Random paper messages

Fortune cookie fortunes are funny

This was my fortune at Panda Express (aka by Genevieve as "the fancy restaurant"). How appropriate that my time is often interrupted by diaper duty. I do make many changes and I am glad to "happily settle" each evening after everyone else is settled first.

Har's fortune. Just today, he got an email from the church administrator asking him about something to do with running the sound board for this next Sunday! It must be a sign that he is involved in the ministry that God is calling him to.

Destroy after receiving official document

Hayden could be practicing for being part of a demonstration against driver's permits. Oregon started giving paper copies of documents as a temporary permit or license. They then run a statewide check to make sure that there are no other IDs out in the population with that same name, photo or signature. It's some sort of safeguard. Hayden received his official driver's permit/ Oregon ID in the mail so to destroy the temporary one he chose to burn it.

I think he's pretty safe from identity theft now.

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Visitor from the East

Coffee Date at

My brother Gerry is visiting the area from his home in Tennessee. He is here for a very brief time and we were thankful that he and Amy were able to stop by while they were in NE Portland. We went up to Whole Foods to check out their new remodeled eating area.

Brothas in the hood

Harlan always loves spending time with Gerry. They bonded many many years ago when Har was a student at Michigan Tech and we were newly dating. It seems that no matter how much time goes by between visits these guys can just start up where they left off.

It's looking a lot like Thanksgiving!

Would love to pick up some of these cute candles and perhaps a chocolate turkey or two. I am enjoying the decor and the new store lay out up there. So much to see and explore.

SO Good to see Gerry and Amy

I'm so glad that we have the technology to shrink the miles between us when we are spread out from the West Coast to the East Coast and various spots in between. Family bonds are so important to keep. Love these two!

Sample of Holiday Fare

Costco samples are nothing compared to Whole Foods samples.

This sample of what they are going to have available in their hot deli case on Thursday was yummy! Almost makes me want to be lazy and order some myself.

Take time to...

This was the first time that we've stopped in to Sit, Eat, and Relax.

I'm sure it's not going to be the last. It was very nice sitting back in the corner and having adult conversation. Something Har and I relish these days!

Thank you so much Gerry and Amy for stopping to see us!

"Happy Trails to you until we meet again."

Bless you both.

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Another picture day

Danika's turn

Today was picture day at Head Start. So we started the day with a hair washin'.

We normally let the kids' hair air dry. So she was excited about her blow dryer lesson.

Of course she had to do a cute pose when she was finished.

I forgot to send her payment envelope for the photos so after some phone calls and an email I managed to get her order in and payment sent off.

He's HOME!

Logan arrived home from his time away for work. A little shaggier looking than when he left. I caught this picture of his long hair and sideburns before he went and got a military regulation cut. Welcome back, Sir... you were missed!

Family Room furniture

Har and I have been looking for small scale furniture for our family room. We want to fit a decent number of people in there for watching football or movies. I saw this display today.

It definitely is "small scale".

The puppy chair reminds me of Henry, the bear chair- Gar-bear, and the kitty- Katie Cat.

I don't think we will be redecorating in child sized toad stools but they sure are cute.

Gettin' a workout

I know a lot of people shop at WinCo and they save quite a bit of money, Safeway has some pretty good loss leaders in their ads but I find my money goes farther at Fred Meyer. My rewards plus card has been used frequently in the past few weeks as I've started some Christmas shopping and in preparation for Thanksgiving next week. I got my 24 lb turkey for FREE! And free is a very good price.

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Bus station Goodbyes

Foggy morning in NW Portland

It was time for Sir Charles to head out on his journey to Job Corps. According to one of the guys that came to pick up all the new people, this is an excellent time to be joining. Charlie will be there less than two weeks and then come home for Thanksgiving. He will have more than 2 weeks off for Christmas too. Then when he gets into his trade training he'll be able to get some weekend passes to come home or Courtney can go up and spend the day with him.

After getting some information I feel a lot more comfortable with this whole situation.

We were a small group to send him on his way.

There was plenty of time for hugs.

Just like at an airport, there were officials holding signs to indicate where the group should gather.

The "troop" transport

Job Corps has several vehicles and depending on how many people need to be transported they take this bus, a larger one, or a van back and forth from the camp to Portland.

I got a lot of pictures of their backs while they were walking around before the bus took off.

Impromptu Q & A. Charlie was so kind to let Courtney use his jacket.

The EYE

When I took a picture of Har inside this pupil years ago I don't remember there being a steering wheel and sundial type thing behind it.

Psalm 17:8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.

Courtney and Charles you are in a good place.

He will continue to guide and lead you as you seek Him.

Just a couple updates

T-minus one

Charles heads out to Job Corp tomorrow :0) and :0(

It depends on your perspective. We are happy for him but will miss seeing his face around here.

We gave the kids an anniversary card without any gift certificate in it yesterday. We really wanted to treat them to a dinner out or something so I told them to stop by and we'd have something for them. I was dropping Har off at work after lunch when they popped by. They were just heading out again when I took this photo. Charlie said the hat makes his beard look red. I think the red beard makes his hat look orange. It goes nicely with the leaves remaining on the tree behind them though!

We finally permitted Hayden to get his

I am going to have to notify the insurance company that we have another driver heading out on the road in our vehicles. I wonder if I can insure him only on the van while he is learning and save the convertible for after he gets his license. I've got some questions for sure.

I'm so happy for Hayden. Driving is going to be such a great adventure.

Future road trips with his brother! Someone to send out on errands!

I'll have to try not to take advantage of his good nature.

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Happy 1st Anniversary

November 13, 2010

A year ago today our baby girl got married!

How can it be a year already?

November 13th, 2011

This could have been an anniversary party tonight but it was a farewell get together for Charles.

He will be going to Job Corps to get trained to be a welder. It will be a great experience for both Courtney and Charlie. She will be working, going to school and keeping the home fires going between his visits home.

The food was so yummy! Thanks for inviting all of us even though it was your anniversary guys.

Pretty floral centerpiece.

God bless you both in the year ahead. Remember that He has you both in the palm of His hand.

Happy One Year Anniversary!!!

Leaves that came down overnight

Katie looked like she was lost in a sea of red leaves this morning before church. It is going to be fun for the kids to play in them if we get a dry spell before they have to get put in the yard debris bin.

Thirty-seven weeks!

Alyssa says she's starting to feel pregnant. With 3 weeks until her due date I think she is entitled those feelings. She doesn't look very big this time and still doesn't look pregnant from the back. Unless you see her walking ;O)

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Bath night and Christmas project

Fall color before the big rain started

I thought the different hues of color here were just beautiful. The single yellow spire in the middle contrasted nicely with the reds and oranges.

One of Harlan's favorite tools

Harlan uses this white board for all kinds of planning and tutoring. He has done a fair amount of both recently. He took the black dry erase marker and the board and went into our room leaving the rest of the markers for some little body to get into them. I managed to take them away from Garrett but not before someone else used them.

Lyssa had an extra canvas from her painting class still in plastic wrap. She used Har's markers to draw. I feel bad that it's done in dry erase medium. It won't last long. But she told us to think of it as a sand castle. Those don't last too long either.

Our Alyssa Dawn is talented.

Christmas quilt building

Lyssa bought fabrics this past week and planned out a Christmas throw for her couch.

Pretty flannel stripes.

Susan Winget print in cotton.

Another Susan Winget print in cotton. I love the bear family!

I bought a bolt of this flannel last year and this is the first we've used it. It is the backing for the throw. Can't wait to wash it and see it tumbled dry to a soft and cozy quilt.

Saturday baths in the sink

Back in the day the galvanized tub would be hauled into the kitchen for Saturday night bathing. We have a nice deep sink for these little splashing kiddos.

Garrett barely finished supper and we had him stripped and in the water.

Kate was next. She enjoyed playing in the spray even though she doesn't like getting splashed.

Clean and cuddly

His snuggly new jammies are super warm.

A little too bright eyed to be ready to sleep. Katie's hair is so cute and curly when it's squeaky clean. They both should sleep soundly after their baths.

I'm ready for bed early these days. Who wants to stay up much after it gets dark. Perhaps when I get more into holiday gear I'll have a lot of things to do when the little peeps are asleep. For now though, I think sleeping 9 - 10 hours like them sounds wonderful!

Maybe I'll have to make myself a kerchief and Harlan a cap so we can settle in for a long winter's nap :o)

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