DORR POSTS

A day with sweet Moses

2012-02-10T09:34:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I enjoyed an absolutely delightful day with our daughter Sarah and our grandson Moses. I ventured up the freeway, stopping along the way for a cup of coffee with our other daughter Hannah at her workplace in Portland. It was so wonderful to see Hannah and to hear about what's going on in her life. Soon after that, I arrived at Sarah's home in Vancouver, and saw the sweet little guy pictured above. He is SO very, very precious. Growing so fast, and such a little charmer.

Mo is really beginning to smile now. How could he not? He was so longed-for, and is so loved. He is absolutely scrumptious. He smells so sweet (well, most of the time!), and his skin is like a velvety-soft Hershey's Kiss! And I did a lot of kissing of those dear precious cheeks!

Sarah and I took Mo for a long walk in her neighborhood. Moses slept peacefully the entire time in his stroller. I just treasure any time I can be with our kids and grandkids, and yesterday was no exception. How I love this little guy, brought into our lives by a loving God who delights in answering our prayers in the very best and the very sweetest of ways.

Our family, 2011

2011-12-21T09:17:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures we took last month, when our whole family was together for Thanksgiving. Also, here is an update on the Dorr clan, as we appear in the first picture below, left to right. Merry Christmas!

David and Nikki, and their daughter Adelaide:Still live in Basalt, Colorado, where Dave is vice president of John OlsonBuilder in Aspen. He enjoys biking and skiing. Nikki is happily at home withtheir sweet Adelaide, who is 20 months old. We are so thankful for moderntechnology such as Skype, so we can “see” them often.

Ben and Christine: A year ago, they relocatedto Corvallis, and they live only about two miles from us. Yay! Ben is workingin construction and his dear wife Christine is working at a local restaurantand looking forward to returning to college next year. They both enjoy gourmetcooking. Cody and Allie, their dogs, bring them much joy.

Hannah: Lives in the big city (Portland), andworks in the admissions department of the graduate studies division of GeorgeFox University. Spends her spare time hanging out/camping/traveling with hermany wonderful friends, and with family as often as we are able to get her!

Jake and Beka, and their son Ayeresam: Livein Corvallis, where Jake works with autistic children both at a localelementary school and at a private clinic. Jake continues pursuing his art inhis free time. Beka works part time fortheir church and is having fun with their little guy, who is 2.5 years old andbeyond precious.

Chris, Sarah, and Moses: What an amazing yearfor their family! Many prayers were answered as they adopted their newborn sonMoses this fall, and he is a special delight to us all. Sarah is happily stayinghome with him, and Chris continues to teach first grade. Their dog Goliath isadjusting to life with a baby in the house!

Mark and Jo: It’s hard to believe how ourfamily has grown. We are so very blessed. Mark is still teaching at PhilomathMiddle School. Eighth-grade social studies mostly, with some art and wood shopclasses sprinkled in the mix as well. Jo is still substitute teaching in ourdistrict, working most days at our high school. We were able to take a roadtrip this summer over seven western states, celebrating our 38^thwedding anniversary and enjoying visits with dear family along the way.

We wish you a lovely holiday season. May God bless and keep you, one and all!

Happy Anniversary, David and Nikki!

2011-12-16T06:35:00.000-08:00

♥ Happy Anniversary ♥

David and Nikki.

We love you guys so very much!

Enjoy your special day.

Happy Anniversary, Ben and Christine!

2011-12-06T12:08:00.001-08:00

♥ Happy Anniversary ♥

Ben and Christine!

We love you both so much.

Have a wonderful day.

Happy Birthday, David!

2011-12-04T09:20:00.001-08:00

Today our youngest son turns 27.

27!

Amazing.
David, we love you so much.

Have a wonderful time celebrating your big day.

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-25T20:18:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving 2011

All of us together at last!

Front: Jo and Mark

Back: David, Nikki, Adelaide, Sarah, Moses, Chris, Ayeresam, Beka, Jake, Hannah, Christine, Ben

Life is good.

Thank you, God.

For the first time........

2011-11-18T12:44:00.001-08:00

Here, together for the first time, are our three grandkids! Left to right: Ayeresam (Jake and Beka), Moses (Chris and Sarah), and Adelaide (David and Nikki). All three of these little sweeties will be with us over Thanksgiving, and WE CAN'T WAIT!!! Love, love, love them SO much!

A new school year...

2011-09-22T09:02:00.000-07:00

The new school year has been underway for a while now, so I thought I'd post a picture I took of Mark on his first day of classes almost two weeks ago. The setting is our front yard, and of course he's still using his John Wayne lunch pail. He's beginning his 23rd year at Philomath Middle School - hard to believe. Have a great year, Mark! Your students are SO blessed to have you as their teacher.

Adelaide in July

2011-09-15T14:14:00.000-07:00

I have been way too busy lately, and forgot to post pictures from our visit two months ago with David, Nikki, and their precious daughter Adelaide, who live near Aspen, Colorado. I decided to make our sweet grandbaby the focus of this post. The pictures pretty much speak for themselves. Above: Nutella on toast = YUM!

Adelaide coloring while the rest of us enjoy dinner.

Grandpa's hat on the Fourth of July.

The happy family: Adelaide, Nikki, and Dave.

Chillin'.

A diaper makes a dandy sun hat!

Pine cones are so cool!

Gotta drink those last few drops of water after turning off the faucet.

Love that little girl!

Happy Birthday, Christine!

2011-08-15T07:32:00.000-07:00

Today is our beautiful daughter-in-law Christine's birthday.

Have a lovely day, dear Christine!
We love you so very much. ♥♥

Happy Birthday, Mark!

2011-08-09T15:30:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to the best hubby on the planet!
I love you. ♥♥

Vacation 2011, Part 3: Happy 38th Anniversary!

2011-07-26T09:23:00.000-07:00

June 30th was our 38th wedding anniversary, and we decided to spend it at Mesa Verde National Park, a place we'd never before been. Located in southwestern Colorado, Mesa Verde was the dwelling place of the ancestral Pueblo people, and the site includes over 600 cliff dwellings. It was fascinating, to say the least. Above: windy me!
From this view, the dwellings look so small, but after we hiked down to that level and were able to observe the ruins up close, we found them to be adequate to house the Pueblo who lived there.
Our guide explained how the Pueblo lived and why they might have eventually abandoned the dwellings.

After leaving Mesa Verde, we drove about an hour east to Durango. We spent some time walking around that very charming town's historic district before heading to the Bar D Chuck Wagon for our anniversary dinner (thanks, handy travel guide, for the great suggestion)! Along with hundreds of others, in a lovely outdoor amphitheater, we enjoyed a scrumptious barbecue dinner, served on tin plates, and drank lemonade from tin cups - chuck wagon style. After dinner, we were treated to a family-style stage show by the Bar D Wranglers. They were so fun! They sang cowboy and western songs from the "olden-days," and we enjoyed every minute of it. Such a fun way to spend our special day together!

Vacation 2011, Part 2: a funny tale...

2011-07-18T10:57:00.000-07:00

To understand this story, you need to know two things: 1. People in Arizona do not change their clocks. Ever. As in, no Daylight Savings Time. 2. We were happily taking this road trip without a penny in our pockets. Just credit cards and debit cards. I know - incredibly idiotic. But nonetheless true (heads hanging in shame). Now for the story: As part of our journey, we very much wanted to see the Four Corners Monument, the only place in the USA where the borders of four states (Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado) come together in one place. We had traveled through Arizona all that day, and were on our way north to spend the night in southwestern Colorado. Four Corners was next on our itinerary. Our information indicated that this landmark was open until 8:00 p.m. And the time in Arizona, as we got ever nearer to the monument, was 6:45 p.m. Plenty of time, right? BUT, we thought in a sudden moment of panic, what if it was really 7:45 p.m., since Four Corners is the meeting point of four states, only one of which isn't on Daylight Savings Time? As it turned out, our suspicion was correct - it was indeed 7:45 p.m., and time was running very, very short, if we were to make it to Four Corners before closing time. Mark drove "like he meant it," and we took the turnoff to the monument with just minutes to spare before the 8:00 closing time. Yay! We were there in time! Finally, we'd see the special place we'd been aiming for all day. Whew! But WAIT! The first thing we spotted as we drove in was the sign on the little kiosk pictured above. Remember point #2 above? That the silly Dorrs don't have a penny to their names? And that it costs $3 per person to see the monument? No credit cards accepted? No personal checks? And this place is in the middle of nowhere, with nary an AMT within 50 miles? NO!!!! We have no money! We are broke! Is all lost??? Are we sunk? But... and here is where it gets interesting... as we drove alongside the kiosk, to the place where the attendant should be stationed to take our money, of which we had none, we found the toll booth was empty and closed up. The guy who had been manning the booth until just a few minutes prior to our arrival had left it for the night and had walked up ahead to close down the place, taking down the flags that flew from various flag poles at the monument. We saw our chance, and drove on ahead, past the kiosk to the parking area. We practically sprinted to the monument itself, took a few pictures, marveled (quickly) at being in four states at the same time, then headed back to our car and down the road to the exit. The same attendant closed and locked the gate behind us as we left. Had we come at any other minute of the day, we could not have seen this interesting place, having no money and all... the place needed to be closing down for the day in order for us to go in without paying. We do owe six dollars to the good people of the Navajo Nation, who manage the monument, for our inability to pay for our brief visit.

Our first stop when we arrived in Cortez, Colorado a few hours later? The ATM. Lesson learned.

Happy Anniversary, Sarah and Chris!

2011-07-14T07:31:00.001-07:00

Happy Anniversary, Sarah and Chris!

Thinking of you today, and thanking God for bringing you together. We love you so much!

Vacation 2011, part 1

2011-07-12T11:35:00.000-07:00

We recently returned from a 2.5 week vacation that took us on a journey of about 4,000 miles throughout the Western states. Just before we left, we went to Ayeresam's birthday party, where I snapped this pic of him on the swing set. I can't believe our sweet little grandson is two years old!
Our first destination was the redwoods in northern California. We had been there once before when the kids were little, but we were amazed anew at the gigantic beauty we saw.

The elk were in abundance as well. We saw over 100 of these beautiful animals!

The Giant Tree was most impressive. Over 53 feet in circumference, and almost 400 feet tall. Way cool!

More vacation pictures to come!

Happy Birthday, Nikki!

2011-06-21T07:19:00.000-07:00

Our sweet daughter-in-law Nikki has a birthday today! She and our son David live in Colorado along with our precious granddaughter Adelaide. And we get to see them in just ten days! Yay! We love you, dear Nikki, and can't wait to see you soon.
Happy Birthday to you! ♥

2

2011-06-16T06:20:00.000-07:00

Today our precious little grandson is two years old. He is such a delightful, sweet little guy who can usually be found exploring, laughing, running, playing, chattering, and hugging. Wrapping my arms around him is one of my life's greatest joys.

Mark and I made him some wooden blocks for his birthday gift. Mark even taught me how to use the band saw and the belt sander for the very first time ever. Funny how motivating it is to learn something new when you know the result is a gift for such a dear little boy. It was fun!
Happy Birthday, Ayeresam!
Your Grammy and Grandpa love you so very much.

Happy Birthday, Sarah!

2011-06-08T06:59:00.000-07:00

Thirty-three years ago today, Mark and I became parents. Our Sarah entered the world late in the evening on June 8th, 1978. Her arrival literally changed everything in our lives, and we wouldn't have it any other way.

Sarah is such a joy to us. Her heart for God, her passion for teaching, and the many ways she blesses the lives of all who know her are a shining example to us.

Have a lovely birthday, honey! Can't wait to celebrate with you this weekend.
Dad and I love you so much.

Happy Birthday, Hannah!!!

2011-06-05T08:46:00.000-07:00

And our baby turns 24 today. Wow. How grateful we are for our sweet Hannah. She is kind to all, she is a loyal friend to all who are blessed to know her, she is a loving daughter and sister. So - happy birthday to you, dear Hannah!

We all gathered together in Salem yesterday morning for a celebration breakfast in Hannah's honor. Ten of us, eating the fabulous food at the Busick Court Restaurant. Yum!

A Good Sport

2011-06-03T16:28:00.000-07:00

Mark's school took part in a fundraising effort for a local charity. Mark promised his students that if they came in first place, he would dye his hair pink and purple. Well (gulp!), his class won first place, raising the most money out of all the classes at his middle school, and Mark had to come through on his promise to the kids. Yesterday was the big day: he combed pink and purple tempera paint through his beard, mustache, eyebrows, and the sides of his hair. No hair on top to worry about! :-) Some of the girls in his class requested that he wear his purple and pink plaid shirt, so his clothing would match his hair. And I, for one, think he was a really good sport!
Some of Mark's girls give the "thumbs-up" to his efforts!
P.S. Bonus: tempera paint washes out very easily, and he was none the worse for wear after he washed his hair.

Walk for Water

2011-05-14T18:46:00.000-07:00

Today, we walked 5K (3.1 miles) for water. Yet we didn't actually get any water at all. We walked that far in order to approximate the distance most Ethiopian women and children walk each day to get the water they need to live. It was great fun to gather with family and friends on behalf of the Corvallis-Gondar Sister Cities Association to participate in this event, the goal of which was to raise funds for water projects, sanitation, and watershed management in Ethiopia. And, since our sweet grandson was born in Ethiopia, this cause is personal to us. Above, Jake and Ayeresam share some together time.
Ben, his dog Allie, Mark, and Jake on the trail together. Ahead of them you can see part of the multitude of people who took part in this worthy event.
Ben saying, "Mom, you're not really going to take a picture of me picking up dog poop, are you?" And I said, "Of course, Ben."

Mark visiting with Beka's mom Fiona, and her brother Lewis.

Beka's dad Kevin visits with Ben.

Mark and Hannah at the finish of the walk.

Hannah and me. Sorry I look like I just rolled out of bed. I did. What a great day for a wonderful cause. I am so thankful to not only have running water that I don't have to haul, but that it is clean and safe as well.

Mother's Day 2011 - SWEET!

2011-05-09T16:50:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day was so special. Sarah and Chris, Ben and Christine, and Hannah joined Mark and me for the day, and they prepared a scrumptious fajita feast!
Admit it - you can almost smell the sizzling chicken and veggies! And yes! That is Mark's John Wayne lunch pail in the background.
Sarah made the tortillas all by herself. I don't think I've ever had homemade tortillas before, and they were SO yummy!

My sweet Sarah!

My sweet Hannah!

My sweet Ben, who prepared some amazing appetizers for us!

My sweet hubby, and my sweet son-in-law Chris!

Ben again, with my sweet daughter-in-law, Christine!

In addition to eating, at which we seem to excel, we also played games and visited. Such an amazingly lovely time. I was also able to Skype with David, Nikki, and Adelaide in Colorado, talk with Jake, and text with Beka. Thank you, dear kids, for making my day so special. Being your mom (or mom-in-law) is the BEST! I love you!

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T06:20:00.000-07:00

He is risen indeed...

Happy Birthday, Ben!

2011-04-19T06:17:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday, dear Ben!

Twenty-nine years ago today, in the little town of Seaside, Oregon, our middle son (also middle child) was born. And our lives were forever changed.

Ben brought so much wonder and joy into our family. Always exploring, always curious, always creating - that was our Ben.

Our hearts are full of love for you today and always, dear son. God bless you forever.

Happy Birthday, Beka!

2011-04-16T07:54:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to our daughter-in-law Beka!

We love you so very much!

You are such a loving wife, and an amazing mom.

Enjoy your day!

Two for Two

2011-04-15T06:50:00.001-07:00

There's nothing quite so wondeful on a rainy Oregon evening as donning your favorite jammies, wrapping yourself in your cozy robe and a very soft blanket, cuddling up on the couch with your latest favorite book, and... listening to the mice scurry inside the walls??? That has been the scenario at the Dorr compound these past few weeks. We set traditional traps in the garage to no avail - we either have brilliant mice or inept human trap-setters - I choose the former option.

Yesterday, however, I found a two-pack of these new-fangled traps at the store. For all I know, they have been on the market for decades, but I was desperate and bought them. Mark baited and set them before we went to bed last night - and behold! - both traps did their thang! Woo Hoo! Of course the traps have been emptied and reset - I'm hoping for more action today.

Happy First Birthday, Adelaide!

2011-04-11T06:21:00.000-07:00

Today, our granddaughter Adelaide is one year old! This is a picture of her eating her birthday cupcake at her party yesterday in Aspen, Colorado. Yum! (Also shown are her parents - our son David and his wife Nikki.) Here in Oregon, we were waiting on pins and needles for these pictures to come to us. Thanks, internet!

When we were in Colorado in February, I helped Nikki make this birthday banner, in anticipation of Adelaide's upcoming party. I think it looks so pretty!

The next few pictures are from the first time we saw Adelaide, last April, when she was only a few weeks old. See how she's grown!

Have a very special day, sweet girl. Your Grammy and Grandpa love you so very, very much. ♥♥♥

2011-04-08T16:16:00.000-07:00

Just a couple of pictures of our sweet Ayeresam,taken last week. He will be two years old in June - how time flies! Such a joy to be around!

How we love this dear little boy. How blessed we are to have him in our lives.

So grateful to God...

2011-03-27T19:18:00.000-07:00

My Child,

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7
I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32
Love, God

This and that...

2011-03-05T12:37:00.001-08:00

A few recent images from the Dorr Compound. On February 24 (also Jake's birthday), we had more snow, which necessitated a snow day (YAY)! Above is Mark's tool shed, and below his pick-up truck.

In addition to leaving our newspaper that morning, our carrier, who also happens to be one of Mark's 8th-grade students, made and left this little snowman on our front porch. Very fun!

Then, last Saturday, we invited Ben and Christine over for dinner. Yes, they came (earlier than scheduled), and along with them came Sarah and Chris (SURPRISE!!!). When they came around the corner into the kitchen, I actually screamed in my surprise at seeing them. About gave me a heart attack. Of course, we LOVED having them join us (after I recovered from my shock)!

Hannah came home that night, too, which only added to the special-ness (new word) of the weekend. Always good when the baby comes home. On Sunday evening Mark and I went to Jake and Beka's house to watch Ayeresam, and Hannah came over as well on her way back to Portland. She read her sweet little nephew some books, which he always likes.

That's about it from our end!

Happy Birthday, Jake!

2011-02-24T07:17:00.000-08:00

Our oldest son, Jake, turns 31 today. How can it be? It seems like just yesterday that he was the same size as his sweet son. Yet somehow the years have slipped by, and now Jake is an amazing husband and father. This is one of my favorite pictures from the day we spent with Jake, Beka, and Ayeresam at the pumpkin patch last fall, when Jake and Ayeresam were having a blast on the hay slide. We love you, Jake. Hope you have a wonderful birthday, full of fun and surprises, and overflowing with God's richest blessings.

More special times in Aspen...

2011-02-21T13:30:00.000-08:00

Our visit to Aspen continues, and we are so grateful for the time we've had to enjoy visiting our granddaughter, our son David and daughter-in-law Nikki, as well as two of my (Jo's) brothers and one of my sisters and all their kids.
But what we have been soaking up is time with Adelaide. What a sweetie pie!

Mark and I gave her a bath yesterday, and had such fun watching her play with her tub toys, munch on her wash cloth, and splash to her heart's content.

This afternoon, we took her for a walk in the stroller. We went to a small nearby park, where she enjoyed the swing and the sunshine.

How will we ever leave tomorrow?

A few pictures from Aspen

2011-02-19T13:20:00.000-08:00

We are in Basalt, Colorado (near Aspen) for a few precious days, visiting David, Nikki, and our sweet granddaughter Adelaide. Hope to connect with more family in the area as well, but reconnecting with this dear baby is the primary focus of this visit. It took Adelaide a full day to get used to us again, but all is well now.
As you can see, Basalt is still in the grip of winter. It's so beautiful out, and more snow is expected tonight. In fact, when we flew from Portland to Denver on Thursday, we couldn't fly on to Aspen, as the snow storm had necessitated the closure of the Aspen airport. We had to take a bus from Denver to reach our destination - a four-hour jaunt. Adventure time!

I was riding in the back seat with Adelaide - no better seat in the car than that!

Yesterday we went to the Basalt Library, where Adelaide crawled through the tunnel and played with other tiny friends who were also there.

After her morning bath today. Our sweet little flower baby!

Outside the library. We will be here until Tuesday evening, and will soak up every precious minute we can with this little cutie pie!

Happy Birthday, Chris

2011-02-16T11:29:00.000-08:00

Today marks the 39th birthday of a very special young man,
our son-in-law Chris.
Happy birthday!
♥ We love you SO much! ♥
"May the Lord bless you... all the days of your life."
Psalm 128:5

My Valentine

2011-02-14T08:10:00.000-08:00

Driving home from church yesterday, I casually asked Mark if perhaps we could take a walk in the afternoon, even if it was raining. He said,"Yes, but it won't be around here." Surprise! He had planned an early Valentine's Day outing to the coast for the afternoon, to my very favorite spot: Cape Perpetua. So off we went. The weather got progressively worse as we journeyed west, but we were undeterred. We donned our rain gear at the Cape, and hiked to the lookout point. Bliss!
This little fellow (gal?) didn't let a little rain ruin his day, either!
We enjoyed dinner at Mo's in Florence, concluding our lovely day.
I love, love, love you, Mark. So thankful to God for bringing you into my life, and into my heart. I am so blessed!
Happy Valentines Day. ♥♥

Christmas images from the Dorr compound...

2011-01-03T07:54:00.000-08:00

Ayeresam admires the Christmas tree.

Some of us went bowling - Chris, Sarah, Hannah, and Ben.

It was such a joy to have Adelaide in our home for a few days!

Helping Grammy load the dishwasher!

Eating sweet potatoes. Taking her clothes off beforehand was definitely a good call!

We girls have a tradition to go to tea at our local tea house each holiday season. I was not feeling well (I had some sort of bug for two days), so my dear girls arranged to have the tea right in our own dining room. It was so sweet of them to make it happen, and it was just as elegant and scrumptious as ever. Thanks, Ladies, it meant the world to me! And YOU mean the world to me, too.
Left to right: Christine, Hannah, Jo, Beka, and Nikki.
Hannah and her little niece.
Sitting in the pot!

While Mark read the Christmas story from the Bible on Christmas Eve, the babies crawled around on the floor. They were so good - I think they somehow realized that it was a very special story they were hearing!

Then Mark read "Twas The Night Before Christmas."

Again, the little ones listened quietly - it was really impressive!

Then, we watched each of our grandkids open one of their gifts from us. Adelaide was definitely more interested in eating the wrapping paper! Ayeresam was happy to play with a little school bus from his stocking, so Jake helped his son open a book.
Adelaide opens her blocks.
Lovely time with precious people, both big and small - and that about sums it up! Happy New Year to all!

Happy Anniversary, David and Nikki

2010-12-16T08:22:00.000-08:00

Three years ago today David and Nikki got hitched! Have a happy anniversary, you two! Well, now of course, it's "you THREE," since sweet Adelaide joined their little family in April. Love you all so much! Can't wait to see you SOON! (They are flying to the Northwest today, and will stay through Christmas - hooray!!!)

Happy first anniversary, Ben and Christine!

2010-12-06T06:05:00.000-08:00

One year ago today, December 6, 2009, our middle son Ben married his sweet bride Christine.
Their ceremony took place on a lovely beach in Costa Rica.

They exchanged vows of love and commitment to each other.

They played in the warm ocean!

And all was well!

Have a wonderful day today, Ben and Christine!

We love you both so much, and are especially thankful that you are now living in Oregon! God bless you both.

Happy Birthday, David

2010-12-04T10:05:00.000-08:00

This is me. The morning of December 4, 1984. Just hanging out, waiting to head to the hospital to give birth to a big strapping baby boy (9 lbs. 13 oz.), David Charles Dorr. And today we celebrate the 26th birthday of that sweet little baby. Happy Birthday, Dave!
Above, at six weeks old.
July, 1985 - seven months old.
Swinging, August, 1985, eight months old.
With his older brothers Jake and Ben, December 1989, five years old.
And now, David is husband and a daddy. Above he is with his sweet little Adelaide, and below with his dear wife Nikki and Adelaide.
Happy birthday, dear Dave! We are SO very thankful you came into our lives. We love you so much. ♥

Pride and Prejudice

2010-11-09T13:55:00.000-08:00

A week ago, Hannah and I journeyed to southern Oregon to attend a production of "Pride and Prejudice" in Ashland. The play was so very well done, and once again I pondered the question of why we don't more often take advantage of the opportunity we have of fairly easy access to quality theater. The very best part of the day? No question: spending an entire day with my sweet Hannah. Yes, the food we ate was yummy (tacos for lunch at Agave, and "breakfast for dinner" at Denny's), but just being with my dear girl was priceless!

"Just a minute, Grammy, I'm busy!"

2010-10-30T14:46:00.000-07:00

I spent a wonderful afternoon with Ayeresam a few days ago. We went to the park and played on the swings and the slide, we watched the garbage truck empty many bins, we ate lunch, we read lots and lots of books, and we played hide and seek. Then, Ayeresam needed to conduct some important business on my phone. You know, just some texting and stuff...
This takes full concentration, as you can see. Sometimes a guy just has to do what he has to do! Too cute!
"OK, Grammy, I'm ready to play more now."
♥ Love this kid. ♥ SOOO much! ♥

In the Pumpkin Patch

2010-10-16T18:21:00.001-07:00

Yesterday Mark and I were invited to go to the Pumpkin Patch with Jake, Beka, and Ayeresam. It was SO fun! First stop: meet up with their family at their house. One of Ayeresam's new toys is a tunnel, which Mark promptly put on over his body in order to surprise Ayeresam when he came downstairs. Let's just say this: it worked great!
Mark popped out, Ayeresam squealed, and we headed off on our adventure. We went to Airlie Hills Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Patch, located about a dozen miles north of Corvallis. Such a fun place. I didn't even know it existed before yesterday, and we've decided we will definitely go back.
The sweet little family at the entrance.
Meeting the resident turkey, who of course is named Tom.
Jake and Ayeresam at the top of the hay slide.
Mark loved the doors on the barn.
Next came the hay ride, which took us on a fun, bumpy journey around the perimeter of the farm.
Safe in Grandpa's arms.
Resting for a spell.
Me, too.
Aren't they a happy, handsome group? Yeah, I think so, too!
Taking a ride in the wheelbarrow.
Touching Grandpa's cowboy hat (thanks for this pic, Jake).
Playing in the wheat bin, which is like a sand box, except the "walls" are made of bales of hay, and the "sand" is wheat kernels. Ayeresam REALLY liked this activity!

Just chillin' with the lovely pumpkins.
There was a huge semi-truck, which Jake and Ayeresam had to check out!
Leaving the farm: Jake and Ayeresam, Beka, Mark, and me. We loved it!

How time flies...

2010-10-04T14:58:00.001-07:00

This past weekend, Mark and I traveled to Seattle to attend our 40-year high school reunion. Yes, you heard right - 40 years since we graduated from Mt. Rainier High School! So crazy to contemplate how quickly the years have flown by, and how fun it was to celebrate that milestone with others from our class. One of our first stops after arriving in Seattle was to drive by the house (above) where my family lived while I was in high school, which is now mostly obscured by tall hedges. This was a very small home for our family of eight!
Right across the street from that house is the campus of Highline Community College, where I attended school the first year following my graduation from high school.
Mark and I next drove down to Saltwater State Park in Des Moines. This beautiful little park is on Puget sound, and Mark and I used to go there quite often while in high school. Fun memories!

Next stop was Mark's family's former home in Normandy Park. Many large trees and shrubs obscure the full view.
Friday night we convened with our classmates at the Holiday Inn Sea-Tac, where we were greeted by Doug and his dear wife Kathy. Doug is a lifelong friend and was the best man in our wedding 37 years ago.
A very special delight was seeing Verna, my best friend from high school. Like me, Verna is also married to a man from our graduating class.
On Saturday morning, we had a second reunion event, this time at our high school. Several years ago, the old high school building where we had attended was demolished, and a new campus built in its place. We had a tour of the new facility (very nice), had lunch in the cafeteria, and did more socializing. There are bricks in the entry way of the new school, and we found "our" brick, along with the bricks for Mark's sister Nancy, and their dad George, who was principal of MRHS for two years, including our sophomore year.
My friend Verna and her hubby arrived at MRHS in style!
I just had to take a picture of this airplane departing Sea Tac airport. One of my favorite memories from Mt. Rainier includes the loud roar from departing airplanes, so loud that teachers had to stop their lectures at times until the planes cleared the sky overhead. Apparently this is still the case!
The front entrance of the new high school.

Checking out the new gym. The banner painted across the wall above the bleachers reads: WELCOME TO THE MOUNTAIN - HOME OF THE RAMS (with a mural of Mt. Rainier in the middle).
Such a fun weekend. As one of our classmates said, "We were nice kids back in high school, and we are nice adults now."

"Our voices echo through the halls,
We sing to Mt. Rainier,
Of days gone by, of victories won,
And hours of good cheer.
We'll support the blue and white,
Our colors bold and true,
Both now and in the years to come,
We'll e'er remember you."

More baby stuff... ♥

2010-09-29T08:55:00.000-07:00

Here are a few more pictures of our time with family this past weekend!
Adelaide with her Uncle Chris.
More Grandpa time!
Getting sleepy...... (Adelaide, that is - not Grandpa)!
Yesterday, Beka, Ayeresam and I drove to Nikki's parents' home for a last visit with David, Nikki, and Adelaide before they head back to Colorado. Ayeresam was getting so tired, and yet, this is such a precious picture of these cousins and their mommies.
With Dave, our youngest son. So happy for ANY time with our kids.

Below is a short video clip of Adelaide performing a cute trick. If she wants her pacifier, and it is within reach of her mouth, she will dive-bomb for it! We all shared lots of laughs watching her perform!

Adorable Adelaide

2010-09-20T08:53:00.001-07:00

Bonus update: Just added the picture above - stole it from David's Facebook page! ♥

Just a few recent pictures of our precious granddaughter, Adelaide. (Thanks for sharing, David.)
She's five months old already, and looks ready to tackle the world!
Such a sweet, drooly little cutie pie. Love you, Adelaide! Miss you soooo much!♥

Seizing the Moment to Celebrate LIFE

2010-09-13T08:21:00.001-07:00

I awoke yesterday with an intense longing to be near the ocean. Perhaps it was because of of the many television programs that had aired the day before, commemorating the ninth anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, which of course included heartbreaking stories of the many innocent people who died on that horrific day. My heavy heart desperately needed to celebrate LIFE, and to see the amazing power of God's creation.

So, Mark and I hopped in the car for a spontaneous trip to Beverly Beach, just north of Newport. The first thing we saw after hiking over the rocks to the sand was definitely not alive. This sea lion, however, was providing food for the many little critters who were crawling in and around it.
Not such a good shot of Mark, because of the position of the sun, but you can see what a breathtakingly beautiful and warm day it was on the coast.
Ahhh, just what my spirit needed!
Do any of you ever stomp on these little "bulbs" just to hear the POP it makes? Yes, I did pop a few yesterday!

Lunch: Absolutely scrumptious fish and chips and clam chowder at Szabo's. And then it was time to head back home, because I had a play date with Ayeresam!
He and I went to the waterfront in Corvallis to play in the fountain. He was very intrigued by the water bubbling up from the grates. Some water was soaring very high, and some streams were much smaller. It was such a joy to experience the fountain with him, to see his excitement and hear his sweet squeals of delight.
Baby A always has his pointer finger at the ready, just in case he needs to point to something!

Nothing is much cuter than a baby wearing only a diaper!
He was zonked by the end of the afternoon. I love this precious little guy SO much! And I think he kind of likes me, too! ♥
Thus ended this most excellent and perfect day. I saw the hand of God all day long: in the powerful ocean waves, in the intensity of the clear blue skies, in the trees just beginning to display their lovely fall colors, and in the sweet face of my dear grandson. My prayer of praise at yesterday's end: It's a beautiful day, and it's great to be alive.

Meeting Karen...

2010-09-10T08:26:00.001-07:00

I enjoyed a very special evening last night with Sarah and Beka. We went to the home of #1 best-selling Christian fiction author Karen Kingsbury for an adoption baby shower. The event was being held as a fundraiser for a young couple who are adopting a son from Ethiopia (Jake and Beka knew of this couple through their own extensive networking with other adoptive families, which is how we came to know about it and receive an invitation). Of course, since we have a sweet, precious grandson from that same country, the shower provided the perfect opportunity for the three of us to help support another couple who want to bring their baby home as soon as possible.

Karen and her husband have six children, three of whom are biological, and three who are adopted from Haiti (we were able to meet all five of her delightful sons, including the three from Haiti). She spoke eloquently to her guests about her family's adoption experience, sharing stories that were both touching and downright hilarious. Afterward, she was available to sign copies of her books. I purchased her book, Like Dandelion Dust, which she signed for me. Because that particular book speaks to the topic of adoption, I wanted it dedicated to our dear Ayeresam:
Karen has also recently established a foundation to aid families who are in the adoption process. Called the One Chance Foundation, one of its primary goals is to provide financial support to families wishing to adopt. It was such a lovely evening. If you haven't read Karen's books, I would encourage you to do so. Her fiction has great depth, and will definitely encourage you in your walk with Christ. I have read most of what she has written, and her stories never fail to touch my heart. The main thing that impressed me last night was her reminder that we have "One chance to write the story of our lives," so live every day loving well, laughing often, and finding true life in Jesus Christ. It was such an honor to meet her, and an even greater joy to be able to spend the evening with two of my girls.

Whoopie!!! First day of school!!!

2010-08-31T08:39:00.001-07:00

Today marks the first day of school for my sweet hubby -- and the beginning of year #22 at Philomath Middle School! He's actually been back in the swing of things for a few weeks now, with inservice meetings, classroom preparation, etc., but today is his first day with actual kids sitting in their actual seats at their actual desks (well, hopefully they're staying in their seats!). Mark's schedule this fall includes five classes of 8th grade U.S. History, and one class of 7th/8th grade Wood Shop. So, here's to a great year, honey. Your students are SO amazingly blessed to have you as their teacher. I'm so proud of you, and I love you to pieces! ♥

The story of two precious bracelets...

2010-08-27T15:22:00.001-07:00

Truth be told, I'm not much of a jewelry person, with a few notable exceptions. I have my wedding and engagement rings, which are very simple yet priceless to me, an anniversary band, and a ring that used to belong to my grandmother. I didn't even get my ears pierced until I was 26, and the only earrings I wear are very small. But I have recently been the recipient of two very special pieces of jewelry, both of them bracelets that I am rarely without. The one shown above was a Mother's Day gift from Chris and Sarah, and was handmade by Sarah. It has thirteen beads on it, with each bead representing a person in our family: Mark, Jo, Sarah, Chris, Jake, Beka, Ayeresam, Ben, Christine, David, Nikki, Adelaide, and Hannah. I love that she made it especially for me, and that the beads are the color of each person's birthstone. Also, beads can be added to the bracelet as new people join our family. Love it, love it, love it! ♥

The second bracelet was a recent birthday gift from Dave and Nikki. You'll have to click on these pics to see the details, and when you do, you will see that this lovely piece says "Grammy." There is also a sweet little heart-shaped charm at one end that has two tiny baby footprints impressed in it. This one is precious to me on several levels as well. First, because it represents a wonderful, major change in my life that occurred this year when I became a grandmother. Second, because the word Grammy just makes me so happy! I went through a long thought process trying to decide what I wanted to be called when I became a grandmother. Would I be Grandma? Nana? Mimi? Granny? I have friends and relatives who go by each of these sweet names. I actually thought I had settled on being called Grandma, but somehow it just didn't feel like it quite fit me. Our recent trip to Santa Barbara helped me to solidify my thoughts. In talking to my mom (who is "Grammy" to our kids), I learned that both of my sisters are (or plan to be) "Grammy" to their grandchildren. And Mom told me that she would be so thrilled and honored if I, like her, chose to be called Grammy, too. And so, my decision was made. And it just feels so good and so right. Our grandkids' other grandmothers both go by Grandma, so being Grammy will also give our grandkids different names for each of their grandmothers, which could prove handy. So, thanks Sarah and Chris! Thanks, Dave and Nikki! Love the bracelets, love what they represent, and love you! ♥

The Hills are Alive (and not just with the sound of music...)

2010-08-19T20:17:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, Mark and I journeyed for the first time to the beautiful Bavarian mountain town of Leavenworth, Washington, where we watched "The Sound of Music" in an outdoor amphitheater. Tickets to see the play were a birthday gift from Mark last month, and our date was August 17th. It was such an incredibly delightful production, performed very professionally by people from the Leavenworth community. So well done. As you can see above, the amphitheater is situated in the forest above the town, and is the perfect setting for the classic musical. When Maria begins singing "The Hills are Alive," she actually comes walking through the trees to the stage. Breathtaking.
This is the actress who played the part of Maria. Fans of the movie will know that Julie Andrews set the bar pretty high, and we wondered beforehand how Maria's voice and acting would be. We need not have worried - this young woman did an amazing job.
Some of the singing nuns! One very fun moment came during the wedding scene, when Maria weds Captain Von Trapp. As Maria, the beautiful bride, descended the hill in her gorgeous wedding gown, and proceeded down the center aisle of the amphitheater, everyone in the audience stood, just as we would at a real wedding. We were all so caught up in the story that it just seemed like the perfectly natural thing to do. Made me cry. ♥
Upon checking into our hotel room, we were greeted by this not-so-little fellow. I took his picture with a dime-sized coin next to him to give you an idea of perspective. He was just inside the door. Yes, inside. Mark got him outside alright, but I captured him and brought him home in a zip-lock bag. Why would I do such a crazy thing? Because I have a blog, and he needed to be documented. Duh. Plus, I thought he was pretty cool. Yes, the hills are indeed alive.

Happy Birthday, Christine! ♥

2010-08-15T13:17:00.001-07:00

Today our dear daughter-in-law Christine turns 25!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR CHRISTINE!
WE ARE SO EXCITED TO WELCOME YOU
AND BEN TO OREGON SOON!!!
We love you so much.

2010-07-31T19:38:00.001-07:00

While Mark has been laid up with a broken foot, he decided to do some painting. He is a gifted artist, and he utilized his talent by depicting the history of our little town of Philomath. The painting, done in acrylics, was done on an antique cross-cut saw. Click on the pictures to see the amazing detail.
Philomath's history is heavily tied to the timber industry, so the first picture is of a logging truck. Next comes the Harris covered bridge, followed by the original school house.
Next in the lineup is the Moses Brothers store, once located on Main Street. Locals will recognize the name Vina Moses, and it was fun to learn that she was part of the family that owned this store for more than 50 years. (Be sure to click on this one to see the people in front of the store and in the delivery wagon!) The next structure is probably the most recognizable in our town: the Philomath College building. Now housing the Benton County Museum, this is one of the founding buildings in Philomath.
The final two buildings depict the United Brethren Church, part of the denomination that founded the college, and finally the train depot. This project took Mark most of three weeks to complete, and he's decided to enter it in the county fair. But whether or not he wins a ribbon, it's been wonderful for him to be busy painting and using his "down time" in such a creative way. Way to go, honey! It looks AMAZING!

Almost forgot...

2010-07-26T18:35:00.001-07:00

A few days prior to Mark's bicycle accident (which caused him to have two broken bones in his left foot), we returned home from spending a few wonderful days in the Wallowa Mountains of Northeastern Oregon. Since the accident, our lives have been busy with x-rays, doctor appointments, crutches, learning to navigate the world on one leg, doing some double-duty around the house for me, etc. And in the busy-ness of it all, I forgot to post some pictures of our trip. We are so thankful we could enjoy that time together before the wheels fell off the wagon, so to speak! :-) It's so crazy that we'd never before been to the Wallowas. We'd heard that the area was beautiful - after all, it's nicknamed Oregon's Switzerland - but we had no idea just what we'd been missing. The fun sign above marked the entrance to the little town of Anatone, which is north of our destination.
Arriving in Joseph, Oregon, we were greeted by this sign.

Frank McCully was the founder of Joseph, and served as mayor for a time in the later 1800s. And we didn't know this prior to our arrival, but the bed and breakfast where we stayed is the former McCully home. That made us feel so historic!
The lake is gorgeous. Sort of banana-shaped, and fed by the water from the gorgeous mountains that tower above it.
This old deer was meandering down the road by the state park which is at the south end of the lake.
We decided to ride the tram to the top of one of the mountains. It looked like it might rain, but except for a very brief shower on our arrival at the summit, it was beautiful.
We had no idea that we would be greeted by snow at the top! But we're tough - we can handle it!

There were so many squirrels - or are those chipmunks? Very cute and tame - not afraid of us at all.

There is a lodge at the top of the tram, with a nice restaurant.
From the restaurant you can see the lake and watch the tram cars arrive.
Mark enjoyed a burger, while I had a wrap.

Riding the tram back down the mountain.

Joseph is a cute little town, full of history and quaint shops. This is the view looking south toward the mountains.
And here is looking north.
The next day we drove to Imnaha, where the only things to see are the store and the post office. But such a cute post office!
Below is the restaurant where we ate lunch.
We tried something new for an appetizer at dinner that night - fried dill pickles! And they were so yummy! They bread them with a light coat of crumbs, deep fry them, and serve them with a dill sauce. Fun!
Below is the bed and breakfast where we stayed.
It's called Belle Pepper's, as the owner's name is Belle, but as I mentioned above, it is actually the old McCully home.
They had a lot of chickens, too. And since we have four chickens, Mark was interested in how they had their hen house set up. We ate eggs from these girls both mornings at the B & B.
A view of the Three Sisters from our drive back home.
If you haven't been to the Wallowa Mountains, we would highly recommend it!

Baby A and Baby A

2010-07-12T16:33:00.001-07:00

Over the Fourth of July Weekend, both of our sweet little grandchildren were at our house: Miss Adelaide Grace Dorr (3 months), and Master Ayeresam Jacob Dorr (12 months). We filled our little plastic pool with the hose, then supplemented that cold water with hot water from the house, and the little ones played. Well, Ayeresam played, while Adelaide was a bit more curious and cautious. Very fun times!
Little Adelaide with her Grandpa.
Not much beats the heat like water on a hot day.
Adelaide on the hammock with her Mommy Nikki.
Busy with measuring cups and funnels from the kitchen.
Adelaide didn't quite know what to make of the pool, but she was definitely a styler in her cute ruffled swim suit! Such precious times with such incredibly precious little people!

The Glad Game

2010-07-01T15:20:00.000-07:00

June 30th was our 37th wedding anniversary. We awoke with high hopes for a fun-filled time on a beautiful Oregon day. First on the agenda was our usual four-mile walk. However, because Mark had been experiencing some pain in his left arch, he decided to ride his bike along our route, while I walked. We've done this many, many times, and thought nothing of it. When Mark rides, he usually pedals past me as I walk, then does a u-turn and comes back to me, then rides ahead again, etc., since he can obviously ride much faster than I can walk. It was on one of these u-turns that his bike slid out from under him on some gravel, and he went tumbling. Long story short - he broke two bones in his left foot, and will probably be on crutches for about four weeks. No cast, just a soft Velcro shoe.

The main result of his bike accident was the cancellation of our teachers' trip back East to study the Civil War by visiting many battle sites, listening to lectures, hiking the terrain, etc. We had planned to extend the trip on both ends by spending time in Atlanta and Savannah. We were due to leave today. Alas, it was not to be.

The Sunday prior to Mark's bike accident, the pastor of our church shared a story from his own life - a time when he suffered a broken arm the night before an important event. That accident actually changed the trajectory of his entire life. At first he was angry, and questioned God's wisdom in allowing this event to occur in his life. As time has progressed, however, he has learned to embrace the lessons God taught him through his own accident, and to accept the way God used those circumstances to shape him into the person God wanted him to be. Little did we know as we listened to this powerful sermon that just three short days later, Mark would suffer his own broken bones. The irony has not escaped us!

So... here we are. A bit disappointed, because we had SO looked forward to our trip together. And frustrated, because the crutches limit Mark's mobility, he is experiencing some pain, and the lovely month of July will come and go with Mark hobbling about.

Remember Pollyanna? She played the Glad Game. When seemingly bad things happened in her life, she tried to find something to be happy about in the situation. So today, I have been looking for the silver lining in all of this, and thinking about what lessons the Lord might have in mind for us.

We have much to be thankful for. First, the timing. Just the week before Mark's BIG WIPE-OUT, we enjoyed a wonderful pre-anniversary trip to the beautiful Wallowa Mountains, where we hiked in Oregon's "Alps," and spent wonderful time together.

Also, his fall occurred close to home. He is able to be treated by our own doctors and hospital. And this little disaster didn't happen during the school year. Mark has had several surgeries in the past during the school year, and it is SO hard to teach middle schoolers and negotiate the school hallways while on crutches. Sure it's hard to be on crutches during the "off season," but it has its advantages as well.

Second, the seriousness of the injury. Yes, he has two broken bones, but it could have been much worse. He was wearing his helmet, which probably prevented potential injury to his skull. He will be hobbling about for a while, but we thank God for His protection over Mark.

Next - there is definitely something to be said for just slowing down and enjoying life at a slower pace. One minute we were frantically planning our trip east, making hotel reservations and guided tour plans, and the next thing we knew, our entire summer was stretched out before us like a blank slate, unplanned and open. And there's something about that that's just delightful.
And so we count our blessings, and ask God to teach us everything He would like us to learn through this experience. I am praying that God would teach me more about flexibility and patience. And I am SO thankful for God's love and care. Mark plans to do some painting. And rest. And rest some more. And some more. He is a very good patient! ♥

With this ring, I thee wed...

2010-06-30T06:44:00.001-07:00

Thank you, honey
for holding my hand
for 37 years.
I love you.

Happy Birthday, Nikki

2010-06-18T21:14:00.000-07:00

On June 21st, our lovely daughter-in-law Nikki will celebrate her birthday. We love Nikki for many reasons, not the least of which is that she is married to our dear son David. But this year, we love her in a brand new way - as the mommy of our sweet little granddaughter, Miss Adelaide Grace Dorr. Nikki has always loved babies, has cared for other people's little ones, and has even been a nanny. We predicted that she would take to motherhood like a duck takes to water, and we were right.
So today we celebrate you, Nikki. We thank God for bringing you into our family, for loving our son David, and for being such a gentle and tender mommy to Adelaide.
We hope your birthday is as special as you are. We love you so much.
And maybe, just maybe, that precious little baby will give you a birthday present you'd REALLY like: a full night's sleep!

Happy first birthday, Ayeresam!

2010-06-16T07:56:00.001-07:00

From our very first glimpse of you in pictures...

...to our very first glimpse of you in person...

...to precious times together with you ever since...

...we can only say that we love you with all our hearts. Some might say that you are blessed to be part of a family who will love you and care for you, and that would be so true. But truly, WE are the ones who are blessed, to know you, to love you, to have you as such an integral part of our lives.
God bless you, sweet boy.
Happy Birthday!

We proudly announce the arrival of...

2010-06-10T19:49:00.001-07:00

...our first egg!

Yes, the proud moment arrived yesterday when Mark went out to the chicken coop to check on the girls, only to discover this little surprise.

It's pretty tiny, but we like it!

This shot shows perspective, when the little egg is placed alongside our regular-sized store-bought eggs.

Way to go, girl! We are proud of you.

Happy Birthday to the one who started it all...

2010-06-08T06:15:00.001-07:00

Today our sweet daughter Sarah turns 32. We were positively head over heels in love with her from the first time we laid eyes on her. And even before that. We didn't know back in June of 1978 that she would be the first of our five kids! She has always been a joy to our hearts, an absolute delight to be around, and such a positive example for her younger siblings to follow. We couldn't be prouder of her, and are so very thankful to be her parents.

Mark - suddenly Daddy - holding his precious daughter for the very first time.

Sarah with Ben and Jake.
First steps. Being the first of our children, every little thing Sarah did, every accomplishment, was so new and exciting to Mark and me.
Gotta try those Mr. Potato Head glasses on for size!
A new outfit from Grandma Dorr, which must be modeled with flair!
Sarah in fourth grade, wearing her medals from a reading contest.
Soccer for all!
The whole family at the lake.
I must apologize to Sarah and the world for her bangs. It was the 80s, people. It's what we did.
Sarah has always been a wonderful big sister, especially when it comes to Hannah.
Hannah and Sarah in the snow.
This one was taken just this past weekend at Silver Falls, on Hannah's birthday. Our girls' birthdays are just three days apart. And nine years.
Sarah has been blessed with a super wonderful husband, Chris, who loves her to pieces. Any time we can spend with them is absolutely precious to us. So, dear Sarah, have a wonderful day today. Know that you are SO loved and treasured. Happy Birthday, sweet girl.

And our baby turns 23...

2010-06-05T07:26:00.001-07:00

From her very first smile, it was all about the dimples.

We love you so much, Hannah. You have always brought such joy to our hearts, and we are so proud to be your Mom and Dad. Have a wonderful day today!

Which part was more fun?

2010-05-31T17:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Mark had to make a run to Portland to the Rockler store to pick up some supplies for the middle school wood shop classes he teaches. When he invited me to join him for the journey, I thought, "Hmm... of course I love any time I can spend with my sweet hubby, but how could we make this a bit more exciting?" And I came up with a plan that would involve Sarah, Chris, and Hannah. So after our wonderfully thrilling time at Rockler (Zzzzzzzz), we met up with our kiddos at Claim Jumper for great food and even better conversation. Guess which part of the day I liked best (hint: it wasn't the first stop on our itinerary).
I LOVE MY DAUGHTERS SO MUCH!

(Thanks, Sarah, for these sweet pictures!)

Ben Dorr - Celebrity Chef

2010-05-23T21:41:00.000-07:00

Ben Dorr. Engineer at the Hyatt Grand Aspen by day (that's his work shirt above) --- Gourmet Chef by night. Little did we know that when we went to Colorado we would be treated to a meal that was comparable to anything one might find at a five-star restaurant anywhere. Ben cooked up a storm over the course of two days, and we were the recipients of his talent. All we could say was YUM! And THANKS! And WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN HIDING THIS ABILITY ALL THESE YEARS?

Apparently Ben has discovered his true calling: gourmet cooking! He invited us to share a gnocchi feast he created, and it was sooooo good! It took him many hours to handmake it all, and we eagerly savored ever single bite. In the picture above, he is making a loaf of heavenly artisan bread from scratch.
Here he is brushing it with an olive oil and spice mixture prior to baking it.

He sauteed these plates of cut-up veggies along with some special sausage mixture to create an unbelievable sauce to mix with the homemade gnocchi. We were (and remain) very impressed with his culinary efforts.

Happy Chef!

Ben and Christine's dog Cody needed some speaking to at this point!

Giving the sauce a final stir.

The gnocchi await their bath in the yummy sauce.

After he completed his preparation of this extraordinary dinner, Uncle Ben took his turn with his sweet niece Adelaide. She's definitely checking him out! Some day, Adelaide, you, too, will enjoy a feast prepared by your uncle. Prepare to be amazed! Thanks, Ben, for such a fun evening.

Ayeresam's Dedication Service

2010-05-15T18:51:00.000-07:00

On Mother's Day evening at church (last Sunday), our sweet little grandson Ayeresam was dedicated to the Lord at a special service. There were several other little ones who were also being dedicated, and each couple shared a Bible verse of their choosing as they made a public commitment to raise their precious little ones to follow Jesus Christ. We were so blessed to be among the many family members in attendance for this very special occasion.
Jake and Ayeresam were wearing their Ethiopian finery. And below is a short video clip.

Bathtime for Adelaide

2010-05-07T09:06:00.000-07:00

It has been my joy and privilege to give Adelaide two baths while I have been in Colorado. We have learned some things from one bath to the next. Today's venture went much more smoothly than the first - Nikki added more water to the baby tub this time, so Adelaide stayed warmer and happier. And I felt much more confident handling this sweet, slippery baby. All went well. Happy times, clean baby. Hooray!
All wrapped up in her towel after her time in the tub.

Dressed and wrapped up all snuggly in a warm, fresh-from-the-dryer blanket.

All clean and tuckered out, and ready for a relaxing rest. Love you, sweet girl! Thanks for giving me the special joy of getting you all fresh and clean.

More Adelaide...

2010-05-03T11:29:00.000-07:00

Aspen and Adelaide

2010-05-01T08:04:00.000-07:00

This is the scene that awaited us when we arrived at the Aspen airport on Thursday evening. Welcome to winter! Very beautiful.
The real beauty, however, soon presented itself in the form of Miss Adelaide Grace Dorr.

Hannah and her sweet niece.

In Grandpa's arms.

Grandma is in heaven.

Have you ever seen anything sweeter or more precious?

Mark and Jo as you've never seen them before... (thanks, Sarah - we think...)

2010-04-28T10:35:00.000-07:00

A few random pictures

2010-04-26T09:12:00.001-07:00

A recent picture of Nikki and Adelaide. Ahhhh....

Here are a few pics from the past few weeks. They just have to be shared - too cute to keep to myself. As I've said before, our dear grandson Ayeresam loves to swing.
And ride in the stroller.

Mark and me at Beka's recent birthday party.
Chris and Sarah.
Hannah and her ice cream.
Sarah made an amazing scrapbook for Beka for her birthday - a collection of pictures, receipts, menus, travel documents, etc. which detail Jake and Beka's trip to Ethiopia in January to get Ayeresam. Baby A obviously loved the picture of himself on the cover. ☺
Finally, another shot from a thousand miles away: sweet little Adelaide asleep on David's chest. Precious. Can't wait to meet this little doll in just three short days.

Fun with Ayeresam

2010-04-21T08:25:00.000-07:00

We had a birthday party for Beka at our house this past weekend, about which I will post more pictures soon, but today I just wanted to post some pictures of our sweet little grandson. He is just a bundle of joy, and any time we are able to spend with him is infinitely dear to us.

On Grandpa's lap.

Cuddles with Grandma.

Last week, I was blessed to be able to spend some extended time with Ayeresam while Beka did some reorganizing in his lovely nursery. We played with toys, went for a walk to the park in the stroller, and I fed him his lunch. Lots of "firsts" for this new grandma, and I loved every second of it. In the little video clip (sorry, another sideways one - just tilt your head to the left!), you can see and hear just how much Ayeresam loves the baby swing at the park. What a delightful little boy! We are so thankful for him and the amazing way God orchestrated everything in order to bring him to Jake and Beka, and to our family.

♥ Happy Birthday, Ben ♥

2010-04-19T06:48:00.000-07:00

Today our son Ben is 28 years old. Wow. Happy Birthday, big guy! Ben wears many hats in life, but today, in our hearts, the SON hat is the most important. Love you, Ben!
Ben wears an EMPLOYEE hat - as a plant engineer at the Hyatt Grand Aspen Hotel in Aspen, Colorado.
Ben wears a HUSBAND hat - he is married to his sweet wife Christine.
Ben wears a TENDER HEART hat. He is a deep thinker and an excellent student of everything life offers.
Ben wears a FRIEND hat. He deeply values his friendships.
Ben wears an OUTDOOR enthusiast hat. He loves fishing, hunting, and camping.
Ben wears a SON hat. He was a joy to raise in our home.
Once, Ben wore a BABY hat (sometimes literally)!
Ben wears SON-IN-LAW and BROTHER-IN-LAW hats.
Ben wears the BROTHER hat.
Ben wears the HANDSOME hat very well! (Sorry, Ben, but it had to be said.)
Ben putting on his HUSBAND hat in Costa Rica in December.
Another BROTHERS shot.
Ben has recently worn the UNCLE hat, and he now has a nephew and a brand-new niece.
We love you so much, Ben.
Have a WONDERFUL day today.

Happy Birthday, Beka

2010-04-16T06:25:00.001-07:00

Today our dear daughter-in-law Beka turns 30 years old. Happy Birthday, Beka! She would probably agree that this past year has been the most eventful ever. We look forward to what this next year will bring.
God bless you - we ♥ you so much.

P.S. Happy Birthday wishes to Beka's twin sister Alison, too. ♥

Adelaide Grace Dorr

2010-04-12T19:30:00.000-07:00

Introducing:
♥ Adelaide Grace Dorr ♥
Born to David and Nikki Dorr
Birthplace: Aspen, Colorado
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Time: 1:42 p.m.
Weight: 6 lb. 12 oz.
Length: 19.5 inches
You precious sweet little girl.
♥We love you to the moon and back.♥
Can't wait to meet you on April 29th!

Christmas in April - and the sweetest baby ever...

2010-04-07T12:34:00.000-07:00

For Christmas, Sarah gave me a ticket to see the one and only Michael Buble' in concert (well, yes, she got herself a ticket, too). ☺ The magic day was last Friday. I met up with Sarah and Hannah for lunch in Portland, then Sarah and I had a lovely Thai dinner before journeying to the concert at the Rose Garden. It was wonderful! Best part - being there with Sarah. Second best part - hearing Michael's wonderful voice! Thanks SO MUCH, Sarah! (I tried without success to upload a couple of video clips from the concert. Boo.)

On my way home, I stopped at Jake and Beka's and played with Ayeresam for a few hours while his Mommy got some much-needed rest. He is such a sweetie pie. In the past week he has learned to scoot all over the place. And he loves to play in the contraption shown below. Sorry I couldn't figure out how to rotate the video. Just tilt your head to the left and turn up the sound!

A cold, windy (fun!) day at the coast

2010-03-23T08:47:00.001-07:00

Our intentions were good. Get up early, head to the coast, and enjoy the beautiful weather that had been predicted. We packed our beach blanket and a picnic lunch and set off on our adventure. The one small glitch in our best-laid plan: the beautiful weather did not materialize. So - rather than eating at a picnic table or on the beach, we ate our lunch in the comfort of our car, in the parking lot at a state park, where we could enjoy the splendid view of the waves in warmth and comfort.

This is a street sign near Waldport that I have admired over the years. As a Superman fan, I think that someone was sure creative with that street name.
Next stop was my most favorite place at the coast - Cape Perpetua. The wind was whipping, and we were freezing. Fortunately, Mark had an extra stocking cap and gloves to loan me - otherwise I might not have survived the cold to tell about it. We looked for whales, but didn't see any, at least for sure.
Brrrrrrrrr.......

The rock structure built in the post-Depression era by the CCC - at over 800 feet above the ocean.

I know, I know... the stocking cap is just so flattering.

The wind was exhilarating! I stood on a rock wall, and literally had to lean forward into the wind to keep my balance.
Driving further south, looking back toward the Heceta Head lighthouse (on the left) and the lighthouse keeper's home (on the right), now a bed and breakfast where we have stayed in the past.
Back in the warm, sunny Willamette Valley that afternoon, we went by Hazelnut Hill, our go-to place for roasted hazelnuts. They also make the most amazing ice cream cones known to man (or woman), complete with whipped cream and a chocolate-covered hazelnut on top.
Mark chose hazelnut ice cream, of course.
I went with chocolate brownie ice cream.
And below is a short video clip of Mark at Cape Perpetua. Just listen to that wind blow! All in all, a fun day despite the cold. An adventure with my sweet hubby - what could be better than that!

Jumping Bean

2010-03-05T12:49:00.000-08:00

Ayeresam loves to jump! He is getting so big, so fast. He came by to play with Grandma and Grandpa yesterday, and in the short week since we'd last seen him, it was plain to see how much stronger he is, how good he is at sitting by himself, and how determined he is to learn to get from place to place. Mostly it was fun to see him smile and laugh.
Love you, sweet baby!

Introducing.........

2010-03-02T14:56:00.000-08:00

Hannah had the distinct privilege of naming our chicks. So, without further ado, please allow me to introduce
"The Girls"
Clockwise from top: Fern, Eloise, Cordelia, Rosemary, Ginger, and (center) Josie Mae. They are growing so fast! And thanks, Hannah. You fulfilled your responsibility with great honor and dignity.

Happy Birthday, Jake!

2010-02-24T06:08:00.001-08:00

Thirty years ago. February 24, 1980. Jacob Mark Dorr entered our world. This is the first picture ever taken of him, at two hours old.
Two days old, leaving the hospital.
Three weeks old.
First birthday, 2/24/81. We love you, Jake. Have a special day today.

Have some Kleenex handy?

2010-02-22T08:17:00.000-08:00

Second only to being Mark's wife, being a mommy has been the dearest and most precious experience of my life. I love to read other people's birth stories. This morning, this story was recommended to me, and I just had to share it with my family and friends. Perhaps it will touch your heart as deeply and profoundly as it did mine.

Peep and Poop

2010-02-17T15:57:00.001-08:00

Today was our big day to pick up six baby chicks from the local farm supply store. We got one each of every variety they were selling: Rhode Island Red, Barred Rock, Ameraucana, Buff Orpington, Australorp, and sex link (huh?). They are soooo cute!
We put them in a cage in Mark's tool shed in the back yard, under a nice heat lamp, where they will live for about a month, until they are bigger (and until Mark finishes building their chicken coop).
About all they can do at this point is peep and poop. And eat. And drink.
A few nights ago we went to Beka's parents' home to see pictures from Jake and Beka's trip to Ethiopia to get their son. And look who else was there! Baby Sam, the brand-new son of Beka's sister Alison and brother-in-law Brandon. What a joy it was to cuddle with him.
And, like our chickens, sweet Sam does his share of peeping and pooping, too! ♥

Happy Birthday, Chris! ♥

2010-02-16T07:37:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday to our very favorite son-in-law, Chris. We love you, we are so thankful for you, and we hope you have a wonderful day today. We are excited to celebrate your big day with you this weekend! ♥

Happy Heart Day to one and all !

2010-02-14T21:31:00.000-08:00

Mark and I had such a lovely Valentine's Day today. We had a great time with our church's small group this morning. Then this evening we had a very fun picnic - right in our family room! Fried chicken, a big salad, and a decadent chocolate dessert were enjoyed by candlelight, surrounded by fresh roses, and with classical music playing softly in the background. Fun and romantic. Did I mention that I have a very sweet (and creative) Valentine? Love you, Mark. Thanks for a Valentine's Day that I will remember forever.

Happy 81, Mom!

2010-02-09T06:38:00.001-08:00

Wishing my sweet Mom, who turns 81 today, a VERY, VERY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
Love you, Mom!

Today with Ayeresam

2010-02-06T19:26:00.000-08:00

Yep - he's a real charmer!
Grandpa and Ayeresam with their chew toys.
Happy baby. Happy Grandpa.

Lord, there is none like You

2010-02-04T08:51:00.000-08:00

Geoman lives!

2010-02-01T13:47:00.000-08:00

You'll have to click on the picture to fully appreciate it, but this article appeared in the latest edition of our local newspaper, The Philomath Bulletin. It details the recent Geography Bee, which is sponsored by the National Geographic Society, and which Mark organizes each year at his middle school. And this year, like each of the past 20 years, Geoman (my very favorite super hero) made an appearance.

It just doesn't get any cuter than this.

2010-01-29T11:19:00.001-08:00

'nuff said

So adorable.

2010-01-27T21:05:00.001-08:00

There are just no words that adequately express my heart. For now, I can only say that he is here, he is precious, and I love him.

Positively Munchable!

2010-01-27T07:40:00.001-08:00

Last night we were blessed to welcome our sweet grandson home. After many, many hours of travel, Ayeresam and his parents arrived in Portland from Ethiopia. And the cameras flashed without stop.
Welcome, sweetie pie!
We love you.

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday

2010-01-23T14:14:00.000-08:00

Sunday, January 24, 2010, is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday and will mark the 37th anniversary of Roe v Wade. This day is a time to celebrate the intrinsic vaue of all human life, from conception to natural death. Emphasis is given to a broad range of life issues, including abortion, euthanasia, genetic engineering, health care, child abuse, and eldercare. One of my favorite authors, Randy Alcorn, has written a moving piece in his blog about this issue. It was especially encouraging for me to learn that the young people of our country, under age 35, are more pro-life than any other generation.

Please join me in praying that, after 37 years and 50 million deaths, our country might finally reject the atrocity of abortion, and stand up for life.

At last...

2010-01-14T09:28:00.000-08:00

Today Jake and Beka boarded a plane bound for Ethiopia where they will meet their sweet little son, and finally bring him home. This is a journey that actually started about two years ago, and the Lord has faithfully guided the process from the beginning. It is amazing to contemplate all the time and effort that has gone into the adoption process, yet Jake and Beka, as any parent knows, were willing to go to any length, to do absolutely anything for their son.
His nursery is beautifully prepared, his clothes and diapers are all organized, his little toys lovingly displayed. Many gifts have been given, and many prayers have been prayed.
So now we wait. Wait for our opportunity to personally look into those beautiful brown eyes. To touch his soft skin. To show him just how much we love him.
Ayeresam Jacob Dorr. Our first grandson.
You are already so loved.
Can't wait to show you just how much.
Grandma and Grandpa

Wouldn't you know...

2010-01-02T12:58:00.001-08:00

Murphy's law states that "If anything can go wrong, it will." A corollary would be "And it will go wrong at the worst possible time." In the past, we have faced major plumbing issues on Thanksgiving Day, and this year it was a hopelessly-broken dishwasher at Christmas. The part needed to fix it is almost $300, so we decided to cut our losses and order a new one to replace this twelve-year-old model. (We also have some damaged flooring as a result of the leaks - PHOOEY.) With a houseful of family here for the holiday, we needed to run the dishwasher several times a day, so Mark rigged up a pan underneath it to catch the many leaks, as well as several strategically-placed bowls, and we ran it to our hearts' content, emptying bowls as necessary. The new dishwasher is due to arrive next week.
Mom, Hannah, Mark, and I check out the situation. We all look concerned, but in truth only Mark knew what he was looking at.
Mom came from Santa Barbara for Hannah's college graduation the previous Saturday, and stayed through Christmas. It was so wonderful to have her here. She got in some quality "Goliath time."
Also some special time with Sarah.
Six of us girls went to tea at Philomath's very own tea room. It has become a Christmas tradition for us, and it didn't disappoint. Above, Mom, Nikki, and Sarah.
Beka, Hannah, and me.
Before David and Nikki headed back to Colorado, Nikki's mom hosted a baby shower for them. Hannah, Sarah, Beka, and I joined Dave and Nikki at her parents' home for the event. It was very fun, and they received many nice gifts for their wee little girl.

Yeah, we recycle...

2009-12-31T09:17:00.001-08:00

Last year we splurged on a living Christmas tree. We were doing some major landscaping in our back yard, and we wanted a tree we could plant there after using it for our Christmas tree. And that's precisely what happened - we paid big money for a lovely Nordeman Fir, used it for Christmas, then planted it afterward. Fast forward to Christmas 2009. We debated cutting a tree versus purchasing another live tree. And then we looked out the window at our back yard and started thinking - could we? dare we? - use last year's tree again? Hmmm. And our conclusion? We could! We dared! And we did. Mark dug it out of the ground, hauled it inside, and we re-used that tree again. And it worked just fine. It's now been happily replanted in the back yard. And I'm already wondering about next Christmas. Might we get three years out of one Christmas tree?
Stay tuned.

Where's the line to see Jesus?

2009-12-22T21:57:00.000-08:00

She did it!!!!!

2009-12-21T10:38:00.001-08:00

On Saturday, our baby graduated from George Fox University with a B.A. in Sociology. We are so proud of you, Hannah! As many family as were able came to Newberg to watch the ceremony and celebrate this major milestone in Hannah's life.
Grammy journeyed from Santa Barbara, and will remain with us through Christmas.
Very proud parents with our sweet girl.
Hannah receives her diploma.
Chris, Mom, and Sarah.

The siblings.
Hannah's boyfriend Luke.

Her shoes were classic orange.
All of us.

Welcome to the GFU Alumni Association, Hannah. They will be asking you for your money for the rest of your life. Still, a nice gesture for them to give you the neat license frame.

We ate dinner at the Macaroni Grill afterwards, and Jake drew an appropriate picture on the paper table cloth.

Number of kids we have: 5. Number of high school graduates: 5. Number of college graduates: 5.

Our hearts are full

2009-12-15T19:51:00.001-08:00

We would like to introduce to you our beautiful grandson, Ayeresam Jacob Dorr. Today, in Ethiopia, he officially became part of Jake and Beka's family, and by extension a part of our family as well. But he has been deeply loved by all of us long before today. We were hooked the first time we gazed into those big beautiful eyes of his. We can't wait to meet this precious little cutie pie in January. Most of all, we thank God for His tender care and faithfulness throughout the process thus far. Love you, Baby Dorr.