FPU

Last night Amy and I started Financial Peace Univeristy as offered in a small group through our church last night. So far so good. We bought the packet and read the first chapter. The ight was actually jut an introduction, but we had decided months ago to participate.
We recently brought Amy's youngeast daughter into the house for (a temporary) stay til she can get her feet on the ground again. I won't go into details, but I am glad we were able to be there for her. It looks like the guest house is going to be filled this winter.
I've been reading about my sister's request to have her inside painting done for her birthday. My Amy's been wanting uas to do the same to change up the color scheme around here. I'm on bord, just need to take a breather before I do. I have been working on restoring original wood floors in the house and painting Preston's new preteen room. Very pleased with the results. I also have more bulbs to plant and want to have a short get away with Amy soon. I would be nice to see something other than our four walls. I love Fall and the changing of the colors. I want to show her more of the Puget Sound. All my best.

Sanding Floors

Well I felt like I opend Pandora's Box on Saturday. I pulled the carpets in Preston's room and found solid wood floors... the problem was plenty of scratches and stains along with some paint splatters from previous wall paint projects. I sanded away at the edges for a day and then Monday rented a floor sander ( a worthy time savings investment ). Well, I will be staing here soon and then coating. All because two naughty daushounds wouldn't wait to do their business over a period of months before they finally got trained. At least the foors will be nice and I am finally concentrating on Preston's room. It will be a pretty cool room when all is said and done. But it took two dogs to get the project started.

Camp

Preston returns from junior high camp tonight. Wow, Jr. High! I was amazed how willing he was to go. I pray it will have been a great blessing and encouragement to him. He is much more of a home body so this was big. While he was gone Amy and I took advantage to clean out his room and organize and down size once again. It was a great week for us too. It wasn't all work. But, a lot gone done so I am pleased.

A day in the life.

It was a year ago today that Amy (my wonderful wife) invited me to be her friend on Facebook. How amazing a day can make in my life. Thank you Amy for remembering me from Corvallis High School, Now, I am just about the happiest I've ever been. You are a tremendous blessing to me. I am honored to be the guy you have chosen to spend the rest of your days with. I love you so much. Someday soon I hope to get pictures of Hawaii up and perhaps some more of the wedding, but for now,

Happy Aniversary Mom and Dad

I love you two deeply and am honored to be your son. Thank you for being the best parents anyone could ever hope to have. I hope all is well in your world with many happy moments. I love you, Rick

Happy 50th!

To my amazing (and favorite sis for the day) Happy 50th! You are so special to me. I love you very much. May the next 50 give you more fun than ever. You Rock.

A looooooong week!

This is not a complaint, just an observation. I have had busier weeks, but it just seems like I am in need of a break. I know, poor me. I am working on finishing an outdoor art project for a good friend. It is a nice commissioned job, but so far it's been kicking my butt. Between my regular job, and Preston's crazy baseball schedule and outdoor school, and trying to help Gary find a job (Yeah!, he has one now and there is a break for a week with no more games) I only have to finish that commissined art project, and the small wall remodel to fit Amy's baby grand when she moves in next month. And, finish getting her packed and her condo ready for our renter before June 19th to deal with. I will be driving down to Albany on Saturday and working on her condo until Wednesday. We will go through our last few marriage counseling meetings and getting her stuff packed and ready for the renter. Then I will tackle the wall for the piano, and finish up Preston's baseball season, Then go down one more time to move her stuff up to Renton before the wedding.
Then I will come down and actually get married to the most amazing and lovely woman. Then off to Hawaii! I will look forward to the break and new challenges and opportunities to come.
If I don't write anything until then, well, I was just too tired or too busy to put it down on words, but I hope all is well in your world.

50!

In just a mere 50 days, I will exchange vows with Amy Lockrem. That's amazing to me! I am very happy. With that, I know there is tons still to do on my "to do list", Pretty much every day between now and then is full, but hey, if it all doesn't get done, at least much of it will. I know, and appreciate all that our family is doing to help us to make this a great day and celebration. This is a milestone day! Before I know it, it will be here. God has been so blessing us.
Amy has decided to proceed with the neck surgery and is scheduled for May 18th. Pray for her quick recovery and health. We are trusting her recovery will be without complications. Later this month, I will joining Preston at his 3 day outdoor school on an island in the San Juans. I will be leading a group of 10 boys, Pray for me! Preston has 15 games left on his season schedule between now and June 9th.
I am starting and hopefully finishing an outdoor mural over the next 2 weeks. I also have to create an opening between my living room and what will be our music room to house Amy's baby grand. This will definately help us with the extra cash for our honeymoon and moving expenses to bring Amy up to Washington. Like I said, the calander is very full, but with God's grace and some humor along the way, we will get er' done!

Happy Birthday Preston and Shelley

I woke up this morning feeling extra blessed. My youngest son Preston turns 11 today! Eleven, wow! He has always been my angel. We have seen and been through a lot of things together over the past eleven years, yet when I woke up this morning and walked into his room and saw him laying asleep in his bed, I couldn't help but think of how blessed I felt knowing he was a great big part of my life. Be great today Presto!, Enjoy the cupakes in your class, get a hit at your game tonight, live life today! God has great things in store for you. You are a wonderful blessing to me! Happy Birthday son.

And since my wonderful sister Shelley was so kind to share her birthday, I want to honor her and ask God's great blessings on her today as well. Happy bithday sis, I love you.

Gold Stock up 900%, News Flash, Mom's Birthday!

Boy, You really got to get up early to wish your mom a happy birthday before your siblings. I guess it helps if you're 9 hours ahead :) I guess it doesn't really matter. there's enough cheer and love to pass along to give honor and gratitude to a most amazing woman. I love you mom. Be blessed today!

Hitting the gym

Last night, Gary, Preston and I hit the gym. We had fun working out and breaking a sweat. My work has a great gym set up. It was so cool to enjoy the hour pumping iron and getting on the elicptical with my sons. I hope this is not a one hit wonder. Thanks for your prayers for Gary. He will be looking for work soon and going to out patient

Fishers of Men!

Last night, I got the word that I will be awarded the bid of what "might" become a larger art project. Sufice it to say, I am jazzed! Is that still a cool word?, probably not but I don't care , I am me, and I am pleased. If you all knew what distractions I have in my life right now, this is just about as much as I can handle right at the moment any way. My son is showing incredible progress with his issues so thanks for your prayers...keep them coming because its working!...
Smile today, there's so much out there to be hopeful for. :D

June 19th

So, it seems that June 19th will be the day I start my life with Amy as my wife. At first, we were looking at teh 12th, but we were unable to secure the Pastor of choice until the 19th. So there it is. And actually, it seems to be just fine by us. We will be limited to 50 guests so, this will be a very family friendly get together. Some friends for sure, but not nearly all that we would love to share this with. I hope all is well with that. Sometime this summer, we will plan to have an "after party" up in Seattle.
A year ago, I could never have dreamed that this was on the horizon. Life is good, but God is Great! I'm leaving most of the planning in Amy's capable hands. I got the pastor, the counseling, the honeymoon and the bank account set up. And thanks to the willing hands and supporting cast, this will be a great and fun event for all.

Yes!

It was Saturday morning, I made breakfast in bed for my love with hoped anticipation of an engagement. Underneath an unsuspecting cup intermixed with fresh sweezed orange juice, coffee, bacon and eggs and potatoes, was a little black box waithing to be discovered.
Well, the momemt I had prayed for and hope for was about to change my life forever...
Amy, opted out of tea this morning, thus missing the prize (at least for the moment).
We enjoyed a nice quiet breakfast along with an equally great conversation. Eventually, I told her that I would be intersted in having some tea if she chose to pass. So there it was, underneath her nose, a black bos of which contents were a 1 carrot diamond waiting to be discoverd.
I then got on my knees and as a tear rolled down her cheek, it was in that moment that I asked her to share the rest of my life with her. I am so blessed to say that her answer was indeed, Yes!
The day just kept getting better. We were hosting a Super Bowl part on Sunday with good friends so we spent the afternoon shoping for the event. In the evening, we enjoyed an amazing concert in Seattle. We couldn't of had better seats, 5 ft. form the stage and in the center. It was world class trumpeter,Chris Botti and his equally incredible band. What an amazing ending to an amazing day. So now I find my life heading in a new direction and am very happy indeed. The fact that her family and mine (Both my children and extended family) are on board makes it esspecially great. Praise God for his incredible blessings!