buddies

okay, so I don't have a human child yet...but I really am quite content at the moment with my canine "child." :) Awhile back I mentioned that some friends of ours were the proud new parents of a pup. It has been a privilege to watch him grow thus far, and also watch our more mature child revert to his puppy ways when the pup in around.

Okay, I'll explain that a little more clearly. Since our wedding last September, we have had to take Harley to the vet at least five times now. Various infections keep finding their way into his body, and we're to a point now where we will probably have to give him benadryl twice a day the rest of his life due to what the vet finally decided is probably allergies. According the chart in the vet's office, our 7 1/2 year old "pup" is actually more appropriately aged to be about 60+ in human years. He definitely moves a bit slower (especially after a long bike ride), enjoys a soft, cushy spot to lay, and I've even caught him out lying in the sun on the back deck.

But, his new young new buddy, Emmet, has been good for Harley. They wrastle & tumble together like two pups should. Harley has had to let Emmet know who is boss a couple of times, but Emmet takes it all in stride and comes bouncing back for more. :)

chillin in the backyard

"in action" photo--wrastling around

whew! time out & water break :)

lots of stuff

So, here I thought I would have a nice, quiet, relaxing summer...ha! :) Well, in actuality, my summer is still going to be pretty low-key. But so many exciting things are going on, and will be going on by the end of 2008, that it seems almost like too much fun!

First, my best friend will have her first child in October. I could likely be an aunt to a little niece, which would totally be an answer to my "secret" prayers... ;) Second, my best cousin/sister of my heart will be getting married in October as well. It has been so fun to walk the road of relationships together throughout recent years, so it will be even more fun to continue that journey together into the most important relationship(s) we have ever entered into... Not to mention the fun we will have in the "planning a wedding" process! ;)

Third, I will be taking mission trip to Bangladesh with a small group from my church at the end of this year. With the loving and truly encouraging support of my awesome husband, I will be venturing into a foreign land to meet and show God's love to the people of the churches in that country that are supported by our church. I will most likely get to use my nursing skills in my most favorite way--through education and teaching regarding health matters. Oh, it doesn't come as a shocker that I'm a bit nervous about this trip, but I truly feel that God has laid it on my heart to go. I've already asked Jason if it would be okay to pack one of the orphan children in my suitcase to take home... ;)

Wow...God is such a great God. It will be a blessing to watch the rest of 2008's adventures unfold...

finally!

summer has officially begun for me! School let out on June 6, but I spent most of last week busy with wrap-up stuff and beginning stuff down at camp. So, Friday evening was the first official evening of my summer break in my book. :)

What are my plans, you ask? Pretty much anything and nothing...I plan to wake up every morning, take puppy for walk, and decide what to do with my day. I have grad class homework, home repair projects, yard work, books to read, beaches to lay on... :) I really hope to have a low-key, non-eventful summer.

I think I'll start out this week with a Sunday afternoon nap...

a sad farewell

I said good-bye to my car on Monday night. We've been together for 2 1/2 years--good years, fun years...

A couple months ago, Jason & I decided that Dave Ramsey was right--life would be much more fun had we less debt. :) So, in taking steps to eliminate debt, selling the Escape would be beneficial. We posted it on craigs list (my new favorite website, by the way) and stayed firm on our asking price. People have shown interest, but it wasn't until last week that someone decided he would pay what we were asking. After completing paperwork, etc. he drove off with my fun 2002 red Ford Escape.

*sigh*

You know, at first I was really sad about it, but I've realized something in the past week: it is more fun to know you don't have a car payment. (could Dave Ramsey be right??) And, there is kind of something freeing in only having one car! With gas prices being what they are and me being conveniently out of school for the summer, we've decided to take our time looking for a "beater" car. Jason will ride his bike to work, we have generous parents and friends who have offered use of vehicles if needed, and overall right now, we're kind of enjoying it!

With things on the horizon such as wisdom teeth removal, home repair projects, vet bills, and the like--God has blessed us right now with the sale of this vehicle. So, I may not have my dream car anymore, I know there are bigger dreams that God is preparing us for!

with the girls

Last weekend was a fun-filled weekend in Chicago with my girlfriends from church. We had such a great time! Friday night we drove to Chesteron and stayed at the Spring House Inn where we totally relaxed and enjoyed the hot tub. Saturday morning we took the train into downtown Chicago and thoroughly enjoyed all the sights & sounds admist the beautiful weather! We took the train back that evening--and were able to enjoy the action-packed drama of the "Transit Tazer Incident." (which is our fancy name for watching about 10 loud, drunk, young men get arrested for public drunkeness) :) On Sunday we drove into Michigan City and spent some money at the outlet mall. We really had a great weekend and are already looking forward to planning our next trip together.

jury duty

how fascinating! A couple months ago I got a jury duty summons in the mail. Jason was thrilled for me--I--not so much. If picked, I was to serve the very last week of school. A very busy week, to say the least, and then to have to be stuck sitting in a room in the courthouse downtown? Well, I filled out the paperwork, all the while believing I probably wouldn't even have to worry about it...

boy, was I wrong.

Last Friday evening (on my way to a fun-filled Chicago weekend), I get a phone call to remind me that I had been chosen for jury duty to begin on June 2. Shoot. So, some last minute phone calls were made to co-workers and my supervisor, and I found myself sitting in a room in the courthouse in downtown GR. But, quite actually, I didn't have to sit around that long. The jury clerk was a totally type A personality drill sergent and kept things moving right along. Long story, short, I should have bought a lottery ticket yesterday, because my name was chosen for everything!

My "term" should be completed tomorrow--and although it has made for a very busy week, I have found it to be quite a fascinating experience!