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Friendship, Project 365, Rachel

Girl’s Night Out

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Hello, it’s Rachel again. Wait, don’t go, my mom asked me to blog, okay? Today my mother has been extremely busy organizing, cleaning, and rearranging our home. Sarah has been kindly helping her all day. What a blessing it is to have a mother who works so hard to make our house a home. She strives to create a welcoming atmosphere where fellowship and hospitality is not only encouraged, but demonstrated. I hope to someday be as gracious of a wife and mother as she has shown herself to be.

My dearest friend from WA, Jenny, graced our home with her presence this weekend. (This is literally the second time I’ve seen her & I’ve been home for a month so she’s lucky I still love her.) But, bitterness aside, any time spent with her is wonderful. We spent the day together – running errands, cleaning, playing cards, laughing, and enjoying each other. Unexpectedly, we both had the evening free and decided to have a “date night.” We dressed up (heels, dresses, hair, the works,) and headed out on an adventure.

Our outfits may clash, but we don't. ;)

Our outfits may clash, but we don’t. ;)

Sarah was kind enough to take a few photos of the “finished product.” (I don’t normally dress up, ok? It has to be duly documented when it happens.)

We love to laugh almost as much as we love each other.

We love to laugh almost as much as we love each other.

We ended up in Steilacoom right as the sun was setting. We ate at a little bar & grill located near the water. Sitting at a little corner booth near the window, we simultaneously joked and discussed life. (What best friends are supposed to do, right?)

bffs

bffs

We ordered a delicious slice of cheesecake and two cups of coffee. (Also delicious.) What a fun treat for both of us.

Isn't she so pretty? (The cheesecake is pretty too though.)

Isn’t she so pretty? (The cheesecake is pretty too though.)

What a joy it is to have this wonderful woman in my life. Jenny, today was an absolute dream, and it wasn’t because of the cheesecake. It was because of your sense of humor, your compassionate heart, your positive attitude, your brilliant mind, and your beautiful soul. You have been my best friend for 10+ years and I never want to give you up.

xoxo

xoxo


xoxo

Project 365 – Day 170
Rach

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Events, Family, Friendship, Homeschooling

Train Trip to Portland

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Every year our homeschool co-op organizes a field trip to Portland. The field trip coordinator (who is amazing!) secures for us an educational discount, and we can take the 2 hour train trip to Portland and back for only $15! Our group gets 2 full train cars all to ourselves. It’s a fabulous deal and one of our favorite events of the spring. This year we went in June rather than May, and Rachel was home from college and could join us. We also invited some other dear friends (NOT homeschoolers, shhhh, don’t tell) to come along.

We got up early and drove to the train station. David was in California with Tim, so he wasn’t with us. We missed him the whole day. Felt strange not to have him there. Daniel took off work from Chick-Fil-A and was able to come. The train ride is a good part of the fun – roaming the cars with friends, eating in the dining car, reading books, playing games, being silly.

Goofy kids

Goofy kids

Rachel was smart and brought a book.

Rachel was smart and brought a book.

We’ve been on this trip several times. It’s always an adventure exploring Portland on foot. This year we were treated to a private tour of the Lan Su Chinese gardens in the center of town. Fascinating information, beautiful gardens, and great setting for pictures.

Our garden tour group.

Our garden tour group.

My beautiful college girl - LOVE, LOVE, LOVE having her home this summer.

My beautiful college girl – LOVE, LOVE, LOVE having her home this summer.

Nancy and I tried to keep track of all these teens.

Nancy and I tried to keep track of all these teens.

And, of course, we had to go to Powell’s Book Store. How could a bunch of avid readers and homeschoolers skip the largest used and new bookstore in the world?? Powell’s occupies an entire city block, and claims to stock over a million new and used books.

I wish I could have given each child $100 to spend on books while we were there. That would have been an amazing surprise and treat for the day. Ah, well, not in my budget.

Powell's Book store

Powell’s Book store

After all that book shopping, we definitely needed some sugar to sustain us. Time for some donuts.

People argue whether our very own Lakewood House of Donuts BEAT Portland's famous Voodoo Donuts.

People argue whether our very own Lakewood House of Donuts actually BEATS Portland’s famous Voodoo Donuts.

And, of course, nothing goes as well with donuts as some coffee. Off to Starbucks.

I don't know where all this silliness comes from.

I don’t know where all this silliness comes from.

Friends who photo bomb are the best!

Friends who photo bomb are the best!

This beautiful friend is an absolute joy and treasure in my life!

This beautiful friend is an absolute joy and treasure in my life!

I think we logged in miles of walking throughout the day. We enjoyed Thai food at the food trucks. Saw friends from our group as we walked around the city. And were so thankful for the gorgeous, sunny day.

A last look at the water before heading back to the train.

A last look at the water before heading back to the train.

Daniel spent the day with James and other friends, so I didn’t get any pictures of him. Funny what you realize you did or didn’t capture throughout the day on your camera.

All in all it was a lovely day. Friends, coffee, books, donuts, walking, gardens, laughter, train rides, water. Thank you, ACTS Co-Op, for providing a great family adventure for us. Thank you, Tung and Debbie, for letting Angie and Zach come with us. Thank you, Nancy, Julia and Daniel for being our Portland buddies for the day.

Project 365 – Day 168 (June 17th)
Kathy

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Being a Disciple of Jesus, Family, Project 365

Flowers and an Apology

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Received these beautiful flowers today from one of my children.

20150616_114453

In Proverbs it says:

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11

Never is this more tested than in the chaos and joy of FAMILY life. I think we stumble over each other all the time in a family – in a marriage, in parenting, in serving one another, in NOT serving one another.

So, even though I was hurt and frustrated by an interaction with one of my sweet kiddos, I purposed to be a servant who overlooks an offense. I understand that it’s hard to grow up. It’s frustrating and confusing and exhilarating all at once.

Don't let the sun go down on your anger.

Don’t let the sun go down on your anger.

And, when we hurt each other, the Lord is honored when we restore the relationship. Sometimes that means a hug. Sometimes it is a note. Sometimes it’s an apology. And sometimes it’s beautiful purple flowers.

I love you!

Project 365 – Day 166
Kathy

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Daily Life

Jet Ski

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Daniel had the opportunity to enjoy some jet ski time on the lake today. A friend graciously allowed him to learn on his jet ski and take it all around the lake for nearly an hour.

Go Daniel!

Go Daniel!

Daniel went from falling every few minutes to riding like an expert. Very fun to watch!

Project 365 – Day 166
Kathy

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Daily Life, Family, Kathy, Project 365, Rachel, Sarah

A Tacoma Adventure

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Rachel has come home from college determined to really ENJOY the summer. She wants to try new things, travel, explore interesting areas, and, most of all, not waste the precious time she has off from school.

All of which to say, she does NOT think sitting around on a GORGEOUS Sunday afternoon is a good idea. Nor does she think I should stay inside cleaning when there are adventures to be had.

Look at that mountain!

Look at that mountain!

The only slight wrinkle in our adventuring plans was the fact that Daniel and the other CIT teens had my van, and we were home with Daniel’s car. Hmmmm, needs new tires and has a possible oil leak?

“Rachel,” I said, “I’m not willing to take off for the coast or Seattle in Daniel’s car.”

No offense, Danny Boy!

“Well, what can we do then?” she and Sarah asked. Looking to me for answers and something more interesting than the nearby parks and local dives.

“Clean the garage?”

“Um, Mom.”

“Sorry, I mean, declutter the upstairs?”

Rachel and Sarah looked at each other, “I don’t think she’s really understanding things,” they said with concern. Ha.

“Okay, I have a plan!” Thankfully they aren’t at all particular and trust me, so off we set for the wilds of Tacoma.

How can I resist time with my beautiful girls?

How can I resist time with my beautiful girls?

How did they grow up so fast?

How did they grow up so fast?

First stop – Stadium High School. What a beautiful school! And the location of teen movie from ’99. Which makes this a film field trip.

Stadium High School

Stadium High School

How's this for the setting of a football game?

How’s this for the setting of a football game?

We contemplated climbing over some locked gates to explore further – but decided to be law abiding citizens. We did, however, watch as a man disappeared through/over the fence to go down and train on the stadium stairs, and later observed a woman (obviously finished with her workout) climb back over the gate to leave the area. Interesting. Of course, it never SAID anything about trespassing. Still, a padlocked gate does send a certain message.

Even the fire escapes are picturesque!

Even the fire escapes are picturesque!

From there we went to Ruston Way to walk along the dock and enjoy some of Old Town.

Rachel was SO happy with our outing!

Rachel was SO happy with our outing!

Picture time!

Picture time!

The sunshine, warm weather and relaxed afternoon were perfect for our time together. The boys were all off, otherwise engaged, and we had several hours for mother/daughter time. Plus, I was able to impress the girls with my stick shift driving skills. Ahhhh, such a blessing to be together, live in a beautiful corner of the United States, and have the freedom and ability to go off exploring.

Organizing a messy garage or decluttering bedrooms does NOT compare to the sweet time we had together. Thank you, Rachel, for encouraging us to get OUT of the house. I love you girls!

Project 365 – Day 165
Kathy

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