Nicole leaves for Florida this Thursday...

It's funny how much we take for granted family relationships... Nicole has lived near us in CA since she was born some 26 years ago. She stops in for family gatherings, when she can, but only recently have we begun to really "bond" with her. No sooner had she begun to make a routine of Fudd's on Friday night, then she went off to FL for Christmas and returned to tell us she successfully managed a job change to Orlando.

Now I know she is a most favored daughter of her mum and dad's, but it's pretty well established that humid, sweaty summers and dear old parents are not the only things drawing her there.

So I guess we must thank RYAN,(who(m) we aren't going to meet any time soon), for stealing her away from us!! Now Ryan looks like he's too much fun for our homegrown girl and I sure hope she's made the right decision to desert us - for him!!

Also, while I'm referring to deserters, it is possible Santa Barbara won't be Landon's home for long, either. He is hoping to get into school in the Coast Guard and would then relocate near San Francisco for several months. Lots of things are going on in Landon's life and I can only anticipate "what else" at this point.

Love to all of you from all of us! xoxoxo

I was thinking about NEW BEGINNINGS

It's really funny because new beginnings are really anything that happens a minute from now - if you think about it. I am really excited for Aleks to be entering the YW era in her life, as well as in our church! Aleks is another "doll" in a family full of dollies!!

Now Collin will have a new beginning, too. I am guessing he will find Colorado just as challenging as any other place he might have been called. We know he loves the snow and teaching the gospel to folks there may require greater stamina than he may have originally thought. All I know is the gals (and guys) that serve in southern CA always have their work cut out!!

Then there is Landon, returning home to visit his family and a certain young woman who charms us all with her beautiful voice and songs. Could there be 'new beginnings' there... only time will tell.

For each of us there is always the next moment or two to have that mighty change of heart, the joy that comes from taking each day as it comes and risking the thought that there will be many, many new moments and new beginnings in each of our lives.

Awaiting a call from Collin...

I'm sitting here, awaiting that very special call from Collin and realizing that just perhaps he has talked me into believing his mission call really will come this soon. Landon is going to Oregon this weekend - pending getting the time off - and that may have some very interesting developments, also.

Unlike Greg, I find Obama very persuasive. I do understand the very deep seated hurt that is not something with which I can identify. I've experienced what prejudice IS and I do think Obama is addressing the black folks in America, more than anything else. Their inequality is not something white folks can truly perceive.

I've prided myself on not being racist in any way. But I am, or at least I was. My mother taught me that (black) folks knew their places when she was growing up. There was honest respect, on her part, but never integration...

Let's face it; Barrack Obama is not even 50% black. I didn't NOT vote for him because of his color. It wasn't even an issue of any sort. But I do understand that he thinks HE can elevate the black people of America - and all over the world - to a higher level of respect and acceptance and I give him credit for that.

For him, he is a black Moses and he is crying "Let my people go!!!"

Do I approve of his "Organizing for America," on youtube?? No, I think not...
Is our country ready for the United Order? It's been proven not to work.

SO... for today... I will await Collin's call and anticipate Landon's call as well!

And finally "GOD BLESS AMERICA" - I really think we are going to need it in the days ahead.

Inauguration Day ~ 2009 ~ Am I thrilled??

I couldn't help thinking what brought us to this day. At least 95% African-Americans voted for our new president, Barrack Obama, and all of the democrats, which includes many of the aforementioned. To enjoy the enormity of this day it has helped that I also remember segregation in the south during the mid 1940's to the early 1950's, since that is when I attended grammar school in Memphis, Tenn. I have vidid memories of those years and the many events that have transpired since. I am proud to have a bi-racial president ~ I am proud this country has shown that COLOR of one's skin doesn't really matter anymore ~ I am also very happy that we were not crowning the queen of the democrats, Hillary Clinton, either.

I wish our new president every success in leading this country, but I do not necessarily agree with him.

I guess what I wish to express is my gratitude to President and Mrs. Bush. Under very difficult circumstances they showed that class and dignity do matter. They made their transition from the White House, having made it a welcoming place for the new residents to enjoy.

President Bush led our country safely to the conclusion of his presidency. May God bless him and his wife as they adjust to the quieter, more carefree days ahead.

May our new president lead us strongly, in this almost second decade of the 21st century, and keep us safe upon our soil. May he always be reminded that the leaders of third world countries are NOT like the folks in the 50 states of his united America. AND may he truly UNITE the people of this country as never before.

Happy Birthday Trevor!!!

Today is Trevor's birthday and he is SIX year's old!! He is celebrating by going to the movie with a friend and having a sleepover after. Trevor is a very wise young grandson. He is very careful with his money and could be a CPA someday if that is what he wants to do. Trevor works very hard to earn money and then makes careful choices about how he will spend it, too.

Happy birthday Trevor!! We love you!!

Joyce Taylor's Albums

Joyce Taylor's Albums

January HAPPY BIRTHDAY'S to Seth, Craig & Trevor

The New Year has begun and with it comes the beginnings of an endless list of birthdays. My first goal for 2009 would be that THIS year I would successfully remember everyone who is dear to me ~ in a timely manner!! Receiving a birthday card from Hoa & Richard was so neat!

Nonetheless this is a "shout out" for Seth on the 9th, Craig on the 11th, and Trevor on the 16th!! If I'm missing anyone please let me know!! Seth has to work late on his birthday; no Fuddrucker's this Friday :-(

Trevor's is the following Friday - let's hope they are around then!

With the new year comes all the same resolutionss I always make and break within the very first day. No sweets for a month - what a joke. The 40 minute a day walk on the treadmill; hasn't happened yet, and exercising on the "WII Fit" will have to weight (pun intended) until I have figured out my phanfare, camera and cellphone.

I have stayed up late to finish one book ("A Thousand Splendid Suns" ~ I highly recommend it!) and I'm almost through "New Moon."

Let's hope I will do better about birthdays and special times together this year. Jon (Baker) will be baptized in February, and Megan & Riley's "M.Z." will be born early in the month, too. March we're off to Park City, Utah and then there's Collin's missionary farewell, plus another (??) event shortly following perhaps, also...

Enjoy 2009 with hopes that all of us will stay healthy and happy ~ each in our own way!! xoxoxo