Thank you for the Joys and Cheers in 2015

  • Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.

2015 brought many adventures and a few challenges for this cowboy and angel. The greatest news for 2015 is becoming grandparents again! Callin Rae and Carner Matean were born at the end of the summer and Dalton was officially adopted into the family in the fall and Haley's baby brother arrived just before Christmas. Gene and I love our growing family. The diversity of people and personalities of all those in our family sustain us with an abundance of love, joy and happiness.


We learned the importance of adventures this year. While we cannot always afford a cruise expedition, we can enjoy day road trips, or what we call "wasting gas". There are many dirt roads we choose to explore in Southern Arizona. One trip took us down a road where we met many friendly cows. Heidi enjoyed a trip with us up Mt. Graham where we were able to catch up with some friends. We even adventured off to Parker Lake for a day of fishing. It was quite the adventure with a couple of  thunder and lightening storm that came while we were on the lake and Gene thought that we had run out of gas and was paddling us to shore with one ore... it was quite comical and a very wet adventure that we will never forget. Other adventures took us to a few ghost towns and we drove to Colorado Springs to be with Brandon's family for Christmas. With new grandbabies we visited the San Francisco area on two separate occasions. We enjoyed learning about Sonoma California and taking a day trip to the shore with Krystal and Olive (granddog) and playing with Callin's big sister, Harper.

Another adventure we took this year was to the Pro Bull Riding Championships in Las Vegas. We had so much fun that we already purchased tickets for the PBR 2016 Championship! It was my first time on the Strip in Las Vegas and we enjoyed the strolls down the street. 



Two of our kids had to travel to Afghanistan. Tiffany traveled with the Navy and Brian is working overseas for Northrup Gruman. The good news is that they are stationed at the same place. Both have had an opportunity to travel home, however returning back to their careers is hard when it means that they leave their loved ones. Please keep them in your prayers.   

I started a new job in May 2015 with the Military Intelligence Corps Association, leaving Dillard's to work for MICA allows me flexibility with my other part time job at University South Foundation, Inc. I enjoy working for both of these non-profit board of directors. Each job is unique and allows me to feel accomplished by handing our scholarships to UA South students and awards to MI Soldiers.

Our sadness came twice this year. We lost Cinnie (dachshund) after we believe she was bit by a scorpion and she passed away in Gene's lap as we were driving her to Tucson. Sierra Vista needs emergency vet services available on weekends and evenings. Later in the year we had to put Lilly to sleep, we knew this was the best decision for her, so she could be comfortable. We thought we lost Hiedi during our trip to Colorado Springs, but were very thankful when God helped her find her way back to us. 

We are not sure what 2016 will bring us, but we do know that with our love and faith in God we will be able to take on anything that comes our way. We look forward to more adventures, more laughter with our grandchildren and the joys of being blended into this 'mixed-up' family. 

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