Busy Weekend with Friends

It was a busy weekend here in Sweet Home! We enjoyed a fun weekend visiting with Jen & Brady, along with the kids Brooklyn & Jason. Kristin & Jason were inseparable...and Ryan spent lots of time with Brooklyn--and she even shared some of her time with me!! (She usually gives ALL her attention to Ryan!)

Saturday morning we spent some time visiting, and the guys took off for a church Mens BBQ. Jen's sister, Melissa, along with hubby Rodney, and son Brandon showed up for a visit. We enjoyed watching the kids play, and spent some time catching up. It's amazing how much kids grow in just a few months!

After a while, Jen's Brother Eric (the third of the triplets) showed up with his new toy...a quad. Jason couldn't get his shoes on fast enough to get outside to see it. First sitting on it was OK, then having it run and sitting on it was OK...then he wanted a ride (OK, it was actually Jenny who wanted the ride). Uncle Eric unloaded the quad and gave Jen & Jason a ride...then Jen & Rodney each took a solo ride. As you can see from the pictures, there were smiles on everyones faces---except for Brooklyn, who was very scared of it! Eric & his new girlfriend Sandy visited for a short time, and then took off to go play on the new quad.
Uncle Eric & Jason on the QuadRodney & his great Wii form!

We spent an afternoon of playing Wii...as the outside time was done, and it was raining. Three of the kids napped...and the adults visited and had quite a challenge on Wii. I must say, Rodney has great form! The guys showed up, and we visited more, until Rodney, Lissa & Brandon headed for home. Jen & I made Alfredo & Spaghetti, and enjoyed fresh rolls, which Brooklyn helped me bake.


Kristin & Brooklyn jumping rope on the Wii

We enjoyed an evening of visiting, and Robert agreed to play us some tunes on the guitar...which we all enjoyed.

Sunday morning we headed to church, unfortunately without Bill who was suffering a migraine, and enjoyed a great message. Afterward, we headed home for lunch....which Brooklyn made all by herself!! It seemed all too soon as they packed up & headed for home. It was a great visit...but certainly much too long in between!


Brooklyn fixing her own sandwich


Until next time....

Sweet Home Guests

This has been a busy week! I spent two days training on a new computer system at Joe's in Eugene. It's been a long time since I've driven to Eugene more than one day in a row!! It was a nice change for a few days, and the kids stayed home and did school with Bill. They did great, and even said it was fun to do school with Dad. Thanks Bill, for helping out!

Robert moved in on Tuesday. He's a friend from church, and needed a place to stay. He's been our house sitter, so it seemed like a logical move. We've enjoyed his humor and his singing around the house. He's moved into the basement (YES, we cleaned it!) and it seems to be working out well so far for him.

On Tuesday night, we joined the O'Hara's at the VonRuden's for a fun BBQ. We enjoyed some good company, and lots of laughs. Sorry, no pics! Alexis came home with us, and she & Kristin spent all day Wednesday just being girls, doing a lot of talking, and having fun being together....without other siblings around. It was nice to have just one at a time.

Wednesday night, Bill headed to Bible study and I took Alexis home, and dropped off Ryan to spend the night with Declan, and brought Tanya & Alyona home for a turn. It was funny to see how the girls did different things. They spent Thursday playing games, and even sunned themselved on the porch while giving each other make overs. Tanya was a makeover gone bad, when Alyona & Kristin played a joke on her, and put purple eye shadow all over her face. I must say, she's cute in purple!! She was a great sport about it, and even a ham when I asked to take her picture. Note the great eye trick!!

On Wednesday night, Sean sent us a link for a corner shower on Craigs List. Bill checked it out on THursday morning, and we headed out to check it out. It was listed as ALMOND..which made me nervous, but when we got there, the color was only almond because it needed cleaned so badly. We paid our fees, loaded it up, and brought it home. I was a very well made corner shower, with glass doors, and brass hardware. Bill worked a good portion of the morning scrubbing it clean. The color on the back says "Bone White" and that's what it is!! Great job Bill! Thanks Sean for the find!


Friday, Jen, Brady & the kids came for the weekend. We had a great visit this evening and the kids finally got their Christmas gifts. We hope we don't go this long again without seeing each other...it was a long haul--but great to be back together.

Stay tuned for more pictures......

Peace at Last

On Tuesday our friend Mike was welcomed by Jesus into the Kingdom of Heaven. His fight here on earth is done, and even though we prayed for a miracle, God had other plans. The shepherd took one of his flock home, where there will be no more hurt, pain or suffering for Mike.

Please keep Debbie in your prayers as she starts a new chapter in her life. She was at church service tonight, and was doing very well. May God continue to give her peace, and we are thankful that she had these last few weeks with Mike.

Coastal Getaway

With all the stresses that life throws you when your life changes...it's good to know that good friends can sometimes see what you need more than you can. Sean suggested to Bill last week that we get away for a few days, and regroup. Even though we are home together, the busy days of the routine get in the way. Tracey set up a two night stay in Newport at a great place. Sean & Tracey watched the kids for us. We can't thank them enough. We arrived around 5 on Wednesday...and stepped into the "Captains Quarters"...a beautiful room with a great view of the bay in Newport...right in old town. At 5pm in the winter, the sidewalks roll up, and it got very quiet...well, as quiet as it can be with many sea lions below your room! Thankfully, they did get quiet at night.

We spent a lazy day on Thursday, walking the shops of old town, not buying much (a few gifts for upcoming birthdays) but just enjoying window shopping. We did splurge on a big lunch at the Sea Hag in Depot Bay...our favorite chowder/dinner place. We had a few great games of cribbage (it obviously was not my day--as Bill whipped me twice) and then headed back to our room for a quiet evening.

We woke early on Friday, not ready to head home, but that "have to go" feeling hung in the air. We headed out...enjoyed a nice lunch with the O'Hara Clan, visited with Nana (Tracey's Mom) before heading home for the afternoon. Thanks Sean & Tracey...for a good two days away.

Check out the video...you'll see & hear our Sea Lion Serenade!

Congratulations Kristin & Other Tidbits

Kristin joined Awana's about a month ago, and worked really hard to earn her vest/shirt. To earn this, you have to memorize the "Start Zone", which consists of many bible verses and life lessons. We were very proud of her!In other news...the basement is getting an overhaul. It's been a collective project, with Kristin & I working to get things cleared out (two big boxes to Goodwill), and Ryan & Bill tearing out the carpet from the floor and the one wall. Why the wall was carpeted is beyond us! At any rate, we're hoping to do some low budget fixes and maybe if funds allow, start on the downstairs.

The promise of spring & new growth is in the air. As spring arrives, we pray that it brings with it the new growth that needs to occur here in our house. Life as we know it has been topsy turvy, and we pray that the promise of Spring will bring new things with it. Keep us in prayer as Bill continues to look for work and decides if he will return to school. Pray for guidance, and for that rose to bloom better than it ever has before.

Thanks....