Merry Christmas!

This was my annual Christmas letter this year. I thought I would share it with you, my blog readers.

Lots of happy things have happened this year. Bruce came home from twelve months in Iraq so I can take a deep breath once again. They never get so grown up we don’t worry about them, do they? He turned fifty years old last month, so I hope he won’t have to go back.


Dee got laid off from Home Depot back in June, but had a good severance package and we enjoyed having her home, last summer. She is back with a local law firm now, part time.

Dee’s book about Alesia’s adoption [Adopting Alesia] was published in June, and it has sold well. She is working on another book now. A story written by Michael is in a new book called Snowflakes, A Flurry of Adoption Stories, and we are so proud of him. I helped him write it, and it’s about his early life in Kazakhstan. Dee also has a short piece in the Snowflakes book.

Mike has adjusted well to Middle School. Alesia just loves high school. She is a junior, this year. She took the SAT last Saturday, and she is learning to drive. She also has a boyfriend, a nice young man whose name I can never recall, so I just refer to him as Dill Pickle, except to his face.

Both kids are doing well and are a joy, most of the time. Dee is an exceptionally good mother and I am proud of her.

Last June, we spent a week at Hilton Head, in Ocean One, one of my favorite condos. From there, we drove down to Brunswick and St.Simon’s Island to get in a visit with my cousin Frank and his family.

A highlight for the kids was Bruce’s taking them on a camping trip in July, to the North Georgia mountains. They all enjoyed it. They had cute stories to share when they returned.

I am writing a blog, now, [A Marietta Gals’ View] about once a week. Dee writes almost every day on her blog The Crab Chronicles. I know many of you keep up with us that way.

I strongly feel that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I enjoy my life and am content. Bruce helped put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving and the kids did a super job decorating. He will be back for Christmas. Dee has been buzzing around getting everything ready for our holidays. We have a quiet Christmas at home, but it’s always fun.

The past year has been pretty good, with the exception of the loss of my brother Bob, his wife Myrtle, my sister in law Evalyn and several very dear friends. I know where they are and that they are fine. I miss all of them but life goes on.

I truly treasure my family and long time friends. All are such a blessing.

Hope the new year brings much happiness to you and yours!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EACH OF YOU!
Love,
Elva

This is a rare shot of all of us in front of the tree...