Winter Wonderland

As most of our friends and family are, we too are buried in a layer of 6-8" of snow, 1/2" of ice, topped off with another 2-4" layer of snow. This is day nine of what local news media has termed "Artic Blast 2008." Kenji doesn't quite know what to think about the snow. She loves playing in it...but she finds it very incovenient to go to the bathroom in. The good news is that her igloo in the backyard is now truly an igloo (although the spoiled dog doesn't spend any time in it).

The good news is this: we finally have time to update everybody as to our undertakings over the past several months. Since our last post, we really haven't been up to much, so this should be fairly short.

In late September, we went to Playa del Carmen, Mexico for a week on vacation. We stayed at a beautiful all-inclusive resort called the RIU Playa Car. It was a wonderful week filled with lots of time sipping margaritas by the pool and swimming in the ocean. I think the only thing we did active all week was take a tour to some Mayan Ruins near the town of Tulum. Overall, it was a much needed time of rest and relaxation.

Work has been uneventful for both Brook and me. The bad economy hasn't really affected either of our jobs. Brook works for a not-for-profit, so obviously times are getting tough as folks cut back on their donations. As for my job, there is always accounting work to be done, regardless if it is working on a merger or acquisition or even bankruptcy. I think that during these times, it is important to remember that we are called to be witnesses of Christ and that we can shine during these times because our faith and our hope is not dependent upon our 401(k)'s or our savings account. A verse that I have printed out and on my computer at work to remind me of this is Jeremiah 29:11 - "'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.'"

Brook and I are so thankful this Christmas season for jobs, a roof over our heads, heat, our pets (at least the dog) and family. We wish everybody a Merry Christmas!

Summer Time!

Summer is here and it has been yet another 7 months since I last posted anything. So hang on...and I will see if I can capture everything we have been up to over the past seven or so months.

Brook quit her job with the State of Oregon and has started working for Boys and Girls Aid of Oregon (see link to website on the bottom right hand side of screen). Her actual job is funded by a Dave Thomas grant/program called Wendy's Wonderful Kids. She is the "Wendy's Wonderful Kids Recruiter" for Oregon. Her job is to find homes for hard to adopt kids. Most of these kids have mental, physical or learning disabilities. Most are older in age. Brook celebrates her six month anniversary at Boys and Girls Aid this month and so far, she seems to be enjoying the job much more then she was enjoying child welfare at the State of Oregon.

I (Adam) have survived my fourth busy season and celebrated my fourth year anniversary at Delap LLP in June. Also, as of July 1, I have been promoted to Tax Manager. Even with a promotion, not much is new at my work. My firm celebrates its 75th year of business this year and we changed names (formerly Delap White Caldwell & Croy, LLP). Business remains strong for us in spite of the weaker economy.

We bought season tickets this year for the Portland Timbers. The Timbers are a local professional soccer team that play 15 home games at PGE Park, downtown Portland. They are part of the United Soccer League which is just below the MLS. We have both enjoyed our "date nights" at the park.

We haven't spent as much time in the outdoors as both of us would like. We have managed to get outside camping twice so far and have at least one more camping trip planned before August end. Our first trip of the season was to Elk Lake in the end of July. It was Kenji's first camping trip and she loved it! Elk Lake actually still had snow at the campground and therefore was inaccessible by vehicle. We managed to make it up to the lake, find a flat spot for the tent and do a little swimming. Our second trip was to Kingfisher Campground outside of the Bull of the Woods wilderness area. Our good friends Kalina and Travis Morgan along with first-time campers Josh and Sara Sargent joined us.

Fourth of July was spent up at my parents house. It was actually the first time Brook and I have been in the United States for Fourth of July since 2005. For such a little town, Seabeck has quite the fireworks show. We also had the chance to see Abbey and Dave's home for the first time since they moved in.

I completed my first sprint triathlon this summer. Although, I will admit that I did the sissy sprint triathlon because I didn't think I could finish the swim portion of the normal sprint triathlon. It consisted of a 1/4 mile swim, 12 mile bike ride and 5k run. It was held at Hagg Lake. My times weren't stellar, but I won't complain. After all, I was coming out of a four year retirement. I am actually training to do another triathlon with my mom in the beginning of September. That one is near their home and is a 1/2 mile swim, 15.2 mile bike ride and 5k run.

I think that captures the essence of our summer thus far. Hopefully I will find my way back here before another 7 months pass by.