Happy Birthday to Me!

This year was a big birthday year for me. 30! I think that I am mostly happy to be headed into my 30s and leave the 20s behind.

I started out my birthday by taking a big step - I went and took some pictures for a friend's family reunion. I was a nervous wreck, but I decided that it was a great way to start off a new decade in my life.

Dealing with anxiety issues the last few years has really held me back as far as trying new things in my life and stretching and challenging myself. The anxiety even makes it hard for me to do dumb little things like drive to a new part of town by myself. SO, I have been trying to take steps to do fun new things despite the fear that holds me back. Taking pictures of 40+ people gathered together for a family reunion an hour and a half drive outside of Spokane was definately one of those big steps for me. I thought it was a great way to start year 30!

After that I came home and needed a nap! Then we headed to the south part of town to one of my favorite little places for dinner. Later, my dear sweet friend, Stacey, brought over a wonderful birthday cake. Yum!



Just for laughs, I thought I would include this picture. The photo organizer on our computer has automatic red eye reduction and this was the first picture I saw when I uploaded the pictures of my birthday. I guess it got a little confused!

A Day at the Park

Saturday was a 30 year celebration at Riverfront park. The park is located just north of downtown Spokane and runs right along the river. There are beautiful walking and biking paths, some amusement rides and an IMAX theater. To celebrate, the park was offering day passes at the 1978 prices - $6.00 for all of the rides and a ticket to an IMAX movie. The kids amazingly enough made it through the entire "Lewis and Clark" movie and we enjoyed some amusement rides and a bike ride along the river. It ended up being a wonderful Saturday together as a family.

Both of the kids had fun on the roller coaster. We couldn't believe Kellan didn't freak out!

Mirielle loved the bumper cars. It almost made me cry watching her drive into the other kids on the cars. It was one of those moments that made me realize how big and independent she is getting.

I still can't figure out a way to get a 2 year old to look at the camera with a nice big smile.

Or a 5 year old for that matter.

Only if I am really lucky does she grace me with a smile.

Graduation Time

The last few weeks have been a time of graduation celebration for our family. Jason celebrated as he watched his first class of students graduate in May. There was a wonderful speaker from Moody Chicago that gave a message that I didn't hear a word of - as I was sitting in the audience trying to keep 2 little kids very quietly entertained!

Can you spot him? He is the young guy in the back row.

Some of Jason's very happy students

In June, we celebrated as Mirielle graduated from preschool. The school had a graduation ceremony for the students. The teacher asked that each student do some sort of little performance for the parents. While most of the students sang the ABCs or quoted a verse from the Bible, Mirielle decided to do a dance. This from a girl that has never taken a dance class in her life!

The teacher started the music Mirielle had picked out for her dance and as soon as Mirielle heard the music and looked out at the parents she suddenly stopped, put her hands in her hair (looking like she might rip a couple of handfuls out) and while stomping her foot, told the teacher that she had forgotten her dance. (Which I thought was interesting, since as far as I could tell, she was making the dance up on the fly!)

At that point I thought it was all over. Thankfully, the teacher was able to calm her down. Mirielle went on to do a beautiful dance that she made up all by herself and danced the whole song. It was really beautiful! She is definitely our little performer!!

Family Business

So I have to brag a bit....

Many of you know my (Jen's) brother, Matt Vlahovich.

Matt is currently serving as the Worship Pastor at Bethany Community Church in Tempe, AZ and is attending Fuller Seminary in his spare time (haha!). It seems like all of his studying is paying off.

Matt just preached his first sermon a few weeks ago on suffering. I was pretty proud to listen to his sermon he posted on his blog. To anyone that knows him (or even if you don't!) take a listen here.

I love you little brother and I love the man God is growing you into!!