Happy 2010!!! Tardy as usual, but we have outstanding excuses. For 18 days, we played Wii (thanks Aunt Lori!), “car, car, crash” with grandson Seth, AND celebrated my parent’s 50th Wedding Anniversary. All beds, couches and floors were occupied!
The annual letter-writing assignment was first delegated to Beth, her finished product:
“Dad didn’t die, and Bethany is awesome”.
Hmm… Dr. Phil inspired the next attempt after watching his “Christmas Etiquette” show. Motivated, I composed:
“2009 was ABSOLUTELY amazing. We traveled to EXOTIC places, UPGRADED our home, AND our perfect children were, of course, PERFECT. On a sad note, Russell filled his internal organs with poisonous sludge from his gall bladder, went septic, had two surgeries and almost died – twice.”
After utterly offending Ms. Manners (we enjoy a good satire), the real highlights were:
NO FLOODS! After three 2008 house floods, there was a rainbow over our home. Of course appliances continue to break, but even the washing machine died a dry death. As for upgrading our home, working appliances are definitely an upgrade.
TRAVEL – Oak City, UT is very exotic. Russell enjoyed every second with his family as they walked his grandpa’s land, reminiscing about arrowhead searches and Christmas tree hunts. My early memories of Oak City are less idyllic. On my first visit, his grandparents slaughtered chickens, and we hunted jackrabbits. I still married him.
The PERFECT children:
Megan, Jon & Seth (18 months) are still far away in Maryland. Meg chases Seth, confounds Jon with her right-brained reasoning, teaches piano lessons, decorates cakes, serves as an YW leader (church youth group), and plays the piano/organ for any and all occasions. Seth IS perfect – even when teething and whiney!
Kenna graduates from BYU in April with a BS in Premed/Exercise Science. When she’s not tutoring athletes or studying, she’s finding a horse to ride, a survival camp to conquer, a mountain to hike, or anything outdoors. When outdoors isn’t possible, she plays coed soccer. What’s next for Kenna – job, grad school, both! Exciting/scary time.
Marah is very, very, VERY happy to be in her last semester of General Ed classes! She added dumpster diving to her college activities (only for Krispy Kreme donuts). Last summer she flew directly from BYU to be Nanny Marah in MD. This summer she is heading to Puebla, Mexico to teach English. Are you sensing a pattern???
Bethany began high school and 7 AM seminary (scripture study). Tennis and voice are her extracurricular activities – besides texting, old movies, and girl’s night out. After a week with her sisters at BYU, she begged to skip high school and go straight to college. Eight months until she can start driving –YIKES! And, she is definitely Team Jacob…
The IMPERFECT parents:
Russell wasn’t getting enough attention, but he quickly turned that around on a November business trip. Two surgeries later, including ICU after respiratory arrest, he definitely had everyone’s attention. We’re indebted to his coworkers, Saint Louise Hospital in Gilroy, CA and the Del Park ward (congregation) for his excellent care. One minor surgery left. What did he miss most during while recovering? BASKETBALL!!! In his spare time, he serves as 2nd counselor (assistant) to our Bishop. His 2010 goal, surpass his daughter’s Wii scores.
Cathy (me) loves Sunday laughter therapy teaching the Sunbeams (3-year-olds). I was promoted with them to CTR 4! That big decade birthday is looming, but I’m already a grandma, going gray, and losing my keys/ shoes, so BRING IT ON! In November, I began working/training as a medical transcriptionist. Greatest 2009 achievement: giving myself permission to slow down and enjoy these last years as a full-time mom. I should have done it 25 years ago. As for Wii, I hold the low score in everything. I add comedy!
The neurotic felines/canines:
Cats: Mulan perfected a meow that wakes the dead (used daily at 4:30 am). Mojo is the strong/silent type, unless a bathtub or washing machine is filling, then he cries pitifully.
Dogs: Callie is 13½ but stubborn enough to outlive the others - just to make sure she doesn’t miss a treat. Another year for Bruce means a longer list of things to be afraid of… What isn’t he afraid of? Dogs (especially Callie), and yet he should be.
Stay tuned for the next edition – it may actually arrive in 2010! Meanwhile, keep in touch – facebook, blog, email - we do it all.
With best wishes and gratitude! All our love,
The AZ Mikesells
Blogs: jonnyandmegan.blogspot.com
azmikesells.blogspot.com