Our First Anniversary

I'm still coming off the high from our anniversary weekend. Ian and I had talked about what we wanted to do about a month ago, but then he took the reigns and made a whole schedule (Below are the pics of some of our PDX adventures). We had a huge blessing of a couple nights at Hotel Modera in a suite and then spent our actual anniversary back at The Nines where we went on our wedding night. I LOVE that hotel. I am hoping we've made it a tradition to spend our anniversaries there. ;)

In between amazing hotels we went to a movie, the zoo, two awesome breakfasts, a walk around the Pittock Mansion, and the Pearl district for some light shopping.

I just feel so blessed to have married this man a year ago. He is so loving, fun, supportive, romantic, and not to mention EXTREMELY handsome. To answer the question that so many have asked in the last week "so you made it through the first year?" Yes, we did, Thank you! And yes, I could write a book about it, but maybe I'll wait a few more years...

I am excited to see what MANY more years holds for The Crarys. I love you Ian Michael.

What a GREAT weekend!

A gorgeous bouquet from my parents with our wedding flowers in it to help us reminisce!

The best hotel in Portland

Our Anniversary dinner at Thirst Wine Bar Bistro

Pittock Mansion

Everett Street Bistro-love me some TEA

Handsome man enjoying some happy hour

Ian really wanted to take my picture by the "B" barge

Enjoying the flowers at the zoo

The Heathman for breakfast

The Melting Pot for chocolate fondue dessert

Camp follow up

Royal Family Kids Camp totally changed my life. After being so apprehensive about going, all it took was the yellow school bus full of smiling kids to pull up, and in the first 10 minutes and I was hooked.

Our days consisted of a very tight and full schedule of one on one time with our camper. My camper was the sweetest, brightest 11 year old on the planet. She taught me so much joy in 5 days. Her testimony in life (18 foster families, abuse and neglect) made me cry, but watching her joy amazed me!

I slept in a tent on a cot all week. At 6:30 in the morning on Wednesday I jumped in a lake with all my clothes on for the "Polar Bear Swim" with Ian. I lived on 4-5 hours of sleep a night and I made some forever friends. I was able to watch my husband mentor an 8 year old boy all week and serve along side of him. That was THE BEST!

Most of all, I learned how to step outside of the box and a whole new meaning of unconditional love! God rescues and restores and my little girl taught me this. Thank you sweetheart and thank you God for showing me a whole new part of life! I am happy to be a part of the RFKC family forever!!!!!!

Below are some pictures...we aren't allowed to have pictures of the kids online, but trust me...we had a BLAST!

Camp!

Can I just say that at 27 years old I have been to camp, but never in the way that I'm about to go to camp tomorrow. I should be finishing packing and going to sleep, but instead I felt that I would share what I'm about to do.

Tomorrow I will be leaving for a 6 day adventure not too far from home, but definitely far from my comfort zone. I'm not afraid to admit that I like the comfort of my little apartment and the easy ins and outs of the day, so I feel totally nervous, yet excited to embark on something that I know will change my life!

Ian has been a counselor at this camp for abused and neglected (mostly foster) children for about 6 years (http://www.royalfamilyportland.org/) and when we got married he jokingly said "your turn next year." I kind of thought, hmm...we'll see about that!" But here we are! I am fully prepared to have my world rocked!!

So, for now, the sleeping bag is in the big garbage bag (reminds me of Twin Rocks Friends Camp) and we're off bright and early! Please send up lots of prayers for the Crarys this week and stay tuned for all the fun stories when we get home! HAPPY 4th!!!!