My pumpkin

We went to the pumpkin patch with some friends. Pictures tell the story...

Working Man

In my recently infrequent posts, I have failed to mention that I got a job. Well I did! I guess the best generic title would be Administrative Assistant, part-time. I started October 17th. The business, PDIC, exports carpet and wallcoverings to SE Asia. We have some exclusive distribution rights for US companies in that area of the world. We're mostly a middle-person.

Right now, I am processing sample and order requests and other various office duties. It is a small office with usually only one or two other people at a time. We also have six offices overseas. I was attracted to the job because of the international business experience (especially Asia), flexible schedule, likeable and successful boss/owner, and the potential growth with the job. With that said, stay tune for a post on what I am beginning to believe is my future vocation.

Quick cute story

I picked Roxy up from her crib this morning, and as I walked away with her in my arms, she waved at the crib and said, "bye-bye sleepy!"

Missionfest

A couple weeks ago I went to the first ever Seattle Missionfest. It was my first mission conference. I didn't attend all of it, but went to a few seminars on business as mission. I thoroughly enjoyed the exhibitors tent. It was an emotional high being around all of these people, ideas, and organizations dedicated to missions. I talked at length with a women who runs the YWAM North Korea Study School here in Washington. It is thrilling to see what God is doing through all these people.

Another highlight was talking with Steve Saint. He was one of the plenary speakers. He is quite famous in the missionary world. His father was a martyr in Ecuador. It is probably the most "famous" martyr story of modern times because of the eventual evangelical success with the targeted tribe. A movie, End of the Spear, was recently out about it. Anyway, I went to church and school with the family so I know them from back in Florida. So it was interesting seeing him after probably thirteen years on the other side of the country.

Wee busy

I'm still here. So last week I was in class about 35 hours and I read about 700 pages that week as well. I had Spirituality of Leadership II, a two-credit intensive format class. It was an incredible time, but very exhausting. I hope I can implement what I've learned. Hopefully it is embedded in my unconscious.

Check us out

Click to see us. Find our face and click it!

The Dark Side

Waxy

In case you were wondering, hot wax spilt on the back of your hand doesn't hurt as bad as you'd think - shocking though!

Cute

We think Roxy sounds quite cute sometimes... click

Two Years

I have been blogging for two years today. That's 245 posts. Thanks for any interest you've shown: it keeps me doing it.

Year-and-a-half

Saturday Roxy turned 18 months. We didn't celebrate, but we did celebrate our friend Brian's birthday while we were at the MHGS Fall retreat. We shared a cabin for two nights with the Pendergast and Clark families. So back to Roxy... she is such a big, smart girl. She is learning new words everyday, drinking out of a cup, eating with a fork, throwing away garbage, and for the big news (drum roll...) she pooped in the toilet on Monday and peed on Tuesday. Shout out to Trish for her patience during these major events. I missed both of the events, but I did take pictures of the remains (available upon request).

Catching Up

We went to Quest church the past two Sundays. After church one time we went to Greenlake, a popular urban lake, with the Pendergast family. They have this fun, huge wading pool next to the lake.

Sam and I took Roxy and Jocie for a stroll to Kinnear park near our home. There are quite a few small parks around our neighborhood. Hopefully we'll make trips there on a regular basis.

We stayed overnight in downtown Portland last weekend. We explored downtown, ate at some local restaurants, and visited a park.

The is the Int'l Rose Test Garden in Portland. As you can see, it is beautiful.

We ended up going to Multnomah Falls because Roxy fell asleep in the car on the way to the zoo and we didn't want to wake her so we drove here. It is 620 feet tall and the second tallest year-round waterfall in the States.

Back-to-School

I'm behind on what I would like to be posting, but soon enough. Anyway, I started back to school today after a five week break. It didn't seem like much of a break since moving took up so much time and energy. This semester I am taking New Testament Genre, Prayer, Spirituality of Leadership II, and Human Growth and Development. I wish I had more time to blog about school. I am so tired... good night!

Blackberry

A wonderful bonus to our new home is that right across the street there are tons of wild blackberries. We've made blackberry cobbler, blackberry crisp, blackberry pancakes, blackberry syrup... oh yea! Sometimes I take Roxy out there for a fresh snack.

I have fond memories of picking blackberries on my dad's property back in the days so it is quite nostalgic for me now. My best friend Nathan and I used to make a pouch with the front of our shirt and put them in there. On this side of the country, the blackberries seem more like vines than the bushes we had in FL.

Rzechula

I've known Matt for a decade now. We met in Fort Worth when I attended JSMI Bible School. Him and his ex-wife were my best friends there. Matt's family lives an hour north of here so we had a chance to hang out during his visit. His brother took us to Ruth's Chris, a famous steakhouse. My meal was probably $75. Free food... good times. Matt and I explored downtown for a while and he spent one night with us. It is always great to catch up with old friends.

Mt. Pilchuck

Thanks to Jenn Clark for putting together a fun-filled camping trip. We spent one night at Gold Basin, a beautiful campground only an hour away, with the Clark, Sinclair, and Penergast families. The highlight of the trip for me was a hike the guys took to the top of Mt. Pilchuck (thanks to the ladies for watching the kiddos). We hiked 3 miles and 2000 ft to a shack at the top where there was a 360 degree view of the surrounding sea, lakes, snow-capped peaks, rivers, and snow patches.

Inhome & Online

We've been in our new home a week now, and today we got internet service. So I haven't spent much time on the net and, as you can see, blogging. Actually, I haven't done much of anything not related to moving or taking care of Roxy the last 18 days. Oh wait, we did go hiking and camping one night with some friends (that will be the next post). And I promise some pics of the condo once it is in order. We still have a little painting and organizing to do. Despite, we had some friends over last night for an enjoyable evening.

Trip in Review

Riding with cousin Jonathan
I am back from Florida. Mission accomplished! When I say mission, I am insinuating there was a lot of work involved, it was no vacation. Besides a few times, any time I was away from Roxy, I was working on a school paper. So a lot of driving around in my bright blue PT Cruiser rental car to visit with people. I still didn't get to see everybody I wanted, sorry. I do always put a lot of pressure on myself to make sure I see everyone and that no one gets there feelings hurt because I didn't see them or spend enough time with them. I'm trying to get over that, but it does make me feel a little guilt, a little sadness. So all I did was visit with people which I am glad to do and especially glad for my family and friends to be around Roxy. It was well worth the trip just to be in the presence of my family and friends.

Overall Roxy did well on the flights, but it was a tiresome experience for me to keep her happy. I drove with my mom and Roxy to Atlanta to see Drew and then to North Carolina to see my mom's parents for a couple days. They have a home in the mountains on a golf course. It is so peaceful and beautiful. I wish all my family lived there instead. I had forgotten just how hot it is in Florida. I would be outside in the shade and still sweat.

Upon arrival home in Seattle at 11 p.m., I had to do a 10 page paper due the next day. So after constant work on it with four hours sleep one night and two the next, I turned it in... late. Now though, I have a five week break from school.
Hangin' with Great Great Grandmother

Peterka

One of the highlights of my trip home was being able to see an old friend, Andrew Peterka. We met in Japan where we had the exact same job in the Navy, and more importantly, where we were part of the same Christian community, the Hospitality House. Drew had a small wedding on June 8th and then on July 21st in Atlanta they had a celebration time with a larger group at his new in-laws. It was great catching up and reminiscing and meeting his bride. She seems wonderful and I am so happy for Drew. Also, he scored in the in-law department. Good people.

1110 W Howe

So we did get the condo. YEAH! We're what you call first-time-home-buyers. It was a time consuming, learning process. I can't wait till we're settled in. Anyway, it is 2 bedroom, 1.75 bath, 1007 s/f, 1st floor of a 13 unit building, and in West Queen Anne. I'll tell you more if you ask, but describing it any more seems like it would be a bore. I'll post pictures once we're moved in...