Meet Brutus

Our new baby... a 4 1/2 pound Shima!

I have been wanting a designer doggie for a long time! For the last couple of years, I have been looking to get a Yorkie-Poo. Tonight, DH and I decided to get a Shima, it's a cross between Shih Tzu and Maltese. He is such a cutie!!! Don't you think Brutus is a perfect name for our little fur-ball?

Brutus needs a haircut!

I ♥ Road Trips!

"Life's a journey, not a destination"

Five glorious days of antiquing, wine tasting, cheese tasting, shopping, dining out, relaxing in front of the fire... what else can girl ask for?

DH and I own a WorldMark by Wyndham timeshare and decided to spend sometime in one of the resort in Birch Bay. The resort is about 7 miles to the USA/Canada border and it's about 7 hours drive from our house. We had a wonderful time just relaxing and spending quality time together.

We walked to the beach, visited local wineries and dairy farms. We visited the nearby towns; Bellingham is a seaport and college town, and Lynden, is a cute little Dutch town. I love walking thru downtown, window shopping and looking at old-century brick building. I managed to pick-up a couple of Fenton milk glass to add to my collection at one of the antique shops. ☺

There are several berry farms in the area; there are blueberries, blackberries, marionberries and many others. Some of the berry farms look just like a vineyard, it's beautiful. Berry season was over and missed the harvest.

We drove to Canada one early morning and spend the day in Vancouver. We had lunch at one of the local pub, and walk around downtown and Gastown. I did not realized how big Vancouver is... it's a HUGE city! WorldMark has a resort in downtown Vancouver, so DH and I are planning to go back and spend a few days there.

The fall foliage are so beautiful, I can't find the words to describe it! We drove the farm roads, the coastal highway & byway, and many a long-winding road... it was a perfect time to take a drive and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

On the way home, we decided to take another route instead of our usual Interstate Hwy 90 over Snoqualmie Pass; we took US Hwy 2 and went over Stevens Pass instead. It was a longer drive and more treacherous (in my opinion) but it was well worth it. We stopped along the way to take foliage pictures and we stopped at Leavenworth, a very picturesque German town for lunch. Leavenworth is famous for it's Oktoberfest and and makes you feel as if you are in Germany. I found out WorldMark has a resort there! We're adding this place to our list of weekend get-away.



I am looking forward to our next road trip!

I Feel Good

Whoa-a! I feel good, I knew that I would, now
I feel good, I knew that I would, now
So good, so good...

You know when you've accomplished something and it makes you feel good about yourself... that's how I feel right now.

Last week, I've been working around the house to get the boxes unpack and put away. The boxes in the living room are all gone! The kitchen, living and dining room area are organized. My china and crystal are safely put-away in the china cabinet. My Christmas Village collection is displayed, pictures and painting are hang on the wall. My house is starting to look and feel more like home!

Next week's project: the family room and the office.



Today I joined an exercise class from our church... I have been thinking about exercising and getting to know the women at my church and this was the perfect opportunity. After class, I went with two other ladies for a protein smoothie and brained stormed for some ideas for the Women's Ministry. Our church is a small congregation and they can used some help; so I think will jump right in with both feet. I figured it would be a good way to get to know these women and get involved with the church.

My week has been busy and fulfilling. I hope yours was too!

Spring has sprung!

In spite of Old Man Winter's grip, spring has sprung! Fuzzy buds are unfurling from the tips of our bushes, flowers are budding and tulips are poking through the ground.

To celebrate spring DH and I went to Seattle for a few days last week to visit his parents and sister. Sarah took us up to the viewing area of where she works; Columbia Center, Seattle's tallest building. We had fun looking over the city and had a great time.

Of course, you can't really go to Seattle and not stop at Pike's Market. On the way to his parents house, I got my M-i-L a bouquet of spring flowers and I got some for myself on the way back home.
While on the Ferry, we saw the USS Abraham Lincoln on it's way to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton. The Ferry actually stopped and let the ship through the channel first. The USS Lincoln is huge; it was an awesome sight!
On the way back to Spokane, we stopped to take pictures at Columbia River and the Wild Horse Monument.

Thanks mom and dad, we had a very nice visit!

Then and Now - Dear Husband

My DH took a picture of himself while at work today and emailed it to me.
I found an old photo of him at his heaviest and wanted to share it.

Philippines in Pictures

The Aguirre family residence - where I live when I'm in the Philippines.



Some of the fruit trees in the property - my brother picking some "Kamyas", a sour fruit that can be made into candies and use in various Filipino dishes. There are mangos, papaya, bananas and several fruit trees in the property.


Rice field in front of the house - time to harvest!


The Neighborhood - just a glimpse of the discrepancy between the "haves and the have not". The property owners in this neighborhood are mostly "Expats" and when the lot is vacant it is sometimes "squatted" by poor people.


"Palengke" (Wet Market) - seaweed vendors, misc seafood, coconut, rice & flower stalls and a vegetable vendor smiling for the camera.


Stay tuned... more pictures to come!

Adoption Update

I hired an attorney to help me with the adoption. I was interviewed several times by the local social workers who will be handling the case. They came by the house to do a child and home study report. Consent papers were signed, and when I left the Philippines, my attorney was ready to file the petition for adoption. He told me, it's going to take 6 to 12 months for the final hearing.

I need to get a home study report done here in the US and I was given a number to call in Seattle, so as soon as I get that done, I need to send the report to my lawyer and the Social Worker who's handling my case.

So far, it's looking good!

Once she is legally ours and we have the birth certificate to prove it, we can file the necessary paper work for her visa so we can bring her to the US.

In the meantime, DH and I continue to provide for her financially and we talk to her on the phone at least once a week.

Please continue to pray for her, for the adoption process, and that our hearts and home will be ready for her.

Here are some photos of her to enjoy!

at the beach...

girlie tent & a new doll...

say cheese..!

my new bike...

mommy and me...