June #3

I know it's not June anymore. In fact, it is almost August. And yes, I am going backwards in time to tell you a little bit about June. This is what happens when in transition for a couple of months.

We were able to go back home to Colorado for about 5 days, before leaving the US. It was not the most relaxing time, but we were very glad to be able to see some of our friends and family before taking off on our adventure.

One night, we drove up to Denver and met up with a bunch of Stephen's (and now mine!) friends at Maggiano's for some family style Italian. It was a lot of fun to catch up with the bunch, although I don't have any pictures of that. Man, I am really bad about whipping the camera out! My husband doesn't help, either.

We spent a lot of time in Colorado, trying to track down our belongings that were being shipped from NY and needed to be put into a storage unit in the Springs. This was all the stuff that didn't come to the big K with us. Thankfully, it all fit into a 10 x 10 unit!

I also had the treasured time with my dog, Riley. I miss her so much, it hurts. She hasn't been able to live with me since November 2006, but I still feel like she is mine. I can guarantee that one of the first things I will be doing when we are done here in K, will be going and getting my dog to live with us. I don't care where we'll be living - if it's in the States, she's all mine! How I wish she was here with us now. She is such good, comfy company. Well, Riley was in need of a new bed again...she needs a new one about every 1 1/2-2 years. We picked up one of those beds that sits up off the ground so air can circulate underneath, which is great because Riley gets hot in her bed at night! Here she is, trying it out. She doesn't look happy because I told her to stay and she wasn't sure about the bed, itself.

Then, one night, my parents hosted a small gathering of our closest Springs friends. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and prayer and delicious desserts.
Ali, me, and Margarita ~ Such good friends from my teaching days at Grace Best.
Angie and Me ~ Angie is one of those people who you become instant friends with. I have only known her for about two years, but she knows me. She gets me. And we have great talks! And she is the inspiring mommy of two adorable twins, Caleb & Carissa.
And here is me and Kari ~ my treasured friend and mentor. Kari is another one who gets me. She did our premarital counseling with us. Kari is mommy to Sarah Grace, Hannah, and Samuel. I have cared for the girls since the day they were born and I treasure them in my life so much!
Here is me and Eli, Ali & Tom's little guy. Well, he's not so much little as he is stinkin' adorable.

It was great to see you all, even if for a few hours. You all are such treasured friends of ours and we look forward to seeing you at Christmas, when we come home to visit.