She's 29!!!

Happy Birthday, Johanna! It is hard to believe that you are 29. We thank the Lord for the years that He has given you. You are a wonderful wife and Mommy as well as daughter. Having fun celebrating with you :=)

My Birthday!

I had a wonderful birthday today-- starting with a mouth-watering blueberry coffee cake, and then a delicious lunch and topped off with a yummy eclair cake! So fun to be here with Jo and Brian and the kids.

ISA is 10!!!

Happy Birthday to our sweet happy girl!! It is hard to believe that you are 10! We can't wait to see you in a few days. How was breakfast in bed? And what are you doing special today?

Saying Goodbye to the Seelys!

Saying goodbye to our good buddies! We will all miss them.

"La Coccinelle"

On Tuesday, we had a family outing to "La Coccinelle"-- a family park near the dune. It was lots of fun for everyone. We just wished that the rest of you could have been with us to enjoy all the rides!

Friday Family Game Night!

We actually had a free Friday night last week, so we had a game night with pizza. It was lots of fun. I decided to post a few pics since this has to be the deadiest blog in blogland :-)

Thought this was worth re-posting here!

Counting Down – A Letter to My Church Family

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Bob Bixby

I know so many of you have been praying for my cousin’s wife, Amy. You may have read her last word to us, a blog post that has been read by thousands already and has been powerfully useful to strengthen the faith of many of us. Amy has had some very rough nights lately. There are signs that the cancer has begun to encroach her brain and her very last days are upon her. You can read updates here: http://www.amycbixby.org/updates/

If you have not read Amy’s own words, I urge you to take the time to read them. They can be read here: http://amycaldwellbixby.blogspot.com/

When one considers that she is a Mommy with young children — she had a good day a couple of days ago and so she asked her husband to take her and the girls to the mall to get all the girls’ ears pierced, something Moms do with their girls — and that she is still in her thirties, it is incredibly moving to think of her reaching the point that she now longs for home. Perhaps some of the suffering she must face now is necessary so that her loved ones will be able to release her as well, knowing that her afflictions will finally be forever over. I urge you to pray for Amy, Jon, and their seven children.

I have often read Pilgrim’s Progress and one of my favorite sections is in the lesser known part of the Pilgrim’s Progress when Christiana, Pilgrim’s wife, is about to enter the Celestial City. John Bunyan is much more detailed and explanatory in his words for dying Christians than in the first part when he tells about Pilgrim’s glorious exit. This detail is helpful because it is appointed unto man to die. And I urge you all to read about all of Christiana’s friends as they make their way to the Celestial City. I have actually read the Pilgrim’s Progress sections into the ears of a dying saint.

The pastoral part of me wants to guide. And I am not in a position to pastor or serve or hug the Jon Bixbys. I hardly know Amy. I’ve talked with her more in the last year than I have with my cousin. We were discussing a potential book that I wanted to do in cooperation with her, one that is mostly written. I stepped back from the effort while Amy was healthy because I knew she was counting her kisses. Yes, that’s the suggested title for the little booklet on suffering and dying — “Counting Kisses” — that I hope will actually be produced. A mother of seven only has so many more kisses to give and receive when she knows she is dying, and the goals of the booklet on suffering and death could be just as easily accomplished without distracting her. Amy did her writing in the blog piece you all read.

But, anyway, as I said, my pastoral instinct wants to guide and shepherd. So, I would guide and shepherd all of us who are part of our church family with these words: have you stopped long enough to reflect on your dying? Do you really look forward to seeing Jesus? Are you living life in the light of your mortality, convinced that to die is gain, but to live is Christ? If you are a parent, are you counting your kisses?

Happy Birthday, Tim!

33! Wow! How time does fly. I still remember when you were the "new" baby in the family :-) You have become a wonderful young man since that day. We love you and are so thrilled that we get to celebrate "for real" with you tonight.

The Fourth of July-- In France!

We had a really fun time with our sweet families on the fourth. Won't be long now and 3 of these "grandchildren" (Elliot is missing from the picture--must have been napping :-) will be leaving for Africa.

HAPPY 42nd Anniversary!

Happiest of anniversaries to a wonderful couple who has and continues to be an example of love and godliness.
We love you dearly!

Micaiah's School has an Afternoon Spectacle!

Friday morning we got home from Ireland. Ruth had a delicious lunch for us and then in the afternoon we were able to go to Micaiah's school for his "spectacle"! They did fairy tales and Micaiah played the role of the Grandmother. Not sure why and I think he had a hard time with it at first, but he was a good sport and played his part great. For me, it was a treat. I was proud to be the Grandmother's Grandmother :-)

Tonkatrain #1

This post is for Zachery,Stefan, Corban , Micaiah -- and anyone else interested :-) We rode this train with wheels around the town of Cove. The engineer was so nice and friendly. He stopped and told us all about the town. We were the only ones on the train and we were wishing there were some little boys to jump on with us! Maybe next time!

Our Trip to Ireland!

Ok, so these are NOT in order, but that really isn't all that important, is it? This was Day 2. We are in Youghal (pronounced You!). It was off and on threatening rain, but we enjoyed every minute of it.



This was actually Day 1. We went to Cobh (pronounced Cove). Probably the most interesting day as it has quite the history. Both the Titanic and the Lusitania had their last "port of call" here. There was a great museum, too. The 3 children in the statue are Annie Moore and her two brothers. They were the first immigrants to disembark at Ellis Island. During the potato famine almost half of Ireland left for richer lands.


This is our hotel, our car, our food, and our view!! Can't get much better!

This is Blarney Castle. Another great day. I tried to get Dad kissing the famous "Blarney stone" but it was tricky! The castle was unique and the grounds were lovely!

By the time we left, we were wishing we had Irish roots-- and Dad was relaxing some when he drove :-)

Congratulations on 20 years!

Ballycotton, Ireland

Having a grand time! Rain, rain, rain yesterday but we have sun this morning. We are off to explore!

Ireland ... here they come!

Just a quick post to say they are off! Mom and Dad are on an airplane headed to Cork, Ireland. That's their Ryanair plane on the runway, and Miriam was waving enthusiastically, as you can see. Haven't heard whether they actually saw her or not, but Tim texted back and forth with them to tell them where they were waiting and found out that they were on the correct side of the airplane to be able to see. Hope you have a great getaway, Mom & Dad!

Welcome to the family, Silas!

Silas Ridley Hanson
June 15, 2011 - 6:52 p.m.
8 lbs. 11 oz.
20 in.

We are all so glad that you finally made your appearance in this world. We know that you will add a special flavor to the family. We love you soooooooo much!

Congratulations, Brian and Jo and Stefan and Olivia. He's a keeper!

Excited to be EIGHT!!

There is one boy who is all excited about turning 8 today! Full of enthusiasm, Micaiah is a fun eight year old to have around, too! We can't wait to spend his special day with him. In fact, we are getting ready to walk out the door to go have breakfast with him. Can't start much earlier than that.

Happy, happy birthday to one very special boy! Being 8 is great!

Happy French Mother's Day!

To a mother who has sacrificed more than any will know, who loves her family deeply, and desires and prays for God's best for each of us.  We rise up and call you blessed!

Pizza Picnic at the Park

Tim and I had our last exams last Thursday, and so we all decided to celebrate that evening by ordering Dominoe's Pizza and taking it to the park. It's only the second time we've had Dominoe's since we've been here, (I think Mom and Dad said it was their first!) and that made it extra special. It really was like good ol' American pizza! And as you can see, Zacharie (following Papi's careful teaching) learned to thoroughly appreciate his pizza. ;)