Happy New Year!

Saying goodbye to a year can be both melancholy and joyful.

The thought of a fresh start always brings hope and encouragement to me.

Memories made of sweet family times, fun adventures, and deepening friendships bring a smile to my face.  I am looking forward to more of that in the coming year.  

Some things from this past year I am not sorry to say good-bye to and close the book on! 

How I wish I wouldn't see my selfish attitudes and perfectionism rear their ugly heads in twenty-sixteen.

A fresh start, like a fresh, untouched blanket of snow is what I have in Jesus each and every day.

He makes all things new.  

And I am so thankful.

I am looking forward to the new year with hope and anticipation for all that He will do.  

. . . . . 

Thank you, for joining me in my little blogging corner of the world throughout this past year. Thank you for your encouragement and comments.  They have blessed me more than you know. 

Seventeen

Birthdays are absolutely special occasions and cause for a little indulgence.  No?

Hannah just celebrated her 17th birthday.

Birthday wish #1 - Mom's cinnamon rolls for birthday breakfast. 
These babies were delicious, a splurge, for sure. 

In keeping with our tradition - we made her birthday chair.  Hannah likes the "hippy-dippy" style, and when we found this birthday banner we knew it would make her smile. 

along with "hippy-dippy" balloons.  :-) 

A new dress from big sister also made her smile,

and so did the new infinity scarf from big brother

with hedgehogs!

She opened gifts in the morning - early before Dad and Matt had to leave for work, and then...later...

Birthday wish #2 - a sleepover with a couple of girlfriends.

Hannah was a wee bit under the weather so this low key celebration was just right.

I think the reason why Hannah is such fun to be with is because she is so joyful and easy-going.  Often when I ask her about her preference for something her response is, "I'm good with whatever."
We are just so thankful to God for her.  We are truly blessed to call her our daughter, but me even more so, to call her my friend.  

Just for fun - take a little quiz  (17 questions) to see how well you know her. 

I updated and put the answers below. :-)

1.  What is her favorite animal?
        Hedghog 2.  What is her favorite color?
      Plum and sparkly gold 3.  What is her favorite sport?
      Longboarding 4.  What is her favorite food? 
      Cinnamon rolls 5.  What is her favorite beverage? 
      Peppermint tea 6.  What one thing do you most associate with Hannah?
      Polkadots 7.   What place would she most like to visit?  
       Europe 8.  Name a favorite hobby of hers.
      Sewing 9.   Name one of her favorite movies.
      Captain America 10.  What is her favorite Bible verse?
       1 John 3:2 11.  Mountains, Desert, Ocean, or Forest? 
       Ocean 12.  Who is her favorite author?
       J.M. Berrie 13.  Spring, summer, autumn, or winter? 
       summer 14.  Is she a Messy or a Neat Nick? 
       Neat Nick 15.  Name a skill she'd like to learn? 
       surfing 16.  Favorite book? 
       Peter Pan 17.  What is her favorite Christmasy thing to do? 
       Fun Christmas socks

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

It's also beginning to smell like Christmas too.

It's cookie time.

What is your favorite?  

Growing up my favorite was peanut butter blossoms.  You know the kind - peanut butter balls with a chocolate kiss on top.  Love those.

My favorite now, hands down, is a soft molasses cookie!  

The girls asked to make gingerbread cookies. 

So we did.

My kids have mad sprinkle skillz!  Wouldn't you agree?

Wishing you sweet Christmas wishes today.
~ Carol

PDX

Hello's bring so much joy.

This was Caleb's first visit home since he left...2 months and 4 days. (sniff) We all miss him.
Often I hear someone say, "I miss Caleb".  It's a sweet thing though, things that remind us of him.  It brings him closer, but it also reminds us he is not close-by.  Bitter-sweet.

Smiles and hugs

 the kind where you just don't want to let go. The kinds that are reassuring.

This was a working visit.
Not much to his possessions, but enough that a small moving van was better than a couple of fully loaded cars and a couple of trips.  No doubt he is glad to have all that is familiar and his.

Fully embracing the Portland vibe.

He was just about ready to pull out of the driveway...

When MaryAnne started to cry.

"Taleb, wait! Me didn't hug you!"  (she had.)

"You going back to Port-and?"

Hello's bring so much joy...Good-bye's - not so much.

Life...
It's a grand adventure.

To be lived

fully

passionately 

with purpose

It is for this day that we pour ourselves into our children all their growing up, teaching them - academically, socially, spiritually.   It is our goal to send them into the world, being a light for Christ in word and action - in the big things and the small, in the everyday, in their little neighborhood or the big, wide world.

Although my heart strings are pulled in their absence, when my children leave home I want them to feel confident that they have our love and support, and that Home will always be a place of comfort, and encouragement.  

No strings, no guilt, no heavy expectations.

Adventure Journal

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