Dumpster Diving

You will NEVER guess what I caught my daughter doing!

What in the WORLD?????

Well, it seems earlier in the day, while playing in the snow, she threw a ninja kick...and ripped her pants.

When we arrived at the Campground, she threw her pants away, as I determined they were beyond mending.

Thirty minutes later - THIS.

Three years ago Jamin gave her a Trac Phone for her birthday. She loves texting and keeping up with everyone via her phone.

You know where this is going, right?

Her phone was in her pants pocket!!!!

We retrieved her pants and found her phone! All is well in the motor home tonight.

SNOW DAY!!!!

Sixteen months ago we set out on a journey to "chase the sun," "see America," "chase 70 degrees." Stacia has repeatedly bemoaned the fact that she  misses the snow of Japan.  We kept pointing out we did NOT have winter clothes and we didn't want to encounter snow.  They've been predicting snow off and on for the past couple of weeks... we FINALLY woke this a.m. to SNOW.

View from wind shield

We scheduled a move from Krista's driveway to a county park today. She had a SNOW DAY due to the schools being closed. This was GREAT. We got to enjoy the snow with her - and laugh at the sights and sounds of a snow day from her windows.  Lots of skidding and one into the ditch. Krista made us Dutch Babies - we sat and ate and watched the show....

Honey - Ingredient of health - almost seemed like a sign we should eat more honey

These guys were LOVING the weather

Michael went to a men's prayer meeting. I kept doing the jobs we needed to do to move. Arielle called and asked if we were still at Krista's. Cory dropped her off on his way to work. What a great idea! She blew in and said, "Let's go have snow fun."  It was fun to see the kids enjoy their first snow since Japan. 

Stacia was so excited

Nolan seemed to be the target

Planned to take the tree to recycling today - but didn't want to venture out too far

They made a "snow thing." 

 She's really not sleeping. We heard Japanese in the other room and peeked around to see this. 

Arielle had her first ride in the  motorhome as we caravanned across to the county park. Nolan made a snow animal and a castle on our picnic table. 

We're snug, cozy and warm here in our little slice of the Pacific NW. 

I can't wait to walk along the snow river tomorrow...and I have an AIR HORN to sound off if needed. I'll be fine.

Mystery Thriller Puzzle

Isn't it ironic how many GREAT things one fines when cleaning out their things to MOVE? Krista was no exception. I'd never heard of this - but it was GREAT. It's a mystery thriller puzzle. There is a story to read, and then a 1000 piece puzzle to  put together. There was NO PICTURE to guide you. The picture is a clue to solve the murder mystery. 

These four worked on the puzzle for a couple of days....

I helpfully pointed out saws, shotguns and forklifts as the puzzle came together. 

Michael and Nolan worked on throughout the day when they had breaks....we wanted it done tonight. 

We texted the photo to Jamin so he could be in on the solution. 

 Checking the photo for clues! 

The best thing is she found the puzzle at a thrift store for $1 - $2. I must go thrifting while we are here! 

Krista's Crazy Winter Vacation

Whew! Krista's Winter vacation has been a whirlwind. Her last few weeks have been "full". Some of the craziness was expected - Arielle's wedding, family visiting, roommates moving out - some was unexpected -  sprained collateral ligament in her knee!  

I KNOW having all of us in her driveway and Jamin in her roommate's old room was both a blessing and a stress. I do pray it was mostly blessing. We LOVED spending time with her, being here to help during the days when she wasn't mobile, taking her to doc appointments, shopping together, cooking together...and WE got to help her move!  It is fun to be the helper and not the  main movee. 😊

She had planned to be ready to move by the time she went back to work - but her knee injury slowed her down, just a bit. She's sorted things to give to sisters and friends, donate, store until she moves to Virginia, store until she goes active duty, take with her to Mexico.....it's all getting done. Before this beautiful, live tree came down, she hosted family dinners, two game nights, one Christmas Party, one New Year's Eve party and will host a birthday party tomorrow night and another on Saturday. This is "slow" Krista. 😀😉😁

She's been BUSY - though she says she stayed home most her vacation. ::snort:: She HASN'T played any more soccer. Her knee is still giving her trouble and she will be starting physical therapy soon. 

Krista went back to school today, Jamin flew back to College Station today. We moved a few more things for Krista, took a load to storage for her, and generally tried to get things "in order" for her. We also washed ALL our bedding - I can't even get all of the queen sheets in a load in the motor home. It took FIVE HOURS when I tried. 😜We're working to remove all trace of "us," as we'll pull chocks tomorrow. 

Her bedroom is nearly empty. Two rooms ARE empty. The living room furniture is gone. 

People have been coming by for days to buy things. Frankly, as a mom, I'm HAPPY we are here with all the characters from Craig's list dropping in and out.  Can you guess what the boys are doing? 

 Krista asked Jamin to make sure her checks were destroyed...um....they are!Another pile is growing to be donated. This may not end until she is driving down the highway. ::snort::

I had one of her favorite meals ready when she got home from work, Veggie Pot Pie, we've played games and answered the door to Craig's list folks...it's time for vacation to come to an end and all of us to get back to reality.

Ja Mata, Jamin!

When everyone else went home after the wedding, Jamin stayed.  He went home on 3 January and will prepare for his final semester at A & M. This is the longest visit we have had with Jamin since he moved out of our house in 2009.

Krista happened to have two roommates move out at about the same time as the wedding, 😏and we all moved over to her house after the out of town bridesmaids flew home. Jamin camped out in one of the rooms upstairs and we moved our rolling home to her driveway. It was nice to be on "that" side of town and be able to easily visit with BreZaak.


He  was a big help to Michael who has gone on a project binge the past few weeks. 😉

Jamin is the star of many of our parenting stories, and it is truly a blessing to see the man he has become.

His time has been full lately with travel and internship in Germany, attending writing conferences, writing his novel, finishing his degree at the Bush school of Government, and speaking at Sustainability conferences.

He's got a big year ahead of him....he'll turn 26 next month and shortly have his second master's degree. He's been online applying for a variety of jobs post-graduate. We look forward to seeing where he ends up.

We are thankful for the extra time we had to enjoy Jamin this year! Today, we said "Ja Mata!"

Games Galore

The kids have always played games a lot. I don't like many board games; but I've tried really hard to like them. We bought games each year at Christmas. I know they have great value.  I love that Krista hosts many game nights and Nolan wants nothing more than games, games, games for Christmas and his birthday! We play a LOT of games when we are together. Mafia, Farkle, Bunco, Dominion, Monopoly, Ticket to Ride (which I DO like), Flash Point....

Michael's therapist has challenged us to learn new games and words from foreign languages frequently. He learned Dominion this week and seems to enjoy it. LOL I like this one too.

Krista buys LOTS of games, most her games, at thrift stores. I always get puzzles with 6 missing pieces or games with 30% of the parts missing...but I think I'll give it a try again.

We play Farkle a lot with our immediate family and with Mom, Dad and Lorri.  I had an EPIC WIN this week (I don't often win, I tend to take a few too many chances). I promised I would post a photo!

Note my giant win at 13, 550! Nolan wins a lot and his score was 8,650. ::wink::

BEST GREETERS EVER!

In the Philippines we were told it was important to consider what you do the first day of a New Year as you'll be doing it all year long.  Our tribe had a HARD time getting up and about this morning....but could there be anything better than reconnecting with old friends and ministry partners on New Year's Day?????

Brenner was a chaplain at Beale. Stephanie and I worked with Women's Ministry. Our kids babysat their kids....Clara Beth cried when she realized they weren't going to Arielle's wedding.  They made an impromptu trip to OR this weekend and stopped by on their way through. We met for dinner and a visit...and an introduction to the newest member of their family, Ella Rose. I can't tell you how fun it was to see Cole and the girls waiting for us at the front of Mod Pizza.  They are the best greeters ever!

Stephanie and I 

Michael & Brenner - note the Baylor shirt and the U of O background

Ella Rose

Ella Rose is SWEET! And very expressive. 

I remembered to call Arielle and ask if she and Cory would like to join us. 

Fascinated with Face Swap....Clara Beth, Arielle, Elise & Cory 

Nonie with Clara Beth, Cole and Elise

Clara Beth and Elise 

We understand, now, how fun it is for retirees to connect with active duty members! It was fun to talk Air Force, to remember the ministry and relationships, to mutually encourage and pray for one another.  We are thankful Brenner and Steph looked us up.