Where's the Diaper Bag?

While up in Vancouver, Canada we had to park the car about three blocks from our friend's place. We were getting ready to head to the aquarium so Rick grabbed a bunch of things to take with him on his way to get the car, including Mcayden, the porta-crib and the diaper bag. We arrived at the aquarium (about 20 minutes from Sandy's place) and started loading up the stroller, when we discovered the diaper bag was not in the car, in fact it was on the curb where the car had been parked! The diaper bag held not only diapers, but also our passports and the kid's birth certificates --without these documents, we would not be let back in the U.S.A!
We quickly piled back into the car and drove back to Sandy's place (you have to drive through the ENTIRE park to get out), and then, hit all the red lights along the way (of course). Rick and I stayed really calm and quiet and I just kept praying that someone honest would find the bag and we could find them. We reached the street and Rick said, "I don't see it." I jumped out of the car and looked around. Rick then pointed out a note on the sidewalk, held down with rocks. "If you're looking for your diaper bag, call me (cell number)." There was also another note in the rear window of the car parked there on the street (with the same information). I had just started dialing the number when a gray-haired gentleman and three ladies came out of an apartment building and asked if we were looking for our bag. They had found it and saw that it had all our ID in it, so they called the emergency contact number on my passport and left the notes. I hugged them all. We were SO THANKFUL they were honest people. We thanked them and thanked them.

Canada, Eh?

Rick flew back from Colorado on Thursday afternoon and we headed up to Vancouver, B.C. We went up to visit our friend, Sandy. She has lived there for two years and we decided it was about time we went and saw her! She was such a gracious hostess. What a sweetie!

Now that we're moving out of WA., we have come up with this huge laundry list of things we want to do before we move! Luckily, going up to see Sandy was high on the list! We had so much fun!

We went to the Vancouver Aquarium---which was AWESOME. Rick and I had gone there about four years ago and were excited to take Mcayden. We knew he'd love it.

We got to see Qila, a beluga whale, and her baby calf. The calf was born on June 10 and weighed 110lbs. She was the first calf in Canada to be born to an aquarium-born beluga (Qila was born there in 1995.) They only took about 30 people in at a time (to the underwater viewing windows), where they would tell you about the bulgas and let you ask questions. It was pretty neat. They wanted to keep it quiet so the belugas wouldn't be disturbed, while they're still bonding.

Sandy bought this cup for Mcayden at the aquarium gift shop. He doesn't want to drink water out of anything else now! It has a otter on the top and when you push a lever it makes a little critter sound. It's really cute. It was a quick, fun trip!

I (Heart) Nice People

I think I meet nice people pretty regularly, but lately they've come along at times when I've needed them.

Rick has been out of town, so for the last three weeks, I have been flying solo with the kids at church. This last Sunday, a lady sitting behind me in church asked if she could hold Addison and she held her for a majority of the meeting. I really appreciated it, especially since Mcayden was being terrible! The truth is he was just being a two-year old---driving his cars, making "vroom, vroom" sounds (maximum volume level, mind you), moving ALL OVER the bench and just being wiggly and rowdy. We sat with some friends, but the novelty of sitting by his little friend wore off quickly. I had taken him out of sacred meeting (a combined meeting with the entire congregation) once, where he sat for two minutes of "time out", in an empty class room. Upon returning to the chapel, he began running, jumping and completely ignoring me and my repeated attempts to quiet him. Needless to say, I sat there feeling frazzled and frustrated when a man tapped me on the shoulder. He passed me a note that read, "Janice, You are doing a great job. All alone and still setting the example for your children. I am impressed.--Jesse M." I had just met this man minutes before the meeting started. (Mcayden had been "sharing" the printed program with him and we had struck up a conversation.) He and his family were visiting from Spokane. I appreciated his encouragement so much. It was like getting a pat on the back, "You're doing a good job, Mom. Hang in there." Sometimes that's all you need.

Today while at the grocery store Mcayden didn't want to walk or ride in the cart. He was being unusually clingy, so I agreed to carry him. He rested his head on my shoulder as I pushed the grocery cart (and Addison) through the store. We made our way to the checkstand, where I began to unload the cart with a free hand. I had just started unloading when a clerk from another checkstand darted over and began helping me. I thanked her. She smiled, "I'm a mom, I know how it is!"

It's really crazy how such simple acts of kindness can be HUGE to someone else. It meant a lot to me. Both of these complete strangers went out of their way to help me.

I love nice people.

Have you had an experience where a stranger has gone out of their way to help you out?

Mama Mia!

I went and saw this movie last night with a friend of mine and it was SO MUCH FUN. I had seen a preview, a while ago, and thought it was a movie I didn't really care to see. Boy, was I in for a surprise! It is a really FUN, entertaining movie! The music and acting are terrific and it's so energetic! If you're looking for a good movie --I would totally recommend it!

Woodland Park Zoo

We spent the morning with a good friend of mine and her darling little boy, at the Woodland Park Zoo. Mcayden was really excited to see the elephants. He talked about "seeing da animals" all the way to the zoo. I was so happy I was able to take him there one more time before we move.

Mcayden got to feed the giraffes! He thought that was really fun! We learned that giraffes have the same amount of bones in their necks as we do (seven). They're just bigger.

Addison's first trip to the zoo.

Mcayden busy at work--driving a tractor.

A Last Hurrah

We had a "last hurrah" BBQ tonight with some friends and kind of gave it a "Hawaiian" theme. We finally got to use this cut out I got last summer, as well as some leis. I was really happy we got to use them before I have to give them away!
My goodness, we love our friends. We have been so blessed to have the friends we have. I'm really sad I can't just take them all with us when we move!



Mcayden and his best-buddie, Mitchel.

Day at the Park

I took Mcayden to the park today for some Mommy-Mcayden time. It was nice to be able to spend time together. Mcayden and I had fun playing and then Mcayden joined some other kids and I got to practice taking pictures.
After playing at the park, we went to Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes, where we each enjoyed a yellow-frosted cupcake and a drink. (I love that place.) I spoiled myself with a mango Italian soda and Mcayden with a mango shake. Yummo.
You'll notice Mcayden has some bright orange Crocs now. When we were camping one of his navy Crocs got lost, so we just bought these orange ones --hopefully taking the "keep track" factor up a few notches.

Where's the Packing Tape?

Yes, it's true. We are moving....again.

We are heading for Fort Collins, Colorado, where we plan to settle down. Yahoo!

Fort Collins was ranked #2 as CNN Money's Best Places to Live 2008. (that can't hurt!)http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2008/snapshots/PL0827425.html

When we drove through the area a couple of weeks ago, we both really liked the area and know it will be a great place for our family! We are excited!

Seattle Seafair 2008

Rick was really excited to go to Seafair this year--he kept saying we had to go --it'll be our last time. The big events include the Blue Angels air show and the hydroplane races. There is a huge parade, marathon, a triathlon, and other festivities that start at the end of June and go until August 3. Also, the Seafair Pirates are really fun to see. We have really enjoyed going the past couple of years.

We lucked out and found awesome spot right by the water for the show. It was great.

The Blue Angels

Our little Seafair Pirate

We parked over by the Seattle Center and rode a shuttle to Seafair. Afterwards, we walked through the Seattle Center and Mcayden played in this awesome fountain there (below)! It was a beautiful day.

"The Spaybeetle"--Mcayden