Seriously So, So Behind!

I'm not quite sure what has happened to the months of May and June...they seem to have disappeared in a rather rapid fashion! The passage of time has not dimmed the fact that I still find myself checking Oreo's chair to see if she is ok. And every time the doorbell rings I can hear her barking, clearly! And then we saw her twin at the pet store today...she had just finished being groomed and looked so much like Oreo. We miss her to say the least.

On May 21st Rich, Sarah, and I headed to Utah for a very, very busy weekend. We woke up early on the 22nd ready to do some serious shopping. Provo is the best place to buy everything a future missionary will need. Rich and Marshall lined up some suits and shoes and a few other necessities. Later that afternoon we were able to accompany Marshall as he went to the Provo Temple. What a wonderful experience to be in such a sacred place surrounded by family.

Love this boy! It was a beautiful evening as we were leaving.

The next day we traveled down to Manti to witness the wedding of our niece Emily to her sweetheart Dave. Manti, Utah is about an hour and half from Provo and there is the most amazing temple there that was built in the late 1800's. The antique furnishings are just a site to behold! I look at the above picture and try to imagine how happy Evalyn, Rich's mom, would feel at this sight. I am quite sure that it would thrill her. Her posterity continues to grow!

This is a picture of a set of first cousins, Nick and Lindsay, and second cousins, Riley Taylor and Claire Brewer...how fun is that??!!

Some more cute, cute first cousins...Katie Brewer and Rachel Nielson. Katie and Rachel are about 3 months apart in age and have enjoyed lots of fun times over the years.

Oh, and this is kind of fun...Chris brought along a new friend for us to meet and we all LOVE her. So happy that Holly and Chris' paths have crossed. She seemed to fit right into the Bowerman mix of crazy and fun personalities. Looking forward to getting to know Holly better!

Ode to Oreo

I have put off doing this post for awhile, just because it makes me a bit sad - actually very sad! The time finally came when it became apparent that Oreo's quality of life had deteriorated to a point where she was miserable. It was time to let her go. I felt like I had been holding on to her for a bit longer than I should have. She has been my little companion for 13 1/2 years. I'm not quite sure what my response will be when I'm asked who I've been talking to when it doesn't appear that there is anyone around. I've always been able to say that I was talking to the dog! We had some awesome conversations! If only we could all be so understanding, so non-judgmental, and so forgiving as our doggies!

We were able to pick Oreo out in November of 1995. Sarah was just barely 2 and I would take her over to the house where the puppies were every week so that we could take a picture of how she was growing. I was quite sure that Sarah wouldn't let the other kids know what was going on. Rich and I were able to bring Oreo home on Christmas Eve...a long, long night. She was so sad to have left her family. She finally ended up in a hamper, in the car, in the garage so she wouldn't wake up the kids. In the morning the kids had to go on a scavenger hunt and eventually found her in the fireplace in the family room...way too fun! They spent the rest of their Christmas vacation that year sleeping on a mattress in the kitchen with her until she was okay on her own.
Oreo was a perfect fit for our family. She lived in five different houses and several different kennels over the years. Three airplane flights just about did her in...definitely NOT her favorite thing. This picture was taken in February of 1997. It was interesting to watch her black hair eventually turn very gray. We originally called her Noelle because of her Christmas arrival, but then someone said she looked like an "Oreo" cookie, and that was it! So she was officially Oreo Noelle on her AKC certificate.

One of her VERY favorite activities...riding in the car! "Oreo, let's go!" and she'd come running! Whenever she would be with me to pick someone up and she would spot them coming, her tail would start going in circles, not just back and forth. Always made me laugh. Oreo was incredibly territorial. As long as she was in HER house, HER yard, and HER car she was queen and let you know it! In a couple of our homes she loved sitting on the back of a couch or chair and being a true watch dog. However, when we would be out on a walk she didn't make a noise. Not a social butterfly!

She had several different groomers over the years and was always well-behaved. Her favorite was Kim in Bellingham. They became great friends, especially considering that Oreo spent four months in Kim's kennel while we were building a home in Washington.

I laughed when I found this picture in the newspaper. I'm not sure Oreo could ever see it or paid attention to it. I wish I still had it. This little ball of fur worked her way into my heart, followed me around the house, and spent hours at my side. One thing that always made me smile was how she would come sit by the piano when I would play. I can hardly stand walking by the chair that she slept in for the last several years. I keep glancing at it to check on her! It just feels like something is missing. All of us will miss her extreme level of happiness when we would come home after being away, especially if we had been gone for awhile. Today after returning from Utah was kind of difficult...no greeting from Oreo! Yikes. We miss her kisses, sneezes, and waves. Thank you, Oreo, for the joy you brought to our family. We will miss you!

Some of the Reasons I Love Edwardsville!

Ah, I LOVE this time of year! It seems like the cold winter season went on and on this year, but alas, spring has arrived! In our front yard we have two of these awesome trees, called Pin Oaks. These trees hang onto their leaves for what seems like the longest time.
This picture was taken on March 17th.

This picture was taken on April 20th, just over 4 weeks later. The dead leaves are just about gone!

This one was taken this morning...8 weeks after March 17th. Isn't that amazing - the transformation! I love watching this!

I think the flora and fauna in our area loved the abundance of rain we have had this year! The dogwoods were incredible. This one is not far from our house, it is shaped so nicely. I kept forgetting to snap a picture as I drove by...this is just about at the end of it's blooming. So pretty!

Right up there with my favorite flower (gardenias!) are lilacs. The scent is amazing! Yummmm!

I am so grateful for the abundance of beauties that exist all around us. How lucky we are!

Marshall...a Tribute to My Soon-to-be Missionary!

Years ago, when Marshall was in Kindergarten, he went on a field trip over to a local community college close to his elementary school. If I remember correctly, the purpose of the field trip was to open the student's eyes to the endless possibilities of what they could be/do when they grew up. They all came home with various signs hung around their necks explaining their choices. This was Marshall's! Marshall has grown up knowing that his future aspirations included serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints one day. Last night, after MUCH anticipation, he opened his call, which had finally come in the mail that day. Marshall will be serving in the Brazil Porto Alegre North Mission. He could have gone anywhere in the world! There is a very large Missionary Training Center in Provo, UT (which is where Marshall has been washing dishes for the last 6 months!) and that is where most missionaries go before they leave for their assignments. However, there are some Missionary Training Centers located throughout the world, and there happens to be one in Brazil, soooo...he'll leave straight from home to Brazil. YIKES! He reports on August 26th. We have a lot to do in four months!
Marshall has had some great examples along the way. He grew up hearing wonderful stories of his father's mission to Paris, France. Rich served for two years from 1976-1978. Marshall's older brother, Chris, served in Knoxville, Tennessee from 2002-2004. Marshall's brother-in-law, Joseph, served in Samoa. I have always loved this picture of Chris and Marshall. They didn't have too many matching pieces of clothing like the girls did, but I loved these shirts!

Marshall has a cousin-once-removed (that would be his cousin's son) named Perry Sessions. Perry recently received his mission call to New Zealand. Marshall and Perry's paths have crossed occasionally over the years. They've both been at BYU for their freshman year. Can't remember how long ago this was! But we're sure excited for Perry also. He leaves July 2nd.

A couple of years ago we were at the church museum in Independence, MO. There was a display showing all of the languages that the Book of Mormon has been printed in. Have you ever heard of a language called "Marshallese"? We thought that was great. I've often wondered where in the world they speak "Marshallese".

Thanks to Chris, Rich, Sarah, and I were able to see Marshall open his call, via a web cam. It was pretty chaotic, but definitely memorable. Here's a fine picture of the group right afterwards. Apparently there was some discussion as to whether my "known-to-be-very-emotional son" would possibly shed tears when he finally read the letter, but no, he was ALL smiles and very thrilled. We had all tried to guess where it was that he would go, but we were all pretty off the mark. Oh well, the possibilities were endless!

I am so thrilled with Marshall's desire to serve. What a commitment from these 19-year-old young men to put their life on hold for two years, pay their own way, go anywhere in the world they're asked to go, and preach the gospel they love with all of their hearts. I'm so pleased. I have no doubt that he will be blessed immensely throughout the remainder of his life for the service he will render to the wonderful people of Brazil. I love you Marshall!

Utah Trip, April 2009, Part 1

Last week Sarah and I made a "not-so-much-of-a-surprise" trip to Utah for Sarah's Spring Break. We arrived on Marshall's 19th birthday and tried to surprise him, but we had apparently slipped up one too many times and he kind of had it figured out...oh well! Here's the group at Tucano's in the Riverbottoms area in Provo celebrating Marshall's birthday...love that place! Only wish Rich had been able to be with us...we appreciate his hard work more than ever!
I look at this group and have to admit I get a little teary-eyed! They all make me so happy. I am SO pleased with all that is going on in their lives. Chris is doing his best to be a successful student at ITT Tech, plus work full-time. I am amazed at Lindsay's creativity...I shouldn't be...she puts out some really cute designs at her job at Pebbles! Katie and Joseph are both working and going to school now, making hard decisions and raising the cutest grandbaby in the world. Marshall is finishing up his freshman year at the "Y" and his mission papers are in...we'll be posting about that pretty soon! Can't wait to see where he gets to spend the next 2 years! Sarah misses being around her siblings a lot, but somebody has to keep her parents company, and she fills that role quite nicely. She's an excellent student and musician. They all have wonderful, growing testimonies of the gospel, they keep the commandments, they serve in their wards, they love the scriptures, and they are worthy to be in the temple. What more could I ask for from my kids? Thanks a million...you're the best!

OK, so this isn't the greatest picture of Lindsay Lu, but it captures how I see Claire really well. Miss Smiley! There's just a tint of redness to Claire's hair...maybe strawberry-blond. Lindsay continues to be Katie's greatest asset in raising Claire...so glad she's there close by to be such a great support.

Claire Bear loves, loves, loves the lemons!

Showing off my cute Easter dress and bow!

Happy Easter from the Brewer Family...all so perfectly coordinated! OK, so this wasn't really planned, it just happened. Too fun!

Trip to Utah, April 2009, Part 2

So one night while in Utah we were able to go up to Salt Lake to Jayne and Ta's home. They are the proud parents of seven new Havanese puppies. Go to Jayne's blog at www.paugapuppies.blogspot.com for some really, really cute pictures. They are darling and have the cutest personalities. Sarah is holding the chocolate brown one that Stephanie is apparently claiming. I think his new name is going to be "Nacho".

These puppies were so good with all the kiddos running around. It was amazing. So were the momma and poppa. Claire loved all the kisses and loves! I, of course, fell in love with them, but was firmly warned not to bring one home...oh well.

Claire LOVES to be in her jumper. She is not one to sit still. She gets this thing moving! She mostly likes to be held standing upright! Katie did report today that she was sitting up on her own.

Claire's nursery is done with the Eric Carle Hungry Caterpillar prints. I found this "beautiful butterfly" at Kohl's one day. She loved it. It has this crinkly stuff in that makes a sound she loves. Just want to squeeze that cute little face. She definitely looks like her daddy to me.

Trip to Utah, April 2009, Part 3

Fun friends, fun times in Provo. Marilyn, on the left, and Diane, on the right...some very special, "old" friends from way back when in California. It is amazing for me to think about how dear these friends are to me! Our paths have taken us all different directions over the years with amazingly different experiences, but it is always fun to go back...must have said, "Do you remember when...?" and "Do you remember that thing you made?" and "Do you know what happened to...?" bunches and bunches of times. So glad we've stayed in touch!
This is Stephanie's oldest child, Taylor, and his 2nd cousin Claire. Taylor has grown up SO much since we spent Christmas with him well over 4 years ago!

Katie with cousins once removed...Lily and Tulip Crook...sooo cute. Lily was just a baby when I saw her last. Tulip looks so much like the pictures I've seen of her grandma Becky as a little girl!

My sister Becky and I at Jayne's house. So glad we got to visit for just a few minutes. Looking forward to our get-together this summer at Sally's house in Arizona!

Sweet Baby Claire and her Great-aunt Becky! Becky loves little ones so much. I wonder if she's kept track of just how many she's tended over the years. She commented about Claire's cute personality!