July - work, sunshine, goodbyes

This summer has flown by! I can't believe tomorrow is August. We've had a very wet summer here in the Interior. This area of Alaska is actually considered a desert, because we get less than 10 inches of precipitation a year. Even with several feet of snow in the winter, it's a desert. (that's cause our snow is so dry, that when melted down, you don't get much water from it) But this summer, we set a new record for the month of June for rain and July was the second wettest July on record. And it hasn't been a warm rain, but temps have been in the 40s and 50s. So, I was happy to see sunny, hot days a couple times this past week! The one day it reached 90 degrees here I was out of town. Go figure. :) 

If anyone has been wondering what I've been up to, since I sure haven't been blogging much, well I've been busy! Working lots, traveling a little, studying and writing papers for my online class, tutoring and sleeping when I can. The past two weeks we've had VBT (Vacation Bible Time) happening at church. During kids week, I was there only part of the time because of work. Tonight is the last night for the teens. Then tomorrow the Fair starts. 

Only a couple more week left for the summer airline season. It's been another fun and interesting summer at the airport. It's a job that keeps you on your toes for sure - with delayed flights, medical emergencies, lost bags, broken vehicles, radio communication, slides deploying, BIG airplanes coming in, rumors, friends, security, candy, crazy people and late nights. 

BIG plane

July was a month of Hello and Goodbye. My older brother, his wife and two year old son moved back to Alaska! That sure was a surprise! I didn't know until the day before he got here. He's already working and they are settling back in after seven years being gone. I'm looking forward to spending more time with them and getting to know my awesome nephew!
Just a few days ago, had to say goodbye to a really good friend, Whitnie. She is heading back down to the States to be with family and I'm sure going to miss her! She came up five years ago with the intention of being here less than a year, just to help out her sister-in-law while her brother was deployed. Then God changed her plans and she's been here ever since. I'm so thankful for the friendship God allowed us to have and even though we may be miles apart, we'll always be friends and stay in touch. She's pretty awesome! Not only are we great friends and prayer partners, but she's my fellow curly-haired buddy. (her hair even has a name! bye Steve)

miss you my friend

saying goodbye at the airport

 The past two days have been beautiful! Almost forgot what a sunny, blue sky looked like with all the rain we've been having.... just kidding. But here's a few sunny pics!

soaking up the sun

Another Wedding

Couple weeks ago, I flew to Seattle, then took a bus to Vancouver, BC for a friend's wedding. When Hannah and I first met almost seven years ago, we instantly connected. We used to sit in our dorm, sipping coffee, trading stories of mission trips. Through the years, we've stayed in touch and last year I was able to visit her twice. So this month's visit was my third visit in a year and a half, but this one was the most exciting for sure. Weddings are special. But when it's a good friend, it's even more special. And when you really, really like both bride and groom and their story is such a sweet, loving one that God brought together, then well, it's SUPER special. :D

I've been to a couple out-of-town weddings and I really enjoy the ones where I get to spend time with the bride, groom, their families, etc. before the big day. It's nice to make memories during that week, rather than just come and attend a wedding ceremony, say two words to the bride and it's over. 

Friday morning we had a bachelorette brunch at a cute, little coffee shop in Gastown (downtown Vancouver). The food was great, the company even better and it was a sweet time with Hannah's closest friends and family. 

Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes - yum! 

the beautiful bride-to-be

The bride with her crazy, Amazing sister-in-laws

West Coast Friends :) 

So many special memories during those few days. Meeting Hannah's entire family for the first time is quite the experience - Ha! But I loved it all - the loudness, the crazy kids running everywhere, adults laughing and talking over each other.... Some pretty special people in my opinion. And talented too. Hannah's youngest brother drew her "guestbook;" everyone signed in different colors depending on where it was on the picture. Don't have a finished picture, but it was cute. 

the "guestbook"

isn't he adorable!? Hannah's nephew 

Between the ceremony and the reception many of us went to the reception hall to get it put together. Whew, it was a lot of work, but it was so worth it to see her expression and excitement when she walked through the doors! It was better than she imagined and loved every bit of it. The catered food was some of the best I've ever had too. Everything was so unique to Hannah's taste and was perfect conclusion to the week. 

So glad I was able to make it to their special day! It's precious when you see a couple who honestly loves God, has followed His leading in their lives and in their story together. Jeremy is a perfect fit for Hannah and I wish them the best!!! 

Earplugs are a Must!

I told myself after last year that I would never travel internationally again without earplugs. Pretty sure I need to update that statement by saying, "I will never travel anywhere without earplugs." Monday evening right after work (actually left an hour early), I jumped on a plane to Seattle. There had to be 25 kids on my flight and every seat full. Now, I love kids. Except when they are undisciplined, wild, screaming ones. One family traveling a row behind and across from me had two little girls. Cute girls. Until about 45 minutes into the flight. Then they turned into holy terrors. Screaming. Did I say screaming? I mean SCREAMING at the top of their lungs. High pitch. Ear ringing screaming. I can kind of understand if it happens once. Maybe even twice. But after that, you had better get your child under control. Not this little one. Sporadically through out the entire 3 1/2 hour flight - screaming. Call me old-fashioned, but I firmly believe the parent should be the one in charge, not the child. And discipline? Well, it works today just as it did years ago. 

So finally arrived in Seattle, with ringing ears. Talked with my brother for a while before going to bed. And then I just laid in bed. Couldn't sleep. Ugh. What's wrong with me!? Yep, didn't get much sleep Monday night. No big deal cause I had all day Tuesday with no real schedule. Was out shopping and doing other errands, then decided to go back to my brother's house for a nap. Only thing was, the maintenance man was there painting the outside trim on their duplex. So every time I almost dropped off to sleep, the loud rattle of the metal ladder outside my window would wake me up. Grrrr. 

The moral to my story..... Bring Earplugs When Traveling!!! :)