Hello out there.

 

Hello? :)  I imagine that word echoing in cyber bliss as I don't expect anyone to still be reading our much neglected blog.  But I remind myself that I write and post, as a remembrance for life in these seasons and stages, and it's the next-closest thing to journaling for me.

Considering how long it's been since my last post - (probably early December??) - much has been going on.  Let me string it together in one, long, run-on paragraph:  Christmas together as a family was bliss.  We got to spend time with both my siblings (and my brother even flew in all the way from Germany last minute, to surprise us.  Remember that old Maxwell house coffee commercial where the soldier comes home and surprises his Mom?  Yep, that about sums it up.  Tears and laughs, great memories together.  I loved, no, cherished, time with my brother & sister this Christmas --- of course Mom & Dad and extended family and cousins, too, but this was extra special.  We also had fun memories and wonderful time spent/split with Ken's family as well and an all around smashing holiday season.)  On December 28th, Jack turned a whoppin 7 years old!... he deserves a separate post all together and I feel bad I haven't posted about that yet.  Truly, it was a little choatic trying to split time with both sides and yet make Jack's birthday feel like a stand out day amidst the holidays.  He wanted a sledding party; so we had a small gathering with family & cousins, and had a grand ol' time sledding down their fantastic hill in back. He was big on having a UofO football cake and cheesecake.  (I don' think he realized a Costco-sized sheetcake plus a cheesecake, might be a bit much for a handful of us.) ;)  So we split it up - did a little cakeage up there and cheesecake down here after we got back.  It was great!  I think?  haha.  That feels like a year ago with all that has transpired since...  fast forward to early January and we found out my sister had melanoma skin cancer.  At first, her prognosis seemed very daunting.  I think she, and many of us really, were trying to remain as hopeful as possible given a rather grim biopsy result.  She went through with her sentinel lymph node removal (2 large scars under each arm), followed by a large section removed from her back to check for metastasis.  Praise God, .... THANK YOU LORD.... a miracle.  It had not spread, despite being in a "less-than-6%-of-the-time" scenario.  Since then, Jaimie has had several other moles removed and will remain under close monitoring from here on out, but did not have to have chemo or radiation.  Following that, Ken heard his job will officially be ending June 30th, as Lilly needs to thin out their sales force and all fixed duration reps are the first wave to go.  Even full time employees and managers are in a volatile position.  Has nothing to do with performance, just part of the industry when things go off patent. We're just stoked they give such a helpful window of notice. :) That being said, let me announce (now that we can, since he just had this conversation with his boss this week)...  we started our own business!  For the past 9 months or so, we have been talking through, praying over, and working out logistics for a speciality contractor business here in Oregon that Ken can transition into when his current job ends.  A close friend here, has been an amazing resource and encouragement to Ken.  A God-send, really.  This never would have been on our radar before - but we see now, how many pieces seem to make sense and how Ken's background experience all combine to work in his advantage in this.  Let me back up for just a sec:  perhaps many of you know Ken's ultimate dream is to teach at the collegiate level.   In Ken's mind, he's always been asking the probing question:  what job could I do that would move us forward in that dream, without driving us into a mountain of school loan debt, that would still enable me to have the flexibility to take classes down the road as schedule and finances allow, and yet might enable me to continue being an engaged husband and dad?  What answer we're pursuing:  being an independent contractor.  And doing what, you may ask?  Gutters.  Yep. :)  We do, after all, live in a very rainy state where they are an absolute necessity.  Ken has no fear of heights thanks to his climbing background, he's had experience already with contract work in home renovations, and his current job has prepared him in many ways for being his own boss.  Needless to say, he's beyond excited to trade in the suit and tie for carharts and t-shirts. :) So, for the past several months, we've been working hard when we could, on preparations for the business.  As of yesterday, he's officially a business owner!  All paperwork/license/bonds/insurance/machinery is ready to go.  We've been house shopping up in the Portland area and surrounding proximity, found a dream home in the country just on the edge of a small town about an hour from downtown Portland and wrote an offer.  We are still waiting to hear on bank approval, hopefully by the end of this month, as it's a short sale.  So, that about brings us current.  It's been a whirlwind and emotional start to the year.  Oh my goodness, and I haven't even gotten to the best news yet!  Jaimie just got married last weekend!  I think going through the cancer diagnosis, really changed perspectives for them, and Jaimie & Tom decided to tie the knot.  They are both so excited to be married and Maggie & I had the honor of flying down last weekend to visit and be there for the wedding.  (Ken was home with the boys for a boys weekend, as it was too crazy trying to fly our entire family down last minute and Ken had to leave Monday morning early, for a week in New Mexico for work.)  Considering they planned their wedding in less than 10 days, it was extraordinary.  I mean, would have been amazing if they'd planned it over the last year... but to pull this off in like a week and a half was beyond inspiring.  She looked radiant and their vows were personalized and so fun, too.  They did their vows at home, early, surrounded by an intimate crowd of close family & friends --- stripping down to swimsuits to take a plunge at the end in a freezing cold pool in front of everyone.   The reception was held later that evening outside under a full Scottsdale moon and stars and lanterns adorning the walkways-- it was simply stunning and overwhelmingly elegant.  And my nephew, Max, was an insanely adorable dancing machine out there.  I think he stole the show. ;)  It was so much fun to be there.  Am glad to have Ken home from his trip, and now all together again as a family.  We topped it off with a fun hike at Silver Falls yesterday and he's at the Father Daughter dance with Maggie tonight as I type.  I think my brain wants to explode....  it has been quite the roller coaster start to the year.  But, now we're all caught up on here.  Thanks for being in our lives and sharing in our ups and downs.  Much to celebrate right now:  health, wedding, new business, potential new home, upcoming move, family...  God is so good. 
P.S.  Mom & Dad just sold our childhood home.  They built it when I was 5, and I can't separate memories from growing up without thinking of that house... I loved living there, and we'll all miss it for sure.  But, it's time, and is exciting.  Closing isn't for a little while, so anything could happen, but at this point, it looks like Mom and Dad will be moving to new digs in Spokane, and makes this past Christmas holiday "home" together, all the more meaningful as it really was the last time we may all be together there.

Kids enjoying a rare snow day here in early December

Traditional Christmas Eve lunch at Clinkerdaggers with Grandma & Papa (all their grandkids together) Jack, Logan, Max, Ella & Maggie with Grandma Sue & Papa Jon

Bring on the ice cream sundae treats ;)

Jim & Wendy, Ken's folks, Christmas eve lunch date

Ken & I Christmas day out at my sister & Tom's house they're renovating just 3 doors down from my Auntie Em & Uncle Dave out on the lake

The Lee Family together: Christmas Day, Lake Coeur d'Alene, ID

Sledding out back with Uncle Beege

Daddy helping Jack strategize the fastest course :)

Happy 7th Birthday Jack Attack! :)  We simply love you to no end and adore your incredible imagination and tender heart!  You made us a family, and we thoroughly enjoy seeing you grow and discover your interests and God-given gifts.  We couldn't be more more proud of you, Jack!

Helmet Logan.  So fitting.  He LOVES sports and is hands-down, the most athletic (so far) of the kids.  His middle name should be changed to, "Danger"- yes, Logan Danger Boggs, because of how gutsy he is. ha!  This little guy should wear a helmet simply for the way he daringly plows through the day. :)

Congrats, Jaimie & Tom!

Getting ready to say their vows in the backyard at home

And the "It's Official" plunge into marriage! :)

Brrrr!!!

Mr. Max though it was the bees knees to get to ride in a limo - but I love how it's his Mom that has his attention even more :)

My Mom and sister pre-wedding reception

 Max and Ella, Jaimie's sweeties. 

My cousin, Megan, and her husband, Adam - had so much fun with these two!! :)

 Jaimie and my Dad at the reception

Official Business Owner

The house we put an offer on:  pending ?? Lord, willing. :)

 

                    A quick video of Maggie and her cousins dancing at Jaimie's wedding - Maggie is the one with the flower girl dress and black ribbon around the waist, Ella is in the ivory dress next to her, and Max is the little guy in the tux who Jaimie's dancing with and who also starts break dancing at the end. :)

Ken & Logan on the trail

standing under the waterfall - quite misty under there and utterly awesome!

Jack and Mags on the trail down to Silver Falls