A recap of a crazy week (or….. I forgot to mail my newsletter, so here it is)!

 

 January 20, 2011

Dear Family,
     What a week! Whoever said life was boring probably never hung out at our house. This past week included packing up 95 Christmas boxes (or at least enough to fill up the storage room shelves.  O.k., I might have exaggerated a bit), celebrating Karl’s birthday, playing with the family, (including the three cutest grand kids in the world), trying not to notice the three plus pickup truck loads of tree branches in the back yard (I’m not exaggerating), and missing, reporting, and then finding a stolen car. It was just another normal week for a crazy family like ours.

       Liz and Karl came down on Friday to celebrate Karl’s birthday with us, and the rest of the family spent a lot of time hanging out here, too. At times that meant having seven cars/trucks parked around the house. So, having one less vehicle in the yard was not really too noticeable. In fact, we didn’t even miss the car until Saturday around noon when Michelle came by. (Michelle, you are the most observant of us all!) After a call to the police, we realized that Katie’s car was officially missing. Did you know Honda Civics are on the most popular list of stolen vehicles? We spent the next few days getting used to the idea that the car was probably being disassembled, with parts being shipped to the far corners of the state. Oh well, Katie was due for a new car and the insurance money would help with a down payment.
       Wrong! Monday, we got a phone call from the police saying the car had been found in Rose Park. After trying to find the car (we were given the wrong address) and then watching Ken get a flat on his brand new tire, we finally were able to assess the damage. The steering column had been trashed, but the car was intact. Unfortunately, Katie will be out about $300 to get it fixed. She won’t even file a claim with insurance since she has a $250 deductible. What a roller coaster ride this has been. Now we are shuffling around the cars so we can all get to work, but working at the same location helps!

     We hope Karl had a nice birthday! Next up is Irene’s birthday, followed by Katie’s. It seems like we are on a birthday run.
* * * * * * * * * * * *

    It is now a day or so later and I still haven’t finished writing this letter. Katie’s car is now fixed (?), but the steering wheel is twisted so that the bars run up and down. Can she live with it like that? Will it drive her nuts? She will probably have to have it fixed again. (Do you think I need to get some violin music to accompany this letter? Sorry!)

     
     Irene is such a talented seamstress and we are very proud of her. She recently made a new shirt to go with Joshua’s cute suit (a gift from Robbie) since the one that came with it didn’t fit anymore.  It looks perfect! Thanks, Andrew, for picking a nice, talented wife.

     Karl is still waiting for a job, but there has been a lot of movement this week. Keep your fingers crossed.
     Liz and Karl found out what sex their baby is. They had a friend mix up some cupcakes while they were at the doctor’s office and by the time they got home they were ready for the reveal. Yes, roll the drums please……
IT IS A GIRL!

     Michelle did NOT win the contest at work, although she was very close and should have won (at least that's what we all think)! Her team did get a letter from the BIG boss saying that they were the best team in the company right now for booking things. Compliments are nice, but trips might be more fun! Maybe next time!
     Heidi and Ovidiu are enjoying their new apartment. They weren’t too excited when they got their first heating bill, however. but after some maintenance, it is now fixed and should be much better. Too bad they didn’t enjoy all the extra heat blasting out while they were at work!
     Robbie has spent a lot of time this week helping with the after school program. It seems that first graders just can’t get off the bus at the right stop and kids keep getting lost. He and several other teachers have had to rescue several students (with not much help from their parents)!
     My advice today is one of my favorite scriptures:
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt. 6:19–21).
      That is pretty true advice! Whenever we have had trials (floods, theft, car crashes, etc.) we are always reminded that material things don’t really matter in the eternal perspective. Yes, they are nice, helpful conveniences, but we can live without them. The most important blessings we have are each other!

WE LOVE OUR FAMILY!