Thursday, August 30, 2007 Long time no see!!!

Ok, so back in July Jenne Redfern scolded me because I hadn't posted in so long but, this summer has been crazy busy!!!! So, here is an update on this past summer and I am hoping to get back on a normal schedule now that school is starting back up.

JUNE:
As you all know I work at the elementary school that the boys attend. Well, last year I took a 5th grade boy and girl under my wing. They both have a very different home life than I was and am used to. It started that they needed some after school help with homework and staying out of trouble while home alone. So, they started riding the bus to our house after school so that I could keep them on track. Marc and I agreed that I would keep it up as long as it didn't affect our family and the boys.

"K" our "girl" as we call her, is a true blessing. She went hiking with us, out to dinner, to the local swimming pool and she went with us to mom and dad's imfamous Father's Day BBQ in Troutdale for the weekend, she just really fit in well and we enjoyed having a girl in the house. "D" on the other hand, our other boy, has a lot of past and present family issues, not to mention he is mostly unsupervised every day after school and most of the summer. He and I had some issues and we had to ask him not to come back. It is heart wrenching because I see him running around the neighborhood with kids he probably shouldn't be socializing with. But, what do you do? His teacher is awesome and has really supported me throughout the whole ordeal.

Then, in June, we started with Archery night at church. The Archery Outreach was every Thursday night for 12 weeks where men and women were invited for a BBQ and archery competition as a fellowship night. It was all based on donations and I was in charge of the BBQ portion. So, every week I cooked hamburgers, hot dogs and all of the accesories that go with that. Plus, I liked to add a few extra surprises every once in a while to mix things up. It was a huge commitment on my part but, I really enjoyed seeing everyone and knowing that they appreciated what their church family provided for them.

Mom and Dad came for the Sisters rodeo that month also, we did dinner and the usual just hanging out stuff, it was a lot of fun.

Beau had his birthday party on the 23rd. It was a pool party, so we had the new pool up and running and kept the hot tub open too. I bought a bunch of water balloons and squirt guns and everyone ran around on a cake and soda high!! They had so much fun!

June 28th marked the 2nd anniversary of Jeff Lucas' death. We still miss him very much and are getting closer and closer to reaching the goal for his memorial stadium at our high school.

JULY:
Mom and Dad went to round butte for the 4th of July. We met up with them for a couple of days and then Marc and I headed to Corbett on the eve of the 4th, leaving the boys with grandma and grandpa. I really wanted to be in Corbett for the 4th of July this year. We haven't been back on the 4th for almost 3 years. We had so much fun, of course we hit the beer garden on the 3rd. That is where everyone is on the eve of the 4th in Corbett. Then we hit the parade and fun festival on the 4th. And, who could miss the Corbett fireworks?? They get better and better every year. Thanks to Susan and Big Bear for all of the work they do. I know how much work it is because mom and dad were in charge for several years when I was younger.

Gene Hubbard and Sarah Wilson were married on the 7th. The wedding was beautiful and her dress was just gorgeous!!!

Then we started 2 weeks of swimming lessons and gymnastics camp. Those were the craziest weeks of the summer by far. I felt like I was living in the truck, running the boys all around town. But, they had fun and Beau got to get his cartwheel fix!!!

Then, the week after that they went to Vacation Bible School for 3 days. That was a nice break for me, I dropped them off at 9 and picked them up at 12:30. So, I was able to get some scrappin done.
The next week I helped cover at scrapadoodle so Debie could go on vacation and the boys hung out with Donna and/or Kathi.

AUGUST:
Marc's Uncle's step daughter-to-be was married on the 4th in Sandy. The wedding was beautiful, she had sunflowers everywhere, planted and in vases on the table. We got to see Marc's sister and brother in law and several other family friends we hadn't seen in a while. It was nice to get caught up on the family gossip.

Then, Donna's daughter and granddaughter came to visit from Cali for a few days. Beau was looking so forward to Emily coming he could barely contain himself!! They had so much fun and were basically inseperable for 3 days. Our family went to Suttle Lake for several days and Donna and the girls came to visit for a few hours. It was so nice to be able to see them again.

Amos & Lanell got married (finally) on the 18th! This was the best wedding we went to all summer! Not only because we were happy that they were finally getting married but, because Amos was actually smiling most of the night! Amos doesn't smile much! He is so serious!! We love him though and his brother Blair was able to come visit from the military.
This also marks the first night of meeting Tony's girlfriend!! She is very nice and I look forward to getting to know her better.

Then the week of the 20th, I finally finished the second Japanese album!! I actually got the OK on it and now I just have to reassemble it. Then it is on to the next one!!

Marc and I celebrated our 11 year anniversary on the 24th. He celebrated it out in the middle of nowhere hunting for deer and elk and I celebrated it out with the girls and a couple glasses of wine!! But, if you know the story of our wedding then you know why. If you don't know the story ask us, we love to tell it!!!

That puts us at this week:
I started work at the school this week. Just a little bit, orientation and welcome breakfast for district employees at the HS. This weekend we actually get to stay home although, I think I will be working at Michael's on Sat.

So, I am all caught up now, I am hoping to post at least once a week. If I don't hold up my end of the bargain then I give you permission to give me a hard time about it!!!

I'm outta here,
Nicki