Friday, December 15, 2006

Buckle your seatbelts....

Ready for it?

You must be shocked that I’m even updating this thing. Are there rules to how long you can NOT blog before you’re considered a NON blogger? Surely there must be some “unwritten bloggers writing code”! Ha. Anyhow, enough with the chit chat. Let’s get down to business….

WHAT THE HECK have I been doing for nearly THREE months? Well, I’ll go with the highlights....

First off was a trip in SEPTEMBER to Southern California. It was JUST ME! I was happy to have some time off with my girl friends for some R&R (though jet lag will always kill at least one of those Rs) and some great “God time” at a fantastic WOMENS CONFERENCE at a Christian City Church of San Diego. This is a church that Linda Pesavento (formerly my HK sis) sister & brother in law pastor. It was a wonderful time meeting up with my 4 favorite women…Linda P (Sydney, Aus), Shauna K (another former HKer – but now a Vancouver bum), Crystal M (my long time pal from San Diego – waaaaay long time, like 7th grade!!!!) and finally my most darling family member EVER – Michelle. Truly the sister I never had. Anyhow, we had an absurdly fun time ☺




By the way I should take the chance to say that my friend Linda Pesavento has written a fantastic book - called KEEP WALKING. Please visit the site...buy a book. Seriously, if you know anyone who's going through a tough time in their lives, this is the book for them!

Early OCTOBER came and my PARENTS arrived from Salt Lake City. Wow. What a fantastic 3 weeks we had with them. I HATE it that they couldn’t stay for like 6 months!!!! Our new home makes having guests a real treat – honestly! We did all the traditional HK stuff – shopped, ate and shopped some more. Occasionally we threw a church service or two in there!







Just 5 short days after they left my IN LAWS (or are they out-laws…just kidding Mom!) came along with our adorable nephew Eli. The kids had the BEST time and I must say they were all very well behaved. We enjoyed more hanging out, eating and of course the obligatory Disney trip. They stayed for 2 weeks.







Then, 5 days after they left – Our BESTEST friends from Down Under came. Wow. What a fun time we had. 8 days too short. Really – there were four of them bunked in with us and it was fantastic. The highlight was definitely our trip to Disneyland Hotel. Because of course we needed to go see our friend Boise in the LION KING (he absolutely rocks in that show). The DL hotel is WORTH it – you must go if you get the chance.







((((((OKAY, is the picture thing ticking you off yet??? IRRITATING [to coin my favorite uncle's word!] I'm obviously a picture-placing-novice. Sorry for the bizarre placement. Can't figure it out... and really, WHO CARE's!!!!!))))))))

And that brings us right up to first part of DECEMBER...

Annabelle had her first “Ballet appearance”. Wow. She really knows how to knock ‘em out! She was the only one who actually MOVED on the stage ☺ Cute. Hopefully we’ve found a talent that she’ll build on for years to come. Her teacher says she’s a natural.



A highlight for the girls is always the TREE DECORATION! We love Christmas time. My favorite time of year….

And then there was last week….. This has been such a happy up-beat post, so I won’t drag it down. I’ll write more about this event in a coming post. Most of you will have heard by now, but I flew to California last Sunday night because my aunt was dying in the hospital after attempted suicide. She’s beautiful and 54. I watched her take her final breaths on Tuesday 5 December. Words don’t describe….. But, for this post, let’s focus on one thing….

JESUS is the REASON for this SEASON. I love Christmas. I’m proud to celebrate a holiday that represents the foundation of my faith!!!!
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6