Proud To Be An American

In all my 29 years I can't recall a time in my life when our country had as many issues that we face and yet still be optimistic because change is coming. I have to admit that Obama has captured my attention and I am excited for what he is doing. His speech today was captivating, the benediction was heart warming, and I as a citizen of this great nation am ready to roll up my sleeves and become part of the solution rather than complaining about it. We live in the greatest nation in the world, with the brightest minds, the best ideas, the environment to make our dreams a reality, and now - nothing standing in our way. Let's unite and get behind our President, for we face grave threats and it will take all of us to work together for change to truly happen.

As Dr. Lowery so eloquently put it today -

"And in the joy of a new beginning - we ask you to help us work for that day"
When black will not be asked to get back
When brown can stick around
When yella will be mella
When the red man can get ahead man
and when White would embrace what is right

Let all those who do justice and love mercy say AMEN

SAY AMEN

GOD SPEED

When it's Family....New Years 2009

Click here for Pictures of our trip

We rang in the new year in the rugged location of Birch Bay in northern Washington with the Thorne side of the family. We spent a cozy weekend together with my brother Matt, his wife Krista, and their two spirited, and beautiful daughters Avaya and Alivya. The weekend began on New Years Eve...it was the first time my brother and I had spent New Years together since we were in college. It is funny how this time around I had to take a power nap in order to make it to midnight , and both of us were calming fussy children in between sips of champagne.
There are many memories I will treasure from this weekend....our dinnertimes, frigid walks on the beach, watching the Polar Bear dive from the comfort of our cars on New Year day, and watching my nieces in their fascination and exploration of everything around them. The memory I will treasure most, we don't have pictures of... our late night game of Texas hold-em on New Years Day when the chips were down and everyone around the table stepped out of their shells. In the background of this game was a song titled "family" by Dolly Parton ....a song my mom sent to make the moment special. Even in her absence, my mom has a way of elevating an ordinary event into something extraoridinary. Thank you mom. Here are the lyrics to that song...Here's to FAMILY in 2009,

When its family, you forgive them for they know not what they do
When its family, you accept them, cause you have no choice but to
When its family, theyre a mirror of the worst and best in you
And they always put you to the test
And you always try to do your best
And just pray for God to do the rest, when its family
Some are preachers, some are gay
Some are addicts, drunks and strays
But not a one is turned away, when its family
Some are lucky, others aint
Some are fighters, others faint
Winners, losers, sinners, saints, its all family

And when its family you trust them and your hearts an open door
When its family, you tolerate what youd kill others for
When its family, you love and hate and take, then give some more
Somehow you justify mistakes, try to find some better way
To solve the problems day to day, in the family

You take the trouble as it comes and love them more than anyone
Good or bad or indifferent, its still family
You choose your lovers, you pick your friends
Not the family that you're in, nah
Theyll be with you til the end, cause its family

And when its family, you forgive them for they know not what they do
When its family, theyre a mirror of the worst and best in you
When its family, when its family
Let me be all that I should be to the family

Christmas in Griffin Creek

Our Christmas this year was spent here in Southern Oregon at our families home in Griffin Creek. We own a 6 acre parcel in a valley that backs up to a mountain called Anderson Butte. We love coming here and getting out of the city. During our trip we have spent lots of time with family and have seen a few friends. Luckily my mom has a good camera because we left Portland without ours. Jacob and his wife Jana are here, Grandma Gerry, Grandma June, Aunt Pam, and of course Mom and Dad.

My parents recently purchased a hot tub and a Finnish sauna so I helped our family friend Josh build an overhang to cover up the hot tub and sauna from the elements. It kept us busy for a few days and now is completed. The winter storm up in Portland ended up delaying the delivery of the sauna and it still has yet to show up but at least we finished the area where it will go.

Charlotte got to spend some time with her Great Grandma June before she died this week and that was a special time. We got some precious shots of Grandma June and her Great Granddaughter. June was 89 and died in her sleep on this last Tuesday. She was diabetic and lived much longer than any of expected. She was a very sweet woman and my mom always said that "June did not have a mean bone in her body" I hope our daughter Charlotte gets some of her traits. That same day we also had to have our family dog put down - "Chin Li" was 15 and would have been 16 in January. She lived a good life as did our Grandma June. While this has been a Christmas filled with loss we have our addition Charlotte who has been a complete joy for our family. Even in death there in life. God has blessed us immensely this year and we are overjoyed during this Christmas season that our hope lies in Christ. We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with your families.

Click here for Christmas pictures

Charlotte's Photo Shoot

Last weekend Charlotte had her first photo shoot with my good friends Todd and Gretchen. This was her first professional experience being a model. While she is young we figured with how much her college is going to cost us some day - we probably should get her working for some extra money before she gets to old. Her beauty shots are amazing and I have to say we have a very special little girl on our hands.

Let us know which shots you love the most and we will add that to our list of which ones we want to blow up and frame for her.

With Love -

Click here for the pictures of Charlotte

Whitney's Wedding

We had a marvelous time in Grants Pass last weekend for Whitney's wedding. It was good to see family and we made it home on the tail end of the winter storm.

Click here to see the pictures and video I uploaded.

Love,

M & N

Advent Conspiracy

What if we all gave more and spent less this Christmas Season?

(CLICK HERE)

Charlotte's First Bath and Doctor's Appointment

Today Charlotte turned 5 days old and we had our first Pediatrician appointment. Charlotte was very excited to get back into the car and into her car seat. She seems to love riding in the car with her Grandma and Mommy. Her eyes open up very wide and she looks at whatever she can focus on for the minute. She gets a very serious look on her face that I think she gets that from her daddy =)

When we arrived at the doctor we took lot's of funny pictures including one with Dr. Daddy checking the heartbeat of our little girl =) (click here). Everything went well at the doctors office and Charlotte has gained a few ounces. She now weights 7lbs and 12 ounces. She has gained 1 ounce in the last two days which is normal.



Along with having a week of first's for our daughter she also had her first bath yesterday. Those pictures are also above on that link. She was not quite sure at first of the bath, but as she relaxed a bit she absolutely loved the warm water and waterfall that daddy was creating in the tub. I can tell that she is going to be a bath tub baby like her mom. When we where done with the bath she did not like getting out one bit and cried for some time. Overall bath time was a success and we look forward to giving her more baths in the near future.

Charlotte Abigail Sackett

Charlotte Abigail Sackett was born on November 26th 2008 at 11:15pm. Melissa and baby are happy, healthy, and getting as much sleep as we all can. I am sure you will see more pictures of this beautiful little girl as we go and here are some for you today.

With Love,

M & N & C too