Best Friends Forever

An intriguing book about the friendships we establish as children and the impacts they can have on the rest of our lives. This story follows the life of Adelaide Downs and her friendship with Valerie Adler. It shows how their friendship blossomed through Jr. High and High School culminating in an exchange their senior year that forced a chasm in their relationship that wouldn't be addressed until 15 years later when Valerie returns to attend their High School reunion. As the two are forced back together after an accident the night of the reunion, they begin to see who each other really is and how the life of their good friend is not as wonderful as they had always thought it was.

This book is a reminder that when we analyze our friends we often only see what we want to see. We have a tendency to ignore the difficulties our friends have in order to see their life as so much better than ours. It is an amazing story, well written while not being pretentious or heavy.

*** I give this 3 stars not because it isn't worth reading but because it is written for a very specific audience. I encourage anyone out there who has had a best friend in their lives that they can go years without seeing and then fall into each other's footsteps the second they reconnect, to read this book. If you are looking for something light and easy to read for the summer, this would be a great choice. So grab your beach towel, sun screen and this book and head out for a weekend at the beach. You won't be disappointed.

Running in the Morning??? Insert sad face here.

I have always heard that running in the morning is supposed to be invigorating. I have decided that whoever thought that up lied. Yep, they lied. I do not make this statement without having tried it at least once. Since I started training for the half marathon, I have been running at night. It is wonderful after a busy day to unwind and have time just me and my tennis shoes. Friday we arrived late to our campsite and by the time we had dinner and the girls all tucked into bed it was 10pm and we decided that going running so late was probably not the best idea so I reluctantly agreed to go the next morning.

I was awaken from a fabulous sleep by my most wonderfully chipper mother so I pulled myself out of my warm bed, pulled on my running clothes, socks and tennis shoes, brushed my teeth to get rid of the morning breath and headed out the door. I later discovered I had put on my sports bra inside out and had two different socks. Two of the many reasons why running in the morning is not the best idea.

Now I am exhausted, have my clothes on inside out, two different socks on and away we headed. As we ran along the 3 mile route I began to realize that I was in the minority. It seemed that everyone else that was out was loving their run or walk in the brisk morning air. Everyone we came across was smiling and chipper and greeted us with cheerful tone. The whole time I just kept thinking that I could still be in bed.

I suppose the only good thing was that I got to go with my mom. That definitely made it all worth it. As much as I have realized ruined early in the morning is not my preference, I would do it again to go with my mom. Even if I ended up running in clothes that were inside out.

Leavenworth Half Marathon

Yes, a half marathon this coming October. Watch out Leavenworth, here I come.

I have to talk big, because otherwise I fear this race will eat me alive. If I put my psychological game face on and attack this head on I know I can conquer it. I have started running and next week am meeting with a trainer to get on a weight lifting regiment to get my body ready for this. I have aways to go but I am ready for the work and excited about it also. I will be sure to keep you all up to date on training progress. Right now I have a ways to go but I was able to go out and run about 2 1/2 miles with hills last night. Given that I haven't worked out at all in the last two months, I am optimistic. Tomorrow heading out again and I am actually excited. Gives me time to think, contemplate and be with myself, nature and God. If any of you out there reading this have run a half marathon or marathon, please comment with your tips and suggestions for training. I love to hear all points of view and any tips you have.

Congratulations Graduates of 2010!

Each year brings with it a new set of young adults embarking upon new adventures. This year Robb and I were blessed to know so many graduating both from high school and from college. You have already met Megan and Annelise in previous posts. The ones I want to share with you now are two young women we have known since junior high school and in May graduated from Washington State University. Both have academically excelled in their degrees and I am so excited to see where they will go from here. Thank you Kerrie and Emily for asking me to come and share in your special day.

Best of luck you two. We love you tons.

Paulene & Chris wed on a fabulous Kauai Beach.

I was so excited when Paulene told me that her and Chris had decided to say I do on a beautiful Kauai beach. Marriage is most definitely an adventure. What better way to start the adventure than to search out the perfect spot. The bride, groom and a few close friends headed out on Saturday afternoon to investigate the eastern part of the island for the perfect beach. The first spot wasn't right for the wedding, although it allowed for some fun driving in the mini van and a slight distraction when the guys saw the dirt bike racing track. Heading north they were sure to find the perfect spot, and find it they did.

We followed the paved walking path down to a short dirt path that led us to a remote and beautiful Donkey Beach. They new almost immediately this was the spot and after some more exploring made the decision that there was no need to keep looking. They had found the place they would say 'I do.' I was so happy for them and excited to see how it would all come together in just a few short days.

It was no surprise at all that Paulene was a most beautiful bride and Chris a most handsome groom.

The entire day was magical as two best friends pledged to spend the rest of their lives together.

Paulene & Chris were extremely lucky as they had a great group of family and friends that flew all the way to Kauai to celebrate with them. It was so wonderful to get to see all the people there that represented so many facets of their lives. Family that has known them their whole life, friends that have known them since childhood and those they have met as a couple. I couldn't be more happy for the two of them.

Congratulations to the both of you. I look forward to many years as friends with the two of you. Thank you so much for letting me capture your day for you.

Where is summer?

I realize this is not a simple question to answer but I couldn't help but ask. I also realize it has been awhile since I have written and wanted to fill you all in on what has been going on. Our family recently became parents to 9 little chicks. They are most fabulous and we love them. This last weekend good friends of ours came to help us build out chicken coop and it is well on the way to being completed. Love it. Work is busy, girls are wrapping up their school year and we are all excited for summer. And so we come back around to summer and I can't help but mention the fact that it is June and the weather has been so wet and groggy lately. I really need some sun. Had some sun today which was lovely. Took my lunch break and sat outside in the sun while I read. It felt wonderful. Went on a walk with my girls and spent a little time outside in the yard. Just love the sun. Then the wind picked up and the clouds rolled in. Figures.

Have a bunch of pictures to share with you all and definitely need to get a post in here about our fabulous trip to Kauai to photograph the wedding of a dear friend. It was magnificent.

'A tree grows in brooklyn' by Betty Smith

Last night I brought to a close the long number of months I have been working on reading this magnificent piece of literature. I have to admit that it took me a few months just to get to the point in reading it that I didn't want to put it down. This was probably largely because of the busy life of a mother but also because of the depth of the novel. This novel delves deep into each character, setting up the history of each so you can better understand their thought processes and the reasons for their actions.

I would definitely recommend this book. Because of the depth of the novel, I wouldn't recommend it to someone looking for a light read. This isn't the right choice for that. But to someone who wants to get into the life of a character, or someone who wants to learn about a time in history that is most definitely so very different from their own, this is the book for them.

**** I would recommend this book as a inspiring read. Read it if only to peak into what it would be like to truly have nothing and yet have everything at the same time.