life lately

wow, summer is in full swing AND I LOVE IT!  how about some time to catch up?  though summer is here and it seems as though the days should be longer I have had so much to do.  which has been a wonderful blessing.

school ended mid may and it was a bitter-sweet beginning of summer.  the last week of school I accepted a new position at a school in boise.  I am so excited!  however, it was so hard to say goodbye to my school in caldwell and the students, families, and coworkers I have shared the past two years with.  I cherish those years, the relationships, and the growth I experienced there.  I have not wanted to talk about it much because it truly is bitter-sweet.  I know that I am supposed to be in boise at this time though.  I have been feeling a calling toward the city where I live for the past year.  God has really put the city on my heart, specifically the neighborhoods and areas of town that we frequent a lot -- I know that I will be used as a vessel for His work in this city.  and of course, I am thrilled to be closer to home as well :)

enjoying a concert at the botanical gardens from the foothills above.  

I love summers in boise!

shortly after the school year ended the hubs and I drove to southern utah to spend an extended weekend backpacking with the hubs' family in Zion National Park.  Oh my goodness!  zion is truly the most beautiful place I have ever been.  I loved every minute of it.  we backpacked for two days of the trip and camped in campgrounds for the remaining 3 days.  photos do not do the landscape justice.  we also did a day trip through the narrows... hiking up the virgin river... which was the most amazing hike of my life.  I would love to go back again some day.

my beautiful cousin was married at the end of june.  she is one of my very best friends and as dear to me as a sister.  I spent part of the week before the wedding in mccall with her preparing the final details.  I cherished the hours ironing linens and gluing stationary together.  we have been close our entire lives, but specifically the past twelve years or so have been so important for me.  she was my go to person to share exciting news with, she challenged me and pushed me to do things I wouldn't normally because I'm too planned out, she knew I would marry Scott before I did, she encourages me every day, and I cannot be more thrilled for her and her new hubby.  he is an amazing man that loves her well.  the time before the wedding was special for me because she moved to chicago the week after the wedding.  I will miss our daily conversations, but know great things will happen for them and cannot wait to see it!  I guess I'll just have to go visit chicago... and see my brother while I'm at it too!

so beautiful!

my summer job has been the best one I've had yet..  I have been teaching sewing lessons to some school aged girls and it has been a blast.  I am keeping busy and yet have plenty of time for other adventures as well.

speaking of adventures... I have a new office, which means more projects!  I will document them as they happen and post away.  also, I'm traveling to san francisco on vacation with the hubs' family at the end of the month which I am so ready for!

as I've promised time and time again... I'll be posting more... SOON.