Thursday, January 14, 2016

2015: The Year of Returning with Honor




In January, we welcomed home our missionary daughter's missionary. He went into the mission field 8 or 9 months before she did. Now it was his turn to wait for her. Then, she returned in August. Guess how he greeted her?

Guess how she greeted him?



Guess how we all greeted her (after all of the many rounds of hugs)?



Wednesday, January 13, 2016

2015: The Year of Finding and Reclaiming Family and Self

After multiple attempts and waiting for decades, my mother received in October 2014 a copy of her original birth certificate which had previously been sealed by the court. She had hoped to learn the name of her biological father. Sure enough, on the birth certificate was his name. In March of 2015, my mother found a living half sister and two other living "foster" siblings. Through correspondence with these siblings, we have discovered much information about my maternal grandfather. Here is a picture of my mother and a picture of her father at similar ages:
 
What a treasure it is to have these pictures of my grandfather.

Mom and her father had a few things in common, in addition to their looks. One was their artistic talent.

In September, my parents took a rode tr'p so that my mother could meet her half sister.

This year has been one of the happiest years for my mother. She corresponds with all three children who once lived with her father. We have all been so blessed to get to know this special family.

Life does not always go the way of happiness and personal desire. Yet, even when things go terribly wrong, it is refreshing to find joy amidst the trials. This truth is no less significant when we actually find ourselves through our trials. In this respect, we rejoice in reclaiming that which was once lost.

And,
We Couldn't Be Happier!


2015 YEAR REVIEW IN PICTURES

2015...
  • The year of finding and reclaiming family and self


  • The year of returning with honor
  • The year of relocating
  • The year of wholesome, recreational activities



  • The year of educational pursuits and graduations

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Family Faces at Christmas Time: Happy, Happy, Happy!!!

This is the Fam. Let me introduce each one.
We'll start from the youngest.
What can I say? He's a Butterball!
Then there's Peanut.
His sister is Goo,
and his brother is Doodle.

Here we have C-Roll,
followed by Moyle.


We missed our lovely Lynner Fish (on the left),
but GareBear's sweet KPB filled the void nicely.
Next on the roster is our Fuffy.
Smellroy comes next...
(it's hard to find her in a picture alone)

...with her happy husband.
Here is our #1 son with his much younger wife, 'Netters.
(Sorry to put you near the end, Sweetie!)
Here is my Hero on the right.

Here am I.
This is my Hero's Hero, last but certainly not least.

Now, that's not everyone. Other grandfolks graced our visit to the Mountain West - as did several brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews. Unfortunately, we didn't get their mugs.
 At least, we got their hugs.

Havin' a Bit o' Fun with Christmas Pics

We're so excited to open our stockings!!!!!
DD: Hey, what's the big idea? How come I got a lump of coal?

GareBear: I dunno... We got stockings filled with (munch munch) candy!
KPB:
(with a gasping intake of air) Maybe you were on the naughty list!
I didn't do it!
Not fair! I'm calling the North Pole to talk to the Big Elf Himself!
(Meanwhile, back in Maine) Well, if stocking size has anything to do with it,
we must have been really nice this year!

Fuffy: (yawning) Can we just get on with it?
The sooner we start opening gifts,
the sooner I can go back to bed.

Pick me, pick me! I'm ready!        
Deal with it, Sis!
You mean I wasn't supposed to start yet?

Fuffy: (yawning) Now we have to take pictures? You're kidding me, right?!

Later that same day...

Can I go out and play?

Let's make snow angels
Uh-oh. The angels look dead.
Who could have done such a thing?
I'm innocent. Don't I look just so innocent?

(With a sinister laugh) Moo-ha-ha-ha-ha!

Who wants to have a sword fight?

(clash, clash, lunge) Moyle to DD: My name is Inigo Montoya.
Your son killed my snow angels. Prepare to die!!!!!
Goo: I'm at a bit of a disadvantage. My weapon seems to have broken.
Doodle: Deal with it, Sis!
Peanut: Something's just not quite right!
Lynner Fish: Hey Fam, what's up? 

Baby, it's cold outside!
It's amazing how much better one feels after taking a nap!
And after a delicious meal!