2008 Year in Review

Happy New Year Everyone!

Our Christmas Card

Dear family and friends,

This year the miraculous birth of Christ takes on a whole new meaning as Frank and I are expecting our own little miracle in February. As we wait in expectation I have to admit that we have many questions and fears about becoming parents. But when we look to the Christ child, and read His comforting words in the Bible we have found great peace. Just like Jesus, our baby will teach us many things. God, in his compassion and humility, thankfully starts these lessons with a cute and cuddly baby that has developed love, anticipation and wonder for 9 months while in the mothers womb. We are very excited to start this journey. Unlike Mary and Joseph, we have wonderfully supportive family, friends and church family who are excited and hopeful with us! Thank you!

Our bundle of joy is expected February 27th. We have been busy getting ready for his/her arrival (we want to be surprised on the gender). In September Amelia quit her job at Stanislaus County Agriculture Dept. to devote more time to her schooling (my goal is to have my masters thesis finished before the baby comes, and now it looks like a reality!). This month I will finish up my last 15 units of classes and will graduate in May. I plan to stay at home with the baby. In October we moved to a beautiful home in Patterson owned by Frank’s parents and located next door to them on the cucumber farm. Now we are enjoying country life again with a great view of the foothills. Frank is still enjoying his job at CNP (California Natural Products) in Lathrop. Now that we are in Patterson he has a better commute for which we are both very thankful. But now our commute to church is 20 minutes long! We are still involved in community life at Westside Ministries even though we live in Patterson. For Christmas we will be traveling to Holland to spend the holidays with Frank’s extended family. All of Frank’s siblings (and their families) will also be going! We will be enjoying the holidays with family, sight seeing and attending family reunions / parties. Well, it looks like I’m out of room. Merry Christmas, and we wish you all of God’s best in the coming year! Love…. Frank and Amelia

11th Annual Lunch Bunch Christmas

Our annual ornament exchange was at our house this year.... it was so much fun. After the traditional exchanging of ornaments with each other the girls surprised me with a baby shower gift, flowers and cake! It was a great time of catching up on new news, talking about babies, engagements and travels. I believe it was Ralph Waldo Emmerson who said, "Ah, how good it feels in the hand of an old friend". It's a wonderful treasure to grow up and grow old with friends such as these.

Valentine's Day (ooh la laa)

My man is so good to me... we had a wonder full valentine's day! After giving me a dozen red roses AND potted red tulips AND the sweetest card I ever read (it made me cry), Frank took me for a walk on the bluff of my childhood farm, along the river. The almods were blooming and the smell of honey (and cow manure) was fresh in the air. We walked and talked and watched the sun set (sigh). When we pulled onto the long dirt driveway we stopped to talk to my old neighbor, Mike, who was working in the yard (as usual). He and Nadine have the most beautiful garden! While chatting with him we noticed that half of the orchard had already been pulled out. Wow, it looked different.

We knew it would happen one day but I just didn't expect to see it so soon... all things change in time don't they? I had so many dreams about the "home place" as a child and teen... I was a little sad to see someone else taking over with different dreams and ambitions (not to say they are bad ones). But then when I look at our pictures now, days later, and see my smiling husband I realise that I have better dreams and ambitions to look forward to... raising children and making a home with him. These seem much more adventurous than holding on to the old dreams. I still dream of the home place and haven't fully let it go, but having new dreams comforts me. I am also comforted by the words of our Lord in John 14:1-4
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."

This world is not our home is it?

The fondue party

Our First Christmas

We had a funny start to our Christmas this year but it was definately memorable... We had previously decided not to buy gifts for each other this Christmas because funds have been short. Besides, we were busy with fun family affairs and hardley noticed until the day of when our parents presented mushy gushy love letters to each other that brought tears to our eyes and reminded us that we hadn't even gotten each other a card!

So we, or should I say I, decided then and there that we were to celebrate Christmas late... of course I had to explain the whole illogical idea to Frank about how my feelings changed and how now I do want to celebrate with gifts, and that we could use the money that we recieved as gifts from our parents to purchase gifts for each other. Good ol Frank, he's so patient with me. And he got me the sweetest thing... a book on country living, self sustainably. It was perfect! I was not as creative; I got him two shirts, socks and boxers.

So to finish my story, the following weekend after Christmas we celebrated at home by getting all dolled up and I made enchiladas, spanish rice and beans for dinner. After opening our gifts we snuggled on the couch with a movie. It was so wonderful. Thank you Frank...

Finally one from Frank...

So, we're in Kansas for the week. For Thanksgiving of course... what else would one do in Kansas, other than visit family, right??? Amelia's extended family lives in the Hillsboro area. I guess, coming from the Turlock area, and not knowing anything about Kansas, I had expected it to be somewhat different than what it is. But it is beautiful in its own right. When we get a chance (When I get Cingular coverage...) I will upload some new pictures of the area. It's been a fun trip so far. But then, what's not to love about spending some much needed time on the road with only your new bride and thousands of miles of undiscovered (by me) road ahead right? We've had a LOT of fun so far! ;-) Can't wait to post some more news in the future!