Our annual trip to Glacier National Park was amazing, as usual. This is the seventh summer I've spent a week there with Justin & friends and the fourth summer we've gone with Rachel & Micah. We accomplished a lot on the trip-- and, more than that, I've accomplished a lot as far as finding direction in my life. I don't feel like writing in detail about recent experiences quite yet (the trip, in particular, since I have to edit photos) but I do want to share the BIG THINGS that have happened. Here, in some semblance of order, are the best events of the last two weeks:
#10: Finished editing the photos from my trip to Banff, Canada... last October
#9: Got my first paid photo published in the Seattle Weekly's Fall Arts Guide (and a story to go along with it)
#8: Was approved by my doctor, with no struggle of reasoning whatsoever, for an IUD
#7: Went skinny-dipping in Lake McDonald-- one of my favorite things ever
#6: Hiked for three days through the gorgeous Montana back country
#5: Summitted Mt. Clements, the last remaining peak at Logan Pass J & I haven't climbed
#4: Ran 19 miles for marathon training
#3: Applied for an open staff-writing position at the Seattle Weekly (but haven't heard back yet!)
#2: Spent ten uninterrupted, awesome, fun-filled days with Justin's family and good pals Rachel & Micah
and finally, the real cake-topper (pun intended)...
#1 ... At long last, I got engaged to my longtime sweetheart and best friend!!
That's right, Justin and I are finally getting married! (Though not anytime soon, we expect to set a date into the summer of 2008.) Of course, we were engaged in Glacier, as Micah and Rachel were almost two years ago. I'll share the story of how it happened when I have the photos ready to go along with it-- for now enjoy these lovely photos of the ring, custom designed by Justin and Green Lake Jewelry Works:
Posted on September 06, 2006 @ 2:13 PM | 11 comments
Comments:
Many congratulations, Kat.
I wish the two of you all the happiness you can hold.
Take care.
Charles
By 
Cad, at
3:19 PM, September 06, 2006
All of those things are great... but EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWEDDING!
I can't wait to see all your pix... even those from last year (CZ and I didn't quite make it to Banff on our way home).
Can I just say again, EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEE!!
That is an absolutely GORGEOUS ring you guys. I want to do a little dance about it!
By Lazy Lightning, at
4:01 PM, September 06, 2006
Yay I don't have to keep it a secret anymore, thank you for posting!
And you know just how excited I am. My wishes for Glacier came true for you both this year!
By 
Rachel, at
5:17 PM, September 06, 2006
Gyaaa!
Congrats to the two of you! Your ring is gorgeous! XD
By , at
6:01 PM, September 06, 2006
congrats.
nice ring it is beautiful. it suits you as well. simple, elegant, pretty.
best wishes.
By 007ben, at
6:30 PM, September 06, 2006
awesome!!!!!!!!!!! post pics of you wearing the ring! weeeee wedding planning!!
By , at
7:21 PM, September 06, 2006
Congrats Kat (and Justin).
The ring is simply stunning.
By Louie, at
10:26 PM, September 06, 2006
eeeeeeeeeeeeee! Congratulations! That is a gorgeous ring! I heard the news from your mom on tuesday when I called there for addresses...I wanted to congratulate you...but I didn't want to spoil it by commenting here! Have you guys started thinking about plans yet?
By sometrouble, at
6:46 AM, September 07, 2006
CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!
Love the ring :O)
I am so happy for you two!!
By , at
7:39 AM, September 07, 2006
I'm replaying a conversation from our visit, sitting at the thai place we went for lunch.
Justin says: Well, we used to say we weren't in the same zip code, but now I'm out of excuses.
Dave: (with some impatience) So?
Justin: Shrug.
All at table try to figure out what is going on in Justin's head...
So, well played Justin.
Also...
EEEEEEEE! Yay! Awesome! Congrats! Yay!
By inkandpen, at
8:54 AM, September 07, 2006
Wow, Kat! Congrats! Nice ring!
The pics of your Canadia trip are amazing, too!
By cK, at
4:08 PM, September 07, 2006
