Suprise...someone turned 29+1

Although he was dreading the day of turning 30...he at least was surrounded by friends and family. Fortunately for me, without having a job for the summer I could devote my day to organizing a small surprise golf tournament at Lake Oswego Municipal Course. I can't believe everyone was able to keep it a surprise and no major glitches (except for John Mark not wanting to put on his blinking 30 pin!). Thanks for all that showed up and supported his "plunge" into the world of thirties.

Exploring Oregon with the Aherns

Theta sorority sister (hmm, don't say those words often), Kelsey, and her husband Mike came out from Austin to explore as much of Portland as they could. They believe that Austin is "weirder" than Portland, so we were on a mission to prove them wrong. Highlights of the week include wandering around downtown, Saturday market, Hood River, hiking the Columbia Gorge, Mt. Hood and Timberline Lodge, bike pub crawl, wine tasting in the Willamette Valley, brewfest, home-cooked salmon in Lake Oswego, bubble tea, and my favorite slurping Huckleberry milkshakes from the Huckleberry Inn.

Penguins are Funny

And the classic....

First Anniversary Bliss

Traveling to Bend was a perfect way to celebrate our first year of marriage. Good friend, Stacy, spoiled us by flying us over to Sunriver (30 minute flight!). We started the anniversary by getting a couples massage to work out the "kinks and knots" of marriage! Then continued over to our proposal spot along the river at Drake Park. I think it even made John Mark a little nervous to revisit the spot, thinking of all his anxiety the last time. We ended the evening with a great dinner at Pine Tavern (ate lots of "donut" bread and butter). At dinner we exchanged our gifts...well our poems.

Our actual anniversary day, began with a round of golf at Caldera. After golf, the Baldwins treated us to breakfast at the Chart House.

Yummy, manmosa drinks!

This is how we traveled to the airport. Thanks Don! I think John Mark looks pretty good in it!

The crew and pilot. First time flying with Stacy and it was a breeze and so smooth. Best pilot (and best looking) I've ever been on board with!
And we are off!

Quick photo opt after our safe arrival. What a super fun weekend and even a little adventurous. Definitely memorable.

Schoooools out, for....SUMMER!

Can't believe how fast the school year went. What an amazing year I had. Great students that respected each other and were eager to learn. I feel so blessed to have a job that I enjoy! Looking forward to my fifth year of teaching first grade in the fall.

Spring Break 2010

I still haven't quite decided if I can actually use the word "break" for my week off of teaching. JM & I started the "break" by skiing up at Timberline...I'm not going to complain because we did have a blue bird ski day, however, we literally were doing groomed runs on the Palmer the entire day because the rest of the mountain was complete slush. I wasn't sure how the day was going to go for us, considering before we had even taken a full run John Mark asked if we could take a break when we got down. He said he was thirsty??? "Um, honey I just put on all five layers of my clothing...can we ski a few runs before we think about taking a break?" Here is a glimpse of our beautiful day, JM likes to show his muscles...

The following day I was off to visit the Jordans in Raleigh, North Carolina. Super excited to spend time with my sister, Ford, and Kealy...but most excited to meet my new nephew Grady. His sweet, calm demeanor is easy to fall in love with. Couldn't get over his quiet giggle and lovable smile.

People have said to really understand the responsibility of having kids you should start with getting a dog. Are you kidding me? Leaving a dog in a kennel while you head to work is nothing like feeding, loving, caring, changing, washing, entertaining, etc...a child! I had a blast visiting my family and I am confident in my decision of waiting a few more years to have kids. To keep it short- let's just say I need to get a lot more hours of sleep before I am rested enough to tackle having a child. Ha!

The fun continued as we met the rest of my family in Palm Desert to celebrate my mom's 60th birthday. Her fun spirit, devotion to family and friends, love for the Lord, and active life style doesn't show a day over forty. We had a great time and can't wait for our next visit.

Home Signature

People have signatures. The things that people do that set themselves apart. They're different from person to person. Usually they are for the most part good. For example the guy with his tongue hanging out while concentrating or competing…Michael Jordan. MJ, dang. He’s got a few right? The black and red knee brace that he actually wore on his calf for some reason (I emulated that one). You could go on with this guy. How about his “Jumpman” silhouette. It’s a brand logo now. I emulated that one too. On a 7 foot hoop in my backyard on a slick day as an 11 year old. I got my first concussion, due to some serious rim check.

How about in music, that guy, Angus, from AC/DC. He wears suit jackets with matching shorts. Little weird. Even in cycling. A certain cyclist always makes his hands like he’s shooting two six-shooters when we wins a race. Alright, you get it.

So, in a way more boring, domesticated way. I have a signature in the house. But mine I’m trying to get rid of (the cyclist up above could get rid of his too). It’s one Kelsey has been so nice to point out. Even calling me at work once. I leave crumbs behind. Not all crumbs, I’m a clean person. But from my PB&J creations I make mainly. I make a lot of them, so the frequency of my mess could be or is high (depending on whom you ask). I’m working on it, getting them up right away that is. Below is an example, minus the rarity blob of jelly (Marionberry I think). It was just too perfect that happened when I went to take the photo.

Here’s the deal. We get up early usually. I’m in more of a rush than my wife (because I’m slower), so I swiftly have to make my lunch which is 98% of the time a PB&J. I love them you see. They taste good, they're quick to make, hold well (I actually ate one last Monday I made on a Thursday), and usually not too messy (again, depends on who you ask). I think it’s the utility of the PB&J I love most or it’s the Trader Joe’s peanut butter. So, it’s 5 am, making PB&J’s, it’s dark, I’m thinking about how cold my car is going to be, then I forget to wipe the crumbs up! But, here it is, the crumbs are same color as the counter! I don’t even see them to remind myself they are even there without my friendly signal, Mr. Blob of Jelly.

So, then my wife is making her lunch or breakfast after she gets back from the gym (it’s brighter out now remember). She says “Uh” are those crumbs? “Yes, John Marks crumbs” she says. “He did it again, leaving his PB&J crumbs again.” Wham. My household signature! I don’t mean too, honestly. I usually get those up 80 % of the time. But if I don’t, I could get a phone call at work or at least an email.

So there it is. It a very un-MJ glorified manner, my household signature. I bet I stick my tongue out when I slather peanut butter my bread though.