10 on 10: August : San Francisco Red

Steve is 28 Today!

Happy Birthday Stephen J! Here are the Top 6 Reasons why I think you're so great and a good reason to celebrate:

1) You're an athlete.
An amazing one at that.
Always swimming, running, eating right
Keepin' off the fat


2) You are so very funny.
Well, at least I think you are
You make me laugh at the things you do
Although at times bizarre...


3) You get along with my family
In fact, I'd say you're pals
Even when it's not easy
Putting up with the Erlandson gals!


4) You have a giant heart
And you know you're here to help
You give your time and resources
Never thinking of yourself


5) You're also very cool
At least you try to be
But you don't have to try that hard
When you're with someone as cool as me ;)


6) And finally, you're supportive
And I am thankful every day
That I have you beside me
And that God made you just this way!


Hope your birthday is a great one!

Summer Root Beer

With all this hot weather, I've had my share of popsicles and lemonade, but yesterday I was just craving a cold, refreshing root beer.  This was the only "twist-off" root beer I could find in the store, so I went with the low cal, even though I suspected it wouldn't be as good.  Wrong!  This puppy was delicious!  It only has 20 calories (compared to 160 for regular root beer) and 0 grams of sugar (compared to 40)!!  I couldn't stop talking about how good it tasted, and I vowed to Steve that I'd write about it to share the good news. :)

10 on 10: July: school, fun, love, baseball

Oh my gosh...

...I love this video!

10 on 10: June: Blue and Yellow

Thanks Rebekah for the inspiration to take photos with a color theme. I had to pick two (they've been my favorites lately): blue and yellow.

Wonder

The Northwest has been an awesome place to be the past few weeks, as the weather has been (mostly) sunny and warm!  It also happens to be one of the busiest times of the year (school is out in a few weeks--I can't believe it).  I have to admit that my head's been swimming with the end of the year coming, my lack of job security for next year, and the excitement of planning a wedding.  At the same time, I've seen signs of amazing things happening around me, coupled with moments of wonder in the simple things.  One of those things was a helicopter landing on our school's playground field last Friday.  Roberto, one of my students (above) was so engaged in the pilot's explanation that I had to snap this photo (when was the last time he listened to me like that?).  

My favorite moment of the landing, however, was when the helicopter did its first swoop toward the field in preparation for landing.  It was like it had come out of nowhere!  I happened to be standing next to the principal, and we looked at each other and laughed, as if this was the first time either of us had seen something fly.  The students were screaming, laughing, jumping up and down.  Who knew this could be so exciting?

Did I mention that the weather's been amazing??  I am thankful for a fun picnic with Cindy in the park this week too.

And finally, I am thrilled to share that our friend Trey was just accepted into the University of Washington's medical school for next fall.  On Friday, we celebrated with fancy cocktails :) in Ballard.  I just know that this gift of Trey's acceptance will allow him to be a wonderful doctor and a blessing to so many others!

Today Richard said something about seeing God's fingerprints everywhere and being more "easily pleased".  Maybe that means finding wonder in things like good weather, good news, and a hovering helicopter. :)