The Good, the Bad and the Handsome

The Good:

This week David and I found out that we were approved for a Pediatric Heart Surgery medical mission trip to Vietnam. Man am I glad that David has connections since I have no previous medical experience. We attempted a medical trip to Kenya over a year a ago and the trip was canceled due to tribal fighting in the area and I was super bummed. So, this year I am holding my breath that all works out.

The Bad:

Well, not completely bad, but this week I got laid off. Now, this wasn't really a surprise since I had seen sales declining over the last year, but none the less, not the most pleasant thing to experience. It makes me feel really old. I can honestly say that I feel like I have been prepared for this. Last September I had been praying and fasting about going back to school and things fell into place for me to start classes two weeks later. I started taking classes to apply for a nursing program. Starting to take all the prerequisites back in September has placed me in a position to apply for multiple programs this year. I already sent off one application and am planning on sending off more in the fall. I think the worst part of this lay off is that I might not get to enjoy another excursion on this:



The Handsome:



David and I went to a movie last Saturday at one of the McMenamins' theaters. If you ever come to Portland you will have to check one of them out. They are awesome. They are cheap, have super comfy couches and the theater has tons of character. Luckily this movie only cost us $2.00 cause we walked out at the beginning.

Happy Father's Day-just a few days late!

Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's in my life! Here are pictures of just a few of them.

Dad and brother Kenny

Father-in-law, Keith

The other weekend we were helping our friends move and I went out in the backyard to find David like this:

Can you tell someday he is going to be a great dad?

Yummy Goodness

For any of you that know me even somewhat well know that I have a ginormous sweet tooth. Throughout my life I have generally stuck to the the likes of skittles, starbursts, ice cream and really any fruity candy that is chewy and delicious. Since I have been married, David has opened my eyes to a new sweet. The ever scrumptious vanilla frosting and graham crackers. Many trips to the grocery store I will pick up this snack as a treat for David telling myself during the shopping trip that I can restrain myself this week and save the goods for David. And then without fail, my will gives way to the temptation of this combo in my cupboard. And once again, this week I have fallen. Good thing tomorrow is a new day and the frosting is almost gone!

Cirque du Cycling Criterium

Portland is really big on biking, being green and being weird. There are bumber stickers all over that say, "Keep Portland Weird". This last weekend we went to a biking event that is said to be "part circus and part bike street race". At the beginning of the day there is a bike parade through the streets. We missed the parade but we showed up in time to see the costumes (or maybe real outfits since it is Portland) and some of the unique bikes.

I wish I had a video tape of this guy trying to ride this bike. It was hilarious.
I was waiting for him to topple over.


And remember, it is not Halloween.

Remember how I told you that people in Oregon love tie dye. Here is further proof.

We really came to see the Crit bike race. Crits are great because the riders do multiple laps (30-50) around a short city course. The distance of the race is determined by the average lap time for the first 2/3's or so of the race. The bikers get up to about 25-30 mph as they wind around this 0.80 mile course. There are prizes throughout the race for the winners of certain laps. We had gone to a Crit when we were in Redlands, CA and we loved it. You can get right down on the sidewalk by the road so you actually feel the bikers as they ride past. It's pretty amazing. That is unless you see a crash since they can be pretty brutal. When we were at the race in CA one of the bikers actually lost his seat and had to stand for the rest of the race. Can you imagine standing on your bike going 30 mph around a curving course? I guess it was good motivation to stand since he would impale himself with a metal seat post if he sat.

I love when the overall winner of a men's professional biking race is wearing pink and the team name is Gentle Lovers.

Helvetia Half Marathon

David and Sam. Our cheering section enjoying some good old Jack in the Box.

Blair and I before the race.

Last Saturday I ran the Helvetia Half Marathon in Hillsboro, OR. A friend of mine told me about it so we signed up to run. Neither one of us had any idea what the course would be like. It ended up being the hardest half I have run and it was even harder than my marathon. I'm not sure if I was just not in great shape or if I did not adequately prepare for this particular course. It was very hilly almost the entire race. There is one part where you get a break for about 1/2 a mile to 1 mile or so but as you are going down hill, you are watching everyone ahead of you run right back up that same hill on the other side of the road, so you can only partially enjoy that break knowing that in just a bit you'll be heading back up. David came as my loyal fan and he said he knew I was dying when I crossed the finish line because generally when I cross the finish line I am smiling and waving. This time I did not even look at him. I went straight for the guy standing in front of me handing out cups of Jamba Juice. I thought I was going to pass out. All in all though, it was a good race and I loved the training so I'm glad I got to do it. I am pretty sure I'll do it again next year, but I'm going to train a little different this time.

It may appear that I am going fast because of the blurry picture, but don't be deceived, I felt like I had tree trunks for legs and all I wanted was to cross that finish line so I could quit running.

4 Whole Years. . . Where does the time go?

David and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary. I can't believe it's already been 4 years, 3 states later, 2 homes later, 1 doctor later and 0 kiddos later. I remember his mom once told me that if I married David it would be a wild ride and I have definitely not been disappointed!

How could you not love this guy? At our wedding reception in Mesa he basically did a mini strip tease to reveal this:

For our anniversary David took the day off so that was probably the best gift he could give me. We went to the temple in the afternoon and then downtown that night. Thank you David for a great anniversary!

Outside the Portland Temple.

David hoping that I'll let him get a mini. Maybe next anniversary....

Just smelling the roses. Ahhhh.

This weekend we didn't do a whole lot. Friday night we attempted to stop by First Friday in SE Portland which is when a bunch of art galleries stay open late so people can tour through them. Note to self: SE Portland does not know real art. I don't consider drawings of aliens to be art, nor do I consider creepy one-eyed devil looking creatures to be art. Maybe I don't have an eye for it, but come on, really? We could tell from the moment we walked up the street that we were definitely not going to appreciate this type of "art". Let's just say we probably looked like the Clever family compared to the rest of the crowd. In a couple of weeks we'll try the First Friday in a different part of Portland. We'll let you know how it turns out.

Sunday we went with some friends to the Rose Gardens. We have been here a few times because it's free and it's right in the middle of Washington Park. This time of year is the Rose Festival and everything is in bloom. It is beautiful.

(I was told that you have to close your eyes when smelling the roses.)

Unfortunately we did not take a picture of the grossest looking rose I have ever seen. Honestly it was flesh colored and just looking at it along with the names that we were coming up with for it could have made me vomit.

Fellow Teacher of the Year Award

(this is an old picture, but just pretend that the award says: "Fellow Teacher of the Year")

This morning I got a phone call from David. He found out today that he was awarded the Fellow Teacher of the Year. He was actually late for the meeting when they made the announcement, so he had no idea until after the meeting when people came up to him to congratulate him. I am so proud of him. It was a great honor for him since he loves to teach and really works hard to make sure that he takes advantage of every teaching opportunity. I think during his training he has had the best of both worlds, he is a teacher and a student. He is an amazing teacher and I love when I have the chance to learn something new from him. Congrats David!!!! You rock.