I do not have time or a lot of details. I am literally running out the door to go back to the hospital. I just know the power of prayer. I guess I just feel helpless and this is all I know to do. Kinsey is reall really sick and we need major prayers today. PLEASE!!! I will updat elater.

So, let me give background first so this doesn't sound weird. When I used to teach Tae kwon Do there was another higher ranking instructor who taught at the same school I did. I was the only female instructor and it was tough. not everyone was super nice. But, this one guy was. he helped me with my forms and gave me pointers and just an all around nice guy. Don't get the wrong idea. He was just a good friend. joe liked him a lot, too. I have always gotten along better with guys as friends and being married it not all that approprite to have guy friends. but, this guy would hang out with Joe and I and he is just a stand up nice christian guy with no other motives other than being a good friend.
he moved to Texas a few years ago and we tried to keep in touch but we somehow lost touch. but thanks to facebook he found me yesterday. he is in the Army and stationed in Afganastan. I can't tell you how much I hated to hear that. We talked for awhile on Facebook this a.m. Weird, it was nght there. He has gotten hurt. Not seriously and he has recovered. I just got frustrated with the news. All we hear on the news is bad and how much people hate us and whiny whiny people. If I have to hear about the economy one more time...... But, intrest in the soldiers still fighting for us has kind of gone away. I'm guilty of it. But, to see pictures of my friend there jolted me back. I don't care where you stand politically or what you think about the war everyone should be praying or thinking positive thoughts or whatever you do. They are there fighting for us. When we were chatting this a.m. we started talking about protesters and that crazy Cindy Sheehan women (she was the one who's son died in iraq and she turned into a big protester) and I said she is such an idiot and I was glad no one listened to her anymore. he said he felt sorry for her andyes the protesters "bolied his blood" but that's what he was there fighting for. So, we could say what ever we wanted and have that freedom. What a good attitude! I tend to just be bitter. So, i am stepping off my soap box, but I just wanted to share. I am on a mission to send him double stuffed oreos. I used to send care packages to Joe's brother when he was over there. i loved to do it. Something small, but I felt like I should be doing something. i asked my friend what I could send and all he wanted was double stuffed Oreos. We shall see if they make it. He said his family has tried to send him packages and they have never made it. So, I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Cupcakes

Aren't these the cutest? I want them! But, they are $49.99!!!!! So, it's not gonna happen. I do have a birthday next week. But, our trip is probably my Valentine's, Birthday, and Anniversary, and Christmas present and I am NOT complaining. If I never get another gift again, It was worth it!! I feel like I should be giving gifts instead. So many people helped us take this trip. From nice people at work who helped me get out early the night before we left, to a friend who watched our animals, to my sisters who were supportive and didn't make THAT much fun of me for going to Forks, to my parents who took such good care of Bella for us. Thank you, Thank you! I feel very blessed with such good friends and family.
A friend just got these for her daughter and I thought they were adorable. For whatever reason, I love cupcakes. Not just to eat them, but I think they are so cute. It probably has to do with Bella's love of cupcakes and that we have to make them so much due to her allergy.

Day 7

Okay, this is the last post I will make from the Pacific Northwest. We had a full day and we are tired! We woke up early and headed into Seattle. I had an article that I ripped out of a Budget Travel magazine a year ago. I had no plans to come here, but it looked like a neat town. The article was a walking tour of the downtown area. I can't believe I kept up with it. We walked forever. we went to this really cool Japanese store. It was huge and filled with everything from housewares to Sea Urchin. They had a neat food court,too. We ended our walking tour at the Pike's market. It was overwhelming. It was packed. But, a really neat place. the last thing we did was get drinks and a snack at the Athenian in the market. My dad had sugegsted we go there and i am glad we listened. It was my favorite part of the market. Crazy mix of tourist, locals, and fisherman. We sat in a tiny booth next to big windows that looked out over the water. We had yummy Thai food for dinner.
We have had a truly truly amazing trip that I will NEVER forget. Seattle was really neat, but the Forks area is my favorite. The whole area is almost magical with the huge trees and amazing vistas. (that's a Joe word) I was so excited to see where the book was set, but even if there was no twilight I would have been happy to spend a week here. So, I am thankful to the book for pointing us in the right direction. I hope with all the attention it doesn't loose the charm.
Thank you for taking the time to read my posts. It has been fun to share this with everyone.

Day 6

Again, I have to be quick because we are running out the door. Yesterday, we had another great day. We headed out to Mt. Rainier. It was further than we thought, but a nice drive. We stopped at Cabela's, which is a lot like Bass Pro Shop. But, acording to Joe, there is a difference. We spent awhile there. I figured Joe had put up with my Twilight stuff all week, I could sit in a camp chair and let him wonder. We then headed to the mountain. We did not expect all the snow. There was a ton. Most of the park was closed because of the snow, but we got pretty far up the mountain. They had an area just for playing in the snow. I wished Bella was with us because she would have loved it. We spent most of the day at Rainier. It is amazing. We headed back to the city and went to the flagship R.E.I. I know I complained about chain stores in my last post and then we went to two. lol We headed back towards our hotel and found a dollar theatre. We had the best dinner. We shared a huge Gyro chicken salad with Pitas. it was sooooo good. We then saw a movie and headed back to our hotel.

Day 5

I was so sad to leave Forks. It was such an amazing place. There si so much to do and see right around the town. I could have spent days more there. But, we moved on to Seattle. We woke up early on Wed. and headed out to try to find Elk. We had only seen a squirel and a racoon on this trip. We did find some and pretty fast. We headed back to the Hoh Rainforest. The drive out there is beautiful. We walked around for a little bit and headed back into town for breakfast. Again, we had a huge breakfast. The yummiest veggie omlet ever!! We finished up some last minute souvenier shopping and headed out of town. Again, beautiful drive. The drive by Lakce Crescent was unreal. The lake provided a perfect mirror image of the mountains. i know I keep saying the same adjectives, but I can't come up with anything better. We wanted to drive up Hurricane Ridge, but it was closed. We drove as far as we could and got some great pictures. we took a ferry from kingston into the Seattle area. On the ferry I kept telling Joe to look at this neat cloud and he said "honey, that's not a cloud that's Mt. Rainer." beautiful! Our hotel is just a little out of town in an area called Bellevue. thanks to my sister in-law we got a really great rate at a Marriott. (thank you, Kim) This area is a lot like Buckhead. A big change from forks. I am sure I will like Seattle better. I'm not really into chain stores and restraunts and this area is full of them. However, I was very happy about the Barnes and Noble we walked around in last night. So, we are off today to get a better look at Rainer.

Day 4

We had another wonderful day! I will keep this short. We are leaving Forks and heading for Seattle. I am sad about leaving. Forks is just amazing!
Yesterday, we slept in for the first time on the trip. We ate at Sully Burgers for lunch. They have a burger called the "Bella Burger" I decided I was not going to get it just for the name. but, it had everything on it I would want so i got it anyway. it was one of the best burgers I have had. It even came with fake vampire teeth! After that we headed back into LaPush and hiked to Third Beach. it was a long hike out to the beach and then over drift wood. it was beautiful. We walked down the beach to the left and there was a waterfall comming off the cliffs into the ocean. it was just beautiful. We then headed up to the Makah Indian reservation. it's about an hour drive. It is the furtherest North West you can get in the Contential United States. Again, AMAZING!! We got there in time to hike out to a point and watch the sun go down. After that we drove back to Forks and had dinner.

Day 3

The problem with this trip is that I can't decide what my favorite day is. Everyday has been wonderful and yesterday was just awesome. We woke up early and had another huge breakfast. Biscuits and gravy and a big waffle with strawberry topping. We split it, but still. From there we walked downtown. That sounds misleading...downtown Forks is maybe 5 little stores and two asian restraunts and a mexican restraunt as well.I am not being negative, i love that is so small. There is a store that is completley Twilight stuff. Can you belive I did not by one thing? I didn't not one. I did get postcards and Forks magnets in the pharmacy and I might go back for a sweat shirt. But, to be able to do this trip, we are on a super tight budget. We then walked to the highschool and then back to our motel. All the tween girls had checked out of the Twilight themed rooms. So, they let me go peek in. We then went to Tina's house (see post below). After that, we drove around and looked at the twilight sights and then drove to Lapush. In case you haven't read the books, La Push is an Indian reservation. Again, no words. The reservation itself was intersting. We deove by a trailer with a totem pole being worked on in the front yard. You can tell that money is not pletniful. But, it was
beautiful. First, Second, and Third Beaches are in La Push and they are breathtaking. First Beach was easy to get to. You could drive right up to it. I hate to keep saying "beautiful" over and over agin, but I just can't come up with the right words. There were people surfing. I had on my down coat with a big insulated rain coat over it, with mittens and hand warmers and I was freezing and they were surfing! They did have on wet suits, but still!!! Second Beach was tougher to get to. It was a nice hike in and then you had to climb over a ton of driftwood. After my fall the day before Joe was trying to hold on to me. I tried in vain to explain it was a slick log that made me fall. We walked along the beach and then sat down on driftwood to watch the sun go down. Again, no words. Amazing. The hike out was a little spooky. It was sooooo dark in the woods heading out. We headed back to Forks and had pizza delivered. I was the one to fall asleep almost as soon as I was done with my pizza. I think we have gotten more sleep on this trip that we have in the last month. Joe was amazed that he slept 12 hours the night before. He usually get home from work around 10 or 11 (sometimes later) at night and gets to bed around midnight only to wake up by 6 to go to work. He was pulling 14-16 hour days before we left. Poor guy. If he did come home early it was so I could go to work. He was working 7 days a week, too and I work Friday, Sat., and Sunday nights. So basically we never saw eachother. So, this trip has been awesome. Just to get to talk and hike and even just eat a meal together. We can't really afford this trip and it kinda exhausts me to think about how hard we will both have to work to get back on track money wise. But, I wouldn't trade anything. Again, I am thankful!

Answers to Questions

First, Did we come here just because of Twilight? Yes and No. The book definatley pointed us in this direction. Joe and I try to take a trip, just the two of us every year. I, as you know am a little obsessed witht he books and Joe read them and liked them. ( I think he read them just so he could talk to me because that was all I could talk about at the time) The description of this area in the books just sounded amazing so we wanted to see it in person. However, I think if there wasn't so much to see outside of Twilight stuff, I do not think joe would have gone for it. But, even if you have never read and never plan to read any othe books, you should still see this place. It really is like another planet. It's beautiful!
Second question, Is it crowded with Twilighters? A little. It's not overwhelming or irritating. It's fun. I think I posted before about the teen girls who stayed in the Twilight room above us. Thankfully, they checked out yesterday. We did run into them in a store and they were still shrieking and yelling. It's funny, I think there are more grown women here for Twilight than tweens. The people who live here that I was expecting just to be over it, are into it, too. Everyone is so friendly. I did meet one guy that was stalking a Twilight display in the grocery store, waiting for people to look at the display only to hand out pamphlets on how reading books and watching movies about vampires is wrong. Obvioulsy he hasn't read the books. Anyway, it is Twilight crazy, but in a good way. I sadly do not think it will stay like this for long. I bet it will be crazy crowded in the spring and summer.
My Mom wanted to see the Cullen house so, i will post those pictures and other Twilight pictures from around town. Oh, I also met up with another TM, Tina. Joe and I went to her house and I just had the best time. She is super super crafty. I was so happy to talk Twilight and crafts. I was really so impressed with her. Her son was killed 4 years ago. Her grandson, along with other players on the football team, has been invited to play in a tournament in Australia. As you can imagine, the cost for them to go is huge. But, Tina and others from the town are rallying around them trying to raise funds. One way they were doing this is by taking pictures of people in the football players letter jackets for a donation. Tina, insisted that we do this, too, but she wanted no money from us. So we did. I thought Joe looked so cute. Is he a good sport or what?! Tina has also made bookmarks, the cutest photo albums, soap, and picture frames all to benifit their cause. What a Great Grandmother. I so wish I was rich and could just give them the money. Don't feel too bad for Joe having to listen to the Twilight and craft talk. Tina had an amazing yard with a ton of different plants, a beutiful pond, and stonework. So, they talked about that for awhile. While i can fully appreciate and enjoy landscaping, I do not know all the names of plants and all the technical stuff the way Joe does. Anyway, we had a great time and it was a highlight.

I had to add more pictures

Day 2

My Dad predicted that we would probably wake up early because of the time change. He was right we were up at 6a.m. After yesterday we had planned to take it easy today. But, after breakfast we were ready to get going. We waled next store to our motel and ate a big breakfast. Then we headed to the welcome center to take pictures then to the Thriftway and Forks Outfitters. There were pictures of wildlife that locals had hunted and it scared me. Joe just rolled his eyes, but there were pcitures of big mountain lions and bears. We then headed back to the welcome center because they were open and we could get our maps. The lady that worked there was explaining the map to me and she said "Here is the Cullen house, go to the door and read the note Esme writes everyday. It's sunny so you probably won't see any of the Cullens out and about" I politley laughed and looked up from the map to see her face was very serious. So, they are taking this very seriously. (just in case you don't know, the Esme and the Cullens and charecters in the book that is set in Forks) All over town there are posters and signs for the movie and the book. I loved it. The motel we are staying in has Twilight themed rooms. Joe has been awesome and such a good sport. There is no way I could make him stay in a room with Edward posters everywhere. But, the girl at the fron desk said I could peek in them tomorrow. From there we headed to the Hoh Rainforest. There are just not words to describe this place. I just can't. It is simply amazing. This is somewhere everyone should see. The trees were amazing. We hiked 2 miles in the Rainforest. After the pictures in the Thriftway, I was on edge. I carried my pepper spary in my pocket. joe was very disappointed we didn't see any wildlife. I was relieved. From there, we went to Ruby Beach. It is named for the suposed garnet sand. It didn't look red at all to me. Not even a little. But, it was amazing, too. You have to climb over large driftwood logs to get to the beach. I was worried about that because of Joe's hip, but I was the one who fell. I slid and fell off a log and fell all the way to the ground on my side. Not wanting to scare Joe, I jumped up with both hands in the air yelling "I'm up! I'm up" He just laughed. i think I am going to have a big bruise on my thigh in the a.m. After that, we went to Kaloch beach area abd to beach 1. It had and amazing view. On the drive back we stopped at the Big Cedar tree and as it's named promised it was a big cedar. Then we went to the world's largest Cedar and it was big, too. We thought they were about the same size. By this time it was 5:30 and we were hungry and tired. we hadn't eaten since breakfast for the second day. Normally that would be fine, but we did a ton of hiking and I don't think we were caught up from the day before. At dinner I am sure our waitress thought something was wrong with us. I could have put my head down on the table and went to sleep. The restraunt was sort of a hole in the wall, but really really yummy. We went back to the Thriftway becasue I am "my father's daughter" and I had to get cookies and milk. (my Dad is notoriious for having to have cookies in milk most nights) The highschool was having a bakesale to fund a band trip, so I got some homemade cake from them and soymilk and rice krispy treats from the store. Yep, I am on vacation!

Trip Day 1

WARNING, Super long Post ahead. I don't want to forget anything from our trip and I love that when we get back I can read my blog to remember. Okay, let me start off by reminding everyone of my awesome Brit gun crazy neighbor that is watching our house while we are gone. That being said we are having an amazing trip this far. I had to work Friday night and didn't get home until after midnight. Then we finished packing and drove to my Mom and Dad's house. We got there about 2ish. I had a dream earlier in the week that we overslept and missed our flight so I decided to stay awake until we needed to leave for the airport which was 5 am. I have to say kissing Bella goodbye was sooo hard! Luckily, she was asleep or it would have been a big production. We made our flight and my hope was to sleep. But, they had these really neat touchscreen tv on the back of the seats and you could pick what you wanted to watch and the True Blood series was available. So, I opted to for some Bill over some sleep. The flight was soo neat. We flew right over the Grand Canyon, whih I had never seen before. We had a layover in vegas and then arrived in Seattle around 2. I did get a little sleep after True Blood and a little on the second flight. But, I think colectively I only got maybe 2 hours and we had a snack on the plane and a pretzel dog as we ran to make our connecting flight. We stopped at a mexican restraunt for appetizers and drinks. We then drove on to Port Angeles. That was a beautiful drive. I drove and Joe was getting so frustrated because I wanted him to take pictures and he kept missing the shots. We got to Port Angeles around 6pm. We were still a little full from appestisers so and our dinner reservations weren't until 8. So, we waled around looking in the cute little shops. Port Angeles is an adorable town. Kinda of like a Dahlonega on the water except with more. We had drinks at a restraunt on the water and left to make our reservation. It started raining and we had to run through the rain to our restraunt. Some background on the restraunt for those of you who don't know. Joe booked our reservation at this particular restraunt back when I had my hair trauma. It is the same restraunt that in "THE BOOK" the main charecters have their first date. In "THE BOOK" the hostess is kinda a butt, well the author must have visited this restraunt before she wrote it because she was right on the money. I got nervous that it wasn't going to be good, but wow, , Joe and I both thought it was probably the best meal either of us EVER had. Seriously. In the book they had mushroom ravioli. So, of corse I had to be the dork that I am and have the same thing. The description was "mushroom Ravioli in Browned Butter with Blood Orange sauce" It was amazing. I felt like I was on Top Chef. Joe had a steak thing and it was yummy, too. We topped it off with Tiramsu and coffee. We were exhausted and had to drive a little over an hour into our hotel in Forks. joe drive and I am so glad he did. It was super curvy. We are used to curvy road since we live in a little mountain town, but this was different and kinda spooky. It was so dark we couldn't see anything except right in fron of us, but the GPS let us know just next to the toad was a body of water. We finally made it to the motel around 10:30pm. I was geeking out because the town has gone Twilight crazy and i loved it. The lobby for the motel had the movie poster and other Twilight related stuff everywhere. they had a picture of one of the boat captains from Deadliest Catch on the wall. Not twilight related, but still cool. We were so exhausted, I can't even describe the exhaustion. But, we both agreeded that it was so much fun and we can't wait to get started today. If you made it through this super long post, thank you! I know it's long and apprecite you taking the time.

Cheesy Gushy Love songs

So, I am going to be really cheesy gushy mushy for Valentin's Day and make a mixed Cd. I am looking for suggestions. Right now I have I will follow you into the dark by death cab for cutie and yellow by cold play and a few more I am tossing around, but what's your pick?

WHATEVER!!

Okay, so apparently Lady Gaga's "thing" is to not wear pants! Seriously. Did she just decide this or did she forget one day and decide it worked out okay so she wasn't wearing them anymore. Well, all I have to say is, I don't want to hear anyone making fun of me for Twilight being my "thing". At least I wear pants!

Joe assures me she has someone to tell her if she forgets her pants, but I dunno

Okay so did anyone see this? I have asked several people and they just look at me like I'm from Mars. Joe and I were watching Jay leno and Lady Gaga performed. I like this song, it's fun. But, it looks to me like she is just wearing pantyhose. Not leggings or something, but pantyhose. Has my head been in a book for way to long and I don't know this is the latest fad. I mean they are even a little saggy. It's not like she had on cute underwear to show off. I just don't get it. I kept wondering if maybe she ran out of the dressing room and forgot her pants or skirt, but Joe assured me she probably has an assisitant or something to tell her if she forgets her pants. So, that means this was on purpose. HMMMMMM... Then again, i don't really get her glasses/goggles that she put on in the end. I guess my Golden Girl hair is going to my brain and I just don't get kids today! LOL

where can I find....

Where can I find a raincoat? I need one by Feb.13? So, I am not sure I can buy one online, but maybe. But, I really need a raincoat for a good (cheap) price. Any suggestions?

where can I find....