We are having very high winds today in light of Gustav sitting right in the middle of the gulf... likely there will also be some rain bands/tornado watches later on today. I am starting to feel like a true Floridian when I feel very untouched by any news of hurricanes.... A sort of media desensitizing has occurred. I feel bad for the people on the Gulf Coast. I know a class 4 or 5 hurricane in the Tampa Bay area would be just as catastrophic, yet somehow over the last few decades we have been untouched... Amazingly...
In other news, we are getting very excited for our vacation. I am ready to go and experience 40 degree nights again. We are talking a 40-50 degree tempature drop from our weather today! Crazy!
And can I just say, I am sooo thrilled on McCain's VP pick.... I would love to see her be the first woman President if anything happened, way before I would like to see Billary take office! I think it is awesome for her to go in and show woman and wives and moms everywhere that making a difference is possible. Just another reason McCain has my vote!
NObama!
NeoCounter
So we are going back home on vacation to Idaho a week from Tuesday. Since I no longer live in Idaho, it really is like vacation. Many people not from the state (likely 95% of you) have never been or lived in the state. When I tell people I am from Idaho they usually reply like this:
"The potatoes right"
or
"I've known people who have been to IOWA and heard it is really nice."
For those of you geographically challenged, Idaho is next to Oregon and Washington in the Northwest. The population is around 1.5 million people.... Total. That is like taking the entire Tampa Bay and Orlando Areas and spreading them around a large state. Needless to say there is a lot of unpopulated areas, small towns, and quiet peaceful nights. So, I have decided to make a list of what Idaho should be popular for. Here goes:
1. The west entrance to Yellowstone National Park.
The drive over the hill from Ashton and onward to the park entrance is very beautiful.
2. Island Park
This is the area between Ashton and YNP that contains many beautiful campgrounds, cabins, waterfalls, the Snake River, and gorgeous wildlife everywhere.
3. Upper and Lower Mesa Falls-
Breathtaking falls. I hope to get lots of pics of these when we go.
4. The Greenbelt, Idaho Falls
The falls in Idaho Falls are man made but the river walkway area is so nice and peaceful. We will be staying at a hotel right by them and I will also take lots of pics.
5. Natural Springs
Lots of natural hot springs that make you want to never return to a hot tub again.
6. Cool evenings
You really take cool evenings in the summer for granted until you move to Florida. There is
nothing like a cool breezy summer evening.
7. Boise
The states largest city. Home of the largest state college and our only college football team
that is competitive. A very nice and modern Idaho city with a ton to do. I heart Boise.
8. Salmon/Challis Area
Some of the world's best white water rafting with the most scenic views. Nice
9. Grand Targee Ski Resort
The world's best skiing hands down. Loads of fresh powder. LOVE IT.
10. Potatoes
Yep, got to love them.
There could be many many more things to post but I better end it there with my top 10. You will see Idaho in all its glory with lots of vacation pics to come.
As you can tell, I am so excited to go back and visit nature at its finest!
Pics:
Salmon/Challis Area
View from Idaho Falls Greenbelt
View of the Teton Mountains from Island Park
Boise, ID
Lower Mesa Falls
trying for our second baby... we will let you know if this occurs...
PS... we really want a girl!
My mother in law broke her ankle going down the hill from her house last Sunday. She had surgery on Thursday morning to put two pins and a plate in her ankle to stabalize the joint. Well, she almost died yesteday after they overdosed her pain medication. It was pretty scary and a kind of long story, but she is doing well as can be now. She will have 6-8 weeks of recovery before returning to regular walking. Thanks to all that have been praying for her!
My ABC's:
A= ADVOCATE FOR: Kids rights. Melaleuca home products. Starbucks Iced Americano.
B = BEST FEATURE: Hmm... I guess my eyes
C = COULDN'T DO WITHOUT: Coffee. Husband. God. Elijah.. (Not necessarily in that order)
D = DREAMS AND DESIRES: To work as a CPA from home. To travel to many more places.
E= ESSENTIAL ITEM: Sunglasses and a cup of iced coffee.
F= FAVORITE PAST TIME: Watching gilmore girl reruns, blog surfing, reading books and magazines, working out.
G = GOOD AT: Keeping a clean house
H = HAVE NEVER TRIED: Lots of foreign cuisines.
I = IF I HAD A MILLION DOLLARS: Travel the world, get a big house and have lots of kids.
J = JUNKIE FOR: Coffee....
K = KINDRED SPIRIT: My husband
L = LITTLE KNOWN FACT: I worry way to much all the time
M = MEMORABLE MOMENT: The birth of Elijah
N = NEVER AGAIN WILL I: Listen to the doctors and assume they are right when going through labor
O = OCCASIONAL INDULGENCE: Getting my nails done
P= PROVOKING THOUGHT: too tired for provokidness
Q = QUOTE: "That's what she said..." (Not mine)
R = REASON TO SMILE: Great husband, Child, and friends. God Loves me!
S = SORRY ABOUT: My anal retentiveness.
T = TAG SOME FRIENDS: Why?
U = UNINTERESTED IN: Barack Obama
V = VERY SCARED OF: Barack Obama getting elected
W = WORST HABIT: Worrying, being crazy about keeping my house perfect
X = X MARKS MY IDEAL VACATION SPOT: Ireland, Alaska, New Zealand, and on and on...
Y = YESTERYEAR DECADE OF CHOICE: I would have loved the 20s
Z = ZODIAC SIGN: Capricorn
Nada...Zilch...Nothing. I took the whole day off because the school was closed and Ryan's mom has broken her foot & ankle bones. So it was nice spending time with Elijah & being able to do some cleaning for Ryan's mom. We did get all worried about Fay becoming a hurricane but there is no exciting things to report, such as 20 ft tital waves or cows blowing in the road. Just another dreary overcast afternoon....
In other news, we are attempting to see if God will allow us another child. We are both hoping for a girl, though we wouldn't be terribly sad on a boy either. We are excited to see what God will let happen!
To my awesome sister-in-law and great friend! Happy Birthday to you! Wish I was there to bake you some cupcakes! Hope it was better!
So.. I can contribute my lack of blogging the last couple weeks to my lack of sleep maybe. I have had late night awakeness for almost two weeks now. I am thinking of possible causes and they could (might) (likely) are:
1. My irrisistable summer love of Starbucks Iced Coffee (even after 5pm)
2. My newly refound love of running (more like jogging fast right now)
3. My childlike excitement for our upcoming trip back home to I-D-Ho!
4. My realization of the peace and quiet that comes in my house after 9pm
5. My anxiety and worriness that Satan likes to try to throw on me
6. I am and likely always will be a night owl like my Grammi
But things are going well despite my lack of sleep. I have successfully planned out our trip from Idaho from arrival to departure, including planes, hotels, and cars. We are all set and I got us a great deal on great accomodations at an excellent price. I also found out the the Fall arts festival is happening in Jackson Hole when we go there, so that should be fun!
I am also still contiplating my school plan for this fall. Should I take one class or two? Or no class and wait for spring so I can take the GMAT? Should I just take classes on line? Too many questions in my head so I guess I need to pray more.
Our family has been blessed with finding a new little community church, which we feel God has been leading us to. We are feeling very welcome and blessed with this church and we are looking foward to what God can do with us there.
We have been doing a lot of running around and hanging with friends this week and I am hoping we can spend some good quality time together this weekend. Ryan & Elijah are going to enjoy their first father and son quality time together tomorrow at the Rays baseball game also!
That's all for now on us....