From Awbrey:I can’t believe we have been here for one year! This year I have been to California twice, I had a 3.9 to end the school year of 6th grade, and started 7th grade!!!!!! I am not doing any sports right now but I will be starting swimming Jan. 19 2010. I might start taking horseback lessons in the spring!!! I found out this year that I love Thai food and still l hate sushi. I have also learned that I really want to be a photographer or a fashion designer for children. I love my dog Cody and I am always hanging out with my best friend Kathrin.
From Stephen: It’s been a busy year, a lot has happened. Some of it was what we expected and the other not so much. While we were getting used to Vancouver and everything it has to offer we were staying with our dearest friend Elena and her kids. She is one of the most giving people you could ever meet! We could have absolutely not done it without her! She opened up her home to us and that’s something that I will never forget.
I started the year working at Corvette Specialties which was a job the Lord blessed me with to get me working. I enjoyed getting to work on some beautiful Corvettes and to work at a little slower pace. It was just what I needed at the time! One of the only problems was the commute; I was putting $500.00 dollars of gas in my truck a month! I continued there until I was offered a job in Vancouver doing similar work so I jumped at the chance. No more drive to Wilsonville! My new job was at a Hotrod Shop. I worked on some pretty cool cars, including a 66 GTO Convertible, a 34 Ford Roadster with a Blown Chevy Small Block (the only kind of motor to put in a Ford), a 57 T-Bird and a few other really nice cars! It was a great experience!
While work was fun what we really enjoyed was meeting new friends and all the new things we were doing! I turned 40 this past year, sometimes I feel like I’m 80 but it’s all good! My buddy and friends threw me a killer B-Day party! It was a great time had by all.
We moved into our own place in June. It's a very spacious 1200 sq ft. apartment with lots to offer us. We were at the pool most of the summer. It's still in Awbrey’s school district so that made it very easy. It is home!
There have been so many things that we have done this year I could go on and on; I think I already have but one of the best things was when I got the call from Kadel’s Auto Body. This is the job I’ve waited for since we moved here. I am the production manager for one of the shops. Even though I enjoyed working on the older cars I am happy to be in the collision business again. Three jobs in one year is crazy because before all of that I was at my last job for 25 years!
We are enjoying life and what it brings. I am looking forward to 2010 and what’s in store for us. I can’t believe my little girl will be going into 8th grade September 2010. My family and I are truly blessed!
From Marianne:It is hard to believe that a year has come and gone. I remember last Christmas looking out the window and seeing all the snow. At the time I wasn’t so enthused since I just started working at Kadel’s. All I wanted to do was go to work. The Lord had something else in store for me; instead I got to spend most of the week hanging out with Stephen and Awbrey which was wonderful. Stephen’s work had also closed for the week due to the bad weather. I remember Stephen driving me to work a couple of times for a couple of hours while the weather permitted so I could get some hours in. He is such a wonderful man! It was also stressful since my parents were driving up for Christmas. I hadn’t seen them since we moved. They were able to get here and we had a wonderful visit. When we had to say goodbye it was so hard.
We celebrated Stephen’s 40th Birthday in January; our friends thru him an awesome party at their home. We had a great time with all the neighbors who are now our good friends.
In the spring I had to do something that probably was one of the hardest things I had to do. Awbrey spent spring break with Mimi & Papa. Even though it was a great experience for her it was hard on her mom & dad.
April was an exciting month for me. First I went with some friends to see Beth Moore at the Rose Quarter in Portland. That women’s passion for Christ is so contagious. It was a wonderful weekend that gave me such hope and a new direction. Later that month I was promoted at work to Office Manager and transferred to another shop. Even though I really didn’t enjoy the commute and all the bridge lifts I tried to make the best of it. I was then offered the same position back at the shop I came from so I went back to Gresham. It was a better commute.
In June we moved into our apartment. We love it! I can’t believe how much space we have. Awbrey loves the pools, recreation room and she has friends from school that also live here.
In October I applied for a promotion within the company at Kadel’s. I was so excited when I got the call and was told that I was accepted for the job. I am now the Training & Support Admin for the Corporation. I am no longer at one shop, I go where I am needed to either help with office stuff or train new hires. I absolutely love my job.
My parents are here celebrating Christmas & the New Year with us. It’s never long enough but I will take what I can get. They are my rock! I can never express enough how much they inspire me.
Through the past year there has been ups and downs and am thankful for all that I have learned during those times. The Lord has truly blessed my family. I have a wonderful group of friends that support us with their love and friendship and a family that stands behinds us. What more could anyone ask for.
We would like to wish you all a Happy New Year!
With Love from the 3burgs,
Stephen, Marianne & Awbrey
