Our last few moments

Time is interesting. When I want time to go quickly it seems to drag on forever; but when I want time to go slowly, it's gone all too quickly. It's nice to know that God has complete control over time and its pace. Leading up to and going through this deployment I have resolved to appreciate the time I'm given. I don't want to wish away the next year to have Ben home again (although I do miss him and want him home) because God has given me this time.

Inversely, I am trying to not mourn the time that has gone too quickly. Ben was home for 5 days this past week and we had a wonderful time; but as previously stated, it went too quickly. On Sunday, the full day before he left, we were able to spend the day in Portland together. We had so much fun thanks to the suggestions of a few friends. First we went to Pittock Masion. It was bitterly cold but also beautiful and decorated for Christmas.

We then checked into our hotel at Hotel Deluxe. It was a fancy hotel with valet parking in downtown Portland.

After that, we walked to Powell's Bookstore which was a few blocks away and spent a couple hours looking at all the books. Ben bought 4 books with his Christmas money to keep him entertained while he is away.

We ended the evening at Portland City Grill which is on the 30th floor of the Unico US Bancorp Tower in downtown Portland. It was awesome; it is a dimly lit restaurant with windows on all sides so we could see all of Portland with its lights including the river. The food was also quite tasty.

And now, Ben is gone again so I get to practice being thankful for the time God has given me.