Well--Finally Another Post

It is high time I began posting on this blog. Much has happened since my first post in August and now it is January 10, 2010!!

Our new family addition, Gabe, has been in pre-school since some time in October and has really grown!!! We went to Sacramento to pick Gabe up at the end of last May and the beginning of June. In September we obtained court-ordered guardianship and have since been working very hard to make him a real part of our family. Our oldest, Stephen, who turned 30 July 21st (the same day Gabe turned 4) left for a semester abroad in Kyoto, Japan at Kansai Gaidai University. He has done so well that his Japanese government scholarship will continue for another semester. We are planning on his return in April or May, but who knows? Maybe he will stay there and work or find some nice Japanese young lady to marry.

Our second oldest, Carolyn, (28 May 21st) and her husband, Sam, are presently living in Cedar City, Utah. Because of the economy and some failed jobs they are having more of a struggle than they planned for, but they are so far sticking it out and enjoying marriage. Carolyn could not be happier!

Gabe is learning to speak so we can understand him and we are learning to listen better. Today in church Gabe did better than ever. He really loves his Primary class. Claudia's parents always told us what a peaceful refuge our home was whenever they visited us. I think this is all having a positive effect on Gabe and he is feeling more like he is home and we are feeling more like parents. After the storm of Gabe's newness to our home and family, we are beginning to see the calm of his settling in and our settling for him.

After all these years, and thinking all of our (2) children were grown, it is certainly very different to have a 4-year-old in our home again. How much we have forgotten from those early years of our marriage. Last September we celebrated our 31st anniversary in a very low-key way. Somehow we grow in love for each other and in happiness each year.

I keep my hair short now--mainly because of the hazards of one of my jobs. If there is no hair to pull, that is one less problem! Sooooo--uglier I look now. Oh well--for 62 I still don't look that bad.

As my dad always said, "You are only as old as you think you are." That being said, I am convinced I am still 23 years of age!!! I just can't see myself older than that--yet.