Top 8 in 2008

This year I debated about doing a Christmas letter and just doing my blog...I changed my mind! But instead of pictures and family news I did something a little different - so this blog is for those of you who still wanted to see our pictures and years events - I am sure we had others, but these were the ones that stood out in my mind!
1 - WICKED at Pantages! My sister, knowing my great love of the stage, gave me tickets to see Wicked in Los Angelas. So in January, She, her daughter Brittany and I went on a weekend adventure! Biggest mistake - I didn't take the camera! I loved the show for lots of reasons - just can't wait to go again!

2 - Randy gets long awaited dream of Fishing trip in Alaska with his boys, and ALISA! A great time was had by all - I would love to move back to Alaska if I could take all the kids, grandkids, etc.....but it's just to far away! I did get a chance to go to Anchorage Temple - WONDERFUL

3 - Emily and Steve grace us with our 4th Grandchild. Matthew Coey, born in May. He graciously waited for me to be done teaching school for the year, so I could be with Conner while mom was in the Hospital! Awesome experience!! His middle name is after my dad!









4 - Nate lands the biggest Silver! Enough Said!

5 - Rachel and Brad add a new little granddaughter...Kallie Christine...November 14, she couldn't wait until I was done with school, but dad had a week off of work, so they had some family time before Randy and I got down to see them!

6 - Alisa gets engaged! His name is Brandon Bitner and he is a bit of a military brat as well! She's always done everything FAST! But we know she leads a spirit led life! She chose a kindred spirit and we are excited to have him join our family!

7 - Jordan turns 16, gets drivers permit, still waiting for that FIRST DATE!

8 - We host a Family Reunion in Idaho! The whole Lowe Clan was there. Not sure how often that will happen again!


All in all 2008 was great!

Day - Week - I lost track - Neil Bradley

Okay, I am not being as faithful as when I started this blog, but I still think of my blessings much more frequently than when I began this journey! I have been thinking about Brad the last couple of days. It is fun to watch your children meld with another family. There are so many things we take and learn from them. Brad has encouraged Rachel not to have any loud voices in their home - she is so far trying hard to cooperate. I appreciated her sharing this with me, because for those of you who know me, you know I have a tendency to raise my voice, (most often, when stressed) I believe I picked that up from my dad - I learned early in life my dad's bark was much worse than his bite, so it is hard for to remember that others can be traumatized by "yelling". I imagine most people shut down when someone yells. Anyway, that is just one thing I am grateful to Brad for. In an indirect way he is teaching me. I love to watch him with his babies.
He likes to just sit and hold them and has no fear of changing diapers, etc. He is so good to take Rylie on hikes and swimming. I feel very blessed as I watch life take it's course. Emily and Rachel both seemed to pick men who compliment them and help strenghen them! So Brad...if you are reading this - I hope you know how much I love you and appreciate what you do for my daughter and granddaughters! I know I am a little more obnoxious and Rachel would say not as refined as your mom - but I sure appreciate what you teach me - sometimes just through your quiet manner. AND...Randy is thrilled to have someone who loves the outdoors as much as he does!

Day ??? - Steven!

I was going to title this Steven the Stalker - but any of you who know the story, know he really was never a stalker! I just had a daughter who played a little too hard to get for almost too long, but luckily she came to her senses quick enough to bless our family with Steve. Rachel asked me the other day if I knew how lucky I was to have such good priesthood holder son in laws, because in Brad's profession he is very aware of those who don't treat their wives so well. It made me realize I definitely need to give them their own day in my gratitude journal! I have been so grateful for Steve in our family. At first it was very hard for me because I was sure he would take her away and who knew when I would see her. It has been much the opposite, he has been so supportive of our family, it's kind of like when you have a child and you can't remember what it was like without them. He was trained so well by his family and had such nice manners so much so that he called me Sister Lowe (which always makes me feel so old - wait! Maybe I am old!) I have appreciated watching him help Emily strenthen her testimony. What greater gift! AND....he is the best at helping me get my family names temple work done! He is a doting father, and when I have a family meal, it's hard to function without him and Dean there to help in the kitchen! I really missed them at Thanksgiving! Thank goodness for Grandma Dorothy and Aunt Christine!
I have been a little preoccupied with thoughts of my friends and sister who were taken from this world so prematurely and it has caused me to ponder on whether I have taken the time to sufficiently express and show my love and gratitude for people in my life. Each time I sit down to do one of these blogs, I think of more and more people I want to recognize and should I ever be taken prematurely - I would want them to know of their influence on me. So Steve - today is your day! I love you.