"My Mother made me go to this." (Carl)

Carl (pictured here with his friend Adam) is "enjoying" the big banquet, held last Fri. evening at Moody Gardens Conference Center, honoring recent Eagle Scouts.

The featured speaker was Texas Governor Rick Perry. He gave a great speech on the values promoted by Scouting, and how we can't remain silent in the battle between good and evil in our society. Hope Carl was listening when he mentioned how "Eagle Scout" really stands out on a resume. I got to shake Gov. Perry's hand-- his handshake is very firm.

Happy Birthday to Jessica

Born on Feb. 4, 1984, Jessica was the baby sister 6 year old Lauren prayed for every night!

As a little girl, Jessica enjoyed playing with dolls, reading,writing in her journal every day, friends like Ashley (whom she's known since kindergarten), fun times with family and cousins like Kristyn (who's the same age). She endured much teasing from older brother Andy.

Teenage years brought her more reading ("Sweet Valley High" books in junior high), continued journal writing, a new hobby - scrapbooking, too much flirting with boys, fun times in cross country and track, and her future husband,(pictured above at senior prom). After high school, she was able to fulfill many dreams -- running a few marathons, graduating from BYU, marrying her high school sweetheart, and getting a job that she had always wanted since she was little, a teacher. She's enjoying teaching pre-K at a charter school in Houston. She's also helping her husband fulfill his life-long dream of becoming a doctor.
Happy Birthday, Jess! We love you. May all your birthday wishes

come true.
(P.S. -- the reason you are now hearing the song"Fur Elise", instead of the usual birthday song, is because that is Jessica's song, and where she gets her middle name "Elise". While I was pregnant with her, I played that song everyday on the piano. (My piano teacher wanted me to memorize it.)

Catchin' up on January happenings

Day after New Year's, we drove this car out to Provo with Jeremy (he's happy to finally have some wheels other than his bike). We were there just 3 days, and were scared of driving around in the snow and ice. Regretfully, we never made it outside of Provo to visit Carl's sister who lives north of Salt Lake.

We walked around in a snow globe, enjoyed visiting the Hinckley Alumni Center (in background), hung out with the boys, took in a BYU basketball game, spent time in the library, bookstore, visited some great classes, attended Devotional with Jeremy, etc.

When we got back to Texas, we headed to Emily and Brian's home, where we attended the blessing of their sweet baby, Laila.

Now, that I'm back home again, I'm going to start cutting out this cute material Courtney picked out for the baby quilt that I'm making for my newest grandson, Colby.

Two birthday boys (son and son-in-law)!

Happy Birthday to Andy, born Jan. 23, 1982. The nurses called him the "bully of the nursery"when he was born, because he was so strong and active.

Here he is, a very young Eagle Scout, holding his Eagle Scout project, one of several cars he made for the church nursery. He was a very happy baby and boy with many friends who still are loyal friends.

Andy grew into a fine young man, excelling in sports, school --serving a two year mission (Utah, Salt Lake City), graduating from BYU, while developing his artistic talent, and looking forward to pursuing a masters degree.

Birthday wishes also go to our fine son-in-law, Dan, husband and father extraordinaire! Dan shares Andy's birthday, Jan. 23 (out of respect to his advancing old age, I won't mention the year!). Dan's favorite birthday present will be his little boy, who will be born in about a month.

Remembering KoKo -- Nov. 30, 1996 -- Dec. 31, 2008

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone, that pet goes
to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor;
those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember
them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone
very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks
into the distance. Her bright eyes are intent; Her eager body quivers. Suddenly she begins
to run from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling
together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
(Courtney was so sweet to share this comforting poem with me.)

Another Christmas to remember

The joy of having almost everyone together. (missing-- Andy in Utah, Walter and Jessica celebrating with Walter's family, and KoKo, feeling too sick to join in the group photo.)

The joy of babies' first Christmas. Laila and Colby are just one month apart in age.

The bitter-sweet joy of having KoKo with us for her last Christmas. She mainly kept to herself, being in pain from a sudden, rapidly growing and huge cancer tumor. But on Christmas Eve, when we were gathered in the living room celebrating the birth of our Savior, she joined us. She is out of her pain now, and passed away peacefully this morning. How I am missing and sorrowing for her. After we get back from our trip, I'll post a memorial for our beloved pet.

Christmas is for remembering...

Christmas pasts -- 1954, with brothers Wally and Charlie. Lots of snow, icicles hanging from the doors and windows. Getting up in the wee hours to see what Santa brought and waiting for parents to wake up before we could open our presents. Seeing the decorated Christmas tree for the first time on Christmas morning, following the custom of my mother's native Austria, where the tree would be decorated while the family was at mid-night mass.

First Christmas in Texas, as newly weds in 1974. Our only Christmas without kids. What added joy each new addition to the family brought each Christmas.

Christmas is for remembering all of this and much more -- loved ones who have passed on, family members who can't be with us this year( our Andy in Utah), our extended families, and friends who have touched our lives. But most of all we remember the birth of our Savior, who has given us all that we have, and brings peace, hope, and light to our lives. Merry Christmas to all our loved family and friends!