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.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, December 8, 2008
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.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
A Little Update on the Lutes
The Move: we're in the final days of getting my grandmother's home ready to move into. If our plans go as we expect, we may be able to start moving in on Monday. So that's a blessing especially since living out of suitcases is getting pretty old and we're running out of toiletries- and I severely under-packed! I'm cold!
The Job: Casey has applied and continues to apply to many, many jobs. He had one interview with McKay High School for a job that isn't that great, but would provide maybe just enough. We should hear word on that soon. He also tested with the county for some positions in correction. It was an all-day process that he passed each stage. We're awaiting word on that too. And that's it. Nothing else. We're praying the Lord will provide soon.
The Past: we're gaining more and more peace concerning what happened at the church in Colorado. We have been blessed to be able to act honorably in spite of untrustworthy behavior. There is healing in our hearts, and considering the cross, we can have strength to forgive.
The Future: to be determined by the Father of Lights. He will provide every good and perfect gift. We have confidence in that and in his steadfast love. Thank you for your continued prayers on our behalf.
The Job: Casey has applied and continues to apply to many, many jobs. He had one interview with McKay High School for a job that isn't that great, but would provide maybe just enough. We should hear word on that soon. He also tested with the county for some positions in correction. It was an all-day process that he passed each stage. We're awaiting word on that too. And that's it. Nothing else. We're praying the Lord will provide soon.
The Past: we're gaining more and more peace concerning what happened at the church in Colorado. We have been blessed to be able to act honorably in spite of untrustworthy behavior. There is healing in our hearts, and considering the cross, we can have strength to forgive.
The Future: to be determined by the Father of Lights. He will provide every good and perfect gift. We have confidence in that and in his steadfast love. Thank you for your continued prayers on our behalf.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Norah's New Favorite Movie
My mom took Norah to Wal-Mart with her the other day, and they came back with a new DVD for Norah. It is a Tom and Jerry DVD called Whiskers Away, and it features a segment entitled "Cruise Cat." I've never heard Norah laugh so hard at any movie or TV show as she does for "Cruise Cat."
What is fun is that I also think it is a really funny segment. It's also funny that Norah can't seem to remember how to say "Tom and Jerry" and often ends up saying "Cherry and Jom." But what is a bit odd is that nothing seems to make Norah laugh so hard as cartoon violence (but really, who doesn't love cartoon violence?). In the seven-minute segment of "Cruise Cat," we see the following acts take place, each one eliciting a belly laugh from my daughter:
*Jerry is smashed by a coconut.
*Jerry is slammed into a dock, flattening him.
*A pole-vaulting Jerry slams face-first into a cabin window.
*Tom's appendages are snapped off by a deck chair.
*Tom shatters a deck rail with his face, falling into the sea.
*Tom dives headfirst into a freshly-drained swimming pool.
*Jerry burns Tom with a blast of scalding steam.
*Tom and Jerry smack each other around with shuffleboard paddles.
*Jerry blows Tom up with dynamite.
*Tom spikes Jerry on a boot spur and a cactus.
*Jerry hits Tom in the face with a cactus leaf (my personal favorite).
*Tom gets slammed into a post face-first.
*Tom attempts to shoot Jerry, but the bullets end up back in his own mouth, which Jerry then fires by smacking him in the back of the head with a pistol.
Watching this with Norah is some of the best seven minutes I can think of. I actually find it funny too, so we both laugh (but I laugh more at her laughing than the movie). Tonight she couldn't sleep, so we let her watch a few segments of the DVD. We were sitting together on a chair, and she told me that when she gets older she wants to stay up all night with me--until it's morning again--and never sleep. She said that we can watch Tom and Jerry movies the entire night. Sounds like it'll be a fun time.
Oh, and if you're curious, I present for your viewing pleasure Tom and Jerry in "Cruise Cat" . . .
What is fun is that I also think it is a really funny segment. It's also funny that Norah can't seem to remember how to say "Tom and Jerry" and often ends up saying "Cherry and Jom." But what is a bit odd is that nothing seems to make Norah laugh so hard as cartoon violence (but really, who doesn't love cartoon violence?). In the seven-minute segment of "Cruise Cat," we see the following acts take place, each one eliciting a belly laugh from my daughter:
*Jerry is smashed by a coconut.
*Jerry is slammed into a dock, flattening him.
*A pole-vaulting Jerry slams face-first into a cabin window.
*Tom's appendages are snapped off by a deck chair.
*Tom shatters a deck rail with his face, falling into the sea.
*Tom dives headfirst into a freshly-drained swimming pool.
*Jerry burns Tom with a blast of scalding steam.
*Tom and Jerry smack each other around with shuffleboard paddles.
*Jerry blows Tom up with dynamite.
*Tom spikes Jerry on a boot spur and a cactus.
*Jerry hits Tom in the face with a cactus leaf (my personal favorite).
*Tom gets slammed into a post face-first.
*Tom attempts to shoot Jerry, but the bullets end up back in his own mouth, which Jerry then fires by smacking him in the back of the head with a pistol.
Watching this with Norah is some of the best seven minutes I can think of. I actually find it funny too, so we both laugh (but I laugh more at her laughing than the movie). Tonight she couldn't sleep, so we let her watch a few segments of the DVD. We were sitting together on a chair, and she told me that when she gets older she wants to stay up all night with me--until it's morning again--and never sleep. She said that we can watch Tom and Jerry movies the entire night. Sounds like it'll be a fun time.
Oh, and if you're curious, I present for your viewing pleasure Tom and Jerry in "Cruise Cat" . . .
Sunday, November 2, 2008
503
We made it safely to Oregon after two days of traveling. The kids are tired, but they did great on the drive! We are so proud of our "road-warriors".
So, here in we are in the old 503 area code, and it's weird to think that it's permanent. It still just feels like a visit. But we know it isn't, and we are thankful that the Lord has provided thus far and will continue to.
We'll share more later, but for now, it is bedtime. And we have more work ahead of us tomorrow and in the coming weeks.
ON ANOTHER NOTE:
Our two fish, Salt and Pepper, survived the journey in a Dr. Pepper 2-liter. So Norah was happy about that.
So, here in we are in the old 503 area code, and it's weird to think that it's permanent. It still just feels like a visit. But we know it isn't, and we are thankful that the Lord has provided thus far and will continue to.
We'll share more later, but for now, it is bedtime. And we have more work ahead of us tomorrow and in the coming weeks.
ON ANOTHER NOTE:
Our two fish, Salt and Pepper, survived the journey in a Dr. Pepper 2-liter. So Norah was happy about that.
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