Royal Wedding

In case you've been in a cave for the past 48 hours, I'm sure that you are aware that Prince William is now married. In a ceremony with great pomp and circumstance, a commoner became royalty.  England acquired a new princess.

This evening, as I watched the wedding highlights and diagrammed the Royal family tree for the Mr. (because there was NO WAY I was going to stay up all night to watch the coverage live), I sighed quietly to myself, "Oh, to be a princess!"   The Mr. overheard me and promptly chimed in, "Well, you are a princess.... you're my princess."   Altogether now... *awwwwwww*

Anywho, in the midst of this worldwide coverage of the royal fairytale, I am still amazed that I get to wake up next to my very own Prince Charming!  :)

Checking In...

Wow. It’s been over a week since I’ve posted here.  I think that’s some sort of record or something… at any rate, it is a testament to the busyness of our lives lately.  Today ends Finals Week #2 for the Mr…. 1 week to go!  Needless to say, I’m not sure who is more ready to have finals over with.  I miss my man!

This week has been particularly busy at the office as well… It is decision time for students.  It’s equal parts exciting, stressful, gratifying, and frustrating for our office. J  And I’ve spent considerable amounts of time reading fascinating journals like this.

This coming week has a lot of excitement mixed with a TON of sadness for us… two of our good friends from college are staying with us this weekend… it’s ALWAYS great to have visitors from home.  And next weekend, we’re headed back to Central Washington for one of Cole’s best friends’ wedding! We can’t wait to see old friends and spend time with the Boboth family!

But between those wonderful weekends will be sandwiched our farewell to Everett and Carrie – Cole’s brother and his wife and our best friends in Forest Grove – as they head out for Everett’s Optometry Rotations.  I couldn’t be more thrilled for them that they are nearing the end of their time in school, but I can’t even begin to explain how much they will be missed. *sigh*

Well, I’m off to go get cinnamon rolls started for tomorrow’s breakfast for our guests…  Stay tuned for a fun announcement on Monday!!

Happy Weekending,

-Laura

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Lifelong Dream: Accomplished

Some people have lofty dreams that may never come true.  Some people have lofty dreams that might come true.  Some people never dream at all.  And that, my friends, was the overly dramatic intro to a blog about my childhood dream of visiting Chuck E. Cheese.

Growing up, my parents prided themselves on the fact that they had never taken us to Disneyland nor Chuck E. Cheese's. (And, to be honest, all 3 of us kids grew into that same sense of pride in our deprivation.)  Don't get me wrong, we had nice vacations and lots of quality family time.  Just not at those two specific parental nightmares.

Well, my whole world was rocked last night when I finally set foot in this kid-utopia that I had only heard about.  It was everything I had dreamed it would be. And more. It really is where a kid can, well, be a kid.  Rather, 4 adults can be kids.

He flirts with me

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

We went there with Carrie and Everett for Carrie's birthday. Pizza, tokens, the whole shebang!  It was ridiculously fun; and I'm sure that the staff wasn't quite sure what to do with us!  Either way, I won cotton candy and decided that we likely won't take our kids there either.  Mission Accomplished.

Happy Birthday, sis!  Love you more than Spongebob and Ski-ball.

-Laura

PS - Roadtrip tomorrow with the Sister-in-Law!!!


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Praying for Rachael

This is a picture of my gorgeous cousin, Rachael. She is the most wonderful, athletic, goofy, energetic, loving, and compassionate 11 (almost 12) year-old that I know.  Over the last few weeks, she has been plagued with persistent, severe migraines rendering her unable to attend school and participate in all of the regular activities in which she is normally involved.

If you think of it, please please be praying for her.  For relief, for answers, for patience, and for rest. I miss her and her incredible family lots; and I can't wait to see them in May!

We're praying for you and we love you, Rach!
-Laura

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Happy Birthday, Brother!

Twenty-one years ago today, one of the coolest guys was born.  And we are SOOOO thankful!  It has been so fun to watch him grow in his love for the Lord, his passion for politics, and his ability to draft winning fantasy sports teams.

Cole and Cameron at our wedding

So, Happy Birthday, Cameron! You're the best little brother either one of us has ever had!!  :)  We both love you so SO very much, and are incredibly blessed to have you in our lives!

-Cole & Laura


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Things to Smile About

Mondays are notoriously rough days. For everyone... not just Garfield. Today was not so rough.

-Enjoyed a sunny run with my wonderful husband after work.
-The SUN was out.
-The M's are playing.
-Came home to these from the Mr.:

"Beautiful Flowers for My Beautiful Girl"

-Productive night.

Hope your Monday gave you something to smile about too!

-Laura

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow..."


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Monday Music

For the last few weeks, I have been really enjoying the music stylings of Sovereign Grace Ministries in their newest album, "Risen." There is one song, in particular, that I absolutely fell in love with; and I just can't get it out of my head..... and whaddya know? We sang it in church yesterday!  Pretty timely considering this Easter season...

You Have Been Raised

How do we know we’ve been forgiven?
How do we know that we have been made clean?
How do we know we’ll go to heaven?
How do we know we’ve been redeemed?

You have been raised, the tomb has been opened
Nothing can take away our hope in You
You have been raised
You have been raised, the work is completed
Hell and its powers have been defeated
You have been raised

Now we are free from condemnation
There is no judgment left for us to fear
We don’t have to wonder if we’re welcome
You are the One who’s brought us near

The price You paid for us
Has fully been accepted
Because of Your shed blood 

We cannot be rejected.

Love. It.

Happy Monday!
-Laura


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What I've been drooling over lately...

Cannon EOS Rebel XSi

Hubba hubba... Isn't it a beauty??  *sigh*


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Wednesday's Gifts

1.  This Man.  He's pretty darn amazing.  And I'm so blessed to be able to come home to him each night.

2. I just found out that I get to take a road trip with my sister-in-law to go see our parents-in-law next weekend!!  It's been 4 long months since I've seen them; and I just can't wait!

3. One of the most influential women in my life had a baby today!  So excited for you, Krystal!

4. Can you say "Gorgonzola Steak"?

5. I got to end the evening listening to this sermon.

I'm pretty darn blessed.

Happy Wednesday!
-Laura

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Awesome Things

I TOTALLY forgot to mention the coolest thing that happened last week on my way home from California!  I landed in Portland mid-afternoon and texted my parents to let them know that I had landed safely.

No sooner had I sent the text, I rounded the corner at the airport only to see my DAD walking towards me to board his flight to Spokane!!!  How crazy is that!  In a big airport, I ran into my wonderful daddy.  It was a much-needed 10 minutes and hug - then we were off on our own separate ways.  (Kind of reminiscent of this event, don't you think?  :)

Taken on Dad's phone to make Mom jealous...  :)

I miss my family a lot, but I am so thankful for moments like this.  Thankful for a Dad who loves me lots and a God who cares enough about our lives to orchestrate a "chance meeting" like this for me at a time when I needed it most. Totally makes travelling worth it.

-Laura


PS - In case you aren't familiar with the wonderful man that is my father, please educate yourselves here and here.

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Weekend Surprise!!

I LOVE surprises!  I love being surprised, I love planning surprises... I just LOVE 'em!  So this weekend, the Mr. and I took a surprise trip to the wonderful city of Seattle!  He has been working so hard with school and everything, I thought I'd surprise him with a weekend away.  He had NO IDEA.

Saturday morning, we got ready and headed out under the ruse that I was taking him out to breakfast!  We went to breakfast at Mother's Bistro in Portland. (LOVED it!!)  And then headed North on I-5.  It wasn't long before he knew something was up.  

I had his overnight bag all packed and had put together a number of small clues for him to open along the way (baseball related paraphernalia like peanuts, cracker jacks, baseball cards, and his old baseball mitt).  Forty-five minutes into the trek, he figured out where we were headed... Destination: Mariner's Game. 

His "clues" wrapped in the Sports section of the newspaper

Row 15!!

My Man

My, Oh MY!!   It wasn't the same without Dave...

EWU's Football Coach threw out the first pitch!  A proud alumni moment for sure!

We had SO much fun together... even though they lost.  We went back to the hotel and finished the evening with some reminiscing and 'Grease'.  While we dragged our feet this morning, regretfully accepting that we needed to return to reality, we were so thankful to have been able to steal away and enjoy some time together!

Here's to a great weekend and a wonderful week to come!
-Laura


PS - Thanks for 9 WONDERFUL months, Beloved.  I love you more than Homeruns and Garlic Fries!

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California: Part 2

Over the course of the last few days, I have explored the wonderful world of wine country down in the Sonoma Valley. Vineyards, and Golf Courses, and Sun - Oh My!  My flight landed early leaving me with a few hours to kill.  Darn.  So, I hopped in my rental car and meandered through wine country.

Wow.  It was a whole different kind of beautiful.  Someday, (considering how conducive Central Washington is to growing grapes) I'd love to have a vineyard.  There is just something so enchanting and romantic about it.  (This kind of romantic, not necessarily this kind.)

See for yourselves!

Yes, please.

The Valley

Drive-By

 

When in Rome...

Palm Trees!!!

Mostly, it was good to see my friend, the sun, again.  Oh, and I talked to some pretty awesome students too! :)

Happy Wednesday!

-Laura

Mac N' Cheese Hospitality

I just read this blog post.  It was a great challenge/encouragement when I am tempted to be overly concerned about keeping my house 'just-so.'

"They won't remember the dust on the mantle or the fact that there were appetizers or not;  they will remember that you loved them by opening your home."

May our home be one of hospitality and love.


-Laura


"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." - Romans 12:12-13

Tonight's Dinner [4-4]

Burgers and Fries - Revisited.  For some reason, homemade burgers and fries will always hit the spot.  So tonight, before I leave the Mr. for a few days, I thought it only appropriate to bust out the 'ole All-American meal as we watch the Mariners battle it out with the Texas Rangers.

Oven Fries 

Cheese to be mixed with Ground Beef

Burgers

Bacon Burger and Oven Fries

I've had people ask me for the recipe for the burgers... and sorry to disappoint, but I just make it up as I go along.  Nothing special.  For the fries, however, you can find a step-by-step "How-To" by my sister-in-law over at her blog.  *Sigh* I miss her loads.

Well, I'm off to go pack for another few days in Sonoma, California.  I'm really gonna miss this Portland rain........ not.

-Laura

California Dreamin'

I went to California. I just got back. Actually, I got back from L.A. a few days ago, but for some reason, this blog didn't get posted.  Oh well.  I had intended to take more pictures - especially to capture the glorious 80+ degree weather we were having, but I didn't.  Oh well.  I was busy recruiting Californians to come attend our school.

So I give you the two measly pictures I nabbed along the way.  

View from my 14th Floor Hotel Room

Note the Palm Trees in the Foreground

Nothing screams, "I'm a Pacific Northwest Girl" louder than my fascination with palm trees.  I've been to Hawai'i, Florida, and California a few times.  I've seen palm trees. You'd think I'd be unaffected, but no.  Those darn trees never fail to captivate me - and my camera.  And don't get me started on ORANGE trees!  Oranges!  On trees! Yeah - Pacific Northwest Girl.  That's me.

Anywho, now that I've exposed my inner nerd, it's time to go make dinner.  Happy Monday, yo.

-Laura

I know something you don't know...

I've got a big surprise up my sleeve for the Mr. - and he has NO idea what it is!

AND I JUST CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

That's all...  :)

-Laura