Melanie enters the Missionary Training Center

Before we actually drove into the MTC with Melanie, we went and took some pictures in front of the gates and also a little video footage. Once you drive in, there is no time for pictures. I don't think we were parked for more than 2 minutes...just enough time to unload her, her luggage, and to get a big hug, then we were off and so was she!

By the wall where the sign used to be.



With a grin as big as this, how could one not be happy to be alive!? Joshua brings so much joy and fun to our lives and we are excitedly waiting for his baby brother to join our family. Being a grandma is a wonderful blessing...easier than being a mom and every bit as rewarding!

Elder Nelson is home!!!

Our wonderful son finally made it home on Saturday after a 1a.m. call on Friday telling us he would be delayed. We were so excited for him to get home, that after his call, I couldn't go back to sleep and the whole day was kind of a bummer but then Saturday came and the excitement level climbed again. Our family and many of our good friends joined us at the Sacramento airport to welcome home our missionary. That first glimpse of him was so exciting...I could hardly contain myself as he descended the stairs. I just wanted to wrap my arms around him and hold on tight. He was a good sport and let me hug him as long as I wanted:) Now the world is waiting for him to make another mark on it. He will begin by finishing classes at Butte and finding a job

Christmas

Christmas was great!! Melissa, Bob, Joshua and my dad were all here to share in the joy of the season. The highlight of Christmas day was when we all got to talk to Elder Lyle Nelson! He sounded wonderful and we are looking forward to the day when he will back with us. Josh was so much fun to watch open his presents. He also wanted to help everyone else open theirs and of course we all let him. As has been the tradition in our family for years, stockings were the first to be opened and then on to the pile of goodies Santa left for everyone. After presents, we ate breakfast and then just hung out enjoying each other.

Joshua and grandma trying to get a picture.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving...what a great time of the year to spend a little extra time reflecting on our many blessings. This year was both wonderful and bittersweet. The wonderful part was of course being with family and the bittersweet part was that not all of the family was there. Melissa prepared her first Thanksgiving dinner and had a houseful to share it with...what a proud moment for me as a mom seeing my beautiful daughter grown into a wonderful woman, wife, and mother as she welcomed all to her home this Thanksgiving day. It was a bit sad for me to not have my own mother there but I know her spirit was nearby and she shared this proud moment with me. I know there will be more Thanksgiving meals in the future where not all my children will able to attend as there have been some in the past where they were elsewhere, but I will always carry them with me in my heart. I am thankful for the blessing of the gospel and for the awesome adults my children are becoming.

Lake Tahoe 2009

Who knew that 29+ years could go by like the snap of a finger?! Sure some days seem to last forever and some years are harder than others, but when you take some time to look back and reflect on where you were and where you are now, it seems as if no time has passed at all. For 29 years I have been married to the love of my life and I would do it all again in a heartbeat. We have endured some trials and through them all he is there for me and I hope I am there for him. We have also had so many joys in our lives not the least of these being our 6 children. Now we also have an awesome son-in-law and an adorable grandson. So many blessings! For the last several years, we have tried to get away once or twice a year and just reconnect. This year we went to Lake Tahoe and spent 2 relaxing days enjoying the view, a concert, a leisurely drive around the lake, and each other. I hope we have at least 29 more years together!