Back in Portland

After a nine-day visit to Texas, I am back in the northwest. I had a wonderful time visiting my family and friends and relaxing at home, but I was ready to get back to Portland. As I drove to work yesterday morning, I looked out my window and saw Mount Hood standing gloriously over the Columbia River and I thought to myself, "It's nice to be back". There are definitely many things that I miss about Texas: good friends who know everything about me, the comfort of my family, driving by Baylor, delicious Mexican food, my church, people who walk past you and say "How y'all doing?", the weather (okay, not the weather)... but I know that Portland is where I am supposed to be right now.

Always a Texan

No matter how far we may wander, Texas lingers with us, coloring our perceptions of the world.

–Elmer Kelto

Happy 1st Birthday!

Yesterday was Carter and Alice Anne's 1st birthday party (and it was Carter's actual birthday)! Emily and Sarah put together a great birthday celebration for all of our family complete with mini corn dogs, sliders, cake and cookies, bounce house, red wagons and lots of personalized touches. Sarah's place turned into a mad house, but adults and kids alike had a great time! Carter and Alice Anne enjoyed being surrounded by family, ripping open presents (or was that Hannah), and stuffing cake in their face! I can't believe that these little babies are already a year old. Happy birthday, Carter and Alice Anne!

Texas, Our Texas

I'm back in Texas for the first time since I moved up to Portland. I flew into Dallas Friday night and the first thing I thought as I looked out the airplane window when we were landing was "Man, Texas really is flat and full of wide open spaces!" Some friends picked me up from the airport and greeted me with signs that said "Welcome to Texas!" (don't ask about the nickname)with the state flag on them. We drove straight to Gloria's Tex Mex Restaurant. I was so excited for real Mexican food and a frozen margarita - yum! It was great to see old Baylor friends and get to catch up with everyone.

Saturday morning a small group of us met up with my college roommate Merrill for breakfast. I hadn't seen Merrill since she got married last November. She and her husband Chase are moving to Chile on Wednesday so getting to see her was a must! It was great to spend some time with her, even if it was just a couple of hours.

Then I headed over to my sister Emily's house to spend the rest of the weekend with her family. I could hardly wait to give Hannah and Alice Anne a big hug! The whole family was standing in the front yard when I pulled up and Hannah was jumping up and down waving her hands. She was pretty excited and wound up all day, but I loved playing with her all day. She showed me all of her toys and everything in her room as if I had never been there before. Alice Anne was so sweet as usual, but was feeling a little sick. The little booger bear played and laughed with Hannah and I, but was a little fussy and tired at times. I can't wait to see them again in Waco in a few days.

My cousin Robert drove me to Waco late this afternoon and spent some time at my parent's house before heading over to Sarah's house to spend time with her family. I was so excited to hold little Carter and see if he had grown any since the last time I saw him! He is a little sick, too and it was almost his bedtime when I got over there so he was a little fussy. I tried to hold him but he cried when I did - I think he's scared of me! He laughed and played when Jammy or Papa held him, but when I tried to take him he would freak out. We even tried to be sneaky and slip him into my lap facing away from me, but he would turn around, see who was holding him and start crying. He was a little better when I helped give him a bath tonight and put him to bed. I think he'll warm up to me soon.
I'm having a great time catching up with everyone that I haven't seen in so long. It's amazing how much things can change in 6 months - especially how much the little ones grow! I'm excited to be able to spend a whole week in Texas (although I would take the Portland weather over the humidity any day).

The Texas State Song

Texas, Our Texas! All hail the mighty State! Texas, Our Texas! So wonderful so great! Boldest and grandest, withstanding ev'ry test, O Empire wide and glorious, you stand supremely blest.

God bless you Texas! And keep you brave and strong, that you may grow in power and worth, throughout the ages long.

Faithful Friends

Over the past few weeks, two of my best friends have moved away from Portland. This has been a difficult time of transition with people leaving, my job coming to a close, and uncertainty in the future. I couldn't have asked for a better experience in Portland so far, though. Carrie and Daniel are two friends who were there for me from the beginning and really helped me get adjusted to life in Portland. They were both huge blessings to me and I can't thank them enough for their friendship.

To Carrie: I can't tell you how grateful I am for our automatic friendship that started the day I began working at Murdock. For a while, you were my only friend here in Portland and you were such a lifesaver. I was never lonely or homesick during my first months here and I think you were the reason for that. Thank you for inviting me to movies, on trips to Seattle with your girlfriends, over to your house to hang out, and everything else. I think we hung out together every single weekend for the first six weeks I was here and you were always so great about making me feel a part of your group. You were a friend I could talk to about anything and everything (and there aren't many friends like that). You have been a huge part of my life over the past six months - I can't even put it into words. I miss you dearly here in Portland, but I know that a new and exciting adventure awaits you in Washington D.C. I can't wait to come visit you out there and you had better come visit me in Portland soon, too! I love you!

To Daniel: Oh Mr. Reeser, I don't even know where to begin with you. I have you to thank for my sanity and stability here in Portland as you were my devout counselor. I always looked forward to the days where you would come into work at Murdock. I know we joked a lot about our "counceling sessions", but those talks really were theraputic and uplifting for me. I don't know why I felt so comfortable spilling my thoughts, feelings and life story to you after knowing you for such a short time (it must be those crafty counseling tactics they are teaching you at grad school), but you were always an incredible listener and gave me valuable words of wisdom. There was never a dull moment in the office when Daniel was around, whether it included you creepily sneaking up on me, an update on your latest facebook conversation with my mom, a glass friend named Socky, cardboard baby carriages or chairs, phone calls from the front desk "just checking in", showing off our 1st place awards, or catching a look that only my counselor would notice and understand. Thank you for being someone to listen to my success and struggles, my excitements and frustrations, and my little and not-so-little issues. You are an invaluable friend to me and I miss your smile (not to mention your snazzy ties and sweater vest) around Portland. I am so excited about your upcoming wedding and your new beginning down in Grants Pass!

The Fray

The Fray is one of the most popular bands on tour right now and they performed a sold-out concert last night here in Portland. Katie and I got a last-minute chance to go to the concert when Steve Moore got two extra tickets from the band's tour manager. The concert was incredible and we even got to go backstage afterwards to meet the band, take pictures and get autographs! The reason I love this band is because their songs are meaningful and inspiring. I like listening to the words of the songs and trying to figure out the story behind the music. The lead singer, Isaac Slade, is mentored by Steve Garber, a good friend of the Trust. Isaac is a strong Christian and Steve says that Isaac puts a lot of thought into his lyrics and has a deep desire to not only create music that people will enjoy but that will also that speak to people on a deeper level. With all of the noise that is being made by different bands now days, its nice to hear a group that is performing music worth listening to.

the lead singer, Isaac Slade, and us groupies

chatting with Isaac

Maegan and Kaitlyn's Krazy Dance

How to Save a Life

The band's first big hit and most popular song How to Save a Life was inspired by Isaac's experience as a mentor to a crack addict teenager. The lyrics ring true to anyone going through a rough spot in life...

Step one you say we need to talk

He walks you say sit down its just a talk

He smiles politely back at you

You stare politely right on through

Some sort of window to your right

As he goes left and you stay right

Between the lines of fear and blame

You begin to wonder why you came

Ball Lunch

As I'm sure you've already realized, our office is always doing something crazy and unusual. Yesterday, we had our first annual Ball Lunch (well I don't know if it will be an annual event, but that makes it sound pretty exciting). I often make cake balls to bring into the office for special occassions. While sitting around enjoying cake balls for Brad's birthday last week, Mark said "I wonder what other foods you could make into ball form." We all got a little carried away and made a whole list of ball foods - which really got us "rolling" with laughter. So we decided to have a whole lunch of only ball-shaped foods. The requirement for any food brought in for the meal was that it could roll across the table. Yesterday we enjoyed a wonderful lunch of a variety of ball foods: cheese ball, sausage balls, melon balls, cherries, rolls, sushi rolls, donut holes, peas, cake balls... I think this is the most original themed meal I've ever been a part of!

Little AA

Happy 1st Birthday to Little Alice Anne!! I can't call her Baby Alice Anne anymore because she is such a big girl now. I miss this little bundle of joy and can't wait to see her in 4 days. Alice Anne, I love you and promise to play ball with you this weekend!

Green Peter Lake

Yesterday, Amber and I gave our lake trip a second try after our failed attempt two weeks ago (the one that ended in a near-death rafting excursion with bruises to prove it). This time we actually made it out on Green Peter Lake with her dad, stepmom, and MaLynda and Mario, two of Amber's friend from Portland. It was the perfect day to be on the lake - low 90s and sunny. Amber was pretty much born on the water (her mom literally went into labor on a boat). I, however, haven't been on the lake in over a year and haven't yet mastered any water sports. I gave it all a try, though, and am quite sore today. I barely got up on the slalom, couldn't quite get the wakeboard, and absolutely loved the knee board. Here are some pictures (and a cool video of my knee board experience) of our relaxing and wonderful day on the lake!