Superstorm 2014

Happy New Year!  The snow and wicked low temps are the big story here.  We have school off again and hope the boys get a few exams done as scheduled.  They hope they find favor with their teachers and it all goes away.  A few people have shown new or renewed interest in this year's Rehoboth Trip so I decided to take a quick walk down memory lane...we leave this week for YEAR 5 to Rehoboth, NM and I don't want to forget "why we go".  The above photo speaks volumes.  Walt is a good guy.  His predecessors are misguided, yet we have enjoyed/endured 3 Disney vacations in our short family life.  The first trip doesn't count...Jared was crawling, never wanted in his stroller, licked everything, and I forgot to put film in my camera!  We gave up the rest of Florida and just drove home. The above photo at the end of the day is a bit deceiving.  We laughed, screamed, ran, cried, stood in line, met a princess and felt the magic as James continued to say, "no, you cannot buy that."  A marketing marvel ~ FOR SURE.  But it did not bring the best out in the Dirksen Family. So, we decided (mom decided) that we are going to go meet people we don't know and do whatever they want because we love God more than ....everything else.  And He has provided everything we need.  Don't cheer for us.  God has provided everything you need too.  The trip seems a bit more important to me this time.  Five years feels significant. We are also taking Lee, our Chinese international student.  And finally, one year ago now my mom was in the hospital with an infection, she never came home. She loved to travel and my parents loved their kids.  The year has come full circle.  We pray the snow finally ends and stays away for Papa & gramma...keep the plow parked, enjoy coffee, thrifting and the casino buffets while we are gone! I had to explain to the boys I am qualified to "proctor" an exam.  One day, long ago, I was paid to give tests to people...raise your hand if you remember the Calvin Job Board!  Stay tuned.