2013 – A Year of Change!

James 1:17

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

In a year of flux, I am thankful that God and His love, protection and guidance, never changes!

January 2013 – After retiring 3 months earlier, we sold our house on Three Mile where we lived for 26 years

1343 Three Mile Drive

February – We celebrated our delicate little granddaughter, Lilia, as she began growing from her tiny 5’10” frame into a sweet and strong baby girl.

10 weeks old

March – Jim and I flew West to choose our new home – a lovely high rise apartment in Downtown Portland – quite a change from our suburban home in Grosse Pointe Park!

222 SW Harrison
Portland, OR

April – We packed up the belongings we would take with us, and sold the rest!  We said goodbye to friends and family – and headed West!

Staugaard’s

Cake

Fluegge’s

May – God allowed us a beautiful trip West, a move into our new apartment, then he took Mom home to be with Him.  His timing was perfect.  We flew back to Detroit to say a final goodbye to Mom.

Mom’s Memorial Service

Also in May, we were able to celebrate Benjamin’s 3rd Birthday…..as residents of Portland!

Benjamin – 3 years old –  Lilia 5 mos.

June – we were able to celebrate Jim’s birthday (first time in years) with the family!

Key Lime Pie!

July – we rented a Beach  House and had a  great time with all the kids at Manzanita Beach on the Pacific Coast!

Beach House

Beach Kites

This was also my first birthday as a resident of Oregon and was able to spend it with family!

My birthday!

August – We got involved in a community improvement project with our new church – we helped to clean up the landscape of a Portland HS to get it ready for school opening!

Landscaping!

September – We took our first Road trip to Northern California! We had a lovely time exploring the Redwoods, the Coast and Monterrey, CA

California Coast

October – One of our biggest joys has been to spend time with our grandchildren!  I love to make things for them and with them!  Halloween was a perfect opportunity for crafts with Benjamin!

Ghosts

Puss ‘n’ Boots

Bunny

November – Our first Thanksgiving here – Amy cooked and set the table (that was Mom’s Danish Modern Dining Set – we moved here) with all my Mom’s things:  tablecloth, butter dish, gravy pitcher, etc.  She fit 18 people in her kitchen!

First Portland Thanksgiving at Amy’s

December – our first Christmas in Portland was preceded by Lilia’s first birthday!  We spent her birthday in Rogue River with Lindsay’s family and had a wonderful time!  It was so much fun to make gingerbread houses and men with Benjamin!

Lilia’s first Birthday!

Making Gingerbread Men

John and Amy

Jon Stewart Family

 

We love our new life, and the transition has been easier than I thought it would be!  We value our free time, our time with our children and grandchildren, exploring our new city and are excited to begin the new year here!  We feel welcomed by our kids and useful as we share ourselves with Benjamin and Lilia!  What a joy!

We are healthy and happy……….and have a very comfortable guest room!  Please come and visit!  We also pray for you a healthy and happy 2014!!!  Happy New Year!

First Christmas!