Over the last few months, I have had the opportunity to help promote the Jadyn Fred Foundation. I get to help raise funds as Mrs. Missoula America 2008 for the children of Montana that need financial assistance for cancer and severe illness treatments. Things like fuel, groceries, hotel costs at out of state or out of town hospitals. This month there are a few more events. Friday, June 6th, at the Holiday Inn Parkside in Missoula, we will be hosting a silent auction complete with appetizers and a fun night of bidding. The public is invited. Thursday, June 19th, the HuHot Helping Hands! This one invites the public again to do the simplest thing. Eat! Eat at the HuHot in Missoula between 5pm and 9pm and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Jadyn Fred Foundation. I'll be there serving drinks and running a raffle :-) I hope to see you at both! Angie

Whoa! What a whirlwind trip! I went to Thailand to visit my daughter and her exchange families. She'd been in that country for 10 months. So my husband and I had a "sampler platter" of what she loved about her time in Thailand. I have to say how safe and comfortable I felt in a country that is vibrant, gorgeous and interesting! Also, if you get a chance to go...make sure you plan a lot of time. One week is not enough. We hiked mountains, rode elephants, shopped in small hill tribe markets, walked on the beach admiring the jelly fish, and enjoyed the amazing international foods. I'm thrilled to report back that I LOVE Thailand!!! If you haven't been, you need to plan it for one of your future trips. An experience I never expected and one I'm so glad I had. Angie PS Be sure to check out my daily blog. I'll be catching up over the next week with photos from Thailand. (Just give me a day or so to get over major jet lag, lol.) You can find it at http://godusesbrokenvessels.blogspot.com

I can't believe it, I'm a mother-in-law! My son is married to a loving and charming young lady. I look at her in awe as I realize that she is going to bear my grandchildren! Oh yes, I'm old enough. I am just graced by my daddy's genes. He didn't even gray until his mid-60's. Too cool! If you could choose something you liked about your gene pool, what would it be?

Sometimes we forget how comfortable we are in our own space. My daughter over in Thailand calls to ask for familiar treats and American movies. Our Japanese exchange son misses familiar foods like Sushi. My daughter is living with a Buddhist family while our exchange son is Buddhist living with Christians. Very unfamiliar for both. I'm very excited to see how they are, what they've learned, what they missed most, and what they'll miss most from their host countries. But what would you miss? Don't forget to come visit me over at http://godusesbrokenvessels.blogspot.com for my daily posts:-) And thanks for visiting today, Angie PS There are several book give aways over at my daily blog too. Make sure and post for your chance to win one of them.

Sometimes I wonder what different people will do in different circumstances. It's interesting to see reactions and choices in another human being. We are loving hosting our new exchange student. He's quite a wonderful young man. He is experiencing Montana through new eyes. How wonderful to have the opportunity to see my hometown, state, and favorite activities anew through him. He's trying all new foods, going to a Christian school as a Buddhist, and learning English. I admire him for the courage it takes to be in such strange situations-for a year. If you had the opportunity to do something you'd always dreamed of doing...what would it be? Angie PS Be sure to visit my daily blog over at: http://godusesbrokenvessels.blogspot.com