Hello, dear ones,

The late hour reminds me of when you were very young, just wee babes who awoke with ear aches and bad dreams, and we would rock and sing until we fell back asleep. I still am awakened occasionally in the middle of the night, and sometimes sleep eludes me even as I lay down my head, because I am thinking of you...

And I do think of you--each of you. Tonight country music brings Kara's laughter right back into our home. I miss you terribly, Kaya...especially not seeing your own nest and just how well you have feathered it, making it your own. How I wish, as I would so often say to Grandma and Grandpa, "How I wish Oroville wasn't so far away. If we lived closer I could pop in for a cup of tea." Now I do just that with Grandma while our daughter skips town to live in Oroville. Sheesh...

I looked at your photos tonight, Marybeth, of your new home. Can scarcely call it an apartment when you have put so much effort into making it your own. How wonderful for you to express yourself in color and design; I often hear from others what an inspiration you are by your obvious love for your husband. Your smile makes me smile...

And HannahGirl! It's back to school for you. Whaddyathinkboutthat? I do hope you have enjoyed your sabbatical thoroughly and, although I envy you the opportunity to learn and learn more, I stop short of envying your deadlines and possible late-night assignments. Still, you are walking through another open door, and we are so very pleased with you. You have found the key to life by walking with the Very Best Companion. We are excited for you--please continue to share every little bit of news. I love our chats.

You girls, look at you! All grown up. Did we ever think it would happen? Sometimes, when I look at Noelle and Brenna, I begin to talk and find myself running through all four names as if it were one: Marybethhannahtobeykara. Those were the days... We had good times, we did. I told the little girls just yesterday the story of how we would go to the local animal shelter in Corona because it was like a mini-zoo. That's where we found Barnabas, and he barked so much we went back and found Lady who was always running away. Remember? We gave her to the Noriegas and she ran away from them!

Now it's a bit different...Lukejednoeandbrenn seem almost like a different family, but that is probably because they have such old parents! Times have changed rapidly, and so, by the grace of God, have we. But I want you to know that, altho my life still involves interrupted sleep and a house not yet in order, I still yearn for each of you. I hunger for just glimpsing by your phone calls or texts what you might be doing at any given time, just the everyday stuff that love is made of. Who calls you, what broke in your house, what made you laugh, if you have the sniffles.... And I pray for you.

Well, the hour is now later still, but I am rested, in a way. It's good for me to think of you, dwell on you a bit....I think I can go to sleep now. Blessings on you, Marybeth and Hannah and Kara. Love you much and much more.

Love,
Momma