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A few thoughts...

I thought I would write about something that has been on my mind here and there the past several months or so....something that I ponder regularly.

I've just been quite amazed at how people come and go into our lives once or several times in our lifetimes. Its something that I've been more aware of and have come to accept as a part of our life's journeys. I used to think that when someone quit talking to me or just kind of faded into nowhere, that it was something I did. It would haunt for a long time and I would feel like I needed to make this gigantic step of getting back in touch with them. Sometimes that is required, but if the effort is really forced then it obviously wasn't meant to be. It is always kind of hard to see someone disappear out of your life, but maybe that is why it makes it all the more amazing when they reappear. Maybe the friendship was meant to go another direction and when the timing was right, the friendship would resume (sometimes as though no time has passed). I believe that our relationships with people throughout our lives are meant for us to learn and grow and transform. Some people come into our lives at a certain point just to provide a gift we needed then, and for us to provide them with a gift as well...and then, poof...they are gone. Some people have really left a lasting impression and have touched my heart and soul. Obviously, not all gifts are ones that I've treasured at the time and wonder, "what the hell?"..."why was this person in my life?". Well, to teach you some sort of lesson, dummy. I usually don't see it at the time (but am becoming more aware of it), but later down the road it all makes sense. Its actually quite amusing if you think about it. It sometimes even makes me laugh inside. Sometimes I've found myself just totally attracting the same types of people in my life all at the same time. This is when it amuses me most. Well, apparently I'm supposed to learn something in this journey of mine right now!

I still beat myself up sometimes when I'm unable to find the time to call someone back or just really don't feel like talking at that particular time. I kind of think this is ok though. If it seems more effort than it should, maybe it wasn't meant to be at that moment. Eventually, we make the time (that is sometimes needed) and reconnect up for the time being...and then go our own ways for a few days or months...and the reconnect, etc, etc. Other times, there are friends that you can share a lot with during a particular time and it is effortless. Quite bizarre. I've been able to reconnect back up with some old friends...some through the wonderful world of Facebook :) and some just naturally. I'm quite grateful for friends in my life because they make my world so much brighter. For those friends who I'm not in constant contact with...I'm still thinking of you always.

We are all so connected in so many ways....more than our tiny, little human minds can fathom. Its those instances where you can recognize the connection that is pretty awesome. When you can be in the moment and really be aware that every one you come in contact with every day plays some role in your life...that is quite enlightening.

So, thank you to everyone who is in my life...or who was in my life...I'm grateful...for you have made me who I am. And, who I am, is... who I am.

Montana trip (via Omak)

These pictures are better late than never!

Grayson and I drove over to Alicia's house in Omak, WA on a Sunday morning (August 3rd). Alicia just moved into a new house, so dad was there helping get her set up and paint, etc. Dad travelled over on Thursday with Alicia's 2 nieces (Abbey and Lilly) and nephew (Joe). On Monday, Grayson and I ( along with Abbey) drove over to the Montana cabin. We asked Abbey to go with since she is the oldest, is a good baby-sitter and was getting kind of left out. She was thrilled! We got to the cabin later than I wanted, but we still had a couple hours of daylight left.

On Tuesday, I taught Abbey how to drive the quad. At first it was a little scary...I rode behind her and Grayson rode in front of her. She really was only going about 5 mph on the easy trails. After she did that with me for awhile, she asked if she could practice in the field down by the creek. I figured she would do better without me breathing down her neck. Sure enough...she caught on and did really well. All 3 of us went to the Bull River for a little swim that day as well. We didn't do any venturing off around the cabin since there had been a couple cougar and bear sightings. Tuesday evening, dad and Alicia and the 4 other kids arrived.

Wednesday we spent quite a bit of time at Triangle Pond. When I was thinking pond, I was thinking murky, weedy, leech-infested water. However, it was the exact opposite. It was crystal clear, beautiful, weed-less water! When we got back we did a clay hunting excursion in the creek. Dad wanted to get some clay for the kids to make things out of. I decided that we needed to take advantage of the healing properties of clay and slather it all over our bodies. That was fun! In the evening, dad and I ventured up on quads to the "lookout".

Thursday was the day that Grayson and I had to leave. It was a long drive, but we did quite well together!

Very cold creek in Omak! Grayson was sooo brave! I can't believe he got into this water (must have been peer pressure)...he is kind of wimpy like his mom when it comes to cold water.

Triangle Pond, Pilgrim Creek, Abbey riding the quad and Grayson getting his quad ride from Pop.

Clay warriors. Unfortunately, once you got the clay on...it had to come off at some point...and that meant in the freezing cold creek. Once I got used to it, then I had a little fun "floating" down the creek.

There is no way I'm waiting another 4 years to get back to the cabin! I must visit it more often!