A Month of Catch Up (LONG POST...LOTS OF PICS)

It's been a while. Unbelievably to me it has been over a month since my last post. I won't go into why, but I decided today would be the day that I would post on both of my blogs! AND try to update them at least weekly. So, here I am. A lot has happened since my last posts. Our sweet daughter (our BABY) graduated. We had a house full of company! And we survived. A good friend loaned me her camper and we set it up in front of the house for more sleeping space. Even though it didn't have A/C, we were able to run an extension cord out to it for lights and fans. I think it stayed cool enough for comfortable sleeping for my parents and my brother and his wife. I wish I had taken a picture.
But, here are a few of the pics from graduation.

Peggy, Zach and the twins with Katie. Brandon and Faith were not exactly cooperative.

Katie with Jake and Megan.

Katie and her Godmother, my Aunt Anna. We missed Dale.

The graduate with my mom and dad- her Grandma and Grandpa Johnson.

Kevin and I with our baby.

At the graduation, Faith wanted to walk and amazingly she even took my dad's hand.

Peggy and I at the graduation- friends since Katie was 2- the twins' age!

My brother, Rob and his wife Kylie were able to make the trip.

Kevin with his mom who flew in from Iowa. We were happy to see her.

Everyone was gone by Sunday. Even Katie who went back to Kansas with her brother and sister-in-law. I picked her up from the airport almost 2 weeks later. Surprisingly, she had changed her "look"- dyed her hair and cut it. I like it though.

As of July 1st, I am no longer on the Our Daily Bread Designs design team. I really miss it. But, I had to start focusing on finding a job. I have sent out a few resumes, but so far nothing. We are going up to Northern Virginia to visit Peg this weekend for her birthday. We are all going to Busch Gardens on the way home. Our summer vacation. LOL
When we get back I am REALLY going to get busy on finding a job.
Employment offices even. Yuck.
I have been stamping and crafting and walking and piddling around. And I am getting ready for a big sale this weekend where I will hopefully unload hundreds of unwanted stamp supplies!
That is about the extent of my summer thus far. I'll show you a couple of pics from yesterday and send you on your way. AND hopefully be back before the week is out to chat some more!

Beautiful Jewelry

My daughter-in-law makes the most beautiful jewelry. Megan has been beading for over 11 years and her experience and creativity combines to make the most exquisite pieces.
Megan has recently started her own business- Wild[e] Designs. You'll find her at craft shows throughout the Midwest, but also at her etsy shop online- Wild[e] Designs.
Here are a few of her pieces.

She still has several necklaces, bracelets and earrings left in her inventory to photograph and post. So, if there is something you're looking for in particular, let her know!
I am sure she would love the challenge of a custom assignment too!

Youth Center

When I was in Kansas I was able to finally see the youth center where Jake and Megan spend a lot of their time and effort.
The board members and kids threw a graduation party for Jake and Megan the day they graduated.

It was very nice.
Jake is the director of Ogden Youth Center. He and Megan have been there for a couple of years now and they have really put a lot of their hearts into the place. I was very impressed.
(Brian was also on staff this past school year.)
Here are some pics of the center. The building has housed many different businesses and just prior to the Youth Center it was a rifle range... lots of grey and cement.
But, Megan and Jake added lots of color!
There is a reading room,
Computer center,
arts and crafts tables (where the party guests are at) And more places for the kids to unwind and stay off the streets, out of trouble and most importantly encouraged and motivated.

Here are some of the kids with Megan and Jacob. SADLY, the center has recently lost nearly every single penny of funding just this week. Jake is struggling to find some funding to keep the center open through the summer. It doesn't look as if even that will happen.
Today is Jacob's birthday and I think the best present you could give him would be to offer your prayers for their future, that of Ogden Youth Center and the youth of Ogden.
Thanks for stopping by!

Friends (and Family)

I took my camera everywhere I went, but unfortunately forgot to use it quite often. Here are a few of the amazing people I got to see though.
I got together with some of my church friends at Abuelos. Here is that group:

(Karen, Kassie, Me, Carole and Anita)
Of course I stayed with Paula (one of my closest friends) and her family.
Here is a picture of her and I:

I had a Chai and a walk with one of my most thoughtful friends, Kristin.

I had dinner with Katie's best friend, Caitlin and her mom, my good friend, Aimee.

And then we stopped in Nashville on the way home so I could spend some time with my friend and Aunt Anna.

Graduation

Just another quick update. I have really been wanting to get the kids' graduation pics posted here. Jake and Megan both recieved their Associates Degree on Saturday, May 9th!
What a wonderful accomplishment! Sadly, Kevin or Katie were not able to go.
Megan's parents and grandparents and myself and my parents were all there for the event as well as several friends. Afterward we went to one of Jake's favorite restaurants- Famous Daves. And then there was a small party for them at the Youth Center where they both work.
(I'll post those pics in another post!)

Jim the Wonder Dog!

Has it really been almost one month since I have blogged here? It's really been a busy time I guess.
I was in Kansas for one week of this last month and I had a wonderful trip. Unfortunately I didn't get to see everyone I wanted to see, but I did manage to squeeze in a lot of visiting! I drove the many many miles across country. Luckily I had a local friend and driving buddy who also wanted to travel to see family in Kansas this summer, so we took the venture together. Cathy was a great travel partner and we stayed awake and busy throughout the trip with travel bingo, trivia and other games she brought along.

Our first stop was in Marshall, Missouri home to Jim the Wonder Dog and most importantly the home to my sweet friend Lori! Lori showed us her lovely little town which included this adorable little park which was dedicated to what sounds like an amazing dog. You can read more about him at this site should you have the time. He really does sound like a wonder dog! It was Cinco de Mayo so of course we had a great Mexican lunch.

My visit with Lori was way too short, but she was a wonderful hostess and I hope I get back to see her again soon!

I'll try and post more of the trip and the graduation soon!
{baby steps...}

Senior Pics Photo Session

We found a photographer online and had Katie's senior pictures taken yesterday. She had 3 changes of clothes and looked so pretty. She's VERY photogenic. Her face was hurting from so much smiling!
I took my camera along and took a few pictures while the photographer was snapping hers. I know since mine look pretty good, that hers will probably be great! I swooned when I saw her camera. VERY nice. I was very pleased with the location the photographer chose. We actually had them done at the museum here in town. They had great backdrops for photos.
Here are a few of mine (untouched). I can't wait to see the real photos. We should be able to look at them online this weekend!