Day 4

Note to self: When on vacation, if you will be sightseeing in the city, do NOT walk an hour on the treadmill - it makes blisters!!!

I went Great Harvest Bread Company and bought us a loaf of Cinnamon Chip bread for breakfast tomorrow. I must admit that I have already had 2 pieces after my walk. We have several shopping centers around us but you have to cross major road. I walked through the mall and Target. It was nice walking around but very strange being by myself. I'm hoping to find the kiddos a Washington t-shirt, but I couldn't find any where I went. I took a different walk back to the hotel and made it back safe and sounds to eat!! I got very hungry!!

After Karen got back from her conference, we took the bus ($2) with a few of her friends into Seattle. It took about an hour. We walked down to Pike's Place Market and looked around for a while. Then, we walked so we could see the Space Needle in the distance and took a few pictures. We ate dinner at PF Changs which was very yummy. By the time we got back to the room, I was exhausted and had to take care of my blister. Downtown Seattle was neat. I think it would be neat to stay downtown and have several days to wonder around. But I can now say I've been to Seattle!

This is as close to the Space Needle as we got!

From Pike Place Market

Day 3

We had another yummy breakfast this morning.

Karen has a long day today and thought I'd be bored.

So, after breakfast I walked on the treadmill. It was a fancy treadmill - everything electronic and even kept up with my heart rate. The first uninterrupted hour I've had in along time. I even listened to my MP3 player. A few times I just wanted to sing out loud!! It was awesome to concentrate on the words of the songs.

Then, I just relaxed in the room and enjoyed the silence!! I remember this being a big adjustment when Bryce was born - it felt so silly to talk to a baby who couldn't talk back!! Now the only silence we have is when everyone is sleeping.

After Karen got back, we went to Salty's for dinner. The hotel recommended it and they even took us and picked us up. It was very good. Then, we walked down a pier and down the road some. The beach reminded me of the beach we saw in Maine - the rocks, almost non-existent sand. The sunset was very pretty as well as the mountains in the background.

Day 2

I must have been really tired - that last post had several typos.


Monday:

We had a leisure morning. Neither one of us slept too well. We were asleep before 9pm!! I went with Karen to the Washington Education Association building for her meeting at lunch time. The lunch was 100% organic - that was a first for me. I even participated in a Multiple Intelligence quiz. Then we stood around the room based on our scores for each area. The funniest part was when it came to Interpersonal skills - 99% of the group had 4 and 5s which was expected. TWO of us had 2s!!! I felt like I was there so that guy wouldn't be on his own. I would assume the interpersonal skills got these members where they are now - they really care about education and what's best for the Exceptional children.

Several people have asked if I was a teacher - Karen makes me say Yes!! When I've told a couple of people that we homeschool, they ask if I homeschool my own children.

I went with Karen to her reception last night. It was really different to be in a room with people from varying levels in education. It's been fun to listen and observe!!

I've talked to Newman and the kiddos a few times. Bryce took a Cub Scout project for him and Papa Don to do and they got it done. Aubree took a milk carton and told me she had made "a creature." I can't wait to see the pictures.

Washington - Day 1

We are here....
My watch reads 9:46pm, the clock reads 6:46pm and I've been up since 4am!!
We were blessed with a smooth trip here.
We changed plans in St. Louis. We had a short layover so we spent some time walking around the stores, etc. We happened to walk by our gate and heard our names being called over the loud speaker. That was a little wierd. They asked to change our seating which worked better for us anyway. Then as we were waiting to board, security 'selected' have her bags inspected. Once we got to Washington we met up with some of Karen's group and finally got to the hotel. We haven't seen much.... We are in walking distance of several stores. A big bolt of lightening and boom of thunder stopped our venturing. We ate take out in our room and I'm going to bed SOON!!

Be Anxious for Nothing

Our family 4th of July picture.

Glimpse into my thoughts today:

I'm supposed to be packing for my trip to Seattle with my sister.....

-This is the first time I've left the kiddos for more than a couple of days.

-Going to miss my husband. It's been a long time since I've left him for a week.

-Sad I'm going to miss church tomorrow - we have a young family leaving for the mission field - I've been blessed to have both of their babies in Sunday School for the last couple of years.

-I'm thrilled to spend the week with my sister.

-I'm looking forward to the break!

-I'm excited to visit a city I've never visited before.

-Wondering how Aubree is going to do - while I went out to get the mail this morning, she pinched her brother on the neck for NO reason. He did pinch her back. I just want their time with the grandparents to be fun for all. I have great memories of spending time with grandparents when I was young, I want them to have those memories, too.

-I'm going to miss Bryce's last baseball game. It was one that was rescheduled because of rain. So, I feel like a bad mama missing his last game.

Well, if you made it this far, that's enough of my thoughts...

I know God is good and He's in control.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Phil. 4:6

July 4, 2009

First Lost Tooth

Aubree lost her first tooth on Tuesday. The kiddos spent the day with MeMaw and Aunt Karen while I worked. They had a great day of being spoiled (milkshakes for lunch) and shoe shopping. Aubree's tooth started bleeding and Aunt Karen took honors in pulling it. Aubree recovered very quickly and was so excited to lose her first tooth.