Expecting!

Dec. 1, 2009

I took a pregnancy test this morning at 2 am! There were double lines! Time to call the Dr. ! Ralph called and I have an appointment later today to confirm. Blood work is back and I am preggers!!! Doctor wants to see me tomorrow! Once I announce this to the world these will become public as for now they are my very own personal pregnancy journal. Sorry in advance for not letting you know much sooner. We decided not to tell until things are safer. I'm sure you understand or hope you will.

Happy 2nd Birthday Lucas!

Some of my favorite picture of my adorable nephew! He is a funny kid! Hope you had a great birthday little buddy! Your my little monkey! Check out the border!

Love you Auntie and Uncle!

Friends: a Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime?

I'm guessing Holly's moving post on breaking up with a friend will strike a chord. There's something about betrayal or abandonment in friendship that often feels harsher than that of a lover. Partly because (and pardon if I sound a wee bitter) we almost expect romantic partners to hurt us or be transient; friends are supposed to be for life. But recently one friend helped me see this loss differently when he passed along wisdom from a spiritual teacher: People are in our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.

I love thinking about it that way. A "reason" would cover friends who introduce us to new people, activities, or ways of being and then, poof! are somehow out of our lives. "Season" relationships are around anywhere from a few months to several years or even decades; they get into our hearts and shape who we are, then slide, scrape, scramble, or vanish from our day-to-day. Lifetimers are just that--the ones we know till the very end--the guides, anchors, companions, and beloveds who would only miss being at our deathbed if we made it to theirs first.

The tricky thing, of course, is that we don't have the completed screenplay--we can't flip ahead to see if Jane will be there as the credits roll even though she's been around since elementary school. That's what makes friendship risky--and precious, not to put too cheesy a point on it. We just don't know. Yet with the reason/season/lifetime frame, even when someone we thought was a lifer turns out to be a temp, we can see it for what it is--a person who gave us the gift of her or his presence for a time. An appropriate, necessary amount of time that, if all went well at least for a while, changed us, opened our perspective, somehow expanded or even healed our lives. So when we must let them go--whether it's our choice or not--we can do it with a bit of grace and gratitude. You know?

I found this sometime ago and thought about how true this really is. I have been blessed to have met people at certain points at my life for a reason and then they or I move on. It is sad to see friendships go in that regard. But I have been so much more blessed by the ones that have remained in my life! For this I am truly grateful! I know sometimes it is weeks or months since we have talked but that doesn't mean I don't think of you or love you! Because I do!!! Thank you so much friends!!!

Christmas with my family!

Christmas morning in our Christmas jammies!!!

Merry Christmas! 2009

Dec. 2009

As another year comes to an end we reflect on all that we have been blessed with. We are back in Washington with family and friends but we definitely enjoyed our time in sunny Texas and all the wonderful friends we made. While in Texas we also made some military friends that we hope to meet up with again sometime during Ralph’s career. We had season passes to Sea World, and Six Flags, which came in handy when friends would come to visit as we could take them there as well as all the historical places that can be found in San Antonio.

Ralph is now in phase two of his schooling, which he enjoys and thrives at all that he is learning. Ralph has incredibly long hours as he leaves at 4 am and often returns after 5 or 6 pm. With all the hours he is working, we have to keep reminding ourselves it will all be worth it once he is done.

As for me, I was called up to be a long term sub in my old position as Health Clerk at Park Lodge Elementary. I enjoy being back with the staff and the children and I also enjoy being close to family and the many opportunities I have had to see them. I especially love to Zumba with my nephew Lucas, he loves to dance with his Auntie and will point to the I-Pod to get me to dance with him. Lisa, my sister, added to her family with her second son, Ethan, being born in May. Ethan is a very happy baby and is always smiling and laughing.

We are sorry this is so short but with our busy schedules we are really behind this holiday season. We will be moving again late next year or early 2011. We will let you know where we end up. We are looking forward to any new adventures that may come our way in the New Year. We just want you to know we were thinking of you all and missing you. We wish you the very best in 2010!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Love,

Ralph and Christie

Ride the DUCKS!

We did this my birthday weekend and it was a BLAST! It was a perfect Northwest day! If you have never done this it is worth the $25 per person.

Fun and Fab! Friends! Love ya!

This is from my trip back home to Washington. I got to stop and see two of my favorite peeps! And their families. We had a great day out! Lunch at Cafe Rio a must while in Utah and then girl shopping! (Ralph stayed and watched the kids) Love him bunches he is the best at letting me have my friend time. Then back to Andrea house for dinner and more talking. We were just being goofy and having a blast together!

I miss you both!