Where we have been....

So in case you are wondering, we drove to Northern California to hang out with my aunt, uncle and family, for a short day and a half, picked up Todd from the airport and then drove the rest of the way to Portland for Christmas with our families. How we miss them!! We had great fun, in fact, had so much fun that I forgot to take pictures!! When my family gets a chance to send me their photos, I will post them, but for now, here is one I did manage to grab, Anna and Dillon on Christmas morning with Uncle Mark. I so miss our family!!!


December was filled with parties and shopping and birthday fun, making cookies, time with family, visits with lots of family in Oregon and Washington, so are you surprised I was totally sick over New Years!!! Yes, I went to sleep at 9pm, by myself, on the 31st, shivering with chills from a fever, when all my friends celebrated the New Year at the party I was looking forward to!!! Oh well, I am happy to say that I have matured, it didn't really bother me too much, I was full of fun memories with family and friends in December, and knew I couldn't help being sick, and there are more important things!!! I am growing up, yay!!! =) =) Being sick really tired me out, thus the lack of posts, plus January is always a challenge... more about that tomorrow.... I am learning to have realistic expectations of what I can get done. I suppose this will always be a struggle, after much struggling in prayer I am at a good place, at least right now. Who knows what tomorrow will hold??? =) =)

Good night!!

just a thought.... can we talk to someone about making December an extra few weeks longer, maybe shorten January??? Just a thought!!! =)

More memories....

So December was such a world-wind... there is such a balance between enjoying the season and getting everything done that I would like. My new plan is to get all, or most, of the shopping done, maybe in the summer??? so that I can relax a bit more in December, and really enjoy the season.

Fun times in December: Anna's school performance, so sweet!! She shined as she sang her songs and smiled and danced and did her hand motions, what a star!!! She brings such joy and delight to those who watched her preform!!!

Anna also had a Christmas party at school, on the 20th, my birthday!! Such fun!! The children decorated cookies, exchanged books, and watched the teachers open their gifts. The teachers showed such delight in each gift, it was fun to see the children beam as their gift was opened. Such a special time!!!


The last few memories I leave you with (it is getting late and I have more to accomplish tonight):

Our family Christmas celebration, a few days before our trip north. It was so fun and precious to see Anna and Dillon open the gifts they bought for each other.... what can be better than seeing the joy they got out of giving!!!Our annual Christmas celebration with our special friends. See his impromptu story time!!!

Fun memories from Christmas

Yes, I know this is late... but still fun to remember and enjoy!!

So, what to write about?? Some friends of mine all got together for out 2nd annual cookie bake... about 30 dozen cookies in 7 hours, not bad, hunh?? That was a lot of fun, I so treasure time with girl friends!! Of course, a big thank you to Todd who shared me for the day!!

I was able to do one of my favorite things for my birthday, on the 20th. The two days prior I was busy making dozens of cookies, and then Anna and Dillon and I went around town delivering our treats!!! So much fun, and a great way to spend my special day, with friends and bringing Christmas treats!!! We all had dinner later and opened gifts, of course, but the delivery was my favorite part!!


Yummy!! I was happy with how they came out... considering I did not have much time and was going to leave they next day for Northern California and then Portland!!! Yikes!! It was so worth it, and hopefully next year I will have time to make and deliver more cookies. Fun memories!!

Chistmas Eve

The Christmas eve service we attended (In Oregon, at my parents' church) was so beautiful. The Pastor challenged us to be God's messengers, sharing the good news with others who do not know. The most beautiful part came early in the service. The worship pastor called all the children up to sing a song and then hear the Christmas Story. Anna went up... she loves going on stage. Dillon chose to safely stay with mommy and daddy. Actually, Anna had already asked to go up on stage with the choir and sing!!! =)

So, after they sang a few verses of a fun Christmas tune, the worship pastor asked the children to share something about Christmas, and he would insert the lyrics into the song, so they could all sing a few new verses. So, out of the 50+ children that went up on stage, Anna raises her hand, and they give her the microphone.... what is she going to say??? At first, she is quiet. Maybe looking at the 500+ people in the audience in causing her to fall silent???

"What is your favorite part of Christmas?", the worship pastor prompts.

Then Anna, in a confident voice, says...

"Baby Jesus came to earth to die on the cross for our sins!"

I am stunned that this is what she choses to say, in front of all these people! I love it!!! Anna has definitely enjoyed the gift giving time of Christmas, and does delight in church and Jesus and all the stories of Christmas... yet the fact that this is what she choses to share fills me with joy. She is understanding all of what my heart longs for her to understand. Praise God!!!

December Highlights

I love December!! I wish it was two months long, instead of only 31 short days!!!

I have so much joy to share... but I am recovering from all the fun and busyness, so... here is the best one, and I will leave the rest for another day..