hello....

Can you believe it's been over a year since I've blogged in this space! Well I just wanted to say hello. Things are chugging along and we are so, so glad that Summer is here in the Pacific Northwest (we need the sun to make up for all the rain we get during winter and spring). I know a lot of folks are having heat waves in the Midwest, South, and East Coast-try to stay cool, okay-and don't forget to drink your water. Of course with summer comes gardening, and if you know me, I love gardening. I love growing stuff. Anyway I plant most things in my garden on purpose, except for this beauty~

this sunflower was not planted on purpose. You see, I had a bird feeder on the tree and some seeds from it fell on the ground. This sunflower is so big. It just reminds me that even sometimes when things are not planned, they can turn out great-perhaps even better than we can imagine. I realize this with a thankful heart.

some vacation thoughts

traveling along the country side


pineapple growing


a man hand processing coconuts


the beach

Really I've being trying to put this post together in my head for a while now. See over a week ago we were blessed with the opportunity to go to the Dominican Republic for a family vacation. We enjoyed the sun, the beach, the people, and the immense beauty of this place-yet in my mind,-as a visitor, you know- I often wondered about the daily lives of the people who actually live there. Staying on a resort for a week, with food and drinks available 24/7 can close one's mind to the reality that exists beyond such boundaries. One thing which I was grateful for was that we were able to participate in a tour of the country side-seeing up close local life. Of course it wasn't all pretty, in fact some of what we saw was just plain sad.
So there in my mind lies the paradox, enjoying the beauty of a place yet not knowing how to respond to the despair. I don't want to fall into the trap of being the stereotypical tourist. I want open eyes, and with this comes the responsibility to respect the people and the culture of a different country. Therefore, I am transformed from merely a tourist into a student.

I hope to travel always with open eyes.

this fourth of July weekend we...

crossed big bridges to visit family


ventured out toward the water at night



saw fireworks



collected seashells

hope you had a great Independence Weekend

have a Happy Monday!

a visit to the windy city

children's art
Originally uploaded by *nichole*

This past weekend we went to Chicago. We stayed downtown which was nice because it allowed us to be in walking distance to the parks, museums, and coffee shops (which is my requirement). On our first full day there I took the girls to The Art Institute of Chicago. This is such a wonderful place-very family friendly. The childrens area of the Modern Art wing offered art classes and there is an area for reading books and playing the computer (the computer games are all art related). We spent about 3 hours in the art museum-we loved it. Mostly the rest of the weekend was spent walking around the parks downtown and people watching. The kids seemed to be fascinated with all the street perfomers-guys playing drums, a roller skating angel, jazz musicians, and much more. There is always an excitement and energy that seems to surround city life. I also appreciate the cultural diversity that is inherent in large cities such as Chicago. One day at the park while sitting on a bench I just people watched-different shades, different sizes, different heights-people from everywhere.
For dinner every night we ate Senegalese food-talk about good! We just kept going back-grilled lamb, couscous, onion relish made with palm oil, plantains, cabbage-amazing food from a small vibrant restaurant.
So we had a nice visit to the city, but to tell the truth I don't think I'm a city life kinda of gal. I like open spaces and the slower pace of life-so nice to be home now.

going West

We went on a little trip to Oregon last weekend. This was my first time to the Pacific Northwest. Now, I have heard alot about the rain that this area of the country receives, but really the green beauty of the trees and the lovely scenery made an impression on me, which to me speaks of the greatness of God.
The vastness of His creation always amazes me.

have a good weekend~