Family time in Minnesota

This is Angie, Sarah, Doris and Alyssa. And Lillyanne and Tucker too! Of course, do you see me in any of these pictures? Of course not....I'm in the basement. But I could hear everyone laughing and having a good time upstairs - so I suppose that's a blessing.

I can see why Angie never brought me upstairs - she was playing with these little kids all the time. I kind of got a little jealous of them - but they did giggle alot and made me laugh - from what I could hear from way down in the basement.

Pray for Ashley

Hey, she actually took me off the shelf from the basement for a drive today. We went something called "garage selling" - I've never been but Angie and Diane were really excited to jump in and out of the car. At this house though, Angie started talking to a nice lady who had just gotten out of the hospital and she didn't seem very happy to have her garage sale. Her name was Ashley and she had just moved into this house because of a divorce, and had a kidney transplant five years ago that just recently failed and she was waiting for another kidney. Angie thought she seemed sad so they talked some. Angie told her that she would pray for her. It made Angie kind of quiet for awhile.

Hey batter, batter!!!

Alyssa to bat - GO ALYSSA!

Softball in Minnesota

Hey, I'm out of the basement again....can you spot me? This is Paul's brother - Chuck and his wife Diane. We went to Alyssa's softball game and Angie kept cheering for the cute catcher - :-)

And this is Alyssa Swanson - she's a CPA now and all grown up - she played a pretty good catcher too. She thought it was weird to hold me - but she smiled anyway. Angie used to explain about me, now she just says hold the dog.

Thank you - FBC Ministering Teachers

Angie thought this would be a nice thing to do for teachers at FBC. What do you think?

Angie says she had a wonderful and encouraging meeting with these two ladies - Vicky and Jen.

The Church of the Open Door

So, do you notice anything? I'm not in this picture, hmph! But she did tell everyone about this church and the people she met there. This is the Church of the Open Door in Maple Grove, MN. The senior pastor is David Johnson and Angie likes his preaching. She met with two Pastors there, and they talked and talked about women in ministry - at least - that's what I heard her say - since I was left at home.

Pink's Comfy Resting Place

Hey - this is my own personal space in Minnesota. It's so cozy and warm - with my own light. Angie sleeps in a bed nearby - and I'm very happy here. UNFORTUNATELY - I didn't realize she was going to leave me here a lot - I can hear everyone upstairs talking and laughing - and I'm just standing here - waiting to get into her bag again. I don't think I'll complain about being left in the bag in the future because at least I can hear all the wonderful places Angie goes and who she is meeting.

Our wonderful pilot Barry Copeland

This is Angie's friend, Barry Copeland. He was our happy pilot. He took a picture with me but I could tell he was wondering why he was holding a stuffed stiff legged dog named Pink. All Angie did was smile and tell me to be polite and not talk, because Barry is a big geocache finantic and he might accidentally stuff me in one of the find-it trinket boxes if I wasn't careful. I kept my stuffing silent.

A Surprise Lunch from Della (from Barry's flight bag)

Look at what showed up for us on the airplane, courtesy of Della. Barry brought it to the airplane for us - we have specialty deli sandwiches, fancy wrapped plasticware, candy, and lots of junk food. We were the special people on the plane - at least Angie and Doris thought they were. The happy pilot also welcomed everyone on board and told them that they were going to have Miss USA on board today but she cancelled. Instead, he said they did want to welcome a former Miss Kent in row 20 - hahahah - Angie slid down in her seat when the guy in front of her tried to turn around to see her. A funny pilot! The lunch was delicious!

We're in the Plane's Cockpit - Can you see me?

I'm in the middle there - on the thingees that make the engines speed up I think. I'm sure there's a fancy word for it - I know the pilot pushes them forward to make the plane go faster - as least that's what Angie says they do in the movies. That's Doris - Angie's mother in law who is going to Minnesota to visit her son, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Angie almost forgot me again - fortunately Doris remembered me.....ahh - just when I thought she was doing good keeping track of me.

Can You Guess When I'm At?

Wow - I wonder if you can guess what I'm doing? I'm sitting somewhere really important I think - but I don't have a clue what it does - do you?

At the Airport Again Heading to Minnesota

Yea, now before you get jealous that we're going on a plane again - Angie doesn't have any short sleeved shirts packed on this trip. And no fancy car to rent - we're going to Minnesota and she says she's "hoping" to see the sun. But we are flying on a special plane today - her friend's husband - Barry Copeland is going to be our pilot and she's happy about that.

The Lewis Trip to "Disneyland"

I was so excited when Angie talked about going to the Lewis Disneyland - but look where we ended up - this isn't what I heard Disneyland is like. There were a lot of kids there - but no rides or nothin'.

I did see a few relatives I think - quite a bit of stuff stiff legged animals. Kind of gave me the shivers - I was glad Angie brought me back home with her and not leave me in the display here.

Ferry Ride Back to the "Mainland"

After Ft. Casey - we took a ferry to get back to the "mainland" side. Again - Angie held me over water. I think I get a little nervous because if she dropped me again....hmm... I don't think my stiff legs would dog paddle very well. I'm quite dependent on her to see the world safely. I'm getting a little use to it. And I think she's getting quite used to having me around. She even feels bad now when she leaves me at the house if she goes anywhere.

The Lighthouse at Ft. Casey - Admiralty ...something

This is the view from Ft. Casey looking out over the sound. It was so....BIG. Angie enjoyed climbing on all the old ladders and such - she kept me inside her coat to take pictures when she stopped. Water again....it makes me a little nervous.

We drove and drove all day. Angie took me out of the car for this walk - to the lighthouse - it was built in 1860 - well, not this one - but one like it. Have you ever wondered what a lighthouse is for? Before GPS and modern stuff - it kept ships from danger. And each lighthouse had a different light pattern so ship captains would know where they were based on the light sequence. It's a great example of following the light and keeping away from danger. I liked going up in the tower - Angie got a little claustrophobic.....

Gods Beauty at the Tulip Fields

We drove up to the Tulip fields with Angie's family. Her mom really likes me - and gets everyone to take a picture with me. This is Angie's dad. The fields were blazing with color and the sun was shining - Angie kept saying - amazing. When she is awed by God's design - she doesn't talk alot - just walks and walks.

Deception Pass - A Part of Gods Beautiful Creation

Wow - this was amazing. But I gotta tell you - I had to have quite a lot of faith in Angie here in this picture. You can't tell, but she's holding me out from a bridge way up in the sky with her camera in the other hand. I think she'd save her phone/camera first if something happened so I was holding my breath here. Well, I would if I could - you know what I mean. This is Deception Pass - without the sound of the large trucks going on the bridge in this picture - it looks so peaceful doesn't it? Too bad the bridge was vibrating from all the cars - Angie couldn't relax and just enjoy it all. But it sure was amazing. She kept saying - look at what God created - it's amazing.

It's Angie's Family at the Des Moines Marina

It's a special weekend for Angie. Her parents, Barbara and Early (on the left) are celebrating their 50th Anniversary. And the couple on the right is Lorrell and Hazel Lewis from South Carolina (Early's brother and wife). They flew in to surprise them for their 50th Anniversary. But guess what.... I heard that Angie had to tell some "lies" hmmmmm.... to get her parents up to the airport to surprise them. If I had a mouth, I might have to talk to her about that. We celebrated - or they did - at Anthony's Homeport. The dinner looked really yummy. But I couldn't taste it - I'm figuring out that I don't have a mouth. I'm not sure if that's good or bad. Angie's dad just kept shaking his head - they were really surprised. Angie was happy!

Someone New is Holding me.....

Can you tell who's holding me know - can you see what's in the background....I think you can see boats....can you see where I'm at now?

That's Right - a big Giant Mountain and Yellow Flowers

Wow - can you see that mountain in the distance. It really was so much more beautiful in person. Quite striking in its splendor and beauty. And the yellow dandelions were gorgeous. Oh, and don't worry - Angie didn't drop me this time. She just wanted a good picture. So, all is okay - no cars coming this time. :-)

Oh no, I'm feeling all Alone - Last Time this Wasn't Good

But this time it is good. Angie is standing nearby me and she put me on the ground to take a picture. Can you guess what I am looking at?

The Incomplete Hike - but it was a Good Day!

Hey everyone - this is the trail that I got to ride along on this past Wednesday. I was excited because I got to ride in a new bag on Angie's back. She started up and hill and kept asking Paul if it was "up all the way". She sure did stop a lot which I thought was kind of silly since she knew they didn't have enough time to get to the top. They had to turn around a little over half way up because Paul needed to go to work. But they laughed, once they could catch their breath. They want to try it one more time when they have more time.

I'm in Paul's arm sling - that's Angie's Husband

Don't worry. I know he looks kind of tough, but he's really a nice guy. He wanted to go for a "short" hike on Wednesday but it took almost a hour to drive around and find it. But finally, we got to Pinnacle Peak in Enumclaw. It's supposed to be a "25 minute" hike. We'll see. Angie looked pretty skeptical.....there is a history of failing at their first hike of the season. :-)

I am somewhere New - can you tell where I am?

Okay - it's Wednesday morning and I'm in a new bag....actually I don't think it's a bag. Can you tell where I'm at?

Look who we ran into at a softball game

On Monday night after class, Angie took me to the Softball Park - Russell Road - to watch the guys from church play. Her son Evan is on the team. They didn't win, but it was a good night they said to play softball - warm and sunny. Angie got to talk with some people from church. She said that she misses people - and that it's been a hard part of the sabbatical. But I got to met these three McCann kids - they were really nice. Kind of funny :-) but really nice.

student artwork at Mars Its to help say good bye

Throughout the building there are areas with various artwork expressions for students to say thank you and good bye to their time here at Mars. This was a quilted piece on the top of a table. Some of the artwork is interactive where you can add to the design. In her classroom - one of the support beams was turned into a large tree with all kinds of "representative" items tied, fastened, stapled, and hung from it. And outside the classroom there was a banquet table with alot of cool stuff; poems, symbolic items, and such. It was a kind day at school. Time to say good bye with thankfulness.

Last day at Mars Hill Grad School

This is the view out of one of the windows from the school. It's a great view - that's the Edgewater Hotel to the left and you can watch the ferries come and go from the building. It was a beautiful day in Seattle on Monday. Angie was happy as she walked to Starbucks for her coffee - listening to "great worship music" she said.

She sure spends a lot of time on this computer

So we're back at school today and I just thought I'd show you this silver thing that she carries with her to school. Her fingers never stop typing for almost five hours. It's amazing. But today is the last day here. There are alot of people that are happy and sad - graduation for them is next weekend. I sometimes catch them looking at me kind of strange. Not sure what that's all about. Angie just smiles.

Angie's little baby - Abby got her driving permit today

Hard to believe, huh? She's actually driving a car now - mostly with her dad though. I'm not sure why - Angie just smiles. But Angie said that Abby could take me in the car - no bones to break she said.....what does that mean?

I'm a little nervous right now

Took little Abby to get her permit - yikes. Hard to believe she's old enough for that. Now it's more grey hairs....but she's excited.

She's taking defensive driving now - so it should be exciting. Look out everyone - here she comes.

She is back at school and reading about Crazy Love

She took me out of the bag and there I was at Mars Hill Grad School again. You should see Angie here. She sits for almost five hours, and by the time she's done with class, she rubs her eyes alot and holds her head. But I think she really likes it. I think she told someone that there's only one week left.

This book she is reading is a pretty popular read right now - it's all about being overwhelmed by an amazing God - I'll have to tell you more abou tit later. Gotta go.

Celebrating Easter With Abby Hannah and Jessica

Have a blessed Easter

It was a busy weekend. I got to visit three different churches with Angie. Good Friday was at Grace Community in Auburn, Saturday night at Calvary Community in Sumner, and then Sunday morning was at First Evangelical Free Pres in Renton. Each service was an Easter celebration, but they couldn't have been more different from each other. Abby kept telling Angie to put me back in the bag everytime she took a picture. What's the big deal with a dog in church I ask?

The rugby guys from canada

We hosted "billets" two Canadian Rugby Players from the Rebels Team. Great kids - Jahmar Speid and Darryl Thompson - they are from Toronto, Canada

Getting Ready for Easter.....

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE! Well, it's past midnight so I know it's Easter Day. Hope you are blessed today. In prep for the big Celebrationt today...we went to....can you guess? That's right. Costco. Woo hoo! Angie is bringing dessert tomorrow...and she baked all day...not. She said it was a big dark chocolate cake day.

Angie's been visiting some churches for Easter because she thinks it's weird to not go to Faith. She went Friday night to Grace Community (I was in the bag...again) and to Calvary Community on Saturday night. I wonder where we are going tomorrow.

We have two Rugby boys staying at the house tonight from Canada. They are called our "billets" for the night. They are very nice. Maybe I'll get in a picture with them tomorrow.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Back in Seattle....Spring Break for the Kids

Got back to Seattle in time for Evan's birthday lunch on Monday, April 6th. That's Jessica with him, Evan's girlfriend. She's a nice person.

Angie finds it hard to believe that he is 18 years old. Of course, I wasn't allowed on the table again. Hmmm.... I'm starting to feel a little boxed in my small bag area. But Angie had a good lunch and then was off to school again in Seattle. I think she had a hard time staying awake during class. She didn't move very much. I just hung out in the bag....again.

Angie went to Evan's Rugby game on Friday night. It was a busy week for Angie...trying to keep up with Abby and Evan during Spring Break. It was also a thing she called Spring Cleaning this week. I'm not sure what that was all about, but I know she was busy in the house alot. We didn't go out too much.

On the Pepperdine Campus over looking Malibu Bay

This was our last night in the LA area with the girls. I'm there in the picture - can you find me? We had a really fun time touring around Malibu with the top down. We went through Beverly Hills and Hollywood on the way home and then topped it all off with a visit to Yogurt Land before heading to bed. Angie has an early "get up time" of 4:45 to head to the airport. I think she's going to miss LA and this car. :-)

We had a great time laughing and visiting. The three girls were a little squished in the back, but Hannah "always" volunteered for the middle bump.