Happy New Year!

 

and this is Christmas.........

What a year! 
2012 was quite a year! I know I say that every year, or so it seems, but really, 2012 was it. Here is a highlight of the year...

In January we went on a weekend staycation in Vancouver, celebrating our years together. We love Vancouver and enjoyed a weekend in the city, taking in the sights and sounds, celebrating our 8th unofficial anniversary.

February brought the news that my step-father Paul was rapidly declining. He had a severe stroke leaving him totally unaware of everything around him. He went into a coma for a few days and then slipped away peacefully to meet the Lord. He was 88 years old. He was my Moms husband for 13 years. A warm, kind, loving man, he is missed.

And then came March. Just a week after we had wished my oldest nephew Derek a Happy 35th Birthday, we got the terrible news that he was dead. It came as a complete shock and it still is hard to say. We had seen Derek at Christmas and all seemed to be well with him. Losing Derek was one of the hardest things we have walked through. There were 2 services to honour him. His friends came by the dozens to pay tribute to him as he was well known in the downtown scene. I miss him so much. We all miss him.

April brought sunshine and a week on the Oregon Coast, a time away from the sadness of the spring. Being at the seashore brings healing to the soul and we soaked up our time there.

We celebrated our birthdays in May, sharing special moments with my mom.



The summer was busy with wedding plans as time quickly marched on. Its good to be organized when planning a wedding and we were happy that we had planned so many things well in advance. Days flew by as details took place.

Sept 9 was the Big Day! And what a day it was. We had unexpected blessings when people showed up to help set up and worked hard to make our day special. It was a fabulous day and we were both blessed to have our parents there. Our attendants were wonderful and put up with us making them work so hard.

We took off for Europe and the Mediterranean. What a fabulous trip! My cousins in Holland were so hospitable and we enjoyed our time with them. I have alot of cousins but only saw a few this trip. I really wanted to see my sweet auntie and my cousins made it happen. It was the greatest gift anyone could have ever given me.

We flew to Barcelona and then embarked on the Splendida! Wow, it was pretty spectacular. We had so much fun and saw so many sights in so little time. One week sure flies by fast! Tunisia, Malta, 3 stops in Italy and back to Barcelona.

And now its Christmas. We wish all of you a Merry Christmas and all of Gods blessings in 2013. Celebrate the love of a Savior born in a stable. Hug your loved ones, hold them close. Life is short, tell someone you love them. Make every day count. Much love from our house to yours,

Joan and Chris







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Its Been Awhile!

Where does the time go!  It has been so long since i have blogged I could hardly remember my own password. 

So, to bring you all up to date, we got married!  I know!  After 9 years of living together, loving each other and making each other laugh every day we made it official.  We have a certificate and everything!

The Rs and Vs got together for a family photo

What a beautiful day it was.  We rented the community centre close by our house.  Brand new facility and absolutely gorgeous. Our friends came early to help us set up and did a spectacular job.

Chris had her best friend Diana as her attendant and I had my friend Becky who flew in from Hawaii for the weekend just to be by my side.

My childhood friend Susan and her mom reunited with my mom and I.

Friends since childhood, Michelle and Susan

Thanking our attendants.

It was a wonderful day.  So much love and support from our family and friends.  We couldnt have asked for anything more.

Derek

one week ago my oldest nephew Derek was found dead in his apartment. what a shock. how do you process that kind of news. he was 35 years old.

the weekend was filled with celebration of his life, his love, his talents and the story of Derek.

Mr. Paul

My step father Paul passed away on Saturday. He was 88 years old and had a massive stroke on Wednesday. By Friday he was in a coma and slipped away quietly Saturday morning.

Paul and BB married in 1998. Paul had been married a few times before. Divorced once, widowed twice. My mom was his second dutch wife. He said he came trained. Good thing.

Paul and BB had 8 happy years living together until the dementia took over Pauls life and he was unable to live at home anymore requiring full time care.

I loved Paul. He was funny, smart, generous, kind and treated my mom like a queen. He was a Pastor, Evangelist, Missionary and lived to serve Jesus.

Though you were gone a long time ago Paul we still will miss you.