I don't know where to begin...YIKES!

So, how are ya'? It's been quite a while, huh? And, no doubt, lots has happened in your lives, 'cause it sure has in mine! Yeah, buddy...

The last post said, "Wedding No. 3!" and yes, it was absolutely beautiful to see my baby marry her Mr. Right. They are so good together...but it wasn't the end of the weddings for the year!!

Wedding No. #4!...took place in Thousand Oaks, California, on December 21st, 2011, on:
                             1. Vernal Equinox - longest night of the year.
                             2. Hannukah - last night.
                             3. OUR 36th Wedding Anniversary!
with our son remarrying (actually giving vows and such after the civil ceremony on the bow of the boat in Alaska, remember?) the raven love of his life, with ALL of the families in attendance! What a joyful time we all had together!! North Carolina meets California, with some Alaska and Washington state thrown in for good measure...and even some Connecticut to season things.

All of us: Mike and I, Kellan and Rob (newly pregnant! shhh...next part of the story.) with Missy Aubrey, AND Kiera and Jason...got to fly out to LA and join the rest of the family just before Christmas last year. The ceremony was wonderful, led by the chaplin of daughter-in-law's father's firehouse, the setting beautiful, a former resort on a lake in Agoura Hills, the weather remarkable, sunny and warm, and the reception was the most fun ever had at such an event.  We were joined by Chris's best friend from High School and partner in "crime"(?) as teenagers, Aaron and his wife, who stood in as his best man. All brothers and sisters on both sides with husbands, were the attendants, with Aubrey as flower girl, along with two cousin junior bridesmaids. We could not have felt more like a wonderfully blended family if it were even possible.

As I write this down, I am again humbled at the incredible things God did orchestrating and organizing this trip and its events. With one exception, which turned out to be the most astounding miracle of all, the whole trip went off without a blip...except on our way to the LAX airport as we were going home. Too many GPS readers in my car, it was night, and I had only driven to the airport once in our rental. And nerves...did I mention that?? My biggest fear a having a rental car in LA was having to drive it!!! Which, of course, I had to...on the way home...back to the airport. We left in plenty of time (and with plenty of tears, I might add.) to get there ahead of schedule, but the schedule did not include getting lost and going through THE trashiest part of Hollywood and also going around our arms to get to our elbows to come a directly opposite direction into LAX...with a very few minutes to: return the rental car, hop a bus to the airport, actually check in and reach our gate AND get on the plane. Only God...but we made it and left our hearts in LA, not San Francisco.

Christmas was very unique last year, to say the least.  And looking back at New Year's was a thrill of our hearts, to see so much happen in our children's lives. Chris married his lovely Jessica - TWICE! Kellan and Rob ended the year expecting a new addition (it's coming ;o+).  And Kiera and Jason, celebrating their wedding together, with an outdoor party for family and friends!

And as summer approached, Kellan and Rob prepared for the arrival of a son - Brantley Caden Vernon! He arrived August 10th, a robust 9 lbs and some, and has been growing like a weed since. What a precious big sister Aubrey is and a helper to mom. ;o) One of those helping times was one that you first panic and then smile. Mommy had jumped in the shower for the "two minute" shower, with instructions to "just sit with brother and watch TV." Brother, by the way, was in his car seat strapped in. After the 'mommy shower,' Kellan comes out to find no Aubrey and no brother Brantley. What could she have done in such a short time? Dragged brother, carseat and all, into her room so she could read him a book, while they waited.;o)
But Brantley's biggest deal was this past Christmas, 2012.  Kellan and Rob's church had a very unique Christmas program, which Kellan choreographed entirely. The biggest hit of the program was Brantley, as the baby Jesus!  He was perfectly quiet and seemed to enjoy the music and lights, even after four productions of the program. Where do you go from here?

School has been different somewhat this year. Still a lot of work and this year has added the opportunity to be involved in our school's foreign exchange program. I have a dozen or so students from China as art students. We are making our way with pictures and slow explanations and they are a joy to have. Not sure how much longer God will allow me to stay, but this year has been a remarkable one.

So, there you are...caught up, sorta'. I just hit the highlights of the big events, as I look back and see the additions to my tapestry of life...I am a blessed mom!