It's a bird...it's a plane...

Sunday night John & I were enjoying eating dinner outside. We are trying to soak up the last drops of summer as much as we can. Rochester has a lot of hot air balloon rides, but this was the first time we've seen one come so close to our house. I quickly grabbed the camera to capture a few pics. It's closer then it seems in the pictures.

The funny thing was Jax. We're not sure why, but he freaked out! He saw it in the distance and watched it like a hawk. The closer it got the more it scared him. He tucked his tail and ears back and frantically looked for a place to hide, which happened to be under our table. He was so scared his little body was actually shaking! He was too afraid to even go in the house. I'd like to say I felt bad for him, but it was hilarious! Poor guy...I took these pics. dying laughing. He was so scared he hid under the couch for the rest of the evening. I have no clue why it freaked him out so bad.

We looked up how much it would be for a ride since they take off just down the road from us. We decided $600 for the two of us wasn't worth it! I'm considering quitting my job to start a hot air balloon business. How hard can it be!? :)

not sure where to run

pitiful!

High School Ministry

John & I have decided to help out with the high school ministry at our church. We're really looking forward to it! The youth pastor Reggie called us a couple of weeks ago and asked if we would help with a co-ed high school small group. The small group will be student lead. Our main responsibility is to help those leaders become the best leaders they can be & pour as much as we can into their lives. We'll host the group at our house every week on Monday night & will be involved in the discussion, but their peers lead this discussion. It will be interesting to see this all unfold and we're pretty excited to be a part of it.


High school wasn't my favorite. Don't get me wrong, I have some great memories from that time in my life, but there were definitly lonely periods. It was however the time I got super close to Marbi, Andrew, Alyssa & Mandy. I wouldn't trade any moment of h.s. for that reason alone. They are still some of the most important people in my lives. If I can even be a fraction of the support & encouragement they were to me then I know this adventure is worth the journey!

We've really enjoyed our church. It's helped us get involved and meet people. We went bowling with the youth leaders Reggie, Karlee & their two kids Selah & Levi two weekends ago. We had so much fun despite the fact that I'm an awful awful bower. I really didn't remember being that bad, but I indeed am! They moved here shortly after we did from Alabama. Rochester is still fairly new to all of us so it's fun to discover it together...as we go. Here are a few pic. from that night.

Keep us in your prayers as we take on this new task. It's exciting and scary at the same time!

http://www.autumnridgechurch.org/

Yay for bowling!

Karlee showing the boys how it's done!

Precious little Selah

Little brother Levi

Karlee & Selah

Design on a dime....

Yep, that is what I would rename the hotel I'm staying at in Phoenix. So far my trip has been good & it's gone by fairly fast, but it didn't start out on the on right foot.

I was already pretty bummed about this trip...I'm not sure why, but my attitude stunk! I didn't want to go at all. When I arrived at my hotel I was not a happy camper. For one, it's more like a "motel" b/c your door doesn't open up into a hall way... it opens up to the outside. Being a solo female traveler it's not quite what I would call "four star." The room was even worse. It's called the "Mondrian" and it's supposed to be very modern so I was prepared for that. I was not however prepared for my bed to be on the floor (ok not totally, but really really close) or the fig leaved people 1/2 naked on my bathroom door. A friend of mine informed me this is the "party hotel" of Scottsdale. I figured that out when naked girls were running around the hall...excuse me...outside breeze way! I won't have paid them any attention if they wouldn't have been scream, slamming doors or knocking on my door and running away. Nothing like a good night sleep to start your work week off!

I do have to admit the view from my room is great. I can see one of the pools & it's pretty relaxing. I went to the target clearance rack today to piece together a swim suit and typed up my notes for my boss outside by the pool in the shade. It really was relaxing. The "decorations" are less annoying now and more funny. I've attached a few below for your pleasure.

No, you're not seeing things....those are tassels ladies and gents!

What can I say...art

nothing like a few naked people to make you wanna shower

the nice view
my bed side lamp...it's attached to the ceiling :)

John's hired!

YAY, John is officially hired at Thrivent! He decided to take the series 63 so he could be hired on and start making money. He passsed with an 81. He'll still take the series 66 later down the road, but we can talk about that later :). I'm so proud of him I can't stand it! It's such a relief to have this road block out of the way. There are still quite a few in his path, but the main big stuff is over. It's great!