August 14

 

Today was an island day. Spotty clouds, a wee little breeze, blue water, and a hike to the highest point on Öckerö (pictured above). And by hike I mean clamber.

 

And also a very very cold jump into the North sea.

Sweden

Where we are:

See Goteborg? Bottom left, kind of? Ok, now go out to sea a little  bit.
 

 

Yep, like right there. We're on Öckerö - and it's real pretty.

 

 

And we're with these lovelies:

 

RRJ Reunion 2013, roughly 20 years after the very first one.

 

 

June 18

It was birthday day today! I teerned twenty five! I was spoiled spoiled spoiled by my dear ones (exhibit A pictured below) - and there was lots of notes, and frosting, and flowers, and sun, and splendid people. It was one of the best!

 

Sarah asked me what five things I want to accomplish this year, and after thinking long and hard, I think these are them:

 

1. Travel with my boo.

2. Volunteer and sign up to teach ESL in some way.

3. Read Anna Karenana by Leo Tolstoy and East of Eden by John Steinbeck.

4. Get a car (and also leather pants).

5. Run a half marathon.

 

...and maybe start a children's book.

 

 

 

Thank you everyone for the love, I appreciate you so much!

June 9

Happy birthday to my sweet girl!

 

Al, thank you for being such a constant in my life, such an encouragement, and such a joy. To call you travel buddy, roomie, and friend is an honor, and I appreciate you so much.

 

Your a fiery one my dear, I'm excited for many many more years of adventures and seeing you take the world by storm.

 

I love you!

 

Ps. For your thirtieth birthday, we'll bust these outfits out again (tans included). Just so you have something to look forward to beyond the massage, 5k, and leather pants that are going to happen this year.

 

 

May 12

 

Dear Mama,

 

Thank you for being the wise, gracious, witty, true woman that you are. Thank you for teaching me what it is to stand up for what I believe in, appreciate people and the blessings I've been lavished with, for understanding the meaning of generosity and showing me what it is to have an open home. Thank you for not being afraid of adventure and raising a family on an island. Thank you for asking good questions and always having good answers. Thank you for being the funniest person I know. Thank you for living out your faith in the most tangible of ways.

 

Also thank you for always listening, always being there for us, always loving. Even when we think it's funny to make you mad. Thank you for being a role model.

 

I love you so much!

 

* * *

 

 

 

 

It was also so good to celebrate this wonderful lady. Esther, what an incredible woman you are - thank you for welcoming me into your home with such open arms and for always being so encouraging, so supportive, and so full of love towards people. Your family is incredibly blessed!

April 10

Happy National Siblings Day!

 

I am so very thankful for my two big little brothers.They are hilarious, they are talented, they are taller than 6 feet. They are handsome, and big hearted, and driven. And also opinionated.

 

Thank you for great company on long trips, thinking taking pictures of sleeping people is funny, snake hunting, dying several deaths during every christmas prayer ever, the joint effort of getting mama to react to anything really, musical dish washing sessions, loud arguments, not killing me for being late to school every morning, working together to take out other siblings who dare offend  Rubesh pride*, letting me sleep in the top bunk when I was scared, and also, more importantly, your wise words and constant support.

 

I do love you a whole lot.

 

*Only a pair of overalls was ruined in this particular story. And she deserved it.

April 6

 

 Starbucks, Alisa, Greek food, puddle jumping, littles, cousins, monsoon downpours, and sunbreaks.

 

Followed by a wonderful little Bulthuis evening and Chronology.

 

What a day.

 

* * *

 

New beginnings
 

A myriad of colours explode as spring comes to visit,

The ice queen is finally dethroned with her batallion of grey,

New life shoots up from every corner of nature's garden,

Brothers and sisters wake from their slumber embracing the birth of a new day.

 

- Simon Thorpe

March 29

Today was a home day. Additionally delicious was that it was a Friday. I slept it, had coffee with my
dear Aunty Marty, and spent the day outside with my littles - we found a bird ("CAN WE KEEP HIM MOM?!" "Honey, he won't be happy in Tibet" #missionarykidproblems), built a worm house, had lunch in a fort, went cycling, played in the park, and in general had a kid-worthy day. There were so many adventures to be had.

March 23

 

 

These are some of the Rubesh littles. And they are some of the best. Meet Sean, Ellie, and Anna (from left to right) and their thrilled big cousin Kristian. We had a glorious Saturday in Trout Lake running around in the woods, exploring their tree fort, eating blueberry coffee cake and Thai food, and getting ballet recitals. Oh yes and also sleeping in.