One sad start to the new year

We had to say good-bye to Liz and Madi early this morning. Liz cried and begged for us to not let them take her and pleaded with her mother to let her stay in Utah. She said "I don't like South Carolina. I want to stay here forever." Madi is too young to even realize what is happening, though the past week she hasn't let her dad out of her sight for fear he'll disappear ~ again.

We will all miss them and they will miss their dad.

Liz & Madi's room

Empty chairs, empty beds, empty, heartbroken family.

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We, as a family, are mourning the little girls and the Karla that we loved. We know she is broken and we want her to be happy and to be able to find herself, recover from the trauma of her youth. We would welcome the healthy Karla with open arms. We would never try to force her to be where she doesn't want to be or try to force her into an unhappy marriage, but we would love to see her do the right thing for the girls, which might include being to be willing to locate where the girls could have both parents to love them and spend time with them DAILY. They could both have access without spending their entire income on travel back and forth across the country. She would be blessed for being selfless while she continues to mend. She has a support network here, even though she has tried to burn bridges (and is doing a pretty good job of it). We would help if she would be willing. We do believe in forgiveness for all mistakes that have been made by any concerned.

Lizzy the Lion

Apparently they were short-staffed with long lines at the Car Show so they were doing only half-face face painting.

Jon's Photos from Liz's Bday Party

All the kids had a great time in the Thomas' super cool backyard. Jon, Karla & Liz love living there.

Family PartyYesterday (Sunday)

Yesterday (Sunday) was Madeline's Blessing and we celebrated Julia's Baptism, Fred's Birthday and Liz's birthday as well.

Karla, Jon & Madi


Kiyomi, Jaelyn, Julia with her special cake


Liz with her special birthday cake created by her dad

Fred, Alex, Noah, Liz, Jasmine, Jaelyn
Noah, Alex, Fred, Liz, Jasmine, Adam, Noah, Jordan, Jaelyn, Julia, Emma (Chris & Ashlie in background)
Now you see Ashlie (plus Kiyomi's hand and Karla with camera)

Liz Got an Owie

While singing "no more monkeys jumping on the bed" Elizabeth jumped around the living room and had an accident with the brick fireplace, scraping her whole arm! Ouch!

Liz in the Fall

It's a tradition for Jon to photograph Liz in the fall.

With Karla

September is going, going, almost gone!

Elizabeth's First Horseback Ride - No Fears





She's a cutie!
I hate to lose September - one of the nicest months of the year. It's almost gone and I don't even know what happened to it. Things have been in a bit of turmoil since trying to decide on a wedding date and circumstances for it. It seems impossible to make not only everyone happy, but ANYONE happy. Now we're trying to decide what to do and planning to go to San Diego in October while Jenn and Fred are there.

Last Saturday night Steve and I went to the races to see my brother race. He drives modifieds at the Rocky Mountain Raceway. It hasn't been his best year but he did quite well despite a flat tire in the 100 lap main event. We were glad to get to see one race anyway.

Jon lost his job, so I worry about them - hopefully he will find something soon and he wants to get back in school, but now it means waiting until Spring Semester (January 08).

I had a nice day on the 18th when some of the family were able to go with Antje to the Salt Lake Temple for the first time.

Steve and I also started a singles Book of Mormon class through Church Education. I can certainly learn more there and Brother Walsh is a fun instructor. It's almost like Seminary.

I attended a wonderful fireside with Mike Schappi who is a paraplegic since age 14 (accident) but who has achieved magnificent success in life, Olympics, etc. while maintaining a positive can-do attitude. He has become a new hero for me. I also got to see one of my oldest and best friends, Barbara.