New Daughter, nearly all good stuff lately

It's been a thrill the past 6 weeks as we learned we were "expecting" a 12 year old! Her name is Madison. We are so happy to be transitioning her from her foster home into our home. She seems thrilled too. She is bubbly, full of life, loves to DO stuff, loves to dance, and is so excited to be adopted! I hope the thrill lasts for her for awhile. I'm sure it will for us, though we totally get we're in the honeymoon phase. In some ways it may even be easier when we're more into real life. This week we're headed to Washington DC for my brother's second marriage to Janet Leavens (his first wife died of cancer four years ago). We're taking Madison and making it into a little vacation. I think it will be a bonding experience for the three of us. (So glad Mark had all that frequent flyer mileage saved up!)

Every time we add a new member to the family, there are gentle creaks and groans and thrills as we make room for the new addition. I think everyone is accommodating her so nicely, though. The grandkids may feel a little pinch as they get a little less one on one time with us, but I hope all in all they will also benefit from a fun new young aunt to add to THEIR lives too.

We're grateful!

Life is all about the ups and the downs also. The sad times are when friends pass away as has a cute young woman, Emily Dutson, from Mark's student ward. Emily died just three days ago. So the sadness from that lingers, but we're glad for our testimonies, glad to know where she is. Still we ache for her family. Take care Emily, we will see you again someday. We pray for her family.

Journaling

I love journaling life! In my life, I've written, embarrassingly enough, HUNDREDS of pages of journals. At this moment, we're watching Julie and Julia, BOTH of whom journaled, of sorts. Julie blogged, Julia and/or husband wrote books. And not only that, I like to read other people's blogs. It takes you into their world and thoughts. Along those lines, I'm hoping to put together this year a journal compilation of MY journals and our pictures through the years, a digital scrapbook. There's just something about leaving behind your footprint, the evidence that you were here on this earth! Life DOES go fast, and I hope to leave behind more than my footprint, but much of who I am, for my children, grandchildren and posterity. I wish I could influence them for years to come in positive things, to find joy in life, to love God, to love family, to treasure all that's good. Not that I always ENJOY life, (if you've read my blog up to this point, you will see that), but I BELIEVE in enjoying life. And those of you who have small children at home, as much as they are ADORABLE, I really believe life gets more satisfying when you don't have to deal with them day in and day out. Like being a grandmother! And so I leave my blog, my thoughts, my journals, my photos, my ramblings, for posterity. Take what you like, leave the rest, and I'll enjoy your thoughts too!