Oh Puget Sound, how we will miss you. 

Lets go fly a kite....

One of my favorite places to go to is to our family "property." We have never come up with an official name for the place where we go and camp, it's just always been "the Property." Located 15 miles outside of a small Podunk town, this has been a place where all of the Summerhays clan come to get away. Our little piece of land is tucked back into a small corner hidden from view to those passing by. It is a perfect getaway. My grandfather purchased the two lots when my mom was a young girl, and since then has been loved and used by his kids, and the next generation. 

Located half a mile down the road from our piece of property is the clubhouse for members of the Lake Arrowhead community, which we are apart of. Since we are camping, and only have a portable toilet, we usually go down to the clubhouse to shower, or use the restroom. The lake and dock is right there, so one morning I had gotten up early and needed to drive down that half mile. I am glad I had brought my camera with me, because I walked out onto the dock to enjoy the stillness of the morning. The morning fog created an eerie calmness to the water, which sent a good chill up my spine. I was able to capture the quiet, still sleeping lake. It was perfect.

I woke up this morning knowing it was going to be a good day. I knew it was going to be a good day, because for one: I got my 6.5 mile run in, only stopping briefly to snap some photos of the amazing scenery around me. The weather has been really nice and warm, but the mornings are overcast and foggy, providing some great photo ops. Two: I didn't have to work, which I'm always happy about. And three: mom suggested we go and pick blueberries. There is a local blueberry park filled with tons and tons of blueberry bushes. It's a little overwhelming when you try to figure out where to start, and then which way to continue on. The deeper you got into the thickness of the bushes, the better your selection of blueberries where. So now we have an abundance of blueberries, that were free. Anyone know of any good blueberry recipes?

A few weeks before Tim left for Salt Lake for three months, we headed up north to Skagit County to see the tulip fields. It was a chilly, rainy day with threats of rain, but we were lucky it didn't until right as we were leaving. The fields were gorgeous, with so many pretty colors. Even though it was cold, and windy it was worth spending time with my husband since we are going to be apart for three months. 

I know there is a purpose in all things good and bad. That there is a never ending array of beauty for me to find joy, and to always remember him. I know the true meaning of Easter. 

We took a drive through Point Defiance yesterday, stopping to admire what Spring is bringing us. 

It's the first day of spring today. Could have fooled me this morning when I was scraping the ice off my car windows. 

Sunday night it snowed, making today beautifully white. 

This is a post that is two in a half years over due. Two in a half years ago I lived my dream and went to Africa. Words can't even begin to describe my experience. I have so many emotions regarding the country. I have such a strong love for the people of Uganda. I have a strong love for the land and the beauty of it. Two and a half years later and the connection I feel is still strong. I don't know why it has taken this long for me to go through my photos, and I am kicking myself for that. My experience in Uganda was incredible. I can't necessarily say that my short time over there changed me, but it did give me a greater appreciation for the small things. I learned that in this life you do not need a whole lot. As long as you have what you believe in and a great attitude on life you will be successful and happy. Your life will be full. The people I met were happy; they were humble; they had a strong desire to grow and to learn. They were an example to me. Not only was I able to help teach them, but they also taught me. And I love them so much for that. 

I love the children. The children of Uganda have a special place in my heart. A couple years later I can still hear the children at Child of Hope yelling "Auntie! Auntie!" I can still feel their little fingers wrapping around the limbs of my body, wanting to walk with me. Also the school children in the mountain village Buno Buyoka singing their welcome song "This is the time, to welcome new visitors; we are we are happy to say welcome!" to us over and over again, each time we came to visit. They  also loved having their picture taken. I have so many of the children. There are just too many to share. 

As I said before I don't know why it has taken me this long to go through them. These are only but a small few of what I have, but these are ones that have hit me so strong each time I look at them. They stir my heart and make me have a deep desire to go back.