell the truth, in love, tempered with grace.
· Take a vacation with no time limits and stop whenever and wherever I wish. Have picnics, explore, photograph everything of interest…
· Make my own jewelry.
· Work in a soup kitchen for a holiday.
· Talk in an foreign accent for an entire day, some place where no one knows me.
· Sit on a jury.
· Milk a goat.
· Meet at least 2 people I do not know, whom I admire deeply.
· Attend a Broadway Musical or a Ballet on Broadway.
· Swim with Dolphins.
· Ride a camel in Africa.
· Send a message in a bottle in the Atlantic Ocean.
· Pet a Harbor Seal Pup.
· Learn to speak a foreign language fluently.
· Learn Sign language well.
· Be covered in butterflies.
· Visit 5 of the 7 continents. (N. America, Asia...)
· Be someone’s mentor.
· Learn to really dance. All styles (except western).
· Write a novel and have it published.
· See the Smithsonian and the rest of DC.
· Watch a lunar eclipse. X (3/3/07 another one happens on the 28th of this month!)
· Write my will.
· Experience weightlessness.
· Kayak with Killer Whales.
· Hold my grandchildren, and see them laugh.
· Walk through history in the original 13 colonies.
· See the Northern Lights.
· Ride in a hot air balloon.
· Design and grow my own secret garden.
· Watch a lightning storm at sea.
· Visit the birth places of my ancestors.
· Own one classic, classy evening dress.
· Volunteer at an AIDS clinic in Africa.
· Buy a home near a stream or pond with a big porch & have a “revolving door” for friends, family, and needy.
· Learn to sing so others at least don’t mind listening.
· Spend Christmas in the Alps in a chateau by a fire with the one I love and wrapped in Cashmere.
· Have our family portrait painted.
· Throw a huge party where everyone who has ever been dear to us is invited and attends.
· Watch the sun come up on the ocean embraced by someone who loves me.
· Tour countries by bicycle for a year.

· Become an Auntie X (8 / 10/ 2007!!! to Connor)
· Fly a plane.
· Take serious art classes.
· Be a “mama” to hundreds of orphans.
· Go white water rafting.
· Be kissed so passionately I get dizzy.
· Have photos published.
· Experience a spa day ~ a total pamper and primp.
· See the Cirque de Soile`.
· Ride a motorcycle. X (beginning in 2002 - 2005, Honda Nighthawk 750)
· Make love in a sleeper car on a traveling train.
· See my children marry someone who loves unconditionally, passionately, and deeply and have the wedding they dream of.
· Help build a house.
· Become knowledgeable and passionate about a cause.
· Live somewhere without TV / Internet / Telephone / Cell Phone for a year, where there is a tight community of people. (almost like early America)
· Photograph: A birth, a wedding X (10/3/03; 11/13/04; 5/5/05; 8/4/07; ), a funeral.
· Speak at a large conference.
· Wander through: sleepy New England villages; and the fallen leaves, flea markets, ancient ruins, coffee shops, sandy beaches, museums, gardens, vineyards and attics of the Grecian Isles, Scotland, Ireland, Giverny, Tuscany, Madeira, Maine, and Prince Edward Island.

Lately I've added:

• 
  
  Be a child of God, not a day laborer.


• 
  
  Give more support and encouragement than criticism and correction.


• 
  
  Do one thing that scares the hell out of you.


• 
  
  Get organized.

I'd love to see a list of things you want to do /see while you are here, with the time God has given you.

Mommy, Daddy and Connor

More photos of the most adorable 5 day old boy on the planet!!!

I'm An Auntie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For the first time in my whole life I am an aunt. And, lucky me, it happens to be to the cutest baby boy on the planet! Connor. James' little sister, Anna, and her husband, Shaun had their first son on August 10th. This is Grama holding him. Since it has been 14 years since she held a newborn grandchild, you can imagine her joy!! We won't get to meet Connor until Oct. when they come home from California for a visit. It is killing me. I'm on pins and needles for Oct to arrive.

Rejoice with me! I'm an Auntie ~ Finally!!!

Amber and Eric

Friends got married this past weekend!! Aren't they the cutest?
I'm still tryin to get the hang of wedding photography.
There's more below.

Wedding Attempts

Pastor Man is 40!

Still smokin' hot!!

Mmmm Mmmm Mmmmm!

UPDATE & NEW PICTURES: Asking for prayer...

I have been devoloping a rash for about a week that has gradually crept over my entire body. My left ankle is by far the worst looking, but it is the rest of me that itches non-stop. I'm on Benadryl and Steroid cream, but the Dr. is at a loss to what has caused it or if this will even get rid of it. To be honest, I'm discouraged and sad. I know God isn't "picking" on me, but things like this always happen at the worst times. Please pray that this goes away quickly and never returns, even if we never figure out why it came. Thank you!
(Forgive the stubbly leg... I can't exactly shave right now)
We've pretty much determined that this is a case of poison ivy. Although I don't remember being anywhere that I could have come in contact with it, I am told that if the Urushiol oil is on an animal whom you pet or if it is on you clothes and then you touch it it will cause an outbreak. It takes 1 NANOGRAM to cause a rash! 1/4 oz could cause a rash on every person in the world!
I'm feeling a bit better and my ankle is clearing, but the rest of the rash is still itchy and covering 9/10 of me. Please keep praying, I would love to get on with life!

Of Daughters and Sisters

Minda. I have always loved that name. It means "gentle one" which doesn't exactly fit our girl. She is gentle, but she is more merriment, and chatter. I sometimes wonder what the feminine form of Isaac (laughter) is. Naming her "Laughter" would have pegged her. Children flock to both of my girls, but for different reasons. Cassia is beautiful and sweet. She talks to the little ones quietly and they are at ease and comfortable with her. Minda plays games, tickles them, talks in silly voices, and laughter is constant. Both have pint sized fan clubs. Anything under 3 feet seem to adore them! As a mom, I can't explain the pride I have in these 2 daughters of mine.
One of the greatest blessings is their love for eachother. They are dearest friends as well as sisters. Cassia took Minda out for a birthday shoot. Minda had just bought a vintage dress for $5 at a sale and was twirling and flitting. (who says 14 can't be fanciful?) They stayed the night with eachother, bought sweets for eachother, and were given up to jollification for the better portion of the evening.
God has been so gracious and merciful to us as parents. In spite of all our faults, shortcomings, and sins, He has kept them at the center of His palm and He has their hearts. Thank you, Jesus!

Photos below

birthday shoot

Malinda turns 14 Today!

More to follow soon... I have a party to get ready for!

In the Good 'Ole Summertime

Summer came upon us withcrushing force this week. It was overwhelming at times. (think of that scene in Star Wars when they are all in the garbage compactor and Luke keeps getting pulled under by the garbage monster and then the walls start moving in on them...) Bozeman isn't used to hot, or dry so most of the homes are built without air conditioning ~ ours is no exception.

Even though the last few weeks have been stiflingly, chokingly hot, we have had nonstop company!!! I'll give you the "Last two weeks in the Life of the Paul's " tour! Sabrina came to visit again. She'll be a full time student in the fall and won't have vacation pay, so we made the most of it. We walked through her childhood memories, retracing some of the places she visited as a tike. Lewis Clark Caverns was one. We spent a very Hot day underground wandering though 52 degree F. caves and passageways. The Nympho Bats were a bonus.

Luke is a Prof at MSU and a dear friend. He also spent two years in Korea teaching English to 6-9 year olds. While he was there a youth group adopted him and would come to his apt. where they would cook together. He attends church with us and is on the worship team with James; plays a mean trombone, man. We had been trying to get together for weeks to have him cook Korean for us and it happened to work out while Sabrina was here. It was a great evening of delicious dishes, laughter, fellowship, reminiscing and pain. Both Luke and I ended up with battle wounds by the end of the night. He had a 2" sliver through his big toe, and I had a deep cut at the base of a fingernail that took 45 minutes to stop the bleed.

I am not a Yellowstone fan. I know of better things to do with my time than walk through heat and stink to watch water shoot up out of the ground, then get back in the car, drive, park, walk through more heat and stink to see mud boil or gaze at pretty rocks. This is the one formation in Yellowstone that captures me. The Grand Prismatic Spring. This I will glady put up with the stench and billowing heat waves for. Sabrina's company was the highlight of the day for me. I love that chicky.

Bozeman is no Seattle or Portland when it comes to the Indy Music scene, but they do support & encourage their artists by giving them stage and audience. A friend's little sister was in town performing at the Leaf and Bean and we went down to be her fan club!

That's not all, keep reading...

The Good 'Ole Summertime Continues...

Our sweet friend, Kelly, took off to fly around the world to Laous where she will be teaching English, watching kids, and spending time with her brother and sister-in-law. Cassia and I went to the airport to see her off. Ironically, after having her photo taken in front of the bronze bear, a few days later Cassia got to see a brown bear up close and personal. Checking into why Cricket wouldn't stop barking one afternoon, she came face to face with a cub on our porch. She was the only one home. James told to her to, under no circumstances, go outside and to keep the doors locked. :o) Something tells me she wouldn't have set even a pinky toe on that porch!

My mom and grampa came to visit just as Sabrina was heading for home. I wasn't sure what to expect not having seen Grampa in 2.5 years and knowing he was in the stages of Alzheimers, but God is so good. He and Minda were 2 peas in a pod. It was like watching myslef 23 years ago as they cajolled, laughed, told stories and played games. I had the man I grew up with right there with me for 5 days!

On the 4th Mom and I made Grama's potatoe salad, a fruit salad, & a green salad. I BBQ'd pork steaks and Brats (to perfection I maight add!) and we had chips and homemade salsa! It was one of those terribly hot days so we loaded up our plates and retreated to the basement to eat. Later that night we had some friends over for games and fellowship AND a family tradition!!
read on...

The Good 'Ole Summertime Rolls On...

Homemade Ice Cream!!!! But! There is a catch - You don't Crank, You don't Partake!! Everyone has to get in on the action, and it is soooo yummy!

We had Nathan (college pastor) and his fiance' Robin over for the fireworks and rootbeer floats! It was a beautiful night (Other than mine and Robin's allergies punctuating the minutes with sneezes and nose blowings! )

Matt, Sara, and Bella are home!!!!!!!!!!! Not for long, but we got to spend an afternoon walking, talking and drinking Iced Soy Chai at Rockford!

Almost done...... just 1 more!....................

More of the Good 'Ole Summertime...

Some of our hikes have included Fairy Lake (above) where the drive in was as much of an adventure as the hike. We picniced on the rocks where the wind couldn't reach us, but almost killed Sabrina in the climb... Don't worry, she survived to eat my incredible wraps...

We also picniced at the Palisade Falls campground with my mom and grampa. Then we hiked to the falls. Grampa is 87 and not spritely, but James was his faithful steward and got him to the top. We met a 94 year old coming down! He and Grampa swapped insults and jabs about the war and the Navy. If the Horse Flies would have been less emassed, this would have been perfect. It's hard to have fun when you are so concerned about getting bit!

On the way back from Palisade we stopped at the campground and surprised Tof. We got to sit with him for a half hour and listen to what God has been doing in him during the last two weeks. He hugged his sisters tight and then grabbed their hands while we walked to the Mess Tent to get out of the heat. Does a mama's heart good. *sigh*

Hope everyne is having a blessed summer! Remember that our place is yours! We'd love to lay eyes and hugs on you! Nothing would make us happier!

Timothy in Training

Yesterday the girls and I took Tof out to YAA to attend the Timothy Program. Timothy is a 6 week disciplship program for high school students wanting to be trained as future leaders. The students have to fill out an application (6 pages + a spiritual biography) then be reccomended to the program by their pastor, a teacher and a boss.
Jim Hawthorne approached us about 3 weeks ago about Tof attending. We researched, prayed, and dove into the application process. We found out last week that he had been accepted and God provided a way for us to pay for it.
Tof ran the gammut of emotions. He was happy, then unsure, then sad, and finally excited and ready. As we prayed over him yesterday, both the girls and he were in tears over having to say goodbye. They are tight.
Our prayer for this time is that God will bring a vision to Tof's life for His purposes, that there will be a solidification in his heart and a fixing of his eyes toward God, that he will lead and be a man of integrity, and that lifelong friendships will be established with others who have the same heart. We would treasure your prayers also .

As of Late

Sunday & Monday - James & I headed to Cody, WY for a seminar
on counseling couples. Pastor Nathan and Jim H. came too!

Let me just say - I HATE ROLE PLAYING!

We returned home Monday evening late. I was sick. Nauseous. The 'rolling, roiling' kind of nauseous. It wasn't pretty.

I spent Tuesday and Wednesday painting our kitchen. I bushed on color in between laying on the floor praying for the world to stop spinning so fast. Marshwiggle Green :o)
(actually - it's called March Grass. Minda calls it Granny Smith). I never did lose my cookies, so we won't ever know if the paint would have matched it or not...

Thursday we got to meet up with old/new friends Kevin and Katie Cawley. We had only "met" Kevin and Katie through our blogs and flickr, and phone calls. It was so exciting to finally meet face to face and join hearts in a greater way as God moves them on in new adventures! Katie initiated us into her world by fainting. While she and Kev laughed about the other times she had done it, I tucked away a note to self that if Katie ever says she needs to sit down, set her down right where she is at ~ don't make her walk to the livingroom! What an awesome couple they are. I'm really blessed to now be able to call them friends.

Friday morning we got up early and drove to Cheney, Wa. It was a 6.5 / 7 hr. trip (one way), but our little bro was graduating from Eastern Washington University with a BA in Communications Saturday morning. WOO HOO, YOLEY!

We jumped back in Beezus (our Mercury Villager Mini) and drove the 7 hours home to be here for Father's Day services (and, of course, James' job - that whole "music on Sunday morning" thang).
Our new associate pastors are here, finally! Welcome Don, Jen, River and Moses! I can't believe we are all together at last!
It has been a long week, but I feel revitalized. Relationships, fellowship and the love of family and friends create life in me. :o) I am alive! Breathing deeply.