Parenting Notes

Lynn and I are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints, more commonly known to the world as the Mormons. Lynn and I have not been blessed in our home life with the pitter patter of little feet on our linoleum floors; however, we are encompassed and surrounded by extraordinary nieces, nephews and beautiful young men and women whom we cherish and feel extremely close to and love very much.

We have been discussing in our church meetings some of the challenges parents have right now as they are raising children to become influential citizens and meaningful adults. The Bishop in our ward provided us with a list that he and his wife came up with on ways he which we could be better parents, more efficient aunts, uncles, grandparents, neighbors, etc., to those children and the youth in our lives. It is my hope that our Bishop's list can be as beneficial to you as it was to us.

1. DO NOT SAY ANYTHING THAT YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH.



2. PROVIDE A 2-MINUTE WARNING.



3. THERE ARE ONLY THREE SITUATIONS FOR LISTENING TO CHILDREN WHINE, THEY ARE 'HUNGRY', 'TIRED', AND 'SICK'.



4. LEARN TO SAY NO.



5. IF IT IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR CHILD, IT IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT TO YOU.



6. SHOW PHYSICAL LOVE.



7. APOLOGIZE SINCERELY.



8. ADMIT MISTAKES TO CHILDREN.



9. ALLOW CHILDREN TO MAKE MISTAKES AND TO ACCEPT THE CONSEQUENCES.



10. SET EXPECTATIONS FOR STANDARDS AND RENEW THEM OFTEN.



11. LET CHILDREN HAVE RESPONSIBILITY (AND CONSEQUENCES).



12. LET CHILDREN TEACH EACH OTHER.



13. PROVIDE YOUR CHILD WITH A HOBBY/SPORT THAT CONSUMES THEM (ANYTHING THAT IS LAWFUL AND ETHICAL), BUT DO NOT OVERSCHEDULE (FOCUS ON THE ACTIVITY).



14. TEACH CHILDREN HOW TO WORK (EARN EXTRA MONEY FOR EXTRA EFFORT).



15. 10-MINUTE CLEAN RULE - SET EXPECTATION FOR COMPLETION.



16. CONSISTENCY AND TRADITIONS (FAMILY HOME EVENING, FAMILY COUNSEL).



17. HAVE THEM BE ANXIOUSLY ENGAGED.



18. SCRIPTURE STUDY AND DISCUSSION.



19. RESPECT THAT SOME CHILDREN LEARN LESSONS AT DIFFERENT RATES.



20. PROFILE HOW CHILDREN LEARN, INTERACT, AND DEVELOP, AND FOLLOW AGE APPROPRIATE AND DEVELOPMENTAL EXPECTATIONS.



21. SHOW LOVE AND KINDNESS TO SPOUSE AT ALL TIMES IN FRONT OF CHILDREN.



22. THE GOAL IS SELF-RELIANCE AND INTERDEPENDENCE. WEAN WHEN SIGNS OF INTERDEPENDENCE ARE NOTICED AND SEEN.



23. THE PLAN OF SALVATION ALLOWS INDIVIDUALS TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS-BE WILLING TO ALLOW CHILDREN TO MAKE POOR DECISIONS.



24. DESCRIBE THE "WHY" OF DECISIONS, NOT JUST "NO".



25. GIVE CHOICES TO ENCOURAGE GOOD PLAN OF SALVATION DECISIONS.

*Bishop Ken Fisher

The Healing Field

Before Lynn and I moved to Illinois and before my dad died, Lynn and I took my father on a small trip to the Salt Lake Valley where a town had erected American flags for all the men, women and children who died violently and unexpectedly on September 11, 2001 in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. lovingly called, the 'Healing Field'. Another section of lawn was dedicated to the men and women in the armed forces who had given their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq by the summer of 2003. I know the number of military deaths have quad-droupled from the summer of 2003.

We walked amongst rows and rows and rows of American Flags and flags from other countries who had family members perish on Sept. 11th and also from wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as they fought shoulder to shoulder with our troops. The flags waved gently in the breeze. The bright red, white and blue were transcendent and beautiful amongst the blue sky. The scene caused a lump to come to my throat and I could feel the tears begin to flow. Here were the lives of thousands of individuals, each one represented by a flag. Some were at work in their office, others were visiting the Twin Towers on a tour, others were dug down deep in trenches of the heat and sand of Iraq and Afghanistan; and Poof! ..... They were gone!

As we approach the birthday of the United States of America tomorrow, I would like to pay tribute to those brave soldiers who every day fight for our freedom and the free agency of other countries. To the men and women who will not be coming home to the arms of their fathers, mothers, wives, husbands, children, family and friends, but instead were doing, 'what they were suppose to be doing'. May each of us find a 'Healing Field' in our hearts as we celebrate the 4th of July and at the same time remember all those who have sacrificed THEIR ALL for this country!

We are indeed blessed to be living in such a fine land. As many statesmen and soldiers can attest, 'Freedom isn't free', there is always a high human sacrificial cost to maintain the freedom our country has had and we now enjoy in the year 2010.

-Shelly

June 2010

Oh my, today is June 30th ... where has the time gone? We are six months into 2010 and only have six more month of this year to go!


I am filled with so much emotion this morning for such a wonderful month. The month started with a visit from my sister, Linda. She arrived on June 1st and by June 9th Linda was back at her home in Castle Dale, Utah. The days and time I spent with Linda during that short period was magical and memorable. We visited downtown Chicago, toured various fun sites around Chicago/Naperville/Aurora and then went to Nauvoo and Carthage IL to round out Linda's visit. Everything was wonderful! Even the weather cooperated, which for IL, is quite a feat during the rainy season! I have put together a quick little photo synopsis of our time with Linda, which I will post at another time.


I also started a new job on May 17th and of all places it is in a dental office. (http://washingtondental.com/) The dentist for Washington Dental (in Naperville) is Dr. (Randy) Vaughan! There was no training with the new position, which is so helpful in a new working environment, so my training has come from Dr. Vaughan himself, in helping me to understand the various dental instruments, techniques and procedures, the office part has come from trial and error. I am hoping by my 3-month mark that I will have most of the information down pat! Right now, it is frustrating yet rewarding when I can print off a patient's statement, send a recall notice or dental insurance out. My dad was a dentist. Mine, and most of my sisters, first jobs were working with my dad in his dental office. I feel like I am back to my 'roots' so to speak with this job; and yet the dental field has grown in leaps and bounds from when I was working with my dad, so all in all, it is indeed a NEW, LEARNING and CHALLENGING environment for me.


The first part of June in Aurora has been very wet with tremendous thunder and lightning storms so I haven't been outside much after dark. But last night I spotted them!!! I've been waiting and waiting .... and there they were lighting up the evening sky .... fireflies!!! We do not have fireflies in the Rockies or the West, so these winged illuminated insects are something I have looked forward to while living in IL during the summer months. Fireflies are magical winged fortresses of light, dancing and darting among the moon and darkened IL skies. The fireflies show up, or at least I notice them, around the time of my birthday (June 23).

The month of June (2010) has been an interesting, fantastic, challenging and electrifying month for sure! I can't wait to see what is in store for the remaining months of 2010!!!!

-Shelly

PS
Lynn has his colonoscopy on Friday (7/2/10)!!!

PPS
They will not be posted online as Shelly's were. - Lynn

Happy Father's Day!

To my husband, to my father and Lynn's father, and to my grandfathers and Lynn's grandfathers, the brothers and brothers-in-law, and to all the uncles and the most awesome(est) ever nephews, and to the men in my life who are my neighbors, work associates, bosses, and friends whom I love and adore with all of my heart,

Happy Father's Day!

A few inspirational highlights about fathers and fatherhood from Bill Cosby, the father who has made many of us laugh for years.

"A new father quickly learns that his child invariably comes to the bathroom at precisely the times when he's there, as if he needed the company. The only way for this father to be certain of bathroom privacy is to shave at the gas station."

"If the new American father feels bewildered and even defeated, let him take comfort from the fact that whatever he does in any fathering situation has a fifty percent chance of being right."

"Nothing I've ever done has given me more joys and rewards that being a father to my children."

-Shelly

PARENT / GRANDPARENT

Job Description:

POSITION:

Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma, Grandma, Gammy, Grams

Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop, Grandpa, Papa

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Long term, team players needed, for challenging,

permanent work in an often chaotic environment.

Candidates must possess excellent communication

and organizational skills and be willing to work

variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends

and frequent 24 hour shifts on call.

Some overnight travel required, including trips to

primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless

sports tournaments in far away cities!

Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The rest of your life.

Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5.

Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly.

Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule

and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat

in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.

Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges,

such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers.

Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and

coordinate production of multiple homework projects.

Must have the ability to plan and organize social gatherings

for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.

Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embrassment the next.

Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a

half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices.

Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.

Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product.

Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and

janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION:

None.

Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and

updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:

None required unfortunately.  On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION:

Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses.

A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because

of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent.

When you die, you give them whatever is left.

The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that

you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS:

While no health or dental insurance, no pension,

no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered;

this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love,

and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

** FOOTNOTE **

THERE IS NO RETIREMENT - - EVER!!!!!!!!!

Peace ON EARTH!

We are honored and feel so blessed to once again find ourselves at Christmas time living in Illinois.  Chicagoland is a magical place filled with spectacular and historical surroundings and memorable people.  Miracles occur everday, if we only but look.

We are Christians and belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saint (the Mormons).  We DO believe in Jesus Christ.  We DO know that on this special and hallowed Christmas night the earth and mankind was transformed.  Angels sang from heaven.  A new glorious star shone bright signaling the Savior's humble birth.  Kings from noble birthrights sought out the Christ child.

May we all look to the year of 2010 as a time to renew our commitment to God, strengthen home and family, rekindle friendships, old and new; and that we might find joy and success by all that surrounds us.

We would like to wish our family and friends a very Merry Christmas and a spectacular and prosperous New Year!

Lynn and Shelly Hook

Juicy Tidbits ...

I have to start this entry by letting you know, MY MOM IS COMING FOR A VISIT! :o) My mom will be here for a very short window span, but I am so grateful for the time she is taking out of her busy and hectic schedule in Utah to visit with us. It is hard to share time with mom when there are nine of us clamoring for her undivided attention, plus my other siblings have more arsenals in their bag of tricks to keep my mom’s attention, they include ‘grandchildren’. My mom will be coming in on Wednesday, Oct 21st and heading back to Utah Sunday evening, Oct. 25th. So our time frame isn’t that long, but it will be jam packed with love, love, and then more love. I am fortunate though that one of my wonderful nieces and her family don’t live far from us in Aurora.

I received ‘good news’ this week. I had to take a few days off from work due to the flu and I was worried about my temporary work assignment with PDS Tech. Inc. When I came home from work on Monday, I found a message on the answering machine. Hartford Insurance wants to extend my contract for another 2 months. Ana (w/PDS) said that the professionals at Hartford like my attitude and my work ethics. YAHOO!!! That means I may be working with Hartford/PDS up until Thanksgiving, and who knows … it may be longer than that if Hartford wants to extend my contract even longer. We (my other temp colleagues and friends, Nadine and Anita) have started a gigantic, multi-tasking project. Anita, Nadine and I work so well together. We are over hauling the filing system. I didn’t think it would be so time consuming. But, there seems to be one small hurdle after another. I don’t mind it though. I love, absolutely love, working on a project where I can actually see some kind of progress. I am so glad Nadine and Anita started with me. Working as three, rather than one lonely temp, has been divine. We are the ‘Three Musketeers’ in all aspects when it comes to our job at Hartford.

We are still waiting to hear if Lynn’s contract with the Army Reserve will be renewed the first part of October (2009). Yep, the date is right around the corner! The Reserve Unit he’s with definitely wants to renew it and keep Lynn on, but the paperwork is being shuffled through the federal bureaucracy. Last year Lynn had to take a few personal days off because his contract didn’t get signed in time. – I’m glad that Hartford & PDS Techs don’t take that long to finalize things.

Lynn's sister's husband received a surprise job offer, and they are now moving to Southern Utah. Lynn's youngest sister, Pauline's, husband will be in Iraq for the year. He is in Kuwait now and is traveling today to Iraq. We have 2 nephews who are on missions for our church. One is in New York the other in South Africa. Both, JJ and David, love the areas they are in, they love the people with all their heart and enjoying new cultural experiences.

My sister, Lisa, is still going through chemo for breast cancer. Lisa is on a second type of chemo and it has actually made her more ill than the first concotion they gave her. My older sister, Linda, has had a few health problems crop up this year with multiple kidney stones that are in both kidneys. The medical teams are still trying to find an explanation for the kidney stones and a cure.

The rest of our families are doing well. We have a myriad of nieces and nephews that are in grade school, junior/senior high school, and college. All of our siblings are doing well, rattling around their houses, trying to keep up with their tykes and school kids, etc. .. living life to the fullest.

Next week we’re suppose to get our first ‘real’ taste of fall. Cool temps, wind, rain … I just LOVE FALL!!!:o)

-Shelly

With or Without ?

With or without? Hmmmm! Thanks to a friend’s recent Facebook entry, I am reminded that as of October, 2009, Lynn and I will have been in Chicagoland for 2 (two) glorious year. I cannot think of a place I would rather be with Lynn than right here by his side.

Our family and friends as much as we love them, will continue to grow older, and be taller (or shorter), wider or thinner, gain hair/loose hair, with or without us. School days for youth march on. Even though we do not have youngsters of our own, family members and friends are happily and sadly in some cases heading back to school.

Family and friends are facing tough decisions on what university or college to attend, anxieties about their new roommates, vocation resolutions, missions, vacations? Will or will they not, have a few vacation days hopped scotched in during the remainder of the year? Again, this will happen with or without us.
My mother, surprised us all this year, by adding an addition to our family tree, by way of a 4-legged, small puppy, named Tuffee (I have probably misspelled his name); of course, Mom did this without us, but we were so happy that she did. My sister, without us, is surviving breast cancer; another is fighting horrid kidney stones and lipotripsy action, without us. A nephew is on a mission in South Africa, another is hitting a mile stone in New York. Our brother-in-law is heading to Iraq. Even though our family and friends are doing things ‘without’ us physically. Our hearts, love, and soul, are 'with them always'.

Our hearts still ache with loss for family and friends who are no longer with us, and whose laughter has been hushed for awhile. WE KNOW we will hear their laughter again, in time. We will continue to work hard, play hard, embrace and absorb life, and love every moment we have in our phase(s) of life.

Our religion continues to be very important to us. Like time, our religion (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) continues to move on with or without us. We WANT to be on that bus, train, jet, or walk, for the long haul.

Life. Life will happen with or without us. We want to make the most of and cherish ‘our time’ and ‘do it together’. We intend to make the most of it and enjoy it. Whether time flies by in Chicago, or the warm sunny skies of California, or if we find ourselves in another state or back in the dry, but glorious desert state, of Utah or Idaho. Time will always go by, with or without us. WE ARE TRULY GRATEFUL FOR THE UPS AND DOWNS, THE SPILLS AND TURNS, AND THE EXHILLERATING RIDE OF LIFE!


-Shelly

Our Thoughts Turned to Our Dads ...

I heard a thought the other day from Charles Wadsworth, and I'm paraphrasing, "By the time a man or woman realizes their father was right, they usually have their own son or daughter who thinks they are wrong."


God bless the wonderful men in the world who are fathers, sons, grandfathers, uncles and fathers-to-be, who reach out to the children and youth of the world and makes each one feel safe and loved.



We want to pay tribute to my dad and to Lynn's dad. Both men have gone the way of the earth, and both fathers were stalwart, diligent, committed, brave, and fearless in defending the freedom of our country. They gave their entire essence and sacrificed all for their religion, their wives, their sons, and their daughters. Our fathers (& mothers) are why we are who we are. If we are half the example that they were to us, then our world is blessed and then our fathers objectives while on earth was a success.


We LOVE and MISS you Dad, and thank you!


Lynn & Shelly

Chicago and Cantigny Park

I have to explain that this entry has nothing but everything to do with each other. One of the collages I've created by way of Picaso, is the incredible time we had with our niece, Vali, when she came out to Chicago during her spring break, and then I have another collage of a Memorial Day outing we had with our sweet friends Daryl and Donna Miyasaki to Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL. I had a glorious time on both outings. Actually, I just LOVE to get out and see new things and visit wonderful parks and places throughout Illinois and the surrounding states.

The trips to Chicago and Cantigny Park are so different and provide strong and deep emotions in very different ways. But, the one thing they have in common is that Lynn and I are spending them with family and friends we love and cherish.

Shelly

A little bit of this and a little bit of that

This has been an interesting eighteen months for me and Lynn. Of course it started off with our move in October (2007) to what everyone out here in Illinois calls "God's country" (Chicagoland/Aurora/Naperville area). It was a year ago May (2008) when I was given a clean bill of health.

We have found in our lovely area wonderful friends, fantastic scenery, and remarkable architecture (both God made and manmade). I have enjoyed traipsing through downtown Chicago and other areas that have a historical and sentimental nature behind them. We have had family and friends who have visited us in our new surroundings.

We have visited our surrounding neighbor states, such as Michigan, Iowa and Wisconsin, and plan to have more excursions of discovery, especially to the lower part of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, etc.

Lynn’s contract with the Army Reserve is going superbly. I am still searching for that elusive and illusive job position, which I know is just around the corner.

My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer a month ago and the doctors feel strongly that they have removed all the cancerous tissues. Her chemo and radiation treatments will be completed by the end of the year.

Lynn and I continue to have nieces and nephews that are leaving a remarkable and lasting legacy for their friends and family (such as their Aunt and Uncle) to follow. I have a mother (and Lynn has a mother-in-law, but really she’s his mother-of-love) in my life that I cherish and love with all my heart.

We feel truly blessed and eager, but somewhat anxious, to see what’s ahead for us in the next few years. I know though as I go through this life that I will go forth boldly and strongly because of my sweet and dear companion, Lynn. - - Of that, I have no doubt. Three things are certain in our lives. One, Lynn and I have each other, now and forever. Two, we have a remarkable loving family support system; and three, which is the most important thing to us, is our belief and trust in God.

-Shelly

A Circle of Love

My sister Lisa came out to visit with us, her daughter and son-in-law (Cori & Jeff) and to meet with her new grandson, Seth Min Cheol, last Wednesday and left to go home two days ago. :( It was fun to have my sister stay with us at night. Since both Lynn and I were working we would take her to Cori's house (in Glenview, IL), where she could spend the day playing with Seth and do the motherly thing with her daughter that only a mother (or a special woman) can achieve, and then after work I would pick Lisa back up from Cori's and would bring her back to our house (sisterly chatting all the way) for the evening.

It has been an amazing few weeks. During the last part of September Lynn and I went up to stay with my younger sister Ami (who lives in Dearborn, MI). While at Ami's, we picked up my mom and then she spent a week with us. Lynn and I have been wrapped up in the arms of love and feel so blessed and grateful to have the families we do. Here are just a few of the pictures of generations of moms with and tons and tons of LOVE for their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren:)

A Time Capsule in Michigan!!!

Lynn and I were extremely fortunate while we were visiting my sister Ami in Dearborn, MI to tour a partial sector of automobile industrialist’s Henry Ford’s Greenfield Village. Lynn and I felt like we stepped back into time viewing buildings from the 17th century to the present. Model A’s and Model T’s were taking passengers and guests on tours around the village to heighten their experience. Stone by stone, Henry Ford was determined to recreate homes, stores and buildings from personal and historical heroes and he created a time capsule of a period in time when life seemed simpler than they do now. Candy stores, a pottery barn, along with a tin house, and a working train roundhouse, churches and homes (etc.) dot the landscape. Historians will see a glimpse of Orville and Wilbur Wright, Thomas Edison's laboratory, furniture from President Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, and other historical items and landmarks. My sister Ami said Greenfield Village takes on a different atmosphere for every season and holiday. So, if you find yourself in Dearborn, MI for the upcoming holidays you might want to visit Greenfield, breathe in the fresh air, and tour a remarkable village and see for yourself what is considered to be the largest (and for me ... the most beautiful) outdoor museum in America.
-Shelly

It is a Special Day for us!

The Incredible Adorable Seth Min Cheol !

On Friday (10/3), mom, Lynn and I made our way north to Glenview to visit with Cori (my niece) and to meet our new nephew, and for mom to see her second great-grandson. We had a wonderful time. Cori (like her sister Kristi) are wonderful moms and it is so fun to see the new generation of Larsens, Bates, Hills and Mohrs coming into their own. We spent probably more time than we should have with Cori and Seth Min Cheol . Because they are adopting their son from South Korea, they have guidelines that will help Seth Min Cheol have an easier adjustment to his new family, surroundings and culture. We were heading out of the door when Jeff came home. After a long hard day, Jeff was as cordial and gracious as ever to pose for a few family portraits.

Lynn and I had a wonderful week with mom. We tried to cram too much into a short period of time, but we were so glad and felt so grateful to have mom stay with us as long as she did. Next year we are hoping mom will stay with us for at least 2 weeks. :o)

-Shelly

PS
I still have one more post coming of our trip to Ami's and our adventures in Greenfield Village. Stay tuned! ;o)

Pictures of Love

Words cannot describe what a wonderful feeling it is to be with our families. Here are just a few of the pictures I took while in Michigan with my nephews, my niece, my sister, my mom, my brother-in-law, my husband, my brother, along with Shirley and Lee, who may not be related to us by blood, but they are indeed a part of our family by the love they have for us and through the love we have for them. I have and am a part of the BEST family(ies) ever!
*Shelly

CONGRATULATIONS MAX!!!

Lynn and I spent a fantastic and wonderful weekend with my sister, Ami and her family, in Dearborn, MI. My sister as always was a gracious and talented hostess. My mom who lives in Utah was with us as well as my brother, Richard, who flew into Dearborn from Utah on Friday to be with us for the weekend. I presented my family with Chicago Bear jerseys and my family proudly put them on, even being in the country of the Detroit Lions.

The reason we all congregated in Dearborn was because my nephew, Maxwell, was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by his father yesterday. Max and his father are dressed in white to represent purity, and how spiritually clean an adult or child (being eight (8) years of age) becomes when they are baptized. Once Max was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church we gathered together and had a wonderful dinner. (Max and Ryan (Max's friend) had their 8th Birthday a day apart, so both Ryan and Max were baptized by their fathers on Saturday.) The entire day was special, spiritual and a supportive gathering for family and friends who loved Max and wanted to honor him on his monumental day.

I will be breaking my trip to Michigan up in bits and pieces for my next few posts since we did so many fun things, such as touring Greenwich Village (an historic town created by Henry Ford), we attended Max and Tim’s soccer games, and just had a wonderful family weekend. If I tried to put all my pictures of the trip on our blog it would probably clog the system and no one would be able to download our blog or any other blog site on the web due to my extensive Dearborn photo album. (I guess that means if you want to see more of our trip to Michigan, you'll have to tune in or log on to our blog and check it out for at least the next few weeks!)

I love my family. I can’t get enough of being with them and I value the times we do get together.
-Shelly

Welcome to the Family Seth!!!!

I couldn't wait to post today. Lynn and I have wonderful news!!! Our niece, Cori, and her husband Jeff, is in South Korea picking up my new baby nephew, Seth Min Cheol Mohr.
Seth will be twelve months old in November and has been living with a foster family until Cori and Jeff could get the necessary adoption paperwork from the US and South Korea completed.
Jeff and Cori met Seth for the first time when these pictures were taken (today or yesterday in Korea) and will be picking him up for real on Thursday and heading for home on Friday (9/19). It is a glorious time for our family(ies) who have been praying for this day to come, and now it is nearly here.
I hope Cori doesn't mind that I have borrowed a few pictures from her blog site so you can see how beautiful and healthy my (great) nephew is. It is indeed a happy day for our family.

-Shelly

PS

Jeff's grin was as big and as captivating as Cori's when he was holding Seth, but I couldn't pull off the pictures of him from their slide show. There is nothing like a mother and father holding their son (or daughter) for the very first time.

Happy Father's Day!

"He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it."

Clarence Budington Kelland

Everything we are and everything we hope to be is a direct result of our fathers, their charitable and undying love along with our fathers encouragement and support towards us (and all of our siblings). We were ALL dads’ favorite child!
- Shelly & Lynn

Family Memories

Even though Memorial Day is a day in which we remember the sacrifice all the men and women in the armed services have done to make and keep our country free. Lynn and I wanted to take this holiday to ‘think’ and ‘remember’ our families. Here is one of the last gatherings we had with my dad when everyone (but my brother, Todd) was home for the Christmas holiday.



“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.” Burton Hillis
-Shelly