K to the C!

Our prayers, Kasey & mine, had been answered. We have been praying for a time that we could get together even since we have had to say, "see ya later!"

Let me introduce my dear friend Kasey! You see, Kasey named us "parallel friends." She was exactly right in doing so. We are that. Ever since we met events in our lives have been about the same time in happening, occasionally a few months apart but close.

You see it all started back in the fall of 2008. We were both teaching at Walker, we had the year before but did not know one another. Our Principal decided that we should be friends, so for the staff "bonding" time he put us on the same golf team. We have not stopped talking since.

That school year would be the last, for now, that we would teach together. You see I had just started dating Rob and a few weeks later Kase started dating Zach. Zach and Kasey were married the following August of 2009 and Rob and I were married January 2010.

After we both married we moved away from Grand Rapids a.k.a. our home towns and families. Kase and I started a weekly book study together, what a true blessing that has been.

So en-light of all this history this is why the opportunity to see Kase, where she lives, workout with her, and have face time was a true gift.

What a lovely welcome I was given!

I arrived in time for dinner!

On Wednesday we went to a Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara Falls, absolutely stunning!

Of course we asked about a teacher discount....the guy needed proof so we dig around in our purses......the only proof we had was a little picture one of Kase's students had drawn for her. The guy gave us our discount!!! Really, what is being a teacher if you don't get your discount????

The above butterflies look very brown from this angle but when they fly the wings on the inside are bright blue, absolutely beautiful!

Kase did a great job of holding still to catch them, I was a little jumpy, I almost smash one like a fly because I felt a tickle......

Truly a delightful time.

Kasey took me out to a delicious dinner, to be honest I didn't care about the food it was the time chatting with my friend that matter most. There were so many times during the day we just stopped and looked at each other, "Wow we are truly here, face to face!" WONDERFUL!

A yummy ice cream treat!

One of the many things I miss about being with Kase is working out. We would have SO much fun in my classroom after school with Charlene Johnson and Turbo Jam! Nothing like a killer workout after a long day teaching. I miss that SO MUCH!

It was just like old times again.

Kase, I LOVE YOU dearly! Thanks for everything!

18 Church Street

(Kase & Zach's home- how cute, Pastor Zach lives on Church Street!)

Until next time:

Here, there, or in the air!

ps. One last side note, because I think it's so funny. I graduated high school with Kasey's husband, Zach!

MICHIGAN! July 1-5

I was very excited to take my trip to Michigan this year, for many reasons really but one of them being air conditioning in my car! WOW what a difference that makes while sitting in the car in July for 635 miles!

My time in MI always goes too fast, never having enough time to see everyone. But WOW was I glad for the time I had. Whether it was playing games in Mom & Dad's backyard, getting a pedicure with Maria & Mom, laying on the beach with Heather, having coffee at Maria's table, or digging holes for Evan & Lauren to be buried in I wouldn't have traded a minute of the time.

Here is just a taste of some of those moments...

Garmin and I are set to go.

First mile down, and first state!

634 miles to go and 4 states!

Truly a beautiful morning to be driving.

This is the bridge over the Potomac River, just 1 mile from our house.

AHHHHHHHHH!

One of the many opportunities I miss about living so far away is seeing all the children of my friends grow. I am very thankful I do receive pictures of these darlings but how lovely to see them in person!

Here is my friend Kambrea with her lovely daughter Audrey (I believe she is 8 months old).

My new little friend Lemuel (3 months, I believe)

Of course this is Lemuel's beautiful Momma. I would say he takes after her!

My two dear friends are WONDERFUL mothers. They are very precious to me, seeing them care for their little ones. It was a joy and a delight to be with them.

My dear friends Jason and Jacobed VanHolstyn with their little son Lemuel.

They had me over for a little ice cream treat one night. It was wonderful to see their home and catch up. I miss my dear friends.

Of course, then on Monday, July 4 we headed to Lake Michigan! Maria and I met Heather for lunch and then headed to the beach. The coolest thing happened when we arrived....I was almost hit by a black mini van, comes to find out it was my tricky cousin Eric and his family. What a delight!

Evan and Lauren hit the water, I needed to warm up a little first!

My beautiful sister!

Lovin' Lake Michigan

Just love love love this kid!

Evan, ready for ANYTHING!!

Just like always.

Some of the most delicious food always has a hint of sand.

Waiting for the fireworks, our spot was here looking across Muskegon Lake.

BEAUTIFUL!

Fireworks are starting, in 3 locations!

It truly was a wonderful trip and fun time in Michigan. I always realize when posting to this blog how I forgot so many wonderful people to take pictures of. I love you all and please don't feel neglected, then again you probably are glad :)

a trip to the North

Packing up Audi for the first big trip.

We left VA June 23 (Carol's Birthday!!) around 4pm. We had plans to stop in Lancaster for dinner with our dear Chesnutt's and then continue to Nova Scotia. It was exciting to be packing up. We had not seen Bryan and Meredith for over a year.

New York at about 1 am, I think my memory's a bit foggy.

I'm so thankful Rob is a fright dog. He defiantly made the night driving happen. We did stop at a rest area to sleep form 4:30a until about 6:00a. Then I took the wheel.
Of course it was time for breakfast in Freeport, ME (home of L.L.Bean). Oh and breakfast, so delicious just ask Rob. Over look. We stopped here so we could call Carol and sing HAPPY BIRTHDAY! The singing was a little lacking but our view was not. That is Baxter State Park below, the ending of the Appalachian Trail and the highest peak in Maine.

A little present from Maine, a bug bite!

I was totally interested in these signs at this Maine Welcome center, how to stretch when riding in a car for hours.

So far Audi was doing great! Almost to Canada!

Snack along the way, a popcorn cob! Delish!

NOVA SCOTIA!! meaning New Scotland

We have finally arrived. On Friday afternoon Curt and Michelle VanHolstyn and family came by for lunch and fun.

This is down below at Bry & Mere's. This lovely stream runs through. Just to the left of the above picture there is a cabin, you can actually sleep in there.

Skipping rocks

Bryan grilling up our dogs and burgs.

Julia and Jake

Meredith taking the kids for a little spin.

Wedding time

The Bridal party.

It was FREEZING cool. Well maybe not freezing but it was COLD. The wedding was nice though, we were very glad to enjoy Luke & Melita's wedding day.

my Love.

This is the meadow they were married in. Very windy, but a really beautiful location.

Four friends.

Five friends. There were many Applebee's talks. Priceless precious times.

And they are off!

Back to Bry & Mere's for a little Hymn sing and more delicious food.

Monday came to early. We were back on the road around 10:30am. Rob again was a machine when it came to the driving. I slept from midnight until 6:00am when I took over driving.I must have been done taking pictures by then because there is none of Bryan and Meredith's house, none of our stop in Moncton, New Brunswick for lunch at Jeremy's, a friend of Rob's for years gone by, but there are some of returning home.

We arrived home again at 8:15am on June 28, less than 24 hours after we left Bryan and Meredith's.

It was a fast trip but wonderful to see the Roossinck's, we figured it had been April 2010 since we had last been together. Too long again.

Thanks Bry & Mere for the wonderful weekend. We love you much!

It's a date our style....

It all started because Rob was in Belgium experiencing great difficultly with finding the Stanley Cup playoffs (hockey, just in case you were unsure) on the television.

So after some ingenious thinking we came up with a great solution.

In the picture below, Rob is on the computer, we were on Skype, so I turned the computer so the web cam pointed at the TV. Then, I brought a speaker up to the computer so he could hear the game. I sat next to "Rob computer" and it was just like him sitting right by me! (well close)

I loved turning and looking at the computer to see Rob's face. What a delightful date with my husband.

Too bad the team we wanted to win lost.

The things we do while he is away, just to feel close. And yet another reason to thank the Lord for technology!!