We LOVE our dentist, hygenist, and the whole office staff!

I don't know too many people who can say that with all sincerity. But we can. Dr. Coombe allowed our dear friend and neighbor, Debbie Whipple, who just happens to be one of several excellent dental hygienists who work in the office, to donate almost a full day to clean our children's teeth, examine them for cavities, and seal every tooth that could be sealed.

Debbie did this all on her day off. Dr. Coombe also checked their pearly whites for cavities. Sia was the only one with a cavity and it was so small, she didn't require numbing shots. HOORAY!

Below is Dr. Coombe with assistant Janelle working on Sia's tooth today.

And here are the results! I just love those sweet smiles! Thank you Dr. Coombe for being the best dentist EVER!!!

Oh, and one of my favorite aspects of this office is that the waiting room is seldom used! The office runs so efficiently that my longest wait was under two minutes. How many people in the medical field can say this? NONE that I've come acrossed. Thanks again Debbie Whipple and Dr. Coombe.

Friends and Neighbors

Tonight we shared delicious food, crazy games, outdoor fun, and hilarious laughter with dear friends Chris, Tara, and Mae Doty, AND the most wonderful neighbors in the whole world, the Whipples.

It's hard to imagine my daily life without these treasured friends. We lived right next door as the Whipple girls grew from giggly teenagers into beautiful and talented young ladies. Just this past March, we watched as Scott escorted Karen down the aisle to her waiting groom. Can it really be that we have been neighbors and friends for eight years?

In some ways, it seems as though we've always lived right next door to the Whipples; but in others it seems like just yesterday that we rounded the corner of the little cul-de-sac on NW 19th Place to see the empty house that would become our home for the next eight years.
Debbie was gracious enough to take this photo so that I would be in it. I snapped several others then accidentally erased the card this afternoon. Ughhhhh! So I no longer have one with Debbie in it! Trust me though, she was just as crazy as the rest of us!

One day, Debbie called to ask if I would be interested in adding a baby to my childcare. We had recently potty-trained the youngest child in our care and were enjoying freedom from stinky diapers. On top of that, I homeschool my children which is extremely challenging with a baby. But she asked me if I would just talk with her friend Tara anyway.

Jason was in California with Justin when I made the appointment with Tara. It can't hurt to just talk to her can it? I mean really, maybe I can help her make a wise choice for another daycare provider.

Well. . .as soon as I opened the door and saw little Mae, I was sunk. I knew at that very instant that Mae, Tara, and Chris were to become part of our family. We visited long enough to get to know each other and watch all of my children play with Mae. With all my heart, I wanted to welcome this special family into our lives.

BUT. . .Jason is a very practical husband. When I called to get his opinion, his reply was, "Beckie, I can't believe we are even having this conversation." He then reminded me that I vowed to never change another diaper since we just barely got our last child into "big-girl panties." He also reminded me of how hectic homeschooling is with babies in the house. I knew Jason was right, so I called Tara leaving the message on her voice mail.

Not too long after that, Tara called. She asked me to reconsider. She told me that she didn't want to take 10-month old Mae anywhere else. After talking to Jason again, we decided to give it a try. Two years later, we cannot imagine life without the Dotys.

Here's Mae eating a roasted marshmallow during one of many picnics in the beautiful Three Sisters Wilderness.
Mae loves picnics, roasting marshmallows and hot dogs, riding in the van. She is game for anything except . . .going potty outside!

The next outing, we brought the little potty seat. Problem solved!

The Enchanted Forest

What a fun day this was. Since this was our last field trip as a group, I wanted it to be something we would all remember with joy. Visiting the Enchanted Forest required a six-hour drive, round trip, but even so we all agreed it was worth every minute.

Charity and Chloe joined us making this one of our most enjoyable adventures.

Pictured above from left to right is Shauna, Mae, Steven, Ethan, Carlin, Paige, Caylie, Sia, Chloe, and Isata.

Above is sweet Paige. She is 3 years old.

Shauna and Mae peeking into the Alice in Wonderland tunnel.

Carlin and Ethan flying down the long slide.

Sia and Mae laughing and smiling all the way to the bottom.

And here's Chloe! Need I add that she thoroughly enjoyed the bumper boats? It was lots of fun sharing this day with Charity and her little daughter Chloe.

Pictured above are Paige and Mae in the bumper boats. Both little girls look forward to playing together every day at the Sibleys. Mae calls us "the Sibbies" Isn't that just too cute?!

Oh this is just too much fun. Above Isata, Sia, and Shauna laugh throughout the ride.

Ethan and Carlin riding the train. We will miss Ethan and Paige. They are so much a part of our every-day lives, that it is hard to imagine they won't be here on Tuesday.

Ethan, age 6 enjoys building all sorts of contraptions out of Legos with Carlin and Steven. He and Caylie are also great friends who enjoy looking at books and creating art projects together.


Thank you Jesus for filling my life with little children, loyal, wise, crazy-fun friends, and the most wonderful family in the world. Certainly you have blessed me beyond anything I could have ever hoped or imagined.

Happy 13th Birthday Isata!

Can it really be that our sweet Isata is already 13?!? Children grow up too fast as it is but it's even harder when they don't arrive until age 8. Isata is mature beyond her years and always has been. She has always been my helper.

When something needs to be done, Isata jumps in and does it. She is a self-starter who needs very little, if any, instruction. She loves life, children, the color orange, and spaghetti! Don't you just love that beautiful smile?

Isata age 13

I love you sweet girl. You have always been a beautiful and loving little girl. Now you are growing into a gorgeous young woman. What a joy it is to be your mom.

Incredible Send Off in Cottage Grove

I have so many pictures of this Sunday in Cottage Grove but will only post a few. Here is Jason presenting our book to the congregation and thanking them for their joyful support. This church has completely taken us in as their missionaries from Pastor Jim, the youth, the Sunday school and throughout the entire congregation.

Their warmth, encouragement, and prayers really boosted us. Yes, we are the ones going to Zambia but we cannot go unless we are sent. Cottage Grove Faith Center certainly has the vision of senders.

This is the second service congregation.

After church, Steven and Doreen Noll treated us to a fabulous barbecue lunch, wonderful fellowship, and water fun (for the kids). We always enjoy time spent with this special family. They are our representatives in Cottage Grove. Doreen was born and raised in South Africa and has been fun for us to connect with.

All of the kids had fun on the slip and slide. Here is Shauna on her first trip through. Notice her hair was still curled. Of course it didn't stay that way. She is our beautiful and very sweet 12 year old daughter.

Leaving is much harder than going. . .

In order to truly understand just how difficult it is to leave Central Oregon, you would have to know how unique our life here is. From the day we arrived, Jason and I recognized that it is a privilege to call this area home. We moved here in February 1990 right after a snow storm which left the skies a gorgeous sapphire blue against the dazzling white snow-covered Cascade mountains.

The first time I went to the grocery store, I was so overwhelmed by the sights that I pulled off to the side of road just to take it all in. Again, I thanked the Lord for placing our family here and vowed that I would never take the beauty of our new community for granted. I can honestly say that after 17 1/2 years, I never have.

Yet, even more spectacular than the natural beauty are the friendships we have enjoyed over the years. You know, the forever kind of relationships that won't wither three months after we leave the country.

Fun at the Park Today

Today, my dear friend Charity and her daughter Chloe joined Isata, Shauna, Carlin, Steven, Sia, Caylie, Ethan and Paige, and last but certainly not least, Mae Mae for lunch and fun at the park.

While we watched our children play happily, Charity and I tried to process the fact that in three weeks, we would once again nurture our friendship from afar. I find myself wanting to stick my head in the sand and pretend that our homes will never be more than ten minutes apart.

We are excited about going to Zambia. But the leaving; that is another thing all together.

Rondalene. . .

How can it be that our friendship is thirty-three years and going strong? Not that it would be odd that we are still friends, but that we are old enough to be friends for more than thirty years!!!

After leaving Scout with his new owner, I struggled with huge waves of sadness. What a treat it was to drive straight to Ronda's and Marty's home which was only 11 miles away from where I left Scout.

Ronda and I enjoyed a fun-filled weekend. I was trying to think of the highlights but it was ALL fun and heartwarming. There is nothing like catching up on what God is doing in each other's lives over a steamy hot cup of coffee.

We thoroughly enjoyed our "girls night out" with friends Teresa and Bobbi. We laughed hysterically as Bobbi shared an experience she had with a black purse. Teresa also had us in stitches when she . . .I better stop before I get into trouble. All I will say is this: who ever says Christians are boring needs to get out more.

On Monday, Ronda treated me to a day of pampering. Together we had manicures followed by pedicures. And then. . .I had the pleasure of enjoying my first facial. What a relaxing experience that was. I enjoyed it so much that I didn't mind that I had not a lick of makeup on when we left for lunch. Although I never wear tons of makeup, still I don't go out in public without it.

Not only did we continue our day with me make-up less, we ate lunch at The Cheese Factory. What a treat! The restaurant was beautifully decorated and the food absolutely scrumptious! It was a glorious way to end the perfect day.


Just in case you are wondering, this fresh banana cheesecake tasted even better than it looked.

Saying goodbye to Ronda wasn't as bad as it could have been because we will probably see each other two more times before our plane takes off. Still, it wasn't easy.

Saying "good-bye" to our Golden Retriever, Scout. . .

was extremely difficult even though I know he will be very happy in his new home. In fact, he will probably be even happier than he was here. He gets to sleep with his new owner Pam, romp in the forest, play on the beach, and swim in the creek every day! And to top all that off, he joins another beautiful golden retriever named Lucy. Lucy is almost a year old and also a Brier Golden. I'm positive, she will keep Scout young.

Oh, and did I mention that Scout gets to go to Doggie Camp later this month? I mean really....could any dog ask for a better home? Guess how I found his new home...from Gina Heitz of Brier Golden Retrievers in Woodburn, Oregon.

Scout at 1 year old

When I was looking for our very first Golden Retriever, I scanned the internet along with books about how to choose a dog. My search led me to Gina and eventually to Scout.

After I brought my adorable fur-ball home, I not only found a beautiful dog (temperament as well as physical) I also gained a new family. Brier puppy owners stay in contact with each other through an email list that Gina created and moderates. On this list, new puppy owners enlist the support of owners who have been there done that.

When I knew it was time to find Scout's new home, I put off calling Gina simply because it was too painful to think about leaving our precious pooch behind. When she discovered we were moving to Africa, she called me. How many breeders do that? She not only allowed me to share my sorrow at leaving Scout, she took it upon herself to find the perfect home. But that's not all. She offered to keep Scout for us if the another home did not come along. I can't over emphasize the relief I felt knowing that Gina was there for our family and for Scout.

Thank you Gina. Thank you for Scout. Thank you for your support the four years he has been a Sibley. And thank you for being there for him when he needed you most.

We love you Scout!

Disappointment. . .

As many of you know, I have spent the past several months working on a coffee table book in which I used the photos captured during our visit to Southern Africa last year to give a brief glance at life in Zambia. I know this seems simple enough, but truly, it wasn't simple for me.


Jason and I wanted to give each of our financial partners one of these books complete with a four-minute DVD I created for churches and anyone else who was interested. I put my whole heart into creating this book and worked just as hard on the DVD.

I carefully opened the first book after the boxes arrived only to find the photos washed out when compared to the images I so enthusiastically captured. The pages also have a yellow-green cast to them.

And then. . .I couldn't get the blank DVD's to burn the slide show. I tried thirty different discs. . .to no avail.

This is bothering me more than it should. The reason is that I have been glued to my computer and computer books at the expense of fun times with my family and friends and it appears to be all for naught. So. . . .I will post some of my favorite scenery shots here over the next few days.

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year Celebrations

Aren't they cute?!? This was taken right after Christmas Eve service 2006. We always enjoy a visit from Justin and Lisa, particularly during Thanksgiving and Christmas.

We are still sorting through treasures to determine what to give away and to whom. Our Christmas tree ornaments are nothing fancy, but they are a collection of 32 years of marriage, family, memories. So. . .my sweet friend Charity said she would keep some sentimental items for us. Our ornaments are priceless to me, and I think the rest of my family feels the same way.

(Clockwise from upper left) Shauna, Sia, Justin, Lisa, Carlin, Steven, Isata, and Caylie Bug in the middle

Church Family FUN!

Fathers Day 2007
City Center Church - At the Park

This was a glorious day. The weather was perfect. Lots of fun, laughter, and FOOD was enjoyed by all. I captured the above photo during worship. Then the games began!

Sack Races

And Sumo Wrestling (this was absolutely hilarious)

Here's our youth pastor, Patrick Cwik, after he told James Palfrey that he was NOT going to get in the fat suit and wrestle. Hmmmmm....I think that's a fat suit...and....

this looks like wrestling to me!

I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my life. This was side-splitting hilarious!

James and Pastor Patrick (without the fat suits)
Both claimed victory!