Summer Fun?

Christine and I at Mill Creek Smelling the Lilacs in Spokane during the Lilac Festival - Yet another example of Brian's great dates:)

Brian and I at Post Falls

This last month has probably been one of the craziest and most stressful months of my life. With that said, I have to add that there has been – and still is – light at the end of this tunnel. There have also been some great moments to balance out the madness. Why have I been so stressed, you may ask? Well, I have been in the, apparently never-ending, process of revising my thesis for the last two months or so. I was preparing for my defense (which happened May 14th) and the grilling I knew was coming from my graduate committee. Thankfully, I made it through my defense (with the support of Jamie and Brian) and was even able to hold my own through the two and a half hours of questions that followed. I was told by one of my advisors that it was a good sign that my thesis caused such major discussions (and a few disagreements:)). At the time, however, I felt like the proverbial ant under the magnifying glass. With that done I have been able to focus on my post-defense revisions (which have been a lot more time consuming than I expected). In other areas of my life, I have been trying to figure out what in the world I will be doing here in Missoula for the next year. Thankfully, I was offered an ESL teaching position for the summer on campus at the English Language Institute. I love working with international students and have just been getting into the swing of things here in the last week. What the fall holds? I don’t know, and I am so glad He is in control…
Speaking of this last week. ..My little brother Brett married a wonderful woman, Amanda, this last weekend! Brian and I drove to Bozeman late Thursday night and spent the next four days in a crazy whirlwind of family and friends. Poor Brian having to meet (and attempt to remember) so many of my relatives! My family isn’t small:). He did a great job, however, and managed to gain the approval of everyone he met. In fact, my mom might be willing to trade me in for Brian (he is taller and can reach things in the kitchen). Anyway, the wedding was beautiful in spite of, or partially due to (I can’t decide), the buckets of rain pouring outside. The bride was radiant and had on the most stylish wedding dress I have ever seen. We ate good food (my grandma made her famous wedding mints – one of the greatest reasons to get married:)), took a million pictures, danced, and generally had a blessed time. The rest of the weekend consisted of pinochle, food, family, miniature golf with friends, running a nature trail to Pete’s Hill, Indiana Jones, (have I said food, pinochle, and family?) and a finale of Lewis and Clark Caverns for Brian and I on our way back to Missoula. Great times were had by all…
Now I am just one day away from turning in my final version of my thesis. Sure, I should be working on that right now, but I have to wait for my committee chairman to give me final suggestions before I can do anymore work. The sky is blue, however, and the weather is getting nicer and nicer… It promises to be a beautiful summer – and I intend to enjoy it for all it is worth. Have I mentioned that the lilacs are in full bloom? With all that said I believe I will head out for a run this evening (so I can continue my training for the half marathon).

Brett's Wedding to Amanda Benz (now Aune:))

Brian and I at Lewis and Clark Caverns: