I have to say, for all my complaining about the weather here, that we are really having a lovely winter. Winter in our parts usually lasts three days or so, and if you get stuck indoors with a virus or a long project, you just might miss it. But this year we've had such a nice respite from the familiar heat--it usually wears out its welcome long before August is gone and is still tormenting us at Thanksgiving. I wish winter would last, well, all through winter :-)

Church was great this morning. The Papa preached from 2 Timothy and reminded us where we've come from as a church and how important it is for us to look back as well as forward. Fittingly, we met today in the hotel where we first began 2 1/2 years ago, since our normal venue was being used for another purpose. Most in the room today weren't with us when we began and so didn't remember those early days, so it was wonderful to have them share that slice of our church life through our memories.

Dirk, Aubrey, Abigail and the Boybarians were here for dinner after church. One of our favorite Sunday meals is BBQ beef sandwiches made from brisket that cooks all night Saturday night...it's one of those meals that all fourteen of us love and there are very few leftovers!

The Papa is telling me he has to go back to Hawaii tomorrow. Would you believe him? I tried to get a ticket to go with him, just to sort of make sure that this is all on the level, you know? But alas, this trip arose so quickly that the fares were a bit too expensive for me to go this time, but one of these days...

I'm embarking on some reorganization projects, spurred by my current reading of Getting Things Done. The book is written mainly for business people, but I'm finding that much of the wisdom in the book can be adapted to MY career, which is being a home manager and home schooler. I have, for most of my adult life, been the queen of "systems" for managing every facet of life. But the upheavals and challenges of the past five years have disrupted most of them, and now I find that technology and changing circumstances have rendered many of them obsolete or unnecessary and in dire need of rethinking and retooling. January is, of course, a great month for things like this, but I'll be working way into March, I'm sure.

This week our family has spent some time thinking about and planning for a vacation to Red River, New Mexico, in July. It's something that The Papa's extended family does every year, and nearly every year we SAY we're going to go and then something comes along to sidetrack our plans. We haven't been since '98 or so! Well THIS year we're GOING, and we're making some early moves to help ensure that it becomes a reality. We're not big skiiers, so we take advantage of the ski location in the mountains in the off season, enjoying the cool fresh mountain air and the isolation from our normal world, as well as time with loved ones with whom we so seldom spend more than a couple hours at a time. So...Red River, here we come! (Check the very bottom of the blog for our vacation ticker and a photo of Red River!)

And now...I'm taking a nice nap before finishing up prep for school this week!