Home for the Holidays.

Hello everyone!

I am glad to be able to tell this adventure in good health after our 2 day 14 hour driving experience. We were planning on heading out to Utah from Seattle for Christmas holiday on the 20th or so, but as we watched the weather we realized that we could get socked in with Snow and bad weather in Oregon so we made a decision to get out while we could. We left Seattle at 12pm on Monday the 18th and drove to La Grande Oregon in fairly good weather and stopped there for the night. It was snowing lightly and flurries were reducing visability so we decided to rest and worry about it in the morning. We went out for Chinese food and got to bed early to get up and head out by 7am. Well, I think that we went to bed so early that we woke up right on time and got out by 6:50am and were on our way. We drove about 40 miles and at 7:30am we got to a city located right between two passes and there we saw flares that were taking people off into the City of Baker. The entrance back into the Canyon was closed as well, and when we got to the patrol man to ask about what happened he said that a huge accident and icy conditions were the culprits. They said delays could take from 1 hour to 1 day so with hope for the first time frame we hung out in the car and waited. After about an hour though, we realized that we could be there a while longer and went to breakfast at a truck stop overlooking the entrance onto the freeway so as to get to gettin when it was okay to travel. We hung out and had flapjacks and eggs and made conversation with the trucker folk. Rick got some good advice fromt he truckers that said a happy man and good huband is best to do as the wife says, and I had to give an Amen to his wisdom well beyon his years. We chuckled and continued in conversation about weather and 2 hours later were still sitting. We foraged a shop of tacky roadside gifts and ofcourse I bought one that I doubt I will use. About 1 hour later after telling Jakie to sit down for the 20th time, we decided to hit the local Bi-Mart and see what was shakin! We walked into a placed that looks like the love child of Wal-Mart and Rite-Aid. It was large and warehouse like, but had fun stuff. We found gifts for Cam, Dad, Mom and even katie and hit the register. When they said that they did not take AmEx, I almost lost it but managed to contain the stress and we made it out okay. I sure am glad that we got the gifts though. I think we hit Santas list right on the head. We got out of there and lo and behold, a total of 5 hours later, we could get back ont he road. The accidents were cleared and they were letting us through. We took off and hoped for the best, but got some of the scarriest conditions that we have ever gone through. Jakie slept as we hang onto the oh crap bar in the car (you paranoid drivers and passengers know what I am talking about) and prayed our way through it. Thank heaven Rick is an experienced snow/ice driver or I dont think we would have made it without an accident. I hate driving but our destination was worth it. We made it through the 50 mile stretch of Canyon in about 1 & 1/2 hours and then the weather turned for our favor. We took it 30 miles at a time thinking we might have to stop at any time (due to bad weather forecasts) and to our elation, made it all the way to Provo just a few hours ahead of the bad weather. We were very grateful for the Lord's protection as we know whe could have hit some scary times considering what the weather was like. Anyway, we are here and I think that from now on we are flying in bad weather, non negotiable!! We are excited for a wonderful Christmas and will post pictures from Nov-December after we get Christmas ones taken. We love you all and are sorry we cant all be together over the holidays. Merry Christmas and Happy New Years if we have not spoken until then.

Our Thanksgiving Day:

Hello again,

I will catch everyone up on the other things that went on in Nov, and early Dec. below.

Thanksgiving, as that is about the last time I entered in some info. Rick, jakie and I went out and got a 12lb. bird, drinks, stuff for stuffing, and were all set for a 1st attempt at a Thanksgiving dinner on our own when a friend called and said there was too much food at their house and invited us over. I was excited to get out of having to cook agian so we accepted and ended up having a delicious dinner at their home. We ate plenty and helped clean up and went home to peace and quiet and were grateful for the friendships that saved us hours in the kitchen cooking and cleaning up just to have left overs. Rick cooked up the bird he next day and we enjoyed every bite. I think next year really will be at home though since we ate turkey for days with no stuffing left overs and it was somehow just not the same. Baby steps though right!!

So next even after that was my bithday. I got to celebrate my 29th B-day on the 9th of December and I loved it. I have always loved my birthdays and I still set my alarm for 4:19am so that I can see myself turn a year older in the mirror at 4:20am. I have done it since I was a child and I always feel grateful for the wonderful things in my life as I do it. I also am grateful that no grey hairs or wrinkles are in the picture yet either. I thought about this year and all of the changes that are comming and have truely felt blessed. I always feel like my birthday is the start of the new year so I think all of my resolves are formed in that few minutes as I watch myself turn another year older. I have my resolutions set and start to work on them by New years atleast so I feel good about that. We finished out the day by going to lunch at the Blue Finn in Northgate mall. It is an amazing Sushi place that is all you can eat buffet style and although I hate buffets, this was truely amazing and most were made right before i picked them up. I loved it!

Only a few days later on the 13th.is my Dads B-day so I called to say hello to him and love talking to him. If we are busy all year long and cant talk much I can always count on a long conversation with Dad on his or my B-day. I think that is why I love them too. You get thought of or you get to think about others on their day. It was good to talk to him and I love him verry much.

The next day was Jakies B-day. He turned 3 years old at 10:25am and to do our mini celebration Rick and I took him to breakfast before work and just took the time to tell him how much we love him. He loved it and usually does love any time that we are telling him that he is special and that we love him. He got to open presents from Grandma Hutchins, and Grandma & Grandpa Shumway. He loved his Jammies, videos of Curious George, and "hopticoptors" (helecoptors) toys as well. It was fun and led up to a great day the next day when he had his real party. I invited lots of his little Nursery buddies from our current and last ward and qute a few turned out. It was the 2nd to last Saturday for shopping so it was appreciated that parents brought the little ones. We did Chicken nuggets, soda, Cupcakes and home made ice cream. I went wild at the dollar store and got tons of gifts for prizes if the kids participated in the activities and believe me , they did. We played pin the tail on the donkey, dance-freeze game, guessing games, rick read a story, we used poppers full of confetti, we sang, danced and just wore ouselves out!! We did it from 10am to 12pm and it was perfect because we got to do nap time shortly after. I recomend early for little ones from now on. Anyway, Jake got presents and was so excited! He put on a show as he opened each one and thanked his little buddies for comming and being "such a good little buddy". I think we had as much fun as he did and I am glad it went well.

Sorry it has been a while!!

Helllo Everyone,

Well, sorry it took so long to blog again but this month and last were insane! We had Thanksgiving, 2 birthdays (jakie and Me) finals, and a road trip to Utah all it seemed within a few weeks of eachother. We also decided on the our choice of fellowship and I will update about that as well.

I think the way to go is to blog each one individually so that we get it all out there. I will start with a blog about the news that Rick and I were able to come to a decision on the fellowship offer that we wanted to accept. Looks like it will be Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania!!!!! Rick will be starting June 30th at the UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) in an Administrative Fellowship and it looks amazing!! We have decided to move out there, rent for a few months and then look for a home since things are acutally still reasonably priced and we will be here a while. The company is flying us out in March to look for lodging and to let us see the city. I cant wait!! I will definitely miss Seattle and our friends but atleast we have 6 more months. I never said it but I knew it what what Rick would prefer and I somehow felt that same peace about that decision. I am extatic and so proud of Rick for his hard work! I watch how hard he works and I know that he deserves every success that comes his way because he earns it. Anyway, we are excited and I will tell more as we know more.

Thanksgiving, as that is about the last time I entered in some info. Rick, jakie and I went out and got a 12lb. bird, drinks, stuff for stuffing, and were all set for a 1st attempt at a Thanksgiving dinner on our own when a friend called and said there was too much food at their house and invited us over. I was excited to get out of having to cook agian so we accepted and ended up having a delicious dinner at their home. We ate plenty and helped clean up and went home to peace and quiet and were grateful for the friendships that saved us hours in the kitchen cooking and cleaning up just to have left overs. Rick cooked up the bird he next day and we enjoyed every bite. I think next year really will be at home though since.

WE NOW HAVE VIDEOS TOO!!!

EVERYONE, CHECK OUT OUR FAMILY VIDEOS LOCATED NEAR THE TOP RIGHT OF THE PAGE UNDER THE FAMILY PHOTO. I WILL UPDATE THEM OFTEN.

Just to get everyone up to speed

Hello everyone,

Well, things are going pretty great/crazy/tiring in the Shumway household. There are so many things to do lately that I am at a total loss for time. Rick is frantically trying to fit everything on his plate in with the limited hours in a day. He heads out this week to interview in Houston for a great Fellowship and just got back on Wednesday from Pittsbourgh and had a geat interview there. In addition, he is trying to juggle work 10-15 hours a week and full time school. I admire him and cant believe it is all doable for him sometimes.

We are getting excited as the responses on his 25+ applications that he sent out to various Accademic Hospitals for the Fellowship positions are calling back wanting to do multiple interviews (phone and in person). I think we are pretty close to a few solid options and bet it wont be long before we have made a final decision on where we are headed (or staying???). I will post right after we know though.

I am still doing 5 nights a week at the restauraunt and actually really liking my job. I cant wait to get to stop working soon, but I do enjoy the customers and co-workers quite a bit once I am there.

Jakie is still quite full of energy and keeping us on our toes. He got a visit from "Uncl-Lurrly" and Lucy (really Uncle Orly and Zeuse- the big masculine Boxer Dog) on their way to Alaska and he loved it. How he managed to change the manliest dog into a her and name "her" Lucy, I am not sure, but it was a blast. I will Post a video of him with her soon for everyone to hear his utter glee as Zeuse licked him over and over. He loved it. It was all fun until Jakie wanted him to lick his face and then I had to say basta! We think we want a boxer now. Well, we want Zeuse now so I will see how to work that one out. Just Kidding Orly!!

The holidays are headed strait for us and we are getting excited to finish out the year. We should have a Fellowship nailded down before December and then my B-day, Jakies B-day, Christmas and my 5th Anniversary will be right behind them. I LOVE DECEMBER!!! I begin planning the trip to Italy, that I have held off on for 5 years now, in January and I am getting excited. I cant wait to start making some real plans. I will of course post on that as I get further along in my planning.

Well, work is calling so bye. I sure love that I can publish thoughts and family and friends can catch up on our lives. I miss everyone so much and it stinks that there never seems to be enough time or cell minutes to call and keep in constant touch. If you have this address share it with other family or mutual friends if possible. I would love to hear from anyone that can. Bellasarah80@hotmail.com is my e mail incase you dont have it.

Bye.

Halloween at the Assisted Living Facilty

We thought that an evening trick-or-treating at the Asisted Living in town here would be a great place to spread some of Jakies sunshine and energy. Plus, they do things early (nice for a tired mommy and daddy). We took him to say hi and they loved him! He got huggs and kisses from all of the grandmas in the house and they kept laughing at all of the funny things he said. Mrs. Anderson seen here was particualrly fond of him and he thought he was in heaven.

Happy Halloweenie

Happy "Halloweenie" as Jakie would say. Our little Ninja Turtle (Raphaello incase you are not a ninja turtle nerd) loved the whole day. He kept getting in the mirror and looking at his full profile and saying "look mommy, I am a super hero!!" Cute huh. We had a great day and loved our evening.