We took a wonderful opportunity in October to go up to the mountains of Virginia and experience the beautiful fall leaves and mountain scenery. What a spectacular landscape and an annual miracle the Lord provides for us to breathtakingly enjoy! With a hike through the woods, some apple picking and a little time spent at a pumpkin patch, we found another part of Virginia that became a "favorite" in a long list of favorites!
Along the way this year we managed to see all of our kiddos and grand-kiddos. We do miss the ones who aren't now "Virginians" but we are working on them all!! We can think of no better way to spend our time off!
Somehow, Jackson (the dog) even got into the Spirit of family this year - he insisted on dressing up for Halloween in his John Deer costume! Go Jackson!
In late September we attended the wedding of Max's sister Bonnie and her new husband Jim, which was held at George and Shelley Conlisk's home (Max's other sister). It was such a great time to visit family which we don't get to see very often.
In mid July we learned that our newest granddaughter due in late November to our daughter Rosalie and her husband Jason was going to be born with Trisomy-cell 13, a chromosomal malformation which has a poor track record for life. The prognosis was grim; we were not even sure if Nikkolette would be born alive. Our precious baby granddaughter Nikkolette was in fact born alive! Max was in the hallway just outside the delivery room and heard her first cries; he came and told all of the other family members who were in a waiting room down the hall - there were many tears and shouts of joy. We gathered as soon as possible around Rosalie, Jason and Nikki to take lots of family pictures. What a beautiful baby! Nikki was given her name and blessing right there from her father. Rosalie and Jason spent the night in hospital and brought her home very unexpectedly the next day with Hospice Care. Nikkolette hardly spent a moment out of someone's loving arms during her short 4 1/2 days on this earth. We are privileged to have had her with us and to always have her as a part of our Eternal Family. We will always lovingly remember Nikkolette Jean.
While in California, early morning of September 26th we recieved news from my brother Scott that our (youngest) nephew Andrew Spilker, son of our sister Michelle and Randall Spilker was involved in a hunting accident out in the wilderness area of Flaming Gorge Utah. Apparently he accidently knocked his gun over while standing up, and it shot through his abdomen and exited out his back. He was being life-flighted to the Primary Children's Medical Center in SLC, UT. Our Nephew Andrew came home from hospital in early December after being there 2 1/2 months. He has undergone countless surgeries and medical procedures to help him survive. There have been countless prayers and fasts as well as other acts of faith on his behalf. He has an excellant prognosis and we are so thankful!
So, this year at Christmas we realized that we got to see two miracles this year! Nikki coming home and getting to know her for a few days, and Andrew being preserved in what was a life threatening accident. All in all, as a family we have come once again to the sound conclusion that the MOST important things in life aren't THINGS; but are the loved ones in your FAMILY and the experiences the Lord brings to us each and every day! We have been provided with families and a way to link us to generation after generation for a reason. We have reaffirmed our knowledge of miracles and of the worth of a soul, of prayers and of faith, and of the sanctity of Family here on earth. What a fabulous blessing it is to have both immediate and extended family and to have a little bit of insight as to the Lord's plan for us - to be united together as an Eternal Family!
