Visit with mis novias

When I heard Team Eddy would be in Portland, I jumped at the opportunity to visit them and the Barsotti family.  It was so fun to see everyone, to relax and eat amazing food, to tour University of Portland, and have expert help planning our wedding ceremony. 

These two are just too cute!

As was Maple, our new friend.

If only these girls lived closer.  Oh well, it makes me cherish our time together even more.

On our tour of UP, we saw a very very fancy bible!

And a cool elevator!

The Barsotti house was an awesome gathering space, they deserve a big thank you for being wonderful hosts.  Here are Amy and Ellie enjoying an afternoon snack.

And the boys tinkering with a bluetooth enabled Lego gadget (Tyler was in heaven)

Noah is so talented!

And the kids had fun running in circles around the house!  

Thank you to the Eddys and Barsottis for livening up our weekend routine!  Can't wait to see you again.

Eliana turns one!

I am so excited to share Eliana's birthday photos that I will get out of chronological order just to show you the fun we had.  I can hardly believe that it was more than a year ago that Eliana was born.  Baby girl, who is no longer a baby I suppose, is so much fun to be around.  She loves to clap her hands, laugh, wave hello and goodbye, say dada and grandpa a lot, run, read books, EAT (how can I forget that one), and so much more.  Becca became a super-crafty mom and created a beautiful and elegant purple pony party.

Here is the guest of honor rummaging through purses, haha!



Check out these ponies that Becca and her co-worker made!

Auntie Angie had fun too!

So clever!

Eliana's first sweet treat...a gluten free cake!  She loved it but wasn't exactly sure what to do with it :)

A happy family:

And a pretty girl!

Happy birthday, sweet Eliana Rose!  Here's to many many more.

Hard work!

I have found that it is good for me, and probably others as well, to step outside of my comfort zone once in awhile.  It helps me realize the privileges that I take for granted and helps me to enjoy the simple things in life.  Even though I have traveled to Mexico before, and even specifically to Tijuana, this was a step outside of my comfort zone.  I 'encouraged' myself to speak spanish, to go with the flow a little more when it comes to my dietary restrictions, to break away from my cell phone, to sit still, not plan, not "need" so many things like makeup, snacks, extra sanitation, etc.

I was also pleasantly surprised at the safety that I felt.  I knew the people would be warm and friendly, it is the nature of mexican culture.  But of course I had heard stories of crime and violence and how much Tijuana has changed since I was last there.  I never once felt threatened or unsafe and felt safer there than I do on Capitol Hill sometimes.

Mexico Mission Trek was so refreshing, to say the least.  It was so wonderful to be away from my desk, putting my hands and muscles to good use for a week.  Here are some photos of the hard work which happened to also be a lot of fun!

I wish I had better before/after photos but this is basically at the beginning.  We were building a second half onto a very small existing house which eventually will serve as the kitchen and living space.



As you can see, we built walls and eventually a roof, and poured the roof with concrete.



The below photo shows one of the many ceiling beams that we made.  I am in red in the back, my mentees Alyssa and Kayla are in the front.

Passing cement...so hard and so messy!

Redhawks!  Little Cesar on the left was the highlight of many of our days.  He was a neighbor kid who we really enjoyed getting to know.

We mixed and poured almost all of these bags of concrete in 1 day!

Cecilia and I hard at work.

The roof that we built.  See the beams, I tied more wire than I could count.

Gloves: before and after!

I can't wait to have another opportunity to return.   What a wonderful, rewarding, educational experience.

Mexico Mission Trek 2013

Spring break of senior year, I ventured to Tijuana Mexico with Campus Ministry and a group of students for a week of service, cultural immersion, community building, and learning experience.

This was 10 years ago!  I am pictured in the front, crouched down, with the white hat.

This year, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to return.  To learn more.  To experience the deep sense of community that Esperanza provides, to see the joy in such simple things, to feel welcomed, to feel humbled.  I learned so much on the trip.  I travelled with a group of 10 SU students, 2 other faculty/staff members (one of which has travelled to work with Esperanza over 40 times), and 3 alumni.

Tijuana has a bad reputation.  Drugs and violence seem to be what people think of when they hear Tijuana.  I think of wonderful/hardworking people and good food.  Sorry, here I am talking about food again.  But in reality, food is a strong part of the beautiful Mexican culture.  I honestly felt safer in Tijuana than I do in Seattle.  I am so glad that I went, so grateful to be part of a university who will support such endeavors, and so blessed to have had team members cover for me in my absence during an already busy time.  I don't think I can capture the amount of gratitude that I have in words at the moment, but please know that my heart is full and happy.

Part of what makes the trip powerful is working along side a family and community members to construct a house.  And it feels so awesome to be away from the desk, ordinary worries, distractions and the go-go-go lifestyle that I get caught up in.  Simplicity ended up being a strong theme for me on the trip.  I even gave my first spiritual talk about simplicity.  Phew!  The next time I am feeling philosophical I will share it with you.

For now, it's time for some photos.  Remember that food I was talking about?!  Mouth watering goodness here!

Each work day, families in the community work with the host family to provide a meal.  It got better and better each day.  Here is carne asada!  Above is at the taqueria that I dream of regularly.

The people of Tijuana make it a special place.  Those who work at Esperanza do amazing work that strengthens their community.  Here they are recognizing Paul Milan, "Pablo" for his many years of service.

Seanito and Kristen made the experience super fun and inspirational.  I was very thankful for their energy, dedication and commitment.

Our group this year was so much fun.  We meshed well, laughed a lot, and worked so hard!  Here we are on the final day standing near the walls and roof that we built.

And here are most of us at the clinic.

Thank you for reading.   Next up with have to be the hardworking photos to prove I did more than eat and pose for pictures.

AASC Holiday Party

I've said it before, I love my coworkers!  Tyler and I enjoy hosting the holiday party, especially when it involves Kate and Joe bringing food :)

So, we decked the halls

And fired up the oven for some yummy cookies!

And found a kitty among the presents

Then, we welcomed guests...

And loved the fact that there were not one but two babies in the mix this year (it has been a productive year in the AASC, lol)

And it wouldn't be a blog post without another food picture: the amazing amazing amazing brisket:

'Twas a happy year and a happy party!

Turkey festivities

Thanksgiving was full of goodness, as usual.  We kicked it off in style at the Gevers' Pre-Thanksgiving.  We were well fed and well hydrated, shall I say.  :)

Our amazing hosts!

Brisket!!!

Girls:

Very proud of my gluten free cranberry bliss bars.

Not so proud of my man's movember stache.

Photobombed!

On the REAL thanksgiving, we were excited to have Blayne and Megan join us.  Once again, we were spoiled with good food.  Myles and Michelle served us an amazing breakfast

Twins

Fluffy wanted to wish my readers a happy thanksgiving

A lovely meal!