2007 Synopsis

Well, this is new to us and we are learning how Blogging works. Our daughters started theirs and we have had so much fun reading their posts, that we decided to do our own. Becci has been a big help in teaching us how things work. Our Blog will not be as exciting as our daughters, tho. Our lives are not quite as eventful.
Here is a brief synopsis of our family for this year. The first event happened on March 28th. Melissa and Matt welcomed their second son into their family, Samuel Keith. He is a happy active little boy. Their oldest, Elias James, keeps things interesting. They were here on Sat. and Eli was in the backyard. I looked out the window and there were no petunias in my pot! I had just planted them a couple weeks ago. We asked Eli where they were and he showed me where he had put them. They were all intact, roots and all! He helped me replant them and they seem to be doing well. The second event was the birth of our 6th grandchild. Rachel and Davey had a little girl on July 20. She only weighed 5 lbs. 13 oz. But she has quickly gained weight. Sophia is getting more fun and is always trying to get your attention with her beautiful smile. We are hoping that she will have red hair like her mommy.
We decided it was time to move to a newer home and put our home on the market the middle of June. The market has been very slow and not much has happened. We have had a couple people seem interested, but no offers. Then 3 weeks later we were informed that Jim's company was going to close the Workers Comp. office here in Phoenix. We could relocate in Orange, Calif. Then 4 weeks later they changed it to Englewood, Colo. We were in turmoil. What to do? After some research and prayer we decided to not relocate. We had such a calm, peaceful feeling. We don't know what is going to happen, but we know the Lord will guide and help us and we will be fine. So after 28 years, Jim's last day was Nov. 16. He decided to retire, but still needs to work as the retirement $ is not enough at this time. He has been getting his resume written and going to an outplacement service that is provided for him.
I have been doing some substitute teaching. It seems to be slower this year. I do mostly
Special Ed. Jenny has also been subbing a little and I watch Dallin (her 21 mo. old) on those days.
Becci is a Junior and is having a challenging year at school. She is glad this semester is over. She had AP Biology (which will continue with study sessions next year in prep for the test) and an Into to Healthcare class that was a lot of work. She also did COOP (which is a preschool for 4 yr olds and the HS students plan lessons and learn about preschools and children.) She was also able to work after school in the COOP til 5pm when the parents picked up their children. She has had to learn how to organize her time this semester. She also gets up at 5:15 am weekday mornings to get to Seminary at 6:00.
We keep busy with church and family too. It is great being a grandparent. It has been fun have our daughters and their families close. Rachel and Davey are moving to NY next month and we are very sad. He is going to go to New York University to get his masters in Social Work. The only good thing is that they will be back in 16 months. That is less than a mission! And...we can go visit and see the Big Apple and church sites.
We are going to Utah after Christmas to visit family. We hope the weather will cooperate and our layers of clothing will keep us warm. We have no 'winter' coats to speak of.
We had family pictures taken last month. Here is the site where you can view a slide show. It goes fast so use the buttons at the bottom. www.photojenic.net/walshfamily