A Wedding in the Family

Well, I just re-read previous posts from September and January. First off, we didn't stay a household of 4 very long. In October our niece BK moved in as she got a nanny job close to our home. It was nice to have another body in the house after it feeling so empty - but she is a very quiet person, so we didn't really notice her when she was home - she wasn't a lot as her fiance lives in the next town over. She was here enough to have NG calling her the "sister-cousin". 

For Christmas we decided to go to Utah since that is where CM/MA and VP were living.

CM joined the army reserves in October (?) and was going away to Basic Training in January. We won't see him until August or after. We had a great time there with all of them - we also met VP's boyfriend JD at that time. We didn't spend a lot of time with them, but were able to see how happy VP is and that they are good for each other. One thing that has happened in the last couple of years is that we have some really really close friends who have moved away. Luckily a couple have moved to Utah, so we were able to visit with them. AR spent one whole day with her good friend TW - they ended the day with coming and caroling at CM's apt. We all had crowded into their 2 bedroom apartment for the week. It worked out well, but it was a little squishy.

Long about the end of January we got a call from VP telling us that she and JD were engaged! Our biggest hesitation (which unfortunately came across to VP right away) was that we didn't know him - and hadn't seen their relationship grow, so we couldn't get all jumpy-up and down - happy for them. But that hesitation was overcome and we are genuinely happy for the two of them. They were married last week in Taylorsville - in JD's grandparents home. VP looked so happy and beautiful. She insisted on not doing anything for the wedding. Well, being long distance and knowing that you just can't do 'nothing" when 2 or more people 



gather for a celebration - I was very frustrated. I knew that there would be food involved, pictures to take and chairs to set up. The in-laws were very gracious and everything turned out beautifully. They have taken VP into their hearts and love her like she deserves. JD and she are really cute together - it was very comforting to meet them and get that from them. It was a 'small' wedding - only 25 people there. That was just the immediate family. We really did miss CM, though.

Since VP didn't want to "do anything", I hesitated on one thing for a moment - at the last minute (literally), I detached the back part of the veil from my wedding attire and stuck it in the suitcase. Her dress was an antique white (I would call it almost peachy), so I wasn't sure how the white veil would look. Well..... she decided to wear it!! The stitching had aged so it looked almost the same color as the dress, and there were little pearls on it, so those matched her necklace and bracelet. She really did look radiant. 

 











We look forward to getting to know our new SIL and seeing their relationship grow and all the wonderful things that will come to them in their marriage!

New Mexico????

Well, JS and I have been contemplating (praying, fasting, studying, exploring) a possible move - really a move, not just a new house in the same ward/school/neighborhood. In the 24 years since we've been married, we have lived in 13 different homes - 5 wards and 2 different school districts (besides the year VP attended Kindergarten at Easton instead of Snoqualmie Valley but that was not because of a move). In the last almost 14 years we have lived in 6 houses (same ward and schools). This move will be most likely to another state!  
Last fall, JS closed down his office of 10+ years and business of 25 years - mostly due to economic hardships. He went into something completely different than Hearing Aids. A job was pretty much given to him from a friend who was making a similar move - into a recycling company in their ebay department. JS ended up staying on and running the department of reselling the electronic equipment that came in to the warehouse. While this is all happening, he has been putting his feelers out for hearing aid jobs elsewhere. One company in Roswell, NM contacted him after receiving his resume. He also heard of an opening in Kalispell, MT. After visiting both places, we have decided to go ahead and seriously look at the Roswell job. Of course after making that decision, he has been contacted by at least 3 other places. So, we aren't decided for sure, but it is very likely that in the next couple/few months we will be moving from here.

 I am not all that excited about leaving my home of 48 years. But, I am open to doing what Heavenly Father wants for our family. I know He will bless me to be able to 'handle' a new way of life. After visiting Roswell, I realized that if that is our final destination I will need a LOT of help. Pretty much everything about the town is the complete opposite to what I am used to in my home state. I realize that hardly anywhere in the world has the same kind of climate that I am used to here.

JS made me take this to prove there is some greenery
 (it is along the Rio Grande)

There it is HOT and DRY and there are no mountains very close, hardly any trees and essentially everyone has no lawn in their yard. I know the extreme heat is only 2-3 months in the summertime. I am actually looking forward to the median temperature being not very cold in the winter (a handful of days is below 40). There are some nice things about it - small town, JS's commute will be no longer than 10 minutes depending on where we find a house (as little as 3 mins), etc. 

 I am trying hard not to sound negative, but there are so many sarcastic things I can say (and do) that I really say in jest. Roswell is known for aliens - so that may be interesting to explore. I am a person who loves greenery, but don't have a green thumb in any way, shape or form - so I won't feel guilty about not being able to grow anything. I will miss a varied horizon - or close up horizon of the tree in front of you.

But, then again - we may find ourselves in a completely different part of the country. 

We shall see - or better said - 

to be continued.........