Tuesday, December 3, 2019

It’s been awhile...

Hello my friends. I’m back! It’s been a while since I posted and although I’ve tried to keep up on all of your blogs, I’m afraid I may have missed one or two over the past week. I have been very busy with our kids and I have loved every single minute of it.

Jamie left with Kyleigh and Caleb on Saturday, then Mandy and Piper flew home Monday morning and Alex and Tara left Monday night. Last night when we arrived home from the airport, the house was SO quiet. I have to admit, I sobbed most of the way home. You all know how I feel about our children living so far away. I love them all dearly and cherish every single minute we had together.

I was feeling much better while they were here, although I still have a cough that is hanging on. Mandy got sick Wednesday evening and pretty much lost her voice on Thanksgiving and for the rest of the weekend.  Apparently there was a little boy that coughed on her on the airplane throughout the entire flight from Omaha to Seattle on Monday. The incubation period would have been right for her to be sick on Wednesday. It’s too bad she felt so bad although I think she still enjoyed herself.

I thought I would share a few of our photos with you. My best friend Jenny came over on Friday and took some pictures for us. I sure appreciated her taking the time to do that.

Mandy and Alex decided it was time to put the tree up on Tuesday. They dragged everything out from storage and then Mandy and Piper decorated the tree.  Dennis, Jamie and Alex put up the outside lights. Our house looks like Christmas!

Here are our three kids all together for the first time in almost 7 years.

Here is Jamie with Kyleigh and Caleb. Kyleigh doesn’t like to be on the Internet so I blocked her face out as per her wishes.  She is a beautiful girl and is in her first year of high school.  Caleb is in his last year of middle school and is a bundle of energy.

Here is my beautiful Mandy and Piper.  I think I told you in my last post that Brad didn’t get to come. They told his department that they had to work Friday morning to meet a deadline that had just arisen and so he obviously couldn’t fly here just for Thursday. Wednesday morning he turned his airline ticket back in for a refund. Wednesday afternoon his supervisor came around and told them they could have the weekend off. Of course, by then it was too late to get his ticket back. We were all so disappointed that he couldn’t be here.

Alex and Tara. We had such a wonderful time meeting Tara in person for the first time. She is amazing and fits into our family perfectly. I can’t wait to get to know her better as time progresses. We have a standing invitation to come visit her in London and if my back would just cooperate, I would be taking her up on that very soon!  Don’t they look perfect together? She brings out the best in Alex and as a mom I appreciate that.
And here we are. The old folks! I believe I am married to the most handsome man ever.

The whole crew! I love this picture and plan to get it framed.  Kyleigh, Caleb, and Piper hadn’t seen each other for well over two years. They had such a great time together and the older kids were very patient with Piper. It was so much fun to watch them interact.  She was so excited to spend time with her cousins.

I have more photos that I will share it with you over the next few weeks. I hope you enjoyed seeing this glimpse of our family as much as we had fun taking them.

Our family means the world to us and I miss the kids desperately already. Alex and Tara flew to Las Vegas last night and rented a car. They are going to Zion National Park and the Grand Canyon, as well as a few other spots over the next two days. Friday they’re flying to Omaha to spend the weekend with Mandy. Alex‘s birthday is Saturday and Mandy is planning a party with all of our family there in Omaha.  He hasn’t celebrated a birthday with family in at least 12 years! This will be fun for him. He’ll be with all of his cousins and grandma as well as Mandy and her family.
Monday he flies back to Tokyo and Tara flies to New York City for some business meetings before she flies home to London.

So, we celebrated Thanksgiving on Thursday and we open Christmas presents on Friday. I guess I’m pretty much done for the year! Ha!

”Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him.”  Psalms 127:3

Wishing you all a wonderful day today.

Blessings,
Betsy

18 comments:

  1. Wonderful photos! I can see that your heart is full of love and happiness.

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  2. So great you were all together. I find it harder and miss my daughters even more after we have spent time with each other.

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  3. How wonderful to have your children and grands all home at the same time. Our boys live here but our daughter lives in Virginia so she isn't often here for the holidays. We try to visit them three or four times a year but it's not enough and I cry every time we leave her and her little family. ((hugs)) to you

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  4. How much fun is that! I can tell you enjoyed the reunion! You have a beautiful family! So glad you felt a bit better, hope you keep improving:)

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  5. So beautiful Betsy!! I loved seeing all the pictures of your gorgeous family. What a wonderful weekend for you.

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  6. What a wonderful family! I can't imagine having your family so spread out. Guess I'm blessed that the farthest any of my kids have wandered is 40 miles. Glad you had such a great weekend!

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  7. Oh, what a wonderful family time! The last photo of all of you will be a great comfort until you can all come together again! (hope it won't be 7 years again!) How blessed you are!

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  8. I love the family photos. There is such love there. I know what you mean about separating from our kids. Every time I come home from California, or the rare time the two kids can be together, I cry. O'Hare just knows to expect that.
    My friend, your comments on my little podcast mean so much to me. I hope you feel better soon.
    HUGS

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  9. I always love seeing all those happy faces of your beautiful family. I am glad you are feeling better, too. I know you miss them, but how awesome that you got to spend so much time together, that is just wonderful. Blessings to you always sweet friend. ((hugs))

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  10. That was such a good idea to combine the holidays while you were all together. I wish I had thought of that. Mailing everything is risky and it's just not the same.

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  11. What a lovely family, I am so happy that you were all together again :)
    Thank you for the lovely Christmas card, that arrived today, and thank you for your prayers.
    Connie & Steve

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  12. This post was so very heartwarming, and my heart just went out to you so much thinking of how hard you cried after your precious children left. I can only imagine how empty and sad your home must feel, and you looked forward to them being there for so long. I don't know where the time goes. It seems we wait so long for moments such as those, then they are gone in the blink of an eye. You have a beautiful family. I can't believe how much Mandy looks like you! May the Lord bless you and comfort your heart as you miss all of your dear loved ones.

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  13. Dear Betsy, I enjoyed each and every photo of all of you. I know you were in heaven the whole time they were there. Thanks for sharing the photos with us. Maybe your kids can make a tradition of doing these each year? Hint, hint, kids. :-) I've been working on my cards for 2 days now.. I got yours today, thank you for the cute little gift! I'm glad Alex is making time for lots of travel and seeing more family for his birthday while he's on US soil. Keep an eye out for a package from me coming soon. ((hugs)), Teresa :-

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  14. Wonderful pictures! I am glad you got to have your whole family together. Nothing better than that! Nancy

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  15. Great photos of your beautiful family!! I'm glad you had a good time together and hope all who were sick feel beter NOW! Thanks for the Christmas card you sent with the little goodie inside. Made my tired day happier, my friend!!! Prayers and hugs!!

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  16. Glad you had a wonderful double holiday with your kids/grands.

    Bummer about Brad (and his boss :::rolling my eyes:::) --- wishing you a great week ahead enjoying the decorations that were put up.

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  17. Thanks so much for including us in your celebration!💜🦃💜🎄💜 I really enjoyed it and am happy for you all! May the Lord continue to bless you, dear Betsy and Dennis... I appreciate so much the perfect card and bell ornament you sent. 💜🙏💜

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  18. You all look so very happy to be together. I swear I only feel like my heart is full when we are all in the same house. A bit of me is missing when we are apart. So glad you had a wonderful time with your family Betsy.

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