Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from The Whittier White house. This is the kind of White Christmas we love, and is the envy of all those who think a white Christmas is with snow on the ground! On Christmas eve day for lunch we went to a favorite restaurant at the beach. We didn't even have our jackets on until we went out on the pier. It was a beautiful 70 degree day, and we enjoyed it! This is also one of the few times of the year that the ski is really blue in Southern California. Hope you had a great Christmas with family and friends, even if you didn't have 70 degree weather.

Lindsay's volleyball banquet

Lindsay with Dad and Mom

Lindsay with roommate and teammate, Jessica

and boyfriend, Ryan

Isaiah and Abigail

Isaiah Sanborn and Abigail Hamann at our house for a Christmas party.

Party Animals

This has been the week of parties at the Whittier White House. It all started off last Sunday, 12/2, at the Elder/staff Christmas party at our church. There were about 50 elders and staff there with their spouses and we enjoyed a tri-tip dinner, a "I never" group game, and a white elephant gift exchange. I came away with a 6 inch engraved stick that said "Don't worry, be happy" on it, and Tim got a old book. On Wednesday we went to a volleyball banquet in Fullerton for Lindsay's Hope volleyball team. It was at an Itallian restaurant with the team and about 40 friends and family of the team. Lindsay didn't expect to get any awards, so she wasn't disappointed when she didn't get any. We talked with some of the parents that we had met during the season, and sat with Jessica's (Lindsay's roommate) family. Friday was the next gathering, this time at our house. We had the Sanborns and the Hamann's over for dinner and gift exchange. Rachel, Nathan and their 6 month old daughter Abigail live in our back cottage house. Mike and Shayleen Sanborn used to live in our back house, but now live in their own home in Whittier with their kids, Isaiah and Zoe. Since the families that live in our back house become a part of our family we always have them over for a Christmas get together. Mitch, Sarah and Annika Garrison now live in Minnesota, so they obviously couldn't come. But we pulled out all the stops this year. I went out and bought a 10 lb prime rib roast and made country potatoes, jello salad with marshmallows, and Shayleen brought salad and Rachel brought rolls. I also made chocolate mint brownies for dessert. We were stuffed. And had fun chasing the kids around and watching stupid cat videos on You Tube. Then finally, on Saturday night we went to the youth banquet at church. They served all-you-can-eat italian food and had different high school kids doing entertainment during dinner. Afterwards we went to Kurt and Sue Plubells home for dessert with others from our Sojourners fellowship group. It was low key, and I was drained, but I had good conversations with some of the ladies. So that's it for Christmas parties for us, and it's only December 9th. Just a few more gifts to buy, and then all that's left is to wait for Christmas day! Oh, and on Friday I took Erin down to the DMV and she passed her written test, so now she has her learners permit. And so it goes at the Whittier White House.

November 30, 1979

On November 30, 1979 two young, thin high school juniors from Denair high school went on their first date to a Modesto Junior College basketball game and then to Rico's pizza afterwards. I don't remember who won, but I remember that almost everyone in the gym knew my date. In retrospect, we were probably quickly on the gossip grapevine in our churches that they saw Tim White with Annette Nutcher at the MJC game. That's good small town stuff. We had fun talking and getting to know each other, and then when he dropped me off at my house afterward, he winked at me. I floated into the house. No kiss required. It's funny that we have chosen to remember and celebrate this day over the last 28 years. Most people don't remember their first date with their spouse. But we feel blessed to have great memories and a long history together that has come to make us, our marriage and our relationships what they are today. We would have never imagined in November 1979 that we would be blessed the way we have been or will be.

Christmas shopping

I have always found it interesting how Christmas brings out the worst in people. I was at a store yesterday to pick up just a few things, but the tension of the people standing in line was palatable. Maybe I am a little more objective having just returned from vacation and not in full "got-to-get-it-done" mode yet. But the fighting and juggling for a place in line at the register was almost rude. And then the poor clerk was hurried and unfriendly. People act like their time is more important than anyone else's and if they cut in line, or pass on the right at a busy intersection, they are aren't doing anything wrong. After all no one is more important than they are. It is sad. But it is also a good reminder for me to let Christ shine in me at Christmas time. Loving the unlovely does not come naturally, it has to be done with conscious and deliberate thought. I'm sure there will be times this season I will get caught off guard and my blood pressure will rise at someone being intolerably selfish or rude, but my goal is to keep it to a minimum. After all, Christmas is a time to celebrate Emmanuel, God with us. And that is most definitely the best news of all.

Thanksgiving vacation

Our family began a tradition of taking vacations during the week of Thanksgiving five years ago when we went to London. Since then we have gone to Minnesota, Mexico, Hawaii, and most recently the Dominican Republic. Since Lindsay and Erin are both immersed in school volleyball teams from Sept to the beginning of November, we are all usually ready for some good ol' r&r. This year was no different. Upon the recommendation of some friends who had gone to the Majestic Colonial Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic in August, we booked our trip through Costco travel in October, and we began the count down to vacation. As it turned out, we did indeed get plenty of rest and relaxation. Since the resort was all-inclusive, there was no need to leave. There were plenty of opportunities to take excursions, etc, but each time we asked the girls if they wanted to do something, they would slowly say, no, we just want to sit on the beach, or by the pool and read our books. So we obliged them, since it is what Tim and I wanted to do as well. We spent five days sleeping, eating, walking, basking, reading, playing card games, watching movies and then eating some more. If it wasn't for the 15 hours of travel to and from, and Lindsay's suitcase getting delayed at JFK airport in New York until the day before we left to come home, it was an ideal, relaxing vacation. So much so, we have all found it a little difficult to re-enter day to day life.