¡Pura Vida!...
The day after school got out (literally the day after I
moved back home…I had 2 hours of sleep that night) my family had the
opportunity to go to Costa Rica for our family vacation. It was SO nice to
escape our hectic lives and simply spend some time together resting and
relaxing. Costa Rica was absolutely gorgeous and we enjoyed exploring the
country and stumbling across fun adventures.
Poás Volcano
Just Chilling with a Tucan
Beautiful Waterfalls
While there were so many hilarious moments during the trip,
here is a little sample of how ridiculous my family is…
Cliff Diving Fo Dayz
The most hilarious moments of the trip took place in the
car. Our SUV was stick shift, and well, that just caused all sorts of problems
and hilarious moments. I lost count of how many times we slid back, stalled,
and gunned it. We were “those tourists” all week, and it was priceless. Every
single time we got in the car, something so ridiculous and “American” would
happen. Our favorite moment of all went something like this…
Before going on another adventure, we decided to stop at a
grocery store to load up on some sunscreen and water. We found a store and
decided to park on the road across from it but after realizing that we were in
a fairly precarious spot, we decided it would be best to pull into the parking
lot. Mom got out of the car to direct dad as to when it would be safe to cross since
the store was on a hilly and windy road. When the coast was clear, mom signaled
and dad gunned it across the road…right….over….a…cliff. Mind you, the cliff was
only about three and half feet tall.
What is so priceless was the reaction from everyone. Mom, who watched the whole
thing happen, stood with her mouth gaping open and in total shock and
disbelief. Dad, Rachel, and I had zero reaction. As two wheels were in the
parking lot and two were on the cliff, there were no words spoken. It wasn’t
until we got out of the car and after dad had announced “we’re here” to
everyone who had stopped what they were doing to look at the stupid Americans,
that we fully realized what had happened. The SUV took the cliff diving like a
champ and escaped with only a few battle wounds (which blended in with the
previous damage).
No Habla Espano
We also lived up to our “American-ness” by failing at speaking Spanish everywhere we went. We would all try to speak the “pequena” (small) amount of Spanish that we knew and always got sweet and sympathetic smiles from the locals as we stumbled over our words and mixed languages. Dad was the closest, okay maybe furthest one of us to be fluent. He was an expert at showing how talented he was by being bi or trilingual during one conversation. We probably should have brushed up on our Spanish a little bit before we went, but it was a learning experience and certainly gave us a lot to laugh about.
We also lived up to our “American-ness” by failing at speaking Spanish everywhere we went. We would all try to speak the “pequena” (small) amount of Spanish that we knew and always got sweet and sympathetic smiles from the locals as we stumbled over our words and mixed languages. Dad was the closest, okay maybe furthest one of us to be fluent. He was an expert at showing how talented he was by being bi or trilingual during one conversation. We probably should have brushed up on our Spanish a little bit before we went, but it was a learning experience and certainly gave us a lot to laugh about.
The trip was an absolutely blast and was such a blessing. It
was so wonderful to spend that time with my precious family and explore a new country.
Here Comes the Bride…
Well, I have officially reached the age that my peers are
beginning to get married. It is so weird! Haha. Already this summer, we have
had the opportunity to celebrate two weddings. Both weddings were so beautiful
and it was so fun (and super weird) to see some of our dearest friends begin
new chapters in their lives. Both couples are so Godly and beautiful and it was
an honor to celebrate their marriage!
Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Cate
Friends For 16 Years
Celebrating Elyse and Aaron's Wedding
Sisterbears
Random Adventures…
The summer has consisted of weddings, graduation parties, working or should I say “working” at the pool, going away
parties, babysitting, pool days, lots and lots of Orange Leaf, and loving on
some awesome people! Since it would take forever and a day to write about each
fun adventure, I’m just going to document the fun times with some pictures.
Cincinnati Zoo with the Weiland Girls
Reunited with the Sweeney's
Orange Leaf with Precious Friends
All Church Serve Day
Serving with Sweet Friends
Hart's Going Away Party...Sweet Owie
My Crazy Family
Pool Day with Ayda Girl
We Love Our Relatives
Happy Father’s Day…
The Lord has blessed me with an absolutely incredible Dad.
My Dad is such a Godly man who leads our family and is faithful and obedient to
the Lord. He also has one of the sweetest and gentle hearts of anyone I have
ever met mixed with a hilarious sense of humor. I love my Daddy so much more
than earthly words can express and am honored to be his daughter. I hope to
find a man who leads and loves like he does someday.
The Whole Family
Sweet Daddy-O
I have also been blessed by having two amazing grandpas. My
Papa, who passed away several years ago, was a hardworking man who loved his
family, loved to laugh, and loved God. He raised my Dad to be a man of
integrity, perseverance, gentleness, kindness, and love. I miss my Papa dearly
and I look forward to the day I will see him again. My other grandpa, Pappy is
an amazing man. Pappy always makes me smile and gives the best hugs. While our
days with Pappy may be limited, I am so thankful I got to celebrate Father’s
Day with him and will soak up every opportunity to spend time with him and love
on him that I can. Pappy has such a gentle yet strong-willed spirit and has
always provided for and led his family with love, encouragement, laughter, and
with a Godly perspective.
Pappy-O
I am so humbled and grateful to have these three men to be
examples of Godly, hardworking, and amazing men.
We Prescribe Fun…
This coming week, I have the opportunity to be a counselor
at Camp Courageous, a camp designed to give kids who are terminally ill the
opportunity to have a camp experience and have the time of their lives. I am so
honored by the opportunity to go and am excited to see how the Lord will use me
as His hands and feet to love on His children and how He will shape my heart to
be more like His. Please join me in praying for the kids, their parents, and
for me, as I know this will be an extremely difficult week emotionally,
mentally, and physically. I hope to update my blog each night, so that I can
reflect on each day’s events as well as give y’all an opportunity to see your
prayers at work. To Him be ALL the glory.
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,
as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks,
they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves,
they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may
be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and
ever. Amen. -1 Peter 4:10-11
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