How old are you going to be Ivie?
AMBER-JAMIE-MAKENA The most wasted of all days is one without laughter. -e.e. cummings
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Happy 4th Birthday Ivie Rose
Miss Ivie had her 4th Birthday party at Out of This World Pizza. The kids ran all over the place and had a great time. The adults tried to just stay out of their way.
The last 7th Grade Social
The last day of school for Beaverton, was on Thursday, June 17. I was asked to take pictures of the last 7th Grade Social of the year.
As usual, Makena spent most of the time trying to hide from me.
I continue to remind her that I'm her Mother, and I will always find her.
Have a great summer break Pook!
As usual, Makena spent most of the time trying to hide from me.
I continue to remind her that I'm her Mother, and I will always find her.
Have a great summer break Pook!
Why Blogger, why?
If you haven't noticed the change of template on our Blog, there is one.
Blogger has decided to make yet another change.
I don't do well with change.
Needless to say, our Blog will be changing a bit the next couple of days.
PS - Don't tell Blogger.com, but I think I'll try Wordpress.com next time.
Blogger has decided to make yet another change.
I don't do well with change.
Needless to say, our Blog will be changing a bit the next couple of days.
PS - Don't tell Blogger.com, but I think I'll try Wordpress.com next time.
What I do besides cleaning the house
While I was cleaning the house the other day, I took a short break...
Still editing photos from the past two weeks. Coming soon!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Relay For Life of Hillsboro 2010
I started this post yesterday. I was either too emotional or too tired from the day because it just didn't get published.
Another wonderful Relay has come and gone. It seems strange to spend 11 (sometimes long) months preparing for 24 hours. But Relay is a 24 hour event that needs all of that planning! And, it is an event that is planned/organized by several wonderful people – myself included!
There are always the “goods” and “bads” to everything we do in life. Relay is no exception.
The actual event usually seems to pass by quickly. I always end up missing some of the activities, games or bands. I have yet (in my 6 years) to see the Drummers that everyone raves about. I get outbid on an auction item that I was hoping to get. I’m usually busy during a 2pm walking shift and end up with a 3am one instead. And there are so many Luminaria for me to read and take pictures of that the hour long quiet time just isn’t quite enough.
There are the “long” parts of Relay too. The Survivor Ceremony seems like it takes forever to get through – it’s either raining on our poor Survivors or they are baking in the sunshine. I was told, more than once this year, that they’d rather be getting the extra vitamin D tho! Counting (and re-counting) donations and entering them into the system always feels like that 6+ hours that it takes me to do. And even when the Closing Ceremony is only 10 minutes long, it feels like 40. I’ve usually been awake for more than 30 hours by this time and am exhausted and sore when I get up on the stage to help my Committee. But that’s when I say to myself – “I don’t have cancer.”
I don’t have cancer. I’m a healthy 35 yr old Mother, Daughter, Sister, Girlfriend and Friend.
I meet new people – from the Committee to Team Captains to participants and all of their families and friends. I see Survivors return each year to be honored and smile as they walk their lap. And sometimes, unfortunately, I don’t see them.
I encourage people to get involved with Relay. They find their own reasons to fight back against cancer.
Yes, it can sometimes be overwhelming to be on the Committee as well as be a Team Captain. But, I do what I do for them; the Survivors. I do what I do so that I don’t have to lose another loved one to cancer. I do what I do to educate people on what they can do to survive. I do what I do for better treatments. I do what I do so that I can continue to say “I don’t have cancer.”
I started participating in the Relay For Life of Hillsboro in 2005 for my Aunt Tami. My first team, Tami’s Dugout, supported me that year and we’ve continued to grow for the past 6 years. Tami’s Dugout, Tami’s Guys & Dolls, Tami’s Stars & Stripes, Tami’s Reading Railroad, Tami’s Full-House of Champions and Tami’s CUREageous Sprites – you’ve all been wonderful! We’ve raised more than $43,000 for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Hillsboro.
And I just wanted to say THANK YOU!
I do have pictures to share from the event. You know how I am tho - I have 2 disks of pictures to look through and edit and that takes time. Time that I need to fit in to my day, and hopefully soon!
Another wonderful Relay has come and gone. It seems strange to spend 11 (sometimes long) months preparing for 24 hours. But Relay is a 24 hour event that needs all of that planning! And, it is an event that is planned/organized by several wonderful people – myself included!
There are always the “goods” and “bads” to everything we do in life. Relay is no exception.
The actual event usually seems to pass by quickly. I always end up missing some of the activities, games or bands. I have yet (in my 6 years) to see the Drummers that everyone raves about. I get outbid on an auction item that I was hoping to get. I’m usually busy during a 2pm walking shift and end up with a 3am one instead. And there are so many Luminaria for me to read and take pictures of that the hour long quiet time just isn’t quite enough.
There are the “long” parts of Relay too. The Survivor Ceremony seems like it takes forever to get through – it’s either raining on our poor Survivors or they are baking in the sunshine. I was told, more than once this year, that they’d rather be getting the extra vitamin D tho! Counting (and re-counting) donations and entering them into the system always feels like that 6+ hours that it takes me to do. And even when the Closing Ceremony is only 10 minutes long, it feels like 40. I’ve usually been awake for more than 30 hours by this time and am exhausted and sore when I get up on the stage to help my Committee. But that’s when I say to myself – “I don’t have cancer.”
I don’t have cancer. I’m a healthy 35 yr old Mother, Daughter, Sister, Girlfriend and Friend.
I meet new people – from the Committee to Team Captains to participants and all of their families and friends. I see Survivors return each year to be honored and smile as they walk their lap. And sometimes, unfortunately, I don’t see them.
I encourage people to get involved with Relay. They find their own reasons to fight back against cancer.
Yes, it can sometimes be overwhelming to be on the Committee as well as be a Team Captain. But, I do what I do for them; the Survivors. I do what I do so that I don’t have to lose another loved one to cancer. I do what I do to educate people on what they can do to survive. I do what I do for better treatments. I do what I do so that I can continue to say “I don’t have cancer.”
I started participating in the Relay For Life of Hillsboro in 2005 for my Aunt Tami. My first team, Tami’s Dugout, supported me that year and we’ve continued to grow for the past 6 years. Tami’s Dugout, Tami’s Guys & Dolls, Tami’s Stars & Stripes, Tami’s Reading Railroad, Tami’s Full-House of Champions and Tami’s CUREageous Sprites – you’ve all been wonderful! We’ve raised more than $43,000 for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Hillsboro.
And I just wanted to say THANK YOU!
I do have pictures to share from the event. You know how I am tho - I have 2 disks of pictures to look through and edit and that takes time. Time that I need to fit in to my day, and hopefully soon!
Friday, June 4, 2010
All the wonderful things that put a smile on my face
For the past month, I've been receiving birthday presents. It's been the best month ever!
Each of the gifts had been thoughtfully chosen for me.
I received a package full of goodies from my Aunt Tami. A pen with Amber on it, a small lucky pig, a bookmark imprinted with "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.", trinkets and the small plaque below which says "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
Jamie rented a limo for my friends and I to enjoy a night out-on-the-town. I received a case of Mirror Pond for the limo ride.
And Dawn gave me the pig watering can below. It's found a home in my office.
Jamie and Makena picked out an iPad for me. They each have toys to get online and play games with and now I have one too. (Mine is better tho!)
Tracie gave me a Tree of Life necklace.
And today, I received surprises from Kylah and Kallie. Decorated stones with each of their handprints. 
Each of the gifts had been thoughtfully chosen for me.
I received a package full of goodies from my Aunt Tami. A pen with Amber on it, a small lucky pig, a bookmark imprinted with "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.", trinkets and the small plaque below which says "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
My mom had a basket of goodies for me too. A tree and plants for the lake, gardening supplies and she made the sign below. I've been searching for a sign for The Shed for a while now, without any luck, so she made this one for me. It's perfect.
I received money and cards in the mail. Gifts of my choosing.
Jamie rented a limo for my friends and I to enjoy a night out-on-the-town. I received a case of Mirror Pond for the limo ride.
And Dawn gave me the pig watering can below. It's found a home in my office.
My sister surprised me with a basket goodies on our front porch on my birthday. Organic lotions, bath products, smellies and more.
Jamie and Makena picked out an iPad for me. They each have toys to get online and play games with and now I have one too. (Mine is better tho!)
Tracie gave me a Tree of Life necklace.
And today, I received surprises from Kylah and Kallie. Decorated stones with each of their handprints.
A very special card that Kylah made me; Auntie Auntie Amber. Notice my red hair on one of the drawings and that I'm wearing a crown on the other.
And they had painted and decorated the below planter for me - including an orange Lily.
It says "Thank you for helping us grow" with each of their hand prints.
It just doesn't get any better than birthday gifts.
Not even Santa can do that well.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Walden Island - Day "I lost count"
We left on Thursday afternoon to head up to the lake. We decided to build a deck and do some yard work over the holiday weekend.
It, of course, rained almost the entire weekend. But, that just gave Jamie a reason to try out his new rain gear.
We spent a few hours (a few more than planned) deciding on the materials. Then we had to do the "normal" transfer; load it in the trailer, unload it from the trailer on to the boat, haul it over to the island, unload it from the boat on to the deck, load it on to the tractor and haul it up the hill to unload it a final time.
Of course Jamie always thinks we can put 800lbs in the boat that should only hold 300lbs.
While I pray that we make it to land safe & dry. (Mostly that we're dry.)
Then we enjoyed watching the neighbors do yard work from our new deck.
It, of course, rained almost the entire weekend. But, that just gave Jamie a reason to try out his new rain gear.
We spent a few hours (a few more than planned) deciding on the materials. Then we had to do the "normal" transfer; load it in the trailer, unload it from the trailer on to the boat, haul it over to the island, unload it from the boat on to the deck, load it on to the tractor and haul it up the hill to unload it a final time.Of course Jamie always thinks we can put 800lbs in the boat that should only hold 300lbs.
While I pray that we make it to land safe & dry. (Mostly that we're dry.)
Due to the weather and planning, we weren't able to get everything started until early Saturday morning. But then we worked all day.
So that Lily & Moxie could relax on the new deck.
Jamie cut the field down on Sunday. We love that John Deer tractor!
I spent the day cutting down trees and blackberry vines. Enough for at least 3 large burn piles as well as some wood to burn in our fire pit.
I also hung up a few things inside The Shed. The little swinging pig is from Kylah & Kallie and the sign was made for me by my mom for my birthday.
Then we enjoyed watching the neighbors do yard work from our new deck.
And then we headed home for some much needed rest.
Happy Memorial Day!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
good friends, good drinks, good memories
Here are pictures from the big birthday celebration on the 21st.
These are pictures from the beginning of the night, from the limo. The limo picked us up at home and then we headed to the Flaherty's to pick up the rest of the group. Makena watched Kylah and Kallie while the 'big kids' went out to play.
Poor Kylah had pink-eye
Our first stop was at Harvey's Comedy Club where my sister, Chad, Cuzn & Leah were meeting us. Lots of good laughs!LaTrisha, Martin, Renee, Me, Jamie
Jason, Rochelle, Jason, Dylona & Dawn
Then we picked up Tracie from school and headed back out.
To Roots Brewery. 
a note that my sister passed to me at Harvey's
Cheers!
Jamie found his way into several pictures that night. He loves to be the center of attention.
The remaining pictures are from Dylona. From the limo...
At Roots Brewery...(Not sure what my face is for.)
Then off to the dance club...where the pictures are worth more than 1000 words.And, I do remember all of this!
I had a wonderful night - for what I remember of it! Thanks again for all the laughs everyone!
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