New stuff...

I had my first run at an updo. It was interesting and way overpriced, in my opinion. I'm showing a few pics here since I know Patty is about the only one who reads this faithfully. :) I'm not thrilled with it, but I'm praying it all goes better next time... Eek!

PS> Being a girly girl is a huge pain in the butt and a waste of life. Never again!

Summer Happenings on Rublee Street

Our neighborhood ducks, Wilbur & Ida, had their little ducklings hatch today! Enjoy watching their first trip out of the nest and on the way to the river. Yay!

Look closely! They're jumping off the raised bed! Ouch!
Follow Mama! Freeze little ones! Someone's watching us!
Slowly...Ready... Set...
RUN!!!
Behind the car...

Along the side of the garage...
Across the driveway...
Down the side of the house...

Mama! Where are you??Whoo! We made it off of the curb! Yay!
Why did the ducks cross the road? To get to the river!!
We lost the ducklings and Ida in the trailer park. Oh well...
There's always next year!

Boo! Who is this? A little wood chuck??
Uh oh! He saw me! :) The end...

Sumer is icumen in!

Wow! I really love having such awesome siblings. Just the encouragement I needed today: http://philandpatty.blogspot.com/2008/05/we-are-so-blessed.html Thanks Patty!

Here's a quick update - or at least it's supposed to be quick:

Yesterday was my last day leading the Campus Crusade for Christ bible study at Western TC. Sad! I didn't cry, but I did get a tiny bit choked up when I was telling everybody at the end. One of the students said, "This was the best bible study yet! Thanks!" That meant so much to me. It has been really difficult to motivate myself to pull those studies together the past couple of weeks. Honestly, I kept forgetting until Sunday night or the morning of before I studied the week's lesson. However, God is so deep and so powerful that he can infuse you with understanding and discernment you never knew you had when you open His word, and He can give you the ability to teach scriptures to others without any high level classroom instruction. Isn't that incredible? It is to me, especially when I'm sitting at a table with students and instructors looking at me, waiting for the next thought. Yikes!

I'm really going to miss learning from other students and being encouraged by them. Such an awesome testament to God's planning for our lives - knowing we need fellowship and encouragement every day.

Only 18 days until the wedding! Woo hoo! Steve and I are more than ready for the vacation to follow. It will be great to have time to spend together out hiking and being active, reading our bibles together, and simply living in the same time zone without the pressures and stresses of work and school. So exciting!! I found out there's a state park near our cottage that has canoe and kayak rentals. So, there will definitely be a day well spent.

I'm so excited for summer!! Beautiful sunshine! Beautiful Flowers! These are from last summer. Just a reminder of how much fun it is!

Prayers on our hearts:

• Troops serving overseas and at home. Safety & encouragement in their walks with God.


• The wedding, of course. That it will be a time for us to serve and minister to others' hearts through our own love for each other and for God. Pray that everything goes smoothly!
  
• Our parents and siblings: Busy lives & minds - Pray for peace and refreshment for their hearts and minds. Energy to get through the workdays and discipline to take time with God.
  
• Friends who are getting married! Pray for the Lord to prepare their hearts to become each others' helpers and to look to the Lord for leading in their relationships and new lives as husband and wife.
  
  Naomi & Kevin - May 31st
  
  Ben & Leah - August 2008
  
• Grandma Mauppin (Steve's Grandma) - Pray that the Lord will heal her and help her to start feeling better very soon and that she'll be able to attend our wedding, Lord willing.
  
• Our relationship with each other and with God.
  Please pray for us:
  * Energy and refreshment for our wedding day
  * Safe flight to Wisconsin for Steve
  * Continually deeper understanding of what we're promising to each other before God
  * Transportation for Wedding day, honeymoon, and trip to Madison airport.
  * Safe flights back to Oregon!
  * Joy for Kari - I'm starting school again on Monday, June 9th. Blagh...

Thanks!!

Pictures and other random stuff...

I (kar) have wanted to post a few pictures from the last trip to Salem. So here they are:

Post-March Trip & Planning Madness

(Kari) I've been home from my last "vacation" to Salem for about 5 weeks. I'm missing Steve, but I've had fun browsing over the pictures I was finally able to upload from my camera. I forgot my camera case and the computer cable in Steve's car after he drove Kirstin and I to the airport. Oops! :) Yay! I'll try to get some pics on here soon.

Lately I've been working more days than usual. The school (where I work) has recently built an addition for the Student Services divisions (Registration, Counseling, Admissions, Financial Aid, Cashiers, Student Life) across campus. We're only moving about one block away, but there is so much to move! So, we've been planning and have begun the packing process. I spent about 5.5 hours merging old and new files and packing them in boxes in alphabetical order. Ahh! I think I need to go to the chiropractor now so I can stand up straight. :P I've learned I have a horrible tendency to slouch when I become very focused on a task - like typing this post, for example. ;)Not cool...

Other than work, I've been trying to keep my head in the wedding planning game, but it's proving pretty difficult. All I've really been doing is saying "yes" or "no" or trying to come up with something that I think would be awesome. However, my brain really is turning out to be a fried egg - mostly runny. I'm sure you all know how it feels to have been laboring over a long train of thought only to have it derail a few miles from station. So, I'm really thankful for mom's graciousness in planning our wedding with our help. :)

I only have about three weeks left of school in this semester, but it feels like three years. I keep telling myself, "Only 30-some days until the wedding! Almost there! Just keep moving!!" So far it has kept me from reaching a complete and total brain freeze. ;)

Oh! One more thing! I'm so inexplicably thankful for my family and friends. I can't wait for Naomi's wedding and I'm so excited to see Phil & Patty before that. I miss them so much and it will be good to be able to hug them and just hang out.

Ok, time to get ready for bed because there's church in the morning! Happy Sunday!

Ho hum...

I think I (kari) have the spring time blues. I'm ready for some green grass and flowers. A little 60-70F weather couldn't hurt either. I can't wait to spend all day outside in the woods or just grilling on our back patio. I look forward to leaving the stresses of school and work behind for a few weeks - like seven or so. Well, I'm going to take a nap.
Ciao!

Ahh! HAHA! That had to hurt:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt_D6vAImOI

It's been awhile...

I guess we haven't posted anything for over a month. As I usually report, we're busy! :) A week ago, I returned from visiting Steve in Oregon. My friend, Kirstin Brinkmann, had also flown out from Florida to spend time with me, to see beautiful Oregon, and to meet Steve for the first time. She gave her seal of approval so we're still getting married as planned. ;)

That was my last vacation to Oregon. The next time I fly out there, I will be flying to my new home with my new husband. I can't wait! Here are some photos from the trip: