Refreshed!

So I got the privilege of spending a very stormy and wet weekend in the Coastal California Redwoods at Mt. Gilead's Women's Retreat with my mom for the second year in a row. It is such a blessing in my life, as I have shared before. The place where I grew up in my faith and met my husband. Gilead is the place where I am convinced that Jesus lives :) . So, I will try to go every year that God allows! This year was all about healing fractured relationships, accepting grace and believing the truth that God loves me just the way I am. The two things that were pounded into my brain were: "Jesus knows me, this I love", and to "get out of my own way", so that Christ can use me! I cannot do this life successfully without him. Some great reminders for me. I also was extremely encouraged by listening to women share their struggles and faith journey's. I got to reconnect with some old friends also! Mom and I had a wonderful time together too :) I feel refreshed, focused and incredibly grateful for my life and circumstances. God. Is. Good.

After a crazy storm on Sunday evening, somehow, these logs were picked up
and thrown up into the power lines!

More crazy storm aftermath....a tree branch pierced the dining hall awning!

Ruth Burch, Terah Lites and I, all former Mt. Gilead staffers.

Mom and I :)

Birthday Mad Lib

Rainy fun

We spent some time in downtown Portland, rain, cold and all, with Chris' dad and stepmom and sister. It was kinda crowded, and cold for us old people, but the girls had a BLAST, skipping down the street in puddles, walking with umbrella's, riding the MAX train, and being with their family! Oh how I need their perspective more in my life. Thank goodness it is a new year! :)

Dancin' fool

Annabelle's elementary school holds a "sweetheart dance" every year on Valentine's weekend, so Chris took our little Kindergartner to her first dance this last Friday night! I so wish I was there with the video camera, because Chris said Annabelle ran to the dance floor, front and center, and followed the DJ the entire time. She LOVED it! Not to mention that she was pleasantly surprised to get to dance....when she thought she was going to a dance....to watch a dance! So except for a couple daddy/daughter slow dances, she pretty much danced the night away with her friends! The pictures say so much more than I could about how much fun Annabelle had....

All ready to go!

Doin' the twist...all the way down to the ground :)

Concentrating hard while learning "the macarena" with Emma!

After the bubble machine! And possibly doing the "thriller dance?!"

Trying to do the limbo...

A wicked good time

I had the opportunity to go to Wicked this weekend, with a couple girls from church. It was such a blast. Definately a must see if you love Broadway. It has moved to my most favorite Broadway show slot! It had all the elements of a good musical. Great music, a great storyline, and comedy. Loved it! Also, I forgot my camera that night :-( So you will have to settle for just the advertisement as proof that I went!

Snow days

Addy and Ella taking a sled ride down a small hill in our neighborhood
Annabelle, Katrina and Emma enjoying the elements...finally enough snow to play in!

Watching the snow fall in wonder and amazement

Beauty

It has been a week of crazy weather here in the Great Northwest, breaking all sorts of records. We have had snow in years past, just not this much for such an extended time. But it has made all sorts of children happy as they have recieved a third week of Christmas vacation....and teachers not so happy as some will have to make up the snow days at the end of the year! In any case...me and my little pre-school ducklings have been trying to enjoy the snow.....here are a few fun pics.

Girls Night Out

We have had the pleasure of a visit from Tina and Jakob Nezbeda this last week, and pulled together a girls night out. It was great fun to see everyone...(Tina, Melissa, Kristina, Christiane, Megan, Summer, Amber and Liz). We went out for some great Mexican food at El Indio in Portland, and then some of us went to karaoke bar afterwards, although only Liz, Melissa and I were brave enough to grace the stage!