Tuesday, December 31, 2013

A Very Merry Christmas

With baking and gift wrapping done, we enjoyed Christmas with the family:
-mass at 8 pm with some of the family followed by a late night of drinks and cookies with friends and family
-breakfast with everyone Christmas morning followed by the chaos of kids and presents and pictures
-dinner with everyone Christmas evening
-one last movie with Dad

Like I said - a smiley kid!

These girls were entertained by the three boys running in circles with new toys.

Cole was surprised by his daddy's friends with a real dirt bike - really, who wasn't surprised?!?

Who's pointing the Nerf gun at who?  I recall Nick giving the rules to Cole, but Mom's about to break them.

Happy grandparents!!

 A Merry Christmas indeed!

Leading up to a very merry Christmas....

We traveled to Oregon to celebrate Christmas and family - and lots of baby time.  Flying out of Denver, we before the sun came up, and despite leaving twenty minutes later than planned, we sailed up I-25 with little traffic and arrived in Denver extra early.  So early, even, that we stopped to use the bathroom at Home Depot because nobody was open for lunch yet!  Then with front row parking for the shuttle, we got into the airport and through security without any lines.  It was easier than when we traveled in September. But the highlight of the traveling was leaning over Tom's lap for the amazing view of Mount Hood with a bit of snow - a view that we hadn't seen in a couple years.  (I always reserve seats for a good view...)

Our week was filled with kids and family time, a dusting of snow and some misty weather, much good food - including a date night out at a fancy restaurant with fresh seafood!, a few good movies, multiple games, visits with friends, and a drudgery of allergies set off almost instantly.

We started with a date day - delicious meals out, including some tasty oysters (I never thought I would call them tasty - but they were so fresh), driving around town and getting lost in the west hills, and a trip down Peacock Lane - a lot of Christmas lights on a street crowded with more people than live in our town. 

I got to babysit Hannah while the boys all scattered on Saturday.  We had a fun day of play and enjoyed the company of the Dieringer girls, too.  Evidently The Mouse in the Manger didn't interest Hannah as much as Monica.

 We joined the Greenlees for dinner and games one night.  The boys are so happy at bath time, and Teddy is so animated in the evenings.  He's just such a smiley kid!

We got to visit with the Dorsey clan over waffles and the Remien family at Pat & Amy's before a night of games with Nick and Jen.

Tom and I joined Cole for an amusing game of Trouble - Thomas the Engine style.  Not the same rules we usually play, but Cole showed off his excellent counting skills.  After that game we got to play Sequence with his parents.  It was great to hang out with Nick and Jen.  Poor Drew had a fever and wasn't himself.

A tradition we aren't usually around for is Dad's seafood chowder on New Year's Eve, which he made for Mom's and my feast day instead.  It was mighty delicious, and everyone came over (except feverish Drew) for dinner and games.  Ollie was super thrilled with a dump truck toy Cole brought to pass on.  

What wonderful family - and how blessed we were to be with them and enjoy them for Christmas once again...

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

By the Dawn's Early Light

I awoke in the pre-dawn dark this morning.  Liam was on my mind.  Tomorrow is his third birthday.  I tried imaging what three year olds are like.  He's been on my mind for a little while.  I decided to throw off the covers - gently, as Thomas was still snoring - and get my day started.  After a hot shower and making a hot breakfast, I realized the gift Liam was giving me - dawn.

To be up at six, I usually need an alarm and a jolting reason to burst out of bed.  To be up at seven (the usual time), I still need an alarm and usually a nudge from Tom.  I don't typically set an alarm to watch the sunrise, so it really was a gift.  I enjoyed the shift in colors every second, and though I couldn't capture it all, I tried to capture a little:





Swiveling from east to west back to east again.  A bit later as I drove on to work, the full moon sank low enough to be captured in the first rays of the sun.  The dull yellow of the dried pastures glowed gold as I drove north along the foothills in the first rays.  A beautiful morning indeed!  Thanks, Liam!

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Thank God for Buffalo -

I drove to work this morning and said my morning prayers.  They don't take the whole drive, so then I get to thinking.  I asked Tom while we were in Denver last week what he misses about living in Denver.  In a word it all comes down to "convenience".  I would agree, though there are a lot of amazing people I miss even more.

A few minutes out of town is a buffalo pasture.  Seeing the buffalo grazing along the fence-line, I realized I actually had a camera in the car, but drove on into work anyway.  It prompted me to thank God that I live where I do, that the sight of buffalo or eagles or deer or elk is "normal", that in so many ways the life I live is something people pay to have on vacation.  I didn't need to take pictures as I did in Yellowstone (when I still lived in Denver).  What a wonderful thing to be ordinary, though still awesome.

The camera was for capturing my nieces and nephews at their rockin' Christmas performance after school.  The whole town tries to pack into the elementary gym bleachers, which were at least two thirds full half an hour before the show.  We managed to cluster some seats in the middle and then wait....

The show was worth waiting for: band performance by beginning band (Maya) and regular band (Andres) and singing and dancing from Headstart - forth grade (Sara).  Sara's class had lots of singing and dancing.  It was extraordinarily entertaining.  My only regrets are not being able to see Maya through the band director to get her picture and not capturing a photo of Marie in her cuffed jeans and 50s rocker look. 






Preparing for Christmas...

Should I worry that I'm not ready yet?  We've been so busy on multiple fronts that we haven't decorated, shopped, or sent out cards?  I have a feeling we might not put much effort into any of those things given everything else that is more important.  As it is, none of those things are the "true meaning of Christmas" - or at least that's what a bunch of third and fourth graders told me last night.  They said it is about spending time with family, spending time with family, and spending time with family - oh and it's about Jesus.  That would be what I love about Christmas - spending time with family and Jesus!

So what have we been preparing for - making a house more of a home.  Still not livable, but closer every weekend.
A couple weekends ago we worked some more on the southern siding, so we could close in the wall on the inside.  The wind managed to stay at bay until the last 40 minutes of daylight.

This past weekend Andres had a good excuse to drive the tractor again - moving the clawfoot tub inside.  With his and Pop's help, we were able to muscle it in the front door and into the living room.  I cleaned the outside and painted it a light yellow.  We've tentatively agreed on a color for the brass claw feet if we don't leave them brassy. 

Getting the tub ready is a sign that the bathroom is nearly ready for it.  I've textured all the walls and primered the edges.  Once the primer and paint is finished, we'll be ready to install the tub and toilet.  Wow - that will be cool!

Our bathroom is getting a little closer to the stage of texturing, etc.  The corner piece of drywall was waiting to be hung for a while, as we actually ran plumbing out the wall for a spigot outside.  

Thomas picked up the six foot tub for our bathroom last week.  We'll set up a shower over it, but it's large enough for Thomas to take a bubble bath.  We might have to let Andres come over and enjoy a soak, too.

And though there are other temporary lights installed, I really like our kitchen light.  Hard to tell, but it is a vine/leaf pattern.  The others are, too.

Won't be settling in for Christmas, but every weekend we get closer to the dream.  Who knows what we can still accomplish before the year is out!?!?

Friday, December 13, 2013

Heavy Heart...

The past month has been tough on this girl's heart.  Bad / Sad news steadily streams over the phone lines, as tears streak these cheeks.  I'm reminded over and over of blessings and goodness and gratitude, which all help to temper my emotions, but don't ease the suffering of others or my empathy for them.  I am also reminded of my fragile faith and the joyful, quiet strength I would prefer to embody, the trust in God's plan that I would like to have in place of fears and doubts.


The heaviness on my heart feels out of season amidst the pre-Christmas joy, but I can't deny it.  I especially hold my little brother in prayer, as he continues to suffer from pain and hopefully will begin a course of treatment soon.  It sucks to hear the pain and frustration in his voice. 

Yesterday was truly a day of celebration - surrounded by people who loved Marypat, miss her so, but remember her genuine love and welcome and fullness of her life.  Her funeral was unlike most - emotional, to be sure, but full of hope and inspiration by her life, and also full of color - as we were encouraged to leave the black of grief at home.  She is remembered.  I met her through the friend of a friend, and I can only say that my life in Denver could not have turned out as it did without her influence.  Nor could my marriage - as she and her husband prepared Tom & I (over some delicious meals) for our big day.  The anticipation of her passing was heartbreaking, as one more light dimmed among us, though an even brighter light now shines in Heaven.

The night before the funeral I learned of the passing of a friend's father and that of a neighbor.  And we continue to pray for my family's pastor back in Oregon who was transferred to hospice just before Thanksgiving. 

Now if only I can "keep the faith" and remember that this season is really about the anticipation of a little baby's arrival...suffering and death belongs to another season entirely.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Pictures of the House

Already December - where did the time go?

 We replaced our blue door!  Thomas chopped this door in half, so we will have a dutch door into the mud room.  It affords a little air flow, light, and is a whole lot sturdier than the last one.  We'll find a way to use it somewhere else - maybe a cold frame for growing greens?

Thomas asks why our guest room is the one nearest completion for tape and texturing.  I think it has mostly been where I have been practicing my skills (or lack thereof).  Still have drywall to hang, but we're getting closer each weekend.

This past weekend we came home from church on Sunday to calm skies.  The wind came back before we could finish, but we used up the last of the day light to hang some more siding on the south side in an effort to close in the outside before closing in the inside.  We are ready to hang more interior drywall, which will mean the kitchen will get closer to cabinet-hanging.

The guest bathroom cabinets are in, and it won't be long until it is sanded, textured, painted, and ready for flushing  ("It won't be long" could refer to a couple weeks to a couple months....)

Saturday we did the pressure test of the hot and cold water lines.  All systems are a go!  Our appliances have arrived, so as soon as the kitchen is ready, they will be, too.  Tom and Pop have been working hard and teaching me much.  I am grateful, grateful, grateful.

Promised Pictures of Life

Wouldn't you know - I forgot about some other pictures on the camera - in part because Thomas took the Halloween one.

Fall is a magnificent time - and on this particular day, Oct 30th, the sun dropped into the crook of the mesa and mountains, casting some of the land in shadow and illuminating this tree out in the field northwest of us.  It was really glorious.  I was out cleaning the wood porch and stocking it when I noticed the light turn the tree into gold!  Two days later, a drop in temp changed everything brown and dropped the leaves to the ground.

Trick or treaters - a carebear, bumble bee, and dia de los muertos chica overshadowed by leatherface
These guys brought their parents in to celebrate with some pumpkin pie and fresh whipped cream - a wonderful tradition from my days on Henderson.

 Sunset falls around 4:30 - the colors are so amazing.

And then there were two - Crusty (left) and Not Peanut watched me load wood from the porch to inside from atop a ladder.  At times Tiger was up there, too.  Not Peanut hasn't been seen in a couple weeks....ah nature!  Was I really worried about having eight cats for a little while?

Thanksgiving was also a day to celebrate David and Julie's birthdays.  Thomas was quite pleased with himself for finding a "1" candle for Julie and a "?" candle for Dave.