Merry Christmas from the Jackson's

Nothing like getting this out last minute. So if it's after Christmas, just receive it as a Happy New Year greeting :). I debated putting something out this year, but we've had so many changes and new happenings, I thought I better catch everyone up.

Life transitions and new seasons describes our family well in 2008. We're scattered all the way from the west coast to the east coast.

Dennis and I resigned from Spring Lake Wesleyan in February and finished out our final Sunday in mid-May. In mid-July Dennis transitioned to the West MI District position giving 80% of his time to leadership development and 20% to global focus . Coaching and mentoring an amazing team of pastoral couples is a joy-filled and rewarding experience, not to mention the great friendships we are developing along the way.



The big news for Josh and Kari is the arrival of a little girl in the beginning of February! We are so excited for this little one. They are busy making preparations as they make way for parenthood. They plan to move from their Pasadena apt. to downtown LA after the new year.




In August Clint, Jamie, and Evee left Eagle Church in Indy to head to Princeton, NJ. Jamie keeps busy with mothering, various jobs, and her babygetgreen website. Clint works 20 hours a week at Princeton Alliance Church along with a full load of classes at Princeton Seminary. They are enjoying the Princeton community of new and old friends and striving to keep life "simple and peaceful" (in Jamie's words). Evee is a delightful little girl at 20 months.





Mike and Joni made a big move in August to Redmond, WA where Mike took the position of Worship Pastor at Timberlake Church upon his graduation from Point Loma University in April. They have exciting news, too - Joni is expecting in early June and they eagerly anticipate the arrival of this little one (gender to be announced later :). They enjoy the beauty of the Seattle area.





Julie continues her education at IUPUI in Indy, while she waitresses on the side. She's an environmentalist at heart as her major denotes. She's carless, choosing to ride her bike or the bus for transportation and buying all her clothes second-hand. For the past 7 months she's been dating a young man named Jascha.




God is good, He is faithful! We look forward to a great year ahead. We can't wait to have three little ones sitting on our lap next year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

TO YOU AND YOURS

IN THIS BLESSED SEASON

AND

HAPPY 2009!

No Need to be Dreamin' of a White Christmas

No question about it! With 50 inches of snow so far this December,
a white Christmas it will be!

Simply Seattle with Mike & Joni...

I loved Seattle! Absolutely beautiful!

15 weeks along... due June 11th!

Timberlake Church where Mike is worship pastor

Difficult to get a close up picture, but this
is Mike leading worship. He does a great job!

Half Price Books where Joni works

Fun store in an old 1904 building downtown Redmond
As usual, Joni's coworkers love her.

Snoqualmie Falls just a 20 minute drive from their apt.
Brrrr... as usual, the weather turned unusually cold while I was there!
Seems to happen every time I go somewhere.

Space Needle in the City Center... became a icon for
the 1962 World's Fair in Seattle

Original Starbucks at Pike's Place Market - it's amazing
to walk through the city market open year round

City sidewalks... busy sidewalks,
Dressed in holiday style...

Outside their apt. building

Love you Mike and Joni! So good to be with you!
Missing you today...

Not Sleepless in Seattle...

Really. I'm sleeping quite well here on Mike and Joni's couch.

It was on a whim that Dennis began checking out flights to Seattle just over a week ago finding a great deal out of Lansing. "Honey, do you want to go see Mike and Joni?" Since they weren't getting home for the holidays it sounded so great. It worked for me on my end, worked on their end, and here I am.

Dennis emailed me this morning that it's snowing like crazy in Spring Lake with zero wind chills. Ugh!
Although Seattle has infrequent snowfall Mike and Joni were excited to get a half inch on Saturday night. It wasn't too exciting for me.

It's been great to be here. So fun to hang out with Mike and Joni. I'll post pictures when I get back. It's beautiful here... tall evergreens, snow capped mountain backdrops, little mountain towns.

Joni has off work the next two days so we're planning to have fun - shopping, downtown Seattle, Snoqualmie Falls, and the original Starbucks in the Pike Place Market.

But the best thing about being here is seeing Joni's little tummy poking out! Yes, that's right, Joni is in her 15th week of pregnancy. Mike and Joni are expecting a little one in June and we are so excited for them.

Thanksgiving Reflections...

Thanksgiving in PA - we were happy
that Regina could join us!

Taco dinner buffet style

Papa's tacos are good!

My Dad, Josh, & Clint

The whole gang (except Mike and Joni)

Mandy Drury had a baby shower for Kari
while we were visiting in Princeton.

Baby Shower Gals
Jamie, Regina, Me, Kari, Julie, Mandy, Brooke

Mom made my hat. Do you like it?

Bath time with Grandma.

My mom had new clothes made for dolls
that I got when I was 6. What a joy to pass them onto Evee.

Baby It's Cold Outside!

Winter has certainly hit West Michigan. It's just not going to stop snowing this weekend!