Joyous: July 2008

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Off to the East

Hey everyone, Just a short note. We're heading out in a couple of hours for our next vacation. It's going to be a blast, thought I'm terribly bummed one of my cousins can't make it. It's definitely not going to be the same; our family won't be complete - but we'll make the best of it! She will be dreadfully missed, FOR SURE! :) I'll try to keep you guys updated, but don't know when I'll have Internet service at our hotels or house. You may have to wait until I get back, like the last trip. That's probably the way things will go, but you never know. OK, I seriously have got to get moving, so we aren't late. :) Have a fantastic time! Check out my new blog layout and enjoy the beach music and think of me! Did anyone say "She's spoiled?" You're 100% right! :) Blessings and love to all, `janelle`

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Safe Return

Day 21

We rose early, finished packing, and drove to Spokane, where we parted with teary goodbyes as I made my way home (though I'm only here for 2 years and I'm going back HOME, where my heart really is, Idaho or Montana!).

Eight hour flights are not exactly thrilling, but an old lady taught me how to play one-handed Solitaire!

Back on solid ground, I collected my luggage and my mom met me out front. My cousin came down from CO to spend a couple days with us too!

Since I've come back with a killer tan, I've just been taking things easy and catching up! But now that I've done that, I'm going to edit all my stories, add the pictures, and voila, post them for the “public.” Hope you've enjoyed! Have a great day! And stay tuned, because in less than two weeks I'm headed back East for another vacation!

Three weeks of my life have past that I will never get back, but they were three incredible weeks that I will never forget!

God bless,

`janelle`

Summer!

Summer! The season we wish was the longest! The time to break away from an old routine and travel the globe! Imagine yourself at a dream vacation spot that no human eyes have ever beheld.

There are:

Majestic rolling mountains

Serene blue skies

Glistening grass blowing

in the breeze

Warming sunshine

Delicate petals of beauty

Deep shadowed meadows

Powerful infinite waves

Chipper red robins

Fluffy white clouds

Torrential raindrops

Croaking bullfrogs

Soaring, swift fowls

Sweet blossoming fruit trees

Frightening midnight

thunderstorms

Mighty raging brook

Towering limbs above

Monstrous, fallen boulders

Sly, slithering snakes

Ripening wild huckleberries

Twinkling stars reflected in lake

Mustangs gallivanting in fields

Dawning spectacular sunrises

This is my definition of summer!

“like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:6b

Stay tuned, as three weeks of stories are headed this way! :)

Friday, July 04, 2008

Celebrate Our Independence

Hey everyone! :) Sorry I haven't been keeping you all up on what I've been up to. Just thought I'd wish you a Happy 4th! I'm writing this in advance. So right now I'm in beautiful Montana, but on the 4th I'll be at the lake with fireworks! :) It's going to be great! Hope you're all enjoying the three day weekend! :) Miss y'all, and I am hoping to get everything edited and up sometime soon! I've been keeping up on everything for the most part, it's just that I have to edit it and take the time to post! :) ttyl Love, `janelle`

Thoughts of the Seasons

Majestic rolling mountains, Serene blue skies, Glistening grass blowing in the breeze, Warming sunshine, Delicate petals of beauty, Deep shadowed meadows, Powerful infinite waves, Chipper red robins, Fluffy white clouds, Torrential raindrops, Croaking bullfrogs, Soaring, swift fowls, Sweet blossoming fruit trees, Frightening midnight thunderstorms, Mighty raging brook, Towering limbs above, Monstrous, fallen boulders, Sly, slitherin snakes, Ripening wild huckleberries, Twinkling stars reflected in lake, Mustangs gallivanting in fields, Dawning spectacular sunrises. This is my definition of summer!

The color of the changing trees, the rustling of the dead leaves in the trees, a brook running dry, the sweet aroma of a pumpkin crisping in the oven, the sound of laughter coming from my aunts baking and preparing the Thanksgiving meal in the kitchen, sneaking egg nog (shhh... don't tell anyone) in the morning, my cousins screaming in sheer excitement, staying up til 1 a.m. playing Apples to Apples or Monopoly, hearing water go through the walls of my Uncle and Aunt's house every time someone flushes a toilet or takes a shower somewhere in the house, eating mashed potatoes, asparagus and noodles, salad, and bread for dinner, glass after glass of sparkling apple cider, and loading up on six slices of pie for dessert!, observing the annual Thanksgiving race from my cousins bedroom window cheering the runners on, remembering getting in trouble with the police in years past, watching that annual movie in the basement with me and my 5 cousins and sibling on the floor with the adults crowded on the two couches!, swinging on the swing-set out back, staying up late talking with my cousin, going to a park and playing baseball as a family of 15!, the hope of snow, and just plain spending timetogether! It's all so memorable to me, and I can honestly say that I enjoy every moment of it! It's my absolute most favorite time of the year! WONDERFUL would sum it all up into one word!Perfect could be another!

Thrills of Winter: Our pink bells, gingerbread men, 3 nativity sets (one of which was in Dad’s family when he was a boy), lights strung across the mantle, the little miniature town on the piano, our advent tree, stockings hanging over the fire, Christmas blankets and pillows on the couch, the table adorned in proper attire, light-balls in the windows, lights around the front door and the front post, the prospect of opening gifts, the smell of cinnamon, a Christmas tree all decked out with our traditional and memorable ornaments with presents all around, wondering what you could have possibly gotten, the hope of a white Christmas, the coming of a New Year, resolutions, the questions of what to get so and so, sledding down the hills, having our dog pulls us around on sleds, throwing snowballs at one another till your soaked and freezing, the playing of your favorite Christmas CD, caroling through the cold weather, suffering through bitter cold breezes, wearing fuzzy socks, and the festive greetings of cards from family and friends!