Happy 30th Anniversary!

While

While I have only heard stories about your wedding....

Dad being stabbed mid-hug in the receiving line with the pin for his boutonniere.....

Mom getting a little sunburned and wearing ridiculously tall shoes.....

I do know that it happened thirty years ago at the Church of Christ in Exeter, California.

(Wow, 30 years is a LONG time!)

Happy Anniversary!  

May you enjoy the next 30 years twice as much as the first 30!

10 of the Thousands of Reasons I love my Dad...

10.  He thinks he is hilarious.....and occasionally the puns are funny. 
9.  He works ridiculously hard.  Always has, and always will.  I appreciate all of his hard work and dedication over the years.

8.  He loves sports.  And is seriously a walking High School Sports Encyclopedia.  I love it.

7.  He has always been willing and able to stay up until ungodly hours with me to help finish homework (back in the High School days) or just listen to me while I have struggled through rough patches of life.

6.  He always has a plan.  Always. 

5.  He can shop like no one else I know.  While I will always give him a hard time for dragging us to Nordstrom the day after Thanksgiving - I'm very glad every other day of the year it is easy to get him to the shops!

4.  He is very intelligent.  I respect his wisdom and knowledge.

3.  He loves my beautiful Mom more than anyone else in the world.  He adores my Mom and has told my sister and I over and over and over again how much he loves her.  

2.  He is a servant.  Serving his family, church, and community regularly while expecting nothing in return.

1.  He is my Dad.

I love and respect you Dad.  I am proud to be your daughter.  I am thankful for everything you have done to make my life what it is today.  Thank you for the prayers, love, sometimes witty jokes and work you have poured into your role as "Dad". 

 Yep, this is definitely the most recent picture of my Dad and I.....doesn't he look like Brian Bosworth in the 80s?!?!?

Mom, I love you

My mom is extra-special.  She is my best friend and trusted confidant.  She sacrificed a lot in order to make my life what it is today, and I am eternally thankful.  She is determined, loyal, fun, punctual =), generous, and my inspiration.  I am a "runner" today because of my mom.  I love laughing with her and sharing life. 

Mom, I love you and I'm proud to be your daughter.  Happy Mother's day!

Day-dreamin...

As the rain continues to come..... 

even though my calendar says it is May.... 

I just close my eyes and think of this...

 

Oh well, back to reality.....

Three years...

I had a nice time enjoying some dinner with two friends this evening and as we talked I realized that I graduated from college three years ago pretty much to the day.  Crazy.  Now I know to many people three years seems like nothing.  But to me, right now, it's amazing to think about how much I've grown and changed in that time-frame.

My life in Portland is good.  I have made a lot of friends (which is a real challenge for me, the introvert), have a good job, become plugged into a church and come to a place where I am very much self-sufficient.  (Well, with the exception of that AAA membership my parents are kind enough to provide me with.....that was a lifesaver that night on I-5 when my tire blew-out.)  I operate independently.  My decisions are all my own and I am proud of who I have become.  Three years ago I knew I could do all these things.  I knew I was well-equipped, however I hadn't experienced life completely on my own.

That first six - nine months after graduation....they were rough.  I was discouraged with a fruitless job search and feeling lost.  However with the help and encouragement of family, I made it through.

I worked hard to prove myself professionally at the office, accepted any social invitation knowing that was how I was going to make friends and lived by myself for the first time ever in my life. 

Now I am blessed with friends and lots of things to do and I really enjoy my life here in Portland. 

Three years ago at graduation if you had asked me what my life would look like now, I could've come up with multiple scenarios.  I'm happy with the scenario that has played out. 

Happy Birthday Kelooki!

Hope you have the best day possible Brooke!

I love you and hope your twenty-third year of life is even better than the first twenty-two!

Happy Birthday!

Dear Blazers,

(specifically Brandon Roy, Juwan Howard and Marcus Camby)

At this very moment, the three of you are my favorite Blazers (not quite all-time.....Drexler is my only all-time at the moment.....but that could change).  Brandon (or B-Roy as I like to call you...... from my couch), you coming out to play yesterday after just having knee surgery was nothing short of incredible.  There is a lot of talk about if that was a good decision or not, and frankly right now I don't really care.  What I do know is you gave the guys on the floor the confidence they needed to get the job done.  I laughed when LaMarcus said he finally was able to get an open look once you were on the floor because suddenly the Suns had to turn their focus on you.

And Juwan (or Grampa Juwan as I affectionately refer to you.....from my couch), thanks for being a passionate leader for those guys.  The young ones, they've needed you this season and you have gone above and beyond.  Seriously, above and beyond.  Good work.

Finally, Marcus Camby, I still don't know you that well (hence no nickname to yell.....from my couch).  I think maybe in your past you were a bit of a punk.  But I like that you are here in Portland (you must be so relieved to not have to be seen in a Clippers jersey).  Thank you for usually showing up defensively and rebounding.  I'm glad you'll be around for two more years (even if my views on paying $21 million to a pro athlete aren't exactly positive).  Welcome to Rip City!

And the rest of you Blazers, you're not too bad yourself.  Please give your all in Phoenix so we can finish out the series in the Rose Garden Thursday night.  After all the injuries this season, to win a playoff series would be incredible. 

Sincerely,

Kayla