If one advances confidently
in the direction of his dreams,
and endeavors to live the life
which he has imagined,
he will meet with a success
unexpected in common hours.

HENRY DAVID THOREAU

Blog Blessings ...

It's difficult, and at the same time exciting, to try something new; this blog is definitely new on the learning curve for me ... but a blessing and very fun. Hang in there with me, and please leave a comment - now that you can easily follow the prompts to post a comment!

A Mother's Joy!

Isn't this picture wonderful? Such joy on John's face - finally hugging his family after a long year at war! I can hardly express the feeling I had as Elina, Misha and I, together with Rondi and Karis, strained to see our son enter the gymnasium at Fort Irwin late on the night of January 5th. Memories of John throughout his life with us came crashing to my mind, begging to be remembered! It's a mother's joy to see this kind of happiness on his face. After-all, does it get any better than this?

John, Rondi and Karis are off to Georgia for his captains course. It's a five month course for final preparation to command his own Army unit. We are not sure where he will be stationed after the course, but at least the family is together during his time at school. Brad and Stephanie are there too. Even though Brad is a couple months ahead of John at the course, they will all have a few months together before parting ways once again.

I wouldn't have missed seeing this in person for all the world! It is good, however, to be home in Japan now with Phil. He wasn't able to be at Ft. Irwin for Johnny's return, due to his incredibly busy work schedule ... and he was sorely missed. But, we have wonderful pictures to share.

John and Rondi must be commended for the incredible job of maintaining a flourishing relationship while apart.

Karis and Daddy know each other, because of things like her "daddy video" where she can see and hear him reading books to her. And also from her "daddy bear" John had especially made for her with his own recorded voice telling Karis how special she is to him and mommy.

Phil and I are so very proud!

Let them both know how proud of them you are as well, by posting a message on this blog for them to read.

Please post messages here for John and Rondi. That way they won't be bombarded with email, but can read them at their leisure. There will be many days, as they transition, where access to a computer may not be convenient.

Well, this has been an absolutely incredible few weeks. Rondi, Karis and I left Japan on the 27th of December, and I took the train from Los Angeles to Sand Clemente to be with Jesse and Elina, while Rondi drove the rental car home. I got to stay with Jesse, Elina & Misha Rose a little longer than expected, since John's flight from Kuwait was postponed several times. We drove up to John's house in the desert on the 5th of January to anxiously await his homecoming. It was wonderful! (I will definately write more about this at a later date).
For the rest of these past few weeks, I have been busy seeing friends, helping (a little) with a combined 70th birthday for my dad, and a homecoming party for Johnny. Each one thought the party was for the other person, so it was a bit of a surprise for both of them. It was a wonderful time, and my brother Lee and his wife Janet did an absolutely terrific job.
I'm in Grass Valley, CA, now, taking care of puppies and the house while my aunt and Uncle Cliff are at the hospital in San Francisco. Uncle Cliff has been very ill with liver cancer, and these past few days we have been in the middle of another terrible episode of jaundice. It's not quite clear just exactly what is causing all of the trouble this time around, but a big difference for me is that I'm HERE, instead of across the Pacific, to help in any way I can!
I hope to write again soon, so ... stay tuned ...