Happy Annibirthday Shawn and Nick!

Today is a special time for our family. We are recognizing two wonderful event on this day.

The first is the birth of our dear Nick. Thanks for being born, brother! I like you pretty well and I am glad that you are a part of my family.

The second is the marriage of that great guy to my dear sister. Congratulations on your wedding anniversary guys!

I hope that you are able to do something fun!

Bless you both!

Angie

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

In Bolivia there are two trees that will always be seen growing together. They depend upon each other for survival. In fact, it is impossible for them to grow separate.

This is the image I have when I think of the marriage of my parents: two strong trees intertwined and growing strong depending upon one another. After 34 years they are still strong. After about a half a dozen transplants they are still flourishing. After so many creatures have found refuge in their branches they are none worse for the wear. They have weathered storms. Little birds have nested in their care, and then left them alone. Their roots of love go deep so as to be a steady constant and example to others who see them.

Thank you Mom and Dad for being a strong example of constancy and love to us your family. I pray that you have only blessings for the many more years to come. Happy Anniversary!!!

Mother's Day Weekend

This Sunday marks two important events in our family. The first being the celebration of motherhood, an honor bestowed on each sister and the matron of our nucleus. We are also celebrating the wedding anniversary of "Oma" and "Opa". More to come about our dear parents. For now I wanted to post this poem so that this weekend we may meditate on the influence that our own mothers have had on us and the impact that being a mother has had on us as well.

“Reflections on Motherhood”

a poem by

Laura Kavan

As a day honoring Mothers fast approaches,

I, as a mother, am thinking and thinking.

This whole celebration is quite out of order.

So little of the credit belongs to me

Who just happens to be a mother.

As I sit and write, great humility fills my soul.

To think that so much honor and praise

Can go with the most wonderful thing in the world

The honor of being a mother.

A feat I could never win alone

Yet on this day, the honor is mine.

But the trophy is so great, I guess I’ll just accept

Then try in this small way

To make you all, who I love so dear

Understand just how much you mean to me.

For without you, a mother I would never be.

Mother and Gram and Gramp or whatever you’re so fondly called

Your part in my fame is supreme

For without your love and teaching and help along the way

A wife and mother I could never be.

Les, ‘Daddy’, ‘Dear’, ‘Honey’ or whatever else I may call you

My love for you must tell you all the things in my heart

Because feelings so deep, words cannot express

But your contribution to my great day

Is ever increasing as each year passes

Til now, you must share this honor with me

For apart from you, this wonderful person, a mother I could never be.

And to you dear children –

Joyce, Jerry, Jill and Kristy

I’m so proud to be your mother

Tis honor enough to share the happiness you produce

Without a special date to honor someone so humble as your mother.

Now as my thoughts begin to ebb.

I must praise and honor you, dear God

For this wonderful way of life

And ask you to help me be, a Mother

As understanding as Thee.

Angie's Uyuni, Bolivia Trip

Hello Family! Here are some pictures from my trip last week to Uyuni, Bolivia. It was a blast. I went with Marisol and her dad who is here for about a month. You can click once on the slide show, then slide your mouse over the picture to read the caption.

I got back the day of our 11th wedding anniversary. I can hardly believe that it has been 11 years since that snowy evening in November when we headed out in our decorated roller skate (Geo convertible) to the hotel for the night and then off to Colorado the next morning. What an adventure that was driving in the mountains with ice and flurries. These last 11 years have been quite an adventure as well; akin to the thrills of driving those rocky hills. We got back from our honey moon late Thanksgiving day and had dessert at Bec' and Jake Gomez's house (which made up for the 7/11 hot dogs we had on the road which comprised our Thanksgiving feast that year).

Speaking of Thanksgiving... I think it would be fun if you all posted what you did last Thursday or your favorite Thanksgiving memory or a list of things you are thankful for - something "thanky". That way I can sort of feel like I was with you; so I can live that American holiday vicariously through you. (grin)

Happy Anniversary Smiths!

Wow - five years! Congratulations!

Since this:

is the only electronic picture that I have of you two together I thought that we might have a little fun and post this:

picture of a couple not nearly as wonderful as you two make. (smile)