12 Days of Christmas for My Missionary!

12 Days of Christmas for My Missionary!

On the first day of Christmas

Do you hear what I hear?

Joyous harmonies and melodies

Quite pleasing to the ear!


 This Christmas stocking

 Filled with goodies and toys

 To relive your childhood

 And then share with more boys.

Christmas Day Three

Something merry to wear

To add to your collection ~

You’ll have plenty to spare!

On the fourth day of Christmas

This will be something nice:

A box of cool presents

To leave you smelling like spice?

On this fifth day of Christmas

You’ll laugh when you spy

These favorite sea creatures 

I’m not gonna lie!

And on this sixth day of Christmas

You’ll have sweet dreams

As you get warm and cozy

With one of your favorite teams!

Today's gift, 
If you really do care

 Is something special
 You'll need for your hair.

 We know for this mission
 You've truly been called ~  

 But your greatest fear before returning,

Is that you'll start to go bald!

 This eighth Christmas present

 Is refreshing and blue

 Please don’t wear too much

 Just a small spray will do!


Today’s gift is one

That's sure to make you smile,

Too bad you can't enjoy it

For at least a little while.

 This tenth holiday gift

 Is something you’ll need

 Morning, noon and night

 As you ponder and read.

Now this bag full of goodies,

 Some of them sweet

 On Christmas day eleven

 You’ll eat, eat, eat, eat!

And Finally it’s here   -

 The Big Christmas day!

 I’ve so little room

 But so much to say!

 Today is the day

 To celebrate His birth

 There will be much rejoicing

 All over the Earth!

This Christmas present

 Is sure to make you smile

 As you see lots of faces

 You haven’t seen in a while

Remember all these people

 Miss and love you too!

  And wish many blessings

To always shine on you. 

Return with Honor

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Day 64 ~ A Few New Pictures

Well it finally came!  My Mother's Day card from Greg with a memory card enclosed!  It doesn't matter that the card was a week late   - I love, love, love looking at pictures, especially those from my kids, far away.  There were only about a dozen pictures that he's snapped over the last couple of months, but I'll take what I can get!   It occurred to me that these are likely the last pictures he'll be sending home. About 9 more weeks!  We're seriously in the home stretch now!

 These two are from a pizza challenge he participated in - He and Elder Dela Cruz had to eat the whole thing!

 Alas, they couldn't do it!  Boy do they look miserable!

Day 71 ~ Short, but Sweet

Short, but sweet - that's how I would describe our conversation with Mark this morning. It was only about a 30 minute conversation, just enough time to know that he's doing well and is ready to get to New York.  It was strange, he sounded different.  I wasn't expecting that.  But it was different in a good way - very mature sounding.  I know, Mark???  He said that Spanish is coming along well, probably not as good as he would like, but well enough to get by once he makes it to New York.  He's just anxious to get there!

So, yes it was short, but oh so very sweet!  I will have to cherish the memory for quite a while.  Christmas is a distant 7 1/2 months away.  That thought makes me a little bit sad, but I'll take comfort knowing that's he's heading to where he longs to be and just pray that he's happy.  I know that the Lord will bless him as he teaches and serves, and that he will be a blessing to others!

I trust that he will love New York and certain people in New York will love him too!  I sure do!

Day 72 ~ The Day Between Two Phone Calls

This sounds like a rather odd title to a posting, I know.  Yesterday after a day at work that can only be described as horrendous (trust me, that's all you want to know about it), I got home just in time to talk to Greg.  He filled us in on what he's been up to and what he's looking forward to in a couple of months once he's home.  All of the kids, except Todd, who was sleeping, were able to talk to him for a while.  We were able to conference in his grandparents as well.  It's so reassuring to hear the sound of his voice and know that he's not just okay, but doing really, really well!  When he said "bye", I was, for once, excited.  Because the next time I hear his voice he will either be on his way home or already in my arms.

Tomorrow morning, early, will be another phone call.  Actually in just a few hours as it's technically already morning!  As early as 6, our time, Mark will be calling from the airport.  He will be on his way to New York.   It seems rather odd to me because I hugged him goodbye two months ago.  But he hasn't really started his adventure yet.  Tomorrow it begins!  I can only imagine how excited he must be.  I wonder if he will be able to sleep tonight, and also wonder how he managed to get everything packed again.  He spoke to Mike for a few short minutes this afternoon, asking him to please increase the limit on his Amex card so that he can check another bag at the airport.  That means he had trouble packing all his "stuff".  But, really how do you pack when you're going off for two years and make it fit in 2 suitcases and 2 carry-on bags????  I'm so eager to talk to him.  His letters, emails and pictures convey an excitement that I long to confirm in his voice.

My pictures today are of both these boys at the MTC.  Both think they can climb walls and are some kind of superheroes.  And to me they are!

Day 78 ~ One Week to Go

Today I will get my last email from Mark while he is in the MTC.  Next Tuesday, I will get to talk to him on the phone as he waits in the airport for his flight to New York.  He's doing so well and I'm so proud of him.    He sent some pictures home last week, so I will share one or two, or maybe five.

You can read about his most recent adventures at www.marksnymission.blogspot.com

Yes, so proud!  

Day 92 - Mark in the MTC

Well since I've finally got my Smilebox working again, I decided to post Mark's pictures from his first couple of weeks at the Missionary Training Center in Provo.  He looks like he's very happy and his letters and emails home pretty much testify of that!  He can't wait to get to New York ~ his Spanish is coming along quite well.

I am so very proud of both Mark and Greg!

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Day 96 ~ More Mission Bound (3 gone, 1 more to go)

Last night we bid farewell to 2 more young men who are soon to become missionaries! We will miss you Jackson and RJ ~ God be with you till we meet again. The people in Russia and France will be blessed, as will you!

  Jackson in back;  Tre, RJ and Mark in front -  This was in 2004 during a scout hike in St Louis.

 Last year - Mark, Jackson and Tre before Prom

 Three musketeers on Prom Night

 RJ, Mark, Tre, Jackson - Graduation Night

 Mark and RJ the night before Mark left

Jackson and Mark the night before Mark left

2010 thus far. . .

So 2010 began noisily as it should have. We welcomed in the New Year with friends and spent all of New Years day packing for our trip home to Louisiana. Mark's girlfriend, Melissa, came over to help him pack and say "bye."

We left that night and drove through the night arriving in Livington early the next morning. Mark's best friend Tre' was our traveling buddy once again.



The week passed rather quickly but we enjoyed our time with Michael's parents. Mike and his dad took the kids on a boat ride on the Amite River despite the unusually cold temperature. It definitely felt a little more like Missouri while we were there.

We also spent a day in New Orleans, walking through the French Quarter, eating poboys and muffalatas at Cafe Maspero's and later beignets at Cafe du Monde. It's becoming an annual tradition. Mike's mom fed us wonderfully well too. We savored every bite of seafood gumbo, pot roast, spaghetti, barbecued chicken, not to mention 2 huge red velvet cakes, homemade chocolate pies and rolls. Plus there was some dirty rice, boiled shrimp, a king cake and I've likely forgotten what else contributed to the nearly 5 pounds I gained.

After we arrived home I began looking for another job. I could tell it was time for me to leave the nursing home behind. Plus I needed full time hours and Mike and I were both beginning to become stressed. Fortunately things turned out as I knew they would. I had faith that Heavenly Father had something in mind. Just home this is what it was ~ I start a new job tomorrow at DePaul Hospital. I will be working on a cardiac telemetry unit: taking care of patients following MIs, cardiac surgeries and procedures; a stepdown from the ICU. I am excited about the new challenges ahead and yes, somewhat nervous too! I am anxious to learn much more.

Other events from January include Thomas turning 10,

the pinewood derby at Cub Scouts

and the Saints making it to the Superbowl! February is already halfway gone ~ Todd turned 13 last week

and well, the Saints actually WON the Superbowl!!! We had a bunch of friends over to watch the game and help celebrate this long awaited victory. We in complete N'Awlins fashion had tons of food. I even found a local bakery that had black and gold king cake and Saints cookies. Sweet! This was special to any fan New Orleans born and raised as we are. But it was a bittersweet time as Greg who is undoubtedly one of their biggest fans was not here to savor this moment in history. In fact he didn't even get to watch the game as he was busy doing what he set out to do: teaching others about our Church and the Saviour. But I crafted a "stick Greg" as he will forever be known that watched the game with us and "paced" back and forth during the tense moments.

It's taken me forever to get this post situated the way I wanted. It's snowing again tonight. Time for bed now. Traffic will likely be horrible as I venture to my first day of orientation. Wish me luck!

Happy Birthday Greg

Early New Years resolution ~ write more in my blog. More than every 4 months anyway! And update the music in my playlist!

I'm writing today because I'm feeling kind of happy, yet kind of sad. 20 years ago today at 11:36 am a beautiful baby boy was born. Greg was always a bundle of energy, always very alert, very wakeful at times that I didn't want him to be. He was my only baby that really had bouts of colic. Oh how he loved to swing, and swing, and swing! Sometimes he'd be swinging at 3 in the morning. Only constant repetitive movement would keep him quiet. Like the spin cycle on the washer. Been there, done that. But it was short lived as the spin cycle only lasts a few minutes. Constant white noise would keep him hushed too, like the sound of a vacuum cleaner's hum, the static sound from the TV when a channel won't come in. He outgrew the colic in a few weeks, but the constant motion and noise continued. He was always into everything, climbing, running, making noises!

That energy was channeled into sports soon enough: baseball, soccer, basketball, and last but most definitely NOT least... football. He loved football: watching it, playing it. He played in middle school and into his Freshman year of high school. He continues to love watching it, both college football and the NFL. He is, without a doubt, the New Orleans Saints #1 fan!

That constant energy manifested itself in ADD symptoms, difficulty paying attention and organizing his time. Greg also loved to talk, and still continues to enjoy conversation about his interests: sports, politics, entertainment and now religion and his faith.

And so here I am, missing him terribly but so proud of him and the energy he is expending right now. Only he's not watching his favorite team as they make history and are Super Bowl bound. He's not staying up all night any more playing his favorite games on his XBox. He's no longer debating friends, family and teachers about politics. His stereo is no longer blasting his favorite country tunes. His time and energy are spent in much more noble endeavors. The late nights are no more, unless he is struggling with insomnia. The music and sports are mostly things of the past. Greg is now busy finding souls to teach, giving service to those in need. Those busy little feet that were always running and jumping have grown to become steadfast and sure, filling shoes that are likely becoming worn from constant walking and pedaling. The tiny 6 pound 14 ounce babe has matured in mind, spirit and body. I do truly miss him terribly at times, but take comfort in the knowledge that he is Okay.

Sometimes I imagine hearing his odd noises, banshee yells, and nervous hand rubbing...

I cherish those memories, yet I realize he's creating new ones, touching people's lives in countless ways. I can yet hear the pitter patter of his little feet running toward me. But then I hear the sound of those same feet, slower and more steady walking away from me and towards a

new world just waiting.

Christmas Letter 2009

A merry, merry Christmas to Family and Friends!

2009 has been a year of Changes . . .

Michael’s time with Thomson~Reuters is officially over. We are grateful for the many months he has had to prepare for the layoff. During this time, after much prayer and consideration, he decided it was time to venture on his own and has started his own consulting business, Expense Reduction Analysts. He already has begun work with a couple of clients and has some promising prospects for the new year.

Gracie completed nursing school in May, began working as a treatment nurse at a local long term care facility in June, and passed boards in July so can officially add RN to her title. She has been working part~time since then, but will begin full time hours in January. The work has been more enjoyable than expected, but at the time of this letter is seriously considering applying for a hospital position.

Greg is away from us this Christmas. He is currently serving a 2 year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter~day Saints in the Boise Idaho Mission. He is presently serving in Caldwell, Idaho and seems to be loving it. His letters and emails home are encouraging and upbeat, which for Greg is a wonderful thing! We miss him terribly but are so proud of his decision to serve and teach others of Christ. He has immersed himself in teaching and service to others. For those of you back home in Louisiana, we have said that he is the New Orleans Saints’ good luck charm. How else could they be doing so well, if not for the service of their Number 1 Fan! Before he left, he predicted this would be their year and that he would miss seeing them play. But then again, he always says it’s their year. LOL

Mark is a Senior in high school this year. It’s hard to believe we’ll have another one graduating soon. He decided not to play hockey this year, but ran Cross Country in the Fall and beat his previous times. He is looking forward to playing Lacrosse in the Spring. He enjoys writing and is seriously contemplating a future in broadcast journalism. So many comment on his great speaking voice, so who knows?? For now he stays busy hanging out with his friends and his girlfriend and working at Waterway Carwash.

Lindsay, a Junior, spent the beginning of the school year cheering for the high school football team. She is doing terrific in school, as always, taking two college level classes in Spanish and Anatomy & Physiology. She spends her spare time hanging out with friends, babysitting and making sandwiches at Quizno’s. She’s become a beautiful young lady and has a fun personality.

Todd is in 7^th grade. He is all about ice hockey right now and pretty much nothing else. He plays C team for the high school, which is the prep team for present and future high school players. He holds his own out on the ice and isn’t afraid to check (hit) a Freshman or Sophomore who is much BIGGER than him! He’s already scored 2 goals so far this season and is only 1 of 3 7^th graders to make the team!

Thomas will be 10 in January. He has adjusted well to the changes 4^th grade brings and we are adjusting to his recent diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome, which is a high functioning type of Autism. He still loves Math and his video games. He has earned his first degree red belt in Tae Kwon Do. He’s also a terrific speller and will be representing his class again this year in the Spelling Bee.

Garrett is now 4 and so not a baby anymore. He goes to Preschool twice a week. He mastered the potty in the Spring before he turned 4 which was a huge relief! He loves Batman, Spiderman and Transformers, loves to sing songs and is in constant motion. Life is never dull when Garrett is around! His constant energy reminds us of Greg and he also shares many of Greg’s mannerisms, but continues to look more like Todd.