My Mister's Master's Graduation

Can I just brag for a moment about my man? I am so proud of him! He graduated last month with is master's in computer science from George Washington University. Yay! "Let's here for the boy!" 

This alone would be so praise worthy. But he received this master's degree while working full time, going from 1 to 2 kids, raising those kids with me, teaching several sections of an online CS class, using public transit over hundreds of hours, preparing and teaching a couple classes at his employer, serving at church each week, and putting up with my constant home improvement projects. Some semester he was stretched thinner than others, but he never ceased to amaze me with his balance and prioritizing. Congratulations, my love!!!

my (mildly crazy) hero!

The first day of GWU graduation celebrations, included a detour to the white house with an out-of-town visitor. Lucky us, we arrived in time to enjoy the protest again President Obama. I'm grateful we live in a country with freedom of speech, assembly, protest and reform. On this particular day, a group of what looked like mostly military veterans protested Obama's leadership. 

 These two cuties were not protesting, but were just happy to be in the Nation's Capital.

When S asked what the crowd was doing there, I tried my best to explain. It was NOT an easy task for me. He had some extremely tough and good questions about these folks we saw.

 Then the next day was the big commencement on the NATIONAL MALL. How cool is that? Who else gets to graduate on the National Mall?

We took the Metro in to DC with Nate and Sara, and were inexplicably grateful to have Jared's siblings' support that day. They came from not-so-close locales, and I was extremely thankful for their sacrifice and support on this very important day.

Didn't I marry into a good-looking family? THANK YOU FOR COMING, NATE AND SARA!!

"Yay for daddy!"

 Behind the stage was the Washington Monument, although no visible in the bright morning sunshine here. 

And behind us was the Lincoln Memorial. 

our excellent view of the goings-on

I am so proud of my mister. He has worked hard and made his whole family proud. I'm sure his mom would have loved to be there to see her oldest son earn the first Master's degree in the family. I like to think she was there in spirit, looking down and cheering him from Heaven. But we were definitely there to cheer him in person. I love you, Jared. I'm grateful you're on my team. 

double date night

My Christmas present to my brother and sister-in-law was a double date night to a painting class. It is the more the kind of gift that I would like to receive, but they said they like our company, so it all worked out. I had a lot of fun. 

Jared was a really good sport, and supportive of my interests. He did hate his painting in the end. I liked it, though! It represents patience and love for ME!

I loved J's spin on the scene. She changed her monument at the Tidal Basin and it looks fabulous. 

I love these people. 

My final product. Happy Cherry Blossom festival this week! 

I certainly had fun, but I am kind of scared of painting with acrylic, oil or water color. I really just wanted to take my hands and blend the colors the way I use charcoal and oil pastels. I like getting my hands dirty. It was challenging. But not too bad for my first try. Thanks to my mister, bro and sis for making it an fun night! And to the lady next to us for moving so we could all sit together. Ahh, there are kind and helpful people in the world still. <Sigh of relief> Just in case we forgot...

SPRING! Happy Easter!

Finally it feels like Spring!! My tulip bulbs from last Fall make me smile every time I walk out the front door. The hostas planted last year are coming back much stronger and fuller this year. I finally feel like a successful gardener. I planted something and it is alive and beautiful!!! Success.

 M'lady loves playing peek-a-boo in these holes. This is her "smile for the camera" face. 

I only paint her nails because she wants me to. She found the nail polish and kindly brought it to me. How could I resist?!?

Could his eyes be any more gorgeous!? I wish I could inherit them from him.  

This is one of his many "bad guy" faces. He's coming to get me. 

"What out, son! There's a dinosaur behind you!"

I'm in love with this lady.

Thank goodness the weather has improved, the sun is shining, and we can all play outside in comfort again.

I love Spring. It's perfect how rebirth, warmth and light follow Winter's death, coldness, and darkness. A perfect circle of life reminding us of the seasons of Life, and the rebirth we are offered through Christ's life and resurrection. Happy Easter this week!

Second honeymoon: The Villa Roma

This is the place: The Villa Roma in Calicoon, NY. Catskill mountains... paradise? Almost. Jared and I don't mind the winter weather. We did go to college in Rexburg, ID after all. 

Maybe I'm easy to please, but I loved it there. This place was my kind of place. Lots of things to do on site, little to no charge to do them, and no need to leave the premises. It was definitely off season, so it was quiet. Most activities were best that way, except karaoke night. A crowd would have made that more fun.

Our first day we explored the place to see what it had to offer. We couldn't resist the free pool tables, and came back many times during the week. Turns out we suck at billiards, but had tons of fun. We both won to each other, but we both lost the 3 Ball Challenge and $.50 to the 15-year-old winner. Let's just say we contributed to his college fund.... 

Behind me is the shuffleboard court, kids playground and ball pit. If only the kiddos had been there. 

I love this guy....

Every night there was late night entertainment in the lounge. The first night this self-proclaimed diva sang for us. I enjoyed her entertaining combination of voice, stories, and "dance," but it got weird when she pretended to sing sexy love songs to the giggly tween boys in the room. Just joking around of course, but Jared and I agreed: weird. 

Outdoor ice skating was free in the middle of the week. 

All we needed was 20 minutes of skating to reminisce and then we were done. Our first date (six years ago on March 1) was outdoor ice skating on a mild, snowy day. The make-shift Rexburg rink back then was simple and covered in freshly fallen snow. So was this one. :) Jared even offered to grab the snow shovel we saw to clear a path for me like he actually cleared six years ago. Oh, such a gentlemen. 

Who doesn't love bowling!? I was so happy to see a bowling alley on the premises. Not free, but cheap enough for us. I'm happy to report I won by 4 pins. 

Unlimited volleyball, basketball, tennis, swimming, walleyball, racquetball, weights, basketball.... I'm sure there's more. It was a lot of fun!

Villa Roma means Roman Village. I thought the Roman-style statues were ridiculous. So we made this one our friend. 

In the middle of the week there was free snow tubing, and we went twice. The guy who took this picture asked if we were on our honeymoon because we were so cute. Thank you! We've still got it!! 

The photographer also looked exactly like MONK, the TV character. He was just about as quirky too. He went up on "stage" and took up close pictures of the performers when they were singing. Sometimes he was more entertaining than the entertainment. 

I seriously loved the snow tubing. I don't think I have ever gone before this. I didn't realize that there was a cool lift to take you and your tube back up the hill. That was as much of a ride for me as going down hill. Loved it! I hooted and hollered almost all the way down. I giggled like a little girl. 

They also ran the ski lift and hills on the weekends. We planned to try skiing at 4 pm on Friday, when the prices dropped by over half for lift and equipment. That day, however, the wind chill and sub-zero temperatures caused them to close early. I have never even skied so I didn't even know if I'd like it anyway, so with those conditions we went exploring the town shops instead. 

We played oodles of games. We discovered the joy of bocce ball, and I learned it is a favorite of my dad's. I undeniably am better than Jared at this game, but he whipped me many more times in pool. He is so sexy when he wins pool by a landslide!

If only the kids had been there, there was so much for them to enjoy too. 

So, it was extraordinarily cold at times. A beautiful stream ran through the center of the resort, but it froze over by the end of the week. 

This folding chair in the middle of a sizable lake surprised me! There was evidence beyond this that many locals go ice fishing here at this time of year. How fun! Especially on an ice cold metal folding chair!

"I didn't know deer could do... 'that.'" Movie trivia, folks?!?!? Do you know?

Oh, the food. It was a strange week for food. Jared is competing in a "Biggest Loser" contest at work. He is doing well now, but wasn't on point that week. We tried. We started the week with days of homemade fruit and veggie juices, light nut snacks, and little else. But Wednesday we indulged in pizza, canolli's, and ice cream. 

Thursday was "Caesar Night" in the formal dining hall. We could not resist a 7-course meal. But we didn't know what we were getting ourselves into.....

There were SIX appetizers and we tried them all. It was the same price whether we did or not! 

First, squid and conch salad....

followed by fresh seasonal melon with prosciutto...

... and baked capucella with bread crumbs. We didn't know what capucella was until the server educated us: LAMB'S HEAD. Delish. Jared was daring, ordered it, and even ate some including the eye. I was not so brave. 

The rest of the dinner included sausage and peppers, pork spare ribs, breaded mushrooms, ravioli, caesar's salad, prime rib, and stuffed chicken breast. Oh, and assorted Italian pastries, grapes and provolone for dessert. Needless to say, Jared did not win biggest loser the first week of the contest. 

On a different night he just ordered the $5 special: Wednesday Wings. 

This rustic log cabin restaurant delighted me. I asked why there were dollar bills fastened to the ceiling? To remind patrons that it is cash only? The server liked that reason, but it was just a game that the patrons play and then the money is donated to a charity. Pretty cool. 

Last but not least, I loved a couple of the shops in the surrounding towns. Super eclectic, like me, with a lot of locally made creations like these frames and vest made with men's ties. I couldn't resist supporting such a creative woman, who made both these beauties. I bought a vest and am going to make a mirror like this! 

This vacation was incredible. Not only was it fun, but it was healing. Jared and I set goals, created our family constitution, studied together, and reconnected. We left our phones behind. Disconnect so you can reconnect. On the way home Jared called it the "best.vacation.ever." 

Thank you Grandma Bev for watching our precious beebs so that all this was possible. THANK YOU!!!