December Already!

It's been a memorable and wonderful year, with Christmas activities in full swing now, the year 2009 is coming to its end very fast. Since last posting, we've enjoyed our family's FHE Thanksgiving, being with the Pierces on Thanksgiving Day, finishing up [almost] classes and scoring major projects, attending concerts and Christmas programs and university dinners and receptions--including Megan's Brass Ensemble's performance, decorating our holiday home, spending time with the kids and grands, keeping up with college football and seeing who gets upset--Sorry Iowa Hawkeyes!--We've also had fun making dinner for Megan's roommates, preparing, addressing, and mailing our 2009 Family Photo Scrapbook Update to friends and all, and of course Christmas shopping and getting menus and gifts ready, wrapped, and sent. I'm leaving out many, MANY details, but the gist of each of these events and activities is easy to picture. Too many highlights . . . I love this season. Especially now that I'm healthy again.

I still love, L O V E my days at home, though. Any night or day at home is totally pleasant for me. We've had good, dry-ish mostly, weather, so no complaints in that department. Bright Hawaiian Christmas days, for sure this December so far, just like the song.
Last week worked perfectly for Pierces to be away on a surprise trip for their boys to Disneyland. It was project week to finish up and score for my classes, so now it will be more focus time for Trevor when he is here for homeschooling M-W [Phonics and Lang. Arts] and for Devin and Kyle and their Nanna dates here, too. Bryson is growing much, and budding a personality, for sure. Miss Kylee now crawls and pulls herself up, so she is joining the boy cousins in adventures when she can. Keeps mommy Jenny busy....so do the boys for their Lindsey mom! Avery--now known often as "Aves"-- is growing and now attends part time day care so Mommy Erin can get some rest during the days since he is napping less. Her night shifts are varied with some days, too. Variety is nice. Snow...deep white snow...and some ice have blanketed their Pennsylvania home this past week, too. They did get out to do some sledding. I wouldn't mind seeing some of that white stuff . . . for a LITTLE while, anyway. I'd be tired of it by January, which is how it used to be many years ago when we lived in 4 Seasons Country.

25 Years in Hawaii. . . calling to mind those who were here then and those whom we still see coming and going here in Laie. Jenny now lives in the ward where we lived when we first arrived here--Laie 1st Ward. She is serving in YW and sees the grown up kids she used to be with in Primary as leaders in the auxiliaries. A fun revisit for her and Aaron, too. Hawaii never leaves you, even if you go away for awhile. We're grateful for our time and life's experiences we've spent at BYUH and in Laie. Changes, yes, but in some ways still the same. Progress is good, tradition is also; we like both.

And such is the J O Y that is found and given in simplicity. May we each feel family is the source of our "HAVE"s of life: being Heard, Appreciated, Valued, Encouraged. When I feel these, I truly know J O Y in those I love most.

Wishing all a blessed December.