Winter Wonderland !!

Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas! Lots of music and family time. We had tickets to the First Presidency's Christmas Fireside as well as the Sunday morning Tabernacle Choir Broadcast and Christmas Concert. This was quite a feat, in that tickets are pretty much a lottery these days. You simply go to lds.org, sign up and your name goes into a lottery, if you get picked, you get tickets. We signed up for everything. Next year we would really love to see the play "The Light of the World", but we are not complaining....we got more than we thought we would.

Today we went sledding, had a great time. As day turned to night, a wonderful sunset occurred so we took some pictures..... We sure love spending time together and wish all of our extended family could be here. Our niece Jordyn, who lives with us, is pictured as well as Jordan's friend Tanner from next door. Chelsea, Lane, Nikki and Carter were greatly missed.

We wish you all a Happy New Year and pray for your continued good health and prosperity.

Update on Grandpa Ludwig

It has been a while since we have posted anything...the holidays, illness and overall preoccupation with life. Shortly after the last post, we were indeed able to have Raye's dad come and spend some time with over the Thanksgiving weekend. It was great. For the most part, he was coherent, and really not much of a problem at all. It was good for the grandkids to be able to spend some quality time with him. We played board games, told stories, and just had a good time.
Soon after returning home, he took a turn for the worse. He was having difficulty breathing and had to be admitted to the hospital. While in ICU, tests revealed that in addition to his late stage Parkinson's, he is riddled with cancer..inoperable. He has not been home since. Leaving the hospital, he has been in a rehab center and will perhaps be able to go home soon. The experts give him less than 6 months. Sad for us, but we have been able to visit him almost every day. Some days he is better than others. We will keep you posted.

Grandpa Ludwig

As long as I can remember, Raye's father has suffered with Parkinson's Disease. It started with tremors and has progressed now to the point where he needs help to do even even the most basic things. About 6 months ago it also began to effect his mind. He sees and hears things that aren't there and conversations with him take unexpected turns.

He is now 82, still at home and recieves hospice care. I am glad that we are as close as we are and that Raye can spend time with him. This week he fell and we thought he may have broken some ribs. The xrays were negative, but the pain has rendered him even less mobile than before. To complicate matters, he has developed pnuemonia. If he improves, we are hoping to have him stay with us next weekend so that Betty can get a break. We hope that his remaining days, however long that may be, will be as comfortable as possible and filled with love.

Busy, Busy, Busy

It seems like life has been going too fast. I really do want to keep up with this blogging thing but find it difficult to put into words the feelings I have. Raye is the Enrichment Leader in our Ward and is putting together a ward dinner this Friday night. Since we did not have our H.P. Social this year, I thought it would be a good idea to combine the two activities...she thought so too. As a result, I am now in charge of the program for the evening and am trying to put a video together of members in the ward. I guess I forgot how much time and effort went into the Family Reunion video that I did....and this one is even harder...oh well.

The Temple is closed for cleaning and I had the opportunity to go over and do my part this evening. I was part of a team that assemblied a large chandelier in one of the sealing rooms, also worked in the kitchen. I kept thinking of the sacred experience it is to be in the Lord's House and I thought if the early pioneers who sacrificed so much in time and means to the building of these holy places. I also thought of those who recently stood outside some of these temples and behaved unseemly....if they only knew. Raye and I try to get to the Temple often and someday, we hope to spend a lot more time there.

Tonight, when I got home Caleb was typing away at the computer. I did not know what he was working on...some sort of school assignment. When he was ready to go to bed....he tried to print..but there was a problem. He saved it and went to bed. I thought I would be nice and print it for him. Boy was I surprised by what he had written. I guess, he was to write a paper along the lines of....What makes Caleb who he is?

For 3 years and 4 months, he has said very little about the accident. In this paper it was all there. I would feel badly if I put the entire thing on here, without his permission, so I will just give you a taste..writing of the funeral he says, "There was a prayer, church music, and speeches, hugs everywhere, tears of joy and sadness. Everyone had a good/bad time. It was a great experience.

Raye immediately said...we have underestimated him.

Hope everyone is having a great week...............Gary

The Power of Music

Chelsea has been teaching us how to get this site going. We added some music tonight. While we were searching for the right tracks, Chelsea and I talked about the way music has helped us. I cannot imagine facing the trials of life without good, uplifting music to ease the way. For us, it has been a precious gift. Gary

New Beginners

So we finally are starting a blog!! Chelsea and Kristina have been doing it for a while and we got tired of the old family website. We are excited to keep in touch with everyone this way. We will try to keep this website up to date. Love you all!!