A Colorful Wedding!

On August 29th I had the pleasure of being a bridesmaid in my dear friend Melisa's wedding and witnessing her marriage to Troy Bass. It was an incredibly fun occasion...filled with lots of color and joy! Melisa is an artist so you can see in the photos her love for handmade decor and nontraditional wedding flares...such as the multi-colored bridesmaid dresses, the vibrant fruit in vases down the aisle and the big tissued papered pom-poms! I had so much fun taking photos at this wedding so have included quite a few below. Thanks Dad for snapping away while I was up front too!

Ten on Ten

Ten on Ten: Ten Photos from the Tenth of the Month!

Today used my new coffee station in my attic bedroom for the first time

Blackberries on an early morning walk

Heart shaped Ivy...I couldn't resist

Had to stop and take a pic of this lonely bear left on a recycle bin

Coffee with a friend who is dog sitting this cute guy

Was in the car a ton today!

Watching the Klines kiddos this afternoon, Andrew (9) & Maddie (3)

Trip to Pet Smart with kids while their big brother Hugh was at Karate

Looking at my thrift find today...all these greeting cards for $5

View in my room...yep I love London!

Back to the Classroom...to Teach!

Things can change so quickly. Was it just a few weeks ago that I was questioning God's plan for my life and wondering what I was doing back in Seattle? After waiting 4 months in Seattle looking for the right job and being back in the US just over 6 months...strategic doors are finally opening!

Whats Ahead:

• Back to the classroom! After looking for preschool positions for months now I have just accepted a position that I am really excited about. I will be the assistant preschool teacher at Sweet Pea Cottage: Preschool of the Arts (www.sweetpeacottage.org). The school is opening up a new branch location just minutes from where I am currently living in West Seattle. It is a part time position and only 25 hours a week, Mon-Fri 8:30-1:30, (allowing me to do other jobs on the side). When I found the job opening weeks ago I knew right away it was a perfect fit for me. Their teaching objectives focus on art, love, tradition, community, and a world perspective. My interview was only 15min long and the director was impressed with my unique combination of an art history background and working internationally with preschool age children. Needless to say I was offered the job just 24 hours later! I knew it would take a unique situation to accept me as I have loads of experience working with children, but not a lot of early childhood education. The position starts in September and will be at least a year commitment.

• This month I have also accepted another job working for a non-profit called New Beginnings (www.newbegin.org) in the role as Child Relief Worker. This incredible organization works with women and children affected by domestic violence. I will be working a few evenings a week with the children while their mothers attend different support groups. It will be a very different demographic compared to the families at Sweet Pea, but like my time in South Africa, I enjoy serving and loving both spectrums of society. I have learned over the years that despite the diverse physicals needs, all children need love and encouragement.

Thanks for your prayers and will keep you updated on what else unfolds in this new season.

New Addition to the Family

This last Friday on July 16th at around 1pm, my sister Annamarie gave birth to my new niece Miss. Audrey Joy Windham, 7lbs and 5oz. I am delighted to be an aunt for the 5th time! I spent the morning watching Audrey's two older siblings Jonathan and Alaina with my father. We arrived at the hospital just 20min after she was born and went directly into the delivery room to share in the excitement. I have visited so many newborns at the Tacoma General Hospital that I know exactly where to park, and how to navigate the delivery wing! I cant wait to get to know this precious little girl who will become my close friend and treasured niece.

Here are a few photos from the day:

Ten on Ten

This is my first month contributing to Ten on Ten (www.tenontenphotojournal.blogspot.com). Rebekah, who started the 'project' a few years ago, is a close friend from college. We reconnected a few months ago after I moved to Seattle from South Africa . The concept is to document your day with ten photos on the tenth of each month. I had so much fun today taking pictures in Gig Harbor. The beach property has been in the family for four generations, and now my 3 aunts and 1 uncle all have houses here on the same street. We call it "The Compound"...its full of rich memories and the only place I want to go when the sun comes out!