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the new build-a bears, from Portland. In honor of our ice skating adventure and the Trailblazers basketball game that we went to.
SNOW DAY!

school was canceled today, a "snow day"... there was so much snow fall over night that the plows could not clear the roads in time for the buses to get through. I think we must have gotten 5" over night, but that was on top of what was already there, so we have 16" just on our front walk way!

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on our way home today

from Portland to Bend... when we got up near Mt. Hood the road and weather got a little hairy... the slower your drive the better so we were fine, it sure was beautiful. Jeff and I were in awe and love the snowy scenery, it really was breath-taking!

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Hawthorn Bridge, Portland

for those of you who asked...

what the OMSI is... better explained if you look at the site, is pretty cool, very educational although the girls just wanted to play rather than here how and why the exhibits worked as they did, fun all the same. CLICK HERE

OMSI
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picture of the day at OMSI

But Jesus answered "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.'" Luke 4:4

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord, no tender voice like Thine can peace afford; I need Thee, O I need Thee. every hour I need Thee! O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee, ~Hawks

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come and visit our new Library...created by Sophia Caston.
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cold cold weather brings really big icicles

Transformed by Beholding

"We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image" . . . 2 Corinthians 3:18

The greatest characteristic a Christian can exhibit is this completely unveiled openness before God, which allows that person’s life to become a mirror for others. When the Spirit fills us, we are transformed, and by beholding God we become mirrors. You can always tell when someone has been beholding the glory of the Lord, because your inner spirit senses that he mirrors the Lord’s own character. Beware of anything that would spot or tarnish that mirror in you. It is almost always something good that will stain it— something good, but not what is best.

The most important rule for us is to concentrate on keeping our lives open to God. Let everything else including work, clothes, and food be set aside. The busyness of things obscures our concentration on God. We must maintain a position of beholding Him, keeping our lives completely spiritual through and through. Let other things come and go as they will; let other people criticize us as they will; but never allow anything to obscure the life that "is hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3). Never let a hurried lifestyle disturb the relationship of abiding in Him. This is an easy thing to allow, but we must guard against it. The most difficult lesson of the Christian life is learning how to continue "beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord . . . ."

~thanks Bruce!

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Happy 14th birthday Chelcie, we love ya!
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Mmm...good ol pizza, the biggest medium pizza ever!
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Jeff bought this necklace for me this week!
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Sophia's new puzzle from Christmas...thanks M, G, I and S!
Happy Birthday Mom, Nana Dawn...

We love you and hope you have a wonderful day...

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Tiffany's party...

its alot of pics but as you can tell it sure was alot of fun for everyone!

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friends, chocolate cake...

presents and lots of fun!

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homemade chili verde...

my friend Shawna was here for a visit and gave me her family recipe for chili verde... it was SO yummy!

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Olivia's first cupcake...

there are alot of pictures but they are too cute cute to not share!!

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here's where is got a little messy...
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thanks Nana Dawn & Papa Terry for my birthday gifts...love Olivia
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crowned, by here sisters
Happy 1st Birthday Olivia Drew!
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Jeff shovels the sidewalk a heck of alot better than i do!
after a short day at school,

that took 45 minutes to get to and back from school this afternoon (normally only takes 15 minutes)...Tiffany and Sophia spent 1 1/2 hours outside playing and digging in the snow (who need the sand for sandcastles when you've got this!). Jeff got home and cleared off the sidewalks and porch again, that were covered in another 3 inches of snow since i shoveled them around noon.

I will have you know that WE LOVE IT HERE!!! We love the changes and the newness every season brings along with the learning experiences...driving today was VERY slow going and slippery!

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Happy Birthday Uncle Mark...love you!
lots of snow

see the snow hanging over our roof in the 3rd picture?

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shoveling snow for the first time

it isnt as easy as it looks, wow! the first pic is before i shoveled our front walk way and then the next few are of after...

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our first delay start day!!

delay start day for school means that it is unsafe and they delay the start of school for 2 hours!! we got a ton of snow over night and the storm isnt fully here, is supposed to get worse this afternoon/evening! it is so fun, an adventure!!

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