So excited

I am sooooooo excited in about 6 hours I am going to see my parents and my little bro. I have cleaned this house up and down till it shone. It's so funny like mom and dad would be the last ones to care if it was messy, so I don't know why I bothered. I just had to do something with all this energy. I made a big meal for my husband when he comes home, and I still have time on my hands. So I thought I'd post just a little one cause I really can't concentrate today. Hey I think the church should invest in a private jet and you all could come out this week....but then again I don't think we'll have room for everybody, so I'll just take them as they come. I do wish the rest of my bros and sis could come, but Oh well, I am more than happy for what I have. I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday I spent the day baking. It was really funny actually. I didn't mean to spend the day baking. I had a lot of other things to do too. However, in typical Donna fashion I jumped headlong into a project without fully considering the cost. ;-) Actually I made doughnuts. I noticed the recipe called for a whole lot more yeast then what we had, and I was determined to do it today( I think many of you can appreciate that thought, esp. mom, I'm sure she doesn't miss my, let's see what do you call it mom, Stubborness.;-) Anyway determination sounds better, right?)

So to finish my story, sorry got a little sidetracted there, I ran out to the local little store and got me some yeast, I won't tell you how much it cost, but I didn't care, I had my yeast and I could make my doughnuts. Ok so about half way through mixing this and scalding that I thought. Hmmm, I wonder how much this recipe makes? So I looked.... :-) ahem 90 doughnuts!!!!!!!!!! WHAT!? I didn't know whether to laugh or to cry... I laughed. I usually like to have myself and the house all cleaned up by the time my hubby comes home... needless to say that was not the case, but he did enjoy the doughnuts, and I sent a bunch with him to work. We will have doughnuts for a very long time. What's really funny is Mom Nice stopped in right in the middle of cleaning up the mess, oh but she enjoyed a little doughnut too. I don't think she minded the mess as much as I did.

Those that know me the best know that, that little thing inside of me-- call it stubborness if you like, that little thing that likes too poke it's little head out has gotten me in more trouble than I care to remember... broken keys, barrels and windows, broken van windows,sleepless nights,words not worth speaking,.... Oh dear, you get the picture. This morning we were reading a chapter in Eric and Leslie Ludy's book, The first 90 days of marriage, about the fact that in order to have a beautiful marriage you have to be willing to submit the Master Surgeon's knife. Yes, the Master Surgeon is working on cutting that little thing called "stubborness" out. It's pretty stubborn though and I'm afraid it's not going to come out without a more than a little bit of pain and prodding. Fortunately I have the great painkiller of the Master Surgeon's love, He's the best!

One great redeemer of my day yesterday was the fact that I got a letter a wonderful letter from a former student and cuz. You made my day Bea! You are such a dear, I think I read it
two or three times. I wrote a few letters of my own last night. I did also get a few things done in between the doughnuts, but not near as much as I should have, so that means a lot to do today. I really should get to work right now actually, but I'm pretty determined to keep this blog updated ....oops ;-) sorry God, I'm going to work right now.....

One more picture at focus....Notice the beautiful Colorado Mountains in the background
A beautiful falls that we stopped by as a family a couple of years back. I think this is in Washington or near it anyway.

Along the road I just took some pictures out the windows. I couldn't believe how good they turned out. Notice the beauty. God made Oregon one beautiful state. I'd say it surpasses any other I've seen in it's beauty and uniqueness, but then I'm a bit biased because I live here now, but even before....

I actually think this is in Idaho. These pictures aren't exactly in order.

Our house was sabotaged. It was so great we laughed so hard when we came home someone sure went to a lot of trouble. Our bathroom there was so full of balloons that we had to pop some before we could even get in. Unfortunately these are the only pictures appropriate enough for this blog.

Well, enough for the pictures. I need to update you a little on our lives out here. I am loving Oregon and my wonderful husband. Sorry for all the rest of you out there who will have to settle for second best ;-) OK, so I'm a little biased, but he truly is the most wonderful blessing of my life and I thank God for him every day, and he is sure to be a little embarrassed by this whole sharade ;-) Sorry love....

I do have to admit to a feeling of homesickness at times. There is a lot of adjustments that have to be made. Everything is new and different, well, not everything, but there is a lot. I think it would be easier if we were closer because all you dear people my family, my church, my former ministry wouldn't feel so far away. At the same time I have been blessed with a caring and understanding church family and husband who let's me cry on his shoulder when I need to, or talk about everyone that I miss, and is well just there for me when I need him...and that makes all this so worth it. Some of the dear ladies in the church have told me that they know what homesickness is all about, and it helps to know they understand. I guess it's just something you have to work through. However, even with all this I know from the bottom of my heart that this is where God wants Justin and I to be. I also know if I had it all to do over I would make the same choice. It's so worth it...

I know you all are moving on with your lives and you probably don't even think about the fact that I'm gone anymore ;-) No, I know how easy it is to do that though, it's a good thing, you need to do that ;-)Those of you doing Bible club this week-- know that I am praying for you. Let me know how it went. Those of you at school teachers and students-- know that I am praying for you as well, and you dear brothers and sisters at CCS, I am keeping you in my prayers as well. I believe that prayer is one way I can stay connected with you all and I am determined to do that.

I got my wedding pictures Sat. Thanks to Karen they turned out really good. Thank you Karen! They also reminded me of what a wonderful day it was and how that it was because of all of you. Thanks for making it so wonderful! Well this post turned out a little longer than I had at first intended. Anyhow pray for me and I'll pray for you... hey and let me know your alive and living if you get a chance!

The highlight of the trip we went to Focus on the Family. A lifetime dream fullfilled. Yes, we both slid down the slide at Whit's end. Everyone has a little kid in them.

Isn't that a beautiful site have you ever seen so many adventures in oddessy albums. Just in case you all haven't figured this out yet I'm a great fan. My dear husband just shakes his head and smiles.
Enjoying Whit's famous chocolate sundae.




Justin's a great fan of the dukes of hazzard. This was in Gatlinburg, so he had to take a picture with the General Lee. Another highlight was visiting the Southern Gospel Hall of Fame. We both really enjoy Southern Gospel.

Hey, I heard from my family that the students of CCS did wonderful at convention. I was so proud of them! I just wish I could have seen all of the performances. Somebody needs to send me a video ;-) It makes me feel real homesick to think I am missing hearing them. oh well it's how it is. I miss you all don't really have time to say much. Got a lot planned for the day. Hopefully, I can let you know a little more what's going on in OR. Adios

OK so right now I am like so pround of myself because I finally figured out how to put pictures on my blog.

If you only knew how much I fretted and sweated over this you would be proud of me too! ;-) Maybe or maybe you would say how could one person be so blond. Right now my hubby is studying for his devotions for prayer meeting tonight, so I decided to finally give this another try and it worked Yeaaaaah!

Anyway the picture to the left is before the wedding my awesome cuz Treasa came and helped us out a week before the wedding. She was a miracle, and this is her oldest son Luke.

He's great

My cousin, Jayla, New nephew Brant, and dear little Blake trying to having fun in a pile of wrapping paper, after we were finished unwrapping all the gifts.

This was at Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg beautiful aqarium they took you on this moving floor through a sort of canopy aquarium. It was beautiful felt like you were in the ocean.

My own goofy golfer.;-) We played some miniture golf in Gatlinburg. I got one hole in one(after "practicing lets see about five or six times, hey we were waiting on the people in front of us ;-).

Yup that's me.

Well, this picture thing is taking too long and I've got a lot to do today so I'll post more later. I got some great one's of us at whit's end, and the scorpian in our cabin Eewwwwww. scary! At least we only saw one. Seriously though it was a beautiful cabin. Minus the scorpian.

Some good news Dad Nice got his report back from the Doctor, and the doc thinks it may be a slow moving cancer not as aggresive as he first thought it might be. They still need to do one more test. It consists of removing one of his I don't know if I'm spelling this right lymph nodes, but anyway the doc feels really positive about it. Thank you for your prayers, keep praying we still are not 100% sure of the results.

Well, I need to go, I get to babysit two little guys today. I am greatly looking forward to that. Sorry about taking so long to update, been busy lately, but things should slow down here soon.

love and miss you all

Lajoyn.

Good, good day today. Quilting brought back so many memories of time spent with Grandma as a girl, and school, etc.


One thing that's really cool is that we can walk to church. It is about a 25minute stretch one way. Justin and I walked to church last night. Which was really cool, except for the fact that I was wearing Sunday shoes, and so by the time I got to church I had a bleeding foot, literally my heal was blistered and bleeding. So today I was smart and wore sneakers to walk to sewing circle. It was so much fun to be around other people and quilt and talk and hold babies.

One thing I really love about our church is how warm and at home you feel right away. There church is so small that everyone is like one big family. I guess I kind of miss that feeling in our church in DE. Everything is so new and different, but they really made me feel at home.

Hey, gotta go get some supper on for my hubby. I promise you pictures will come soon. ;-) Thanks so much to Rob for posting wedding pictures, and for helping get this blog on it's feet.

Miss you all incredibly! Keep in touch.

A little of this and a little of that

Ok my husband is being really boooooring right now and reading a book. No, actually I'm glad that he can do that. He's been really tired since we came back from the honeymoon. It's good to see him be able to sit and chill for a while. I can't believe it's only Tuesday. When you are alone in the house all day the days draaaaag by. Seriously, it's not like I don't have anything to do, in fact yesterday, I thought, "Wow I have everything under control, we should be unpacked in no time." However, I also got a call yesterday from a certain shipping company saying that our stuff was in Portland, OR. About an hour and a half from here, so we took off right after supper. Dad Nice helped us with unloading the boxes from the crate into our garage, and we sat down ate some cake that I baked and talked. Anyway, it was a good evening and day, but today.... well, I think I just expected to much of myself. I must of unpacked at least ten boxes, loaded the dishwasher like three times. Wash and dried dishes lots of dishes, did like two loads of laundry, cleaned and put things a way, took a walk, cleaned off a chicken for chicken noodle soup, by the middle of the day I was very tired and frustrated, even though I unpacked about ten boxes there are still another like....I dunno... thirty? I ended up in tears--a combination of feeling like we were never going to find a place for all our stuff, and probably feeling a little lonely. I know, I know it's only been like two days since Justin has gone back to work, but seriously it feels like two centuries. I am looking forward to Thursday though it's the ladies sewing circle.(It's a little scary, I have to bring a dish, YIKES!). Also last night my hubby showed me a house where some elderly people from the church live, it's like very easy walking distance from our house. I think once I get a little more comfortable with my environment and such, hopefully the days won't feel so long. I really want to treasure this time I have with my husband. It is special. More special then I could even imagine.

Anyway enough about me, I just had to let off some steam, kind of a rough day. I wanted to share one little answer to prayer. At the annointing service one thing we prayed for was for Monday's test. It was a bone marrow test, which before was very painful experience for Gary, and so he was really dreading it(apparently they drill a hole into the hip bone, and really can do nothing to numb the pain). We prayed that it would not be as painful. Last night Gary informed us that he felt very little pain during the entire ordeal. Praise the Lord!!! Thanks so much for your prayers. They are still very needed. We really won't find out the results for these tests until like next week sometime. So pray on!!! Ok I still have a lot more to share. I love and miss you all greatly, and I do mean greatly, I really can't think about it to much,or the tears they just come. I feel like I really have to be strong especially right now for Justin. I feel like what they are all going through is a whole lot worse then my own pain, so pray that I would be a godly helpmeet for my wonderful husband.

Coming back as Mrs. Nice!

Yes, we are finally home from the honeymoon. It was incredible minus the fact that I was sick through most of it. We stayed at this cute little cabin in Gatlinburg for 5 days. Hey did you all know that Tennessee has scorpions. I'll have to show you all some pictures, but I kinda need my hubby's expert help. Right now He's at work and I am definitly going through withdrawal. After being with a person 24-7 for over two weeks well it's hard to say good-bye for nine hours.

Enough of that, I fill you all in on my life later. I really have quite a bit to do today. There is a lot to unpack and put away. The real reason I wanted to post was to let you all know that Dad Nice(Gary) found out just this last Fri that his cancer is back. It's a really scary time for the church and family. The docter had told them that if it every comes back it could be bad. I am trying to be a support to my husband. It's really been tough on him as you can imagine, so please pray for Dad Nice and my dear husband and the rest of the family. The church had an annointing service for him last night. He is going through some real tough testing today. (real painful stuff) So they will find out how advanced it is and what the treatment options are.
Well, gotta go, love you all and miss you all, please pray we all need a lot of prayer right now!!!