"Bring Him Home, Santa" Early Christmas Wish

This wonderful video was recorded by the USS Curtis Wilbur Family Readiness Group. The purpose of a FRG is to plan and conduct social, informational, care-taking, and morale building activities that will increase family readiness and enable the total Navy family to meet the challenges of the mission and military lifestyle. Here and there are photos of my three grandchildren and their wonderful mom, Rachel.  Seeing these kids just melts my heart.

A Grateful Heart

My heart is full of gratefulness this year. I've been blessed beyond measure with good health, travel, being with family and friends, a nice, warm house, flowers in the summer, music, theater, good books, helping to welcome a new pastor and his wife at our church, a great job, and much, much more. God is so Good!

Christmas Brings Much Anticipation

This year Thanksgiving falls as late as it can be, leaving a smaller amount of time for Christmas preparations. Stores will be opening sooner than ever for that famous "black Friday." This morning I noticed many folks in foreign countries had been searching "Christmas" on the Internet and landed on two of my blog entries from the past: "Christmas Decorations in Our Office," and "The Christmas Season Has Begun." When I noticed this, the entries were from Gateshead, United Kingdom; Masterton, New Zealand; Athens, Greece; Toronto, Canada; London, England; Kiev, Ukraine; Paris, France; and Singapore.

As I write this, I'm sitting at the reception desk in our office while nine people are putting up the tree and the garland on the stairways. Plus, this year they are running the movie It’s a Wonderful Life on a TV. Talk about fun! I love it.

Happy Birthday, Peder!

Peder, age 4 or 5

Peder in high school

Peder with Aurelia, who is now 6

Sarah holding Leo, Peder, Aurelia, and Felix

Just 40 years ago today, Peder was born to our family. What a delightful child he was, and what a special man he has become.

Peder, I love watching you as the years go by. It's a joy to see you with your wife and children. I hope this is a very special time for you as you march into another decade of your life.

Happy Birthday!

Heidi and Marshall

I sure enjoyed having some special time with my daughter and Marshall the last few days. I don't get to see them often enough.

Last night they, Peder and I had a very nice dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. I loved it! Then Heidi and Marshall stayed over night with me. This morning, Marshall climbed into the bed with me and Heidi. I announced, "This is the first time there have been 3 people in my bed at the same time." Heidi corrected me, "Mom, there are 4 of us." "That's right!"

 Nels thought it was really fun to jump into Heidi's luggage.

After baking chocolate chip cookies this morning and visiting for awhile, we went shopping and out to lunch. Again, we had a great time. I had to say farewell to them this evening, but hope to see Heidi again in a few weeks on my way to Japan.

Marshall playing with Legos at the Mall of America Legos Store

Happy Veterans Day!

To all veterans, I thank you for your selfless service to our country. I'm grateful for your sacrifices and am so proud of you. Thank you to your families, as well. I know my son's family has left many friends, homes, schools, and pets behind to support him. This doesn't go unnoticed. Thank you, Rachel. Thank you, Josiah. Thank you, Annika, Thank you, William. Thank you, Hans.

Marshall Turns 5!

When someone says your life is like a roll of toilet paper, you'd better believe them. The closer you get to the end, the quicker the time goes. Honest. It seems like it was only a year or two ago that I was holding Marshall in my arms and rocking him. Today I was celebrating his 5th birthday!

Here are a few photos from his party:

Happy Birthday, Marshall!

New life!

Today my former co-worker and friend, Whitney, brought her 2 1/2 month old twins to the office for all of us to see. I loved seeing and holding them. The little boy, now 13 pounds, is named Elliot. His little sister, Ruby, is a little over 10 pounds. They are both as sweet as can be. These are the first twins I have ever known as babies and the first I have ever held. Later I got to go to lunch with them, too. They slept the entire time.