26 days...

"I'm about to attempt something I haven't experienced in a while - sobriety. I've smoked weed daily for almost two years now and although it's not physically addicting, the habit of blazing is harder to break than I had expected. My lungs could sure use a cleanse and with the money I'll save from taking a break, I'll be able to pay off my apprenticeship twice as fast! Also, I have a nagging suspicion that I could accomplish far more with my days without the daze :) They say it takes 26 days to break a habit. My birthday is on April 26th so, starting April 1st I'm going to stop buying and smoking weed. By my 22nd birthday I want to have a clear head and a fat wallet and have turned this daily habit into an occasional social activity." - {Baby Brother's Facebook Status}

PLEASE BE PRAYER WARRIORS WITH ME FOR MY DEAR SWEET BROTHER OF WHOM I AM SOO PROUD. This is not an easy step, I believe he can do it. Ah. Tears ran down my cheek when i saw this. This guy, he is going places. 

L. Louise Photography

We HAD to get photos of the family while we were all together, but since Chris wasn't there we didn't want anything too formal or anything, I was originally going to have my cousins take a few shots and then Caleb's godmother asked if she could since she was starting up a photography business in bellingham! Of course, I couldn't pass it up and was very pleased with her work :) Thank you Linda!

Adelstein Family Reunion!

"Adelstein Family Reunion!" 

- I was able to come "home" to washington in the middle of December when the whole clan was able to be there. I had not seen Peter in over two years, I had not seen Caleb since the divorce and was just so grateful that my husband was overly supportive of me heading home to be with my family for a brief 5 days. I was VERY selfish with my time, and wasn't able to see many special people in my life but just soo enjoyed being with my family 24/7 and relaxing and enjoying the holiday with them. I am sad Chris wasn't able to be there but he was in our prayers and thoughts as he was greatly missed. I am anxious as I leave for "home" once again in only two days :) again, sadly without Chris. I am sorry for the mix of cameras here, moms canon, mine and cell pics. I used anything I had around :) Enjoy!!

 {running to my bubba after his awful months of going through a divorce, brave man.}

{ my boys :) Caleb, Michael and Peter }

 {this makes me happy}

{started right away with a new lego game! i could stare at those faces all day}

 {baby brother michael, the tatto artist, rapper and comedian}

 {my eldest peter, almost DR.adelstein, of occupational therapy}

 {caleb :) my tender hearted, compassionate brother, the counselor}

 {mother dearest, our angel.}

 {all of us were able to benefit from peters learnings :) }

 {tradition, set up the "village" with snow, and people, and cars, and houses.}

 {tradition - string cranberry and popcorn and place it all around the tree while watching a christmas movie}

 {tradition - hang all the ornaments on the tree, together. dad always sets them out for us.}

 {the awkward family photo in front of the tree :) }

{peter}

{caleb}

 {myself}

{michael}

 {tradition - we made these when we were young, names of jesus, a drawing to go with and a verse that was about that particular name. we would pick one a night in december at dinner, read the verse from the bible and then pray.}

 {the most beautiful sight. my people in one room.}

 {a meeean game of quiddler - too bad Chris wasn't here, he looves that game.}

{isn't she the cutest?!}

 {mom made me an amazing mistletoe from the shells she gathered in maui, and i think some of the pearls where her grandmothers? :)}

 

{i got my christmas present from Caleb early, LOVEd it, a travel mug that looks just like a camera lens}

 {so we OBVIously had to go to my FAVorite coffee shop in the world :)}

{see my LENS? tricked ya huh?! it's soo cool.}

 {then just the kids went to see michael at work}

 {and met mannny of our cousins at the copper hog}

 {it had been more than two years since i've heard that amazing laugh, missed you kell bell}

{and josh treated us to some food afterward, SOO kind of him.}

{tradition - oldest to youngest - we all take a turn unwrapping the nativity that nanny so beautiful made and hand painted for us, we read about jesus birth and then we pray and thank god for nanny. it was the first time i think i have ever seen my papa cry, missing our dear sweet nanny, his mama, one of the most memorable moments.}

 {i got to meet coralee :) highheaven}

{wearing the little headband i made her }

 {caleb needs a baby. ahh he was in heaven too.}

{ brother in law tyler joined us!!!}

 

 {sequence with michael}

 {tradition - watching white christmas as a family}

 {on my way to the airport i wanted to see Grandma and Grandpa, i peeked through the window, saw this - the CUTest thing, and went to grab my camera :) Grandpa saw me :) LOVE. It was soo wonderful to see them. and I got to see Uncle Mark, Jacob, Benjamin, Christopher, Jessica, and Aunt Sally.}