This post is dedicated to my niece, Marybeth, and the fun times we enjoyed with her. One of her favorite times was spent at the park with all 5 of us grown ups and her and Aedan. She loved the swing as you can see on the right. I really enjoyed our times of reading. Grandma Morris
gave her 5 huge Disney books and I believe we read through most of them during our first visit. I think she would have had me read them all in one sitting if I would have given her that option! Jenn has taken on home-schooling her children (which I think is wonderful) and Marybeth is doing very well and loves to learn. Below: Aunt Melinda and Marybeth, cuddle time. She loves to cuddle, and I love that she loves to.

Above: Kristine, Marybeth and myself (behind the camera) playing the good ol' fashion game of Chutes and Ladders. Fun times!

Aunt Melinda and Aedan at 3 months old.


Aunt Melinda and Aedan at 9 months old.
Gotta love the fact that I am wearing the same outfit! :)

Kristine and Aedan hit it off really well. It took him a little while to warm up to us but once he did he was as happy as can be.

Home Again

Our trip to California was wonderful! Thank you to all that prayed for us while we were gone! The Lord blessed us and kept us safe in many ways and we are so grateful to Him for it! I will post more pictures through the weeks ahead of our highlights. We took plenty of pictures! :) To start with here is an updated picture of my brother, Kevin, and his lovely family. We stayed with them our first two nights and then again our last two nights in California. Now that I think about it I wish I would have taken pictures of our set up, because Jenn did an amazing job in preparing our beds and making us feel comfortable. Marybeth was a joy to see. She lit up the room and made us laugh with all her silly faces and remarks. She is a very loving, caring and an energetic little girl. Aedan is absolutely the best baby I have ever seen. He is very smiley and very content where ever you put him. He is definitely a Daddies boy because when ever Kevin was around his face would light up and he would laugh and smile the whole time. So sweet! I can't wait to meet Madeleine. Jenn is expecting to go in on November 9th I believe for the scheduled C-section.

Happy Early Birthday Tribute

Happy Birthday to my nephew!!! He will be 2 years old on September 17th!! I am posting this now because I am leaving tomorrow for California, for a week! The pictures are from when he spent the night with me a week ago. Cassie brought his new favorite car and we spent a good deal of the time together zooming through the house! (Please excuse the clutter all around...Slowly but surely our kitchen is in the process of remodeling.) Anyway, the grainy picture was taken from my camera phone when I was in bed. The little man LOVES to move around in his sleep. For most of the night he slept as seen in the picture, with his back-end right by my face! I do have to say he was a sweet boy when he woke up. After he figured out where he was that is! :D

Well, I am off. My Mom, Kristine and I will be visiting my other brother, Kevin, and his beautiful family down in California tomorrow! I'm looking forward to seeing them. Which by the way, for those that don't know. Jenn is expecting again!!! They are going to have another little girl! :D Due in November! Can't wait!

9-11 At River Front Park

In remembrance of the 9-11 attacks, River Front Park has created one of many Healing Fields around the US. Each flag represents someone that died in the attacks and those that have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. The scene was pretty amazing with the fields covered in flags. On every flag they had the names of the people that died from the Twin Towers, The Pentagon and from Flight 93. The names are printed on the stripes. It amazes me that it has been 5 years since the attacks. I just recently went and saw the movie, World Trade Center, and to see the live footage, and hear about the story of the two officers that survived was absolutely incredible! Though the times were and still are hard it is a great comfort to know the Lord is in control and He has purpose in everything.

The Promised Family Camp Pics

It was a busy week at family camp! This was my second year attending and my first year that I was able to stay the whole week. Trinity and Hillcrest Chapel have put it on for 25 years now. Family Camp is a wonderful time meeting new people and having fellowship, catching up with those from the other church, hearing/reading the Word, helping with meals (another opportunity to serve one another) and fun and games. Above: Kristine and I trying a different pose.

There is nothing like a fun game of volleyball

My dad had hamburger and hotdog duty the day we did our BBQ. They certainly flipped a lot of burgers that day! :D

A few hours out of the day we had camp games. We were all split up into teams and competed against one another. On the left is my team (the Huns) and though we didn't win many competitions we were definitely the loudest in cheering! We had a great time! We came very close in
tug-of-war and in fact the Huns were on its way to winning when the other team pulled together and used all their saved up strength for the final defeat!

Last Day

Today was my last day with the Van Voorhis Family. I have been with them for 5 years and I have been blessed because of it. The Lord has taught me so much through the kids and through their parents and I am thankful for the time I had with them. The kids and I spent the day doing random fun stuff. For example: There is a really steep hill in Salem that I drove down with the kids a year or so ago and Brendan would always ask if we could go down it again. Well, the hill was located on the complete opposite side of town from their house so it wasn't the most convenient thing to do. Except for today, we made it convenient. Random, yes! Randomly fun and memorable, even more so! The kids enjoyed it and I enjoyed the fact that they are easily pleased! Conveniently enough we were able to stop by a park that is located near this same hill. A park I took them to a LONG time ago, and still remembered as one of their favorites.
After eating lunch and running and spinning around (they had a merry-go-round) at the park we all agreed it would be a good idea to stop at DQ and get some well deserved ice cream! :D I even succumbed to taking them to the Dollar Tree and letting them pick out a cheap-o toy that never lasts but a day or so. Asking to go to the Dollar Tree was another one I heard a lot, but, never gave in to. I figure it is always more fun for them when you take them before they ask. More of a treat and a surprise! Well, Tyler opted for a bow-and-arrow (as seen on the right) and Brendan and Samantha went for the candy, this was no surprise...At least not for Brendan who would eat sugar for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner if he had the option. Our day was fun and yet I don't think it has hit me that I am not going back there tomorrow or any other morning. I will miss them. Yet, I trust that they will be a part of my life from here on out and for that I am thankful. Thankful to have met them and thankful to have been accepted as a family member.

THEN and NOW

It has been neat watching the plants grow and fill up our front planter. These are the plants we bought my Mom for Mother's Day. When my Mom and I went to the Nursery to pick them out we felt a little lost and overwhelmed because of the variety of plants and plus having to pick some seasonal and some annuals that would look good together throughout the year. I have to say we are very pleased with the outcome. As you can see the plants have grown leaps and bounds
and are flourishing. The next big project for the front yard is to plant the grass seed and Lord-willing one day build some stairs going down to the lawn on to a deck.
The work has been long and hard and yet amazingly enough ( I say this because I haven't done half as much as my parents ;) ) it has been a joy to be able to do the work and watch it progress. It is a good feeling. As I pull weeds, that like to grow oh so fast, all I can think about is the reason we have weeds in the first place. Because of our sins and disobedience to our Loving Father in the beginning of time He cursed the grounds of the Earth. For this reason we have to work in keeping the land, He has provided for us, beautiful. It amazes me that God can humble a person through the simplest job such as this. What a beautiful thought/picture to know that one day we will be caught up in Heaven and be in the presence of our Savior, Jesus Christ, living in peace with the land that will no longer be cursed but thrive and work together. The New Heavens and New Earth will be a glorious place to live and by God's grace and love He has promised us we WILL one day enjoy in all His goodness and righteousness. Glory be to God!

P.S. Family Camp was wonderful!! Pictures to come.

Leaving for the Week

A post with out pics...Unfortunately I am not able to post any pictures on my blogspot, however, as soon as I figure out the problem I will have plenty to post. I have some of Brent and our Park adventures and some especially for you, Aunt Kathy!! We finally took some of our front planter and ohhhhh how the plants have grown. They have done their job in filling the empty space. It is so wonderful the Lord has given us such beautiful things to look at and enjoy here on Earth. I actually enjoyed weeding the front planter *Insert: shock and surprise look on my Mom's face*
It will be another week or so before I can figure out the problem. We will be at our Church's Family Camp for 5 days! Maybe I'll have some pictures from there to share as well. God bless you all!

Portland Zoo

It was a perfect day to spend at the Zoo. The weather was beautiful and the time was right!
Left to Right: Tyler, Brendan, Samantha, Brent and Me

Riding the train was an added bonus. I have been to the Zoo many times yet never have been on the Zoo Express. It was a nice way to end our tour of the animals. I love Brendan's facial expression...He is known for making funny faces at the camera!

Left to Right: Brendan, Tyler, Samantha, Diane (mom,) Cassie and Brent


Brent is at the perfect age for trips such as this. He had a great time looking and learning about all the different animals.

Please note: I was able to get Brent looking at the camera AND the Seal in the back ground! Not an easy task! :D

Cape Kiwanda

I spent a few days with the Bower/Ozaine/Jenks family right before the 4th of July. They stayed at the Tosti's beach house for a week.
Here we are setting off on our kayaking adventure...and an adventure it was! But, we had a lot of fun and even more excercise than expected. We kayaked for about 3hours.
Kristine and I: Relaxing on a nice sunny day. We really enjoyed these chairs during the week. :D
All the locals set off there fireworks the night before the 4th. We enjoyed hot drinks (tea/coffee/hot chocolate) and smores while watching and setting off our own fireworks.
Left to Right: Grant, Mr. Jenks, Me and Mrs. Jenks


Best Friends!

New Beginnings

"The mind of man plans his ways,

But the Lord directs his steps."

Proverbs 16:9

As many of you know a lot of changes are up ahead for me. I am so thankful for the time I've had with the Van Voorhis family and helping them out as their Nanny. The Lord has taught me so much in the ways of caring for children and though I know I still have MUCH to learn I am grateful for the experience I had. Not only has it been a wonderful experience but, it has been a privilege to be accepted as part of the Van Voorhis family. I am so thankful for the way the Lord brought us all together. Brian and Meredith have been the best employer's a girl could ask for and the kids have been a joy to watch grow. And grow they did!!! Starting in September Tyler will be a 5th grader, Brendan a 2nd grader and Samantha a 1st grader. As you can see it will be time for me to move on as the kids will be in school and even better for them their Grandparents are in the process of moving up here so they can help out with some of the after school activities. It will be good for the kids to have their Grandparents close by.

As for me...Well, I knew the time was coming for me to move on, however, I still was undecided as to what I would do next. I've been doing a lot of praying and trusting that the Lord would guide me. Many of you know I had my OWN plans for my future but the Lord has proven over and over that His plans are the better way and He will (as He promises us in the Bible) have His way with us, His children. Proverbs 16:9 has become a great comfort to me. So, although I may pursue something I am trusting that the Lord will open or shut the doors as He sees fit. So, as of late my pursuit has been applying for the One-Year-Bible Institute at The Master's College down in Santa Clarita, CA. People would ask what my passion was and what I'd like to do and for a while I would draw a blank. One reason was because my passion was, and has been for as long as I can remember, to marry and start a family of my own. However, it is apparently not the Lord's plan for me at this time in my life. Anyway, as I would pray and talk to others I realized that my passion was Jesus Christ Himself and it has been my prayer to serve Him and put Him first and foremost in everything I do. I can see now that my prayers are being answered. I believe the Lord has been sanctifying me through the trials and tribulations He had ordained for me before time began and I believe these past few years, especially, have been His way of preparing me for His perfect plan in my life. Whatever that may be. I certainly never imagined it would happen in the way it has but then again the Lord knows best and I have found great comfort in knowing He is in control and I don't need to worry about my future.

All this to say I will continue to take the steps in pursing the One-Year Bible Institute at The Master's College and trust that the Lord will provide what ever is needed to get there if that is where He wants me. I did just recently find out I have been accepted and for that I am thankful!!!! So, if you are reading this please pray for me as I continue in the process of filling out the forms for Financial Aid. It is my prayer I will be able to attend without having a lot of debt at the end. Thank you for all your prayers already in this and with my family here at home. May the Lord bless you all.

Late: 4th of July Pictures

The pictures are a bit late but, here they are anyway. We also didn't take very many. My parents, Grandma and I spent the morning at our church's picnic up in Portland. We played a lot of volleyball and some softball and sang some songs together. The picture is of one of the fireworks Steven set off at Cassie's brother's house. We spent the rest of the evening there.

Here we have Uncle Steven pushing Brent on the swing... And me, tired from the afternoon festivities so, choosing to watch all the others play soccer rather than join in. :D They also set off a ton of fireworks on there block

Dad and Son! The fireworks were especially loud this year so to protect Brents ears he wore his Uncle Scott's Ear Muffs (Scott is Cassie's brother.) Surprisingly Brent kept them on the whole time.

Friends Re-United

These are my good friends from high school. Ever since we graduated we would get together and take professional pictures together. Well, it has been two years since we were all together last and life has certainly changed! Ashley (on the Left) is married and lives in Utah, Eryn (to the right of me) is also married and has three beautiful children (her youngest is pictured below.) And Katie just got excepted to OHSU as a medical student. We are thankful we've been able to keep in touch. It seems like these last few weeks the Lord has brought so many people back into my life. Some I never thought I'd see again and yet the Lord surprises us. Only He is able to orchestrate all of that.

...And because he is so darn cute! This is my other nephew, Dylan. He is my best friend, Eryn's baby. He is going on 8 months and crawling all over the place. We think he is going to be an early walker because he has been pulling himself up and standing for weeks now.

They Grow So Fast

Can you believe this little guy is now 21 months TODAY!!! He has turned out to be such a sweet boy that loves to play outside and pull anyone along that will follow. He loves to have someone following him at all times.

By the way, this little man is going to be a big brother this January!!!!! Cassie and Daniel are expecting their 2nd child!! YEAH!!!




All grown up and enjoying some yummy grapes while soaking up the attention everyone gives him. He is sitting in his little chair surrounded by Mom, Dad, Grandma, Great Grandma and his favorite Aunt Melinda! ;)


Oh Happy Day!!

Notice his lovely haircut!

Exiting the Ape Caves

Jedi Theresa preparing to exit the Ape caves....

You have to climb a ladder to get out of the lava tube...

Below is Kristine demonstrating just how it is done. Lantern and all!

Ape Cave Adventures

Left to Right: Kristine, Melinda, Shaunna and Theresa

Me and some friends from church decided to get together and make the trek through the Ape Caves once again. For those that don't know what the Ape Caves are you can visit the website below for more detailed information. However, for those that are not interested in a history lesson, it is a 1 1/2 mile hike through a lava tube. Lanterns and flash lights are a necessity if you don't want to injure your body in anyway or if you don't like not being able to see your hand when it is directly in front of your face. Our only casualty on this hike was the Jenks' lantern . It was tragic, considering we were only 5 minutes away from the end of the tube. http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/MSH/ApeCave/


As you walk through (it takes about 2-3 hours. Depending on how fast you go) you find that there are a variety of different obstacles to over come. Here in this picture you can see Eric Jenks climbing the steepest part of the hike. He makes it look easy only because he is 6'5'' I can vouch for those that are 5'7'' and smaller and let you know it is not so easy.


Here we have David Overlin giving you an example of another obstacle for those that are taller (which happen to be all the guys that went with us) There are many areas where ducking is a must. However, there are just as many areas, if not more, where the upright position is maintained. This is preferable to many yet the constant change in scenery is what makes the hike more
adventuresome. In the beginning of our hike we stopped and sang hymns at the point where the cave was the most spacious, making for good acoustics. Even though I am not gifted in the area of singing, it was definitely the highlight of the trip.

Plants in the Planter!!!

Here are the promised pictures. The plants are getting bigger and bigger each day...Some of these have blooms and are more pleasing to the eye as you drive past.
Brent gives you an idea how tall the retaining wall and plants are. And he is just cute to boot so we thought it would improve the picture..Instead of just sending pics of the planter. :D Great Grandma and the little man make for a better picture indeed. What a blessing it is to be with generations of family! The Lord is Good!!!


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