Day Seven Hundred and Ninety-Four

The Things I'm Learning With my Camera

I know what you're thinking.

"How'd she? What? Purple only? Neat!"

(Ok, that's just what I wanted you to think)

Now here's what I was thinking:

"What the? A scarf, Kendall? Jeans? A sweatshirt? In South Florida?" 

(Oh yeah, because it's 72 and freezing cold here. Duh)

But I'll smile anyways…mostly because I was slightly (really) excited to dawn some fresh fall cozies. And maybe too, because 72 degrees is Florida's definition of a cold front.

I'm easily lured to miniature things. Children. Puppies. Candies. Cupcakes. Spoons. They get me every time. (Anyone else who - without question - choose the small spoon over the big one? I hate the big one.) Well yesterday apparently, I was lured yet again. Problem is though: I don't even like beer. Like, at all. But I was immediately consumed by the darling-ness (probably not a word) of these little Bud Lights, and just had to get them. So I did. And when I put them into my cart, I said to myself, "Adam's size. Kendall's size. How cute." Ok, yeah, I'm pathetically mushy. Good thing I married a man who doesn't mind mushy…and loves beer too! 

Day Seven Hundred and Forty-Nine

The Reality of It All

Yesterday was just as crazy a day as any other day this trip. 

But yesterday had one thing that the others didn't: Reality Olympia...the first church Adam and I ever attended together.

We spent our Sunday morning praising with old friends...friends who played a tremendous role in challenging and changing our lives for the Gospel. We've forever grateful and thankful for their genuine, overflowing passion for the Lord. And we're especially excited about what God's doing in Adam's hometown.

12 hours passed before we sat down here.

At a little bar outside the terminal, an hour before our 6 hour flight from Seattle to Jacksonville was scheduled. We had a VERY long night/day ahead of us, so we decided to enjoy one little drink together before our lives turned another level of hectic. Inhale. Exhale. We got this. Just not a home yet...

Day Seven Hundred and Forty-Four

The Shelby Girl

So it happened yesterday that the rental car we were supposed to drive from Spokane to Olympia was going to cost $400. Apparently, there's a $300 drop-off fee? WHAT? News to us. Ugly news. In a slight panic, we looked for other options. The bus? The train? The airport? The Craigslist posting? No. No. No. And no. Then, I posted on Facebook. And sure enough, I got a response right away...from Sue! Her and Kyle were headed to Seattle for a mini-honeymoon Mariners game and had some extra room to take us!! Wahoo! THANK YOU JOHNSONS! 

PS: Marriage looks good on the two of you!

We needed to get to Seattle...to see this pretty girl!!! My middle baby sissy!! Spencer too ;) 

Gosh she's just so sweet! Love that smile...and that face!

Adam and I took Shelby and her boy to Seattles's "The Pink Door;" a popular Italian resuraunt in the heart of Downtown Pike's Place. Since I'd never shared a drink with her before, I thought it would be fun (and Italian-appropriate) to order us each a glass of wine. I sipped mine (like you're supposed to), but Shelby, she threw hers back as fast as she could. Apparently, she hates the taste of wine enough that the thought of sipping on it was worse than taking it like a shot. Oh my gosh, Shelby Joy...you crack me up. So cute. 

We've all lived in Washington our whole lives (minus our past two years in Florida), but never once have we visited Pike Place together. Yesterday, the four of us changed that!! 

We sat on a pig...

Licked the gum wall...

Posed by the gum wall....

Posed even more by the gum wall...

Gawked at this super hot guy by the gum wall...

Admired The Big Wheel...

Walked through the pier (where that same super hot guy appeared again).

And finally, Shelby and Adam tried boiling Spencer and me!! Hey now! Not necessary! :)

__________________

We had a blast with my Shelby girl and were SO happy to finally get to spend a little time with her. We miss her company, her humor, and her precious heart more than she knows. WE LOVE YOU BABY SISSY!! You've become such beautiful woman and we're so, so proud of you. 

Day Six Hundred and Twenty-Eight

The Sickling(s)

So...it would happen that the moment Mommy and Dan left, I come down with a horrible sickness. I spent much of yesterday in bed, desperately trying to nurse myself back to health with various medications and way too many Kleenexes. It was gross. My nose shouldn't be able to produce that much...stuff. Uh. So, I stayed in all day - the whole darn thing - and was able to read during the times I wasn't sleeping. This was one of those times. And though I was more sick than I've been in a while (migraine ache, teeth ache, nose ache, eye ache, cheek ache, dripping-faucet nose ache), this was quite the pick-me-up. Jacksonville sure is pretty from up here.

It was around 11 PM when I had the craving for some Moscato (Mom introduced me to this wine and I actually quite like it). It hadn't been in the glass more than three minutes before that little gnat brat tried swimming in it! He drowned. And I was happy. Because he ruined my wine and that wasn't nice. Especially since that was the last of it! Mad face.

Hahahahaha.

Ok, this cracked me up.

Adam sent me the above picture last night in a text with these words, "The underwear I promised I would wash. Fresh off my loop!" (Hahahahahahahahaha!!) Here's the story:

Whenever Adam goes on the road, I always pack his bag. Or at least, I have a huge hand in it (he's a guy...he needs the help). Well Monday, Adam insisted on packing it himself ("because you always pack too much stuff, Kendall"). So I let him. And when he was finished, I rifled through it, just to make sure he had everything. And whad'ya know, he only had three pairs of briefs packed for FIVE DAYS. Are you kidding me Adam?! For real?! Not ok. So we fought back and forth...and he eventually won the argument...taking just the three pairs with him and promising me that he could and WOULD wash them in the locker room. The picture here is his proof. And while I appreciate the gesture...those undies could've just as well been worn and then re-folded for all I know! Where's the loop, huh Honey?!! ;) 

I just love my man.

Even if he makes no sense to me.

(But am I not right here? When you travel, you take one pair of undies at least for each day! Right?! I may overpack, yes, but to underpack to his extent...no. No no no.)

Day Six Hundred and Twenty-Five

The Universal Experience

Mom and Dan weren't about to come to Florida without a little visit to the center of it. That's right: Orlando. So we packed up the truck and headed Southwest. We eeenie-meenie-minie-mowed it and Universal Studios was winner of day one (Disney was super busy, and we wanted to see Harry Potter anyways!).

Not even into the park yet, and I had already met my twin. It was going to be a good day.

Traditional Universal Ball photo. Duh.

Hard Rock Orlando and Dad on my mind.

Thought my siblings might appreciate this image :) Love you redheads.

And we're going in!

First stop: Minion Mayhem. 

Mommy: overflowing with excitement!

Post-Minion Mayhem dancing photo op.

We had to work for our picture!

(Dan, Minion's face...that's for you. Hahaha)

I was 11 years old when I last visited Universal (California). 

And this exact photo exists of me at that age.

Had to recapture it!

Mommy was a BAD GIRL!

She was having too much fun!

("Too much fun, what's that mean? It's like too much money: there's no such thing. It's like a girl too pretty, with too much class. Being too lucky, a car too fast. No matter what they say I've done, I ain't never had too much fun!" <--- Daryle Singletary lyrics...one of Adam's favorite songs!)

Three happy people.

(And pretty ones too!)

We like SpongeBob.

(A lot)

There was a time in my life that Barney ruled.

There was a time in Dan's life that beer ruled.

It's no coincidence they happened simultaneously.

Saved the best for last.

Could it be? Really? Truly?!

HOGWARTS!!!

(More than) Happy in Hogsmeade...

And doing it right with my ButterBeer. 

(You Muggles just won't understand)

HARRY POTTER LOVERS UNITE!

Oh my heart! So so much fun!

Then Mommy got pulled over again.

And suckered Dan into trouble too!

Why are they so happy?! :)

Don't worry, we found Gru's dog, Kyle! He was out chasing that pink dog's tail!

(Did I ever mention how many times I've gotten, "Oh, I thought she was your sister!" from people? I didn't? Well, a lot is the answer! My mom's so pretty!)

CHEERS to Universal Studios Orlando.

What a day!

And just as a final side note for future reference...

DO NOT WEAR the following (if you want to maintain the integrity and comfort of your feet and back) to any event that requires at least 6 miles of walking:

1) Sandals.

2) Flip flops.

All of us made that dire mistake yesterday...and paid for it. Ouchie!

Day Six hundred and Seventeen

The Spokanites

Last day of my mini-home vacation...and I spent it with some of my favorites! Katie was one of my bridesmaids; who's loyalty and smile will always brighten my day. 

Katie had to be at school at 9:30 AM...we ate breakfast together and as always, cut time way too short (well, we have a lot to talk about!). She rushed off at 9:23 AM...the same time I climbed into my mom's car to find this gem on the windshield. I was THREE minutes late :( $15 out tha windowwwww.

I spent time with my sisters and grandparents before we decided that happy hour at Ellie's work would be a fun way to end my stay. Three generations of giggly people I love most dearly.

My sweets partying it up! ;)

Since Colleen is basically close enough and crazy enough to be apart of the family, we invited her to hang out with us too. And then, out of the blue, a friend of ours from high school walked into the restaurant. Apparently, he works with my sister and didn't even realize it! So of course, we needed a little NCHS reunion photo!

I love this girl. She's my twin giraffe and hopeless romantic. And I'm so thankful for Colleen's friendship. 

Peace out Spokane! It was a joy...but my bones are cold and desperate for some Florida sunshine!

Day Six Hundred and Two

The Weary Pool Partiers

I picked up a homeless man yesterday. He was really cute. But stinky, dirty, and way too tired.

When he got onto the elevator, he apologized to our neighbors already on it. "I don't normally look like a homeless man," he said. They assured him that he didn't. And to that, he replied, "Only because my pillow isn't soaking wet!" Haha! 

Adam arrived to the field at 10 AM yesterday morning, after a 13 hour bus ride from Jackson, Tennessee. That's the furthest they'll have to travel this season, and thankfully, the last time they'll make that trip. We like that. Especially because Adam (hopefully) won't be sleeping on the floor of the bus anymore. Forgoing the discomfort of the upright bus chair, Adam thought he would find at least a bit more sleep out of the floor. That may have sounded good in thought, but certainly not in deed. He barely got any rest...and so, when we finally got him in bed, he slept the entire afternoon. I didn't want to leave his side, so I happily sat next to him, reading another of Francine Rivers' outstanding novels.

When I finally got him up at 4 PM, I told him we were going out. He sluggishly agreed. And an hour later, we were in the company of some big, burly, and good baseball-playing dudes (and pretty Lee Ann too!). This team of Suns is a special one...definitely the closest group of guys we've been a part of so far.

And now: a few photos to document a minor league off-day...

 Aaron Dudley's feet...the rest of him's in that bush somewhere.

 3-on-3...against 10-year-olds

..."It's all they had left."

Mhmmm

There were other options for curtains, but this obviously, was the best choice.

Trying to make some extra cash...