My children are leaving again!

Adrienne and Family

In June of 2007 Adrienne and her family moved from Kansas City to Tualatin, OR. I loved having them so close. I learned to help care for Isaac's diabetes, I got to see my grandchildren several times a week. I got to share in the highs and lows of their family. I love being a grandmother more than I can possibly describe. Nothing is better than have two amazing children get so excited to see you. I loved the times I got to pick up Isaac from school when he didn't know I was coming. The expression and excitement on his face was priceless and it was because he saw me! I loved hearing Annabelle's new words. I loved being there for the firsts in their lives. I could fill a book with what they mean to me and how I loved having them live so close after living in Kansas for 3 years. In May of 2008 they moved back to Kansas for Ken's career this time to Wichita. I could fill a book on the pain of missing them and feeling so lonely without them. You think with as many kids as I have I would be fine but I am not fine at all. I not doing well it's painful.

Hillary

In June of 2007 Hillary returned to Tualatin, OR after spending two years as a missionary in Kazakhstan. I got the pleasure of her living in our house for a few months while she got used to being back in the U.S. I got to see her reconnect with friends and family. I got to be part of her everyday live. It wasn't an easy year for Hillary with the break up of a serious relationship, culture re-entry shock, job disappointments and some health problems but I loved having her here. For most of the year she shared a house with roommates just a couple of miles away but she shared many late nights with Doug and myself. Since the fall we got the privilege of having Hillary work at The Watch Prince. She was a God send and a great asset to our little company. Hillary felt god was calling for her to leave Oregon for southern California. she left last Wednesday and arrived safely in Pasaden on Friday. For more on Hillary's great new adventure be sure to visit her blog. (follow Hillary's link on left)

Marina

In November of 2007 Marina came for Thanksgiving and stayed the whole weekend and the healing of our relationship began. This was after we had been estranged for the last three years. She came for Christmas and the rebuilding of family ties continued. For a few months Marina split her time between Corvallis, OR and our home. She got a job here and few months later she gave up her apartment in Corvallis and moved in full time with us. She took a class at Portland Community college while continuing to work. It wasn't easy for either any of us but Marina and I worked very hard on our relationship and learning to respect each other. A few weeks ago she made the decision that she wanted to return to Corvallis to be closer to her boyfriend of two years and the life she had built there. I miss her, I wasn't ready to have her leave after being back in the family for such a short time. This time of course it is different we call each other and I know where she is living and we have more respect and understanding of each other than we did 7 months ago.