A New Baby Nielson...

Look at my newest great nephew! I have to admit it is truly a new age when my first view of him was on Facebook. Evidently Heidi was online at the hospital and updating the rest of the family. This little "big" boy belongs to Bud and Kelli Nielson - Eli has his baby brother and he is going to be very nice to his baby and share his toys and change his diapers. That's a helpful 3-year old. Can't wait to see pics of Eli with whatever this little guy's name is going to be.

It's amazing how excited I still get with every new baby. I am just as thrilled as when I first became an aunt. Okay, Kyle, that was just a few years ago. 8 nieces, 4 nephews, and how many greats do we have now? Josh, Andre, Branden, Grace, Lacy, Eliza, Roxanne, Hannah, Shelby, Ben, Sasha, Olivia, Lily, Erik, Eli, Stella and now this little one. And...3 more on the way in May/June. I LOVE my family!!!! Woohoo!!!!

One Giant Step for Sarah...

Okay, the pictures below should have been posted at Christmas. I'm still learning about all this stuff and trying to get things posted. Anyway, I have to share pics of my Sarah at Christmas. She had been very sick for about 5 days before Christmas so she looks a bit pale. But she is so happy and has some expression in her face. And let me tell you, a month later, she just glows. I was on the phone with her earlier this evening and she had the giggles. It has been so long since I heard that true giggle from my girl. Her eyes shine! She is here with mom, Granny & Gramps, her new blankie thanks to Kassie & Aunt Becky, and hash browns from Grandpa's Christmas breakfast.

Tonight I learned that Sarah has advanced to the next level in her treatment program. She is so excited because she has had lots of little steps forward with steps back and then forward again. But she said herself, this is a giant step forward. She is doing so great in school - she's determined to be on the honor roll this term. What a change!

Thank you for the love, support and prayers.

Look at the smile...

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2009 is starting out fine and we have hope for a great year! My visits with Sarah continue to indicate we are on the right path. She is more determined than ever to make a fresh start and experience life in a clean and healthy way. We have so much fun during our visits - the 2 hours just fly by each Saturday. She sends her love and thanks to all her family and friends who continue to support her and include her in their thoughts and prayers.

Time to start sharing about Ireland. John and I flew into Shannon Ireland, County Clare, on Wednesday, October 28, 2008. We had no plans or agenda except to spend time together and eventually meet his relatives in County Mayo. We stayed in bed & breakfasts and hostels. We listened to traditional Irish music and sang together as we drove through the countryside and along the shore. We spent evenings in local pubs hanging out with the locals visiting, singing, listening to music. Somedays we would drive for a few hours between stops or not even go very far. I LOVE the people. I LOVE the music. We actually went to a concert of a band called "The Fureys" who sing and play all the old Irish tunes.

We spent the first few days in County Clare mostly along the Atlantic Coast of Western Ireland. We stayed in what became our favorite place called Doolin. It's just an enchanting little village just north of the Cliffs of Moher (which we did not stop to see - dumb decision in the end!)

Then we headed north into County Galway - which is where our Wakefield ancestors came from. I decided it was too big of a county to research our family heritage while there, but would look into it when I got home. We had stayed in a very small village called Aughrim where it appears some of our Wakefield ancestors were born and fought in one of the bloodiest battles ever in Ireland. There I had been right there where our ancestors lived.

We then went to County Mayo, the most northwestern county of Ireland. This is where John's ancestors are from. We visited the small villages of Aughoose, Lena More, and Pullathomas. An entire village could be 3 houses or 10 - just depending on the road and family and whatever else. We saw the ruins of the Church where John's father and ancestors would have been christenened and married. It is another charming area and meeting his remaining relatives was delightful. Aunt Bridget and her 4 children all still live there. She was married to John's Uncle (can't remember which one right now). We met Brendan, Mary and Gerald - missed cousin Michael (oops).

So...I won't bore you with any more details. I just hope to share the magic feeling of this very traditional country where the songs are about the places you live and the people you love. The green is not like any other green - it's truly a unique shade of green - even in the Fall with red and copper and yellow framing each view. It's where you meet someone and they become your friend instantly. It was freezing cold while we were there, but the warmth of the culture, the people and just plain being with the one I love warmed our hearts and souls. I'll try to post some photos of our favorite places.

céad míle fáilte - Irish for ‘a hundred thousand welcomes’