A Day in the Life...

Hi again!  Just wanted to pop in and say I think I will have to skip dairy products now, because I keep having tummy aches - at least until I've had Reliv longer, and I'm taking all my pills, like Acidophilus and Prilosec. 
I feel well today so far, and I've wheeled around the halls for 25 mins. or so, and now I've been doing exercises with a stretch band and working my hands with hand putty (which feels so good!), while watching the Duggars (a favorite show) and the "Little Couple."  Now I'm going to go over to the sunny spot on the stair landing down the hall.  It's purposely made for being able to sit quietly and get some sunshine through two fairly large windows on the south side.  It's secluded and wonderful, and no one else seems to go there.   I love it!

___

Well, that was Monday and now it's Friday morning and I'm just now back here.  Yesterday was so busy, for me at least so I thought I'd describe it for you:

First, got up around 7 am (sleeping in for me - as you get older, you need less sleep, I gather)
Took Reliv and did test and shot and pills
8:30  Aide arrived, combed my hair into pony tail, got gloves on and dressed half-way, went rolling in halls for 30 mins. steady, all the while teasing people and joking around and thinking up tricks to play on Mark, hehe,.came back here and took a shower and got dressed again, took another test, another pill, etc.
11 a.m. Occupational therapist came and showed me further exercises to do, etc.; nurse dropped in, but left since o.t. was here
1 p.m.  Mark took me to bone dr's. to finally get my broken finger checked - it was great, because it turned out that it's healed okay on its own - it's shorter and curled because of my Dupreytrin's contracture (tendons in my palms getting tighter over the years; happens a lot to diabetics.  So that's good to understand.
He set me up to have an appt. to see another dr. to get an x-ray and maybe mri of my left upper humerus, where it's broken, just to see what's going on and make any suggestions, if any.  My previous orthopedic dr. never did an mri, which seems odd to me.  Oh, well...he was so shocked that it had separated and hadn't healed, he was basically speechless.
I mentioned my right femur, with the curled-back end, but he didn't suggest anything about that.  (didn't talk about that or my right hip arthritis, either - he said we'd deal with one thing at a time...he didn't seem to be the least bit confused, and was very knowledgeable)  It's surprising that the orthoped. team here is so good, since this is a fairly small place.  That's lucky.  He used to practice as a chiropractor in St. Anthony, but has his master's in nursing, with specialties in orthopedics and neurology, and got offered a job here.  Good for him!
2:30 p.m.  Mark and I got some tater tots and then he dropped me at the library, where they always have tons of free books.  I've been wanting to go there for a long time, so I was a happy camper.  Leto stayed in the car while Mark went back to work - he likes to be out like that in the car, when it's nice outside.  It wasn't too cold, and the sun was out.  We leave the windows partly down and he gets all comfy on the seat, when he's not looking out the windows.  Often he will rest his head in the back window, looking out.  It's so cute!
I found a free book on cognition and one on what 6th graders should know (a good, basic overview of a bunch of subjects, which I found interesting).  I checked out the Elizabeth Smart book (yay!) and a couple on Downton Abbey, and one on manners and so on, back in Jane Austen's day, done in a humorous manner.
Our library has so many interesting books and activities, free tutoring for kids in all subjects, and on and on.  This here place always amazes me!   Look here, Ma...I is eddicated!  : )
4:30 p.m.  Mark picks me up and we go to the store.  I haven't been there in a long time!  We get some otc meds and stuffs and some yummy hummus and baby carrots and bananas and salsa and Silk and Froot Loops for Leto, and then back to the apt. for more tests and pills and stuffs.  And I got ham salad and cauliflower soup from downstairs, watched American Idol, talked to Melinda on the phone, did more tests and shot and pills, and that's all, I think!  Well, I know I'm skipping a bunch of things, but that's all you'd probably want to know, haha.

Now it's the next day, starting all over again.  Probably sounds like a leisurely day to you, but it was exciting for me to feel good and to do so much!  Hope you enjoyed this detailed day of mine!

Take Care!  We love you and pray for you all!
xoxoxo
 

Friday Doin's

Hello!  Thanks for your comments, again.  They are much appreciated!
Thursday evening Mark and I watched Blackfish, on Netflix, at Megan's suggestion.  I thought it was super-interesting!  It's a documentary about the orcas at Sea World, particularly one orca.  I felt so heavy with sadness after viewing it; it reminded me of slave families being separated and what a cruel evil that was, and I thought of all the cruelty in the world affecting children and animals and the earth itself.  No wonder the earth is in revolt!  It is shaking its apron of the evil perpetuated on it!

On a cheerier note, Mark went to the eye dr. and they ordered glasses and hard contacts for him.  He'll be able to see so much better when he gets them!

I spent all day Friday exercising, with my aide and then with the occupational therapist, Nikki.  At least, it seemed like all day.  Then Jeremiah, who approves the services I receive, dropped by.  Leto blessed us with a toot, right before Jeremiah left.  Thank you, Leto!  Ahahaha...what a pleasant offering that was.

In the evening, Mark brought me a steak and potato from the men's dinner.  I saved the potato for later, 'cause the steak was enough - I couldn't hold anymore!  It was a very good steak, even though about a fourth of it was fat, which I took off with my teeth.  So ladylike!  Oh, well.  I can't really use a knife and fork, we don't have a table, and Mark had to return to finish the mtg./dinner thing.

I had some dark chocolate right before bedtime, so I woke up with a bang around 1 a.m.  I'm reading 1776, by David McCullough.  It's so fascinating!  George Washington was a real hottie mcHottie!  Very admirable.  And George III was a pretty good guy, too.  Apparently, he felt it was his duty to suppress the "revolt" in the Colonies, which Britain, after all, had put so much into, for so many years.  The Revolutionaries were thought of as a small-scrabble group by many in the Parliament, although they did have their admirers.
George Washington was a Virginia gentleman farmer, part of a class of well-off Virginia planters; they were very Southern and modeled on a more British way of life, only with black slaves instead of servants.  I haven't read enough to know about the other Colonial leaders yet, but they were way underestimated by the British, partly because a man defending his own freedom is very motivated.  Anyway, I'm loving this book!
David M.'s work is always of this high caliber and historical accuracy, deeply researched and highly readable.  I recommend any of his books to you!

Alexander Gudonov, the opera, is playing on the television right now on PBS.  We get two PBS stations here and they stay on all night, so there are always good selections.  It's one of my favorite things about living here.  Did you know our tv stations are all based in Portland?  We watch the same news as Tamathy does, and our local weather cast is all for Portland, etc.  It's so packed with stories, it goes at breakneck speed!  Who knew Portland was so exciting?! ; )

Well, have a great weekend!  We love you and miss you!  Waves to Bonnie down in Arizona!
xoxoxo

PS  I just read your comment telling about the loss of your doggie, Bonnie, on my last post.  I'm so sorry!  /that must be hard, after having one so many years.  I wish you all the comfort of all your guardian angels!  I love you!

Our Exciting, Everyday, Ordinary Life

I'm so happy to have an extra room where I can have craft surfaces and shelves for baskets and a smattering of books and the dvds, plus my own closet with shelves for my fold-up clothes and a clothes hanging rod and a shelf above and room below.  After I finish unpacking those boxes, Mark will start bringing food storage boxes and we'll use them all over the place, in the walk-in pantry, as end tables, tucked in blank spaces here and there, and in our closets and so on.  Then we may be crowded a bit more, but it will feel a lot cozier and more secure!
I'm excited, too, to get some more of the things I want, such as my books that I brought from Idaho (not from storage, but what I had in our apt.).  And Butterscotch, of course. :)
I have a calendar now, which hangs on our refrigerator and has a million little stickers for things we do and don't do: ie.: dr. appts. and soccer practice.  I like it very much. :)  and the price was right, at Wal Mart!

Seth called, and we're having some oatmeal sent to him through a place that you can do that.  It's more reasonably priced than most of their products, which reflects the fact that they have you over a barrel.  Ack!  That's true for phone time and their regular products there at the correctional facility.  That doesn't seem fair, as it only hurts the family.
Oh, a reminder that Seth's birthday is two days before Valentine's Day, on Grandpa Stephenson's birthday (probably a hard day for Jeanne) and also Lincoln's birthday!  Mark's birthday is on the 12th, one month later, and mine is on the 12th, 3 months after that.  Just sayin', lol. : )

Leto peed on his blanket tonight, when it was close to time to go out.  That almost never has happened.
He wanted some Froot Loops today, as a treat, but we were out.   Not a great day for him, but okay.

I like to listen to news from around the world, at night.  It's very relaxing to hear, when they have British accents, and I like to hear their viewpoints and learn more about the world.  We got some new garments in the mail yesterday.  Yay!  We needed them!

I still can't get over how nice the people are here.  Sometimes the employees from the other side, that took care of me over there, come to see me or say hi when I'm wheeling the halls for exercise each day.  They laugh when Mark's there and doesn't see me and I make weird noises to tease him.  Like uhhhh, creaking out of my throat.
Btw, I'll post some pictures here, once I get some things unpacked.  Promise.

I love these slower months.  They give me time to think!  And plan.  Haley, I still need the approximate dimensions of your back yard, okay?  Thanks!
I also love Valentine's Day!  It is a time for me to feel the traditional aspects of it, and the old Valentines and postcard from long ago, as well as those from my time growing up.  And, of course, it very romantic!

It's late (almost 3 a.m.), so I probably have a bunch of typos.  Sorry, but I'm up with a virus right now and don't really care!  I don't feel too awful, though, lol.

I saw the first episode of Downton, twice now.  It's great to have it on again.  I've also been watching a series about the Prophets of Science Fiction, on Netflix.  It's narrated by Ridley Scott and is very interesting.  It tells about Sci-Fi writers who wrote about things and concepts that have come true.  So far, I've seen one on Mary Shelley and Phillip K. Dick.  Next is George Orwell, I think.  Fascinating!

With a stovetop, we can fry or boil eggs and make cheese toasties - Mark's are sooo good, crispy-tender on the outside and melty hot on the inside, with plenty of cheese.  Yum!  I like those and soup, but I need to remember to take Lact-Aid when I have cheese.  That may be the source of my "virus."  Ha.

Now there are folk singers on pbs.  Another relaxing program, kept low on the volume. :)

Let's see...oh!  Mark goes to the eye doctor tomorrow and may get proper contacts!  He's had the ones he wears for years and years, due to being uninsured on his previous jobs.  He was supposed to be insured, but it didn't happen, mostly his fault/choice.  Anyway, this is happy!  He'll see the regular dr. next month, I think.  Yahoo!
I will have an appt. for my finger, at last, on the 16th, I think, and with a neurologist over my numb and shaking hands, later on.  And the occupational therapist, Nikki, from South Africa but with a British accent and very helpful, will be here Friday, and I have a wheelchair assessment thru O.T. coming up soon.  Yay!  I'm getting some help, at last!
Also, Friday evening Mark goes to a dinner for the men, either here or at the church.  That sounds kind of fun for him. :)

So, those are some of the things that are going on with us!  We have the house rented now, but this month's rent will go to cover repairs, and Mark has a $500 deductible on his medical insurance, so we aren't quite out of the squeeze yet, but hope springs eternal! Lol.  At least we can order some underoos!

Take care, and thanks for your thoughtful comments.  And if I'm not on Facebook, I'm catching up on blogging.  I can't do both at the same time and have a  life, and I need a life! haha  I have to pay really close attention, or I forget something health-related that tips the balance and starts a downward spiral.  That's very easy to do with me, and not good.  So I try and keep all the plates spinning, which means either/or for  Facebook and blogging.

If I don't focus on these things, I can't stay well.  It's a lot like Bonnie's situation, where we have to attend to lots of things about our diet and stress and activity and so on. Knowing that she has similar problems (auto-immune problems, etc.) makes me feel all right about paying enough attention to my health.  Besides, I think of our family as kind of the dramatic, artistic, brilliant and beautifully tragic people, like Vivien and Vincent and Marilyn and D.H.  We struggle, but we live for our art!
Oh, ahem, well something like that...we all have our own challenges, and I'll take mine, any day! At least we usually don't have trouble having lots of babies; considering how many are born, they are a pretty healthy bunch. :)

Happy January!  Make some Valentines or drink some cocoa, when/if you have the time. 

We love you too much, so I can't talk about it anymore.  Not right now.  Try not 'a talk about it, 'kay?

Big Hugs!
xoxoxo

A New Year!

 

I was reading some family newsletters I never mailed out, from the late 90's.  When we came to the year 2000, I was full of wonder that I had lived to see it.  Now it is fourteen years later, and it really feels like the future.  From now on, we just get more and more into this century and this millenium.  How exciting to be living now!  We'll never go backward, always forward in time.  That just amazes me and fills me with awe.

The idea of being able to print objects is crazy, isn't it?  That's something I never anticipated.  Reminds me of the transporter on Star Trek!  And there isn't that great of a reaction that I've noticed.  It's like we can't keep up with technological innovation, as it is, and there's no time to comment on anything much.
Reminds me of the early 1900's, when the Titanic was built.  Everything was changing rapidly and people were a little bit overwhelmed at the pace.  Then WWI and the flu epidemic came, we had the roaring 20's, and then The Great Depression.  Then WWII came along, the collective sigh of relief after that, and the spread of Communism and Rock and Roll, against an American backdrop of station wagons and barbeques.

One explanation for the swings in history have to do with new generations coming along that haven't learned the lessons of history yet.  Another is that nature has its own cycles, meant to cleanse and renew itself.  And, as in The Book of Mormon, after a time of prosperity, people tend to become less grateful and less spiritual.  We can learn from history, never stop counting your blessings!  And never stop remembering where they come from!

I don't think we can retain and grow our faith without gratitude.  We start feeling pretty smug, thinking that our own care and energy and effort has resulted in blessing our lives; that has an aspect of truth to it.  We are blessed for our efforts, over time.  It's our effort that counts, but everything depends on Heavenly Father and His plan for us.  He's our partner, our confidante and our loving parent.  We are toddlers, really, navigating our world, falling down, and learning.  We cry when we are hungry or uncomfortable, panic sets in, and we feel abandoned somewhat, when all along Heavenly Father could be thinking, as earthly parents often do, "Haven't I fed you and kept you, all along?  Haven't you learned that you can trust in my care?"

Granted, we are at a disadvantaged viewpoint, little, earth-bound Terrestrial people that we are.  It's hard to remember the big picture.  It helps us to think of our ancestors and how they were true to their beliefs and kept the faith.  They went through life, with its ups and downs, and they learned and grew.  They didn't reach perfection, and neither will we.  That's what the Atonement is all about, to take us from where we are to perfection. And we now have those ancestors' support from the other side! 

We are living through the Tribulation, according to Neal A. Maxwell.  We were sent at this time, to become a Zion people, to rise above the challenges of our times and help our brothers and sisters; to feed His sheep and to grow in love.
We shouldn't be going through the cycle of ingratitude and loss of faith. We are to keep on an upward path, to meet Christ at His return.   With God's help, and the example and strength of our forebearers, we will be a Zion people!

We love you!  Bless you all!
xoxoxo

Last Part of December!

Hi, Y'all!  I'm such a puddle right now!  I saw some pictures of Eden, and then Seth called, and I thought of her being way up in Alaska, and everyone else spread out for now, and I'm just a bawl baby!
I told Mark that I caught Haley's illness, 'cause she's always saying that she's being hormonal, lol.  I'm supposed to be past all that, I thought!  Oh, well.  Maybe it's the post-Christmas, end-of-year post.
Below are different random pictures from the past couple of weeks.  The first picture is of a magazine that Mark got me for Christmas, called "Women  Who Kill."  I think that's hilarious!

Look how long my hair is!  I didn't know till I saw this photo!

Santa did come!  The box has a baguette-shaping cloth in it, and the stockings have candy in them

Mark got a Chromecast thing, I got Chanel No. 5!

This was a little girl/baby in the store - isn't she darling?

Isn't this one a doll?  I mean Eden, not her lookalike doll  :)

Her Grandma Forceski says she was scared of Santa, but a champ at opening presents!

Little,, funny, cute Eden

 

I don't remember what I've told you before this, but I hope you had a Merry Christmas ans a Happy New Year.  We just stayed home, and it was lovely.

Mark or Santa, one, got me these Kelly dolls with complete outfits.  Yay!

Grandma just sent me this one, captioned "Getting her used to the toilet"  Lol  She has the cutest little smile

Mark's caramel corn for Christmas, cooling

He stayed up all night baking chocolate and chocolate chip cookies, from his own, *secret* recipes

Take a big stand mixer

Add liquid nitrogen

to a chocolate custard base (another Mark recipe)

Minus 341 degrees!

Finished chocolate ice cream

Strawberry above this picture

 This is his finished cherry chocolate chunk ice cream

in the above and below pictures

All for the residents of his facility

He does it for the reaction:  Ooh!  This is so good!!

 

We had a couple of days at the very end of December where Mark and I were in pain,

he from gout and me from neuropathy,

but we're being quite careful with our meds, and the salt ("Mark!"  No, really, it was his idea to do that.)

and we're doing much better now.

Nothing like pain to get your attention!

We heard from Seth, and he is doing all right.  

He really, really appreciates it when you write him.

Has anyone heard from Justin and Tara?

We really love living in this third apt.  The extra room and more open layout are great!

Plus, we have a big pantry and a stovetop!

I hope this blog post helps fill you in on things here.

2013 was a great year, with the July 4th reunion and grandbabies and a good job,

and Justin and Tara's wedding, and Haley and Dallin moving back here and getting their house,

Megan and Melinda going to school,

getting to know the Forceskis,

I've also gotten to be in contact with my cousin Bonnie and her family, my cousins.

That's been wonderful!

I've been on Facebook, finally, and love that contact with different 

family members and friends on there.

We started out 2013 by fasting and praying for Bishop Baird and his recovery,

and learning to be a Zion ward and people.

I feel like my capacity for happiness grew this year,

and I'm thankful for the lessons I've learned.

I learned a great deal about love when Heather and Mike's girl, Hannah, passed away

from being in a car accident.

The whole family prayed and fasted for her,

and the whole family shared in her family's grief.

Their strength, love, and testimony have been so precious to me.

I love you all, deeply and eternally.

The veil is thin, so many times in our lives.

Others are watching over us.

I tell you this because it is something I know,

and because knowing this is life-changing.

It is true, and I give you my testimony that it is true

because I love you.

Happy New Year

With Love and Big Hugs!

xoxoxo

First part of December

We went Portland first part of December and it was really nice trip. We were in a min Mattel called the something grand I think. It was right across the street from a bunch of stores and restaurants that were fancy for us. Our room was huge! And will mark was gone during the day then he left me across the street so I could look around. There was a Container Store which was really wonderful store and a toy store and paper goods and a Christmas store and others that I didn't go to besides a Barnes and Noble. You can imagine how much fun I had!
In The Container Store they had so many little gadgets and things that you never would have thought of beside every kind of basket in box in container that was in plastic or paper with whatever metal. They also had Christmas ornaments and wrapping paper and so many wonderful things for Christmas or for gifts for parties. It was really beautiful!
The paper goods store had so many kinds of papers on rules that were just beautiful papers that you could use for all kinds of things. They also had so many things that we're just cool sayings I wanted to buy! We went home after his conference was over and and since then we have been doing things to get me ready and all my medications and everything so that we could move back over to the Independent Living side. We finally got mostly moved and I really love it here. There's an extra bedroom in a walk in pantry and I more complete kitchen and better views more windows, etc.  Plus more privacy because I don't have aides coming in all the time.
I thought I like that but they took so long to do things that we do really quickly that it was um just ed interruption constantly. And housekeeping was just one day for about 30 minutes even though they did a good job for the most part. And then there are the meals which we took in her room and that we get get any way. Over here I'll have an aid that's a home health care worker well actually home worker that will come Wednesday and weekdays if thats what I want and she won't do any housework or cooking or anything like that but she'll um be able to help me get dressed and get my hair combed and fixed and things like that plus remind me about my medications and so on. And help me with taking a shower and salon. If she can just hand me things through the curtain that's a big help. I picked one out to help me named Teresa she's experienced and nice and seems completely capable so I'm happy with that. Her first day was supposed to be today and she came but I was feeling really sick so I asked her is she wanted to stay home so she didn't get sick so she did. That was my preference. I slept a lot and spent a lot of time in the bathroom and that's all. I'm feeling slightly better now. But just barely!
We haven't done anything to get ready for Christmas just so you know! I'm sorry everybody probably thought we were rich now but when we don't have renters which we haven't had for the last 3 months, it's rough. We're going to get renters for January finally. That and various other expenses that came up have made us squeak by!  Thank heaven mark has this job! It's so nice to just be able to pay some bills if they come up!
I would love to go see Christmas lights SMS I'm feeling better and we have a chance. I would love to just see through the stores or decorations and things like that that are out there. Its such a wonderful month and we been watching Christmas movies as much as possible. Marks been really busy with the move which I am totally happy with. We still have lots more to do, but that doesn't mean we can't take some time and enjoy the season. Marcus put up a little Christmas tree and he strong Christmas lights on it and I'm a floor lamp so that's so cute of him. I love all the little things that he does like that. He does so many things for me everyday single day! It really is wonderful! Mito seems to like the floor space in this apartment. Some days he seems really happy in other days he's kind of moping sleepy. But overall he's doing well. I saw a picture of Phillip holding Tut, and it was great to see what they're doing well. Has anyone heard from Justin and Tara? 
I've been wondering how they are. And I've been wondering how Philip likes his job and how he's been doing, plus how Ben, Caitlin and the kids and Linda are doing, and anybody else that I haven't heard from recently.
Bonnie says the time John isn't doing well, that is John ringer. He was laid off for something from work. That's a shame right before Christmas. So say some prayers for him! Megan got root her first half of nursing school! She is so relieved! So she's an R, I guess, instead of an RN. Lol
It's amazing to think that she's on the downhill side of things now. After her next semester still have summer break and then just the last semester in her test! That's not saying it won't be really challenging, but she's said all along that she's had someone looking out for her, and it sure seems like she'll make it somehow!
She really puts in the study and hard work, and everyone has to be more independent!
I've been in contact with Eden's other grandma - she is welcoming and warm, and down to earth and a native Oregonian!
She says Eden is doing well and that she goes to a Montessori daycare where they learn Spanish. She said Eden picked up the telephone the other day and said hola! That's so cute! She says she has a wonderful, unique personality.
That makes me so happy!
Well I guess that's most of the news that I can remember right now. Have yourself a merry little Christmas okay? We love you!
Xoxoxo

Thanksgiving Blessings

Thanksgiving 2013

It's not yet Thanksgiving Day, but it's Thanksgiving Week, and I want to write this and .losend it on to Seth, to wish him a Happy Thanksgiving and hope he's doing well.  And Happy Thanksgiving to all of you, as well.  We have so.     much to be thankful for this year:  Mark has a job, for one thing (his boss got transferred, and he's meeting the new Regional Director today, along with the Regional Nursing Director; the new boss won a big award for being a great Administrator, so we're hoping that Mark will learn lots from her!);  Hallelujah!!

We're in the lower middle-class squeeze, as it were, but we have enough for our needs, and that is a fantastic blessing!  Especially since Mark likes his job, and the location is sweet. :)

It's beautiful, secluded, and quiet.

We're also in a very nice ward here, which is a blessing, too.

The people here smile at you in a relaxed and friendly way,

and they seem to be happy with their own lives.

Another Hallelujah!

 Leto and Tut are still alive and kicking at 12 years old (at least 12).

Actually, Tut may be 13 years old now.

He's staying with Phillip and Nathan and Andrew now,

where they take shifts attending to his every need, I think.

We'll probably find them all suffocated under a mountain of cat fur someday!

Our family was joined this year by Caitlin Cripe,

the daughter of Ben and Linda, and sister to Josh and Bethany.

She was only 3 lbs. 3 oz., so we are especially thankful that she's home and doing well now.

I got to hold her for the first time at Justin and Tara's wedding!

That was in Utah, where they both work.l

Tara's children join them, and their names are:

Alexandria (the Divine) 

and

Eric (the Bold).

They are a cute, cute family, and we're so happy for them!

 Also, Haley and Dallin, and Hunter and Paige, moved back to Idaho!

They found their dream house near where Kattie lives,

and they are fixing it up and making it a great place for their kids.

Let's see...Megan's ready to start her third semester of RN school (she's in a four-semester program),

and Melinda is in the Pathways college program,

and Ben is studying to be a mortician (he already has the clinical experience),

and Phillip is working at Target (I want!  I want!),

and Seth is away, of course, but studying Spanish and Diesel Mechanics 

and other skills on his own, 

and we look forward to seeing him again this next spring!

Also, his baby Eden made her appearance in the family this year!

She lives in Alaska with her mother, Bre, and family,

and Eden looks just like Seth, with a gorgeous head of curly, bronze-red hair!

 

 

Also, this was the year we had a big Fourth of July reunion with Bonnie and Dennis

and the Ringer cousins!

And Megan and Brooks and family got to come back and stay with us, too!

 

We also lost our great-niece, Hannah Buchanan, this year.  She was only 15 years old, but her example of being loving and giving to others is blessing our lives, and we have grown closer as an extended family.

There's more I want to add, and maybe I'll do a part two later on.  Right now, just know that we really love you.  Take care of each other, and be especially kind to others, every day that you live!   Happy Thanksgiving!!   xoxoxo!!