It's been a while, hasn't it?

Here's a peak at where I've been.

Any guesses?

Ps...I'm missing blogging like craaaazy!

Guess where I went today...

Ballard campus.

Live Driscoll right in front of me.

Luke #100 (the last in a 2 year series).

It was all kinds of awesome.

Naptime

Naptime means photoshoots in the backyard. It felt so good to take photos again. And my old college roomie is quite the model, isn't she?

Mom of four? She sure is. And she just got her hair colored this really amazing red/purple/black. It's incredible in the sunlight.

Last night we spent a good 45 minutes (which is like 4 hours in a kiddie filled life) talking about the Bible and other such important matters. That's what makes her the bestest kind of friend in the whole universe.

Leaving after 3 weeks of living life with her again...it's going to be torture. Tears, for sure. But I am so incredibly, over the top thankful for these days. They have been rest for my soul and joy in my heart.

Our hearts were stapled together all those years ago in a college dorm room filled with laughter and long talks about life. It's really crazy to think that we only spent two short years together. The rest of our friendship has been lived on opposite sides of the country. And we're both awful at phone calls. But put us in a room together and it's like not time at all has passed since we've seen each other. Fantastic.

In other news:

Me, Rach and her hubby have gotten hooked on New Girl. It's the funniest new show in years. Are you watching?

And speaking of Zooey, did you know that she has songs on the Winnie the Pooh movie soundtrack? Me either till a few days ago when I heard her voice as the kids were watching the movie. Now, I can't stop listening.

Sonia Kushak concealer. Where have you been my whole life? Best make-up find in years.

We had some crazy snow this weekend. In the mountains. About 4-5inches, out of nowhere. The only shoes I had....Chucks. Not the best snow shoes, let me tell you. Lots of slippin' and slidin' as we had to trudge up the hilly driveway because the car couldn't make it through the snow. But it was insanely beautiful on the tall, tall evergreens.


I'll pop in again soon.

xoxo,

Cottage Girl

11/11/11 update

I was missing you, dear little blog.

Here's an update for you....

Been spending lots of time with the littles here. With 4 running around, there is always and adventure in correction or laughter. They are such good kids. Fun. Make me laugh. Snuggle with me. Run to great me at the door when I've (or they) have been gone. Good morning hugs and love. It's crazy to think that they may not even remember how I stayed with them for a few weeks. Sad. But I'm so thankful to get to know each of these dear little souls.

Best friends are the best thing in the world. I've loved every minute I get to spend with R. We are lucky if we get to see each other once a year, so this visit has been like the best vacation ever. We were talking the other night about me being here. I constantly ask her if I can help in anyway or do anything. Don't want to take advantage of her and her hubby's amazing hospitality. Anyway, she kept saying, sweetly, how me being here has been so nice. Someone to help with the kids and talk to her during the day when they are going nuts. And she reminded me that we've already lived together. And LOVED it. Two years in college that flew by so quickly. She tells me that we were meant to live together. And staying would be the best idea I could have. Staying for a year (or more) that would be the best thing ever. Silly girl.

I adore the trees here. There is something about them that gives me chills like the water/river/ocean does. The tall, tall evergreen tops, pointing straight to the sky. (and the other trees are a mix of gold, scarlett and orange...wow) We don't have evergreen trees anywhere near that tall on the east coast. And mix those trees with a glimpse of Mt. Rainier on a clear day....I'm done. It's too much beauty for me to handle. I love how God gives us simple things that wow us everyday. Trees, mountains, water, sunsets. Don't let anyone ever tell you that Seattle is dreary and dull and rainy. It's so, so beautiful that you can't even believe it.

Last night we went to a movie night at the two oldest kid's school. Cars 2 and 75 kids all in one tiny gym. I've noticed how that doesn't even phase me. Kids in large numbers. That is totally normal to me. I also realized that I would rather be faced with a room of 75 kids to wrangle than have a one on one with someone I don't know very well. I'm the worst at small talk, but playing large group games with kids...easy, peasy.

Today is 11/11/11. Let's just think about how fun that is for a moment, shall we? Does that mean we can make 11:11 wishes all day?!!

Lisps spoken from little kids is the cutest. And you can't help but talk with a lisp too when you are around them.

I'm an outdoor loving person. I forget this until I'm not at camp, and I'm craving fresh air. I need to be outside. Even if it's just a walk to the office or the mailbox. I spend so much time (for the most part) outside at camp (except in the winter) that it's second nature. I long to be outside in the sunshine, the warm breezes, the open sky.

Gotta run.
Little people calling my name.

xoxo,

Cottage Girl

play

Just some grainy phone photos to prove that I'm still alive a kickin'. Grace, Rach and I went for a walk/run down a trail and found a playground along the way. And who can resist and playground when you are seven. (yes, she's 7. And only about 1 ft shorter than me.) I, of course, had play too cause that's what fun aunties do, right? The spinning around on the tire swing just about did me in, but I tried to be brave. Spinning makes me super queasy. Yuk.

We've been having very fine weather lately. I've been blessed every time I've come to this little corner of the country. The old wives tale of rain, rain, rain doesn't hold true most of the time. Grey? Yes, at times. But not too bad. Just a drizzle of rain here and there. Yesterday was bright and sunny. Love that. Outside time, even when it's in the 30's.

Yesterday was Rachel and her hubby's anniversary. 12 years ago, I was standing up next to them when they said their vows before God and man. Now, all those years later, they are still happily married with 4 littles to make life more crazy. And I'm so thankful to still call them my dear friends who let me invade their lives for 3 weeks, play with their kids and laugh together. What a blessed day it was that Rach and I became roommates and our friendship was sealed. God sends us blessings far beyond what we deserve, doesn't He?!

Back to snuggle time with the munchkins. They all say hi!

Hello, Seattle

Hello from the land of evergreens and rainy days. It really is just so beautiful here. The mountains. The water. The trees which are so different from the East Coast trees.

Yesterday, I sat next to a guy on the plane that seriously could have been Charlie from lost. He had his hood on the entire trip and slept. He didn't have tape on his knuckles though...and he wasn't as funny as adorable Dominic Monaghan.
And while we're on the topic of airports....is there anything more heartwarming than airport arrivals? People hugging and happy and laughing. It's joy all over. Love it.

Just wanted to pop in a say hi.

xoxo,

Cottage Girl

commence to start

(source unknown)

The big 3 month adventure starts today.

"Let the great experiment begin!" as Tobias Funke says.

I have a giant laundry list of ideas/projects/things to do/lessons to learn. And I'm hoping I can accomplish at least half of them. I always plan more than can be realistically accomplished. Aim for the stars, right? Let's hope the adventures include a giant tulle dress like the one above....

Promise to pop in when I can. Expect lots of cell phone posting from this point on. And don't forget to leave me a note or two so I won't miss you so much.

xoxo,

Cottage Girl