As I woke up this morning....late due to the late hour that we came home last night from Dave and Adina's...I was reflecting on all the events in store for 2008. Three new little Stinchfield's (yes, I do know that two of them will be Olsen and Perry but they are still half Stinchfield!), Tom and Tracey moving to Okinawa, Kim graduating from BYU-Idaho (making our children 100% college graduates), Brent opening a new store in Hillsboro, Marnie starting her MBA, a fun summer with our boat, the Hood to Coast which will involve Dave, Adina, Brent and Kenn(driving), Disneyland with Taylor and Parker, Mike coming home, Christmas in Germany with Mike and Brooke (yes, we did make the reservation for the condo from 27th to the 3rd in the German mountains...we'll let you know where later) and many other events that we don't even know to expect.

Dad and I are going to work on being at least 20-30 lbs lighter and more fit (what a trite resolution...but we WILL do it!) We will be putting a sun canopy on the back of the house in the next month or so, get new living room furniture (as our current ones are suddenly falling apart)....and hopefully recarpet the house!! We'll see on December 31, 2008 if we get all that done!

I am so thankful for my family today and the abundance that we have both in material and spiritual blessings. Dave and Adina gave us one of those Crossley 4 in 1 players and we got out some OLD records that we had. In the same box were some papers from the low part of our life in Poulsbo. I've been busy shredding them and it has really made me appreciate how far we have come. All the kids here were also a bit shocked at our record choices of our earlier years!!!

Thank you, Tracey, for the great postings. That video of Tom and the kids is priceless. He is such a fun dad!!! Kim and Treven are moving into their new apartment today. You'll have to send pictures when you get settled. I hate to think of moving in that much snow!

Mike, we think of and pray for you every day...many times. It has been such a blessing to have Brooke and the kids here for the holidays. Your sunglasses came in late last afternoon so we will get them in the mail first thing tomorrow. I hope they work out for you.

Well, we need to go exercise this morning now and get over to try to catch Grandma Esther awake. She is sleeping more and more and is impossible to wake up when she is sleeping. She is pretty miserable and probably in her last few days or weeks according to Hospice and her caregivers...but with Grandma, you never know.

I love each one of you, children, children-in-law and grandchildren....and especially your father and grandfather whom I am so blessed to be able to share my life with.

Love,

Mom