Thursday, June 24, 2010

Gone on Vacation


I'm hitting the road tomorrow! I've been looking forward to what's become our annual vacation to Sunriver, Oregon. We always have so much fun as a family (my grandparents, my parents, my sister, and me), and I also appreciate the quiet time. =) Sunriver is a beautiful place, and I can't wait to ride my bike, see the sights, read, etc. I'm so glad for times of rest!

However, I've decided not to do any blogging while I'm gone. I think it will be good to take a break--and that way I won't be distracted from spending quality time with God and my family!

I'll miss you all, though! You are such dear friends to me, and I've really enjoyed having my own blog! Your comments touch my heart, and I'm so thankful that you take the time to follow my blog. You are all so wonderful!

Before I go, though, I thought I would tie up some loose ends:

First, the poll results are in! There were 14 people who voted, and (of the places I listed) the place you all most want to visit is . . . Ireland! Ireland received 5 votes. Coming in at a close second was Italy (with 4 votes). Third went to England (2 votes); and Hawaii, Germany, and Israel tied for fourth with 1 vote each. Europe seems to be the favored continent for travel destinations!

Second, it looks like the Washington D.C. trip isn't working out. :( It's not for sure that it won't happen, but I think it would be best to accept the inevitable in this case. However, as a college student, I won't mind having more time at home! And since I won't have "Washington D.C. Week," I'm happy to do another themed week in its place. That being said, I would (again!) love your input on which theme you would prefer. The poll is in the sidebar. Thanks!

Third, after having the big "Birthday Story Bash" week here on my blog with a Toy Story theme, I would love to share some pictures from my Toy Story themed family party! I apologize that I'm so late in sharing them!

Here's my reaction when I first walked into the dining room and saw the decorations. (If you can't see my face because I'm too far away, I'm smiling broadly.) =) The party was at my grandparents' house.

Aren't the decorations adorable? =) My mom used a lot of our old Toy Story toys to decorate the table. Don't you just love the barrel of monkeys and flying Buzz Lightyear hanging from the lights? Too cute!

And of course I had to share a picture of me getting a book, right? =) That's my happy, "I just got the latest Francine Rivers book!" face. I'm still saving this one (Her Mother's Hope), but I'm looking forward to reading it!

In conclusion (Does it feel like I just wrote an essay to you? The post is even organized with an introduction, three main points, and a conclusion!), I'll be bringing several books with me on my trip (shown under my "Currently Reading Book Montage" in the sidebar), so maybe I'll have some reviews for you when I get back! And not long after I return, I'll be hosting author Julie Lessman!!! Yes, right here on this blog!!! So be sure and check in on July 9. (And I should be back on July 6 or 7 if you want to check in before then!)

I'll miss you all! Happy blogging while I'm gone! =)

14 comments:

Kav said...

Enjoy your time away, Amber. Hope you come back refreshed and focused.

Michelle said...

Hope you enjoy your vacation! Looks like a beautiful place.

Amanda Stanley said...

Morning Amber! I’m SO blessed for you! My family is super close too and I think I’d be able to overcome my fear of travel if I had my grandparents, parents, brother, AND my cousin/best friend Kayla with me ;) How beautiful to make such memories with your loved ones! Its sounds like you’re in for a great time- you deserve it my friend :)

Praying you will have a season of renewing, of "strengthening with might in the inner man", and moments of quiet to “come away” with your Beloved :) As well as a BLAST with your family!! Also, some great reads and inspiration for some great writes ;) AND, last but certainly not least- TRAVELING MERCIES!!

Amber, I’m gonna miss you!! But I'm sure you'll have some great stuff to blog about when you return :)

Blessings,
Amanda Stanley

Laura Frantz said...

Amber, You will be missed but we look forward to vacationing with you through pics if you post any when you come back:) This post was so neat - thanks for being you! Glad you are taking a break from the blog! Thanks for sharing your party above. God is so good!

Casey said...

Ah you beat me to it. :) Glad you liked the award and I LOVE your blog. :) One of my favorites. Have a wonderful vacation, I will be gone too, for a week, so we will see what we miss when we get back won't we?

Oh I LOVE getting books for my birthday, it is my favorite gift. :) Looks like a lot of fun.

Amber Holcomb said...

Thank you all for your kind comments! :D

KAV: Thank you! Maybe I'll come back with renewed energy for blogging! ;)

MICHELLE: I confess that the picture at the top of this post was actually taken here in California, when my mom and I went on a day trip to get pictures of the lupines. :) I chose the picture to go with my "hitting the road" phrase. ;) But yes, Sunriver is gorgeous, and the mountain picture at the top was taken last year on our Sunriver trip (Mt. Bachelor is semi-close by).

And thank you! :D

AMANDA: Thank you for your sweet words! :) Yes, traveling with family is a blessing, and having your loved ones with you makes lots of things less scary, for sure!

And thank you for all the kind wishes for my trip! I would LOVE for this trip to include all of that--so I thank you for wanting that for me, too! :)

I'll miss you, too!!! But don't worry! I'm hoping to have a lot of fun with themed posts and such when I get back! ;)

LAURA: Thank you--that means so much to me for you to say that! And I should definitely post some pictures when I return! :)

I wholeheartedly concur--God is good! Thank you again for your kindness!

CASEY: Yes...I apologize. I was up late posting this, so when I saw you had just posted, I had to read it! ;) And when I saw my name on there...well, I was excited! Hope you don't mind!

Thank you for your wonderful words! You have been such a great supporter for me and my blog, and I truly appreciate it!

And yes, my family knows what I like. ;) Birthdays, Christmas, even Easter--books galore! This last birthday was definitely a lot of fun!

I hope you have a wonderful trip, as well, Casey! We'll have lots of catching up to do for sure! ;)

EVERYONE: God bless and thank you so, so much!!!

~Amber

Bluerose said...

Have a great time and enjoy yourself!! We will miss you! :)

Amber Holcomb said...

Thanks Bluerose!

I'll miss you all, too! :)

~Amber

Ashley (Ibreath2read) said...

Awww..Amber, you know we all will miss you but, it looks like your going to have a GREAT time w/ your family in OR.

WOW! Looks like Ireland is pretty popular.LOL
You know, I think we need to host a Bloggers conference in Ireland. If author can have them, why can't we? LOL Wouldn't be so much fun, though? Munching on soda bread and seeing the sight? Maye even joining in an Irish reel or two? Hey! A girl can dream, can't she?LOL

Oh, and LOVE the birthday party pics!And you can never go wrong with books for presents. I've never read Francine Rivers but, I have Redeeming Love on my bookshelf.

I hope you have lots of fun on your trip, Amber, and we're going to miss you!!!
Love Ya,
Ashley

Renee (BlacknGoldGirlsBookSpot) said...

Have fun on your trip! It stinks that you can't got to DC but I look forward to your DC themed week! The party looked like a blast especially since you got a book ;-)

I haven't seen TS3 yet but my little brother saw it without me (shame on him) but I hope to see it soon!

XOXO~ Renee

Amber Holcomb said...

Yay! I get to respond as it is still Thursday (and I'm not leaving until Friday). ;)

ASHLEY: Thanks, Ashley! I think it will be lots of fun, but I'll miss you, too!

I totally agree! A blogging conference in Ireland would be AWESOME! I like the way you think, Ashley. ;)

I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures! You should definitely read Redeeming Love soon--it's powerful! It's also kind of intense (the publisher even makes a note that if it was a movie it would be PG-13--and I saw that someone IS planning on making a movie of it!), but it's GREAT! And while you're at it, I also highly recommend The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers. :)

Thanks again!

RENEE: It's funny, I just wish I knew if I was actually going to DC or not. ;) It seems that there's nothing certain about this trip so far! So we'll see how it goes.

If I don't get to go, I'll do the themed week that wins the poll (in the sidebar). Either way it should be fun! ;)

I can't believe your brother went to see the movie without you! ;) Oh well--maybe he'll go see it with you again! I've seen it twice, and it's so, so good!!! I hope you get to see it soon, and I can't wait to hear what you think!

Talk to you later!

~Amber

Julie Lessman said...

YEAH,IRELAND!!!! That was my vote ... :)

Happy Belated birthday, Amber, and happy vacation!! Hope you have a BLAST!!

Can't wait for July 9, girl ... I'll be ready!

Happy weekend, all!

Hugs,
Julie

Project Journal said...

Hey AMber!!

SORRY I missed you leaving, but I was kinda gone : D Only a few hours from you as I understand...too bad it didn't work to get together, but we really had NO free time, so it's probably for the better that we didn't really try. Another trip perhaps...

I hope you have a GREAT time!!! Oregon was fun! Not what I expected (be that good or bad *wink*), but it was most certainly fun and really beautiful at times.

LOVE the Rose Award!! SO cool : ) After going to the esteemed Portland Rose Gardens, lol! It looks like they stole one of my pictures

: P

To everyone else, thank you so much for the kind words the other day! Lol...sorry I wasn't here, but I was on a trip to Oregon, believe it or not!

Amanda - You probably won't get this, but I'll leave it for you anyway...love the Italian roots, girl! Wish you had a blog to follow because you seem like such a fun-loving, happy person that would have a great blog! LOL! I've loved getting to read your comments : )

Talk to you all soon,
Have a FANTASTIC trip, Amber!! Can't wait to talk to you again soon,
Hannah

Amber Holcomb said...

Hi Julie and Hannah! :D

JULIE: Why am I not surprised that you voted for Ireland? ;) I would so love to visit there!

Thank you for the kind wishes, and I am super excited to host you here on my blog! Just a couple more days until July 9!!!

HANNAH: Thank you! I had a wonderful trip, and I'm glad to hear your trip to Oregon was fun, as well! It would have been great to meet you, but I agree that it would have been too hard to try to coordinate a meeting time and place. Hopefully someday!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Amber