A Finished Project

This afternoon, we were summoned upstairs, with excitement, as Thomas had a special building project to share with us.

Thomas has been working on this K'Nex roller coaster since January...a gift from his Great Grandma Joan, he has slowly worked to put it together.  At first it was difficult, the pieces were quite small and it required a lot of focused attention on his part.  I have to say, this has been the first project that Thomas has not torn apart after it became too difficult... he stuck to it and he finished!

We watched as the roller coaster car zoomed and zipped around the 4 foot structure!  Very impressive for a seven year old little boy...  I can't wait to see what else our son can do when he puts his mind to it and perseveres... anything is possible!

Celebrating A Big Day!

Today, we celebrated a wonderful achievement! 
  

Ruth, our sister-in-love, graduated from law school with a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Idaho.

 

She has worked diligently and we are so proud of her!

 

Moving to Australia

It seems for a few weeks my head has been in a daze as I wrap my heart around this truth.  Yesterday the "official" word came and it looks like we will be living in a foreign land once again before the summers end.

Sydney, Australia is to be our new home for the next few years.  We are all excited at this opportunity and looking forward to the adventure that lies ahead... yet also, we are sentimental about the friends and family we leave behind here in the States.

This new assignment calls us to represent our country... and we are looking forward to serving and spreading the hospitality of our homeland as well as learning about the lives of others living on the opposite side of our globe!  We consider it an honor and a privilege.

Happy Birthday Sarah

Our baby girl turned 12 today...
 

 She is beautiful, sweet and a joy to be around...

Blossoming into a lovely young lady...

 Full of imagination and talent...

 

 A Pure Blessing from the Lord.

A Spring Trip

This past week we drove across the Pacific Northwest toward the greater Seattle area.   My husband had a training course to attend and we decided to tag along for a spring break adventure of our own!

Our first stop was Walla Walla, Washington.... while we were there, we visited a couple of the local wineries.


 "L Ecole No. 41" is a Winery that has made use of  an old school house built in the early 1900's... They have done a great job of restoring the building and have preserved many of the historical fixtures, including the beautiful woodwork throughout as well as a hand painted mural of the last Christmas Pageant before the school's closure.  Historically, this area was known for it's french fur trading influence...

The original school house bell that has been engraved with the winery logo.

Onward to Seattle... we had a lovely time visiting with friends and family.  

 

Sarah and her cousin Abby

 

Spring was in the air and many flowers and shrubs were 

showing signs of Spring!

A trip to the Woodland Park Zoo was a highlight!  

We were able to enjoy a visit with my Sister and her family....

the kids had a wonderful day...

 Learning about the different skulls and teeth...

God created such interesting differences in each animal for their unique purposes...

 Look at these rare monkeys!

 

The children took a ride on a beautiful old carousel...

 

At the end of our time we also made our way up to Vancouver, BC.    Very good friends from the East Coast were vacationing there and we were able to meet them for a fun day filled with good food and fun...

The kids had a great time visiting the Science Museum.  

Thomas and a new friend thinking up inventive ways to harness the laws of gravity...

We took a lovely drive through the beautiful Stanley Park...

Dinner at Bistro De Paris

Dreaming of Spring

This morning we awoke to a beautiful snow falling from the sky...

My son and I have been counting the days until Spring.  It seems hard to believe that in just 13 days the calendar shows we will have our change of season.

Yet perhaps, Winter will linger a bit longer...  

All Nature seems at work,

Slugs leave their lair.

The bees are stirring...

Birds are on the wing;

And Winter slumbering

In the open air

Wears on his face

A dream of Spring. 

S.T. Coleridge

Elementary Honors Orchestra

This year, Sarah has been involved in a youth orchestra in our area.  She has been learning a lot about working cooperatively with many to produce a sound of beauty.

Pre-Concert Preparations

This is not an easy task... it has been lovely to see the work of these young students as they have struggled, at first, to count and play at the same pace.  They have been learning they need to think and act outside of themselves... working together to accomplish one goal.

Sarah and her proud Grandparent's after the Concert...

If they all work at their own pace it sounds a symphony of chaos... yet, over time they have learned to listen to one another, keep their eye on their conductor, and play in unison.   The result, an orchestra of strings making beautiful music together...

This weekend we enjoyed the fruits of their labor.  It was a lovely concert...

We can't wait to hear more!

A Music Festival

This month Sarah has been putting the finishing touches on her violin pieces for Festival!  This is an annual event in which she submits herself to be judged on her abilities in technique, musicianship, and stage presence.  This is her third year participating and third time she has received a Superior rating!   Sarah has done a wonderful job in mastering new technique and has worked diligently all year long.  It is such a joy to listen to the beautiful sound of her violin daily...we are so proud of her!

A Toothless Smile

Thomas, sans two front teeth ... adorable.

Well, maybe not so "adorable" as he is literally "spitting" his worlds out lately! 

My Boy is growing up...

Home Again

The past few weeks have been lovely and busy...

Pont Alexandre III

We arrived safely home from our beautiful trip to Paris... and memories of our time are dancing through my mind as I live the work of today...

I am often asked, by well meaning folks, what it is about Europe that is so "wonderful" or better than just staying home...here in America.  Truly, I do love America and all it has to offer... it is my home and I am very comfortable and happy here.   There is so much to be thankful for.   Yet, there is more to this world than our home.   There is something about an old European city... filled to the brim with historical character and charm... overflowing with very old architecture... and beautiful gardens softening the city bricks and pavement.

Place de la Concorde from across the River Seine

I marvel how a medieval city wall is built into modern day life...how a Gothic church stands towering in the center of the hustle and bustle...and how when you walk in... it is as if you have entered holy ground...it is peace filled and awe inspiring... The past mingles with the present... it is breathtaking.  My mind is instantly transformed to a higher place.

I marvel how Europeans savor and enjoy the ability to stop and be still and just enjoy a cafe... watching the world go by... Long and leisurely lunches are the norm in many European cultures...talking together and sharing ideas and philosophy....while eating slowly and sipping a glass of wine in the middle of the day!     

A walk along the Seine

I love just listening to the hum of their foreign tongue and realizing that they too feel the pain and joy of life...they are not so different.

Shopping in European markets and small shops, rather than Wal-mart and Costco, is an experience I savor!  The fresh food and artisan quality is beyond anything we see in the States...

The food is AMAZING!

 Pascal
The artist we purchased a couple of small water color paintings from...

I would not be fair to paint such a glamorous picture of all parts of a city in Europe.  Yes, they do have their ugly underbelly.  Public transportation is a necessary evil.   Poverty is evident.  Dirt and grime are a part of life anywhere.  High density living is not too glamorous... especially day in and day out.  And yes, they too have mega box stores to flock to in the suburbs for the cheapest priced goods possible...IKEA is everywhere! I was simply mortified to see that Starbucks has added their stamp to the city of Paris as well...

Truly,  we have a heart for Europe, having lived there, it draws us back like an old friend... I am a bit sentimental about the memories and relationships we have built there. Which makes it even more wonderful to return to.

Most importantly, it is always refreshing to get out of our comfort and complacency and look through the lens of another for just a while... it builds character and helps us to count our blessings as well...