This is a picture of the girls at Bonneville Hot springs Spa. We had a wonderful day driving up the Washington Side of the Columbia, having a yummy lunch and a relaxing soak in the minerals water. Later we were treated to a "wrap" that was supposed to be healthy. Lots of fun to talk and relax together.

A few days before Christmas, we invited a Chinese family, living at the World View Center down to decorate cookies. The children are three and almost five and were very busy frosting and sprinkling sugar cookies and gingerbread men. It was a lively time complete with laughter, squabbles, hot chocolate and lots of mini marshmallows.

December 25, 2008

The day started out early in anticipation of a long drive to Eugene to be with the family there. We got out of 58th Ave with chains and met Laura in the QFC parking lot. Soon we removed the chains and drove without any big event south on I-5. We had a wonderful day with Laneys and Rexius families, thought we missed John and Debbie, Elisabeth and Jed, and Sarilyn and Steve. Thank goodness for telephones as we got to hear from each one. The food was delicious, the noise level high, the gift exchange and conversation sprinkled with laughter.

We have much to be thankful for each day and this was one of the extra special ones.

December 24, 2008
May the Lord of hope, peace, joy, and love be with you. The candle of hope reminds us of the promises made by the prophets that God would raise up a savior for His people Israel and for the nations. The candle of peace reminds us of the Messianic peace that makes us whole by releasing us from the oppression and burdens of this fallen world. The candle of joy reminds us that God gives joy to every heart that abides in Him. The candle of love reminds us that God so loved the world that He sent Jesus, by whom we were redeemed: His first advent. God's redemptive love continues to transform us the His Spirit until the day when His redemptive love will be completed, the second advent of Jesus.

The "Artic Blast" has now morphed into the "Snowpocaclypse. We have had snow falling from before 6:00 AM until about 3:00 PM. Carl and I took a hike up Mt Tabor. We wore our snowshoes and watched skiers, snowboarders, and sledders having a great time. It was beautiful. Also enjoyed the four wheel drive vehicles having fun. Note the difference in the accumulation from the previous post!!!

December 20 -21
The "Artic Blast" of '08 continues to bring inches of snow and now a coating of ice. Thought we would give you the backyard view. We had a short sweet visit with the Stansells on Saturday before they picked up Anita from the airport. So glad that she came in yesterday. Debbie was heavy with gifts, one box being pears, YUM! we have been enjoying them already. Thanks to all who had a part in that.
The Dillners came over for dinner and I made a nice pear salad with some stew. They stayed and played a word game called Quibbles or something like that. David was bored, but the rest of had some good laughs. Today will be bread making for Christmas.

December 19, 2008
Well we have another day without school. I am a little dissappointed because I had worked very hard to prepare for today with hot chocolate, marshmellows, a lantern and The Polar Express book. The kids also had calendars that they had made as gifts to take home. On the bright side, I got to sleep in a half an hour and I am getting some work done at home, including playing with my Blog -- I hope you all noticed the improvements :). Well at least the change of color.
Carl, David and I are off to lunch with grandma again.

Here is a little poem for the day!

Twas the night before Monday

the last week of school.

All the children were hoping the weather'd turn cool.

Their wishes were granted

The snow it did fall,

No school! Let's build snowmen! was their charion call.

With another day of no school, I am enjoying writing my Christmas letter, which if I had been subbing, would not have gone out until around Valentines day.

Thankfully the MAX was running and David and I were able to have lunch with grandma.

Happy Birthday to me, and what a celebration I have enjoyed. The snow showers continue and the showers of blessing keep coming too! I haven't fixed a meal today. Carl started the day with eggs on toast before I headed off in the "wintery mix" to teach. Then a driver picked me up from school and I was brought home for a gourmet lunch including cheese sandwiches, sparkling cider and ending with petite fours. Returning to school in the afternoon, I was greeted by lots of people saying "you've got flowers in the office. Well what a wonderful and touching surprise it was to read the greeting and share that they had come from my son who is on a ship in the Persian Gulf and I'm pretty sure with some help from his sweet wife. Well they are beautiful and make me smile. I was also showered with gifts from teachers and students as well. The memory of this one will linger for a long time. God's has blessed me all these years.

The blizzard of 2008

What a winter wonderful has come to Portland. For three days we have been hearing about the Arctic blizzard that is coming to Portland. The teacher that teaches next to me was having a ball doing her snow dance and praying to the snow gods to send snow so that there would be not school on Monday. Well she got her wish. About 6:00 AM the snow started and the winds blew and we now have about three inches of snow and no school tomorrow. I had a great day, cozy inside, with candles glowing and a cup of hot chocolate. I did all my Christmas baking including cinnamon roll (which Dad and I delivered to neighbors), cookies and peanut clusters. Tomorrow I may get to make my Christmas cards.