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,

A Whirlwind of Activities

Lately, it seems like there just aren't enough hours in the day for everything I want to accomplish.

Here is a brief rundown of all the projects I'm currently working on:

1. Continue learning photography. I have enjoyed getting to know my camera so much, and we have a special bond now. I used to get frustrated when photos didn't quite turn out right. Now, I am learning what it is that I am doing wrong, and how to fix it.
2. Raise money for the National Brain Tumor Society. Their annual walk is September 12th, and I want to raise money and awareness for this cause. Check out #3 below for one of my ideas related to this!
3. Create recipe books. I have found a very neat website that allows you to create your own, custom recipe books. And they do fundraiser books! In conjunction with the NBTS, I am creating a memorial/fundraiser cookbook. This will be filled with a collection of recipes from myself, Chuck's wife, and members of his family. I will be selling these books, and procedes from each book will go directly to the National Brain Tumor Society. More details later!
4. Work out. I recently started a workout program, and it is intense. Like kicks-your-butt-every-day. But it feels so good! And I feel like it is working. I have been not-so-healthy lately, and I feel as though I am making a positive change in my fitness.
5. Find a new job. This is very important. Which means, it should be #1 on my list. But I have a habit of doing things out of order. I want a new job. One with benefits. And more money. And more room to move up in the company. Still searching though.
6. Move out! Josh and I have been looking at houses lately, and are talking with a mortgage/loan office and real estate agent to start the process. We want to buy, and not rent. So the hunt is on!

So that's it. My busy life right now. I was afraid that after college, my life would be boring. But it is turning out to be anything but.

My Friend Nathan

So I have this friend.

Named Nathan.

Who lives far, far away, in Oklahoma.

We met at the ANTSHE Conference I went to in February of 2008, in Nashville, TN.

And he's pretty much a genius.

Nathan has inspired me to broaden my horizons, embrace new things, accept (and even like) change, and to think outside the "box".

He is employed by a university, and holds a job I am very jealous of. I want his job.

Nathan is my total opposite in many ways, but that is what I like about him.

He challenges me to think, take a stand on topics I believe in, and makes me want to be a better person.

And, he has considered moving to Seattle to work.

This makes me very happy.

Thanks, Nathan.

For being my friend, and for being you.

More info on Portland Brain Tumor Walk!

I have spent all weekend brainstorming ideas to get as much participation and support for this event as possible. I have drafted a letter for local businesses, asking for their support. Also, I am looking into t-shirts for members of the team; I will have our team logo on the front, with names of sponsors on the back. Its a form of free advertising for businesses!

I have also begun contacting more people about walking in the event, and am putting together, with some help, the story of Chuck Barnes and his battle with brain tumors.

Here is the logo so far (which may change):


If you or anyone you know want to help, please contact me at maranda.lamping@gmail.com. Also, check to see if the place you work has a matching gift program - then your money goes twice as far!!

Here is the link to my Team Page!

Thanks for all your support!

Portland Brain Tumor Walk

The National Brain Tumor Society is one that I hold very dear to my heart. A close friend of ours died from a brain tumor, and ever since he was diagnosed, my entire family has supported this cause. Chuck Barnes died much too soon, with two small children and a wife left to pick up the pieces after he was gone.

The NBTS is holding a Portland Brain Tumor Walk, and I am organizing a team to walk in this event, which will be held September 12th, at Willamette Park in Portland, OR.

Check back here for more updates as I have them.

Finally.... Nice Weather!

I'm so excited to finally have some nice weather to enjoy!! This constant rain nonsense was really getting old.

This weekend, like every other one lately it seems, will be busy. Tomorrow is Mom's birthday, as well as Sam's first birthday. We are going over to Jeremiah's and Amy's house to celebrate tomorrow afternoon with the whole family. I'm so excited to see him again, and to also see Emma, James, and Mandy!

I've been preparing all week for Mom's birthday. She doesn't really like to celebrate her birthday, but after all of the work she has put in lately to prepare for my graduation birthday, I want to spoil her a little. Nathan and I got her a green iPod, since she is always walking for exercise and can listen to it while she walks. Josh got her a Cabela's lounge chair she's been wanting forever. She's going to love it! Dad got her a laptop a few months ago; she already got to open it though.

I'm planning on getting up really early to decorate the house in the morning; just some fun streamers, a banner, and some balloons. Just because she won't be expecting it in the least. And because its fun!

I'm excited to be able to use my new camera to take pictures of all the fun this weekend!