Preview

I didn't know what to title this. Preview? Heavenly preview? Reunion? Homecoming? The choices were endless. I am in Seaside, Oregon by the grace of God. Literally. We flew from Idaho Falls to Salt Lake City at the crack of dawn on Wednesday morning. From SLC we flew to Portland, OR. Two of my teachers, Jim (who is nealry 60) and Tina (mid-20s) drove the mini-vans two hours to Seaside. The problem was that it was raining non-stop and one of the roads out here was being closed down. We rode with Tina, who is young, single and brave. She drove through the water without a second thought. Water was up to the BUMPER on a school bus. It's a wonder we even made it through! In any case, we got here and our hotel rooms were nice. My staff are right on the ocean with a kitchenette and fireplace in their hotel rooms. Nice. Our hotel is maybe a little nicer but no kitchenette or fireplace (but they serve free breakfast here -- it's a tradeoff). I'm not a huge drinker but I'm not going to turn down the chance to 'socialize' with (most of) my staff. We had a wonderful time at the banquet. For me, it was great to catch up with my college roommate Heidi. We had a lot of laughs and she fit right in with my staff. We stayed up until 1 a.m. talking. So fun! It's that type of thing that makes it feel like a reunion and homecoming. I also ran into Debbie, a friend I've pretty much known my entire life through church and then school and then college. So then I wonder, "Is this a preview of heaven?" Some great reunion of those of us who love and live for Jesus? It sure has been more fun than I can share here.

Kathleen is at home in Idaho Falls with Grandma Barb. They are both having a blast but I think it's wearing Grandma Barb out! They've read books non-stop, went shopping (when Kathleen put on her jean jacket, winter jacket AND wanted her sweatshirt-type jacket on... g'ma tied it around her waist), do art together... K went to sleep pretty quickly the first night. Last night, of course, she kind of caught on that things are different when g'ma is there. She slept for an hour or so and then knocked at her door to come out. Then she was awake until 10:30 p.m.! Which is 90 minutes later than her dad stayed awake at home! Poor grandma -- she will have to go spend time with baby Sophia just to recover for all the toddler activity!! Although it's been fun for her to listen to all the new words that K is saying, including "pink" and to watch her feed herself. She does pretty well with a spoon. She had been deathly afraid of the sippy cups with straws (or just straws in general) but I brought some of them to daycare and they've been working on it with her so she's been doing much better with them. I'm so proud of what a big girl she's turning out to be.

I'm sure there is more to share but I'm tired and need some rest. Happy weekend to everyone!