We Live Here Now---Adventure #1

DISCLAIMER: This is a long post because I don't know how to do the slide shows! One day I'll learn and then these will be more manageable to read. But until then-please accept my apology for being a blogging dunce.

So, remember the awe I mentioned in the previous post-this place captures it in its entirety. The RS President of Mom and Dad's ward mentioned the little treasure trove to us when she stopped by to visit yesterday, and we decided to take an unpacking break and head out to see it. With the help of Pam Dickie (???) and my handy dandy phone (it has GPS), we hit the road.

When we arrived at this place, all of us had teers in our eyes. Dad may say he hates the water, but I've come to the conclusion that is true only if he has to be IN it. Even he welled up as we took our first glance at the wonder that is Boulevard Park. This place is literally about 15 minutes from the apartment. UNBELIEVEABLE.

Welcome to the San Juan Islands. Visible here is Lummi Island with Orcas behind it. These are the islands where I hope to work once my degree is obtained. I cannot describe the feelings I had as I looked head on at what has been my dream since I was ten years old. But I can promise, I was not dry-eyed.

Aren't they soooo cute???? It is neat to see Dad as happy as I've seen him in a REALLY long time. And Mom, while freezing, is completely enchanted as well. I LOVE it. This was the first time since we left that we weren't teery because we missed our Drapers.

"My island" to quote Braveheart. Well, a couple of them anyway. One day soon that will be our adventure. No more distance pictures. We'll take a little ferry ride over there. CANNOT wait!

The water is really clear. Believe it or not, there's about eight or nine feet of water on top of those rocks.

I couldn't be that close and not let all of my senses be indulged (okay---I didn't taste it, but I did see, hear, and smell, so touching had to happen too)!

LOVE this picture of Dad. The pier I enjoyed walking. It was such a beautiful day! I couldn't resist. After all, I can walk long distances and still be able to breathe here. I so don't take that miracle for granted and am determined to enjoy every opportunity available.

As Dad said, "Super cool barnacled rock!"

Man I loved this place. And for those of you who aren't near an ocean or have never heard the sound that I constantly lamented missing...this video is for you. Ignore the supreme nerd narrating, and just listen to the music of Puget Sound.

What's THAT?????

The morning started off with a jubilant Mom exclaiming, "Rachael, wake up wake up WAKE UP! You've got to see this." And she comes rushing into my box littered room to open the blinds of my bedroom window to THIS----

Having been deprived of such beauty for entirely too long, I jumped out of bed and started bounding around nearly as ecstatically as Mom. Being the new resident/tourist of this Winter Wonderland, of course I had to snap photos. It was just too beautiful. And thus the phrase, "We live here now" was born. And whenever we see something awe inspiring or staggering to our deprived TX senses, the phrase is uttered. Ah, it is a wonderful life indeed. Hope you all can enjoy our novelty but what probably resembles your boredom in the photos below.

Our "backyard."

Ceaser paws---he kind of likes the snow. It's silly.

Our magnolia tree. Can't wait until it blooms just outside our dining room window!

So, there you have it. I had to remind myself that snow really isn't the anomaly it's become over the past two decades of my life.

In Transit Vacation

So, we are now in our new apartment in Bellingham...2,400 miles later. And what an amazing and special (in its many contexts) trek it was. But, our greatest treasure along the way was taking a little two day break in Orem with Aaron, Eliza, and their precious kids. While there, we were treated like royalty, so...while there are no words to express our gratitude to the Cothrans for letting us have a brief reprieve from the moving truck...THANKS A MILLION! We truly loved it and look forward to making many more fun memories together.

Among the highlights of that trip, I was able to catch up with some old friends (including some FABULOUS former TSAMers-it was great to see Clark and his girlie, Stefan---a.k.a. Elder Gardner, now affectionately dubbed "Guns"---and Kel, a.k.a Sister Brown). Seeing my wonderful Haley after three years was AMAZING and spending a couple hours with Alex was also delightful.

But to put the icing on that rather large cake (literally and figuratively), Eliza baked this divine cake for Mom to celebrate her birthday. So, we enjoyed that along with a little party. Thanks again Cothrans. We love you all tons!
HAPPY 62nd Birthday MOM!!!!!!

Just A Quick Update

Hello Everyone! Once again, I've been slacking, and don't even have any pictures on this post to make up for it. But I figure knowing what's going on with us for our very short remaining time in TX will make up for it (just for you Catherine-nice Facebook status).

Life here is pretty much...well...CHAOS! But hey, it's for a good cause, so we cannot complain---at least not too much. Between tripping over dogs, boxes, and our own two feet, we are getting pretty excited for our upcoming adventure. And by excited, I mean terrified!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Holy smokes, it's a bit overwhelming.

Sunday, we began packing in EARNEST as we realized we have thirteen days (and for once, I believed in the superstition that number demands) until we depart. YIKES. So, started packing up the kitchen, then realized that should probably wait a little longer. We then made a schedule for the remaining twelve days and looked into what it would take to get new drivers' licenses (Mom's expires the day we get there, but no pressure), and to register my car. Moving is EXPENSIVE! But again, we know it will be worth it.

So, it's been productive. Oh yeah, and in the process, I did finish a block of classes, and am THRILLED to announce that my 4.0 remains intact. It was a challenge considering all the distractions I was facing, but I'm sooooo thankful Heavenly Father touched the hearts of my professors and...their gradebooks! So, YEA! Three more blocks, and the Associates Degree is all finished. Hallelujah, that will be a joyous day that has been a long time coming.

So, that's pretty much it. Between planning the move, and setting everything up in WA to be ready for the day we get there (cable, internet, phone---360-306-8491---electricity, garage, etc), and getting ready to terminate services here, not to mention packing, we are SUPER busy. Forgive me for not posting for the next three weeks (or so-as Mom editorializes). I hope you understand. And I promise-from here on out, there will be FANTASTICALLY GORGEOUS photos included with my posts (how else will we convince you to come join us in Paradise?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!).

If you want to see our complex, you can go to www.northbrookapartment.com and click on the photo gallery. And see, here I said there weren't any pictures. Sorry for the fib. We love you all and will post from the other side.

If At First You Don't Succeed...

try, try again. Misha does NOT like things in her hair at all! I guess a little fill in is needed. When Mom got a little dog, it was her condition that she be able to "girlie-fy" her. It has always been one of her canine dreams, similar to Dad's owning a basset hound one day. So, that being the case, we've been trying for a year to get a bow in this dog's hair, and as you can see...did.

This has been fourteen months in the attempt-and it finally worked! I know it's silly, but we were all really happy to finally succeed!!!!


And I've heard of hound dogs, and bird dogs...but a cat dog????? We really think she has a species identity complex. Not only does she bathe herself (at least try to), she jumps every bit as well as our cats. She sleeps in windowsills, and even uses a litter box!!!!!! NUTS isn't it???

Taking Time to Smell the Roses

Well, since I'm logged in already, I figured I'd post a fun surprise from Wednesday night. We were all sitting around the house when the dogs started going CRAZY! One can't truly appreciate the occurrence unless you can hear the chorus of a Basset Hound's bass growl combined with the migraine causing yip of a 10 pound Misha. Let's just say their performance was done in Fortissimo. Upon investigation, which really just consists of looking out windows, it was deemed there was no proximate cause for our canine symphony.

However, a few minutes later, Dad took Ceaser (his name is spelled incorrectly on purpose), out for a little walk. Upon returning to the house, he sees a box by the laundry room door. Aha, concert justified. We live a life wherein the proverbial dog and his arch nemesis...the mailman do NOT get along. So, we could now understand the outburst that had taken place. Anyway, onto the best part.

After finding that the box had my name on it, and seeing the logo of 1-800-FLOWERS, I got really excited. To get this, you have to understand that this is a first for me. NEVER before had someone sent me flowers. Upon opening the card, my childhood tendency to teer up at the slightest provocation returned-in full force I might add. Soooooo sweet. I'll get into the story of who they were from in just a minute. But first...look at what is now on my side table, the island, and by the kitchen sink!

Three dozen roses!!! And they are absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

So, now for the scoop, because I'm sure there are LOTS of questions. About a year and a half ago, Dad and I wandered into a bowling alley to get some much needed R&R. While there, the cashier says we could save money if we signed up to join a league. Always liking a little extra de niro in the wallet, we signed up thinking nothing would come of it. I laugh at that now, because obviously, we were VERY wrong.

Not only did we join a league, we made a few friends in the process. Among these friends are a few people around my age, and later discovered-with similar interests (and by few, I mean like--3). Fortunately, it didn't take long for the younger generation to kind of gravitate toward one another and make friends. So, that has been a fun experience for me.

One of these guys and I have gotten pretty close over the past few months. What started out as a friendship seventeen months ago changed a little in October, when circumstances had us talking to each other and opening up more than we ever thought possible. We discovered a lot about each other, and came to really enjoy each other's company. It hasn't been easy as there are just as many dissimilarities as likenesses, and at times we've tried to just go back to once a week friends, but that didn't work so well. So, story is this. Met, became friends, became amazingly excellent friends, and have progressed from there over the past four months. And now, there are gorgeous roses (which are my FAVORITE) sitting on my counter.

Aren't I a lucky girl?????

Last TX Christmas

Well, I find myself again having to make apologies for not entering the blogging world recently. Life has had its fair share of adventures over the past month. But, not to bore anyone with those, I'll just move on and hope you forgive me for being distracted.

I know it's late, but I promised I would post some Christmas things, so here they are. Merry Christmas everyone!!!! You know what they say about "Better late than never" right? Well, I'm a staunch advocate of that ideology, and in light of the circumstances, hope you all are too!

Our beautiful naked tree. It stayed like this for a few days. Then it gradually morphed into this.



And, the final picture of our completely decorated tree--after all it's never finished until the angel is on the top! I'm pleased with how it all turned out.

Because we are moving, we decided to take it easy on the decorations this year. Our only other ornamental offering was the star that Mom puts up in the window every year. I'm so glad she does this, because it throws my mind into remembering the star that shone over two millenia ago. Thanks Mom for this great blessing!