Merry Christmas to All

From Our Family to Yours

Merry Christmas, and a Happy 2009!

With Love,

Casey, Kelly, Norah and Haddon Lute

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Leftover Pictures

We found our camera today. I figured it might be about time to post some pictures from Halloween. Coincidentally, this was also our last night in Colorado, so while I like these photos, they're also kind of bumming me out (still wishing things hadn't ended the way they did).

In case you can't tell, Haddon was Woody from Toy Story and Norah was Sleeping Beauty...

Quick Note: Move #2

Okay, so we're in our new home, and it's been eventful.

Still, no camera, so no pictures. But we really haven't had a chance to look for it. We still believe.

We have discovered that we tend to move on the days that are the worst where weather is concerned. When we moved to Oregon, it was the rainiest time in quite a few weeks. Casey and his crew (thanks guys!) unloaded the Penske in pouring rain. Then fast-forward 6 weeks, and it is the weekend of a big old snow storm. With huge flakes falling, and temperatures far below freezing (pretty unusual for the Willamette Valley), we move into our home. As another crew (thanks guys!) treads carefully on carpet remnants, blankets and towels, we attempt to preserve new carpet and squeeze our belongings into a new home.

We have learned that our couches are large. (A small living room and big furniture... oh well.)

We now know that you can survive for 2 days and counting with just the minimums. (a bit of ground beef, one frozen bag of chicken, cheese, milk, and Ritz- oh yeah, and Ramen.)

We have greater empathy for UPS, FedEx and the USPS- they have to deliver no matter what, even through streets of solid ice. Yikes! Poor husband.

And that's all for now.... sorry, I warned that it was quick.

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

(Oh, David Bowie)

Anyway, remember Norah's looonngg hair? Well, it's not so long anymore. After a couple days ago when it took me 15 minutes or so of brushing through it after a bath, I had had enough of the length. Picture? Not yet. (I'll have to use grandma's or something. See last post for details.) But she looks really cute, and a little bit older. *sigh*

Also, we think that it is actually going to happen. This weekend we are finally going to be able to move into grandma's place. That will be a pleasant change. I think the kids will really like having our own place again, and then Nanna and Papa can be just Nanna and Papa again- and not "secondary" mom and dad at times! That will be such a blessing for all parties involved.

Casey has started temporary, seasonal work with UPS. It's on-call only, but it's some income. And we are thankful for that. He has the brown outfit and everything! (Again, I'll have to use grandma's camera)

December 18th is a day to PRAY. Casey has a job interview with Marion County for a deputy sheriff position. He went last month and paid to take written, physical and psychological tests for the position. Apparently, he is mentally balanced enough to be a security guard at the prison! So that's a good thing for many reasons, but what we're excited about is that his mental stability, physical stamina(well, enough to pass), and ability to read on a 7th grade level may be good enough to support our family financially! It is truly a blessing to just get a job interview, as the job-market is tough here. Please be praying that work will come his way soon.

And seriously, I know everyone will want to see the hair and the brown, so that will come soon.

Where are the Pics?

We can't find our camera. It hasn't been spotted since entering Oregon. So, if you see it, let us know. Or, even better, if you really want to bless us with a new one, feel free to do so.

The Kids

Megan left a comment on the last post wondering how the kids are doing. Well, they're holding up pretty well considering the back-and-forth, upside-down world they are living in right now.

Norah loves being around her cousins. Just about every day she asks, "Can we go to Cade's house?" Any plan is acceptable to her despite initial protest if she is informed that, "Your cousins will be there." She is tired of going over to the house to clean it, but she's been a trooper overall.

Haddon is just the same sweet self he always is. He just goes with the flow- for the most part. Although he is beginning to exert more stubbornness and independence. He just really wants to do his own thing. A classic moment was when we dropped him off in the 2-year-old class at church, and we peaked into the one-way window to look at him before we picked him up: there he was alone in a corner playing while every (and I mean every) other child was sitting happily around a table. He's just not a joiner; that, I'm sure, will be one of his greatest strengths and yet a great weakness at times too.

Just this week, we've had some issues though. Haddon developed croup. That allowed for little sleep for me, and him. We were wiped! He threw up yesterday, and I don't know why. But nothing has made a "second appearance" again.

Norah woke up at 4 this morning and informed us of her wet undies. Bummer. Then she couldn't sleep. Double bummer. At lunch with my grandmother, she was asking to go home so that she could sleep in her own bed. Uh-oh. And while I was out painting, she woke up from her nap and vomited too. Triple bummer.

She'll be fine, but poor dear.

So that's how the kids are doing.

The end.