When AJ Gets To Heaven

He will be able to complete with excellence the entire Sport Ladder. He will be able to do 2 minutes of freestyling and off string work. He will wow the judges and audience with his double looping and take home multiple blue ribbons.
This past weekend AJ and Maryanne and Al and I drove to Seattle to watch the 2009 Pacific Northwest Yo-Yo Championships. And I must say, it was an amazing thing to see. These kids can do things with a yo-yo that you can't even imagine. And no matter how hard I would try to explain it to you, unless you see it for yourself, you just can't grasp the compexity of the tricks and string work...all while the yo-yo is spinning.
As we were leaving Seattle Center, after 7 hours of competition, Maryanne asked AJ if he was inspired. He thought for a minute and said "I'm pretty much overwhelmed." AJ is an excellent yo-yo player but these guys were way out of his league. It was really fun for all of us to be a part of such a unique event. Sorry for the quality of the video. I took it only my tiny digital still camera. I think you'll get the idea.

When I Get To Heaven

On Sunday afternoon, Jim & Paula Newman and Al and I went to Eugene to see the ballet, Swan Lake. It is a gorgeous, classical ballet with beautiful ballerinas dressed in amazing costumes. Swan Lake was the first ballet ever staged to a classical composers music (Peter Tchaikowsky). It is romantic and sensual and lovely lovely lovely. Even the boys liked it. Paula and I both agreed that when we get to heaven we want to dance like these amazing women...and be built like them as well :-) Only God could perform that miracle!

If Money Were No Object

Al would be driving a silver grey Maserati and I would be rollin' in a sexy, little black Lamborghini. However, money is a very large object, so we're stickin' with Diamonte and the mini van. We did see some fun "regular people" cars at the Portland Auto Show last weekend. Enjoy the pix.

Maryanne & the family version of her beloved Jeep Wrangler

Al's shiny red Chrysler 300

The Volvo C70 convertible hardtop. Yummy!

A Big Day in the Life of SAC

Shovels big & small

Mayor Janet Taylor

The first time our Pastor has been out since mid-October

Yesterday our church, Salem Alliance, broke ground on a project that has been in the works for decades. The story is too long to detail here, but sufice it to say God's timing is always perfect. He provided land for us to build on that we had been wanting for over 20 years...and at half the price! So along with Salem's Mayor, Janet Taylor, the President of our denomination, 3 past pastors and our very ill Sr Pastor, John Stumbo, we grabed shovels and ceremonially broke ground for a 57,000 sq foot building. The purpose of the building will be to bring church, community and commerce together. The first floor will be retail shops and a free medical clinic. The 2nd & 3rd floors will be for chruch use and community classrooms (ESL, Life Skills, Financial Management, Parenting etc.). The 4th floor will house a seminary and professional offices. It's a huge step of faith for our church so it will be exciting to see how God will provide.

Al last in line next to the mayor in the blue coat

Don't take a bath at Lori's house!

My friend Susan,who is the Mom of my favorite little girl in all the world, was one of the hostesses of Maryanne's baby shower. As Susan was leaving to go to the "shower" on Saturday, 2-1/2 year old Sarah admonished her Mommy "not to take a bath at Lori's house and not to take her coat off!" I love that child!

The pretty Guest of Honor

Maryanne went from table to table opening gifts as we visited & played games

Special Friends

Maryann'e shower was a smashing success! Jana, Susan and Lauren did a fabulous job of planning and I think everyone had a good time. Baby DeBacker is one blessed kiddo! He will be well dressed and well read for years to come. Guests were invited to bring a book that would allow them to enter a special drawing. After the festivities got going, a name was pulled from a basket and the winner recieved a gift certificate for a pedicure at a lovely salon. Needless to say, BD will be reading Good Night Moon and The Cat in the Hat and The Belly Button Book and Curious George and many many other delightful books for a long time to come. Darling clothes and needed practical items were generously given by the 40 friends that attended. It was a special day. Now we just need the little guy to show up so he can enjoy his goodies.

Women's Retreat 2009

Deanne, Lori, Jana, Michelle, Lauren & Maryanne

(and baby DeBacker)

Brunch in a cozy upstairs room of The Lazy Susan Cafe

Last weekend Jana, Maryanne, Lauren, Michelle and I attended our Salem Alliance's Women's Retreat in Cannon Beach. My cousin Deanne, who lives just up the coast a bit, joined us for the daily sessions. Susan Garlinger challenged us to be "Secure in the Potter's Hands" and Lorelei Friesen led us in worship as we learned about our Holy and loving God. It's always good to get away and get a fresh perspective on things we've maybe heard before but need to hear again in a new way. On Saturday after 2 morning sessions, Deanne & I took a long walk on the beach and then met up with the girls for lunch and some excellent shopping. God blessed us with no rain (except late Sat night) and no wind so we could walk around town in relative comfort. I didn't buy anything (gasp!! I know) because everything I loved was over $2500. My artist cousin took me to some very fine galleries and I fell in love with several really cool paintings. Al is generous beyond measure but it felt it prudent to pass on the expensive art :-) We ended the afternoon at a "jazzy" little coffee house where we enjoyed lattes and yummy pastries. On Sunday, after a wonderful brunch in a darling old house/restaurant, we headed home refreshed spiritually and relationally. I love being with these very special women.

36 and Counting

Today Al and I celebrated our 36th wedding anniversary. We worked all day then headed up to BridgePort Village for a little shopping and dinner. Al and I have never been ones to go crazy on anniversary celebrations so this quiet evening together felt just right. And we decided that after 36 years of marriage and 41 years of being a couple, we still wouldn't want to be married to anyone else. The secret? Really liking/loving one another and being best friends. I hope we have 36 more years together!

The Rose City Classic

The Herding group

The Animal Planet commentators.

Shelties getting all dolled-up for the show ring.

Something Al and I have always wanted to do is go to the Westminster Dog Show in New York City. Yesterday, we did the next best thing. Maryanne, AJ, Al and I attended the Rose City Classic Dog show, a Westminster qualifying show. The Classic showcases AKC bred dogs in Agility, Obedience and the regular classes that you see on TV. An added bonus was that the Animal Planet Network was there filming the Best of Group classes and the Best of Show. It was really fun to be a part of the festivities. Beyond that, we learned alot. Unlike the very organized horse shows that we used to particpate in, dog shows seemed to be very chaotic. Dogs and people are everywhere, they groom right next to the show rings, and some handlers get very upset if you touch their freshly primped puppies. Big surprise for Al who got a really dirty look and a wagging finger in his face when he reached out to pet a sweet little Sheltie. Oops! We should have brushed up on our dog show etiquette. We didn't get to stay for the entire show but we did get to see Maryanne's favorite group, the Terriers, and my favorite, the Herding Group...love those Collies! And the Toy group was hilarious. These little show dogs have plenty of attitude and really know how to strut their stuff. After the dog show we headed to Lake O for dinner at Manzana's and then home. What a fun day!

Lucky Me

From Silvia & Maria

From Al
Over-exposed photo but gorgeous in real life

While I was sitting at work this morning, a beautiful bouquet of orange tulips and roses was delivered to the office. Much to my surprise they were for me! My wonderful husband had sent them to me with a mushy note...just because. Then, when I got home this afternoon, the 2 precious ladies that clean my house on Fridays had left a giant bouquet of dark pink roses and gerbera daisies. Wow. What could be better than gorgeous flowers in the middle of winter. I feel very blessed!