i see, i saw, i do.

it's the holiday season *

2011-11-29T18:36:00.001-06:00

I'm so excited about this new etsy shop that is opening...

Check out the lovely holiday cards that my beautiful and talented friend Rosie of Simply Rosie Photography has created with photographs that she takes. They make me want to sit by the fire and enjoy a hot cup of cocoa, or to put on the brightest colors in my closet and go for a walk on a cold winter day.

Visit her blog to enter to win a set of them for your very own!

Good Luck!

(but secretly I hope I win them, and if I do, perhaps if you leave me a note here I'll mail you one!

Cuz getting snail mail is too much fun!) *grin*

harvest party!

2011-10-16T01:49:00.003-05:00

Tonight we enjoyed a lovely time at our friend {molly}'s harvest party.

Delicious healthy foods.

Meeting new friends.

Carving pumpkins . . .

would be contest, but there was no one competing in our tier bracket.

*wink*

I think our 'chillaxin cowboy' is totally cute!

jarfly greeting cards

2011-10-13T17:43:00.003-05:00

I'm trying to win some super cute cards from a talented artist : Jarfly.

Check out her collections here!

( and feel free to enter the contest yourself )

Wish me luck!

symphonic colors

2011-09-01T22:35:00.000-05:00

Oregon Symphony's 1st concert of the season :

Held for free outdoors at the waterfront the perfect venue for an evening with my {hubby} & some friends complete with the 1812 Overture & canons & finale fireworks.

Boaters came out to enjoy the concert.

The cutie {hsu} kiddos.

beautiful breezy, our cover girl

2011-08-31T22:06:00.000-05:00

Tonight we held our usual Wed. Night Dinner at our friend's: the {andrews}...

but this time we had to say good-bye, farewell, see you later!

to our good friend {breezy} who is leaving us for school on the East Coast.

She is an amazing person. So loving.

So caring. So much fun to be with.

I just love this girl.

We're gonna miss her so much!

With {breezy}, & {shawna}.

God Bless! And come back and see us on your school vacations. :)

darth-momma

2011-08-30T14:15:00.000-05:00

{momma} got her locks of hair chopped off today...

Here are a few photos of the process:

~ Before ~

~ During ~

(and hence the 'darth-momma' title)

and

~ After ~

Isn't she cute?

the old & the new.

2011-08-29T19:58:00.000-05:00

A lovely day spent with an old friend meeting new friends.

With a lunch trip to the delicious Elephant Delicatessen,

frozen yogurt dessert at SkinniDip,

and an afternoon cappuccino at Stumptown in Ace Hotel downtown.

I'd say this day was filled with many of my favorite things...

but I'd have to say what made it extra special

was getting to share it with my good friend {j9} and

our two new friends {jenny} & {molly}.

teenage-mutant-ninja-nephew

2011-08-26T13:34:00.000-05:00

Thirteen years ago today I became "{auntie Em}" when my first nephew {quentin aubrey} was born. I was instantly in love. And like any new auntie, I most definitely had his photo in my wallet and bragged about him everywhere I went. He was (and I know I'm bias, but still) the cutest thing to enter this world. {q} was the most personable little boy ever to be had... able to converse with and engage people of all ages. He even had a little business card at one point that read : " 1/4 boy, 3/4 man. "

It's hard to believe that lil {q} is now a teenager.

I love 'em just the same.

climbing the rock

letting out a roar as he prepares to jump. . .

leap of faith

Happy Birthday {q}.

You're not really a teenage-mutant-ninja-nephew...

You're actually da man. *wink*

see if this works: a little clip from the past... lil hipster {q}

and brother boy band.

" i wanna be filled. . .

2011-08-25T17:20:00.000-05:00

... with the Triune God, He makes me happy I want to be filled with Him! "

Sing to the Lord a new song!

I wish I had a photo to represent the enjoyment flooding out of my friend's living room this evening. With one over-flowing Camp Canby-er returned... she filled the room with her whole heart-felt singing and struck a chord in everyone's heart to sing to the Lord a new song! Even my oldest nephews were there calling out songs, singing from their heart, and rejoicing in the Lord. Just the way a home gathering should be.

You know they touched their spirits because the whole ride home there was not a bickering to be had, instead they just kept singing to the Lord at the tops of their lungs. . . letting the world know of their love for the Lord.

Sweet contentment in my soul when our hearts are filled with joy and praise to the One who is beyond worthy.

the cousin art corner

2011-08-24T14:53:00.000-05:00

Art lessons : Puddle People (or Potato People).

[Paint a potato with one or two carrots for legs. Let dry. Then add the details.]

Passing on a cute art lesson that my great-auntie {genie} shared with me many years ago.

What an awesome job they did!

{noah} the cutie!

{acacia} & {quentin}.

{anthony} & {sarah}.

(^^ my creation).

{noah}'s starwars puddle-people creation.

^^ {sarah}'s potato/puddle people.

^^ {acacia}'s potato/puddle people.

hey nonni-nonni

2011-08-20T20:51:00.000-05:00

Yeah, it's that time again, more Shakespeare in the park.

This time we got to enjoy watching a great production of my favorite: Much Ado About Nothing. We meet up with our friends {dan} & {temple} and combined our culinary efforts on a tasty picnic. Another great way to spend a summer day/evening in Oregon.

coast n cousins

2011-08-17T23:07:00.000-05:00

cannon beach with the cousins.

lunch at Mo's.

laying on a blanket in the sand.

flying stunt kites.

diggin' holes.

creating sand creatures.

frolicking in the surf.

bocce ball on the sandbars.

dinner at the BEST pizza place this side of Italy. pizza fetta. Mmmmmm good.

the balch creek princess

2011-08-16T12:47:00.000-05:00

hiking in the evening...
balch creek watershed
in Lower Maccleay trail : Forrest Park, Portland.

Enjoying the cool air brushing through the trees.
Seeking geo-caches.
Sighting a Princess photoshoot. . .
(upcoming pirate festival advertisement)

Dinner at our place : Red Curry over Rice. Mmm.
Vino & a short game of Five Crowns.

bee head hunters

2011-08-15T22:48:00.000-05:00

Another delight of having the churches' children's camp so close to us is that we get a visit from my cousins and their kids. *grin* Tonight we had dinner at my folks with my cousin {steve} & {margaret} and their youngest {noah}. Enjoying the nice evening on the back deck we had to ward off the pesky yellow jackets. My dad was armed with a ladybug fly-swatter and here's the result...

camper kiddos

2011-08-14T22:42:00.000-05:00

Each year around this time we are privileged to get to host the campers on their way to Camp Canby for children's church camp. This year we got four girls and two counselors from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Aren't they cuties?

And a goofy pic.

(sorry for the blurr, I wasn't behind the camera for these).

look! water! what prevents us?

2011-08-13T19:26:00.008-05:00

O Happy Day, When Jesus Washed My Sins Away!

We were among the great crowd of witnesses to {jasper}'s baptism this weekend in Vancouver Lake Park : Washington.

What a glory to God and a defeat to His enemy!

The weather cooperated and we also enjoyed a sweet picnic there in the park afterwards.

Hallelujah ! ! !

(sweet happy momma & papa)

It was also {jasper}'s actual 13th birthday today, as well.

Welcome to your teenager-hood. ;)

party in the mouth [again]

2011-08-12T22:17:00.004-05:00

Dinner is served.

Yum yum yum...

Spicy Thai Red Curry

with Chicken & Potatoes

fun red & purple ones

from {becky}'s parent's garden

over Jasmine rice, topped with cilantro.

Delicious!

Our new favorite meal.

paint on, paint off, daniel-son.

2011-08-10T22:53:00.002-05:00

This summer we are helping my folks stain their fence.

Since it has been pretty toasty these summer days I wore my flip-flops. . . needless to say the stain sometimes drips from my brush and produces cute little freckles painted on my toes. *grin*

Here is hubby squeezing between the bushes and the fence, gettin' 'er done.

{lg}'s petting zoo

2011-08-09T15:59:00.002-05:00

Sweet Triple T: {hans}, {lg}, & me.

Tuesday Tea @ Twelve.

With special guests: {naomi}, {linsi} & her two kiddos {elizabeth} & {zach}

& their new dog Rosey.

Also so glad that {kaylee} could join us as well.

Hoping they become regular Triple T-ers.

{kaylee} discovering the Mexican jumping beans.

Fav quote of the day: "Gosh, if I lived here, I'd hang out with these all day!"

larger than life

2011-08-07T15:42:00.003-05:00

A little Costco run with the folks & Anthony.

Anthony-bear. I love you.

our saturday art corner

2011-08-06T19:47:00.000-05:00

Spent a lovely Saturday afternoon painting with my friend, {inna}.

She's amazing. Hope I get to paint with her some more.

^ ^ {inna}'s.

^ ^ mine... a rough draft... still not finished.

Please excuse the [photos take by phone].

all's well that ends well.

2011-08-05T22:23:00.000-05:00

WILLamette SHAKESPEARE's
Summer 2011
Shakespeare in the park.

It's that time again!!

Pasta Salad: pesto, olives, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, & mozzarella balls.

Freshly picked Cherries!

Wine: Oak Knoll Pinot Gris.

Friends: {inna}, {temple}, & my {hubby}.

All's well that ends well, indeed.

[insert few photos from camera]

something old

2011-08-04T17:04:00.002-05:00

Treasures from another friend's grandma's closet... er storage unit.

Old sewing table : end table.

End table & picnic basket.

Added bonus:

Got to meet a new friend {tina} who is planning to move here within the next month as well.

let all your matters be done in love.

2011-08-03T20:20:00.000-05:00

My first commission painting.

I had to blend two very different artist's work into one.

A whimsical painting of Marc Chagall

a photograph of a sculpture of two people 'kissing and becoming one'.

Here's a little of the process:

The background flowers were too busy... so they got vetoed.

^^before the verses.

It is finished.

The verse reads:

"Let all your matters be done in love."

spare tire.

2011-08-01T16:14:00.000-05:00

Adventures floating the Clackamas River with {mom}, {temple}, & {dave}.

Mom had never been floating any river in all of her life.

It was a perfectly hot summer day.

{temple} had some innertubes, so we were set.

[photo is from {dave}'s phone]

thursday night lights

2011-07-30T23:46:00.005-05:00

A lovely summer evening spent in our friends' the backyard

to enjoy our Thursday night dinner together:

{inna}'s birthday!

horseshoes.

Roasting hotdogs.

Potato salad.

Fresh fruit salad.

S'mores.

Homemade Pie.

Singing out love-songs to Jesus.

Jammin' with a celloist, guitarist, & the piano.

{charles}'s first s'more.

{breezy} & the lovely birthday girl, {inna}.

My love roasting me some dinner.

{dima} roasting his marshmellows.

A time of singing out a love-song to Jesus.

{isaiah} rippin' it up on his cello.

strummin' at chit.chat.cafe

2011-07-29T17:13:00.000-05:00

They're getting better!

lesson #2

more chords & practicing basic strumming techniques.

Learning:

D - D7 - A - A7 - Am - G - C - E - Em - E7 - B7

In honor of {mercy}'s b-day Charles took us out for Fro-Yo after our lesson today.

Happy Birthday {mercita}!

(and to your twin sis {grace} as well!)

pick me! pick me!

2011-07-29T15:57:00.001-05:00

It is a very rare day indeed that I should be the winner of a contest... but a friend of mine in Texas is opening her own etsy shop to showcase her handmade purses & bags and needed a name for the shop. A few days ago she posted her dilemma on fB and offered a cute bag as a reward for the entry that she picks as the name. We could enter as many times as we wanted with a new name so I shot out a couple names that I thought she might like and SHE PICKED MINE! Yeah!!! :) Woo Hoo!!!

ByAmyWithLove
My new bag will be coming in the mail very soon:

terrific triple t!

2011-07-26T14:52:00.002-05:00

Triple T's have returned in all their glory and splendor.

Welcome home {liya}! We've missed you!

[insert cell-photos from gmail]

raindrops on {rosie}

2011-07-17T19:38:00.007-05:00

Following a wonderfully sunshiny July Saturday

we were treated to a day of pouring down rain.

It is no secret that the highlight of the day

was a chance to reunite with a long-time friend: {rosie}

We hadn't seen each other

(with the exception of via facebook)

for over 10+ years.

Since then she's gotten married, had three darling boys, &

hasn't lost her awesome sense of style.

She is also a very talented photographer.

Having come down this way to shoot a wedding only just the day before, she fb-ed me that she was in town & couldn't resist redeeming such an opportunity to see her! She had a little time before needing to get to the Union Station, so I picked her up from her hotel, took her tax-free shopping & to the Elephants Delicatessen for a quick grilled cheese & soup lunch.

Perfect for such a dreary day.

sharing an umbrella. . . can't believe it's been 10+ years!

[photo credit: Rosie's iphone Instagram]

how shocking!

2011-07-15T16:04:00.002-05:00

POP! SPARK! BANG!

* AHHH! OWWIE!!! ~ CRASH! *

then darkness.

That was the sound coming from my over heated hair dryer this afternoon.

It was incredible and scary at the same time. Of course, I screamed. 'Cuz I was scared and because I was shocked. Literally and figuratively speaking. And it hurt. And I was then in utter darkness as I managed to pop a circuit as well. Thankfully I had just pulled my hair dryer away from my head before it happened. Otherwise I would have had to put my hair out in the lou! So long hairdryer. R.I.P.

I can't believe that it completely severed the cord on the interior.

ambitious blogging

2011-07-11T18:28:00.005-05:00

You'd think that not having a TV would help me be more of the blogger that I am meant to be, but no... I still am a little behind... though almost caught up... only to take a break again, I'm sure. :P But that's just how it goes.

One day, I imagine myself as a bonafide blogger. You know, one that actually Blogs for the day that she posts. None of this blogging-the-backstroke stuff. I mean, there are probably just about enough hours in a day to sit down, up load some photos, with a little blurb here and there to give my readers a delight in their google-reader. Right? Well, maybe not. Maybe I could do a week at a time. Even that might just be a little too ambitious.

For now, I guess I've just got to settle for what I do... a little here, a little there... blogging-backstroke when I realize I've fallen behind. Still, I can't thank you all enough for putting up with me. . . Your google-readers must portray me crazy (like when a new post pops up with an 'old' date). But we can still be friends, right? *wink*

and all that they could see. . .

2011-07-10T21:59:00.001-05:00

My lovie & walked down through the neighborhood to see what there was to see. . .

A lot of the stores on NW 23rd were having sidewalk sales.

A street musician serenading the passer-byers:

Stopped for a cold one during happy hour while sitting outside people-watching before trekking over to the local super market to see if the blueCircle had any interesting movies. [to prevent my blog from coming up when people google the true name that is opposite of this] Since when did the price change from $1/day a movie to $1.15/day. They make an extra nickel & dime with every purchase. Total scavs!

It was a lovely hike back up our hill together.

If we keep up our weekend events in exercise form

we may just get back in shape. *yeah*

A nice cold shower awaited us at the top of the hill.

An amazingly large tree trunk on our way home.

Settling down to watch Beastly. . .it was ok. I mean, how many more ways can you write a modern-day beauty & the beast?

biking buddies

2011-07-09T23:30:00.003-05:00

Took a bike ride out on Helvatia Road.

Gorgeous sunset.

Amber waves of grain.

Good friends.

Gummy bears.

Everything sandwiches.

It is gorgeous out there, especially in the evening light.

We met a nice lady named {chris} & her mother {marlene}

who told us we can park at their place anytime we come biking out this way. *grin*

~ only wish I had my actual camera. ~

These ones from my cellphone just don't do it justice.

Will have to wait to get some of the pics we took from {becky}'s camera.

the p.d. [plant doctor] extraordinaire

2011-07-08T21:38:00.003-05:00

{herman} is Dr. {emily} P.D. [Plant Doctor Extraordinaire]'s newest patient.

He is a transfer from my parents' place.

{herman} was clipped from the tops of my mother's kitchen plant and placed in new potting soil on Friday. Hope he will thrive in my 'clinic'.

Below are some of his room-mates:

{zebedee}

la-la-la-rockstar

2011-07-08T16:51:00.002-05:00

{mercita}'s first guitar lesson.

She's gonna be a star.

Trading some guitar fingering for some boba tea.

Mmm... nice summer treat.

[photo from cellphone]

Playin' the D-chord.

Keep up the practicing {mercy}!

You'll form those callouses in no time.

the w.h.o.l.e. truth & nothing but the truth

2011-07-07T22:44:00.004-05:00

Due to a number of things, (which I have outlined in a post that I have chosen not to publish just yet, because in all they boil down to the Lord's sovereignty anyhow), both my {dh} & I are without employment. Whenever I thought of my transition from serving into something else, I never dreamed it would be at the very same time that my {dh} was graduating from college and also looking for work, but that, ladies and gentlemen, is our case. In a perfect world before such a transition, my {dh} would have been steadily employed. And then I, for one, would already have a job lined up that I would be transitioning into, or perhaps I would be heading into grad-school, or even better, I'd be being driven to the hospital to deliver my baby. Well, none of those things are happening or currently even a possibility on the horizon. Needless to say, it has put a strain on things and I find myself crying without notice on some days when a do-weller asks, "how are you?" or "how's the job search going?" I don't even like to crawl out of bed in the morning, because immediately upon waking up I am bombarded with thoughts about how are we ever going to make rent & bills for next month even with all the little odd-jobs I've managed to pick up. Nothing seems enough. Am I depressed? Perhaps, I mean it's probably perfectly normal to crack under this kind of strain, but even so, it's never a joy to experience.

Today was one of those weepy days.

Stress upon stress was weighing upon me from the time I woke up. Then having gotten an even later start due to a kink related to deadline for another project related to truth school, I mustered up the strength to head out the door. There was not a dry moment for my eyes during the entire drive over to a sister's house that I had arranged to clean today. Pulling into her driveway I managed to wipe my eyes even though no one was supposed to be home inside anyways, but to my great surprise I was greeted by {g.b}, a dear 83yr-old sister whom I admire and love very much and who happens to have been a good friend of my {granny} as well. When she asked how I was, the tears began to fall... and I admitted that it wasn't going so well. Then I began to tell her a little about what was going on with and within me. She asked what she could do, and I just asked for her prayers. She listened to me throughout the time I was there and spoke to me of other things as well. Her companionship during this time was such a blessing. She reminded me to Praise the Lord and to Thank Him. You know, not just for the good things, but the not so great things. Like, "Thank You Lord, I'm so weepy." It made me kind of laugh to say it. She said that Praising and Thanking help us to realize the blessings in all things... especially the things that we typically don't consider blessings and are tough to go through.

I truly felt so blessed to have gotten to spend those hours there at the house while I cleaned just fellowshipping and praying and praising the Lord with her. It's like I was getting my feet washed just by being with her. The Lord knew just who I needed to see that day.

More of {grandma bobbie}'s words of wisdom:

God is completely WHOLE.

Well.

Happy.

Obedient.

Loving.

Energetic.

and He's making us the same as He is

in life & nature, but not in the Godhead.

So we too are becoming completely w.h.o.l.e.

Drop by drop.

Say it out-loud:

I am well.

I am happy.

I am obedient.

I am loving.

I am energetic.

Regardless how we feel, we should declare this divine fact and enjoy it as our reality.

Praise the Lord!

Thank You, Lord, for everything!

w.w.w.

2011-07-06T17:00:00.005-05:00

{w.w.w.}

= the Washing of the Water in the Word.

SSOT Prep lunch

Gathering the YP together to eat lunch,

read & memorize the word,

play together in the sunshine.

Happy Wednesdays!

Good days, Sunshine!

the children are wet!

[photos from phone]

july fourth twenty-eleven

2011-07-04T23:29:00.006-05:00

A late lunch at the {goly}'s with {hans} was a great way to kick off this 4th.

Not to mention {markar}'s watermelon mishaps that ended with a bang. haha.

{erik} even got to walk one of the {goly}'s goats. lol.

I believe her name is whatever the Russian name for Maria is. *grin*

Then {erik} & i got down to the waterfront early stake our place.

(ends up being pretty prime seating).

Are we having fun yet?

{inna} joined us, followed by {emily} & {oscar}.

(somehow I didn't get any pics of them!)

The sidewalk was packed with children lighting off fireworks.

Then dusk began to fall. . .

WOOO HOOOO!!!!!

{inna}

Happy 4th of July everyone!!!

woof mountain

2011-07-02T23:19:00.009-05:00

July 2, 2011. Dog Mountain

A beautiful treasure a few miles outside of Stevensville, WA on Hwy 14.

Silly us, we chose a difficult hike to christen our summer adventures.

Just clearing the tree line... two miles down, still another mile.6 or so to go!

He wasn't lying when he said it was steep. *grin*

But the views were awesome and the wildflowers were so pretty!

The meandering trail after the tree line.

It was so windy as we were scaling the heights. . . but the breeze was very welcomed as it was a nice hot summer day in the gorge.

The beautiful Columbia River gorge.

Mt. Adams.

The peak of Mt. Hood.

Mt. St. Helens.

Picnic at the top.

{patrick} & {havilah}

{tim} & {becky}

{erik} & {em}

I thought we would welcome the downhill after such a climb, but it was way worse on my knees than going up. Go figure.

Needless to say, we were dog tired after the haul.

But we had a really great time.

Thanks y'all.

hello {ms. lim}

2011-06-30T17:20:00.008-05:00

{ms. hannah lim}

A long lost sister friend from Korea that we met in Austin years ago came through Portland with some from her 3rd term class of the FTTS. It was so good to see her again. And wonderful to meet some of her friends as well. During a love-feast at the meeting hall we enjoyed one another's spirits and were truly refreshed by their heavenly singing.

There is one Body in this universe!

Hallelujah for the Lord has made us one!

We took them to Multnolmah Falls to enjoy the flowing stream and falls.

{em} & {inna}.

dog-walker extraordinaire

2011-06-27T02:24:00.005-05:00

There are multiple signs stapled to the trees in my neighborhood central to a block radius.

"We'll pick up your doo-doo."

Looks like someone is stealing {liya}'s business...

or should I say 'buissness', these kids are cute. *grin*

we're pralking down the road that leads to glory

2011-06-26T23:00:00.002-05:00

I love having neighbors who love the Lord Jesus. This evening I enjoyed another time of pralking with {becky} in the cool of the evening.

For those that don't know, that's a mix between praying & walking.

We're so blessed to get to live here and so thankful too. Really.

Love you, {becky}. Your going on is for me, my going on is for you.

We need you saints desperately.

{big baby}'s 30th b-day

2011-06-25T23:00:00.003-05:00

My BIL {david}'s 30th Birthday Bash

was held at Big Al's in Beaverton.

Big BB. Birthday Bash. Big Al's. Beaverton.

Burgers. Beer. Big screens. Bowling.

That's a whole lotta B.

one man's junk : is another man's treasure

2011-06-25T15:30:00.004-05:00

Awesome Saturday finds at an estate sale in my hood:

Pretty Italian silk blue tie for the hubby.

Boy Scouts of America : Stainless Steal Knife, Spoon, & Fork.

Multiple children's books:

Richard's Scary Best Story Book Ever

Richard's Scary Busy Day People.

Lyle, Lyle Crocodile.

Hubert ~ the caterpillar who thought he was a mustache.

Narnia ~ the entire series.

hello saturday!

2011-06-25T15:07:00.008-05:00

So thankful to have such a gorgeous day to walk down to the farmer's market with my love today & we snagged a last-minute-before-closing-deal on some peonies. I *heart* peonies. They're gorgeous and they smell lovely too. I picked some that weren't quite open yet, so that I could enjoy them in the days to come.

For lunch we decided against the most-times-over-priced-wares at the farmer's market & began to walk toward the food carts on SW 4th. . . Upon reaching Broadway though we changed our course to the hole-in-the-wall Thai place that I've been meaning to try since we moved here. Food-wise it did not disappoint and price-wise their lunch menu runs a good price on very tasty food.

delicious Thai-iced teas : $1.50 each

I devoured a plate of Pad Thai : $6.50

A mix of chicken, shrimp, & tofu.

Every bite was so flavorful & scrumptious!

And my {dh} tried the Red Curry : $6.50

Hot & definitely a party in our mouths!

I know where I'll be craving my Pad Thai from now.

I've met my Austin Maddam Mames' cousin in Portland.

doctor, ms. MD!

2011-06-24T23:57:00.002-05:00

My awesome friend {havilah} just had her graduation from her residency program.

All but one of her family was in attendance, which is amazing, cuz she is one of eight kids.

I am so honored to know her & so proud of this accomplishment.

Secretly (or not so secretly) I am hoping that she'll still be in the area someday when I'm expecting & giving birth.

delicious delights

2011-06-24T11:40:00.000-05:00

Love the things that make my place smell deeeelish!
~ like ~
Vanilla Bean cupcakes cooling on the window ledge.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
I'm thinking I'll frost them with Butter Cream frosting
and take them with me for a meet up with friends today.

a. & s.

2011-06-23T14:55:00.003-05:00

Applications & Supplications.

While my {hubby} worked on some online applications

I sipped my delicious white mocha & read a little in the Word.

Coffee with my {hubby} on a Thursday morning.

mars attack

2011-06-20T20:33:00.001-05:00

One of the benefits of not having a television

while having the nephews for the night

is an opportunity to let the creative juices flow. . .

{anthony} had a vision for an acrylic Mars attack on canvas.

And I have to say he did one h-e-double-hockey-sticks of a job.

He even let his older brother {quentin} paint some of the space & stars.

I am truly a proud auntie.

happy papa's day

2011-06-19T21:13:00.000-05:00

In honor of Father's Day

we spend the day with my folks

playing cards & hanging out with Dad.

In the evening we went out to Papa Haydn's.

Amazingly enough (even without the unknown need for reservation) we were seated almost immediately for dessert outside on the patio.

It was a gorgeous evening for such a treat.

[Da Momma & Da Papa @ Haydn's]

{dad} ate death-by-chocolate Triple Chocolate cake

with a side of their homemade vanilla ice cream.

{mom} had the Mixed Berry Cobbler al mode.

{erik}: White Chocolate Mint cake.

{i}: Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse cake.

{inna}: Lemon Ginger Cheesecake.

Needless to say, it was divine.

Love you Daddy,

Happy Father's Day!

wet day for a white wedding

2011-06-18T20:18:00.005-05:00

Today could have very well been one of those, 'boy, am I ever getting old' moments, all because it was the day that one my precious ones whom I nannied from 6mos. old onward got married. We were neighbors for years. . . and I must say that this family is awesome. In fact {tami} & {brian} are by far the best neighbors on my parents' block! They had {catherine} before moving in next door & a few years later her younger sister {elaine} was born. I watched these girls grow from infants, to exploring children, into their teens, and off to college... and finally into beautiful young woman. I am so happy for {cat} as she was forever beaming on her wedding day. No amount of rain could have stopped her. . .which was a good thing, cuz it poured! *grin*

{catherine} was indeed a beautiful bride.

Hearts of sand.

{elaine} reading poetry.

I'm singing in the rain.

A wedding in the rain.

What a glorious feeling, I'm happy again.

My folks.

the little dudes.

{em} & {elaine}.

The lovely bride & I.

party of 9

2011-06-13T23:02:00.013-05:00

At the beach at Gearhart, Oregon.

Both in celebration of Erik finishing his undergrad degree, showing off the beauties of Oregon to our neighbors' visiting sisters, and saying our farewells to a dear friend: we took another trip to the beautiful Oregon coast.

Absent of a mini-van (that wouldn't have even been able to contain this party of nine anyways), we had to take two cars: the {noland}'s took their sisters {laura} & {katherine}, and we piled our residing student {lucille} & two friends from China {hugh} & {mars} (he who was going to be leaving us in two days time) in the backseat of our car. Needless to say, our two little Bimmers were packed:

Poor {mars}. He was such a good sport.

da girls.

A trip to the beach in Gearhart is not complete without our traditional clam roast. Stocked with fresh firewood left by {erik}'s sister & hubby we packed the rest of our trunk with chairs, blankets, bocce ball, a frisbee, and our cameras. I should have gotten a pic of the trunk to show y'all. After a drive of over the hill and through the woods we arrived in our perfect beach setting to scout out the perfect place to set up our outdoor living room. Arranging the landscape of forgotten driftwood, setting up a few chairs, and laying out the blankets we relaxed and began to soak in the fresh ocean air.

Reading a book.

Tossing the frisbee & Rolling the bocce ball.

Strolling the beach in our bare feet.

Taking pics!

Building the fire.

Staying warm.

Roasting the fresh clams & assorted fish ~ delish!

Singing to the Lord a new song.

S'mores. Yes, please.

edumacation

2011-06-12T23:02:00.003-05:00

My love walked today along with 5,620 other PSU students.

Here he is in the Rose Garden Arena.

Since he got bleacher seating, I snuck over for a photo opt.

Walking the walk.

I am so proud of my graduate.

He did it!

On the last day of classes his status on facebook read:

March 2003: First college class on *A*merican History 1850 to present

June 2011: Last college class on *Z*oobiogeography

I truly have gone from A-Z!

graduation eve.

2011-06-11T23:03:00.001-05:00

June 11. Night before graduation.

{erik}'s older sister {rhoda} & hubby {tony} came all the way up from Sacramento to celebrate with us {erik}'s academic achievement.

my little steak. (above)

{erik}'s HUGE steak. (below)

After a lovely early evening meal together at one of our favorite places Nostrana, we went down to the west bank river walk. It was a beautiful evening.

Full of multiple prosts! Good times.

My graduate.

{tony} & {rhoda}

[pics from my phone]

so low quality in this light, I kick myself for not having my camera.

But you get the gist.

schnitzelwich

2011-06-08T15:43:00.001-05:00

In honor of {erik}'s last day of his undergraduate degree

we went to the food carts, more specifically to: Schnitzelwich.

Doesn't he look pleased?

It was a really huge sandwich.

Delicious too.

last :triple t: of the term

2011-06-07T16:45:00.005-05:00

{liya} leaves for her amazing adventures in Europe early next Tuesday morning & {fatima} will leave for her summer vacation the following Saturday. . . this calls for a trip to sushi for our last :triple t: of the term. We were just missing {ben}, {hans}, and the rest of the gang.

Here are a few highlights:

My sister!

Dem gangster girls.

{fatima} & I.

She loved her first experience with sushi.

The gang before {j9} got there.

The 'other' daughter. Haha.

we're gonna miss each other. *wink*

breakfast with {ida-lou}

2011-06-04T23:43:00.005-05:00

My {DH}'s little sister {ida} came in town for the weekend

so that she and her BF could climb Mt. St. Helen's with some friends.

What a gorgeous weekend to make that climb.

They tried to get us to come along,

but {erik} had one more week to go in school.

We were lucky to snag her before they left for some coffee & breakfast downtown.

Americanos & Cappuccinos.

We love you, Ida. Have fun and be safe up there!

I loved the reflection shadows on the buildings.

o happy day : momma & papa

2011-05-25T20:52:00.006-05:00

Today marks the 37th Anniversary of my loving parents.

To celebrate they went out to Pho Van and enjoyed a delicious meal.

and fed each other Creme Brule for dessert.

Now aren't they cute?

Congratulations you two!

I'm so glad you're my folks.

a hiking we go:

2011-05-22T23:20:00.005-05:00

This afternoon I got to go hiking with a few of my friends.

This time on the other side of the river up in Camas, WA.

It was another perfect day full of green & blue.

So calming. So peaceful.

We were trying to look tough. haha.

A lot of variety in the greenery:

woods, prairies, trails, and parkways.

As well as, in the flow of water:

a stream, a few waterfalls, and two lakes.

Here's to another day of enjoying the surprisingly good

weather in the gorgeous NW where we live. . .

a little further out than our 'backyard', but relatively still close in.

There's nothing like getting out ~ but not having to go so far.

an olina day

2011-05-21T21:56:00.004-05:00

My hairdresser & I have a good deal going. . .

I get my hair done.
She gets a sitter for the day.
What a sweet trade.

Adventures with ms. {olina day}:
Fort building. Hide-&-Go-Seek. Hot-&-Cold. Role-playing.
Painting circles, sunflowers, and castles & princesses.
Trip to the childrens' Library. Starbucks date. Snuggles.

[photo from cellphone]

wildwood trail

2011-05-20T17:40:00.005-05:00

A walk in the woods...part3 ~ More of Forest Park : Wildwood Trail.

This time we joined the path off Germantown Rd.

It's a pretty easy/even path that zigzags crossing little ravines along the way.

It's pretty cool that my {DearHubby} has to take these hikes into the woods in order to complete his assignments this term. It has forced-allowed us to take advantage of the lovely open space near our place on the hills of Portland. Once again, utilizing our beautiful 'backyard'... And it was another gorgeous day for a walk in the woods.

[photos from {erik}'s camera]

red-ish head

2011-05-19T19:38:00.001-05:00

With a splash of the shades of summer.

the plant hospital

2011-05-19T11:30:00.002-05:00

If I haven't mentioned lately

I love my 2nd story apartment.

So my place has these wonderful big windows,

that cause me to just LOVE my apartment all the more,

which seem to work wonders on my neighbor's dying house plants.

For someone who hasn't had much luck with plants in the past,

I'm stoked! to say the least.

The newest member of the plant hospital is: {zebedee}.

He checked in May 19th.

His tag reads:

Dr. Emily's
Newest Patient

Please, please keep
me away from Becky!

Don't worry little buddy, you're gonna be just fine.

*wink*

5 crowns, chocolate cake, & party on!

2011-05-18T23:33:00.005-05:00

It's May 18th.

This day not only marks the anniversary of the blowing of the top of Mt. St. Helens, but it is also the day that two very important people were born:

Today is my daddy's 69th birthday.

He may have white hair, but he doesn't look almost 70!

Daddy, I love you!

x0x0

This photo was taken while we played 5 Crowns this evening.

He let me beat him by 3 points. *wink*

Momma made him a delicious Chocolate May-o cake!

Mmm Mmm Good!

~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~

Happy birthday, neighbor!

I'm so lucky to have a neighbor just like YOU. *grin*

What a beautiful friend you are inside & out!

[a video of {beck} right before we became neighbors...from the archives *wink*]

triple T.

2011-05-17T18:35:00.003-05:00

Fun times with the {G}clan.

{fatima}, {hans}, {lg}, {persida}, {ben}, {brenda}, & {em}.

Cousins plus {hans}.

heart spot

2011-05-16T19:53:00.004-05:00

Nothing hits the spot more than . . .

. . . a delicious cappuccino from Stumptown . . .

[photos from my phone]

. . . on an atypical blue-sky-kind of day.

[photo from my phone]

a weekend of food

2011-05-15T19:56:00.005-05:00

Last night we went to

~ Salvador Molly's ~

with our friends who were visiting from Texas.

{DH} had jambala

I had Thai green curry.

Both were very spicy. . . there never seems to be enough rice. *grin*

{jess} & {spencer}.

my {DH} & I. *heart*

Then today for lunch we went to

~ Pok Pok ~

a place on Division that I've been meaning to try.

Again, spicy, but tasty.

And this evening we all met the Noland's and headed over to

~ Nostrana ~

because it's happy hour & we just can't stay away!

[photo from the Tang's reel]

the wood-land folk

2011-05-14T17:42:00.003-05:00

A sunny Saturday = A walk in the woods (part 2) with my Dear Husband...

Our friend {isaiah} met up with us

in Balch Creek in Macleay Park.

This time we were hunting for more sightings of

invasive species, their removal, & native plant restoration.

Loved the greens today! I'm so glad it's Spring!

[slide photos from emily&erik's cameras]

{ww} memory

2011-05-13T16:37:00.006-05:00

Something we found hidden away

in the trading card boxes in the closet at my folks.

My big brother collected these years ago.

Classic.

[photos from phone]

A fun little memory for all those who have reaped the precious benefit of the faithful labor & prayers of our brother {ww} over the years.

It reminds me of Matthew 26 (especially the footnote on verse 8).

"The disciples considered Mary's love offering to the Lord a waste. Throughout the past twenty centuries thousands of precious lives, heart treasures, high positions, and golden futures have been "wasted" upon the Lord Jesus. To those who love Him in such a way He is altogether lovely and worthy of their offering. What they have poured upon Him is not a waste but a fragrant testimony of His sweetness."

Thank You Lord for such a gift to the Body.

yerba mate, matey!

2011-05-12T19:05:00.004-05:00

Our recent caffeine surge has been the Guayaki ~ Yerba Mate drink:

The Guayaki guy told us that...

Six Natural Sources of Caffeine: [ in no particular order ]

Cacao (baking chocolate 25 mg)
Tea (green tea 35 mg; black tea 75 mg)
Coffee (60 mg for 6oz cup instant coffee; 140 mg for 6oz cup auto-drip)
Kola nut
Yerba Mate (50 mg per 6oz cup)
Guanua (259 mg)

[facts credit]

Of the six, only Yerba Mate is the healthiest.

The antioxident capacity and total polyphenol concentration is up to 100-fold higher in yerba mate tea-based beverages compared to mainstream energy drinks.

[photo credit]

If you're interested in trying a Guaykai ~ Yerba Mate

head on down to the health food section of your local grocery store.

- OR -

click here and you can learn about how to receive 10% off your online order !

ode to coconut oil

2011-05-10T19:24:00.002-05:00

A natural, plant-based saturated fat that chefs, athletes, and beautiful people alike have found to be a good thing.

Coconut oil makes for a tender, moist cake.
It cooks up a healthy Southeast Asian stir fry.
It supplies extra energy before a race.
As a treatment it makes your skin and hair soft & smooth.

Sometime last year my friend {lg} introduced me to a healthy tasty slab of coconut oil on toast.

But it wasn't until recently that I ventured out and purchased my first jar.

Unfortunately there was a difference in the oil that I had found at Fred Meyer's.

The difference...

Her coconut oil actually had a coconut smell.
The stuff I bought was pretty much scent/tasteless.

However they both had that wonderful melt-in-your-mouth texture.

With a little research today I found:

Virgin Coconut Oil has the scent & taste I'm looking for;
Refined Organic Coconut Oil works well for cooking --- (& because of its neutral flavor, especially for baking.)

In my defense, the grocery store that I went to only had that latter, so it's what I got. But next time I'm definitely going to Whole Paycheck, er I mean, Whole Foods (or even better, I'll go together with a friend on a bulk quantity) to get that tasty virgin coconut oil.

Either way there's just something so healthy feeling about it.

Mmm for coconut oil !

family time

2011-05-08T20:31:00.004-05:00

It was so sweet to get the family together for Mother's day this year.

We took the opportunity to take a self-timed family photo.

My sister {Val} & her hubby {David}.

with the boys

Here are some fun clips of the day:

Monkey see * Monkey do !

{Grandma and her grandsons}

so many boys *grin*

mother's day songs:

2011-05-08T20:00:00.001-05:00

Once upon a time, long ago, when I was maybe 10 years of age...

I wrote & recorded a Mother's Day tune on our phat tape recording device.

With no musical instruments, save my voice as background...

I still totally rocked it.

Unfortunately this tape was reused and we lost this priceless recording.

The only lines I can somewhat vaguely remember are:

Mother's day is a day of reh-eh-eh--est !
For the m--uh-uh-uh-uh-thers !
Not the fa-ah-ah-ah-ah-thers !
We're gonna treat you Riiii---ght!
Mother's day is a day of reh-eh-eh--est !
Mother's day is a day of rest!
We're gon-nah treat you r-i-i-ght !

My older sister recently found this clip of Mr. T's Mother's day Rap ...

O my, it's definitely 80's & totally Mr. T... too funny!

and remember:

"when you put down one mother, you put down mothers all over the world." ~ Mr. T.

the spread on mother's day

2011-05-08T17:38:00.000-05:00

For Mother's Day I called upon a friend of mine for her recipe for Spanish/Peurto Rican rice. She was away from her kitchen and so I received a series of texts listing the ingredients with no measurements. Next time I will double the proportion of things that I added to the rice. But considering the fam ate it up. . . I think I did a pretty good job, over all.

Fruit salad compliments of mi madre.

My sister {Val}'s guacamole ~ My brother {Jeff's} carne asada.

spring cleaning

2011-05-06T17:03:00.009-05:00

With the close of a week comes the sense of the need for some Spring cleaning:

You know how the saying goes:
Out with the old ~ In with the new !

Well for me, being budget conscientious* that means:
Out with some old ~ In with nothing new !

-- Or --

~ The relocation of the old can look new ! ~
It's ok. I've needed to de-clutter for sometime now anyways.

The Kitchen: it's small counter top space looks and actually is larger with the teas carefully stacked into a cabinet above the stove.
The Dining Room / Entry Area: the cook books carefully arranged along the bottom shelf in the dining room now look grounded giving the room a more open feel.
The Living Room: freshly dusted with the sun shining through the unmasked windows... ah, so inviting!
The Bathroom: a lot of scrub, a dub-dub & repositioning of the items on the shelf behind the door helps in the freshening up experience.
The Master Bedroom: it's only just begun... to be continued... another day, another destiny for the master bedroom & bath.
The Master Half-Bath: same as above.

* aka, bring broke. (heck, who am I trying to fool, we're livin' like students over here).

out of death into life

2011-05-05T23:22:00.028-05:00

At the start of this year I took a leap and entered into some fellowship regarding transitioning into another, dare I say, phase in my Christian life. As one born, even actually born(again) for this line of 'work', this decision did not come lightly. And there were many a fears and many a doubt and plenty of anxieties that surrounded this leap, but the Lord in His mighty wisdom has given me a husband who bears me as I wear all these emotional struggles on my sleeve. It was difficult to believe that the Lord would take me in a direction that seemed away from what I had known to be right for so long. . . but there was just a sense of something having died in the current situation that could no longer be ignored. Some days the longing to continue on in the things familiar along with the occasional touching of joy caused me to want to brush the other feelings under the rug, but it wasn't long again before the stench of death would resurface only more stinky than before proving that this was clearly becoming a matter of life & death.

Early on in my days of service there was a story told of a lamb in Israel who was found wounded and left by all around it except the fretting tourists desiring to give it mouth to mouth. A young child told them not to struggle or cry, because, the little lamb, having been held up and then let go, let out one last cry and dropped to the ground, and the child said: "It dead, miss. It dead."

"It dead" has rung in my ears each time I have struggled with trying to uphold the existence of the fractured team and infuse it with life. But something in it, whatever it was it doesn't really matter, had become old and dead. There is no reason to fret over it or tend to it as if it were actually still alive. It must be left behind only to be buried. If there is anything of life in it let the Lord Himself resurrect it as proof. That part is not up to you. Slowly I realized that instead of a broom the Lord was handing me a shovel. Simply forget about cleaning it up; just bury it. It dead.

So now with every step taken in this transition, there has been this gradual turn in my being from doubt & fear & anxieties towards the sense of life & towards believing. Realizing that in resurrection the life within me that is so rich in feeling is the life of the One who is fully able to infuse me with the faith to believe in Him for our going on if only I would turn, look, and live. Taking comfort in believing that the One who has led me & even brought me through all these years is the One who will also bring me through all the next until the end of my days. Between my God and I both, there is a longing not merely for a service, but for a life of service fully involving a living Person. Not clinging to the familiar things of old, but each and every day trusting in a real and living Person who is life, full of newness, and who is Resurrection Himself. For Jesus said: I am the resurrection and the life. And that, "I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly" {John 10:1ob}. It is also comforting to realize that this life of service is not dependent on whether one is supported or not. Rather this life stems from the divinely-human life we have received in our second birth. We are actually saved to serve. We were all reborn to serve Him, by Him, with Him, through Him, and in Him. It's in our genes! He's in us, and we're in Him!

With the month of June approaching fast the generous support of the church will soon be stopped. Hubby is graduating and will also be seeking employment and with rent and all things bill-related due at the start of the month this girl has got to get a move on. So last night I let my dual part-time PC's know that I will be needing to dedicate more of my time to finding a job. And today I received an email from the brothers with subject line: "RE: the ending of {myfirstname&lastinitial}'s full time service." There's something so chillingly business-like & final about receiving this email, seeming to have lost the feeling of anything organic. Perhaps it was because having transitioned before elsewhere I didn't receive such a letter. But their thanking me for my service & outlining the practical details of my last support definitely seemed to solidify the signing off of my life as an 'employed' full-timer. Like perhaps this time there's no looking back. But at least now there is a sense of liberty from the former things: a passing from death into life. The Bible says, The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Following the sense of life and peace is truly where it's at. In following the Lamb wherever He may go 'tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.

more birthdays

2011-05-05T15:48:00.003-05:00

What comes after May the Fourth?

Who woulda thought:
Cinco de Mayo.

... it's also another B-day ...

A very happy birthday to my sister in law, {m}!
Heard my brother {j} knows just how to spoil her...
He is taking her out to the Melting Pot tomorrow.

~ Mmm Mmm... won't that be a delicious treat!?
And knowing {j}, I'm sure that will just be the tip of the iceberg.

Love you {missy}!
Thank you for making my brother such a happy man!

g-leb the g-nome.

2011-05-05T14:22:00.000-05:00

This week at Triple T {lg} received this special gift. . .

A 3-D Gleb the Gnome.

He hung out with us over lunch.

It was also her cousin {ben}'s birthday...

{j9} turns 39 (again)

2011-05-04T13:50:00.010-05:00

It's my dear friend {j9}'s birthday today.

She's 39, again. *wink*

As a treat a bunch of us girls (mother/daughter pairs)

went out to lunch w/her & her momma @ Le Petite Provence.

Liya, Em, & Becky.

Neighbors.

G-ma Phyllis & Jane.

Momma & Daughter.

Many Happy Returns of the Day!

The b-day girl, {J9} pinching us girls. *grin*

star wars day

2011-05-04T13:21:00.004-05:00

In celebration of this 4th day of May
I would like to share with you my favorite commercial from the Superbowl.
(this is a side note, but wow, did you know that blogger considers that last word incorrect if it is not capitalized?)

and truly,
May the Fourth be with you!

Mwahahaha. *grin*

what is it?

2011-05-03T15:54:00.000-05:00

Manna: What is it?

I have decided to read through the Old Testament with the footnotes and currently I am in Numbers 11. This is where the children of Israel are stirred up to abhor the heavenly taste of manna and to lust after the worldly taste of the Egyptian food. At first one may think, what's their problem? Don't they know that none but Christ can satisfy? But then I realize that many times this is my case too. I see others enjoying the fleshly enjoyment of the world and I am stirred up to want it too. I find that my appetite for the things of God has gone and I see that here in the wilderness there is nothing at all but this manna to look at. (v. 6) Crying out together with those around me saying, Who shall give us meat to eat? (v. 4) But why is it that such a dis-appreciation for the manna that God has provided for my unique source of supply and enjoyment exists? Perhaps I have forgotten or been distracted from what manna is.

Manna wasn't merely for looking at.
Manna was meant to be eaten as food; as a daily all-inclusive supply
to become the sustenance of the people of God.
When we review its characteristics we can see how awesome it really is to us.
The characteristics of manna portray the characteristics of
Christ as the heavenly food of God's people (John 6:29-35).

Manna was :

fine (v. 14) ~ indicating that Christ is even & balanced & He became small enough for us to eat.
round (v. 14) ~ indicating that as our food Christ is eternal, perfect, and full, without shortage of defect.
white (v. 31) ~showing that Christ is clean & pure, without any mixture.
like frost (v. 14) ~ signifying that Christ as our heavenly food not only cools and refreshes us but also kills the negative things within us.
like coriander seed (v. 31) ~ indicating that Christ is full of life that grows in us and multiplies.
solid (Num. 11:8) [implied in the fact that the people 'ground it between two millstones or beat it in a mortar, then they boiled it in pots'] ~ signifying that after gathering Christ as manna, we must prepare Him for our eating by 'grinding, beating, and boiling' Him in the situations and circumstances of our daily living.
like bdellium in appearance (Num. 11:7) ~ indicating the brightness & transparency of Christ.
in its taste like the taste of cakes baked in oil (Num. 11:8) ~ signifying the fragrance of the Holy Spirit in the taste of Christ.
in its taste like wafers made with honey (v. 31) ~ signifying the sweetness of the taste of Christ.
good for making cakes (Num. 11:8) ~ indicating that Christ is like fine cakes rich in nourishment.

[notes taken from Exodus 16:31 note 1 in the Recovery Version, 2003, Living Stream Ministry.]

I especially enjoyed the characteristic of manna being like frost. I'm so thankful to have a Christ who is both cooling and refreshing as I enjoy Him. Many times things in my day act as instigators to heat me up in my emotions and set me in a tailspin of fiery distress. But the Christ who I can enjoy in His word, in song, and in prayer can put out that flame and at the same time refresh & cool my soul as if the flame was never there. The killing element in the Word through the All-Inclusive Spirit removes the negative things in my heart and replaces it with songs of joy and rejoicing. Don't you just love Him more? I know I do.

5 stars

2011-05-01T19:14:00.009-05:00

Brunch on a Sunday

with my honeydew & my sister & her hubby.

And a lovely sunshiny Spring day it was too.

* * * * * 5 Stars for the brunch at the Screen Door. * * * * *

The food was delicious & filling.

The service was great.

Fried Chicken on a Waffle

(substituted a Praline & Bacon Waffle, Mmm Mmm good).

Praline & Bacon Waffle

a side of Cheese Grits.

Fried Oyster Benedict.

~ ~ ~

It was definitely worth the wait.

Go check them out!

~ 2337 East Burnside Street, Portland, OR 97214-1655 ~

liyas & eagles & bears.. o my!

2011-04-23T18:43:00.011-05:00

A gorgeous Saturday = A trip to the ZOO with a couple of the animals. *wink*

I really like our zoo, except that it's called the Washington Park Zoo, even though it's in Portland, Oregon. I guess it's because it's connected to our Washington Park... which includes such attractions as: the Hoyt Arboretum, the Forestry Center, the Children's Museum, the Japanese Gardens, the Rose Garden, the Veteran's Memorial, and the Washington Park Zoo. Yeah (again) for the things right in our 'backyard'!

Today was turning out to be the most gorgeous day of the month for a trip to the zoo, and not only so, but it was also Easter weekend so we knew it would be packed. Great time to take advantage of the MAX. A short hike down our hill to the Nob Hill transit center. Ticket purchased. Board the MAX. and one stop later we arrive into the hillside underground. It was cold and clean, but really awesome! A quick elevator ride to the surface and viola! we are at the entrance to the Zoo again enjoying the rays of the sun. No long waits nor congestion caused by looking for parking. And not only that but you get $1.50 off your admission when you present your transit stub. Simply awesome!

We were invited by our friend {linsi} and her two kiddos {et} & {zt}. My {DH} had a field trip to attend to today so he couldn't join, but at least he was able to get out in the great weather as well. {Lg} and her little brother {jasper} came along with me. We had a sweet time. I'll save the rest of the space for pictures.

In the Great NW section of the zoo we saw:
Black bears - Brown bears - Bald Eagles. . .

sea otters

owls bald eagles

Mostly I enjoyed the people I was with. . .

Start wearing purple for me now!

Strange, but I didn't get my camera out for all the animals that day.

The baby elephant was fun to watch as it roamed about in the elephant yard.

blogging the backstroke... (again)

2011-04-19T22:19:00.002-05:00

Ok, so be prepared to receive strange alerts in your blog-follower emails regarding posts that are back-dated as early as the end of January of this year. Yes, it's true. I'm backstroking again with the blog. I'm not proud of the way that this always happens... And I'm sorry to those that I confuse, but I'm ever so thankful for the ways to go back and fill in the days/months that I miss. Thank you for your patience.

o magnolia

2011-04-08T13:18:00.000-05:00

One benefit to having a hubby still in school is getting to attend a few of his field trips. This one in particular was simply gorgeous and the weather cooperated as well.

I feel so blessed that the Hoyt Arboretum is almost literally in our 'backyard'.

Can't wait to go back when it's even more in bloom!

teach me to number my days

2011-04-07T21:04:00.000-05:00

"Teach us then to number our days
That we may gain a heart of wisdom." ~ Psalms 90:12

"O Jehovah, cause me to know my end,
And the measure of my days, what it is.
May I know how transient I am." ~ Psalms 39:4

"But what things were gains to me, these I have counted as loss on account of Christ. But moreover I also count all things to be loss on account of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, on account of whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as refuse that I may gain Christ And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness which is out of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is out of God and based on faith, To know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, If perhaps I may attain to the out-resurrection from the dead." ~ Philippians 3:7-11.

This song has been going thru my head a lot recently:

having vs. taking

2011-04-06T17:55:00.000-05:00

This week I was touched repeatedly by this word shared to me by a colleague:

There is a difference between having Christ & taking Christ. You can have Christ all your live and yet not take Him in your daily life. However, you must take Him in order to really enter into the Good Land. You must labor on Him.

Infact, take every opportunity to take Him.

Life is composed of days. Days are composed of hours. Hours are composed of minutes - to experience/labor on Him moment by moment... at traffic lights, during school/studies, ordinary mundane times with your spouse, your children, your friends, your colleagues, etc*...

So Take Him! Obtain Him! Lay hold of Him!

(* by the way, 'etc' = Eat That Christ!).

artists' corner

2011-04-05T23:40:00.003-05:00

Today was an extra-special Triple T.day, to say the least!

Not only did our {ms. frenchie} make it to Tea. . .

But also, {hans} is on her Spring Break and was able to join {lg} on her weekly ritual of sleeping over at our place. If I haven't mentioned before, {hans} is an amazing artist. So naturally I couldn't help but to pull out the paints & canvases upon her arrival and have a workshop with her this evening. Look what came of it:

{Hans'} dream boot from Sperry.

My 'put-a-bird-on-it' whimsy.

{LG}'s Gleb the Gnome.

{Lulu}'s seaside square.

A 'Vana White' display. *wink*

learning to drink

2011-04-04T17:37:00.000-05:00

It's a good thing to pray with my hubby in the mornings!

A real good thing.

To stop. To rest & to drink from the fountain that never runs dry!

In the NT, to keep the sabbath is to believe in the Lord Jesus.

To be "fired", to be replaced with Christ, & to drink of Him as the waters.

In the sight of God, this the REAL keeping of the Sabbath.

The more we REALIZE that it is NO LONGER I WHO LIVE BUT that it is CHRIST WHO LIVES IN US, the more we drink of the waters.

*Learning How to Drink

teen birthdays

2011-04-03T20:22:00.004-05:00

Today a good friend of mine,

who happens to only be a year older than I, son turned 14.

It's hard to imagine that she has a teenage son, because

I could hardly imagine having a teenager myself.

Nevertheless ~ we had fun helping host his party for the day.

Honestly, it was a blast.

Beginning with eating loads of Pizza,

Multiple games of LaserTag,

Dinner back at our place,

Cupcakes & RootBeer floats.

And a bunch of rounds of Dutch Blitz.

Happy Birthday Dima!

May all your dreams come true.

tuesday tea @ twelve

2011-03-29T19:34:00.000-05:00

Today's tea was topped off with an appearance from our lil' {hannah}. I'm so happy when we can stay long enough for her to drop by after school. I'm so happy to have met her.
I (((hug))) you, {hannah}!
You are a Very sweet, Very brave, & Very pretty girl.

see you later, alligator

2011-03-28T23:28:00.004-05:00

{ida} & {raj}'s last visit.
We planned to play some cards,
but we couldn't pause our talking.
I think we didn't want there to be an end to the night.
We drank our tea & snacked on pastries.

It's hard to say good-bye
when you move across the country.
We love you guys very much.
We will miss you all the more!
Good night, {ida}.
Good night, {raja}.

We hope to see you before too long.
After awhile, crocodile.

papa noland

2011-03-27T23:21:00.003-05:00

Today we were doubly graced, Thai in the noon hour and scrumptious cakes in the evening.

Our lovely neighbors' in-laws & younger siblings were in town and since they happened to know my husband's parents long ago, we were invited out to dessert down at Papa H's on NW 23rd.

Hot water with a squeeze of lemon is a nice pairing with these delightful desserts from their pastry case.

party in my mouth

2011-03-27T19:15:00.003-05:00

Today we were invited out to lunch by some awesome friends of ours from the great land across the river. *grin* We were really REALLY hungry when we arrived in downtown Vancouver, WA at the Thai Orchid. And I tell you, there's nothing quite like a family-style collection of Thai dishes spread before you, unless of course they're in your tummy! Mmm Mmm Mmm. Thank you, Patrick, Havi, & Liya. You guys ROCK!

Afterwards we took a little drive over to check out Lake Vancouver.

sigh

2011-03-26T21:06:00.001-05:00

March 21-26, DH's actual Spring Break.

While I was feeling better, unfortunately my DH got his version of my sickies. :( So we spent our two week 'vacation' pretty much cooped up at home trying to get better. We got a lot of cuddling time in, a few movies watched, and spent a lot of time caring for each other ~ so that made it redeemable.
But no tropical vacations, . . . yet anyways.
*Sigh*
O well, at least we are feeling better now and can start his final term of undergraduate studies somewhat rested.

more of nw 23rd

2011-03-19T20:51:00.000-05:00

After a week of feeling weak and terrible, having to stay in close proximity of the restroom (TMI, TMI) and of only being allowed to eat a B.R.A.T. diet while having to watch others consume delectable dishes I finally was feeling up to getting out and about. Thankfully the weather was cooperating so my DH and I took a drive down the hill to walk around in the down town area and then to explore a little more of the northern parts of NW 23rd St. We stumbled across this great ol' place called Besaw's with an amazing happy hour menu that we'll have to visit again soon. We ordered their pulled pork sandwiches. I had to doggie-bag mine because my stomach was giving me trouble again. So I settled for a few rounds of ginger ale. The best part of the day was getting out of the house with my love. Thanks lovey for the afternoon stroll. :)

first & final. . .

2011-03-14T12:42:00.002-05:00

Today is my hubby's last final of Winter term! Hurray! That's the end of German classes as he knows it. I'm so happy for him. Since it's only Monday of finals' week, it's even more reason to celebrate... cuz this means that he has almost two weeks of Spring break! Too bad I'm feeling sick. :( But I'm glad that we can have the ample time to rest up. Wish we were able to go traveling some place, though often times that's not all that restful anyways. So we'll just be thankful for the time to rest before we need to gear up for his last term of his undergraduate studies!!! The excitement is building!!! Bring it on!!! :)

Even though I'm not feeling well today, we have two sista friends from Austin that are expected to arrive sometime today, {KL} & {PL}. They are on their Spring break and making their way through some of the NW. Today they will arrive from Seattle. They have their itinerary all planned out, GPS, and a rental car. These girls really got it together. Hopefully I will feel up to meeting up with them for dinner.

five crowns, two siblings, & i.

2011-03-13T23:26:00.000-05:00

With My DH's sister on the verge of leaving Portland for the far away land of Orlando, Florida soon we had to make a visit to spend some time with her at her cottage in Sellwood. We weren't able to stay long because of Geoffrey. He's a very good kitty, but that doesn't stop the allergy attacks that my hubby gets from him. Thankfully the little town of Sellwood-Moreland has a lot to offer. We took a stroll in the rain, because it's Oregon, and it's attempting to be Spring. Finding our way to Oaks Bottom Public House, the latest branch in the Lompoc family tree, together we enjoyed a beverage and a happy hour spread of Texas tots while playing a full game of Five Crowns. On the walk back to {ida}'s we got a call from {momma j} telling us that one of her recent watercolor paintings had been sold at {rc}'s school's auction for over $300! Yeah {momma j}!

Hmm, I surely need to get back into that rhythm of taking photos. Relying simply on my words alone is getting daunting. But it's a good exercise, whether I'm really able to portray things the way I would like to is another matter. :/

a whole new world. . .

2011-03-12T23:17:00.004-06:00

The Lord has arranged that as of today we are re-entering

the world of Corporate Living.

My DH and I have decided to open our 2nd-bedroom to a student, {lulu}.
She's a smarty-pant Chem major with a minor in French.
Has developed a good sense of how studying pays off.
Appears to be shy, but it quite out-going.
{Lulu}
Loves to laugh.
Loves to sing.
Loves the Lord.
She's considerably helpful.
Eager to learn new things.
Knows how to get around via Pub-transit.
Not afraid of hiking the hill of Portland Heights.

She has had to live in at least two other places within the last year:
Her more recent past-dwelling place was sold out from under her.
The one before that the family's son was coming back home to live.
She has been quite the sport through it all,
humbly receiving the Lord's sovereign arrangement
and placement in her life, and yet we could not help but recognize
the cry for something constant.
Furthermore, we wanted to give her a place she could call home for at least a year while she finishes up at the community college.

This blessed provision will enable us, Lord willing, to remain in our God-given dwelling for another year.
One month at a time. One day at a time.
Thank You, Lord.