Tuesday, February 17, 2015

A Semi-Annual Update


Well, how have you been? I've been caught up in the day-to-day of life. Moving, then not moving. Packing like a mad woman and then not packing like a mad woman. Enjoying new grandchildren--joy and rejoicing and all of the good stuff. Serving in my calling, feeling the love and partaking of the wisdom of amazing Relief Society women. Allowing for the mourning process of leaving this place I have come to love. I think I am an East Coaster somewhere deep down, even though I am born and bred of Pocatello, Idaho and parts thereabout. I have sent some sobbing prayers to heaven asking why I had to come to love the people and the history and beauty here and now I have to leave. But you know I also sent sobbing prayers to heaven when I had to leave Washington and then again California so I'm starting to get the idea that I am supposed to be learning something here. Perhaps that there are amazing people yet to meet and love and vistas ahead to appreciate and more history to be learned.

Luckily, I am an (annoying) optimist so I am looking on the bright side.
Which is a little easier with the bone-chilling arctic weather we have been 
enduring here as of late. 
California sunshine, here I come.

Eventually.

In the meantime, we have two offers on the house and we are just waiting for the paperwork and etc. to work their way through the various bureaucracies. We'll see which one comes out on top.

While we are waiting, I offer a pictorial timeline for your viewing pleasure:

I started taking pictures of the places I love around here so I can hold them
in my heart and see them in my picture file too.

This is the unique, historical building that is home to our
local paper: The Newtown Bee.

The bee on the roof and the bee on the door...just... too awesome.



Christmas came and went....Shane and I felt the need to have a
real tree this year. Christmas Spirit was in short supply with 
everyone spread out across the country.
 We brought home a beautiful, fresh tree and
the amazing pine smell was magical.

We spent actual Christmas in the Golden State. Here you see our
Christmas Eve dinner. Andy saved the day by finding a beautiful spot on the 
beach right next to this awesome diner. So we enjoyed our yummy
food as we watched the sun go down over the ocean.

A perfect California Christmas...

...was made even better with some family time talking with
our missionaries. Sister Gale serving in the Illinois, Chicago West Mission
and

Elder Gale serving in the California, Los Angeles Mission. We were able to get
everyone on our Google Hangout and I loved listening to the family banter and the
grandchildren chiming in. Sam gave us a sampling of his Spanish and they both
shared experiences and testimonies. 


A few days after Christmas, we got to see family and friends in our
old ward in Ramona, California. We were there for the very special
occasion of the Blessing of our precious Mabel.
Look how adorable she is in the dress her Mama wore.
We enjoyed our time there and the Horton family hosted us
for dinner and entertainment. 
They are always fun to hang out with.


A few weeks after Christmas,
I zipped down to North Carolina for some daughter/grandbaby time. 
I love that we get to be friends now. 
One of the many rewards of mothering awesome kids.


Cuteness Alert! 









Happy Birthday Scott!

 It has been awhile since I updated this little family scrapbook on the internet. I like to pop over here from time to time and look at our ...