Ironically...

Here I am in Cancun, sitting in my room because it is raining outside, blogging about a beach day we had in Oregon. :)

A month ago we had a Saturday that was not only beautiful and sunny, but HOT as well. And it was not only hot in Portland, but it was hot out on the coast as well. This was an ideal opportunity!!! We invited a bunch of friends who were in the area to meet us at Cannon Beach for fun and food. We provided (thanks Nedra!) the wood and the grill, and a few snacks and condiments, and everyone else was responsible for their own meat.
We got there around 1pm because I ran a half marathon with Ashlee (my sister-in-law) and Heather (a friend that is basically family) in the morning. It was their first half and they did so well, despite it being the hottest day of the year so far. It was the Hippie Chick race, which was really fun. People wear costumes, and a lot of people bring their kids for a run prior to the race. The participants are almost all women (one guy ran) and they run in honor of mothers, because it's the Saturday before mothers day.

 After the race. 

Anyway, when we got to the beach we played and ate, and chatted, and roasted marshmallows for s'mores in the evening. We had a wonderful time, and got some fun pictures. 

 These are the peeps that stayed long enough for the fire to be built. There were more people earlier, but they couldn't stay, unfortunately.

 Brad and I with haystack beach in the background just before sunset.

 Going, going, gone...

 Here's Brad with the kids the next day teaching them how to make s'mores. Everyone who came to the beach party brought enough s'mores for everyone, so we had a ton extra. Unfortunately, they didn't really love them. Oh well! They're cute.

Girls just wanna have fun.

So, once upon a time, there was this silent auction that all the nurses and MA's at the clinic I work at were invited to. It was for Baby Blues, which is an organization designed to inform people about and assist those with post partum depression. Our nurse practitioner offered to buy tickets for everyone who wanted to go. The theme was prom, and we got to dress up! Well, if this wasn't motivation, I don't know what could be. So, a few of us agreed to go downtown for the evening and enjoy drinks (water for me!) and appetizers (slim pickings, by the time we got there).
The whole idea though, was to get together to get dressed up, do our hair and make-up, and go have fun. So, we did.
I will just say now, that the timing was terrible. It was Cinco de Mayo, Prom Night for high schoolers, and the same night as a Timbers game. Wanna guess how long we had to look for parking? Yup. 45 minutes.
But, it was fun to wear my red dress I've worn a total of 2-3 times. Also, I once again wore uncomfortable shoes in the name of fashion. DO NOT DO THIS. But they were cute!

 

This is Courtney, Me, Nina, and Martha at my house before we left.

Father(s)

Well, my dad is pretty fabulous. I love so many things about him. I love that I always knew (and appreciate more and more) that his family came first. I remember him saying once that all he ever wanted was a house big enough to fill with lots of kids. I love that he respects and adores my mom, which helped me understand what a loving relationship can and should be like. I love that he has taught me integrity, and to do what is right, despite what is currently "cool." I love that he is intelligent and loves to learn, which has given me a desire to continue to learn and grow my whole life. I love that he has taught me to have faith in a loving Heavenly Father and a Savior, and the restored gospel.
 The importance of Fathers and Fatherhood seems to be unappreciated, and laughed at. The idea that fathers are unnecessary or the attitude of a dad just being another child that the mom has to take care of seems a popular one. Those attitudes sadden me, and I feel like they are detrimental to our society. I appreciate the strength that my dad has to not only have fathered children, but to be a father figure. I'm glad he takes his responsibility to be a father seriously, and I'm grateful I can tell he enjoys his family. He has worked hard to provide for us, while at the same time not neglecting to spend time with us. I'm grateful for my dad and all of those dads out there who have showed me what it is to be a father. They have been vital in helping me become who I am today.

Happy Father's Day.