Reflecting on 2oo8
January – February Steve went on a missions trip to Uganda, Africa. It was radical in many ways…it impacted Steve as he went out there, it impacted me as I held down the fort at home, and it impacted the clinic (employees come and go for various reasons). Most important to me was to see how Steve worked in Uganda. He participated in medical clinics akin to what he does in Longview, and unlike at home, Steve got to preach God’s Word in churches. It excited me beyond words to know that he got to preach! Steve’s traveling buddies from Longview were Barbie Morrison and her daughter, Mariah. Since the trip we’ve been blessed with getting together with the Morrison family on several occasions – Barbie and husband Frank have become our (coffee) drinking buddies.
March – April Softball season got us out of the house and into the park again. The season began with us bundled up in winter coats and hats and this year we didn’t move far from that mode of dress until June. Stephanie got to play on two teams – her regular 12&under team and as a guest catcher on a tournament team. On both teams she played with the Stout girls, Toni and Keana. Turns out, the Stout family joined the Three Rivers Christian School (TRCS) family in September and the Maldo family has enjoyed getting to know those Stouts over the past months, particularly through volleyball. They are totally crazy!! OooRah!
May We traveled to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to congratulate my nephew, John, on his achievements at the University of New Mexico. He graduated with a degree in physics and is now involved in graduate studies in Boston. The weekend was great family time for me as I got to hang with my dad and my big brother. I still have a picture on my refrigerator of the three of us at the Isotopes baseball game that weekend. Good times.
June Another school year came to an end with report cards, graduation and saying, “good bye” to students. Every year there are a few kids who leave in June and don’t come back in September; I get pretty emotional about losing them.
Although softball season ended for Catherine in May, it continued until mid-June for Stephanie. She finished up on Father’s Day with a tournament in Chehalis.
July This summer we took another road trip with the Richards family. This time we journeyed to Los Angeles where we stayed with Dad & Mom in their “movie star” house. For the second time we went to Disneyland with Steve’s high school buddy, Clark, and enjoyed a hot, busy day at the park. We continue to hang with the Richards (game night at their place this Saturday) and are planning a trip to Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone Park this next summer.
August For a few years, probably five, I’ve been chatting online with gals in the Christian Women Today (cwt) chat room. A few summers ago, while spending time in Los Angeles, the kids and I hooked up with chatter Linda at her home. My kids were lecturing me regarding online-stalkers while her grown kids made sure they were at her house during our visit. The both of us were well-guarded as we met face-to-face. (We both think that our kids are over-protective!!) In August, Linda came to visit us in Washington, bringing her mom and her aunt with her. We had a great time and Steve extended an invitation to her to come back any time…with or without the “Baldwin sisters.”
September Another friendship I’ve gained through cwt is with Anne. Now, everyone loves Anne. On her way from her home in New Zealand to her niece’s wedding in the UK, Anne stopped by the west coast to meet some of her online friends face-to-face. She started in Los Angeles visiting Linda and then flew up to Washington where I got to introduce her to baseball. We shared Starbucks atop the Space Needle in Seattle and toured the submersible Alvin in Astoria. While flying kites at Long Beach we decided that I must go to New Zealand to decide which side of the Pacific has the better beaches!
September ended with a great weekend trip to Los Angeles. All the Ogren originals (and many more) got together to surprise and honor Dad on his 75th birthday. Hanging with my family (including steps) was an absolute blast. I don’t see my siblings often and to see all of them at once was spectacular. Happy birthday, Dad.
October – November School got off to a great start and by October we were in full swing. Both Stephanie and Catherine played volleyball for TRCS and between teaching and volleyball I spent so much time at school that I almost missed the colors of autumn. Fortunately I woke up before it passed. Catherine had a terribly successful volleyball season and we rejoiced as we traveled around the state for district games and for the state championship. It was just a couple of years ago that TRCS started a volleyball program and this year we went to the state championship! Hard work, dedication and persistence paid off.
December This year we were surprised by snow! We’ve heard of it before. We’ve seen some before. This year we lived it! Three days before Christmas break the snow started falling and it didn’t melt until after Christmas. I don’t love the cold, wet snow and I was stuck in the house for the most part since the roads were caked with ice and snow throughout town (and much of Washington). I particularly missed getting out for Christmas activities; we missed a lot this year.
The year ended with Catherine in London with the Cheerleading All Stars, Mitchell home from college for a spell, and Stephanie turning 13!
As I write this on New Year’s Day, it’s snowing again – an interesting beginning to a new year?
Graduation Day! This was Saturday, May 16, and Mitchell dressed appropriately for the occasion. He actually lost the tassle for his hat and his godfather, Doug, loaned him the wrist strap from his camera.
When my brother-in-law, Bob, passed away, the girls and I caught the Amtrak train and spent two days traveling down to Los Angeles. At the service for Bob, some folks from his church spoke of his unshakeable faith and his passion for prayer. I knew Bob was a church-guy but I didn't know how deeply he loved God. I'm glad folks shared.
My closest sister, Patty, with her husband, Bill, and some of their gang. The eldest kid, Leila, is 
Catherine and Lauren at Cheer Camp (Summer, 2oo8) with other team members from Three Rivers Christian School.
These kids are in the habit of taking wheels off skateboards and riding the decks on the snow. This time, however, Mitchell had a little run-in with a bush catching a branch in the face. That's going to leave a scar.
She's very independent. 
As I was wrapping up this blog entry, I got a visit from some friends. The deer are hanging out in the backyard again! (Did I mention that I grew up in L.A. and this stuff is really cool to me?)
