Alderbrook Resort

For a fraction of the peak-season cost, we accompanied the Kalous family to Alderbrook Resort this last Monday. We stayed two nights - enjoyed the swimming pool, the wonderful two bedroom cottages, the ferry ride back and forth, the 'track' which made its way around in front of the circle of cottages, wonderful food (all leftovers from the Holidays - yep, we're cheap), Gingerbread houses, the hand puppets, pukes and 24 degrees celsius - a 'comfortable' temperature.

It was a wonderful time with our dear friends... 4 adults and 6 children in total. Once the kiddos were down - we enjoyed laughter, fantastic wines and bourbons, and intentional conversation about what Jesus is calling our families to.

Here's to our wonderful week together out on the canal:

...and a Happy New Year.

We spent this week doing our 'routine' of sorts... and in addition, preparing for the wonderful, long weekend ahead.

Here are some shots from today... the frost is present in the shade while the sun melts anything in its presence. The kids wandered around at the playground jacketless and excited to be free of the pressure of new toys and hors de oeuvres.

Our favorite toys so far... oh its hard to know. And this year there were more gifts than both Kyle and I would like for the years to come... a lot to dialogue about, for sure. WE bought the kids the originally talked about 'three gifts per child' but you forget about what other people want to buy for your kids.

The Picture Frame Decals were a hit... and still are. Will be for a LONG time. The Glow in the Dark Solar System was also a hit... and still is. Will be for a LONG time. As for Benjamin, we'll see... he's a little fickle.

We spent the weekend with Kyle's parents and brother, Erik. It was a wonderful time and we were able to get a decent shot of ourselves (including the kiddos) outside our house earlier today.

Jenny Haferbecker... oh the comfort of old jeans.

Oh the comfort of slipping on my old, worn out jeans. If you're wondering to yourself what I'm talking about, please take a deep breath and remember what it feels like to leap into the most comfortable, forgiveable outfit you've ever owned and go from there. Jenny is THAT for me. She and her husband, Dusty, have been a staple in my life for years and I don't imagine that on my death bed that will have changed.

I had the pleasure of spending this last Wednesday, December 23rd, with Jenny, Dusty, their son, Leo, and Dusty's immediate family, the Haferbeckers of Kent, WA. It was a wonderful day of remembering the raw talent that comes from this family... Judy has her loud, boisterous confidence with a hint of haughtiness all encased in a large billowy cloud of love and comfort; Dick has a quiet, witty sense about him that causes even the most shy of human beings to follow him around the house and allow their curiosity and desire to be unique to get the best of them - Dick makes you feel special... he smiles and winks at you as though you have a 'secret' that know one else knows; Joe was not present but his wife Kristen was there to share with us the bare bones of what his current travels entailed -- a trip to Qatar to sculpt a large piece of ice for the royal castle - shockingly enough, this surprises no one in close relation to the Haferbeckers. The CHOP doc, Dusty, married my delectable friend, Jenny, whose heart finds rest in serving those around her. She is hell bent on finding the facets of a community where no one has met a need; not for the prestige but because it is there that Jesus would have gone.

Jenny and Dusty; Leo; Dick and Judy; and the Haferbeckers and Johnsons -- you all hold a dear place in my hearts whether or not we've spent ample time together... so many memories and so many more to come.

Jenny... I love you.

Legendary Relationships.

Jenny... Philadelphia. Jamie... London. Rebecca... Charlotte. Jess... considered Bellingham. Rachel... she's a loose cannon - we never know what she might do next.

These girls are people that are so dear to my heart for so many unique reasons. Jenny I want to drink coffee with first thing in the morning for the rest of my life, eat breakfast with and just 'be around' all day whether or not we talk - (we sometimes do this over the phone from across the country.) We are so different but perfect together - much like Yin and Yang; Jamie knows everything about me from the first time I got drunk (my older brother let me do it but ONLY under his watchful eye at our house when I was 16... and Jamie was there too) to the awkward hormonal growth spurts leading up to meeting our husbands in college; Rebecca is my raunchy friend all the while she loves Jesus -- raunchy simply means that we're not scared to talk the dirty and get it dealt with... be it sex, excessive discharge or smelly armpits - oh and we happen to hold each other accountable to obedience to Christ; Jesseca would prefer to sip reheated coffee all day, lounge in her lazy boy, wear sweats and throw her hair on top of her head until the dinner bell rings - we get along because deep down that feeds my SOUL! We show up to each others' houses, kids in tow and ask to have a shower alone for the first time that week... once I hop out, she hops in and the other watches the swarm of six kids; Rachel has class and charm. She calls me to a higher level of productivity during my day all the while applauding my ability to just 'not care' in moments when she wishes she could 'not care' as much... she's clever, hospitable, funny and compassionate -- not to mention our kids are 'six peas in a pod' and would be quite happy if we were all quarantined together. For life.

God is calling each of these woman to Himself. But to watch them move, one by one, farther from me take its toll. Its crazy because I have each moment cemented in my mind... the driveway that is only 50 feet from me is the same driveway that I said 'goodbye' to Jenny and Leo last time they visited (and I stood watching until their taillights were gone from sight), I watched as Jamison (Jamie) smiled and in her cuteness turned around and waved her way down the driveway to her car (again, I stood watching until her taillights were gone from sight) and tonight I watched and held a child on each hip as I stared at the taillights over the top of my tears as Rebecca, Mark, Charli and Georgia headed for North Carolina. I've cried each time... I like to think that in those moments I'm praising God for the treasure I've found in each of them. I like to think that I'm not thinking of myself as much as I'm realizing the grace of God to give them to me... and not for a short time...

But for the rest of my life.

I love each of you so much. You have no idea.

Really, you don't.

God be with you.