SUMMERTIME

I love summer. I am so thankful the sun has finally decided to come out and let it's rays shine down on us Portlanders. Some of my most favorite memories growing up were in the summer. I am so excited I decided to put a couple of my favortie memories and picutres of last summer on my blog.

Yellowstone, Wy

Jami and Parker 4th of July


Devin and I Washington D.C.


Tiana, Ty, Devin and I Gettysburg, PA


Red Sox Game Baltimore, MA

DADDY'S

Although it's a little early I wanted to post some thoughts about the daddy's in my life. I was so blessed to grow up with such a wonderful father. Words cannot express how much I love daddy Searle. He was such a constant in my life. He was always there to wipe a tear or two. He taught me so many things. He gave me my love for music. He taught me to love and not judge people. He taught me to fight for our family and the things that mattered and then again he taught me to know when to walk away and avoid conflict. I cannot count all the times he blessed my life financial. I remember one time getting in my car to drive back to hard single college life and finding 40 dollars in my car. I love my dad for never getting hurt when I would call and say 'Where's mom."? My father knew I was going to marry Devin before I even did and I am grateful for his early encouragement to not let this wonderful man go. After my Grandpa Lever died when I was 14, Grandpa Searle was the only grandpa us Searle kids could go to with team fundraisers and the only grandpa who could physcially support us in all our special events and achievements. He rose to the occasion and spoiled us enough for two grandpa's. I miss him every day. I miss hanging out with him. I miss him teasing me and giving me hard time about everything. I miss him so much my heart aches for him sometimes. He was one of my best friends and I could talk to Grandpa about almost anything. We miss him, but my siblings and I are constantly reminded of his presence still in our lives. Now we have two grandpas watching over us. I am so blessed to have dad Simpson in my life. He is always willing to help me with all my projects. I always recruit Devin, but it seems my gracious father in law always ends up helping. He has become my friend and has taught me already so many things. Like how to kill chickens for dinner, drive a truck in hay field and how to count horse shoes in his store. He along with my mother in law raised a wonderful son that is a wonderful husband. Although Devin is not a dad yet ,but my heart is so full of love and gratitiude to him as well. He is an amazing husband, brother, son, uncle, and friend and I love him with all my heart. One day when we are blessed with little one's he will be the best dad. I am very grateful for our brother's and brother's in law. All of which are not dad's yet, but someday hopefully will be. They help us, teach us, keep us laughing and not to mention have helped give us some cute nieces and nephews. My heart is full as I think of you wonderful men. I love you and I am so blessed to have you in my life. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY. WE LOVE YOU!

Rain, rain go away. Come back......in a few months at least! My heck!

Well all my fellow Portlanders know what I am talking about, but the weather has not felt at all like summer here in good ole Oregon. It's June 10th and I still have to wear a jacket or a hoodie every where I go. Now I am still experiencing my first year here with all the weather changes, but this is getting ridiculous. Even the locals who have grown up here say this is not normal. That it's colder then usual. The weekend I got home from California it was 90 degrees and I thought OK here we go. The neighbors kids were swimming in the little kiddy pools on the lawn and it felt like summer, but that only lasted a week. Right now it is raining. The wind is blowing really hard and it's about 49 degrees. IT'S COLD! Oh well. I guess I can wear my sweaters for a little bit longer.

CUTEST KIDS EVER

This is the latest from home. Aren't they cute? I just love em!

June 1, 1983

Today is Devin's birthday and I am sitting here at the end of his day and I am feeling a little guilty. I had so many meetings today that I didn't get to spend very much time with him. I am afraid this is only the beginning of us spending special days apart, but I am so grateful for his support. He is , however, spending alot of time with his new present so I am sure he is not feeling to neglected. Anyways....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEVIN. I LOVE YOU!

Safeco Field, Seattle WA

Big Papi at the bat

The Cap. We love you Jason!

Manni being Manni

Proudest Aunt Moment

In all my blogging excitement I forgot to blog about my" Proudest Aunt moment". Last week when I was in California I heard my three old niece and nephew singing Pat Benatar's song "Hit me with your best shot"......... Ok so a little back ground for those of you who don't know me. I love classic rock n roll. Especially classic female rock n roll. Pat is among one of my favorite's. So I immediately said "hey where did you guys learn that song?" They looked at me and said "guitar hero". I was laughing, but I am so happy that some video games can give kids a proper education about classical music. I was so proud that they were rocking out just like I do to Pat. So here's to you Pat. I love you Parker and Claire.

Perfect Summer night

The Elder's Quorum played softball against another ward last sat night. It had been the hottest day and it cooled down just in time for the game. I had my chair, the david seeds, my sunglasses, and all the wives to chat with. I loved it. This is my idea of the perfect summer night.

Sebastian is that you?

Devin went crab fishing with the scouts last weekend and I told him to bring me home some. I was thinking some meat, but I guess I should have been more specific because he did bring one home. It was still alive and walking around our cooler in our kitchen. Now I am not what I would say a girlie girl. I can handle bugs, blood, guts and most creepy things, but I could not handle the thought of this thing being alive in my kitchen. I was so creeped out! I know you are supposed to cook them while they are still alive I get it, but having a little crab in my kitchen did not sit well with me for very long. I begged Devin to cook it and I had to be in the other room when he put it in the pot. Then I was OK. I really have such a tender heart when it comes to things that are alive. I take my hat off to women who hunt and kill, because I could not do it unless I was desperate.

We told him that he was going to fall asleep and not wake up. Oh and that it would be very, very warm.

I think it's smiling at us

Home Sweet Home

Well I arrived home from my week away and it was so fun. It was fun to see how excited my nieces and nephews were to see me. It made me feel a little important. At least for a minute. We spent three days in Disneyland and headed down to San Diego to Sea World. After Disneyland the kids were like "Whatever..... where are the rides?" My sister in law and myself however found ourselves marveling at the stupid dolphins. We watched those dolphins swim around and the twinkle in their eye to get praise from the trainers and we couldn't help but think how special those specific creatures are. To quote my lovely sis in law "There is just something special about dolphins". Well I would have to agree. The kids however got nothing out of it. Disneyland was wonderful. It was so fun to visit with my family and spend time with the kids. I love hearing their little thoughts. We were walking through the park and this kid walked by and he had a Moe hawk (is that how you spell it?) and Claire said "that kid's hwair looks like a stwar". Translation that kids hair looks like a star. I laughed until I cried. Parker was under the impression that because the Hispanic lady cleaned our room at our hotel that he could just drop whatever he wanted in Disneyland and the lady would make sure it got back into the room. Any who I am tired, I made it home safe, and I had a great time, but I happy to be with my Dev again.

Our first day in Disneyland it was only 60 degrees and it rained most of the morning, but that didn't stop us. We had a great first day.

My younger brother Ryan and Parker and a strategically placed stranger behind him. It looks like she belongs.