New Beginnings--the fresh start after the storm. Follow along as we dedicate our lives to God after blessing us with a new beginning and another chance to make things right.
The last two days were sad ones....yesterday was sad, because we knew today was coming. I woke up yesterday, feeling that weepy feeling I get when it's time for us to say "goodbye".
Thursday was great, spending the day together, and watching movies, just relaxing and enjoying each other.
Friday, the tone was different. Hustling to pack, ridding up the house, getting ready to leave. Since Tam & Eric's flight was at 6 AM...we decided to head to Portland the day before. So after all the packing, around Noon, we headed North, to Portland. We checked into the hotel, and headed off to check out Powell's Bookstore. While it was out of our comfort zone.....we had a great time there, and Kristin & Ryan both found books they couldn't live without. Kristin bought a whole series, and has almost burned through one book already! We then headed a few blocks over to check out a toy store that was on the "must see" sights of Portland...but parking was horrible!! We came to an area where police were marking off the road. I looked down the street and saw we were almost to Pioneer Square, where the annual Christmas Tree lighting was to take place. No wonder it was packed!! We decided to head on out of Portland, back over near the airport, get some dinner, and let the kids go swim in the pool.
We spent a fun evening together, and after the pool, spa and showers, we all piled into one room to watch some TV, and visit some more before the dreaded bedtime. Since they were taking the 4:30 shuttle to the airport, we called it a night around 10:45.
At 4:15 this morning...we were all again back in Tam & Eric's room, giving teary eyed goodbyes....boy did this week fly by. There was so much we didn't do because of weather and schedules, but all in all, it was a great week...and spending time together is what it was all about anyway.
After the shuttle left...we all crawled back into bed, and slept until almost 9am! We headed down for Breakfast, the kids hit the pool while I packed up, and we were off by around 10:30ish. We hit the outlets on the way home, and then stopped for lunch. We arrived here about 3:00. It was a mopey day for all of us.
As I headed downstairs tonight to refill my water bottle...I found this: This note board was a huge game for Eric & Kristin. She had "Kristin loves Mom" on there when they arrived. Eric erased Mom and put Uncle Eric....Kristin would erase it, and put Mom back. It went on several times. Tonight when I went for water...I found this. UGH..heartbreaking. Guess we're all missing the Jenkins'.
Until next time....
We are missing you Tammy,Eric,Erica & Nick. We love you!
We are blessed beyond measure....especially this year, as my sister and family are here with us. It has been an incredible week, nothing much exciting, just blessed to be able to spend time together, laugh, enjoy the snow, enjoy the coast, enjoy the visiting.
Today was a "Kick Back" kind of day. While Tam & I puttered in the kitchen a lot, we still managed to have coffee, visit, eat, get a nap...it was a good morning and afternoon. The kids have enjoyed being downstairs in their own territory....playing WII together, just hanging out, and having fun. Instead of lunch...we had a veggie tray and some spinach dip....then it was off to nap land for an hour or so...probably more of the 'so'!! It's been great!! We had a Catch Phrase game in the livingroom before dinner....it was tons of fun, and so funny to hear them all giggle and laugh. We had dinner around 6, as our turkey wasn't frying as fast as it should....but turned out SOOOOO good!! We enjoyed turkey, potatoes (made skinny style...no one noticed!), gravy, sweet potatoes, spinach salad, Aunt Erma's pink stuff, green bean casserole, and rolls. Nick made us all laugh with how meticulous he is when buttering a roll...it has to have the RIGHT amount of butter, and all areas must be covered!!
Actually, in reflecting today, it's been wonderful. We are blessed with health, everything we need to meet our needs, great family, those that love us, but most importantly, Christ, who gave us purpose to live, and a reason to do what we do every day. Thank You Lord....for the gift of your son....and thank you that we know him!
Tuesday Night Movie.... You must be fashionable in Sweet Home to get the wood.... Devils Punchbowl near Otter Crest on the Oregon Coast....
We had a lazy morning at home...getting some things rid up...as 8 people in one house make a mess!! Everyone pitched in, and within a hour we were ready to head out to the coast.
Bill was late getting out of school...so we had lunch in Lebanon, and just as we were eating, he called and said he was on his way. We were pulling up to the light by the park & ride lot at the same time he was getting off the freeway....you can't get much better than that!!
We all piled in, and headed to the coast. We hit some slush on the highest hill on the way over, but other than that, it was a smooth and dry ride over, with even some sun breaks!! We arrived at the coast, and it was partly sunny, a little windy and very cold!
Devil's Punchbowl State Park Tam, Nick, Eric & Erica Bill, Kristin, Shawnna & Ryan Bill found a Fox Hat Whale Watching at the Whale Center in Depot Bay A pretty sunset in Depot Bay
We managed to spend some time at some pretty sites, hit downtown Depot Bay, the Whale Watching center, and round it out with a great dinner at Gracie's Sea Hag....with the BEST clam chowder ever! The kids were treated to a song on the bottles!
We had a great waitress that really made it fun for us. After our fill of clam chowder, we piled into the Suburban, headed toward Newport, grabbed peppermint mochas and peppermint hot chocolate at Starbucks and headed home.
We stopped at Walmart to pick up a few things for Thanksgiving, and headed home to settle in to watch a movie. Great day...great company.
Nick wanted to go to Michigan because of SNOW...but SNOW came to NICK!! It started last night with icy pellets, which froze....and then we got snow on top of it. Bill headed off to school without even looking at the school web site...and when he called to say buses probably would not be running, I checked Chemeketa's site, and it showed closed....so I called Bill back, and had him turn around. He made it less than 7 miles in 25 minutes. He turned around and made it back in about 20...it usually takes us less than 10. Sweet Home also called off school. Everyone gets to be home today...YAHOO!!All four kids were up by 7ish...waiting for Tam & Eric to get up so they could head into the trailer to get winter gear for everyone. They watched a movie until then...anxious to get outside. Once all bundled up...out they went, excited, giggling, laughing, and just having a great time. Bill aired up all the inner tubes...and off they went. Lots of fun...some great times, and LOTS of memories.
We are on trip three outside, and in between this last trip...the girls made each other up....MiMi style!! Fun times. Just enjoying each other, relaxing, and watching the snow as it is still falling...
My sister Tammy & her family arrived yesterday morning. We have been apart almost two years....way too long! The forecast was calling for rain, but we were blessed with sunshine as soon as we got to the airport. We had a nice sunny drive home, and then it clouded over. Oh well, we enjoyed what we got!
We spent the afternoon visiting, and also enjoyed a visit from Nate & Katie, along with my favorite girls...Allie and Audrie. We even got the kids to hang home with Audrie, while we adults went out for dinner.
This morning, we headed to church, then headed home to awesome omelets, with fresh eggs! While we were making lunch, it started to snow! We got the kids out on the porch for a picture, and before long, it was snowing so hard that Sweet Home disappeared!! It wasn't long before I was "WHAPPED" with a slushy snowball by my loving son, and much giggling followed! He's hoping for a snow day tomorrow...but I doubt that is going to happen!
Off for a short nap, and then kids to Youth Group. They had a great time tonight, and were blessed beyond measure. Nothing huge these last two days....just enjoying being together! Kids having a great time, and have staked out the familyroom/basement as their own territory!!
These last few weeks have been a blur. Weekends have been full, and of course weeks--we go from bedtime to work to dinner to bedtime to work to dinner to....you get the picture!! Several weeks ago, for part of Kristin's birthday gift, she requested a "Mommy-Daughter Day".....her goal was to get pedicures. SO...off we went for a day of shopping and pedicures. I must say, a pedicure was out of my comfort zone, but SO right down Kristin's alley. Thanks Tami for giving her a love of some girly stuff that I would have never shown her!! It was a great day, and even though some of the pretty has worn off, they still look pretty good!! Little girls get hands, feet and flowers for the same price as I got toes painted!! The soak and massage was great though! Trick Or Treat was productive for Kristin...and she feels so strongly about her candy, that it is kept under lock & key!! What else would you use a cash box for? Nice trays for sorting, and a hidden compartment below for 100 grand bars!! Certainly not her money....that is HIDDEN!!Kristin spent some time outside with her camera...she got some nice fall shots. I think we need to take her East to see some REAL fall colors...although, I the East is all done with color! Enjoy her slide show!!
We celebrated both kids birthdays today. Ryan will be FIFTEEN, yes 15 on Tuesday. Kristin turned 12 October 14. Where has the time gone? Seems like yesterday we were watching Sesame Street, reading Big Bird at Bat, playing with Ugly Baby and tripping over dinosaurs. We offered the kids a "family day" somewhere in lieu of a party, and they both said "NO, we like to see our "family" and our birthday is the only time we seem to do it"...so party we did. We had a great visit with our family, and although some were missing...we enjoyed a nice evening, complete with a kid fix for me!! Although I missed Jenny tonight, I did not have to fight for baby time. Grandma Kathy had her time today before they got here, so she was very willing to share :) Make sure to check out the slide show below!
