All's Well That Ends Well

The Christmas decorations have (almost!) been put away and the year is coming to a close. I'd have to say this was a great year for us.....we've settled into our house, harvested our first pumpkins, enjoyed our first cutting garden, finished our first home improvement project, hosted almost every member of our immediate families in the pacific northwest, and I can finally say, "I'm a librarian"! But some of the best things happened in the last month of the year.

 We finally made it up to Mt. Hood and it was beautiful!

We went snow tubing and JSM ventured down the "intermediate" run. That's him on the right!

We joined the Vancouver Congregational Church, part of the United Church of Christ

My mama and sisters came to visit...

And I joined Altrusa of Clark County, the local chapter of the Altrusa International, a community service organization that supports literacy and HIV efforts in the community. 

We celebrated a quiet Christmas since I had to work at the library and only had 2 days off...

Phil even joined in the fun!

JSM got a Jefferson Bible (the Smithsonian edition which is an exact replica) among other things. I think that may have been his favorite present!! And he reluctantly bought me a Nook (he thinks I will be tired of it tomorrow.) For the record, I have been addicted since Christmas day!

We have so much to be thankful for as we close out 2011. Of course, I can't help but think of the year ahead. So much to be thankful for and so much to be hopeful for. Here are a few things on my list for 2012:

Clean out the garage (this is a carryover from last year)

Visit the Middle East

Convert the den closet into a home office

Read more books (duh!)

Explore adoption

To our friends and family, we wish you a many blessings in the new year! May 2012 be kind to you! 

xoxo KLM and JSM