Staycation

To expound upon my previous post, and in response to the question, "What are you going to do after vacationing in the west?"... There is plenty that has yet to be explored here on the home front, so it's been my mission to live it up while there's time to spare...

Adrienne took a day off work today, so together, we hit the District...

The Library of Congress is a beautiful building established by an act in Congress in 1800 to house the abundance of books that could no longer fit in the Capitol. The interior is dotted with quotes from ancient philosophers, artists, and other historical leaders.

The Living Plant Museum, or the US Botanic Gardens, was absolutely beautiful. Aunt Toni would love this Smithsonian! More pictures are shared below. The best part was definitely the gardens, but there was also a display of products made using natural resources, such as high heel shoes!

Two Wanna-be-Astronauts! Adrienne is a woman of my own heart... We both want to reach space when we grow up.

500 feet up. That's right... Our compromise for Space today was riding the elevator to the outlook deck in the Washington Monument.

From the top, out the North window we could see the White house and miles in the distance was the National Catheral (NW) and the Washington DC Temple (N)!!! Look closely at the picture below, and you might spot the white dot that's the DC temple.

This monument is beautiful to me- simple, but it's true. I love running to it and around it, even seeing it from a distance... maybe because it defies gravity?

Beauty

Living Plant Museum

I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright. ~Henry David Thoreau

Breadfruit tree (Gawith- remember these in Majuro!?)

Nature's Heels

Banana trees in DC! (I love these)

For the Record...

It's late, but I'm becoming a night owl/morning bird for these last days prior to becoming responsible again...

It's been a great week, and it's just begun. Here are some highlights...

• Temple time: I think I have become so accustomed to living close to a temple and would have a really tough time living further than I do now (less than an hour). What a blessing it is to serve there, even on a weekday!

• Dad time: I love talking to Dad. Catching him on the phone during the middle of his work day is my specialty with our time-zone and schedule differences, but he's a better multi-tasker than I am, by far, even with back-ground noises, he hears and talks over it all... what kind of bluetoothe do you use?

• Missionary time: the sisters are preparing a really neat young man, JC, for baptism. He is becoming increasingly strong as he develops a deeper personal conviction of scripture study and prayer- tools to help us overcome the influences of the adversary and press on in the ebs and flos of life's journey. We are hopeful that he'll feel a greater connection with individuals within the ward family soon. The example of the sisters and JC is inspiring to me.
  

• Pool time: on hot (and cool :) ) days, it's so refreshing to step into our backyard and take a plunge into the pool. It's not long enough for laps, but it's deep enough for..... agua-jogging! My knees and feet are happy to enjoy low-impact running for a change. Aside from swimming and aqua-jogging, it's just so pleasant to read in the backyard and enjoy the veggies from our garden as well... thanks to the roommates who did all the prep work this season.
  
  
• Triathlon time: Marci's son, Luke (7), invited me to compete with him in the Little-Big Adventure triathlon that's coming up this Fall. I spoke with her on the phone this afternoon, with him in the background, telling me about all the fun he's had this past month since I last saw them. He's a fish in the water, a hero on his mountain bike, and a speedy man on his feet. Luke has such a love for life and is such a great example to us all (he's been taught by two incredible parents too). One of his highlights to share was his "coach's award" for his summer swim team this year- Way to go Luke!!! Can't wait to spend more time with them as summer continues and we gear up for our race together! Marci named our team "Walkin' On Water," which was inspired by Luke's knee-boarding on lake Anna this year :)

• Institute time: each week, all the young single adults in the are are invited to gather to learn more about Jesus Christ by studying from the scriptures together. A few different classes are held. Brother Toma has been teaching a class focusing on the writings of John this summer. He's so good at sharing insights and inspiring us to search the scriptures more diligently and glean from the lessons taught in the scriptures. Most importantly, we always leave class with a great sense of the joy that Christ offers us as we heed to His teachings and live in obedience to His commandments given in the scriptures, both ancient and through our living prophets and apostles.
  

• Tourist time: I don't know that I'll ever tire of the monuments and the history of this area.

Running Lesson

Separation from a Suitcase

It's true. No more suitcase living. It's been a fantastic 2-3 months, but I must say it felt SO good to unpack my belongings for a longer period of time than a month. Grateful, too, for a room and house to call home again. With my bed moved in and clothes unpacked, produce in the fridge, bike in the sun room, car free of boxes of "essentials," life's routines and normalcy is on the horizon. (pics to come, Mom :) )

No doubt the Lord's been watching over my paths, but I sure would never have imagined some of the funny situations those paths have led to. In all, I hopeful that the truths and ideas my mind has consequently been opened to will be remembered and built upon so I can be a little (or a lot) better person and make better decisions as a result.

It's decided that I don't need to know why certain situations have transpired, particularly those that have been completely out of my hands. Nonetheless, I do feel confident that there's no such thing as "coincidences" and hope that I am learning the lessons that they were intended to teach me.

Press on! Forward, not backward :)

Last stop: Utah

To end my time in the west this summer, I rode with Andrew, Rachel and Kaili to their new home in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Since we got home to PG, we've enjoyed some rest, fighting off a cold that we think was passed from the other cute niece to her favorite cousin, then to Rachel and I...

Can't rest too much when there's plenty of fun and work to be done! With the Abes and Rach's new abode, fridge/freezer/dishwasher adventures, Kaili, kitchen organization, Kaili diapers, laundry galore, Kaili feeding, garden research, Kaili entertaining, paint planning, Kaili laughing, picture and curtain hanging, and more , Rach and I (and Kaili) have enjoyed our time tag-teaming, not to mention Rach staying on top of work with her new franchising responsibilities. We've had fun along the way...

• dancing and singing brings huge smiles and giggles out of Keai Kaili
• swimming and wave-pool time entertains the whole family
• running in the park and through the hills and Timp temple area
• Home Depot errands (Abes bought his first manly shovel- with a lifetime guarantee, of course!)
• church in their new ward ("real men carry diaper bags" Abes- huh)
• rock climbing with Abes
• celebrating A&R's anniversary with Kaili while they partied on their own
• Los Lobos outdoors concert in SLC (Kaili's first concert at 7 mo. old!)... check out their music!

The only thing that could make it more fun around here would be to have Madi and Kristen with us.

Additionally, I have enjoyed having the chance to catch up with friends in the Provo and Salt Lake areas...

• river kayaking with Paul and JeVonne family (yes, she's due in a couple of weeks)
• hiking with Rebecca then lunch with Britt and little Talmage
• dinner, disc-throwing, and frisbee golf with Rob, and dinner with the Lawlers
  
• softball game with Abes and cousin Hunter
• Rock Canyon with Lisa and boxing/moving with Shelley
• dinner & stories with some favorite mission friends, the Menloves, Gawith (Afton) & Michael
• hiking Nebo with Caleb and rock climbing with Annalee

• reception with Jenna, Wes and the McDonald family
• visiting Dr. Graham on BYU campus- catching up and grad school advice
• running Bonneville shoreline trail with Connie and Brandon (he road his mt. bike)...and early morning temple run

And the great thing is... It worked out perfectly that I was able to delay my departure in order to spend more time with the Skeens and enjoy friends in the area more as well. Still love this valley, both for the beauty that offers recreation as well as the family and friendships to come "home" to... I suppose it's time I own the fact that "home" is more than one geographic location for me.

It's great to be a teacher with a summer that allows me to enjoy my "homes"!

Cascade

A few pictures of the memories made at Cascade. Huge thank you to Dad and Mom for making it happen...

Kristen showed the ski who's boss... also an amazing Mama

Rachel showed her natural skillz riding waves, even in fresh water... another amazing Mama

Joey (Carlos) loved playing ball in the sand

Kaili loved every moment she had on the boat

Papa Miller, Kevin, toughed it on the wakeboard--- Millers are not quitters

Papa Skeen (Jr.), Andrew, pleased the crew by landing several flips

Jenni loved glassy water, even when it meant sundown

Shayne was almost translated... enough faith to walk on water, as observed by Heather

Madison discovered her love for sand

Maraea braved the cold and dark for an awesome ski run

Daniel and Alex explored the rocks, awaiting more paddle boat time

Dad (and Grandpa) worked over time behind the wheel- voted #1 driver of the season before he was caught falling asleep with a skier behind him ;)

Skeens played in hot springs on a cold day... love being together

More Washington Joys

Time flew by in Washington State with the ma, pa, and young'n sibs... The spoiling did not stop... In addition to the aforementioned enjoyments in the first days, I will now add to the list (not to promote jealousy, of course- Mom and Dad are too good to me)...

• Jenna and Wes's sealing and reception
• dancing with the McDonald and Dance families (even the cute new additions under age 4)
• Baby shower for JeVonne
  
• Seattle Temple time (visit with Sister Skeem!)
• more fresh blueberries, later accompanied by raspberries and more

• Mom's home-grilled salmon

• early-morning water skiiing with Jeanette, friend, and Dad on Lk. Washington (the warmest water I've ever felt in this lake!)
• wakeboarding on Lk. Washington (same morning... had to get it all in)
  
• walking with my pregnant friends, JeVonne and Marielle (in place of our regular running ;)
  
• running Mercer slew and I-90 bridge
• more swimming at the pool
• watching Maraea dive at the pool (UNLV is SO lucky to have her join them this year!!!)
• CeFiore frozen yogurt with not-so-"little" brother, Bri; sister, Maea; and Mom

WASHINGTON State (not the OTHER Washington)

Flying into SeaTac Airport on Thursday afternoon was beautiful! I am a sucker for lush green flora and mountains. Even better is close proximity between me and lakes... so visiting family in W. Washington in the summer is very fulfilling. To my surprise, western Washington has had an uncomfortably hot summer for its liking. Typically we enjoyed "heat" in the mid to upper 80's... just warm enough to walk outside in shorts and a t-shirt and just "be" comfortable in the sun, but recently they have been experiencing temperatures in the upper 90's and even above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Whew! For me, it's been GREAT... minus the brown lawns. It reminds me of the summer of the drought we experienced when I was in grade school... brown lawns... even the church lawn. Strange.

Despite the brown lawns, the trees are still tall, green and as plentiful as ever before.

Since I've been home all of a couple days now, I've been spoiled...

• time hanging out with mom
• Blue Angels practice-flying over Lake Washington
• wakeboarding on Lake Sammamish with Dad, Mom and Maraea
• swimming in Lk. Sammamish
• swimming at the pool then watching Maea coach
• endless blueberries for snacking and meals
• flank steak grilled with roast garlic and zuccini
• trail walking with Mom and Joey
• time on the piano (aww)
  
• lots of rest (my body knows when I'm in WA- it sleeps hard)
• time for reading (aww)