DANIEL

All it takes to bring a smile to my face! What is it about a sweet little baby that makes people melt down to a high pitched, kissy faced, blubbering human? Isn't he just the CUTEST?

Matt with Daniel before returning to Iraq.

Sarah

Sarah has settled into her life here in Spokane and is now beginning a new job. She was supposed to start on Thursday (when the big storm hit) but will now begin on Monday. She'll be doing a similar job that she had in Riverside (dispatching and customer service). The type of company is different however, being a printing company. She is very excited to be employed full time once again.

Credit to Barry Moses for this picture of Sarah and I. Sarah was able to join me in the colleges last day of Fall quarter. We had a multicultural potluck that was a great success! It was so great to have her there and an even greater joy to have her back as part of our daily lives.

We love you Sarah!!!

Disappointment

I was supposed to wake up this morning in Riverside, California. Of course the perfect storm hit and my flight was canceled. I know I can still go see the baby, but I'll miss seeing Matt on his mid-deployment leave. He leaves for Iraq early Monday morning. My sadness is unspeakable as I think about not seeing him for another 10 months.

I thank God for digital pictures as I look at this picture of Matt loving Daniel. I can't wait for the day I can see them together. The best gift I have been given this Christmas is that Matthew was here for Daniel's birth. God's perfect timing. There is plenty to be thankful for as I gaze out the window to see what came between me and my trip to Southern California.

COLD outside, but WARM inside

It seems Spokane is suffering from a snowstorm today. Shoveling my neighbor's drive and our own passage ways made me very COLD. Once inside I was thinking of what to write about. I went to my computer and view the very thing to warm my heart!

It's amazing how quickly I forget about the cold while veiwing my new grandson's pictures!

Then, just when I think I'm as "warm" as I can be, I see the picture of my son with his son.

I must say that there is nothing more gratifying and lovely than seeing your child with their newborn baby. I know Matthew and Amanda will be amazing parents.

Matthew returns to Iraq on Monday. I know it will be very difficult for him to leave Amanda and Daniel, but I pray that the next ten months will pass quickly and uneventfully for everyone.

Mima Mounds

MIMA MOUNDS

I love to learn about new things. Although I love to get out of the house, the frigid temperature keeps me in. And so I surf the web in search of places to visit when spring arrives. That's how I found this unusual geographic feature.

Mima mounds are found on the praries of southwest Washington state. Apparently there is much debate about the geological formation of these unusual grassy hills. They can also be found in Alaska, Texas, Australia and China. Scientistists believe the ones in Washington to be 7,000 to 9,000 years old and probably created by retreating glaciers. Other explanations include being caused by Native Americans or possibly burrowing animals of some sort. I will definately visit this place!

A New Grandson!

Until you have a son of your own . . . you will never know the joy, the love beyond feeling that resonates in the heart of a father as he looks upon his son. You will never know the sense of honor that makes a man want to be more than he is and to pass something good and hopeful into the hands of his son.

Children are the best life has to offer. And now. . . we have the most beautiful, new little boy in our family. Amanda and Matthew had their first child, Daniel James, on December 5th at 12:38. He was 8 pounds, 2.5 oz and 19.5 inches long.

I am so proud to wear the name of grandma. I want to be the kind of grandma who plays in the mud, makes faces through the window and loves wholly and unconditionally. I never knew my grandparents and so . . . I want to be invoved in a way that makes my grandson feel valued and treasured.

Happy Birthday Daniel James!