Category Archives: Friendship

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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Graduation Parties

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I love graduation parties – tasty food, creative themes, sweet graduates on the brink of entering the next phase of life, friends, and, usually, sunshine.

How did ALL of these beautiful children grow up?

How did ALL of these beautiful children grow up?

Daniel was "out" of the picture.

Daniel was “out” of the picture.

Yes, the moms wanted to take pictures too.

We're not so grown up.

We’re not so grown up.

Some prefer the outside entertainment to the photo booth silliness.

Rachel is so wonderful to have at parties - all ages of friends want to spend time with her.

Rachel is so wonderful to have at parties – all ages of friends want to spend time with her.

Thank you for inviting us, Hannah! We were very happy to celebrate with you. So excited to watch and pray for you as you start the next phase of life.

Project 365 – Day 164
Kathy

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Lake Day – End of School Party

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As homeschoolers we have a somewhat flexible schedule. We do, however, find life much simpler if we stick as close to the local public school calendar as possible.

So, even though we still have some science and math skills to complete for the school year, we are MOSTLY DONE with SCHOOL for the year!!

Which means we PARTY with friends – End of the Year Lake Day!!

Lake time
Yummy food
A new island float
Friends
Silliness

Our new island of fun!

Our new island of fun!

A few of the moms got together and surprised our lake host with this fun Costco island float. We took a Moms Only Float Ride first (I need to track down the picture of all the moms enjoying a ride out to the buoy).

Then we graciously shared with the kids and teens.

Piled with kids

Piled with kids

Kate and Luke did all the grilling for us!

Chefs du jour

Chefs du jour

Lots of time for relaxing and fun.

Beautiful Grace!

Beautiful Grace!

Boys on the Dock

Boys on the Dock

It has been a glorious spring and is shaping up to be a beautiful summer. So thankful that Tim’s job has allowed me to be home with the children all these years. We school hard during the year and thoroughly enjoy our summers. :)

Project 365 – Day 160
Kathy

P.S. The pictures and post are for June 9th, but I didn’t publish until the 11th. Just for clarification.

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Daily Life, Friendship, Project 365

A Hike & Some Whales

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After our wonderful time on Anderson Island, Tim and the kids went home. I, on the other hand, stayed for some relaxing friend time.

Girl Time!

We stayed up late talking. Drank in the gorgeous sunshine of the morning. Ate delicious food and set off for an island hike.

Crossing the bridge

Crossing the bridge

There are times when your soul is so full of the beauty of God’s creation, that you lack for words.

An empty beach

An empty beach

Pacific Northwest glamour.

Pacific Northwest glamour.

Coming back to sit on the beach near the house, we glimpsed some fins in the far distance. Jumping up and shrieking , we KNEW this was part of the pod of orcas that have been swimming near the island. Kirstin, our beautiful host for the day, has been searching for a sight (however small) of these elusive whales for weeks. Into the kayak she leapt, and off she raced.

Catching the whales

Catching the whales

It was an absolutely thrilling end to the incredibly beautiful time on the island. Kirstin and Shari (who grabbed the second kayak and followed) were treated to a magnificent orca show. We could hear the whales singing and crying from shore.

Truly, this is one of the most stunning places to live.

I have to admit we often fight over "whose" mountain this is.

I have to admit we often fight over “whose” mountain this is.

Project 365 – Day 159
Kathy

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