I'm Freeeeeeeeeee, Free Fallin'.....

Yesterday, I had a life-changing experience. I was given the opportunity to go skydiving. Words cannot even describe the awesome-ness of it.

This is me listening to the instructor, after suiting up. Notice my green Gumby suit?

Ready to go!!

Josh and I before heading out. He was trying to pretend he wasn't nervous. All my nervousness had left by this time, and I was just plain psyched.

My cheering section on the trailer heading out to meet the plane.

Waiting for the plane to land, so we can board.

My instructor and I heading to the plane!

Ready.....

Set....

GO!!!!!!

That's our plane WAY up there.

Free-falling at close to 120MPH.

Parachute opening up.

And cruising down towards the ground. When you are free-falling, the pressure on your face is incredible. I felt like my goggles were going to fly off my face! Its also really loud, because of the wind. And falling through the clouds was neat- you could feel the moisture, and couldn't see the ground at all. Once the chute was pulled, it became dead-quiet. We could carry on a normal conversation in the air. You could see for miles around, and the people on the ground literally looked like ants.

I got to steer the parachute for a while, pulling down on one side to do turns, and slowing us down or making us go faster. The strength it takes to pull the straps to turn it was really surprising. The tandem chutes are almost twice the size of single chutes.

I had to put my feet out in front of me, so we could land. We landed on our butts, very softly and slowly.

Walking back towards my family. Afterwards, they all told me they were waiting to see if I was smiling or not, to see if I actually enjoyed it.

Can you tell that I LOVED it??

This is my jump instructor, Brett, and I. He has over 9,000 jumps, and has been jumping longer than I have been alive! I would go with him again and again - he was amazing!!

This day was the best day of my entire life. I felt the incredible sensation of free-falling through the air, got to glide through the air and enjoy the views, and then got to tell everybody the story back on the ground.

I am working on uploading the video of the whole thing, filmed by my mom on the ground.

Oh yeah, and my goal now is to get my Class A license.

Let's go skydiving!!

Changes

It seems as though time is flying by this summer. Here is a quick recap:

May was busy with my Baptism and Confirmation, Baccalaureate, and graduation. Also, a camping trip.

June was busy with a camping trip or 2, and a vacation to Hawaii, along with Little League Baseball.

July was busy with Josh's birthday, the 4th of July, camping trips, a day trip to the Ape Caves, a Pig Roast, and lots of baseball games.

Now, August is here! Already we've have an extended camping trip to Lake Wenatchee with Josh's family. Also, I have a going-away party tonight for a friend who is moving to Pullman this weekend to attend Veterinary school. This weekend, Josh and I are possibly going to Sequim. Next weekend, I am hosting a Lia Sophia jewelry party. Also on Friday, before my party, I am fulfilling a lifelong dream of mine in the form of an exciting adventure! (More on this later!) We still have a Homebuyer Education Seminar to attend, and another vacation planned for this month. I feel as though I am constantly having to schedule in time to just relax and do nothing!




Josh and I also currently have other things going on in our lives.

I have been helping Josh study for his Commercial Driver's License test for work, in hopes of him getting a new job soon. I am learning more about semi trucks than I ever thought I would know!

Also, we have begun looking at houses! Josh wants to buy a house this fall, with me moving in with him! We are scheduled for a first-time home buyer seminar, to learn some more about what to expect. Luckily, Josh's mom works for the Washington Realtors, and it a wonderful source of information.

We are also discussing a major life change that would affect both of us in a huge way. We have considered it since we first met, and I have always known it could be a possibility. We are weighing the pros and cons, and no decisions have been made. But, it would be an exciting opportunity!! (And no, we're not getting married!)

I have continued to look for a new job, while keeping in the healthcare field. I am also completing my applications for Physical Therapy school and the Physical Therapy Assistant programs in the state. I have decided that I miss school! :)


Now, for some photos!

I have fell in love with Photoshop, but am having a hard time finding time to really edit my photos the way I would like.

Here are some unedited, SOTC photos from camping in Lake Wenatchee this past weekend.

This is the view from our little section of the beach on the river that we claimed as our own.

This is Josh's mom, Stacie. I adore her! We spent the entire weekend holding horseshoe tournaments. It was my first time playing horseshoes. I was horrible. Josh got stuck with me as his teammate. Everyone felt bad for him.
This is Rhonda. She isn't actually related to Josh, but is Josh's mom's husband's sister-in-law. They just consider her to be like an aunt. She's hilarious, and was almost as bad at horseshoes as I was. Notice Josh's uncle's face on the left side of the photo. That expression pretty much sums up the whole tournament.This is Chris, Stacie's boyfriend. He's an expert horseshoe player!
Stacie and Chris.
This is Josh's uncle. Him and Josh are very close. He's HILARIOUS to listen to! His whole family is so welcoming and inviting, and I felt right at home with them.
Josh spent most of his time playing on the lake on the Sea-Doo. The wind was making huge waves in the lake, so we couldn't ride doubles or tube at all. The lake looked like the ocean with how big the waves were!
All of the kids (and Sarah the lab) swam and swam in the freezing cold river. I avoided the frigid water at all costs.

And of course, I had to include a picture of Sea-Doo. Because its just so pretty!

There. I did it. I updated my blog. I really have much more to tell, but I'm tired of typing, and I have other work calling my name. I do have a funny story to post later though if I get time!

Till next time,