Halloween and Bestefar's 90th bday!!

We just returned from a very quick trip to Utah to be with my family for Halloween and Bestefar's 90th Birthday open house. It was so fun to see all of my siblings and their families. We were able to assist my sister, Lynette, in arriving as she had a last minute issue with her vehicle. It worked out great as we have to pass through Boise on our way. We were making the trip with only my brothers knowledge that we were coming, until Friday morning when I called Lynette to see if she wanted to meet up for lunch. She was surprised. Anyhow, we are grateful that she was able to ride with us, and have that time with her.



WE went to Mom & Dad's and had Friday night, Sat., and Sunday with the family.
Halloween day we shopped for pumpkins at the pumpkin patch, carved pumpkins together, had pizza, decorated cookies, the kids went trick or treating together, and had a great time.








Sunday we went to church with Mom & Dad, and then that afternoon to Bestefar's Birthday Open House. He turned 90 years old on Oct. 26, 2009. I am so happy that he is doing well, and is such a joy to be with. I love you Bestefar!!


It was a fun trip, until on the way home when we had a child puking in a plastic pumpkin ..... :-( Poor Jolyn!! She was a trooper!!
We lined the pumpkin with plastic bags.......I know TMI!! (too much information)
Sorry about that!!
Anyhow, it was great to spend time with family and friends. See cousins I haven't seen in awhile. Thanks to all who put time and effort into Bfar's party!! It was great!!

Life here in Wenatchee

Well, it has been forever and a day since writing on my blog. I seem to forget it is here, and not take time to jot down some thoughts.
Our life has been busy since school started with band for Jolyn and soccer for Jalani.
They each have something going on each weekend and I will be really glad when Nov. 7th is over and we can have our weekends back.
Jolyn has been having band competitions and Lani soccer games each Sat. They are of course in different places, so we can't attend both. I feel guilty that we have not gone to a band competition for Jolyn. She rides the bus with the band to and from each one. She seems to really be enjoying it at this point and is talking of being in band next year. :-) Below is a link of the band's performance in Kennewick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7jqxtynqck

Jalani is enjoying playing goalkeeper most of the time. She is enjoying the soccer season, I think. She has 4 more games to go. This weekend we travel to Spokane for 2 games, then one on Halloween here in Wenatchee, and then on Nov. 7th in the Tri-cities. Then we are done for Fall. I am not sure what winter brings, except maybe practicing indoors. Not sure if they have games.

Jeff is back in school, and has a really difficult quarter, but is surviving. He is swamped with paperwork at work, and feels extremely overwhelmed. Pray he survives it all. I am very proud of him and his sacrifices he makes for this family. I love him and am grateful for his dedication to all he does.

I am busy with life....mainly taxi mom to take everyone to their various places.
I haven't subbed this month, but did a bit back in Sept. Hopefully will get some more opportunities to do that.
I guess that is everything for now.

Dryer and more

Our dryer, a few weeks back, quit drying. It would run through the cycle, but leave everything wet instead of drying it. It sucked!!
This past Sat. 9/12/09, our friend & HT (Kris Dahlquist), came over and fixed it for us. He and Jeff had to go and buy a new heating element, but now it works. YEAH!!
No more trips to dry clothes at the laundry mat, what a pain that was!
I am so excited.


Also, on Sat., Jalani & her soccer team had their first official season soccer game.
They played a team from the Tri-cities. They beat us 3-1. Jalani was keeper for the first half of the game, and was injured during that time.
She came out to get a ball approaching the goal, and the opposing team member barreled into her. She and this girl, and a girl from her team were all in a pile. (If I get pictures from a mom on the team, I will add them). When all was said and done, she was up but holding her right upper arm, and crying. I knew she was hurting if she was crying, cause she doesn't cry unless she is really hurting bad!! :-(
I was thinking she dislocated her shoulder or broke an arm................fortunately, she came out of it with minor injuries. She is still hurting today, and has the start of a lovely bruise, but she will survive!!
Glad for that!!
Jolyn played with their band (golden apple band) for the football game on friday night, she seemed to enjoy that. I hope she continues to enjoy the rest of this year with band. Then if she wants to quit, fine with me!! :-)

Jeff is preparing to start school on the 28th of Sept., this will be his last year. I can't believe it. I thought we would never get this far. It has been hard for him, but he is doing amazingly well. He currently holds a 3.83 GPA overall. I am very proud of him for this, and for sticking with it through all the tough times. He is awesome!! I love you, Jeff!!

I am prepared to sub as much as possible this year, to help with financing Jolyn's braces, among other things.
I have had one job already, and another this week.
Well, that is us in a current nutshell!! till next time!

Life with Us!!

I can't remember the last time I posted on here. It has been awhile. Sad... but true..
We recently went to the Oregon Coast, Aug. 10th-13th. We took Jeff's Mom, Walle there to let her enjoy it and get her feet in the ocean. Something she has wanted to do for a long time, and hasn't been able to get there. I am glad we were able to make it happen.
We stayed at the Surfside Resort in Rockaway Beach, OR. We had an ocean view room. It was awesome. We didn't do much in the way of sightseeing except to the Tillamook
Factory for cheese & ice cream, and a lighthouse nearby there. (Whose name I can't remember at the moment).
It was raining on Monday when we arrived and rained again all day on Tues. (when we went to Tillamook and the lighthouse). Wed. we woke up to rain again and then by mid-afternoon the sun broke through and was beautiful the rest of the day.
That is the day we got Gma Walle to the beach with the help of a young lady from the volunteer fire dept. who was able to get us a wheel chair that had beach tires on it.

It was great. Walle was also able to meet up with a friend she hadn't seen in over 20 yrs. What a wonderful experience for her.


This week Jolyn is at Band Camp every day for the next two weeks. She leaves the house by 7:45am and doesn't get back until after 5:00pm. It is a long hot day for her, so she comes home tired.
She will start High school on Sept. 2nd. I am a bit nervous, and I think she is too.
I need to go down to the High School today and get sports papers for Jolyn, so we can get her physical done and she can be ready for any sports she decides to participate in them. It is a new adventure we are starting in our lives, and I know we can make it through with the Lord's help.

Papa Cliff

How does time escape us so quickly? I can't believe it has been over a month since I posted here.
It has been an eventful month to say the least. On the 16th of May, my parents were on their way to come to Wenatchee, so the girls & I went to Yakima to visit Papa Cliff & Gma Vi, to await their arrival. WE got to spend a good part of the day with Papa & Gma. It was an enjoyable day. (if only we could have seen what was to come)
Papa & Gma took the 3 of us to Selah to the Selah Days. (little carnival/fair) Papa bought each of the girls a wristband to ride the rides there. They seemed to enjoy that. We walked around and talked while the girls went on their rides. There was some that only Lani would ride. :-)
AFter that we met up with my parents at Papa & Gma Vi's home. We visited briefly and then went to dinner at The Country Buffet place in town. Papa treated us all to dinner and we enjoyed visiting and spending that time with two sets of grandparents.
After dinner we went back to Papa & Gma's home and then said our goodbyes.
Then my parents & the girls & I drove home to Wenatchee. Jeff had stayed home to do his homework, so he was not with us. :-(

The following Tues. May 19th, I was at my Presidency meeting (which hadn't begun yet_), when I received a call from Jeff telling me that Papa Cliff was rushed to the hospital and they weren't sure he was going to make it!! WHAT??? How can this be? We just saw him on Sat. (those are thoughts going through my mind)
I left my meeting and met Jeff at home. While waiting for Jeff, I told my parents what was happening(through many tears) and packed Jeff & I an overnight bag. We drove together to Yakima to the hospital. He had been moved to ICU by the time we arrived. So we visited with the family and found out what had happened. Apparently, he collapsed on a job. He was at the home of someone helping her shovel gravel on their driveway. After the first load was mostly finished,(from my understanding). the lady working with him said she didn't feel well and went inside. (Papa, teasing as usual, called her a wimp or something like that )
The next thing the lady knows is the driver delivering the next load of gravel is banging on her door, telling her Papa is passed out in the driveway. Someone called 911 and she started CPR, and kept at it till the paramedics arrived. They had to revive him at least 2 times in the ER. No one knew the extent of damage at this time (due to lack of oxygen to the brain).
On Wed. the DR. met with the family and told us what they knew. Which was: there was brain damage, they didn't know how much at that time; it didn't look good,. We were all very upset by this news. They also told us we needed to pray for a miracle. :-(

Jeff & I decided to drive home that evening and come back the next day with the girls and my parents. (Our family and my parents were supposed to be driving to the Oregon Coast that coming weekend) We drove back to Yakima on Thurs. morning. Jeff & jolyn together in my parents car and the rest of us in the van after we finished packing for the trip to Oregon.
Grandma Vi had told us on Tues. shortly after we had arrived to go on our trip, cause Papa wouldn't want us to miss that due to him. They loved to go to the Coast and went every year.

The next meeting with the Dr. that afternoon brought very sad news. Papa had severe brain damage and if he came out of the coma he was in, would not be the same as he was. The siblings & Vi got together and decided to take him off of the life support and see what it brought. We all knew this was the end. It was very hard to let him go. I have a special place in my heart for Papa Cliff, since the first time I met him, at my parents home at our open house in Dec. 1991. He and Uncle Sonny drove up from Yakima to be there with us. It was awesome. I have developed a very close relationship with him through the past 17 years. Papa Cliff passed away on Thursday, May 21st 2009, surrounded by his family. I miss you Papa!
I still have a hard time believing that he is gone. I am grateful for the knowledge I have that I will see him again.



YAKIMA - James Clifford Giles passed away May 21, 2009 in Yakima, WA.

Cliff was born June 2, 1939 in Clinton, Arkansas, to Perren and Wilma Giles. He was raised in Yakima and graduated from Yakima High in 1957 and served in the US Army during the Vietnam War. Cliff was self employed and owner of Cliff's Classics for the past 30 years. He was married to Vi Giles for the past 32 years.

Cliff's enjoyment in life was: his cars, working, racing cars, NASCAR, other people's cars, working, going to the Oregon Coast, the Vintiques, working on cars, his grandchildren, his pets, working, rollerskating (in his younger years), his morning coffee group (Mel's Diner and various others over the years) and collecting (yes, cars).

Cliff was a fun loving, kind hearted, generous husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He often looked out for the underdog and is well known for helping out many in need. All who knew him were impacted by his generous nature, his friendship and his smile. He has either worked on, sold, or given 'cars' to most family members and half the Yakima Valley.

He was preceded in death by parents Perren and Wilma Giles, baby brother (Doyle Giles) and son Robin Giles.

He is survived by wife Vi Giles, step mother Anita Giles of Selah, brother Sonny Giles (Bessie) of Yakima, sister Barbara Gamache (Gene) of Moxee. Children: Jimmy Giles of Tri Cities, Jeff Stevens (Lisa) of Wenatchee, Dorothy Gonzales of Lodi, CA, Jeri Giles of Anna, Texas, Bobbie Braun (Kelly) of Bonney Lake, WA. Grandchildren: Alicia Velasquez (Ben), Larry and Joseph Gonzales, Christine and Amanda Giles, Heather, Kyler and Robin Braun, Jolyn and Jalani Stevens. Great grandchildren: Alex and Briahna Velasquez and Junior Lawson. and his loving companion, (pet) Winston and too many friends to name.


Goodbye for now Papa. Till we Meet Again!! Love you forever!!

Birthday and Mother's Day

This past week and weekend, I celebrated my b-day and then Mother's Day. It was great. We partied all weekend long. My family spoiled me,and I loved it. The best present of all was this poem that Jeff wrote to me and read to me......It made me cry.
I am grateful to him for his talent of writing , for his willingness to share that talent with me, and for his love and support.
Please enjoy the poem below:



HOW CAN SHE KNOW?
How can she know… how I really feel???
How can she know… that this is so real!!

How can she know…what I feel inside??
Can she know… that this feeling won’t subside!!

How can she know…That my heart with in me sings??
Can she possibly know…the joy she truly brings?

How can she know… the magnitude of this thing??
How can she know… that she really is everything…to me!

I wish she could know… how much I appreciate…
ALL that she does,…and IS….what an AWESOME Mate!!

I wish she could know…the little things she does…
Mean more to me than the greatest things…because…

The state that I’m in at this time of my life….
It’s ALL I can do to work,... and study… and to cope with the strife…
Forget the housework, the yard work, the fun, and sometimes, my wife!

She takes care of the house, the dishes, the laundry, the meals…
The kids, the yard work, the garbage, the animals, and the bills.
She even orders my books and registers me for school…
She helps with editing, and research, and provides me with my fuel.
She takes care of insurance and keeps us straight with the V.A.
She takes care of ALL our needs and manages all the pay.

How can she know me…so very well…
How can she meet all these needs… How can she tell.??

I wish she COULD know… what she really means to me!!
I wish she could KNOW… what I really SEE!!
I wish she could SEE…The daughter of God, standing next to me!!

I WISH… SHE COULD….KNOW!!!!……

How did ya like that?
I am grateful for my children and all that they do for me
I have a lot more I can write about those days, but for now I am going to bed.

Soccer Girls Spring 2009

Here is the picture for Jolyn & Jalani from their Spring soccer pics. They sure look good!! they are both doing well, and loving soccer. (at least, that is my opinion)

We are gearing up for a visit from my parents and going to the Oregon Coast. I recently found out I will also get to see my sister Lynette in about 11 days. She is coming to Idaho and we will go and meet her there and spend the day. I am way excited and so are my children. I hope all falls into place for everything.
I am excited to go to Oregon with my mom & dad and my family. We are staying in a condo in Neskowin. Here is a link so you can see where we are staying. http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p316891

We will be checking in on Friday the 22nd of May and checking out on Monday the 25th. We will travel up and down the coast and see all sorts of fun stuff. Tillamook cheese factory, Hatfield Marine Science center, Sea Lion caves, beaches, and more.
I am way excited.

Barbie turns 50

My mom sent me an email with this picture, and I thought it was so hilarious. I felt I should post it for all of you to see.
Hope you get a good laugh from it, as I did.
Have a great week!

Easter Sunday

Yesterday was Easter Sunday. I am thankful for the opportunity to think and ponder more on the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. How thankful I am for his atoning sacrifice on my behalf and for the knowledge I have of his resurrection and life.

I arose earlier than normal and got some things ready for dinner. I put the ham in the oven before leaving for church, and came home after sacrament to put in the potatoes. (don't worry, Mom, I went right back to church)
We had the missionaries and two older single gentleman over for dinner after church.
WE had ham, augratin potatoes (just like mom used to make), asparagus, glazed carrots, and corn. We had a strawberry boston creme cake and ice cream for dessert.
We have a tradition of a special thing we do each year for Easter. We have a basket of eggs numbered 1-12, which we hand out to everyone in the room. We take turns opening the eggs starting with one and the person reading what is inside and showing the object included. It is the story of the crucifixion and resurrection of the Savior, Jesus Christ. We love sharing it with others.
Saturday the Easter Bunny delivered the girls baskets and they enjoyed their candy and other surprises inside. (Jolyn received an ITUNES card for $15,and Lani got a new DS game)
We had an enjoyable sabbath day, and I am grateful to have had time with family and friends.

Dishwasher

As I type this, there are two men here installing our new dishwasher. Woohoo!!

The girls were especially excited with the idea of a new dishwasher. (Jolyn says,"I call first dibs!!!") I have been used to not having one, so I am not sure how I feel exactly. I am excited to not have to hand wash dishes on Sundays when we have a lot of them. That part is pretty cool.
They are almost finished. Here is a picture of the dishwasher we received, or something close to it.


We are going to load and wash to check it out.
Wish us good luck.

Not much Well, maybe something........

There is not much to report here. Jeff is about to be half way done with his Masters Program. After this quarter we hit the half way point. WOOHOO!! I guess that is big news!
Jalani has started with gymnastics again, and seems to like that. Jolyn & Jalani are both getting ready to play spring soccer. mmmmmmmmm. as for me, I have a sub job for the whole week next week. That will be good. I appreciate those who know me, being willing to let me work for them when needed.

The best news of all...................we bought a dishwasher, and it will be delivered/installed sometime next week. I am excited. We went to Lowe's last night about 8:35pm, not realizing they were closing at 9pm. The guy was showing us different models and telling us about them. Pretty soon, the lights start going off, and I asked if they closed at 9, and he said yes. But it was OK, we finished up the sale , paid for the dishwasher and went and picked up Lani & Anna from iceskating. All in all a good night.
Jolyn is at a bday party sleepover and will be home later today. I miss her!! :-)
Jeff is at training all day today, and Lani & Anna are downstairs watching "Underdog", the old cartoon one. WE got it from the library yesterday. Along with the Brady Bunch, final season. My kids have got addicted to the "Brady Bunch" , I remember loving watching that when I was younger, too!! :-)

Not much else happening, guess that was more than I thought I would write about.

2 weeks and Thankfulness!!!

I can't believe it has been 2 weeks since I last posted. Holy smokes!! Where does the time go??
It has been an eventful 2 weeks, of that I am sure. The problem is having the memory capability to remember all that happened, and since that is a MAJOR problem, I guess there won't be much to tell!! ;-)

The one thing I can remember is our quick trip to Utah for Kris's Eagle Court of Honor. It was so fun to be with my family and to support Kris in his important day. We also got a bonus of watching Kris & Kory and the choirs they are in, do a performance. It was simply amazing. It was all Disney songs, and with the costumes and everything it turned out fabulous!!

It was a long trip home in one day, on the way back, but so worth being there.
I am grateful for a family who supports one another in all we do.
Some of my family are struggling right now, and I hope they know we are all here for them!! We pray for them and support them in all they do!
WE LOVE YOU!!!

I am grateful to my Heavenly Father who listens to prayers and answers them. I am grateful to loving earthly parents who do all they can, for each of their children.
I am grateful to my brother & sisters for their examples of love and charity.
I am grateful for my husband and children, for their love and support.
I am thankful to each of my friends, thanks for being there when I need you, and for your love and examples you are to those around you.
Thank you everyone!!
I LOVE YOU ALL!!

Weekends go by too fast!!

Don't you agree?? You just get started into your weekend, and turn around and its gone!! That is how this past weekend was. Jeff & I went to a Love & Logic parenting class Friday night and all day Sat. Finished at 4pm on Sat, went to go get Lani and ended up walking through the home show, and then got Lani at 6:25 and then Jolyn from her friends house.
By the time we got home and had dinner and the girls showered and we read scriptures, etc.... It was late, and time for bed. Then onto sunday, busy day as usual. We don't go to church till 1pm and get out at 4pm. I don't like that schedule. I would rather be on the 11-2 , or 9-12 thank heavens we get to switch every year. :-)

This weekend will be another busy one, so much for resting on the weekends!! lol :-)

Not too much else to report, just being busy with life. Having a bunch of car repairs going on right now, had to have the rear brakes done, and an oil change and now a 02 sensor, which I guess regulates the air flow in your fuel. Very important!! And they say we have a broken motor mount. YIKES!! Just when we are almost out of debt, one more payment and we would have had the credit card paid off. Life is not fair sometimes!! :-(

Oh well, as long as our van keeps on moving, we are happy!! :-)
Jolyn is wrapping up her last few games of basketball, she & I will be happy when that is finished.
Jalani is on a waiting list to get into gymnastics. She can't wait. Grandma Walle sent her money for her bday for ice skating lessons, but she decided she would rather go with gymnastics.

Jeff will be half way through his Masters Program in March at the end of this quarter. We are excited about that.
I have been doing some sub jobs but not too many.
We just keep plugging along. That is it for now!1 TTFN

Activity Days

Here I am today working on preparing for my activity day girls tomorrow. We are making valentines and decorating cupcakes. I have had to move to the church and Wednesdays for the month of February, as Jolyn as basketball on our normal days/times.
I am loving working with these girls. I only have 3, including Jalani.

We will get two more this year. One in April and one in May. I am excited about that. I am cutting out hearts today so they can use them to make their valentines tomorrow.

Not much else to report. Life is going fine, for the moment. Jeff will be half way through his Masters Program, the first part of March. Hard to believe!! :-) So grateful he is able to do this, and pursue his dreams. We keep on supporting him the best we can, and I hope it is enough.

This weekend Jeff & I will be attending a Love & Logic class, it is on Friday night and most of the day on Sat. Should be fun!! We tried to go to it twice last year, and things kept getting in the way. Hope it works out this time!! ;-)

Another day in the Life of Us!!

It is Monday, and the girls are NOT in school. Today in the Wenatchee School District is a day they call Records Day. Something about a day for teachers to do their grade posting for the end of quarter/semester. Anyhow, so the girls have a second short week in a row. No they are not complaining. :-)

Jeff is at school today, and hopefully having a good one. I have only talked briefly to him a couple times today.
I am loving the sunshine we are having here in Wenatchee today. After weeks of gray, and fog, and yucky, it is a blessing to see blue skies & sunshine.



We haven't done to much so far today, except some simple chores, and a quick trip to Target, Lani wanted some Easy Bake stuff so she could cook some cakes. She is in the process of that right now, and on a funny note.........


She was making her frosting and added flour to it, to make it thicker......?? I just laughed inside and said I am not sure how that will taste.......:-)
Life is full of learning, isn't it??



Another day in the life of the Stevens Family................

Jalani is 10!!!!! Happy Birthday my Lani!! Love you!!

Can you believe this little cute girl is turning 10 today?? I can't. Where has the time gone. Jalani CaiLeAnne Stevens is turning 10 years old today. (January 17th)
We met her when she was just 10 days old. What a great day!!
She was so tiny, and man could she cry.:-)
Happy Birthday Lani!! I love you!!



Jalani is having a sleepover tonight with 5 friends. We had pizza and pop for dinner. Opened her presents, they watched a movie or two, made their own sundaes, and had a very unique experience.........
Jeff let them shave off his beard and paint his nails and toes, and even put on some blush and eyeshadow....... Wow!! does he look good with pink toes......:-)
What a trooper Dad!! Gotta love him!! I was afraid for him while they were shaving his beard.....he considered for a brief moment of letting them cut his hair, but soon changed his mind..... can you blame him???
I wish I had a digital camera, so I could have taken pictures of the whole process,.....Unfortunately, we haven't come into that realm yet. Bummer for you!!
He looks good!! ;-) Sorry, Jeff. I love you!!

They are currently all in bed, but not sleeping and it is after midnight. I am ready for bed and have been since about 8pm. lol :-) Hopefully, I will get there soon.
Happy 10th Birthday, Lani!!

Norwegian Lullaby's

Here are the lyrics to the Norwegian Lullaby's my grandma used to sing to me and my children and all the rest of the grand & great-grand children. Jeff sat with her awhile back and she told him all the words and translations to these songs. It is a great memory we all have of her, and that we can pass on to our children & grand children for generations to come!! Thanks Grandma for the wonderful memories.
We love you!!




Norwegian Lullabys/Songs
(as sung by Bestemor Burt to all the Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren)



Norwegian English Translation


KLAPA KLAPA KAGA

Klapa Klapa Kaga Patty Cake
Emoren Skal Ve Baka In the morning we will bake
En Daly Sostre Kaga A very good cake
Og sa Skal Barne Smaka So the baby can have a taste



ROWA ROWA TILATA

Rowa Rowa Tilata Row the Boat
Drog en Bot Ful Me Kvate Catch a boat full of fish
En for Far, En for Mor One for Father, One for Mother,
En for Sostre, En for Bror One for Sister, One for Brother,
En for Barne, Som Fisken Drog ! One for baby who caught the fish!
(^ Insert Baby’s name)



RIDA RIDA RANKA

Reda Reda Ranka Ride the Horse
Hasten Hait Til Blanka His name is Blanka
Hasten Vait Vor Vein Gor The Horse knows the way
Bestefar besok skal fal Grandfather, a visit will get
Reda Reda Ranka Ride the horse

Bestefar

I have had my grandpa (Bestefar) staying with me & my family for almost a week. It has been very enjoyable. Grandpa & I have played rummy, skipbo, and other games. He has done some crossword puzzles, read a book and reading another, helped me pack up my Christmas decorations(which was awesome, as it would have taken me forever to do it myself), and more.
We are enjoying our time with him, and are sad to see him leave so soon. He has been wanting to go visit his nephew Ray & his wife Shirley in Ilwaco, WA. He will leave tomorrow to fly to Seattle, where my Uncle Bill will catch up with him and fly with him to Portland, OR, Ray & Shirley will pick them up there and drive them to their home in Ilwaco. I hope he will enjoy his time there.

He has seemed fairly happy and upbeat here with us. All of us are sad to see him leave. :-( He is talking about going to Ray's, then Bill's and then back home to SLC.
I asked him what he will do when he gets back to SLC, and he said "See my grandchildren and great-grand children." So that will be good for him. :-)

I love him and have enjoyed our time together. Thanks for being here Grandpa!!

New Year 2009!!

Happy New Year!! I can't believe that 2008 is over, and we are beginning a new one!!
It is strange to think of all that has transpired over the last year. Some sad and some good. I have been blessed this year with many things. Mostly with the continued love of my husband and children, my parents, siblings, and friends!! :-)
I am amazed at the love my Heavenly Father has for me, and the continued strength I receive from him each day!!

I haven't decided yet what my resolutions/goals will be for this year.

The thing I am looking forward to the most at this point, for this year, is having my Grandpa ,(Bestefar), come and stay with me and my family for a time. (not sure how long that is yet)
I am excited that my children will have moments alone to bond and enjoy with him. He is doing very well, from what I have been told, with the loss of Grandma. (one month today)

There is much to be thankful for at the close of 2008. I pray that each of you will have what you need/desire in this coming year. Most of all for your health and strength.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!!