December Wrap-up

My cousin Charlotte, who lives in Texas, was to be in Jefferson City on a work-related trip mid-December.  Mama, Daddy and I drove down to meet her for dinner and it was so good to see her.  We met at Madison's Cafe, a favorite location in Jeff City.  The state capital looked lovely lit up at night and the Governor's house was beautifully decorated for Christmas.  It all made for a festive looking downtown area.  

We had been hoping that Jeff City would be a regular destination for Charlotte, but alas, it was a one time only trip.  We are so glad we were able to take advantage of the opportunity to spend some time with her.  

Laura, Charlotte, Daddy and Mama at Madison's Cafe 

Charlotte, Daddy and Mama across from the Governor's home.

Jackson had a few friends over to watch movies just before Christmas.  Gigi brought him an adorable hand-made Christmas gift...

She carved his face in a potato!  You know... like Mount Rushmore only in a spud!  I thought the likeness was uncanny.   :)  ha!

The week before Christmas we had our first snow, in the form of a blizzard with 50 mph winds and white out conditions!  Julie, Anna and Matthew were trying to make it home from Columbia that day and almost didn't make it.  In fact, they never did make it all the way home... they had to spend the night in town at Matthew's grandparents house because our road was impassable. We already knew that (sort of...) since we had gotten a car, a truck and even our tractor stuck that afternoon!!  Thankfully we have a wonderful neighbor with a much larger tractor to come to our rescue!!  

Although we had several inches of snow, the ground looked strange... high drifts in some places while in others the yard looked bare of snow!  The wind literally swept entire areas clear of all snow.  But, it was spread out enough to enjoy some playtime.  :)

Jonathan and Mac enjoying the snow

Acting like I never fell behind... or 'Christmas Festivities'

I am just going to pick up where I left off and act as though I never fell behind on the blog.  :D

I love all the excitement nestled in the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I so enjoy the decorations that pop up all around town, the Christmas music playing on the radio and in stores, the movies (both on TV and my own personal collection of 'can't miss classics')...   And I look forward to all the special holiday activities like gatherings with friends & family and holiday concerts.  Thankfully, this season was chock full of ALL of these!  Here is a quick recap...

Near the end of November we attended the Lyceum series concert of Tonic Sol Fa, a remarkable a cappella group.  I mean, these guys rock!  I would encourage you to check out their website and if you have an opportunity to see them in person, you definitely should.  They helped us get into the Christmas spirit.  Marvin went along with us this time, in no small part because True Men were the opening act and it was our first chance to see Matthew perform with them.

Then we had 4 nights in a row of festivities, starting with the Christmas party at Julie's house.  It is always fun to get together with folks and share laughter and conversation and yummy food.  Below are a few photos, but you can see the entire album by clicking here.

The next night Jackson and I attended the Living Christmas Tree performance at First Baptist Church.  They only perform this every other year so I make a special point to see it each year.  It never fails to move me... sitting in the church of my childhood, watching people I have known most of my life and just soaking in the beauty of the songs, the words, the meaning.  This year we had a special treat of sitting with the M's, as Matt was one of the singers.  I also enjoyed watching Jerry and Alicia do their bit in one of the skits.  I chuckled out loud when Jerry's 'character' used the mistletoe to sneak a kiss from Alicia, understanding immediately why he had volunteered them to do the part!   :)  After the performance the M's invited us to the reception with them and again, I enjoyed so much getting to visit with many dear, old friends.

Matt and Brenda

Megan, Melina, Jackson and Brenda

The following night we all attended dear friend Rich's Christmas Community Concert at the First Christian Church.  This concert is a highlight of my year!  Rich has such a unique and wonderful gift for arranging music and bringing out the very best in his talented choir.  He can reach out and touch our very hearts, and always does.  I especially enjoyed his 'surprise guest'; his beloved aunt who sang a few songs for the crowd.  I got teary watching and listening to her, not only because of her lovely performance, but also because of the obvious bond she and Rich share... beautiful.

Although you could say we were a tad bit tired, the next night we again ventured out for another holiday treat - the True Men Christmas concert at Truman.  We have been long time fans of the True Men since their inception in 1997 back when Daddy was President at Truman.  In fact, when Anna was a little girl she would dreamily listen to them perform... never imagining that she would one day be dating a 'real' True Man!!   :D  ha!   Between the extended M family and us, we filled a couple of rows.  What a fun concert!!  And we were all proud of Matthew's performance.

Absolutely terrible photo... all of them turned out this way.  But, Matthew is in there!!  :)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! 

As you can probably already tell, this letter almost didn’t happen.  :)  On the plus side we have been living life fully and fully living life - savoring every moment of the holidays and this past year.  On the down side it has meant that I have truly fallen behind on the business of life such as returning emails and phone calls (and writing Christmas letters!).  But, I just couldn’t let the season go completely by without sending greetings, no matter how late they may arrive. 

2012 was a year of big events.  Perhaps the biggest event of the year came at the end of June when we celebrated Daddy’s (and Mama’s) retirement from ATSU.  That celebration coincided with our annual Magruder Family Reunion so we enjoyed several days of celebration with friends and family from around the country.  

When people hear of Daddy’s retirement they invariably ask, “Is it for real this time?”  :)  I do believe the answer is a resounding ‘Yes!’  Although the last 6 months of 2012 continued at a breakneck pace for them, it looks like 2013 is Mama and Daddy’s year to start enjoying themselves and a (somewhat) slower schedule.   Of course, ‘slower’ is a relative term when talking about Mama and Daddy!   :D   Part of Daddy’s retirement has been a return to the past of sorts.  He is co-teaching Chemistry (along with my brother) to Jackson, Susanna and a few other students.  What a blessing that is for Jackson and for Daddy!

Another big event was the groundbreaking for the Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health that was held in March at ATSU.  What a truly magnificent opportunity for our community!  I am so proud of Daddy for his role in this project.  

In May Marvin, the boys and I traveled to Oklahoma to celebrate Hannah’s graduation from OU.   Sadly, Mama and Daddy were again unable to attend since the ATSU/KCOM graduation was held on the exact same date.  However, we represented the family and were honored to watch Hannah receive her diploma then spent the weekend celebrating with her.  

We made two trips to Table Rock Lake/Silver Dollar City this year.  Once in April for World Fest and then again in September for Harvest Fest.  We were joined in September by Mama & Daddy along with Kerry, Candace, Hannah and Susanna.  Even Uncle Charles and Aunt Ilene were able to come down while we were there.  We continue to love this place and already have our reservations made at Table Rock Lake for World Fest this spring.  

I backed the fifth wheel in the site!!   :)  Whew!  

Jackson, Jonathan and Marvin at Silver Dollar City for World Fest

Jackson, Uncle Charles, Marvin, Aunt Ilene, Mama, Daddy

Grandma and Grandpa with 4 of their grandchildren

our 3 campsites side by side

I reached a milestone goal this past summer when I officially lost a total of 60 pounds.  I feel so much better and enjoy having a body that moves with me again!  I have indulged a bit too much over the holidays, however, so am now ‘back on the wagon’.  However, losing 4 pounds doesn’t feel nearly as daunting as losing 60!  I am just happy to know that I can do it.  

We had a great time in August at the Missouri State Fair, as is tradition.  We enjoyed having a lot of folks join us this year over the course of the fair.  The boys each took a friend with them for the first weekend, when we were also joined by the Matheney family, Julie & Anna, and friends from Arizona.  Mid-fair we spent time with our friend, Jim, along with Uncle Mitch and various members of his family.  Then the final weekend Hannah and Susanna drove up from Oklahoma to join us.  There is truly something for everyone at our state fair and we would love to show you around if you come join us in 2013!

Melina, Jonathan, Anna, Matthew, Zack, Jackson, Adrian and Megan at the state fair.

Jonathan and Jackson with the fair queen.

Susanna, Hannah, Jonathan and Jackson at the fair.

Mama and Daddy took the new fifth wheel on a long awaited trip to Vermont in the fall.  They thoroughly enjoyed the magnificent fall colors but it was a bit of a whirlwind trip.  Of note in my mind, Daddy parallel parked the truck and fifth wheel in a 50 foot space between cars along a side street near the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, MA.  I am still in awe that he managed that!!  I never would have even attempted that!!  My Daddy is truly amazing.  :)  

Mama and Daddy in Vermont

They returned home in time to be honored as Alumnus of the Year at Truman State University.  It was nice to see them honored by the university that we all love so much.  I regret that I didn’t get video of perhaps my favorite moment of the weekend, however.  During halftime at the football game, they were introduced out on the field.  As their story about meeting in registration line here on campus was told over the loudspeaker, there was an audible ‘Awwwww....’ that came from the crowd.  That was quickly followed by an “Ohhhhhh!!!!!’ when it was announced that they were married a mere 8 weeks later.  :)  What a fun response to their remarkable love story.  :)   

Sadly, we lost my dear Aunt Carolyn in early November.  She had been in the hospital for most of the time since falling ill June 26.  Aunt Carolyn was a vibrant, elegant, joyful woman who made an impact on my life and the lives of so many.  She is missed by each and every one of us.  

My dear Aunt Carolyn

Anna is a Sophomore Nursing major at Truman and has just been diagnosed with Lyme Disease.  While she has a long and difficult healing process ahead of her, we are so incredibly thankful to have a solid diagnosis and a course of treatment after many years of ‘unknown illness’.  She is strong and brave and courageous and I am constantly inspired by her.

Anna with Matthew

James is still in the Marines and is stationed in North Carolina.  Happily, he was able to be home with us for Christmas and New Years.  

Anna, James and Julie on Christmas Eve

Rachel and Stephen moved to Tallahassee, Florida this past summer for Stephen’s job and they were also able to be here for New Years.  So, for a few days, we had everyone home together at the same time!  

Rachel and Stephen

Marvin and I are plugging along, enjoying the tremendous blessings of our mundane daily life.  :)  Jackson is in his Junior year of high school and is still deeply interested in photography.  Jonathan, now a teenager at 13, is showing a proclivity for 3 dimensional design and building.  

Jonathan and Jackson

Jackson, Jonathan, Laura and Marvin

I find that I am becoming more aware of impending changes to our family.  It is a reality (in the recesses of my mind) that time is growing short for what I term ‘normal’ (for the lifestyle that I cherish).  I have begun thinking about trips we need to take in the next year and a half ‘while we still have Jackson at home’.  I find myself looking at my family and realizing that things won’t always be like this.  I see most things on a shortened time line now.  The thought of this togetherness; this household of Mom, Dad and two ‘kids’ transitioning clutches my heart.  It feels like an ending of sorts.  

One of the projects I was working on before Christmas involved transferring an old VHS tape to DVD.  I sat mesmerized watching while it copied over.  It was from 1989 when Kerry and Candace videoed Mom and Dad reminiscing over old family photos and giving a tour of the farm.  This was right at the end of Daddy’s long, arduous treatment for Stage 4 colon cancer.  There weren’t any medical professionals at that time who truly believed he would survive.  Watching that video I was immediately transported back to that feeling we all had of endings.  A sad sense of saying ‘good-bye’.  I was grateful that Kerry and Candace had thought to record those moments for the future and in watching them, could feel emotions exactly as I felt them then.  

And yet, what struck me most powerfully was that all this took place in 1989!  Daddy DID survive!  (and so did Mama in 2004...)  And even more, instead of the ‘ending’ that we all thought we were living through, it was truly at a point of beginning for some remarkable events.  This was 5 years before Daddy became President of Truman State University and 19 years before he became President of ATSU!  It was before most of their grandchildren were born, before I was married, before Willis Creek Ranch came back to thrive.  Before Julie and I and our families had moved back to Kirksville.  Before so much...  To watch that video and know the feeling of endings but have the knowledge that it was actually at the beginning of so much joy and growth and love gives me such a hope.  

Transitions are often difficult.  And I won’t say that I don’t get a bit teary thinking about some of the changes that I know will come in the next few years as the boys grow up and move on with their lives.  But, I am grateful for the reminder that sometimes what can feel like an ending is truly a miraculous beginning.  Our Lord has so many beautiful surprises in store, I just know.  What a blessing to think back over the beauty that my life has been and to imagine the joys and blessings yet to come.  

Our family is expanding and growing.  We have no little children left, but sitting in the living room of my parents home, filling the room with family and dear friends, I can imagine the coming generations.  There is such joy in each stage.  Such hope in the future.  May you also find joy and comfort in the beginnings that may be disguised in endings. 

We wish you love and peace and joy and hope in the coming year!
From Marvin, Laura, Jackson and Jonathan

We would love to hear from you!  You can find all 4 of us on facebook or you can catch up with us via our ‘family online journal’ at www.lifeatwilliscreekranch.blogspot.com.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”    Psalm 105:4

Our whole crew!  

I love this photo of Mama and Daddy

Rachel, Stephen, Hannah, Candace, Kerry and Susanna

Anna, Julie and James

kids at Mom and Dad's on the 26th

singing Christmas carols on the 26th

New Years Eve at our house.

Back again...

I am back again....

Yesterday we took the last of family and friends to St. Louis to meet up with more family.  Today we awoke to an empty house (at least it feels sort of empty with just the 4 of us here...)  This week I will be working on catching up the blog on all our holiday festivities.  What wonderful memories we made and I look forward to sharing them here.  

In the meantime, I am posting our annual Christmas letter.  Although, I suppose it is really a New Years letter or an Epiphany letter.   :)  

I am looking forward to 2013 with great anticipation.  Happy New Year to all of you!!