Bolivia trip!

Well I made it to Bolivia and back! We had a great trip to Bolivia, but we were all ready to be able to sleep in our own beds and get things back to normal. We left Sat. the 7th at 9:30pm that night. we flow to Miami, we got into Miami at 6:30am Sunday morning. We had an all day lay over in Miami. So we got a hotel room. The family slept most of the day. I just walked around the airport and talk to my family. We left Miami at 10:30pm Sunday night. Flying at night was good for the kids, but not me. I don't sleep well on planes. So between both night flying I was running on about 6hrs of sleep. We got in Santa Cruz, Bolivia at 8am Monday morning. We got into the country just fine. We went to the South American missions base in Santa Cruz where we would be staying for part of our time in Bolivia. We were all very tried, so we got to our rooms unpacked a little, ate lunch and took naps! Tuesday and Wednesday we just hung out in Santa Cruz and meet with some friends of the family's.  Wednesday night they had prayer meeting at the base. So all the missionary's from the South American Mission organization came for prayer meeting and dinner. It was great to be able to meet so many other missionary families. Thursday we load up our stuff and head out to a small village to stay with some friends of theirs for a few days. It was a lot of fun staying there, even if I didn't understand anything that was being said. I got to meet some great people. I also learned/helped cook some Bolivian food. The people we stayed with they started a church in the small village and they run a small store out of their house. So they have a huge oven in the back of the house and they bake bread and cake. And they also have chicken legs for sale and some other things. So we got to help bake the bread and cake. We stayed with them until Saturday morning, then we had lunch with some different people that run a radio station in the area. Saturday night we stayed with some more friends for the family's. They had a little boy about 7 months old. They meet in Bolivia and got married there. So he is from Bolivia and she is from the states. It was very neat to see and hear here how they met. They are missionary there now. Sunday we went to church with the family we stayed with. It was very funny to walk into church and someone walked up to the family we had stayed with and asked him if he would preach. And he did, and did a great job. Later we were talking about it and he said " I always have something in my back packet for events like this." Sunday night we had back to Santa Cruz and to the mission base. Monday we met with a couple other people. And just packed all our stuff up and tried to stay warm. It was very cold on Monday we were all trying to find more clothes to put on to stay warm. Tuesday it was even colder then Monday, but we were leaving so it didn't matter to us so much. We got to the airport around 7:30am and got through everything just in time to get on our plane. It is a lot harder to leave the country then it is to get in. We got to Miami around 4pm and had to sit there for about 4hrs. Then we boarded our last flight to Seattle. We got home around 2am Wednesday morning. I counted when we got back I have been on 10 plane in the last 4 months, I am all set on flying for awhile. And I am until December. It was a great trip. Now we are unpacking everything, catching up on our sleep and getting things back to normal. The kids mom is starting school again in a week. So she won't be around much. And I have decided to fill in all my free time I am going to be taking some online classes. I also have some fun fall things planned for us to do.

Half way - Leaving the country!

Today is an interesting day!!! It marks my half point of my 6 months in Washington and we start our adventure of going to Bolivia!

Half way, 3 more months to go! It has been an adventure so far and a learning experience! And I am sure that the next 3 months will be the same!!! This trip has defiantly been a learning experience! God, is working on a lot of things that I need to change in my life. Which can be hard, but it will all be worth it in the end.

Leaving the country! Um, not sure how I feel about it. I am really nervous. And slowly getting excited! I have left the country before. I went to Mexico twice. But both time it was with my family and lots of people I knew, and we drove! I think my family is more excited that I am going then I am at this point. It will be a great trip. And a great experience for me! I have always want to travel and see the world. So this year is a good start. The first plane ride to Miami will be my 7th plane ride this year. So by the time we get back to the states I will have 10th plane rides down! I am sure I will have lots of stories to tell! I will be taking lots of pictures!

Here is to more "Adventures with God!" One of my dad's favorite things to say!!!

Home for a visit and back!

Well, in June I said good-bye to everyone for 6 months. But then at the end of July I have the opportunity to go home for a visit! So I took it, I bought my plane ticket home and started the count down! And the day finally arrived for me to go home for 10 days! I was so excited. The best part about it was my brothers and sisters didn't know I was coming!!

So on Friday August 16th I got on a plane and went home! I got in in the afternoon and some of my friends picked me up at the airport. Then the 7 of us went to the college in Bozeman( where I flow in) and went swing dancing. It was a lot of fun and a great way to start my visit. We got back to Dillon around 3am sat morning. My dad had been riding around with some of the cops that night. So he picked me up in his police car. And he had an adventure to go on. So I rode around with him for a couple hours. We didn't get back to my house until around 5am. So I quietly went downstairs to my room and when to bed for 2hrs. At 7 sat morning I got up and took my camera and woke all my brothers and sisters up. They all were very surprised to see me home. And they all asked me the same question "what are you doing here?" We all got up and got ready to go to Idaho Falls to see my older sister,brother-in-law and nephew. I was excited and very tried. Only getting 2 hrs of sleep and about 4hrs on Thursday night. We all loaded up and drove to see them. It was a full day of shopping and visiting. And just some really great family time!!!
Sunday was church. We went to church and surprised everyone there. It was great to see everyone there again. We came home ate lunch and then worked on 4-H stuff!! Oh the fun of 4-H books and records!
Mon. they put me to work! We all help dig a trench for a drain we were putting in. We had a fire and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows!
Tues. Worked some more on other projects. And Tues. night went to a friends house and hung out for awhile.
Wed. was more work and hanging out with my family. The kids and I went down the water slide. That was a lot of fun!
Thur. Pretty much the same as the other days. But the afternoon was different. The kids and I went to the lake to go swimming. It is so much fun to have time with just them. The exciting part of the lake adventure was I got my car stuck in the mud. We tried to get it out,but it didn't work. So my mom had to come and help us push it out.
Fri. The same as other days. Hung out with the family and worked on projects.
Sat. Went to the fair grounds and help get things ready for fair. Then in the afternoon, my friends Chris,Stephen, Cassandra and I decided to go float down the river. We were all ready to go and found out no one has any tubes. So we went hunting for tubes. We found 2 but couldn't find any more. So Cassandra and I rode on an air mattress. It was a lot of fun until it started to rain,thunder,lighting and hail. We were freezing. We decided to get out and walk the rest of the way to the car. So we walked on the railroad tracks. It was good but cold but we made it. After we got both cars. We went to the taco bus and ate some really good food. I was going to go to Butte for a good-bye party for my sister and brother-in-law. But we didn't get out of the river in time. So we all just hung out and made some pretty crazy memories.
Sun. I had to speak at church. I hate talking in front of people. But I guess I did pretty good. That is what everyone tells me. After church Jillisa,Matthew and Boaz came over and hung out with us for a few hours. I love having the whole family together!! That night I went to Dillon and saw my old bosses and their family! It was great to see them. They kids have all grown so much!!
Mon. My last day home before going back to Washington. Jakoley and I got in my car and drove to Dillon to run around and do some stuff and see some people I hadn't gotten to see yet. It was hard to say good-bye again to my friends. We came home with ice cream and root beer! And Mon night we just hung out one more time as a family.
Tues. I packed up everything again. I wasn't ready to leave. I loved being home. But I knew I had signed up for 6 months and I couldn't quiet half way through.Saying good-bye again was really hard. Only a few tears with saying good-bye! Mom and I left and did some shopping and had some lunch before she dropped me off at the airport to begin part 2 of my adventure. I did fine until I landed in Seattle. Then it hit me that I have to be away from home for 3 more months. I cried my eye out in the middle of the airport. I got on the shuttle and made it back to were I am living in Washington.

I will have to say no one ever said moving out or away from home was this hard. It is the hardest thing I have ever done. I am 1/2 done!! 3 more months then I can go home for good!! I will make it. I just have to keep telling myself that. And I am praying some much. I hate feeling sad! But I know God put me here for a reason and he is going to get me through all the hard times I am having!! So here is to part 2 of my adventure!!

2 months!

Well I have been in Washington for 2 months. It seems much longer then that for some reason. It hasn't been an easy 2 month, that is for sure. I have had my ups and downs. I guess I will highlight the big things in the last month.

Jenna's Mom visiting- She came for a visit for about 2 weeks. It was great to meet her. I didn't really do anything. She did pretty much everything. She is super nice and loving person.

My birthday- Well, I made it to my favorite number "19". It was a weird birthday. Mostly because it was my first birthday in at least 16 years not at camp and that I had a lot of people around for my birthday. But I still had a great birthday. I got my first tattoo. And I got a cake, presents and a special dinner made by Jenna's mom. My family called to sing to me.

Scottish Highland games- A huge event for the Scottish. And me being part Scottish wanted to go really bad. So we went for the morning. It was a lot of fun. Got to see lots of people running around in their Scottish outfits. And got to see a lot of different events, like dancing, stone throwing, bagpipe playing  and lots of other things.

Mini Vacation- While Jenna's mom was here she told us on a 3 day vacation to one of the island of Washington. She rented a big house for us to stay in. It was a lot of fun. We had a great view of the ocean. it was great to get out of the house for a few days and away from all the craziness of life.

Whale Watching- While on our mini vacation we went whale watching. Jenna's mom got me a whale watching trip for my birthday. It was an all day trip. We got on the boat at like 10 am and didn't get back off until around 5 pm. It was really cool to be able to see lots of different things that you don't get to see from land. We saw lots of whales. We spent like 2 hours just watching whales. After a long day on a boat, I have had my fill of boats for awhile.

I think that is all the big things that happened in the last month. And all the little stuff is taking care of kids, making food, going on a lot of walks and talking to people at home. Every day here it gets a little better!

My Birthday!

Well, I am 19 now! YAYAYA! I don't really feel any different. Well my arm hurt a little. I went and got my first tattoo for my birthday. It is on my upper forearm. i don't like needle at all so I am surprising everyone. It didn't hurt as bad as I thought it was going to. But I really like what I got.

This birthday was the first birthday in a least 16 years that I haven't been at camp or had lots of people at my house for my birthday. It was still a good day. I got the day off, I slept in! Jenna went with me to get my tattoo. Jenna's mom made made me a chocolate cake with coffee chocolate frosting. And made me shrimp scampi and fettuccine Alfredo. It was so good. My family called me from home and sang happy birthday to me. I got some gift cards,money,jelly beans,movie and a bowl and mug painted by Noah.  I liked all my gift. I felt very loved on my birthday.

This might be the longest birthday celebration I will ever have. It is going to be like a 4 day celebration. Saturday went to the Scottish highland games, Monday, Jenna's mom got me a whale watching trip. So we are all going whale watching. Should be really fun!

I am really enjoying my time here. And am learning some good stuff!

One Month!

Today I have been in Washington one month. I could say "wow, a month were did time go?" But I don't feel that way. Mostly because my first 2 weeks here were super hard. The first 2 week I spent very homesick. It was really hard. I called home a lot in tears. And everyone that I talk to said " you will be fine, you will make it!" And I knew they were right, but it didn't feel like it at the time. But now I am going to make it just fine! Every week it gets better. And time is moving a little faster. It has been an adventure the last month. Adjusting to living with some people I don't really know, getting use to their life and their crazy, creepy pets. But I am really enjoying it now. The family is super nice and their kids are really cute. They have been really supportive with helping me adjust. I have met some really cool people and gotten to do some really cool stuff. That I wouldn't have been able to do at home. I am going to be just fine here! And may end up with a boyfriend if Jenna has anything to do with it! :) She picks on me about boys just like my family! It is funny!  Here is to one month down, the hardest part is over! On to more and better adventures!

Drive in movies!

Last night I went to my first ever drive in movie. It was a lot of fun. I went with a college group I went to this week. We saw Monsters University and Man of steel. Monsters was really good,cute and funny. Man of steel was pretty good, the parts that I was awake for! I am so glad I can still have fun even tho I am not at home with my friends. This week has been a better week then last. I am still calling home every other day and emailing my dad with help in the subject line. And he keeps telling me you are there for a reason, God placed you with this family. And he has great plans for you. I know God does have great plans for me, I just wish we could kip the being homesick part and all the tears that have come with it. I am on an adventure with God. And it has already been one. I just hope that the rest of my adventure there is less tears.

Knowing people here!!

I forgot I had some friends that live in Mount Vernon. So I remembered this week and emailed them and they live just up the road from me. It is helping with the change. I love that they are so close to me. I have seen them a few times in the last week. They know what I am going through and they are helping me get through the change. Hope I will start to meet more people in the area! It is still really hard to be here and not have my family here. But everyone says give it a month. So I am trying!

One Week!

Well, I made it through my first week. It has been a really hard week. I have been missing home really bad. Lots of tears this week. If I could talk to people back home everyday it would be nice. But I know God has some great plans for me. And as my dad says this pain I am feeling is just begin of my great adventure. The kids have gotten use to having me around! It was a pretty easy changed for the kids. This week was a little different then normal. Jenna was gone at school all week. So I jumped right into things. I did pretty well. Still learning how to do things, but I am getting there. Next week will be a little back to normal for this family. So the feeling of missing home I am hoping will lessen as time goes by. I am planning on getting into a group of people my age. So I am hoping that meeting new people will help.

Let the Adventure begin!!

I have been here for a whole day. I have gotten all settled in to my new room. It is all decorated and looking like my room at home. Except it isn't bright green! The kids seem to like me, Noah(3) said "hi" to me around 10 times in the first hour I met him. Gabe(1) is taking a little longer to warm up to me. But I held him twice yesterday and he didn't scream, so that is good.

I get thrown into their life this week. Jenna( the mom) is in school all week. So it is me and Jason(dad) home with the kids. So I will get the full effect of their life this week. Should be good, if I can get the hang of clothe diapers!! :) Gabe is the only one in them full time. So I should be able to handle it! Their pets not as bad as I thought they would be. They have 2 turtles, 3 blue frogs and geckos.

I have only called home twice, but only talked to someone once. It is a little weird knowing there is person at camp and I am not there. That is a little hard. Camp is all I have known for 15 years so this is a big change to not be around. But should be a great summer here to!

Last day home!!

Today is my last day at home. I am finishing up packing, I think I have everything! Tomorrwo my adventure starts. I am feeling every emotion you can every feel, at once. I can't believe the time for me to leave home is here. It feel just like yesterday that I found out I would be moving to Seattle. Where did time go? I know God has a great plan for me and he is going to use me for great things. Once I get there it will be a little easier. I hate packing so the last week I have been going crazy!!! Had to say good-bye to lots of friends yesterday. It was one of the hardest days I have had in a long time! But thank goodness for texting and skype, I will still be able to talk to every back here. Well need to finish packing all the little stuff!!

Packing and more packing!!!

With one week to go, the packing has to start. This week is going to be fun, sad and an adventure. The adventure of trying to get my room into 2 big bags!! The sad part is saying good-bye to everyone, my life as I know it and a job I have had for 5 1/2 years! The fun part making a few new memories before I leave!! Hope I don't go crazy this week trying to decide what has to come with me and what is staying with me. Here is to a crazy week!!!

One Month to go!!

Well, Wednsday was month to the day that I will be getting on a plane and fly to Seattle. I can't believe it is only a month away. I have so much to do. I am making a list of all the things I have to pack in my bags and buy before I leave.  My nerves are going crazy. But I know that this is what God has planned for me. I can't wait to see what God has planned for me!!

The start of the blog!!

Here is to the start of a blog!!! I am doing this so people and my self can remember what I am doing with life. And what I will do!! Hope you enjoy!!