Sweet Shoppe Designs

Credits:
Kit: A Wonderful World by Kristin Cronin-Barrow & Meg Mullens
Font: DJB-CarlySueGotMarried (Euro) by Darcy Baldwin

Journaling:
I was born in Washington, and I’ve lived here most all my life. I’m from a little
town called Vancouver. It’s rare that anyone has heard of this place, but if I
mention that it’s across the river from Portland, Oregon - that usually helps.
I LOVE my home! It’s beyond gorgeous. The beauty can take your breath
away. And that’s just on the surface. If you drive in any direction, you’re almost
sure to find hidden beauties that only the locals know about. And don’t forget
the landmarks that are known by all. Mt. Saint Helens is known through out
the world for its 1980 eruption. I can still see the picture my mom took on the
day it erupted. It was a polaroid shot of my three brothers watching the huge
plume of smoke rising in the air. I’ve even had the pleasure of climbing to the
top of that mountain! Now there is a sight that will take your breath away! There’s
Mt. Hood across the way in Oregon. If I had the coordination and bravery for
skiing, you can bet I’d go to Mt. Hood. Alas, I suck at it all, and I’ll just happily
plop my butt down on an innertube and ride the snow down the hill - praying
I don’t hit any trees along the way. I have the pleasure of living next to a
gorgeous river - the Columbia. It’s a huge river that always brings peace to
my soul whenever I sit along its banks. At Christmas time, you can
witness local sail boats decorated in twinkling lights traveling down the water,
making the holiday season feel just a little more joyful. Vancouver is also
less than two hours from the coast. That is my most favorite place to be -
right there with the waves lapping at my toes. I’ve been blessed to live so close
all my life - it’s an easy daycation for friends & family to enjoy. It’s not the
most gorgeous water - it tends to be pretty grey most of the time. And it’s a
little cold for my tastes. But the smell of the salt air, the sounds of the crashing
waves. All of it is heaven on earth for me! Multnomah falls. Fort Vancouver
and the 4th of July fireworks. The Oregon Zoo. OMSI. Battle Ground Harvest
Days festival. Lewisville Park. Paradise swim hole. Battle Ground lake. The Ape
Caves. Astoria, Seaside & Canon Beach. So many places that I love so much!
How can I ever leave? How can I call any other place home. Especially if that
place is a desert. I know that people think we get way too much rain up here. Let
me clue you in on a little fact - New York gets far more rain every year than
we do. And you don’t see the population dropping in that place. Besides -
without the rain, you would never get this beautiful place that I love! All those
trees and grass and GREEN stuff - it all needs water to grow! I know I
may have to leave this place soon, but Washington will always have my heart.