A new tradition...

Doug and I were talking about finding a "new tradition" to start for us to do each year at Christmas time. While we were perusing the many stores on Black Friday, Doug had a great idea. We like the little Christmas towns with the post offices, restaurants, houses, etc...sooo our new tradition is....

drum roll please...

Each year we will get a new building for 'our town', and each time the building we get will represent something that we did or that happened that year. This year we got married...and although we were not married in a chapel...we got the "Faith Chapel". Here is a picture with more light so you can see the details better...



Also, we got a clock tower to represent the beginning of our time together as a family. It is a little hard to see in the darker pictures, but it is there.
Here are some more views...





Just one more...



Enjoy your traditions of the season!

I need Africa...

I follow this blog...and this is a great post about visiting Africa and getting 'it' under your skin. For anyone thinking that they may or may not ever want to go on a mission trip overseas...read this post...you might just have to make sure you visit there too.

Ladies and Gentlemen...we'll be back in a few weeks...

So, about the previous post. Yah, he sure was cute...but turns out, a little clueless. Jasmine has a different boyfriend now...who knows what he is doing (ahem), she will see him again on Tuesday.:)

This week is Thanksgiving...which is wonderful because of the food, and for the fans...the football. Well, at least the American sense of the word. Let me just say to everyone out there...DVR just might be a marriage saver. It took Doug approximately 30-45 minutes to watch a three hour game today...HALLELUJAH!!!
Right, back to Thanksgiving. We get to do it twice, noon is at my aunt and uncle's..and after that we will be headed out of town to Doug's sisters house. This will be our first holiday shared with extended fam...so we are excited, I think.

Tuesday of this week, however starts our ever approaching foster parenting training hours...not sure if I am supposed to put both 'ing's in there but you get it. Our training hours will restart the next week with our Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and then the next week that same schedule as well as a FULL Saturday session. From there it is doctor visits, records, paperwork, fingerprinting, more classes, paperwork, CPR training, BBP training, paperwork, and then a home inspection..which is going to happen after we move of course. And after we find a fridge and washer and dryer, and redo the kitchen and bedroom floor, and the living room walls...and a few other touch ups...:) We are hoping by February or so...

Wow, this is a wordy post...I'll quit now.

Jasmine got a boyfriend...

More things that make me happy...

1. Stuff that's on sale, and then on sale again, and also 50% off
2. honey-combs
3. the litter box in the shed (not in the house)
4. scrap booking supplies
5. tacos (that is not swahili)
6. coupons
7. febreze AIR effects (rocky springs and cool)...I actually smile when I spray it...which evidently was a limited edition scent because it is now nowhere to be found, my 9.7 ounces is kapeesh
8. clean floors
9. my stash of sharpie pens
10. fridge magnets
11. Christmas shopping (pre-season)
12. surprises...when I know about them
13. the knowledge that each and every DMV will eventually pass away
14. mileage checks
15. 20/20 vision...yah, waking up, looking at the clock and seeing more than a red blur...it's GREAT!
16. handwritten letters
17. Hallmark stores
18. Doug

We're moving...

Because we think it is just so much fun and a great way to organize and reorganize our belongings...we have decided to move. Ya right! Some friends of ours that we go to church with happen to be moving out of their house into one that is more suitable for their family's needs...and have offered us their 'old' house to us. We are VERY excited about it because:
a. it is waaaaay less rent to pay each month
b. it is out of town
c. it is out of town
d. it is bigger than our current house
e. it is nicer than our current house
f. it is waaaaaaay less rent each month
g. it is out of town
h. we really love the house
i. there are trees

did i mention that it is way less rent each month and that it is out of town?
'Cuz it is.

Pictures to come...most likely we will be moving at the end of December...so after Christmas, whoever wants to help load up some stuffage...comeonover!!!

A book, part two

Above is the link to my first published book..."If it takes my whole life...I'll live again." This is something I have been working on for a few years and just never thought it would really get published. Recently, I decided to put the time into getting the book 'out there' so here it is!
p.s. evidently the spell check on this computer is bugged soooo...there is a misspelling in the book, see if you can find it as fast as I did!

A book...

Here is a chance for you to support us and independent publishing...click the lulu symbol below. (The top half of the book cover is white...so try to look past the website design flaw)

Life is different there...

I thought this was a great video...and a great song too...it is funny when I come across videos like these, I miss the good old days. Videos and people that remind me of the many many children like them and pictures taken like these...that I have experienced. I makes me miss always having a baby to hold during church..even if they did pee on me, always having someone touch my hair and giggle, shaking hands with EVERYONE, nyama choma, and all those great things that as a kid...I thought were normal for everyone. But now I just miss. Someone asked me the age old question the other day..."what was it like growing up as a missionary kid oversees?" To this day I am not sure how people expect me to answer that! I told her it was just normal for me, that I love that I had the experiences that I did, that I miss it, and that she should make her kids travel too...that she should definitely travel as well! I wish for everyone that they get to see, touch, taste and absolutely smell...Africa.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSdP6PqsbJY

Give Away...

So, I entered a free giveaway and part of the participation requirement is to post about it on my blog...so here goes...go here To Walk on Fertile Ground for some more info!!! (and to possibly become the winner!)

In other news, I now have 20/20 vision and improving...will find out just how great my vision is in three weeks at my next check up. I am seeing the world through no glasses/contacts and am loving it. Things are much clearer than they ever have been...lasiks is great! If anyone wants to get there eyes fixed and they live in the Portland or surrounding areas I would definitely recommend LasikPlus They are great and the doctor was awesome...and qualified..that's always a plus! (if you are considering it, let me know so I can be listed as a referral...'cause they will give me money for referring people to them)

Also, a newish ministry has begun at our church that we have had the opportunity to serve in. The name of it is, Come Unto Me Ministries and we are focusing on ministering to orphans and foster kids. Right now we are focusing on kids in our area but we are hoping that soon we can reach out overseas as well. Our project at the moment is a fun one...that YOU might like to be part of! We are collecting personal items (toothbrushes, notebooks, throw blankets, socks, etc) for kids and teens and putting these things together in bags. This is to give to foster kids who are bounced around from home to home...to have something of their own to take with them wherever they go. Many people feel that they do not have time to go and purchase these items so they have provided funds to help us go and get the things that the kids need...if you want to be part of this, drop me a comment and I will get in touch with you!

Well, I think that's just about it!
Pictures to come from our harvest carnival!!!