I wanted to get my Christmas letter done a little early this year.
First of all, James has left for his mission in Arizona. We miss him, but we are happy that he chose to go. We know he will do great for the next 2 years, and look forward to lots of letters, and missionary stories.
Rannon has been working full time, and attending classes in the evenings. He plans to become an engineer when it is all said and done. He has been a great help to me since James left. He is a great young man, hard working and fun to be around; not to mention, handsome, tall, and strong.
Jaden is thriving with her Aunt’s assistance. She goes to therapies 3 days a week, and she is doing very well. She has been sick very little this past year, compared to other years, and we have enjoyed having her home. I think she understands about James being gone for a while, time will tell.
Sicily is a lovely young woman. She is a delightful friend and family member; most of the time her brothers would agree that she is a sweet person to be around. She loves being in the young women’s, and participating in the service that they do on a regular basis, and she still loves horses.
Jonah loves to tell jokes, and most of the time we laugh. He has decided that he wants to be an actor and inventor. He loves to play Chess. He loves his dog Emily, and has trained her to do a few tricks; she chases her tail on command, and sits on his chair with him during school. They are a funny pair.
Calvin is funny, not because he tells us jokes, but because he doesn’t know what he did to make us laugh. He has a great imagination, and is full of hugs, and surprises. The other day Quint said “Hey, Cal, I love you, you love me?” Calvin replied “Ya, I loved you since I was a kid.” Since he is 7 we all laughed. “What did I say?” Calvin asked looking at all of us, which resulted in more laughter.
Quint is still working at the same job he has for the last couple of years. He loves the challenge of sales and the relationships with people at work. He is happy, and that makes us all happy. He is thrilled to be buying us a new home. We have been renting a nice, but small house, for the past couple years. He can’t wait to have a garage, “that stays a garage, not a storage unit.”
Really all of us are looking forward to the new house, we should be in it before Christmas, hence the need to write our letter early, we will be moving. Email me if you will need our new address.
There is me, too, I suppose. I have been doing what I can around here, school, doctor appointments, writing, cleaning, cooking, you know, a family always needs something from their mother. I have finished another story, and am working through the process to have it published in the future. I have started another, and am excited to finish it in order to get working on the next one.
I know there is more that could be told, there is more to our lives than a piece of paper once a year. We took dozens of pictures, and cried our share of tears. We have had illness, and loss of loved ones. We have had changes in our lives, and our family. We have struggled, and met with hardships, and heartache for people that we care for.
Still as we near the Christmas season, we are filled with renewal, and hope. We can see that God has everything under control and that he loves us more than we can understand. We see bright colors of hope in our future with every rainbow, each wave on the shore, and every drop of rain. We feel how blessed we are by the sun on our back, and the simple warmth of a roaring fire on a cold day. When we surround ourselves with goodness, good feelings, good people, and good choices, we find ourselves in good hands. When we make mistakes we pick ourselves up and begin again.
If I could say one thing to everyone in the world, if I could impart one piece of truth it would be Love One Another. It seems deceptively simple, but it is the key to making our world a better place. How can it be enough?
The answer is simple. Where LOVE is, hate cannot be, where HOPE is, despair cannot be. LOVE displaces hate and anger in a way nothing else can. By giving service, and love to others we make our families stronger. When in pain we forget to love, and we become afraid of being hurt more. When we have fear, despair, sadness, we have turned away from HOPE, and we have hid our ability to LOVE deep within ourselves, sometimes far enough away that we can’t feel our Father in Heaven’s love for all of us.
Love is the key to peace, and security throughout our lives; without it even the smallest trials in life can create great obstacles. LOVE is the key, HOPE is the action. Believe that God has a plan, that he has everything under control, that every experience will, somehow, be for our good, and that HOPE will keep the Spirit of Christmas, or LOVE, in our hearts always.
We love you all; our hearts are with you while we celebrate our Savior’s birth. Peace be with you and your families where ever this Christmas finds you.
Stacey, Quint, Rannon, Jaden, Sicily, Jonah, Calvin, and the dogs, Hunter, Button, Emily. The fish and the Cat didn’t have much to say… Love ya, S
Gotta love the Nephew. Only one of mine was here, and my brothers 3 were missing, or this would have been a crazy picture, . Not bad turn around for my parents investment of 5 kids. 14 grand kids and counting.
Jaden operating an elevator, James is thrilled to be part of it, as you can see. ;)
Just me, I know, but sometimes you just gotta be seen, right?
Jaden taking care of the dogs. She did a great job of walking them too, until she turned and ran over Buttons foot. She took exception to that and gave Jaden a wide berth after that.
Travis, my cousin's, first time pumping Gas. I know, but in his defense he was born and raised in Oregon, they aren't allowed to pump gas there. :) Its the kid's head cracking out the window that makes me smile. Undoubtedly saying something clever, and lasting.
Cast off Day. Think she is excited?
Calvin protecting us all from the 'bad guys' apparently we have been surrounded our entire lives, I am glad he keeps a sharp look out.
Same direction, different roads. It is a life thing, Jaden is in the front. And a little child shall lead them... brings on a whole new meaning. But I have been thinking, maybe it is because kids are faster? Just a thought...
Contentment on each of them.
Button says it all. Just plain happy to be with Rannon
Beautiful even in pain. Waiting for surgery on her arm.
Jaden was flying a kite, about 4 inches in size.
Road trip with James and some friends on our way to Portland.
Sicily is in the middle, she is laughing about the games we were playing in the waves. I love the ocean, on of God's wonders.
I sent the boys out to RAKE the leaves, and you know they did, from all the neighbors yards, then put them all into mine. They are still there actually. The neighborhood looks better, just not my yard. lol
Pro fishermen study Jonah.
You can see he is a man who knows what he wants, and exactly how to achieve it. A man of action, that's Rannon.
Grown up kids are NOT to old to play with fireworks.
"Oh, it's cold"
Even when we wanted to do something with every part of our being that is no guarantee that it will be easy. Jaden wanted to go to girls camp with Sicily. One day, halfway in she lost it. It was the best day of her life and she couldn't take much more. had to settle her into a lounge chair for several hours, and keep her out of the sun until it cooled off a bit.
James.
Button and Emily freshly groomed. Before they pulled each others bows out.
This is so funny. I can almost see him at 40 in this one. Saying "huh?" to his wife.
Sadly this one shows my girl is growing up faster than I would like.
Ya, she is falling, her brother shot her through her wing... she survived the fall.
Calvin, this picture says a lot about who he is, who we all are. What do we really know about each other? Just what we can see, what they show us.
Zorro, AKA Jonah. Love this, just think it is him.
Hunter isn't sure what to think about Button resting on his pillow. I love that she just looks at him, "What?"
Jaden is part Fraggle.
Watching birds, and the bad guys they fly around. Have to be careful people.
The prize pumpkin, not to big, not to small just right. His name is RUDY.
Yes, I gas my children every chance I can get!
Niece and Nephew... just fun.
Ya, I'm cute with my new glasses. I can see everything, everything is so cool!
Perfect.
Love the shoes, and the best part is that he has another pair just like them. You know we get the strangest looks everywhere we go. Shoes are overrated, and meant to protect our feet. When did they become more important to match than covering our rear-ends or raising our children to be individuals in a world of clones?
Well Jonah dolled up his dog, the fact that she held still testifies at what a good dog she is. Jonah has a more is more approach.
Nephew dragging the Teri's dog. Very little worry this kid will allow life to slow him down, right? Take a moment to notice Teri's dangling toddler. LOL. The ocean seems so fun for children, who knew all the trouble our parents had to go through to make it feel fun to the rest of us?
Ice cream has this effect on me, it is just better with your best friend.
Yes, well these are my baby birds.
S'mores. Jonah is a very focused s'more maker.
Baby's face is adorable, she has us all wrapped around her finger...
Jaden loves her job of baby holder.
Christmas morning, brand new bike, had to be tried, and he couldn't leave Emily out of the experience. She love it by the way, hilarious dog.
Just love this, young and full of promise, each one amazing!
Ready for Trunk-or-Treat
Sicily
Calvin
Jonah