OCTOBER 2016

Oh boy, I hope I can catch up with this crazy but amazing year!  Maybe if I go backwards, I'll be able to remember everything I've done.

Marg and I just got back from our trip down the Mississippi River on the American River Queen.

American River Queen

Browning shop - Nauvoo

This is a trip that's been planned for a year and I have to say I was not very excited about it since I have been gone so much lately and especially since I knew there would be 

bus excursions which I truly don't love.  As it turned out, it was a very special experience!

We left from St. Paul Minnesota and cruised through 4 other states (Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Missouri and even drove over the boarder to Arkansaw).  By the time we docked in St. Louis, Marg and I opted to rent a car and drive to Branson (our extension trip) while the others toured Springfield Illinois and stayed a night in St. Louis.  It was a great decision and we had a good little rest from the buses and crowd, who were all very nice but mostly an older group.  The Branson shows were spectacular and I would go again for the entertainment.  Many LDS family groups have shows there and they are amazing!

Sid:

I've been seeing Sid pretty regularly.  The above is a picture of him fishing on Bear Lake in September.  We've had many adventures and it seems that the 3 hour trip between us hasn't been a big issue as we've been able to meet in Salt Lake, Bear Lake or Pocotello or Idaho falls without too trouble.  The picture below is from our trip to Afton with his sister Vicki and husband Bernard to the Afton Temple open  house.  Summer was over in a flash and it was unique as I spent a lot of it with Sid.

It will be a year next month since we began messaging (online - grown) and talking on the phone.  December 4th was our first date!  He met me at one of our Christmas programs then took me to a singles dance at the Capitol.  In January we met at Bear Lake for a weekend which proved to be surprisingly so fun and easy.  On a date to Salt Lake later that month, he (very impromptu), invited me to go to San Carlos Mexico (that day) where he leases a home in a gated community.  After checking with all my children to see what they thought about me going out of country with a bit of a 'stranger', we took off and spent a quick week there.  Have you ever 'driven' to Mexico? It was a lot of fun driving and talking and it gave us a chance to get pretty well acquainted.  From then on we have been together pretty steadily, although I have known he has dated occasionally in between.  This fact became apparent this summer - which started my real roller coaster ride.  By now I had become pretty fond of him and he of me and so I had no idea that he'd had any time to date anyone else.  We've camped,hunted mushrooms and asparagus, tubed down the snake river, sailed, kayaked, cooked and played together at his Idaho Falls home, Bear Lake and St. George and he has had plenty of opportunity to bond with my family.  I have only met two of his four sons but they are very nice young men and I'm hoping to meet the others before too long.  

Putting myself in a position to date again has made me pretty vulnerable and down right scared of having my heart broken....again!  I had no idea my life would take on this kind of angst; the dating scene.  Sid has made it so fun to be together and we do have such a 'connection' with his growing up north of Bear Lake, his love of hunting and adventuring and sense of humor, that it's been hard to resist his charms.  On my return from the Mississippi trip last Friday he surprised me and picked me up at the airport from Branson.  He hasn't been much for surprises and his work in Pocotello has kept him so busy lately, that it was such a fun thing to see him drive up in his 'pick up'!  We've traveled many times to another project site he is working on in Milford Utah and then we usually head to St. George to spend a few days from there.  We've traveled to California to his sisters wedding and other trips together which has made us pretty aware of each others qualities and 'quirks'!  No one is without, yes?  So, as you've gathered, I like this man.  He makes me laugh, he values his testimony and is active in the church and has such a nice way with people.  He is just plain comfortable to be with, funny.  I's also so nice to have a  hand to hold.  I have mixed feelings about liking someone so much, because as you know, I had the best in Jim.  I believe that' our great marriage is why it's been so easy for me to love having a new companionship and..... maybe why, since he comes from a divorce, it's more difficult for him to make any kind of commitment.  I've made this relationship a serious matter of personal prayer and of leaning on the Lord's will for me. So, I will go forward with my new mantra from the scriptures....'stand steadfast in faith for that which is to come'!

Marianne turned 30 this September 29th and she invited me to join their family at Disneyland.  Again, just the right amount of vacation and lots of fun with this cute family

Disneyland with Welches - September

SUMMER 2016 

Sid with one of his planes

 

Bear Lake Patterson reunion

Ava Welch

In July Pat and Bob's families invited me to join them in Yellowstone for a fun 4 days of camping.  We had a great time and saw many things that I haven't yet seen there.  These kids really like to camp....my other children, not so much!  They're a fun group.

The latter part of May and early June, my siblings and I went on the FF Less tour to the British Isles.  It was almost a three week trip and with building going on at Bear Lake this summer.  It was completed in time for us to use in July and has been, I think, something Jim would have approved of and loved.  On our cruise we visited historic sites in London and Ireland and Scotland, the latter where we were able to take a side trip and visit Clackmannon, the home of our Patterson ancestors.  The boat was nice but I've made a discovery.  I do not like big crowds anymore.  The river boat held 500 (just right), the cruise ship, 2000 (too big).  I also think that I'm not likely to take another long trip without having a partner.  I just get too lonesome (it's a problem).  The Lord is trying hard to teach me trust and patience with these changes in my life and I hope I'm learning what I need to know.  Getting home was almost a relief but in retrospect, it was a wonderful trip and I think I was 'missed'  always a good thing.

 

Clackmannon Scotland - June 2016

 

 Scotland Highlands

Loch Ness

Going back to the spring, Ben and his family invited me to spend some time with them at their time share in Newport California during April Conference.  It was a fun outing and just the right amount of time away.  This is also a fun group!

 

Newport Beach April 2016

Shortly after that, they sold their home and moved in with me (with their two dogs) making our dog count three.  I have to admit that it has been a blessing in many ways.  I've been able to travel to Idaho Falls and Boise and points beyond and not worry about leaving Rosie, although I know she has suffered for my absence.  Wish I didn't love her so much.  We've been through a lot together since Jim's death and it would be hard to part with her.  Ben and Whitney have been very helpful and easy to live with and I have appreciated their help and company when I've been home.  Ben, and all my children, have been good counselors as I've worked my through these experiences and my 'ride' this year.  My children are wiser than their mother and each have something to offer to help me take life as it comes.

As I said, the new building at the lake (Poppy's Place) has been a blessing and all the kids have spent more time there this summer knowing they had a bedroom to call their own.  I love the fact that I (we) can all enjoy it this fall and through the winter without having to use the cabin.  I know there will be wonderful new memories made there. 


I've been able to visit Bob and Sara's family in Boise twice this year and love this little family.  They will be coming for Thanksgiving and I'm very 'grateful'!  

This wraps is up without, of course, so many more wonderful details of my blessed life.  I miss my Jim as always and the children miss their father.  He is near and his love and tender care of his family continue in spirit.  I cherish wonderful memories and look forward to the eternities where I know the Lord will have everything in place for our life to continue.  I also believe that if there are others we love here on earth, that He will make everything right in His great plan of happiness.

2015 - AN ODD YEAR

Apologies to my readers, although I think they are few at this point, sinceI haven't posted anthing for 6 months and it appears to be 2016!
So, here is my recap of Summer/Fall 2015

Once again I found myself an empty nest-er as Lance and Marianne had bought their home in Riverton and moved out to what I jokingly call 'east Nevada'.  I was still doing my summer thing traveling up and down from the lake carrying bags of food, cooking it and cleaning it up and attempting to be FUN - because this still is my happy place and there are still many great moments to be had there.
I may have mentioned to my darling children and some other unfortunate others that I feel like this has been my STUPID YEAR (although the word itself is not 'nice', so say my grandchildren).  As my title suggests, I blame it on the year being ODD (in number)!  I feel like I have been jumping ahead and doing things that were, if not a waste of time, just plain not smart and many blindly without caution.   I've always thought I liked being in control of my life, but have recently learned from a excerpt in a book by Ann Romney, 'If you want to make God laugh, just tell him your plans'  I'm pretty sure he has gotten some pretty good laughs over the years from me so I am trying hard to do all I can and leave it up to Him!
Back to the 'stupid' stuff.  My left knee began to bother me about mid summer, so in an attempt to save it from over work on all the 'steps' at the cabin, I favored it by leaning heavily on the rail as I was going down.  This resulted in my getting a major strain on the already bulging disk in my neck.  Pretty soon the neck hurt so badly that I hardly noticed the knee.  This all continued into autumn and after a series of cortisone shots in my neck and physical therapy on the knee and hip, most of my body felt better by late fall.  We enjoyed another 'Walk in the Woods', our annual Halloween get together with the fam and then it was November and time to begin practicing for our Christmas shows. 
Happily, I was invited to travel to Florida with Coby's family after Thanksgiving - a highlight in my year and just the little break I needed!  
Back to Bear Lake.  Our plans for the new building were well under way by fall!  I hired a good honest contractor, Norm Dahle who has been a great asset in making it all come together quickly.  With the help of my talented architect Thom Lane and input from my children, at this telling the building is up, insulated and roofing and siding are going on next week and I'm working on picking out cabinets, flooring and lighting.  We will have six bedrooms and a small kitchen sitting area on the east side facing the lake.  This will give all our adult children their own bedroom through the years and even one for me - or a guest - and will be especially easy and fun to use in the winter months since it's insulated and there will be central heat.  I think it won't be long until the grands take up summer residence in the cabin bedrooms and the cycle will come 'round again as it did when Dad built the solar home for his children.  I admit I've been a little nervous - especially now the big bills are really rolling in, but I think (hope)I've done what Jim would have wanted me to do.  This was all in our 6 year plan 7 years ago so hopefully he is pleased that I've moved ahead.  It is our gift to our posterity.

OPPS -  forgot to mention the BEST PART of the year, and that is the addition of THREE beautiful grand daughters into the Jim and Joanne Rich clan.  Ava Scarlett Welch was born on June 24th to Lance and Marianne, Stella Renee was born July 13th to Coby and Tiffany Rich and Lucy Caroline was born November 19th to Bob and Sara Rich.  Yeah for the WONDERS  and BLESSINGS of an ODD YEAR!

Christmas this year was the usual myriad of gatherings.  I hosted a dinner for my temple group, a 'Breakfast with Santa' for the grands, Jim's family sibling dinner, Christmas Adam with our 'Richest Christmas pageant ever' once again performed by my darling children and grandchildren, Christmas Day festivities and a belated New Years dinner with the adult children when Bob, Sara and kids arrived.  I spoke in church and enjoyed associations with many good friends.  Truthfully, it was sort of a roller-coaster December emotionally and physically and though I love Christmas, I was happy to see it end  and MOVE ON to a great new EVEN year!

Of Jim, oh he is SO missed.  I think this Christmas was harder than the other two before without him, although I don't know how it could be.  Maybe it's because I've been thinking of the ONE time that Jim asked me if I thought I'd ever re-marry!  My immediate reply was....."well honey, if I do, I'll wait for a 'sign' from you  - like Dolly did from her late husband Ephraim in 'Hello Dolly"!  Then I added..."but you know....you're IRREPLACEABLE "(and then hugged him hugely).  But as time has passed I'm finding it harder and harder to be without some ONE in my life!!  I love my children and they and their children are my lifeline.... right now.  I don't know what I would do without a wonderful family (mine, my siblings, Jim's siblings) and numerous wonderful friends and of course, the Gospel.  Still, I think to truly LIVE is to truly to LOVE some ONE and I know now it is something I need....and more than ever something I WANT!

So, for those few readers out there besides ME who are at all interested, I will cautiously admit that when I met a nice man the first of December, I knew that I was right in my thinking that.  I DO need someone and this was a very nice someone to meet.  His name is Sidney Ray Jensen (Sid) and he is from Idaho Falls.  He's 66, 6'3", has four sons, flies his own airplane, built his family log cabin home on the Snake river (and while doing so lost his arm), has a home in Cabo San Lucas where he travels often, apparently plays racket ball four times a week with his good arm, cross country skies on the river by his home, is a busy project manager for an Idaho AG company - often traveling and has recently (last 6 months) been divorced after being separated from his wife for 13 years.

Our first date was his email invite  to a 'singles' dance around the first of December.  This was a little....scary!  I hadn't been to a 'singles' since Jim was in charge of the Valley Wide Young Adults in the '70's!  I didn't much like them even then because, since he was in charge,  he was always off doing something without me.  This dance, however, was a nice surprise.  Sid met me at our first ward Christmas program in the Brighton stake, watched the show and then took me to the Capitol Rotunda to the dance.  I immediately thought he was quite charming and likable and SO easy to be with - though his prosthetic arm was another 'surprise' that night!  He was tall with a handsome face, build and overall happy countenance.  Having learned a little about him through emails,  I knew he'd been through a pretty rough ordeal with his divorce.  But having hung on so long to try and make it work seemed to have made it more of a real 'trial', not unlike me loosing Jim.  I found his prosthetic arm didn't bother me and we even had fun twirling at the dance with it!  This was IMPRESSIVE, to say the least.  All in all, it was such a fun relaxed evening.  He emailed the next day saying that he really wanted to get to know me better but would have to be in touch after his busy December, so, there was little contact the rest of the month, making me a little unsure that he was being sincere in his interest.  But then...he did call - after Christmas and we began to talk again. 
After a few emails (some funny 'goobers') and phone calls, where he'd usually just sign off with..."I'll be in touch",  I decided to devise a plan for this nice man to see if he really did want to meet again.  I would create a little 'Limerick' to send to him of things we could possibly do, hoping not to put too much pressure on him to do actually something about it.  Luckily, this seemed to arouse his curiosity enough for him to invite me to his place in Idaho falls - which turned out to be Bear Lake (another story).  

One of the, I think, many things that we have both in common is the beautiful Bear Lake valley.   He was raised in Dingle Idaho north of the lake and still has a sister living there.  In fact, I think he has several relatives still living in the area.  So on January 7th, after revising our 'Idaho' plans, I packed my car in good 'faith', bringing along my conversation cards in case the get together needed a little help, and off I went.  Another great surprise....it ended up being a wonderful couple of days.  One of the best reasons is that I didn't 'cringe' when he held my hand (as has happened with others).  In fact, I found that I quite liked him holding my hand and, in fact, like everything about being with him.  Besides a little 'cuddling' as we watched a movie by firelight, we cross country skied on the lake, ate out, ate in, toured Dingle and met his very nice Sister Vicki who lives in Dingle, saw a bald and golden eagle, watched swans bathing in a beautiful bird refuge north of the lake and toured his childhood property and home on the Bear River.  It was, in the true sense of the word, all quite 'romantic'!

Since last week we've been talking on the phone more often and I'm hoping his plans to come south to see me next week actually pan out!  My impression is that he is going to be slow and cautious - good idea for me too!  He loves his children and grandchildren and, I'm finding, has a quick wit and is a bit of a tease...so yeah - this will be FUN!   He is sort of, I think, an 'urban cowboy' since he graduated from BYU in business and did not want to run his family ranch!  I have to say at this writing....I like Sid Jensen and I think he likes me.  We'll let that be for now!  Maybe I'll post a picture next writing - which hopefully, will be sooner than later!  

HAPPY WINTER!

In the meantime, here are some pictures from the past few months!

Just one of the 'characters' from our Halloween 'Walk in the Woods'

The Grands got into the vampire teeth - or did the teeth got into them?

Disneyland with the Coby Rich Family - 11/15

December winter wonderland on Plum Creek Lane

Rich Sibling Christmas gathering!

Tending darling baby Ava

Rich family adult Christmas 'Adam' table (minus Bob and Sara)

Rich family 'grands' Christmas 'Adam' table minus the little ones!

 Breakfast with Santa - at home!

The annual 'Richest Christmas Pageant ever!

Two of our 2015 baby girls - Ava and Stella with darling Moms

Duncan and Charlie visit from Idaho for New Years

Post of baby Lucy - upcoming!

Summer 2015

Here we are in July - oh my!  It's been an interesting few months and busy!  Marianne and Lance sold their home in April (1st day on the market) and moved in with Honey!  With Olivia, Tyson and baby Ava 'on route', the house was once again filled with action, noise and love!  I've heard that you get used to the 'solitude' and that's what seems to have happened to Honey!  Sooooo, the 'new noise' was both welcome and surprising!  As always, our revolving door at base camp is welcome to any who pass by and it's been wonderful to have Marianne and Lance here  - with all that accompanies the confusion!
Two weeks ago Marianne gave birth to her third child and second daughter, Ava Scarlett!  She's a beauty and seems like a sweet baby.  Marianne had a bout with an infection and was back in the hospital for IV antibiotics for a couple of days but is doing well now.  She and Lance are fast trying to locate a new home before Oliva starts kindergarten the end of August!  Hard to believe!
Coby and Tif are expecting their first 'daughter' (after four boys) within the week.  Yeah and Halleluiah!!!!!  Coby is particularly excited since he's always known he'd have a girl!  Tif is just ready to be 'done' with having children!  They are both the same age that Jim and I were (after our four boys) when Marianne was born!  This is a little miracle from HEAVEN and JIM!
Ben continues to be busy with his four children.  They've recently found out that Mason is on the 'Autism' grid!  A handsome, bright boy that will truly benefit from great parents and family.  This has been a real challenge and test of their patience but luckily the other children are all doing well and are supportive!  I think our grandchildren are exemplary! 
Pat and Anna are in 'holding' pattern with their two pretty daughters, Amelia and Daphne and doing well.  At this writing they are hosting the Osmond family (Anna's) at Bear Lake.  I'm so grateful for this place to go and to share!
Bob and Sara came from Boise with Duncan and Charlie for the 4th.  They just announced that they'll be having a DAUGHTER in November!  This is the year of our GIRLS!

As for me: 
In January I began working in the Draper Temple baptistery!  It was thrilling to see so many young people come in, having completed finding large numbers of family names and so dedicated to getting them baptized.  It has been a bit of a 'time' commitment on Saturdays, but fortunately they let me just be a substitute this summer so I can spend time at the lake!  Jim always wanted us to be temple workers and this helps me feel like I'm doing what he'd want.
Speaking of that, several years ago Jim and I discussed adding another building on the lot at the lake for...posterity.  So, this project is now underway and we'll be breaking ground, hopefully, this fall.
It will give us more bedrooms so that when the grands are a few years older, they can take over sleeping (and playing) at the cabin and the adults (and I) will have a place to 'retreat' at night!
I've been working with Anna-Lisa's cousin Thom Lane on plans that are almost complete and I think Jim would be pleased that I've taken this on - before I get to old and crazy!

Then, sometime in February I decided to push the send button on the computer and have my first try at 'online' dating!  What an EXPERIENCE!  WEIRD to have 'strange' men trying to connect!  I feel badly that I've deleted so many of them, but having had a man like Jim, it's pretty hard to compare!  I did have several dates and a nice man who wanted to get 'friendlier' but hand holding was just plain 'paralyzing'!  So, I've taken a little time off to re-evaluate if this is when and 'how' I want to meet someone who might begin to fill the big VOID! 
I don't know how I can be lonesome with so many darling grandchildren, family and friends around... but a spouse fills a place (at least half of you) that no one else can.  I still miss Jim terribly and often refer to my 'hot tub' as my 'tub of tears'!  It's a great place to go and just ... let it all go!  I'm beginning to realize that I truly would like to find a man who I'd be comfortable with; someone to share those things that you don't bother your children or others with.  I miss a strong arm, one around me and one to help with all that I feel so responsible for!  So, I am going to do what the scriptures recommend...to go into that dark (or new) place and put my hand in the Lords!  This is supposed to be a much better idea that going around blindly in the 'light' and I'm going to trust that it is!  As the song goes...."Wishin' and Hopin' and Thinkin' and (mostly) Prayin'! 

This summer I volunteered to help out at stake girls camp and was put in charge of the music!  What a great time I had with wonderful, dedicated women and darling 'young' women.  I am always amazed at the great sense of service there is in this church and the commitment to callings.  I would do this again in a heartbeat.  Love the mountains, love the girls!

Coming up.....get the new building done at Bear Lake - maybe a trip or two!   I've been thinking about a Canadian cruise in the fall and have plans to do a FFLess British Isles trip next spring and another cruise down the Mississippi on the American River Queen in the fall of 2016.  It will be here before you know it!  I discovering that travel is a healing way to find a new path and I've become more adventurous with age. Now I know why Mom took off on her 'broom' so much after Dad died.  You just have to keep going and discovering and LIVING!  Hoping to do just that!

Olivia with baby Ava Scarlett Welch, born June 24, 2015

 BEAR LAKE SUMMER 2015

My HAPPY PLACE!

To be related to Jim and Joanne you have to love to 'dress it up' to party and to love dogs!

Pat and Anna's 'Millie'! 

Ben and Whitney's 'Lulu'

Coby and Tiffany's 'Jaden'

4th of July picnic - some of the clan!

Bob and Sara's 'Charlie' and 'Duncan' with 'Rosie'

ALL ABOARD!

My Christmas gift to our family this year was a Disney Cruise.  Yes, it was a admittedly a BIGGIE that won't happen all that often and some of our family (ie. Bob and Sara's family and baby Daphne) weren't able to 'make the trip', but it was an adventure to remember.  Coby created a video of it and if I can figure out how to add it to this report, i will.  As it turns out, Coby is our family's 'chief fun planner and advisor' and it doesn't take much encouragement for him to put FUN together!  This was no exception. The story unfolds.!

In planning, we all thought a red-eye flight through the night would be best suited to my pocketbook, give the kids a chance to sleep through the night and save us a sleep-over in Miani...HA!  It was a good thought, anyway.  The flight from SLC to Orlando was without a flaw and then the 'adventure' began!  Ben had charted a shuttle for all nineteen of us from Orlando to Miani, a four hour drive, where our boat would disembark.  Suitcases were loaded in a little trailer behind the 'unmarked' van that Julio drove and we were off...for a few minutes.  Suddenly we were being pulled over for what we thought was a routine stop.  Come to find out - our driver Julio was not licensed correctly to drive a 'bus' nor was the van licensed properly.  After about a half hour we pulled into a parking lot while the Julio and our policeman tried to connect us with someone who could get us to the ship in time.  To his credit, el stupido as he was, he tried!  Two hours later we were on the road, two separate vans hurling at record speed down the freeway and I didn't care...just GET US THERE BEFORE THE BOAT LEAVES!

About an hour before the ship was to leave, we all flew from the van and into the registration area for the Disney Wonder.  All was going smoothly until Ben discovered that he and Whitney were 'without' all their documents, ie. their birth certificates; a must to get on the boat!  Luckily, Ben was organized at home, had his brother-in-law leave work, take a phone photo of the certificates on Ben's desk, text them to the agents at the dock and ....blessings abound...they accepted them.  By now I was in my stateroom with Ben's kids, wondering if their parents would be able to get on the boat.  About one half hour before the whistle blew to leave port, Ben and Whit walked on.  I have to admit, with little sleep the night before, a rough 6 hour drive to Miami and the 'ID' incident , I shut myself up for a few minutes in the room and had a good cry! Our trip was just a five day, five night cruise to the Grand Cayman and Disney's private Island.  It took two of those days to make it to the Grand Cayman.  On the way down we had some rough seas and on and off rain, but with Disney characters running about, the kids club, entertainment extraordinaire and a lot of.....food, we were happily entertained.  Our day on the Grand Cayman was delightful.  With a warm beautiful sun, bright blue sky, a chartered boat that took us to swim with stingrays, snorkeling, and playtime with starfish, we had a fabulous day.  One day more to get to Disney's private island, Castaway Cay and the excitement had mounted.  The morning arrived to disembark and lo....the ocean was breaking heavily on the shore and we were not allowed on the island.  Some of us who had been their before and had really built it up in the minds of everyone else, so it was a pretty big disappointment.  Still, we were on the DISNEY BOAT, and it was hard to feel be too sad -  as we moved out away from the shore and just enjoyed a day at sea again.

Our trip back was uneventful and that was a plus!  Arriving home safely is also a plus with the great responsibility it is to take all your loved ones on a trip together.  I feel Jim was truly watching over us and know, if he had the chance to take some time off, he was there with us all the way.

February 2015 has been busy.  I've been doing a lot of writing, particularly Jim and my 'Love Story, that was printed in Meridian Magazine on the 12th - for Valentines.  Maurine Proctor asked if I would write it and, although reluctant, I'm happy I did.  It always makes me happy to write about Jim  and makes me feel closer when I talk about him! I think our 'love story' is exemplary and special.  I seem to feel an urgency to do more writing, especially my 'Grandma' stories, lately  I have also started a shift at the Draper Temple in the Baptistry.  It is five hours out of my Saturdays right now and I am going to have to change that by summer, if I continue to do it, being gone so many weekends.  I am confused about whether or not to go 'on line' and meet some new 'friends', so I've been 'tinkering' around just to get a feel for what kind of 'friends' are out there.  It's 'scary'!  I even made a profile but have not paid to be receiving any mail yet.  It's a pretty big step to entertain the idea...so I wait!

The kids are doing well.  The big news is that Coby and Tiffany are expecting a GIRL, their fifth and final child after the four boys.  Marianne is also expecting a GIRL so we're even-iny our boy-girl grandchildren numbers.  I am truly thrilled to be a grandmother.  I love these children and they have such great personalities and spirits.  I hope I can be influential in their lives, someone that they can look to as an example and for....fun!  I'm sure Jim has sent these girls from heaven...Daphne and now two more, since he passed away.  He knows how special girls are, especially to their daddy's!  I live to think about the wonderful life we had together and dream of more to come!

DECEMBER DELIGHTS!

Our fun children

The darling 'grands'

The Richest Christmas pageant

JANUARY JOTTINGS

I've recently been reminded to return to 'blogging' and do some catch up.  I've lost my camera (again - Jim is not surprised) and have just not taken alot of pictures (too many pros in the family doing that for me).  But I will attempt to do a synopsis of the past 3 months.

November and December were beautiful months in the Salt Lake valley and I've enjoyed my daily puppy walks with Rosie.  While the air was good, we enjoyed 'smelling the roses' (and everything else along the way).  I like to walk alone as it's my time to ponder and reflect and sometimes memorize songs and lines for our programs (we performed our Christmas show 6 times in December.  My group Songkeepers has been together since 1990 and performing the Christmas program since 2008 and each year I love it more.  Singing, especially at Christmas, always brings such joy and has been a wonderful and healing outlet for me.  Thank goodness the 'troupe' still wants to perform.  We even sung our new song 'The Gift of Love' in church a couple of times, which extends the season and adds to the feel good effect music has on me.

Thanksgiving at the Rich house was pure 'bedlam' this year.  We were 24 in full number, most of them being under the age of 9.  There was wonderful food, thankful thoughts and plenty of pandemonium, but, as expected, lots of love.  It's great having Bob, Sara, Duncan and Charlie in Boise now so that they can make the 5 hour trip to be with everyone a little more often.  I love the 'company' at home; the morning breakfast conversation with the 'boys', the game room play with cars, trucks and trains, the bedtime tuck-ins with family stories and the after hours fireside chats with Bob and Sara.  

I'm so proud of all of our children.  Bob has wanted to do Prosthetic s and Orthotic's ever since he entered Jr. high and has taken 4 years on top of his B.S. to complete that dream.  Coby is enjoying work for Property Solutions as their director of marketing and has somehow combined his ability to 'act' with his work, producing some pretty amazing (and hysterical, so thinks Mom) video productions for company summits.  Ben has worked hard at making the business of selling medicare supplements something he is finally enjoying and reaping the rewards from.  Besides that he has done some amazing remodeling of their home, something he and Whitney love to do together.  With most of our friends approaching '65' (yikes), he'll should have some good business prospects coming up.  Pat has found a niche doing his videography for IHC and can pretty much make any effort remarkable.  This is something he did growing up and so has been 'perfecting the product' for years.  I'm sure he is well respected.  Marianne's husband Lance is climbing the ladder at Progressive Insurance and is steady and patient in his progression.  He will no doubt find much success as he proceeds.  He is also my 'favorite' son-in-law' (if not the 'only' one)!  
 With the news of Marianne and Tiffany's pregnancy's, our 'grand' posterity will climb to 16 by summer and I think, before the years end, will be added upon.  In a way, it's a great comfort to know that these amazing spirits that are coming to our family have been able to know Jim in the spirit world and will bring his abundant love into our family.  

Christmas came and went faster than ever remembered, even though I had the house decorated and played Christmas music all thru December to prolong the season.  This year, having been a harder year without Jim than the last, seemed to intensity the 'after holiday' blues.  It still feels  un-real that Jim is not with us, physically.  I feel his spirit often and know he is aware of all that is going on in our lives, even helping 'direct' them; mine particularly.  But the emptiness seems so much more 'empty' as the months go by.  I ache for him to smother me against his chest and wrap me in his arms while I cry.  To have him hold my hand in church, like so many of our friends who I now try not to envy.   To have him walk into a room and talk about work, our children and grandchildren, the 'people' in his life whose interests he always had at heart.  To make plans and have him be the one 'in charge', to drive the car and open the door for me, to tell me what to do about the tires on the car, the edition to the cabin at Bear Lake, house repairs, bills, to ask if I should stay in our home, should I work at the temple, how to 'fix everything', take this trip or not and on and on.  But most especially to lay beside me in bed and tell me that he couldn't imagine life without me.   He did this often, expressing his love and devotion, while I never ever imagined I would have to live without him.  Life is never what you expect, I expect!

So, it's 2015 and I am 'expecting' the unexpected.  I'm going to look for happiness and to live joyfully (or as Marg does so well) just LIVE, LIVE, LIVE! My prayers are more specific and I'm learning how to turn my life over to the Lord and be 'guided' instead of trying to 'steer'!  It seems He has blessed me (us) abundantly, and although their are teapots of tears there are also boat-loads of blessings.   I want to me more 'grateful' more thoughtful of others; to forget me and to lift them.  I want to enjoy more sharing time with the 'grands' and to be a positive presence in their lives.  I want to learn more, to experience new people and places.  Mostly, I am hoping to find peace in just being ME!  I don't like being 'alone', never have, but until I have another choice, if ever, I need to find peace and happiness within myself.  Deep and Profound, yes?

So, along with a few pictures above, that's it for now.  I look forward to our family (Christmas in January) trip on the Disney cruise ship next week.  So sad Bob and family can't join us, but we will not stop playing together.  This is something Jim and I planned to do with our senior lives and so I'll continue to make it happen!  Mostly, I just want to....look forward!