Is this the one???

We just got around to opening yesterday's mail, only to find that Josh was accepted to Portland State University. Now before you Oregonian's start getting too excited about him coming down there, he still is awaiting two other offers from colleges he has applied to. Following that, he will have to wait and see what dollar amounts various colleges are willing to entice him with. If PSU accepts Josh into their honors program, then he won't have to pay the absorbent out-of-state tuition, which would make it more comparable to the colleges here in Washington. Otherwise it is way more costly than the other choices. Josh wants to major in Architecture, yet stay within a few hours from home, so his choices are limited. Mike and I encouraged him to apply to UO also, but being raised in an anti-duck home, he cannot bring himself to do it!

So stay tuned over the next few months to see whether he ends up a Cougar, a Viking, or sports the purple and gold of the Huskies. Regardless of which, we are very proud of Joshua!

The fine print reads "Congratulations, You're a Viking!"

What Now???

It's true, after 25 years, the last 20 being a volleyball coach at Coupeville High School, last week I turned in my resignation. And yes, I shed a few tears, both at my final match, and again at this week's end of season banquet. So many fond memories that I can't even begin to share the stories. In preparing for the interview by the local sports editor, I went down memory lane so many times that it took me forever to complete his questionnaire. Thank you Lord for the opportunity to allow me to touch so many young ladies lives, if only for a "season."

One of my earliest years coaching, in Ridgecrest, CA....look at my sexy assistant!

The burning question now is....what now? Not really sure about that myself.  I don't think it has really sunk in yet. That itch of restlessness probably won't hit until next August, when it should be time to head back into the gym.

My final season

For now, just enjoying time with the kids and waiting to be a "wrestling widow" on Monday, when Josh and Mike officially head back to the mat.  You can read more on my career from our local paper today.
http://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/sports/177938781.html

Meet Chili...

Not sure if it's Chili or Chile, but nonetheless, he's the girls' new best friend...

Last Saturday Mike and I took the girls to cash in on the Horse Lesson we bought at an auction last December. Yep, nearly a year ago. Shame on us!

The girls first had to learn how to groom the horse, and they enjoyed brushing him and cleaning out his hooves. Maybe if she had made them scoop the poop, they wouldn't be nagging us so much about getting their own horse!

However, the best part was leading him to the covered arena (good thing, because it was raining) and getting to ride him.

Check out the grin!

Kaia got to trot Chili.

We found out they do trail rides in the spring/summer, so we just may have to make a trip back....

Amazing Opportunity....

If you are like me, you love a good bargain. Well do I have an amazing opportunity for you....

To anyone interested in earning a free Mission trip to one of 60 locations around the world, read on. Of course, I would want you to join my team's July 10-July 21 trip back to Chaoyang next summer if you won. One of my team members from two years ago was the recipient of this free trip! The drawing will be Dec. 3.

Here's how: Between November 1st and November 30th, any $25 purchase or general donation made on

our website will enter your name in the drawing to win a Visiting Orphans Mission Trip!
$25 = 1 entry. $50 = 2 entries!!! It's that simple!

1. Visit www.visitingorphans.org and browse our eSTORE. Any purchase of $25 or more (shipping+taxes excluded) during the month of November will enter your name in the drawing.
2. To make a general contribution* to Visiting Orphans HERE, select "Give.Love" from the pull-down menu. Your name will go in the drawing for every $25 you donate during the month of November.

* You can still win if you're already signed up for a 2013 trip!
* Team member fundraising with our merchandise still applies during this time.
- Be sure to include your name under 'Team Member Preference' at checkout and encourage others to help you fundraise for your trip!! (Because with every $25 purchase they make, THEY will be entered to win as well! You could be going on a trip together!)

 

Questions? Don't be shy; feel free to ask away...

One More Year...

Will this be Josh's last year Trick-or-Treating? Somehow I think not! Ever since he was little, he has always enjoyed dressing up, so why should his senior year be any different? No, it was not an "official" dress-up day at his school, but he went dressed as Samwise Gamgee regardless. I doubt he told any of his friends he was wearing my vest and sweater as part of his costume though. Doesn't he look cute? My boys have always loved Lord of the Rings as much or more than Star Wars, and both read the trilogy. We can't wait for The Hobbit to be released later this year.

And yes, Joshua not only wore this to school, but he went out trick-or-treating with his girlfriend, who of course, was dressed up as a Jedi!

Kaia was a Princess Genie (she insisted that the clashing orange socks were Halloween appropriate) and Jaelyn was a Scary Cat. I don't think she looked very scary, but for some reason she really wanted to come off as scary and made a lot of hissing sounds!

The weather outside is not-so-nice, so I "volunteered" to stay home and hand out candy. My kids think it is funny that every year I tally the number of trick-or-treaters that come by our house. This is due to fond memories of Halloweens spent at my grandparents, and that is something they always did. Our numbers are down tonight, probably due to the weather, but this is what my tally looks like so far:

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Speaking of weather, my heart goes out to all the families affected by Hurricane Sandy. Wish life was "normal" for them tonight, and praying that things look brighter soon.

Senior Night #1....

The rain held off long enough Friday night for us to honor the football team's seniors without umbrellas! Altogether there were 30+ seniors, so the lineup took up nearly 50 yards. Of course, I was most captivated by #64, and honored when he asked me to don his jersey for the evening.

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Jaelyn still loves her "Dale" hat she got in D-World, better worn in 40+ weather than the 90° of Orlando

Couldn't turn away from Dad this time!

Unfortunately the team didn't pull off the win this night, but did capture the 4th place position for playoffs. First playoff game is this Friday at Peninsula HS, nearly three hours away, so we will be listening over the Internet and cheering in our hearts! So proud of Josh and how he carries himself! And no, I didn't cry, but I'm thinking wrestling season is going to be a different story...

Spoiler....

Don't say I didn't warn you, but there is no "Pot of Gold" at the end of a rainbow. I was riding the ferry yesterday when I saw this over the water. I could clearly see both ends of the rainbow on the water, but the ferry window didn't allow me to capture the entire rainbow on my camera screen. I felt like the captain could have steered the ferry right through the center of it.

I wonder what a rainbow looks like from the underside....