We're moving!

But just on the internet.

This will be the last post at this address. The new address is http://oregonchristensens.blogspot.com/.

Sunny California

We went to California last weekend to visit Bruce and meet Karren (and to get away for a bit). Unfortunately we didn't take any pictures, so use your imaginations. We flew in Friday night. It was Karren's birthday and Bruce and Karren went to the temple. Bruce left his car for us at the airport where there are more than one "Hourly parking" areas. I'm just tellin' ya. One hour after we got our luggage, we were on the way to San Jose and our hotel. We stopped at Safeway to get a few things for breakfast, then started on our last mile to the hotel. We were pulled over by a cop. Not for a loud muffler; not for doing a rolling stop at the stoplight; what else? Bruce's registration had expired. The nice lady cop didn't give us a ticket because it wasn't our car. We made it to the hotel. Bruce and Karren came for a few minutes when they got back from the temple.

Saturday we went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium after a nice waffle breakfast at Bruce's. We got to watch the otters and the penguins get fed. That was kind of fun. One of my favorite things there was the Seahorse exhibit. I love the seahorses that look like plants. The dragon seahorse was one of them, and I can't remember the name of the other one.

We got done there about 3p.m. Bruce and Karren had chosen a restaurant to go to because they liked the name of it: Toasties. We got there only to find out that they were closed until dinner time, as were most of the other restaurants in that place. We finally found one open and ate. We had to hurry back for the Sat. eve. session of Stake Conference (just Bruce and Karren went). They were only 20 minutes late because of Karren's quick thinking of having her roommate bring her skirt to the church.

Sunday we went to Stake Conference and then to Bruce's place for sandwiches. We all had naps then met at Bruce's later for games and pot roast dinner. On Monday, Bruce and Dad went running then we all went to see San Francisco Bay then straight to the airport. We made it to our gate just as the B section (which we were in) was lining up. We then flew back home where everything is back to normal. It was fun to get away for a while, even if it was pretty short.

By the way, just in case I forgot to tell you, Jared got his mission call to the Phillippines Baclod mission where he will be speaking Tagalog. He leaves in April a week or two after he gets out of BYU-I.

Christmas and snow

We went to Provo for Christmas because Shanna is expecting Jan. 9. David and Amanda were kind enough to let Bruce and Brian stay with them while Milt and I stayed with Shanna and Evan. It was great to be with our kids and to see lots of Milt's family. The dinners were very nice. I thought that with all the Christmas candy and big meals that I ate, that I would be very fat when I got home, but I didn't gain any weight. (Or it just hasn't shown up yet.)



There was snow in Provo. In fact, it snowed some while we were there, but mostly it was clear and sunny and FREEZING.


We got home Monday night. Yesterday, Brian and I went to exchange his dud Christmas present. When we came out of Fred Meyer, it was just starting to snow ever so lightly. By the time we got to Target, there were big flakes of snow. We had to go to Bed Bath & Beyond to get a wedding present for Shanna's friend she had through high school and college. (Because of the snow we didn't make it to her reception. I guess I'll take the gift to Provo with me next week.) The snow was starting to stick by the time we got there. We made it home in the snow. The roads weren't bad yet because it had just started. When it quit snowing, we had a beautiful yard with white trees and shrubs and lawn and driveway and everything. It only took Milt an hour or so to get home from work as opposed to the usual 15 minutes. It is now 10:30 the next day and it is all melting. the roads are a little slushy, but there is still snow on the lawns. That's how I like the snow. Beautiful and fleeting.

Leaving primary

Yesterday in primary we had a marathon singing time. After opening exercises, we ran through all the songs for the program on Nov. 9. After the program, I will be released. I have loved primary. It is great to teach the truths of the gospel to the cute little things through song. Coming up with ideas to teach the songs to make it exciting for the kids is fun too. This upcoming primary program will be my fourth one in a row. Our ward boundaries were changed recently, and the primary chorister from Beaverton 3rd ward was moved into our ward. She had only been the chorister for about 4 months and was pretty enthusiastic and excited about it. I told the primary pres. that if they wanted to put her in, it was okay with me, but I still like primary. So they are replacing me--after the program.

Anyway since we had singing time at the first yesterday, I was able to go to Relief Society. We had a great lesson. Maybe I AM ready to go back with the big people. I still visit teach five people and play the organ every other week, so I don't feel like I don't have anything to do in the church. I am looking forward to what else the future might bring, but I will miss those kids--even the ones who don't sing much.

Thanks for my family

I was just thinking how lucky I have been all my life to have such good families. The family I grew up in may have had a few problems, but I really don't remember many. We all get along well as adults and did pretty much when we were kids too. We had our sibling fights like everyone else, but they were over almost as fast as they started. All my siblings married people I like and have children that I like (at least the ones I have been around a bit). I don't think there will be any contention after my parents die like some families have about who gets what (if there is anything to get). No one gets offended easily.

My family with my kids is pretty much the same. All the kids seem to get along well with each other. In fact, they are good friends with each other. They play games together, invite each other over for dinner, go to movies together, and just generally get along well. So far, their spouses seem to fit right in with the family. Of course, this doesn't mean that everything is always blissful and happy. We do have a few squabbles, but not often nor long.

The family I married into is pretty much a good family too. There is some hurt and unforgiveness there, but for the most part it is a good family to belong to. They are all hard workers and giving people.

I have seen families that think the only way to communicate disappointment or disagreement is to yell or go on a tirade. They expect you to think like they do and know what they are thinking. Maybe they get over their anger quickly sometimes, but the imprint of the yelling is strong in my mind. I am ever so grateful for parents who were patient, understanding, and slow to anger. I hope I can always be like them and be a good example for my children as well.

Our bishopric was released today. We are having some ward boundary changes. We have a meeting tonight at 5:30 to find out what ward we are in and who the bishopric will be. The only sure thing is that things will change.

Why blogs?

What are blogs for anyway? I guess they are for people who have something to say. I apparently am not one of those.