Papa & Mama ... Proud Parents

Picture by

Little Brother Ben

of

Benjamin's Photography

Everyone is Heading Home

Jeremiah & Ashleigh are off on their Honeymoon.

The Big Kids have Flown Home.

We have Loaded the Van.

We are Ready for 4 Days in the Car.

We have 2800 Miles To Go.

We are Loadin' Up & Headin' Out.

If you are driving on I-10

in Texas, New Mexico, or Arizona,

 on Monday or Tuesday ...

or I-5 in California, Oregon, or Washington,

on Wednesday or Thursday,

keep your eyes out for the Big Red Van.

(We've got the Family Stickers on the back windows.)

Honk & Wave if you see us.

Beautiful Wedding Pictures

Pictures by ... 

Big Sister Cassie

of

Kekasmai Images

Mr. & Mrs. Jeremiah D.

December 18, 2010

Wedding Bells will be Ringing

Crazy Week

Camera Fail

Lots of Fun

Off to a Wedding we go ......

Stay Tuned for pics and stories.

We CONQUERED the Highways Today!

Up at 5:30 a.m.

On the road by 6:30.

Breakfast at a gas station at 8:30.

Lunch on the road at 1:30.

More Christmas Music and Yahtzee and
a book on tape, "The Tale of Despereaux".

Arrived at Bridget's house at 7:30 pm.

We made it 750 miles down the highway,
in only 13 hours.  Woo Hoo!!!

We arrived at Bridget's house to
Big Hugs and Pizza.  What a welcome!

Our kids were soooo... glad to be out of the van;
and Bridget's kids were sooo... excited to have friends over.

After a couple hours of hard play time,
I think the kids will all sleep well tonight.

And so will Papa and Mama.

A GREAT Day!

Papa and Mama are "On the Road Again"  ...  which seems to be a MAJOR theme of 2010.

I am so BLESSED to have Papa with me on this trip.  He wasn't planning to drive with us.  I was planning to be the only driver for this 6,000 mile trip.  Papa had even bought his plane ticket to Houston.  But, a couple of weeks ago, several couples from the Little Church on the Island found out the plans, and they INSISTED that Papa be with his family for the Road Trip.  Papa didn't want to take the time off of work, but these sweet couples said, "We're big kids.  We can take care of ourselves."  THANK YOU ... to the wonderful congregation that has allowed Papa to be with his family this week.

The one slight frustration of this new plan, was that we would be throwing away a $270 plane ticket.  But, the Lord came through with us on that one, too.  One of Jeremiah's friends had not yet purchased his ticket, and we were able to pay a change fee and have the ticket re-issued to the friend.  So, we were able to sell the ticket.  Thank You, Jesus!  He is Our Provider!

It was AMAZING how easy 550 miles was ... with 2 drivers.  We cruised down to Medford, OR in just under 10 hours, with only 3 quick potty stops.  We listened to Christmas music.  We played Yahtzee.  We visited.  We napped.  We ate Bagels & Cream Cheese for lunch.

We are staying at the home of sweet friends ... while they are out of town.  THANK YOU ... sweet friends; I hope you are enjoying your cruise.  We stopped at a grocery store to buy things for dinner and breakfast, and then came and made ourselves at home.

After putting the Young Ones to bed, Papa and I played a fun card game of Hand & Foot with Ben, Hosanna, Josh, and Hannah (Josh's fiancee).   It is sooo ... fun having Josh & Hannah with us.  We drove further today than Hannah has ever driven in a car.  She thought 550 miles was far ... just wait until she experiences the 750 miles of tomorrow.


Side note:  While we are supposed to play 6-man Hand & Foot with 6 decks of cards, the kids thought it would be fun to play with 8 decks.  Then, when we sorted the cards after the game, we discovered we were playing with 9 decks.  Then ... we discovered that we weren't really playing with 9 decks, we were playing with about 12 incomplete decks.  Oh my!  Too funny!  It looks like our cards got messed up after our big Hand & Foot Tournament on Thanksgiving.

We also lined up another friend's house to stay at on this trip.  So, while we had planned (and budgeted $750 before the unexpected van repairs) for 6 nights at hotels, it looks like we will only have 1 night at a hotel on our way to Houston, and 1 night on our way home.  Thank You, Jesus!  Do any of you live between El Paso and Fort Stockton, TX?  We'd love to invade your home.  All we need is a floor to throw our sleeping bags on.

Side note:  Elijah came downstairs awhile after he'd been sent to bed this evening, and said he couldn't sleep well because he wasn't "used to sleeping on the floor".  I told him he had better get used to it ... because he won't be seeing a bed for the next 2 weeks.  Obviously ... no one has 10 extra beds at their house.  Floors and couches work GREAT for the Big D. Family.

We will be getting up quite early tomorrow, so that we can get back on the road.  We are so excited to visit Bridget and Her FUN Family in Southern California.  Yippee!  Here we come!  I hope her family is ready for the CRAZY Big D. Family to invade their home.  We have wanted to visit for awhile, but we wouldn't all fit in the motor home that they lived in last year.  But, now that they have a house again, we are ready to PARTY with their SUPER FUN family.

I hope that you all have a BLESSED weekend!!!

Mama D. ... Melancholy?

No ... 


it's not very often that Mama gets melancholy.




But ... 


it just doesn't seem like Christmas this year.




We don't have a Christmas tree ...
and Mama LOVES her Christmas trees.




We only have a few decorations up.
Thanks, Lindsey, for setting up
Mama's Christmas Village while I was gone.




Mama hasn't been able to even buy Christmas
presents for the kids this year, besides the
pajamas they will open on Christmas Eve.




Papa won't be home for Christmas.




Gregg, Cassie, Jeremiah, and Carissa
won't be home for Christmas.




It will be a VERY quiet Christmas at
the Big D. house this year.




I hope that it SNOWS, so that the kids
will have something fun and exciting to do.




Don't get me wrong ...
Mama is NOT depressed ...
it just doesn't seem like Christmas this year.




Mama is EXCITED for the wedding in Texas.




Mama is looking forward to this upcoming
Road Trip, and is excited that Josh & Hannah
will be Road Tripping with us.




Mama is looking forward to the Wedding Reception
that we will be hosting ... even if it won't be all that
she had hoped and planned for, as far as decorations
and such.




God is GOOD.




God is FAITHFUL.




God will PROVIDE.




And ... 




We will still celebrate the Birth of Christ,
even if it doesn't "look" like is usually does.




I'm really not wanting to complain,
but wanting to share my heart,
with all of you sweet Bloggy Friends.


It's been a TOUGH year,
and Mama is ready for a "new season" ... 


...  a season of joy and love


...  a season of smiles and laughter


...  a season of less heartache and pain


...  a season of less financial stress




We are praying that the New Year brings
a new season for the Big D Family.

My Amazing Man

Just time for a quick note to share what Papa did yesterday ...

First of all, Papa got up at 4:20 am to drive Jeremiah 100+ miles to the airport, so that he could fly to TX for some wedding prep.

When  I got in the car to drive to Bible Study at 8:30, I saw that my "empty gas tank" light was on.  I didn't  have time to go to the gas station, so I called Papa to see "when exactly?" the light went on (as he had been driving my car).  Papa said that it hadn't been on long last night, so I figured I could make it the 12 miles to Bible Study, and fill up afterwards.  No problem.  I wasn't worried.

When I came out of Bible Study at 11:15, I saw a note tucked in my car door.  Papa said, "Call me before you leave."  He should have been home in bed, after not much sleep last night.

When I called, Papa said, "I am parked down the street, so that I can follow you to the gas station, to make sure you don't run out of gas."  Oh my!  Too sweet!

Papa had wanted to take my car to fill it up, but he didn't have my car key.  So, he sat in a drugstore parking lot for over an hour, waiting for me to get out of Bible Study.

Is that SWEET, or what ?!?!?!

Thank You, Jesus ... for giving me such an AMAZING man to walk through life with!!!

God is Faithful!

Thank you all so much for your prayers and encouragement today.

Last night, we were offered another place to stay on our trip.  One less night in a hotel is a HUGE blessing!

First thing this morning, I got a note from one of you saying that your child had awoken at 4:00 am, and that you had felt strongly that you needed to pray for someone.  When you opened your computer, the Lord directed you to read my blog, and you lifted me up in prayer.  Oh my!  I was so BLESSED by this note, and the knowledge that the Lord is specifically leading others to pray for us.  Thank you!

While at Bible Study this morning, one of our questions was about the verse that says, "Be thankful in everything.  With thanksgiving, in prayer and supplication, bring your requests to the Lord."  (Mama's version ... no time to find my Bible to look it up.)

After Bible Study, I came home to discover that "someone" had dropped off 2 bags FULL of snacks for our Road Trip.  Hosanna said it happened so quickly that she didn't think to ask the woman's name.  I am suspecting that it was one of YOU ... my sweet Bloggy Readers.  So, THANK YOU for the unexpected and much appreciated gift!!!

We are praising the Lord that our van is fixed ... and ready to take us on another 6,000 mile Road Trip.  It did cost us $1650, but we are thankful that we had money in the bank to pay for it.  And, we are soooo... very thankful that it didn't break down halfway to Houston.  It was truly God's provision that He led me to phone our mechanic and ask, "Is there anything we need done on the van before taking another trip?"    Now, we will wait expectantly for the Lord to provide for the rest of the trip expenses and the Wedding Reception in a few weeks.

Truly ... we are thanking and praising the Lord for ALL that He has done for us; and we are looking ahead with great expectation of the miracles to come.  Sometimes, we need to be totally at the end of our own resources, before He steps in to work His miracles.  We lived for many years without a savings account, and we watched God provide.  Now, our savings is almost gone, and we are excited to be in the midst of the FAITH walk that He has us on.

Thank you for your continued prayers!!!

In Need of a Miracle or Two

Oh my!  


What a week!

I came home from Minnesota on Saturday evening, with 5 days to get ready for our Road Trip to Texas.  (At this time, I had only been home 5 days since November 13th.)   And ... things have gone AMAZINGLY well, other than ... a few ... unexpected ... hiccups in our plans.

First, in the midst of the crazy busyness, the Lord has given me peace and strength to focus on "the next thing" ... and my to-do lists are getting shorter.

I have also been able to focus on other priorities,
in addition to the to-do list.

#1  I have watched my eating ...
      and lost 3 pounds since Sunday morning.

#2  I walked on the treadmill both Monday and Tuesday ...
      but couldn't this morning due to a power outage.

#3  While my to-do list included getting a haircut ...
      I had 3 wonderful and peaceful hours visiting
      with my dear friend the hairstylist.
      (We also got to experiment with 
        Mother-of-the-Groom Hairstyles.)

#4  Our sweet "Adopted Grandparents" phoned yesterday,
      wondering if we were free for dinner.  I could have easily
      explained our busyness; but, since dear friends are a
      priority we made the time, and had a WONDERFUL
      evening.  We NEVER could have planned this a month
      ago; but at the last minute, Jeremiah, Lindsey, and Josh
      were all able to join us.


So, while our THINGS TO DO lists are CRAZY, the Lord
has given us time for friends, exercise, good nutrition choices,
etc... in the midst of the daily chaos.


However ... now for the HICCUPS  ...
and NEED FOR PRAYER ...


I was planning to get an oil change on our van before the trip.
Budget:  $35

Yesterday ... our mechanic informed us that we were also
past due for a tune-up, and we might need our transmission
fluid replaced.
Added Expense:  $500 - $850

Today ... we were informed that our brakes were nearly
"metal on metal", and that we needed new rotors and
ball joints.
Added Expense:  $1,000


Here's where the need for a miracle comes in ...

We are in great need of financial provision.

Our bank account does not have sufficient funds for all
of the car repairs, plus the trip to Texas, plus the
Wedding Reception that we are hosting just after Christmas.

We do not use credit cards.
So ... we are TRUSTING the LORD to show us what to do.

When I got the call from the mechanic today, I was just about
to order pretty table cloths and napkins for the Wedding
Reception.  But ... I guess we'll stick with the white linens
provided by the reception hall.

While we were planning to eat 1 meal per day at a fast food
restaurant on this Road Trip ... I guess we'll just be eating
bagels and cream cheese 2 meals per day, instead.

We cannot stay at Motel 6 on this road trip, because they won't
allow 5 per room (we have 5 boys and 5 girls on this road trip)
... we are praying that the Lord will show us where to stay.
We do not usually stay at hotels, but we just can't tent camp
in the winter.

Please pray ...

1.  That our van will be fixed by tomorrow.
    We are supposed to leave for TX early Friday morning.

2.  That the expenses would somehow not be as expensive
     as estimated.

3.  That the Lord would provide inexpensive housing for our trip
     to the wedding.  (This is NOT an "optional" trip, we REALLY
     do NEED to be at our Son's Wedding.)

4.  That the Lord would show us how to keep food costs
     as low as possible, while traveling.

5.  That the Lord would provide for us financially, as things have
     been very "tight" with the salary from our small church.
     (Jim's painting business was very slow this past summer.)

6.  That the Lord would provide financially for ...

     ...  the unexpected van expenses.

    ...  the Road Trip to TX for the wedding.
  
    ...  the Wedding Reception here in WA.

7.  That the stress from the added financial burden wouldn't
     paralyze me, as I need to continue on with my to-do lists.


Thanks for your prayers!!!

We KNOW that Our God is a God of Miracles!!!


Just in case you wonder ... our mechanics are WONDERFUL, Christian, trustworthy businessmen ... who have taken care of all of our cars for 10+ years.  We FULLY trust them, and are so thankful that we had all of this work done BEFORE the trip.  Can you imagine if we had a major breakdown 1/2 way to Texas?!?!  Oh my!  That would have been HORRIBLE!

The Snowball Fight

After our hike at Silver Falls State Park last week, 

the kids had a snowball fight.

Within mere minutes,

the family went from "sweet & innocent",

to "fierce & competitive".

(Do any of your families transform like that?)

The "Sweet & Innocent" Big D. Family

The Snowball Fight

Hannah, Rachel, & Josiah

Joshua ... Fighting Back After an Ambush

Gathering Ammunition

Run, Josh, Run!

Dean ... the Initiator of the Ambush on Josh

Ben Loves a Good Fight 

(snowball fight, that is)

The Gang

After the Fight ...

Sweet & Innocent Again ...

Cassie & Hosanna

Rachel

(looks like she might be a bit grumpy after the fight)

Hannah & Josh ...

Oh So Cute!!!

We were BLESSED by our time at the

Christian Renewal Center for Thanksgiving.

It was so FUN to have Dean, Ashleigh, & Hannah with us.

I LOVE this stage of Young Love for my Big Kids!!!

No More Huffin' and Puffin'

I think it's time for an update on the Takin' Care of Mama Challenge ...


When we were at Silver Falls State Park in Oregon last week, we hiked down to the South Falls.  (See THIS POST for amazing pictures of the icicles.)


For the past "way too many" years, this hike down to the falls and back has been a challenge for Mama.  I have had to take several breaks on the hike back up the hill; and I have been huffing and puffing the whole way.


Last summer, I actually looked down the hill and told Papa, "I think I'll stay at the top this time.  You and the kids can do the hike."  Oh how it broke my heart to realize how out of shape I was ... it was definitely a wake-up call.


This time, I looked down the hill, thought about copping out, and then thought, "No.  I can do this.  I need to see if I am in better shape than last summer."  Down the hill I headed ...


When I neared the bottom, Papa told me that he wasn't going to let the Young Ones go any further, because of the ice.  It was too dangerous for them.  I automatically thought, "Okay.  I'll stay with the kids."  But, as the Big Kids went on ahead, and I watched them having fun with Papa, I thought, "I want to be there.  I want to go down on the ice covered walkways."  Thankfully, Lindsey came back up to watch the kids and asked if I wanted to go down.  Off I headed.


Now, not only was I usually so out of shape that it made the hike hard, but I was also not as steady on my feet when carrying the extra pounds around.  In the past, I wouldn't have been confident enough to hold onto the icy railing and allow my feet to slide down the icy path.  This time, however, I allowed myself to take the risk.  You cannot imagine the joy it brought me ... to be with Papa and the big kids ... to go down the icy path, knowing that I was strong enough to pull myself back up ... to feel confident with my balance on the ice.  It was a HUGE step for Mama.


Now, I really didn't expect to hike back up the hill without stopping.  Actually, that didn't even cross my mind.  I was just glad to be hiking with the family.  I was wearing heavy layers and a bulky coat ... I was wearing heavy winter snow boots (not hiking boots) ... so, I was just glad to have made it down the hill and across the ice.


Then, I started hiking back up.  At the midway point, I thought about stopping (just because that's what I've done for so many years), but realized that I wasn't huffing or puffing, so I kept on going.  Not only did I make it to the top without stopping, but when I got to the top I just took a couple of deep breaths and was able to converse normally and walk back to the parking lot.  Oh my!  Unless you have ever been severely overweight, you have no idea what absolute JOY that brought to my heart.  I was PRAISING JESUS!!!


Along with being in better shape, I don't believe I've gained weight in the past couple of weeks, despite the 3 Road Trips and holiday meals.  I was pleasantly surprised when I stepped on a scale at Josh' house last Monday (after not weighing myself for a week).  And, I actually had FUN shopping for my Mother of the Groom Dress.  I felt GOOD when I put it on.  This was HUGE for me, since clothes shopping has been quite a traumatic event for far too many years.


Now, I still have a LOT to lose.  But, I can't WAIT to go shopping next summer for a new dress to wear as Mother of the Groom for Josh & Hannah's wedding in July ... and, another wedding or two that I expect to be taking place this coming year, as well.  Right before I got pregnant with Josh, I got cancer of the thyroid ... and gained 40 pounds in 4 months.  That was the beginning of 20 years of struggling with my weight.  It would be absolutely AMAZING if I could attend his wedding, weighing less than I did when I got pregnant with him.  That is my new goal .....


How are all of you doing on your Takin' Care of Mama Goals ?  I'd love to hear ...




Update:  I just got on my scale for the first time in 2 weeks, and I only gained 2.0 pounds.  I ate holiday food and "camp food" for 6 days.  (We attend a Christian Family  Camp in Oregon for Thanksgiving every year.)  Then, I ate hotel and restaurant food for 6 days, on my trip to Minnesota.  I haven't had "Mama's Food" for 12 days, so I am very pleased to have only gained 2 pounds.  Now, I have 2 weeks until the wedding, and would LOVE to lose another 4-6 pounds.   I am excited to be able to eat right and exercise again, after 2 weeks on the road.

SnowBoarding ... and a Not So Fun Day.

Please pray for our "Adopted Big Kid" Jared.  He was snowboarding on Wednesday, and fell and broke his clavicle (collar bone).  He had surgery yesterday afternoon, and I haven't heard how he is doing.  Jared is a fireman, and will have to be out of work for at least 6 weeks.


Please pray for ...


...  physical healing 


...  emotional healing (he's had a TOUGH year)


...  financial provision (he bought his own house this year)




Pray that the Lord would use this time as a time to draw Jared's heart closer to His ... a time to renew and restore ... a time to refresh and reevaluate ...


The Young Ones are making Get Well Cards, and Mama needs to get home to bake an apple pie for Jared.  We need to let him know that he is LOVED.


Thanks for your prayers!!!

Flying High ...

After flying over the snowy flat lands of North Dakota and Eastern Montana, for awhile (see previous post), we climbed above the clouds.  We have had beautiful blue skies, while below us lay a soft bed of fluffy white clouds in every direction.

Then, some mountain peaks began popping through the cloud cover.  Right now, we are flying over the Rocky Mountains of Western Montana.  It is BEAUTIFUL!!!  There is a gorgeous lake below us, high up in the mountains.  It makes me wonder if anyone has ever visited that lake from the ground, or if it has only been seen from the air.

Somewhere below us, lie the snowy mountain passes that we traversed just 4 short days ago.  (So much has taken place this week, that it seems much longer.)  Then, the snowy mountains were something that we needed to conquer.  Now, those same snowy mountains are a thing of beauty ... an example of God's most AWESOME creation.  Oh how the perspective changes at 20,000 feet.

It's been a GREAT flight.  I've gotten so much done, with the gift of free wi-fi.  It truly has been a sweet gift from the Lord, as I head into one of the busiest week's of my life.  Thank you Jesus, for seeing a need, and giving me this sweet gift, even when I didn't ask for it.

I think I'll have just enough battery power to make it to Seattle ...

Blogging from 15000 Ft.

I'm having fun.  This is the first time I've been on a flight with free wi-fi.  So, I thought I would say "hello" from the skies above the Northern states.  Below me, all I can see is miles and miles of snow covered flatlands.  I bet we're over North Dakota right now.

We made it out of Minneapolis with only a 20 minutes delay.  Not bad, with so much snow on the runways.

I'm looking forward to chatting with Jeremiah on the 2 hour drive home from the airport, and then to a relaxing evening at home with the Young Ones.  Hopefully, I'll make it home just in time to walk down the street to the annual Lighted Christmas Parade.  The kids so enjoy the parades that our small farming community puts on.

Thanks so much for all of your prayers these past 3 weeks, as I have traveled to California, Oregon, and then through 5 states to Minnesota.

I hope you are all having a BLESSED weekend!

It's SNOWING ...

... in Minnesota.

Oh my!

It's been snowing for the past 10 hours.

It took us 5 hours to drive to Minneapolis,

a drive that should have taken 2 1/2 hours.

We made it to the Mall of America.

(The largest mall in the country.)

We went shopping.

Mama bought her Mother of the Groom dress.

Yippee!

So excited!

We are staying at a hotel near the airport,

so that Mama can fly home tomorrow afternoon.

Planes were running 2 hours late this evening,

due to the snow.  One plane that was landing,

"slipped off the runway".  Oh dear!

Hoping that the runways are cleared

by tomorrow afternoon.

Looking forward to going home to my Young Ones,

but wishing Papa could be there to greet me.

(He won't be home from the island

until Wed. this coming week.)

I've had a WONDERFUL week with Cassie.

Thank You, Jesus!!!

750 Miles ...

... from Billings, MT

... to Brainerd, MN

Yeah!  We made it! 

We drove 1750+ miles in 2 1/2 days.

I thought we were going to take 2 days 

for this part of the drive,

but Mama & Cassie are a great Driving Team.

We left Billings at 8:30 a.m. yesterday,

and arrived in Brainerd at 1:15 a.m. this morning,

with only 2 quick gas stops,

and a dinner stop in Bismarck, ND.

Cassie is moving in with a really sweet young couple,

so we had welcoming arms to greet us,

as we drug our suitcases through the snow

and up to the house.

I've been up for a few hours now,

but think it is time for a nap.

Dean will be over in awhile

to help unload the u-haul.

We're going to kick back and relax today;

but I think we get to go shopping tomorrow;

it's time for Mama to buy her 

Mother of the Groom dress.

On Saturday, I will fly to Seattle.

Then, I will have 5 days to get ready,

for our drive to TX for the wedding.

Oh my!  

LOTS to do,

but I'm still ...

HAVING FUN!!!

THANK YOU JESUS,

for our safe travels.

THANK YOU, 

Bloggy Friends,

for all of your prayers.

Safe ...

... in Billings, MT tonight.

Mama drove 550 miles today,

over 5 mountain passes,

with snow on the sides of the road,

every mile of the way.

I only had to switch into 4x4 mode,

on  2 of the mountain passes,

and in Billings tonight.

We left Spokane at 9:15 am.

We arrived in Billings at 10:15 pm

(after gaining an hour with a time change).

We were on the road for 12 hours,

with only a couple of quick gas/potty stops.

We found a restaurant for dinner at 10:30.

We found a hotel at 11:30.

It's now 12:30,

and I am one tired Mama.

After we left Spokane this morning,

it snowed another 6" today.

Thank you Lord,

that we were ahead of the storm.

Yesterday, Billings was hit hard

with an early winter storm.

Thank you Lord,

that we came after the storm.

As you can see,

the Lord is definitely 

directing our paths,

and keeping us safe.

Thank You, Jesus!

Thanks for your continued prayers!!!

Winter Storm Warning

Oh my!

We finally finished all of the good-byes in Oregon at 2:00 this afternoon (after filling every square inch of the u-haul trailer and the little SUV).  We arrived at our first night's destination, in Eastern Washington, at 11:00 pm.  Upon arriving, we were told that a Winter Storm Warning is in effect.  It is supposed to snow 6-8" here in the next 24 hours.  The warning said that  "Roads may be treacherous."

However ... looking ahead at the next several hundred miles, the snow is not expected to be as heavy the next day or so.  Therefore, we are praying that we can get on the road in the morning before the heavy snowfall makes the highways impassable here.

But ... it is after midnight and we must get some sleep in order to drive safely tomorrow.

We drove 400 miles today.  We have 1300 miles left to go.  We expect snow the whole way, from here on out.

Thanks for your continued prayers.

Ice ... Beautiful Ice

I know.  I know.  Many of you are not liking the word "Ice" right now.  Your cars are slipping and sliding on the roads.  (One sweet Bloggy Friend's son rolled their truck over an embankment because of the ice.)  And, I agree, I do NOT like ice on the roadways.  However ... at the same time ...

Ice Can Be ... 

BEAUTIFUL!

South Falls

at

Silver Falls State Park

in Oregon

the day before

THANKSGIVING.

On the Trail

Under the Waterfall

The ice on the railings

was like a Glass Wall.

Cassie 

and the

Amazing Icicles

Ice can be ...

WET

and

COLD.

But ...

it can also be

FUN!!!

We thoroughly enjoyed our hike to the

Icy Waterfall.

Heading Out to the Cold White North

Cassie and I are packed and ready.

Her little 4x4 SUV is loaded,
with a U-Haul trailer all hitched
up and ready to roll.

She is leaving Oregon,
a place that she LOVES,
to begin a new adventure,
with her Main Man Dean,
in Minnesota.

Mama gets another Moving Adventure.
Yippee!  From the sunshine in California
last week, to snowy Minnesota this week.
Crazy ... but FUN!!!

Mama is so looking forward to 6 days
with her sweet eldest daughter.

We don't know what adventures lie ahead.

We've never visited these cold northern states
in the winter.

We are expecting LOTS of beautiful snow.

We are expecting bitter cold and winds.

We bought warm gloves and wool socks last night.
Cassie still needs to buy a good pair of boots.

We are praying that we don't run into
any full-out Blizzards.

We are praying for clear highways,
and safe roads, as we head across
Washington, Idaho, Montana,
North Dakota, and into Minnesota.

Please keep us in your prayers.
I am BLESSED to know that so many of
my Bloggy Friends are praying for me.

Thank you!!!

We Are BLESSED!

Thank you!  Thank you ... for your prayers of safety as we all travelled this week.  We all made it home safely tonight.


For the past 20 years, our family has travelled to Oregon to spend Thanksgiving at the Christian Renewal Center ... a WONDERFUL Christian Family Camp ... in the mountains an hour from Portland ... in the woods.  It is a BEAUTIFUL place ... a QUIET place (until the Big D. family arrives) ... a place filled with LOVE and LAUGHTER and MEMORIES.  


While we greatly missed Carissa (in Argentina) and Gregg (in Louisiana) this year, we were BLESSED to be joined by both of our soon-to-be daughters-in-laws (Hannah & Ashleigh), Vicky (1 of our Adopted Big Kids), and Dean (Cassie's "main man").  So, there were 16 of us together for the long weekend (which we actually started on Tuesday).


We LAUGHED ... we ate ... we played cards ... we ate ... we took naps ... we laughed some more ... we ate some more ... we worshipped together ... we listened to a GREAT speaker (5 sessions in 3 days) ... we PLAYED in the SNOW.  Oh my!  What FUN we had!!!


While Hannah has been "a part of the family" for several years, Ashleigh and Dean haven't spent much time with the family.  On the first night, Josh was "on a roll", cracking jokes for about 2 hours straight.  While the rest of us laughed hysterically, seriously rolling on the floor and with tears in our eyes ... Dean sat quietly, just kind of staring at us.  I don't think he had ever met a family quite like ours.  By the 2nd night, though, we had him laughing along with us.  


However, that 2nd night we pulled out 12 decks of cards for a Hand & Foot Tournament and we surprised Dean by how competitive some of our young adults can get (it's a loving and friendly competition, for the most part, but competitive none the less).  He enjoyed the game, though, and asked to play again the next night.


Many more pics and stories to come, but I thought I'd just share 1 fun pic tonight.  Here a a few of us, after a hike in the snow.  (Ashleigh, Jeremiah, and Vicky hadn't arrived yet, Ben had run off ahead of us, and Mama was behind the camera.)

Dean, Cassie, Papa, Hannah, Josh, Lindsey, Hosanna


Josiah, Elijah, Rachel, Sarah