Valuable Visits

2009 has started well. We have had a busy month. Carl was able to travel to see his good friend Colleen and be with her and her family at her father's passing. It was nice for him to see old friends again and reflect on the life of a very good man. He also attended an Optometric Conference in Phoenix and was able to stay with my brother John and his family. He had fun seeing them, too.

After he returned we were glad to welcome Carl's mom and sister, Carrie, for a short but pleasant visit. Our kids LOVE Aunt Carrie, she's cool and fun and always buys them unique and fun gifts. We also enjoyed a nice 3 day visit from my mom and dad--just relaxing and fun. In Honor of the Chinese New Year, I tried my hand at making traditional Chinese food (almond chicken, steamed pork dumplings, chow mein, jasmine rice, okay and frozen egg-rolls...) It came out pretty good, but my mom and I commented on why many asian have multi generations living under one roof---you need lots of hands to make this delicious food!

HAPPY YEAR OF THE OX! Slow and steady and strong---should be a good year!

Joyous January

January and the prospect of the New Year is always a special time. I love being able to start "anew", reflecting on all of the good of the past year, and look forward with quiet anticipation for the one to come. 2008 was a very important year for our family and we are so thankful to see the hand of the Lord in our life. New employment, new home, new baby, new schools, new ward, new friends, new wisdom gained. A synonym for "new" is "fresh" and that's how life feels right now. Not easy, not perfect, but fresh and blooming, glowing, novel, unfamiliar, different...any of these great words describes how we feel.

Hope you enjoy the pictures showing our precious children. We love them so very much, it hurts.

Have a truly Happy blooming, glowing, novel, unfamiliar, different...New Year!