Hawaiian Vacation

Each summer my parents vacation on Oahu, Hawaii at their time share. This summer our whole family was invited to go (except Kyle, he had Marine duties he could not get away from). I was excited to finally soak up some warm sunshine since our summer in June and July has been a complete joke. I was also looking forward to spending an entire week with Greg without work interfering.

The fam (minus Ty) climbed Diamond Head

I was so sweaty once we got to the top. Luckily it rained on us on  the way back down

Dad, Ty, and Greg spent a lot of time on the boogie boards

I love this pic

So much beautiful scenery to enjoy

Outside our room window

Woke up one morning to find this

Sunset while on our dinner cruise

So amazing how many colors come out of a sunset

Dinner cruise with Diamond Head and Waikiki in the background

The Adams Kids

Went to opening night of Captain America (if you know my father you understand why this was so important).

Last night on the island

Hawaii is one of my favorite places, and I've been so blessed to go several times over the years. Glad Greg enjoys sunshine, beach, and waves like me!

Baby Shower

Well we are finally slowing down a bit in our summer plans. The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind, but I have my last Master's class of the term tomorrow and can begin thinking about my summer "to do list." Blogging happens to be on my to do list.

The day before we flew out to Hawaii (in a blog to come) I through a baby shower for my brother Tyler and his girlfriend Katrina. They are expecting their baby girl Macie Rae at the end of August. The night before the shower, my sister Brittney flew in from Virginia and we stayed up VERY late that night baking and decorating for the shower.

We had a "Jack and Jill" style shower so that Tyler and his buddies could attend as well.

Tyler picked out their outfits so they would be color coordinated. Guess that's what having two old sisters will do for you!

The banner I made using my Cricut. 

The fam, minus Kyle

This one turned out blurry, but I had to post it. Britt and I were up very late the night before baking cupcakes!

It POURED all morning so Ty put on rain gear to go and put balloons up at the end of the driveway.

Our finished cupcakes :)

The shower was a success and Tyler and Katrina received several much needed items and a ton of diapers! Now we are all counting down the days until we get to meet Macie Rae. My mom and I will be in the delivery room with Tyler and Katrina. I offered to take pictures for them. I think it could go one of two ways: it's an incredible experience and I get super excited to have a baby of my own, OR I get completely grossed out and fearful of the pain and decide having a baby can definitely wait!

Procrastination

"You may delay, but time will not" Benjamin Franklin

I realize I haven't been blogging recently. In the midst of two summer graduate courses, moving, planning a baby shower, and packing for a Hawaiian vacation, I haven't really had much time.

Tomorrow at 5pm I have a 5-7 page literature review to post online for one of my classes. I need to cite at least 6 different sources, and research articles are lengthy sources to read. I am down to 24 hours left until my deadline and I have nothing written. However, I do have all 6 sources... I just haven't read through them... I'm sort of hoping by the titles of the articles that they are relevant to my research.

We have a bbq to attend tomorrow at 1pm in Vancouver, picking my sister up at PDX at 4pm, baking cupcakes and creating a diaper cake for a baby shower in the evening, baby shower festivities most of the day Sunday, and we fly out Monday morning for Hawaii. I know I need to finish the lit review tonight no matter what. And since all I can think about right now is hanging out at Waimanalo Beach on Monday afternoon...

I think tonight I may be pulling my first all nighter since I studied for finals/midterms in my undergrad!

My life this week

We put applications in to an apartment in Springfield. Not sure when we can move in, but we start house sitting for my aunt down there this weekend. I've been alternating between packing and homework the last couple of days. I think this will be my life for the next week or so.

 Greg brought some boxes home from the hotel so I was able to pack some things. I feel like the worst packer in the world. I never know where to start.

 I'm trying to use any containers or decorative boxes I have as packaging materials. I've packed six or seven large boxes, plus the wicker ones above, and it doesn't look like I've even put a dent into packing up our place. At least the move will happen in stages, not too stressful.

 In between packing, I've been working on homework for my two graduate courses for my Masters degree. One of my classes is Contemporary Issues in Children's Literature and the other is Leadership and Policy in a Diverse Society. Both of these classes are very interesting.

In my Contemporary Issues class, one of our assignments is to read two young adult novels and 50 children's books, as well as two books with a group from class, and another novel as an entire class. The book Loser on the left is by Jerry Spinelli and is a fun easy read about a quirky kid who doesn't fit the norm at school. It follows him from Kindergarten through 8th grade. The book The Absolute True Diary of a Part Time Indian on the right, by Sherman Alexie is our whole class read. It was on the New York Times Best Seller list and is incredibly entertaining! It's about a boy who grows up on an Indian Reservation and makes the choice to attend high school off of the reservation. My description cannot even do it justice. It touches on serious issues with so much humor that I was laughing about every other page. The book in the middle, Ask Me No Questions by Marina Budhos is about an illegal immigrant from Bangladesh and her family and the troubles that arise for them while living on the East Coast. I haven't read it yet but am looking forward to it!

Springfield Update

I can't believe it's been so long since my last post. You would think since I'm on a permanent vacation (unemployed) I would have more time to blog. And I had planned to, but things just haven't worked out that way.

The past few weeks have been difficult to say the least. Greg and I spend about 3 days apart, then a few hours together (when he finally comes home by 11pm to sleep in his own bed then leaves for work by 6:30am the next day), 3 days apart, then a few hours together. The Hilton Garden Inn is officially open for business! They sold out their first two nights, which is unheard of! Today is only their third day open. I guess all of the other hotels are impressed because selling out the first night hasn't ever happened that anyone can remember. Greg is one very proud front office manager :)

While he has been working 15-18 hour days 6 days a week, I have started summer classes for Grad School. Last term was a complete nightmare because I took on the only two research classes in the program at the same time. Greg asked that I not do that ever again, but I survived and passed both classes. This term I am taking two courses (only one left in the fall) and I enjoy both of them very much. I have the same professor for both classes and she is very easy going which will make my school life less stressful this term.

Apartment searching has been more difficult than I had imagined. Looking back I realize that this is my first time doing it. In college my roommates always found the place and I just moved in, and the place Greg and I are in now was once lived in by some friends from WOU and they let us know it was vacant so we moved in. I'm realizing now that when I see a "great deal" on Craigslist there is normally a catch. 1: the picture is not an accurate descriptor of the rental, 2: it's low income housing only, 3: it smells like cigarette smoke, 4: it's so small we will have to find storage for some of our things.

I have been apartment hunting on my own because as I stated before Greg has been working so much he just doesn't have time to come with me. He gave me the green light and told me that whatever I choose is fine. Great right? Funny how I need him with me to make a decision anyway :) Originally we had hoped to be moved down to Springfield by next weekend, but seeing as how we haven't turned in applications anywhere I don't think that will happen. Luckily, I have enough family out there that we should be able to "move" and stay with them until we find a place.

I will take pictures of the new Hilton Garden Inn to post in a later blog. It is decorated so beautifully and modern like. I love it! It's gorgeous. As for now, I have homework and more apartment researching to do. Have a great weekend everyone!

3rd Grade Weather Reports

The last unit we studied in Science in my 3rd grade classroom this year was weather. Instead of giving them an "exam" I had the students create a poster of everything they learned about weather. They could write all the facts they learned, draw a picture, or both. I was impressed when I went through the posters. So here is a little weather report for ya from a group of 3rd graders:

Natalie's interpretation of the water cycle. Notice "prsipatasion" is in fact "precipitation" And the lightening bolts means "danger, get in house."

this says: "A tsunami sometimes could kill people and some tsunamis could be dangerous."

"tornadoes are not so safe that's why you need to prepare for one like if you hear that there's going to be a tornado tomorrow you would have to put boards on the windows."

This little guy Daniel is really low in reading and writing but did a great job illustrating his ideas!

I think they all learned a little something don't you? Guess I'm doing my job right :)

My Dad is a Retired Teacher

After 31 years of service at Colton High School, my dad has decided to retire. Since his first year in the early 80's my dad has taught Health, Social Studies, PE, and Weight Lifting. He has coached football, boys basketball, girls basketball, and cross country. And he has also served as the Athletic Director for several years which he will continue to do next year part time.

My mom planned a retirement party for him at the high school yesterday and it was nice to see students from the past come in and show their appreciation. Made me thankful for the career I've chosen and the opportunity I have to make an impact on childrens' lives.

Colton High School.... such good memories!

one of the cakes

Greg and I with my parents

with Ty and Katrina (Macie is growing quite a bit! Still a few months to go.)

love my dad :)

My Aunt Linda, Uncle Dennis, and cousin Sarah (below) came to celebrate with us.

wished more of the Olaen women were there to be in the pic!