Indianola

Hello All~

I know it has been a while since I have written. I have just been so busy in life that I didn't take the time to write. Shame on me, I know, I know.

Good news, my book that I wrote has already been asked to be seen by one literary agency. The great news about this was it happened within a 24 hour time frame of when I sent out my query letter. This is completely unheard of in the industry, so I was ecstatic! I should hear from other agencies within another 5-7 weeks from now. Hopefully I can get my foot in the door. I know rejections are to come, it is to be expected, but I am still thrilled nonetheless. Please keep me in your prayers! This could be my huge break!! I would love to see my book in print. That is all I am looking forward to is sharing my work with others and hoping they too like it as much as I do.

Sarah is taller than all get out!! She just keeps stretching!! Poor thing is going to be seven feet tall by the time she is five at the rate she is growing. Well, at least she will have to marry some tall guy who happens to be an NBA player so Jordan and I can have our retirement settled for life--right?! Sarah is just as cute as she is tall. I will have to post some pictures soon.

Over the 24th weekend we decided to go to our cabin in Indianola. It was very, very hot! We had a lot of fun despite the heat wave that hit us. We spent the later part of the afternoons sitting in the creek and splashing each other. Sarah enjoyed splashing us as well. It was very cute!

Daisy had a blast. The first day she wore herself right out and she was good for the entire trip! She swam in the creek, ran with the 4-wheeler, and searched for every type of varmint possible. Daisy is a true-blue lab. It was a lot of fun to get away from everything for a weekend and just relax.

My older sister Liz had her second baby, Aiden Robert Kempe! She had him July 23rd just before midnight. He was born face up and swallowed some fluids, so he is in ICU on a ventilator. But, he is doing well and should go home sometime later this week. We are all happy for Liz and baby! Especially now they are showing signs of good health.

Cottonwood!

We finally made a trip to our beloved Cottonwood! It was a lot of fun! It was so nice to get away from everything just for a few days...cell phones, computers, tv's, movies--everything! Nature really does have a healing power.

Sarah really enjoyed herself as well. She went on her first boat ride!! I was driving the boat and fishing at the same time, so Nana took it upon herself to hold Sarah while my hands were occupied. Sarah, obviously, couldn't be in better hands!

Abby also had a great time, even though Liz could only stay for a part of the trip. Her little Aden is due any day now and pretty soon Abby will have a little brother to take care of. We were all really glad Liz didn't go into labor while we were there, talk about what a story that would have made!!

Sarah also took her first 4-wheel ride with Daddy. Look how cute they are!! Sarah enjoyed the short ride her and Jordan went on.

Everything is so green this year! The winter was wet and long, something everyone needed. The mountains were beautiful this year, as you can see, and we saw several animals.

We saw a lot of deer come to the salt lick. One morning there was even a bull moose who came out of the willows for some salt! I saw an otter, or a mink, in the lake as well. It had the cutest face!! No beavers this year though, perhaps next year. We seem to see beavers about once every four years or so.

The fishing was great this year. I caught 9 fish in one day! And that was all in the evening as well. Of course I catched-and-released. The fish are still growing, so we didn't catch any really 'nice' ones. Not to mention, is almost spawning time and we always need more fish in the lake for next year.

We also enjoyed a hike to Slide Lake (or what we call Dead Lake) this year. It was full and beautiful as you can see. The hike was gorgeous as well!

We had a wonderful trip and I am sad it is over...as usual. I hope I am able to go again this year before the snow comes, but we'll see. I am planning on going on the deer hunt this October, so I might not be able to make it up to Cottonwood before then. But, there is always next year! I look forward to this trip year after year.

How was your July 4th?