The Seven of Us

I've been gone from New York State for almost nineteen years, but sometimes, at the strangest moments, I miss my home.   Though I was anxious to leave and knew in my mid-teens that I liked the western part of our country, I find that I think of home and wish for it more as I get older.  I miss the lush greenery of the Adirondacks in the summertime, when simply stepping outside is an experience that awakens the senses.  I can smell the pine trees and feel the warm humidity on my skin, and I wish for it even though I know I don't like it.  I miss the peaceful serenity of my childhood home.  The porch wasn't screened in when I was home;  I'd like to go back and sit there, on my Nanna's old wicker furniture, with a good book and a cold drink. I miss the beautiful, plentiful lakes, rivers, and streams, surrounded by evergreens.  There is nothing similar on the high plains of Colorado! And for some reason, as I get old...

In February Jared and the four oldest kids went to Washington to welcome Uncle Matt home from the New York New York North Mission. It had been three years since all ten of Jared's siblings had been together and they had a good time.  Jared arrived in time to be at the Pasco airport with everyone as they waited for Matt's flight. Below:  Waiting.  Everyone in this photo, with the exception of the man in the white shirt and the bald guy in the middle, is an Andersen.  The guy in the plaid shirt is Jared's dad, Doug, and the girl in the white is his sister, Beth, with her daughter.  On Beth's right  is cousin Josie Bates, and another cousin, Kilee Chase (McKenna's age) is on the far right.  The photo below is of cousins Lauren, Hannah and Jake Andersen.  They look ready to greet Matt.   Finally! The smiling missionary.  Brothers Matt and Josh hug while Grandma Sally wipes tears away.  ...

Sometimes I see what others go through on their mortal journey and I'm glad I'm me. Cancer. Death.  Health challenges.  Children spiritually adrift. Job loss. Sometimes I wonder when my turn with [any of the above] is coming. And it's then that I say to myself, "You are a blessed lady.  When [   ]  happens, remember your friend [      ] and be like [he] is." And then I continue on my journey, packing a little more perspective with me.  Sometimes I wonder if Heavenly Father will give me credit for the learning-by-observing method and bypass me when he hands out [        ] and [       ].   And even as I wonder, I think I know the answer to that.  And then I wonder if I will be prepared for sometime to arrive, someday.

 March was a good month for McKenna.  Early in the month she received notice that she was chosen as a winner on a coloring/design contest on the Miss O. and Friends website.  She'd entered several completed pictures in a contest in January.  her prize was a $50 American Express gift card. Wow! Add caption On March 24, Kenna turned 11.  Eleven!  Actually, it doesn't seem weird. She looks eleven and we have probably treated Kenna as an eleven year-old since she turned ten (maybe I should apologize for that). In any case, we are glad to have Kenna in our family.  She's a great daughter.   Happy birthday, Kenna Beckah!

One Saturday morning in Febraury Caleb and I went to the MacGregor Apartments in Sterling to attend a meeting of the Daughters of the American Revolution.   We were there because Caleb had won an essay contest, which had actually been a school assignment. The subject was Paul Revere. The contest was for all sixth graders in the "greater" Sterling area (if there is such a thing).  Caleb really was not excited to attend the DAR meeting.  I could relate to his feelings; I remembered attending American Legion meetings and ceremonies when I particpated in the Oratoracle  Contest in high school. I was always uncomfortable.  Caleb was simply bored.  I encouraged him to smile and talk to everyone, which he did.  He survived--and he won $50.  Not a bad reward for talking with nice old ladies for an hour on a Saturday morning. On March 1st Caleb was inducted into Haxtun's NJHS (National Junior Honor Societ...