Gift 31

Memories.

The kids wanted to make a "Year End Review" letter instead of doing the Reflections Jar all year.  So here is my first attempt at that request.

YEAR END REVIEW-2018

On NYE 2017, I told Jake that 2018 was going to be a BIG year for the Arnetts.  Little did I know how accurate I would be.

The first thing the kids want me to include is we started 2018 with 2 dogs, a dog and a puppy to be exact.

Then on January 12, I became aware of BOTH my kids started to have physical signs of puberty.

In February, Owen participated in the Reality U put on by his school.  Each 8th grade student finds out what is involved in living an adult life.  From the experience, the students were to do a report on where they wanted to go to college to begin this adult life.  Owen informed us his dream school was WSU.  But not Wichita State University, WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY.  He had a powerpoint presentation that showed costs of out-of-state tuition, room and board, extra curricular activities, even outdoor activities that could be done for fun in Washington.

In March, Jake went to North Carolina to participate as an oral boards examiner for the ABA.  This was a pivotal trip, as Jake was dealing with lots of stress from his job at the same time physicians at the exam were offering him alternative opportunities.  When he returned we had a serious talk about the locations we would think about.  By the end of the 2 weeks that followed, we had settled on the state of Washington.

The end of April had me and Jake interviewing for a job in Olympia and Spokane.  The Olympia one offered Jake a position by the time we got back to Kansas on April 27, but we were waiting to hear from Spokane.  Either way, it looked like that would be our new home state.

April 28 started less exciting, Jake's mom passed away.  It was a blessing from God, we never told her we were thinking of moving and she wasn't in too much pain.

By the end of May, the kids were promoted from Middle School (Owen) and Elementary School (Allie), we held a memorial service for Joanie in Salina with family and friends, Jake and Owen went to Washington DC and NYC on an 8th grade trip.

June was just as eventful.  We all took a trip to Spokane to go house hunting, we found the one we wanted and made an offer.  The family went on a white water rafting trip down the Spokane River.  Allie and I attended our last Re-Wired Middle School Camp for Newspring Church.  Allie had a pool party with her friends for her half birthday.  We encouraged Jake's dad to sell his house too and move to Spokane with us.  I began the process of packing and purging all of our stuff.

July was more of the same, packing/house showing.  The whole family went to Oklahoma to see the Baker's 4th Bash.

August had so many memories!  We got the house in Spokane, still hadn't sold the Wichita home.  The movers were delayed a few weeks.  The kids and I were in a car accident, the day before we were to drive to Spokane.  We moved and I got mostly unpacked before Jake joined us on the 26th!  We sold the Wichita house.  The kids got enrolled in new schools, Lewis and Clark High School (Owen) and Hutton Elementary (Allie).

September was less busy, but just as memorable.

October my sister came to visit.  We are trying to convince her to move here next summer, I think it worked!  First year for us not hosting the "Family Halloween Party", but we attended a party.  It was just as fun.  Especially since the Red Sox were playing in the World Series and the party was showing it on TV.

November we hosted Thanksgiving with my Uncle Dan and Aunt Di from Kennewick, WA.  On Black Friday Weekend, I got to go and pick out new washer and dryer.  We had been without a working washing machine for several weeks.

December has been the BEST yet!  We experienced GOOD SNOW!  The kids went sledding, we all went skiing and even used our snow blower!!

God is so good.  My gift today, is the memories I made in 2018.

Gift 30

FIRE!

In every place Jake and I have lived together, we have had a fire place.  Our first house in Wichita had a wood burning fire place, but we didn't use it very much.  And when we did, we would buy those pre-wrapped logs.

Then in the house we built, we decided to go easy and put in a gas fire place.  This was more purposeful with two little kids.  We loved turning it on every morning to warm the house up.  But we loved the idea of making a fire, so we built a fire pit in the back yard a few years later.  There were many memories made around those fires.

In our new house there is an AWESOME wood burning fire place.  It has this recessed bottom, so you can admire the whole blaze.  The house even came with at least a year's supply of wood cut and stored under the deck.  We even got a bucket and shovel to remove the ashes after the fires have gone out.

But making a fire, is more of a science than a luck.  We have fine tuned over the last few months EXACTLY how to build the fire with the right number of logs, in the right formation with just a little starter stick to light it.  This has made our home so much more this winter.  I am very much looking forward to the memories we can make.

FIRE!

Gift 29

Being recognized.  This one sounds odd, but there is a reason.

We went for our second day of skiing at Mt. Spokane.  Jake went snowboarding, Owen was going up chair 5 with our ski class and Allie and I were working through the magic carpet/bunny hill.  Allie and I were resting at the bottom and talking about something when a woman walked up to me and asked, "Are you Carrie Arnett?"

I was bundled up with a ski helmet and goggles on, so that fact that she recognized me was amazing.  But it worried me that she had been sent to find the woman in the bright yellow ski coat because one of her family members had been injured.

I replied, "Yes,"  and then she proceeds to say I thought so and my husband works with Jake.  Then her husband and another partner in the magic carpet line start chatting with me.  This woman had only really met me 2 times in party environments, so it was a miracle she remembered me.  To be honest, I didn't until she mentioned her husband's name.

In Wichita, I couldn't even run a simple errand to the store without running into at least 3 people I knew and 1 who would want to stop and chat.  It felt like we lived in a community.  Now, it is happening here.  And on a mountain!!!

The cool fact about this gift, it's isn't just mine.  Owen was running up to the rental lodge to get something when someone recognized him.  His small group leader from church.  It was such a good feeling.  We are building our community, being recognized.

Gift 28

Dogs, specifically my two dogs.

I've always preferred dogs as pets.  They tend to add an extra flare to a family dynamic.  They come with their own characteristics and personalities.  It can make or break a family.  For us, it makes us complete.

We've always had one dog.  First we had Nick.  He was perfect for us at the time we had him.  Then he passed while our kids were young.  So we got Yawkey.  He has more energy than most teenagers on Red Bull.  But to his benefit, he was trained.

Then last fall, we decided we could handle 2 dogs.  Not only that, but let's make it a puppy!  So we got Lucy.  I've always wanted a golden retriever.  And I've always wanted a girl dog.  So she was an answer to my prayers.

These dogs make our lives full and entertained.  We do have the time commitment of taking them for walks daily and making sure they get fed twice a day.  We also having to make sure that our belongings are put away and not within Lucy reach, which is anything at waist level or below.

My gift today is these 2 amazing, furry, unconditionally loving members of our family.

Gift 27

Charging cables.

This may sound trifle, but it can become a dire need if you want to blog and your computer's battery is dead.  Or you realize you've misplaced your phone cable and can't charge your phone.  This is an issue in our household often.

I am always walking around finding electronic devices and plugging them in, so that the next time someone wants to use it...they can.  So it's very ironic, when my devices go dead.

This leads us to some of the items that were in the Christmas stockings this year.  Jake and I each got new lightening cables for the phones/ipads.  And Owen got 2 cables to charge the switch and pro controller.  Then I got both kids power bars to charge and take with us on vacations, so we won't go dead while traveling.

It may seem small, but charging cables are my gift today.

Gift 26

Pops

Everyone has a mom and dad.  And if you are lucky like me, you were blessed with ones that love you.  But recently I've been given the gift of living with my father-in-law.

I know, some of you may think I'm crazy.  But let me explain.

I've always liked my father-in-law.  He and I would get along at family functions.  But our interactions were limited to that.  Then a few years ago, he retired and they moved to Wichita to be closer to us.  Our interactions became more casual but just as limited as my mother-in-law was slowly losing the ability to live.

Fast forward to last April, she passed away and we decided to move to Spokane within 24 hours.  This was definitely God's plan.  Jake and I decided Pops needed to sell his house and move in with us.  It would give him a permanent address with the flexibility to travel and enjoy life.  We even found a house that was big enough for all of us (yellow house).

Now comes to the part I like to tell people.  Whenever someone hears that my father-in-law is living with me, I ALWAYS get a sympathetic look.  Then I fill them in on how AWESOME it has been.

Pops is very independent and is willing to help me in any way I need.  He has volunteered the duty of taking Owen to boxing 3 times a week for me.  He takes the trash out and makes sure it's on the curb for Tuesdays.  He's gone with me to the dog park and to the laundromat several times.

We have even planned a vacation for just Jake and I in January, so Pops will be in charge of kid duties for the week for us.  Plus, just knowing we have family in town is great if someone should get ill or needs to be at the house for a delivery.

He has even joined the gym I workout at and a local Senior Citizen Center.  He's gone on a few trips/tours, but I think he might stay close to home until it warms up.

I also see the huge benefit that both my kids and husband get with their relationships to him.  Not every grandkid gets to know their grandparent so well.  We are a small sized family, even when we include extended members.  So this gift is not just mine.  We all are blessed with Pops.

Pops snowplowing the driveway and sidewalks.

Pops in his new bedroom chair.

Pops enjoying a margarita.

Pops picking out his TV room chair.

Gift 25

FAITH.

Now this one is a serious one.  I wasn't always a believer, it wasn't a part of my growing up.  But in my adult life, I came to accept that Jesus died for me.  He died to pay for my sins.  He rose from the grave, to show death has no hold on us.  He sits on the right hand of God in heaven waiting to welcome me.

That's the heart of my faith.  But there is so much more to it.  I live my life every day looking for what God is giving me.  Sometimes it's challenges, sometimes it's blessings.  Sometimes it's a Devine appointment with a stranger that either helps me or them.

I know this world is broken and full of evil.  But knowing that God is bigger than all of that puts my perspective on the positive side.  I tend to see the "silver lining" in every situation.  I look at mountains as mole hills.  I observe others as they have a story that I have no clue of and want to be a highlight to them, not a mud pit.

It's because of my faith that I am who I am.  On Christmas Day I want to be thankful for the gift that Jesus gave me.

FAITH

Gift 24

PEACE

Not on Earth, but inside me.

Once upon a time, I was what some would call "high strung".  I stressed a lot about little.  I obsessively planned every day to the minute.  I sort of felt that my happiness was dependent on the happiness of those around me.  But then things changed.

I'm not exactly sure of the exact moment, but I started noticing things not mattering so much.  I was focusing on the moments that mattered not worrying about the "what ifs".  I began a more proactive way of planning, with the expectation that some plans aren't the ones I plan.

I can honestly say that today, Christmas Eve, I am thankful for the gift of inner peace.  I have the best days, because I keep my eyes open to the opportunities to make them great.  I don't push myself to make everyone around me happy first, I take care of myself and watch them do the same.

Inner PEACE.

Gift 23

"Do you want to build a snowman?"

This one activity, is one of those that sparks an innocence in everyone.  Even if you don't actually help in the assembly process but merely observe, you get this warm feeling inside.  To see both my kids working together to build this man of the season, was a moment I will ALWAYS remember.

(They even found a stocking cap in the park to place on his head.  I'm not sure there was much magic in it though.)

Gift 22

Skiing.

Today we went to Mt. Spokane to take ski lessons.  It was an experience that left me so proud of both my kids.  It wasn't perfect, but it was exactly what we needed.  We even knew the other family in our ski class, one of Allie's friends from school.  This is why we moved to be closer to the mountains.  This is the start of many more memories.

Skiing.

Gift 21

Movies

Today is the last day of school before Christmas break for my kids.  And they have plans for us.  The BIG one is Owen has requested we watch ALL the Marvel movies in the order they are to be watched in, not necessarily the order they were made in.

Tonight we watch "Captain America, the first Avenger".

We shall see how far we get in the list of 17 movies!!!

Gift 20

Santa...more specifically, the Santa picture my kids take EVERY year as a gift to me.

I have had them take a pic every year (except one-Allie was just born).  I frame them and put them out as part of my holiday decorations.  I love seeing them grow up from year to year, frame to frame. Allie isn't a huge fan of this tradition, but we got lucky this year in Spokane.  This new Santa really embraced the spirit and had conversations with both my kids.

I know they promised they would do this every year as a gift to me, but I'm sure there will be years it isn't possible.  But for now, this is a gift I treasure.

Gift 19

Volunteering.

I know that may sound weird as a gift, but let me explain.

Before kids, I was a classroom teacher.  I taught inner city elementary students, both in KC and Wichita.  I loved being a part of students lives.  But once we had kids, they were the students I wanted to be a part of.

In Wichita, I found my calling fulfilled in children's ministry.  I was a 2 year old teacher for CBS on Wednesday mornings and on Saturdays I would spend several hours performing for kids on stage at Newspring.  It was even an outlet for my own children to serve in that ministry with me in the Kindergarten classroom that I would lead teach.  It was our second home.

Now we are in a new city.  We haven't truly found our "second home" as far as ministry goes.  But I was able to become a classroom parent/volunteer in Allie's school.  So yesterday I went on the Christmas Choir trip to the mall.  I even had to pull my "teacher voice" out a few times.

When it was over, I asked Allie if I embarrassed her at all.  She smiled and said, "Mom, Vivianne even told me she liked you."  I guess I've still got it.

I pray in the next few months, I start to see what doors God is calling me to walk through.  But until then, I've got this.

Gift 18

Owen, my son.

I became a mom the moment I found out I was pregnant with him.  I had no knowledge of raising a boy, buy my heart always knew what to do.  I made many mistakes along the way, but I was able to model forgiveness and appreciation to him.

I always cringed when a parent would tell me "their child is GIFTED".  As a teacher, I knew every child was given gifts unique to them.  So when Owen came into my world, I let him explore as many opportunities to discover those gifts.

He has surpassed anything I would have wished for him and I can't wait to see what he does with his gifts.

Gift 17

"You get a brand new washer and dryer!"

We've heard the announcer on the game shows say this very line.  But today it means SO MUCH more to me.  Over the past 11 weeks, we have been without a working washing machine.  I've been in constant communication with the people at various departments of Sears to try and get this problem resolved.

It started with having a repair man come and fix it.  That didn't happen.  A week later another repair man came to fix it and had to order 2 parts.  Those parts NEVER showed up.  So mid-November Sears finally gave us a store credit of $500 to go towards a new washing machine.  Over Black Friday weekend, we went to Sears and picked out the washing machine.  In an attempt to not have a similar situation later, we bought a matching dryer.  They were to be delivered 2 weeks later.

The closer we got to the delivery day, the more excited I got.  Then I got a call from Sears saying the washer was on back order and would be delivered another week later.  Ironically during that last week of waiting, the elusive parts we ordered showed up.  So Sears called me to set the package on my front porch on the day of delivery for UPS to pick the parts up.

Which brings us to today.  Last night everyone in the house was placing bets as to if the appliances would even be delivered.  In fact, I was the only one who still had faith.  They hadn't called to give me the time window for the delivery, so at 6:00 this morning I called Sears to get the times.  They confirmed it was happening today between 7:30-9:30 this morning.  I'm happy to report that as I type this post, 2 gentlemen are not only delivering my new machines and hooking them up, but taking the old ones away too!!!

I am one HAPPY lady.  I get to start doing laundry in the comfort of my home, with my "Brand new washer and dryer".

Gift 16

December 16, 2006.  This little lady made me the mom of a princess.  It was the answer to her big brother's wishes.  He had been requesting a "little sister" for almost a year.  She completed our family unit, in more ways than one.

It has been a joy and privilege to watch her grow up and mature into the young woman she is.  I can't wait to see what God's plan for her future is.  I'm just grateful that I get to go along as a spectator and cheer leader.

Happy Birthday, Baby!

Gift 15

Christmas Music.  I love it when a single radio station will dedicate it's play time to solely Christmas Music.  It usually happens right after Thanksgiving.  It's magical.  I can bust out in traditional carol or pop singer sell out.  I love it all.

Tonight, the kids and I went to the Spokane Jazz Orchestra's Christmas Concert.  Owen needed to go for enrichment points in school, but he wanted to go because he LOVES jazz music.

It was so good!  It was even the last performance for a trumpet player, who was a member of the ORIGINAL group 43 years ago.  That's right!  This man has been playing jazz trumpet for as long as I've been alive.  And he was GOOD!!!

Tonight I will fall asleep with jazz Christmas Music playing in my dreams.

Gift 14

Today was a BIG answer to prayer.  Since moving here, the kids have been trying to adjust and make friends.  About a week ago I was telling the kids that this will be an AMAZING Christmas.  Allie chimed in that it won't because she doesn't have any friends.  My heart sank.  I knew that if she had a good birthday party with classmates, she would realize she has friends.

So for the last 3 weeks I've been chipping away at trying to make Friday a good day.

It started with getting "Snowball" cake pops for her homeroom class.  The students LOVED them.  Some even asked Allie where we got them from.

Then I sent out evites last week to approximately 17 girls from the 6th grade.  I knew some would be busy with holiday plans, activities and out of town.  So we planned on this party being at our house from 5-8 after school.  I was pleasantly surprised when I got RSVPs from about 5 girls before the end of the day.

We ordered the pizza, crafts and hot chocolate.  The house was ready by 4:30, now all we needed was a few guests to show up.  I took a deep breathe and said a heartfelt prayer.

At 5:00, 4 girls walked in.  Thank you, GOD!  Over the next 15 minutes, I met 5 parents and got 2 phone numbers (for in case of emergency).  When all the parents had left, we had 14 12 year old girls standing in my living room!!!

The next 3 hours were a fun filled event.  The girls did crafts, ate pizza, opened presents and sang Happy Birthday to Allie.  They ended the evening playing Hide & Seek throughout the house.  It was SO QUIET during that last 30 minutes.  When the parents arrived to pick up they were shocked!  I had to go and find the girls to tell them it was time to go home.

Allie got some great gifts (fuzzy blankets, art supplies, volleyball stuff), these girls really know what she likes.  They all go along and had fun.  I played the video of them singing to her, she smiled and said "Those are my FRIENDS."

AMEN!!!!