Happy Birthday, Ben!

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!

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

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!

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. ♥♥♥

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...

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...

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!