New Job

In April I started a job as a travel consultant for Alegre Travel here in town. It is the dream job I never knew I always wanted! A few months before I applied for the job, my sister Audrey even suggested I start my own travel company because she knew how much I love travel and the challenge of getting deals and putting things together even for other people. I didn't think I could realistically find the time to do that on my own, so it was a perfect opportunity when the part time job listing came up just a few months later. I have enjoyed being there so much. I look forward to going in every morning. I like my coworkers, I like to learn even more about all the different parts of the world and the challenge of putting together something different everyday to give people amazing experiences and fun. I like to get out of the house for a few hours so I come back refreshed and with more energy and patience to nurture my children the way I want to. I am so grateful for Andy's support and flexibility to adjust his work schedule so I can work even in the summer when the kids are home from school. He has picked up all the extra slack and split his work day into two parts so I can go to work for a few hours everyday. Without him, I wouldn't be able to pursue this passion of mine.

Ever since I was a little girl and went to Guatemala with my mom at age 5, I've wanted to understand and see the different people/landscapes of the world. The culture, poverty, historical sites, and differences between Guatemala and the US made a lasting impression of my young mind and I've never forgotten. I thought I would join an organization that would allow me to travel, serve in orphanages, schools, or medical camps so that I could help people around the world and learn about their lives. In college, however, I made the choice to get married rather than go and study women's poverty abroad in Thailand for nine months as part of a prestigious program I'd already been accepted into. I wondered if I was ending my path to be able to pursue my passion and desire to experience more of the world. Its funny how things work out in the end. Its my marriage to Andy that brought me to La Grande that actually has a "brick and mortar" travel agency in a world where most agencies are exclusively online. It is because of my amazingly supportive, loving husband that my childhood dream is alive and well again. Its a testimony to me that Heavenly Father cares and is aware of even the small things in our lives. My childhood dream may not be significant in the eternities or essential to his plan for me on earth, but he still cared about it and led me along a path to a place where it could be filled. He cares about our smallest worries, hopes, fears and dreams. Sometimes we don't see it right at first, but he is in the details of our lives.

Cousins Visit

My sister Emily and her family came to visit us this summer. It was their first time to Oregon. We are so glad they were able to find time to come up and see us so we could share La Grande with them.  Emily and I enjoyed getting out and exercising together in the mornings while the kids played. Emily and I haven't had one on one time much at all since she got married and moved out of the house when we were kids so it was a special treat. Abby says her favorite thing about their visit how Brooke would play games with her all the time and shared her gum with her. Wynn says his favorite thing about their visit was that Will shared his new Lego set with him. Sydney says her favorite thing was making a a hangout club with Brooke. We had some outdoor adventures too and had a good time. Wynn loved having someone to share his room with and has been lonely ever since they left! Sydney and Brooke made up a bunch of stories every time we had to drive somewhere and they were some of the silliest stories I've ever heard! We are grateful we got to spend some one on one time with their family. We love them. Thanks for coming to visit us!

Catherine Creek

Every year our stake hosts a mother/daughter camp out at Catherine Creek lodge for one night in June. We've developed the tradition of going up each year with Grandma Shinsel, Donna and her girls and sharing a tent together. Its a fun time away just us girls. Abby was adorable at this year's stake fireside program. They asked for volunteers to come up and lead in a song or tell a joke to earn a prize. Abby was super excited and wanted to go up right away. She chose to since "Book of Mormon Stories" and sang out as loud as she could and even did the actions. I was so surprised however that she kept wanting to go up again and again. She patiently waited in the line four times so she could go back up and lead a song. She also sang "I am a Child of God," "I am like a Star," and told a joke. It was super cute! I love her confidence and love for music. Sydney, Kaylee and Emilee led a song as well. They had a ton of fun playing together and staying up late talking. Now the girls are anxious to do more camping this year, so we're working on getting another trip planned!

Terrain Race 2018

Our annual girl's Terrain Race trip was a blast this year! We had even more girls join us this year. I didn't train the same as I have the past two years, so I was more nervous but the race went really well. I was still able to all the same obstacles I could last year so I felt really happy about that. We had a great weekend together staying up late, eating out, line dancing and having fun. I feel so grateful to have such awesome friends who like to have fun and good health so I can keep doing these fun races and challenging myself. I'm looking forward to next year already!