Oden Adventures

Just when we thought we were done with the posts about Patrick's dissertation, we got some more unexpected & great news: Augsburg Fortress Press has accepted his dissertation to be published!  We found this out just a couple weeks after the oral defense & subsequent approval with distinction (yes, still bragging) but got the official contract of publication last week so it's really happening (!!!). 

We don't have details yet on when it will be released, but we are guessing it will be in 2014.  

In the meantime, we are excited about the fast approaching hooding & graduation ceremonies on June 14 & 15, which will make all the other official stuff even more...official...er.

(One of us is not the academician. ;-) )

We had a hot but lovely Mother's Day weekend, celebrating first with Patrick's family on Saturday, with a dinner at Red Lobster and Ladybug ice cream cake afterwards at our place.

 Signing "Daddy"

 and "Mama"

 Helping Granma open her gifts

 Adorable cake!

On Sunday, we went to church, had a light (read: air-conditioned) lunch out at Subway, and then came home for some pictures, pool time & presents.

 V wore herself out in the pool and gave me the gift of a nap.  Doesn't she look just too long to be my baby?

To usher in a new month, we took advantage of a Wednesday free of obligations and went up to Lake Arrowhead to visit V's grandparents (formerly known as Patrick's parents and my in-laws ;-) ).  It was a gorgeous day and The Village (shopping area downtown) was nearly empty - which was bad for businesses - and perfect for us!

First stop: Grandpa & Granma's house

Then to the Village...a little duck-watching with Daddy...

We had a delightful lunch at Woody's...

...where Vianne kept us all in stitches!

Enjoying the view

Exploring with Granma

...and with Grandpa!  Bliss!

Vianne loves the freedom of the empty Village!

It was a huge honor & blessing to be invited by Two Rivers Church (the church I helped to plant in 2004 and left to marry Patrick in 2009) to join their annual women's retreat as their worship leader this year.  I tacked on a couple days to the front end of the trip to see my family as well, and my mom went along on the retreat to care for Vianne while I was doing 'my thing'.  We had such a wonderful time & it was great to connect with 2RC friends and also to be able to minister through music again, a vocation that has taken a backseat to motherhood of late.

Our first stop, as is now becoming tradition, was the Blairs'...where Vianne tried on her first princess dress!  True to her nature thus far, she seemed still more interested in the books ;-).  Bea & Margot were also both dressed as Merida from Brave, but sadly I don't have any photographic evidence.

Next stop, the Storeys'...

Matt was thrilled to get so many snuggles from Vianne!

We had surprisingly beautiful weather!  Vianne enjoyed exploring Grandma's yard...

...and as always, her toy selection.  She was a bit obsessed with the Tupperware shape sorter...