Oh, By The Way...

Since I haven't done a lot of posting in the last year or so, the news is rather out of date. So...
Erick and Liz are back together after their hiatus, and they now also have a second darling daughter, Isys. Yes, another unique name... Isys Andromeda Sherer, to be precise. For the longest time before she came into this world, her big sister Aeries insisted that her name was going to be Isys Alyssa. It was just a name she made up, but Liz had already determined the name and wouldn't be swayed. So now their family is four. Erick is working his way up the ladder in Jiffy Lube, currently an assistant manager, and being trained on the new systems and products they are going to be offering (brakes, etc) in the near future. Liz is staying home with the girls and making an attempt in the home sales industry. She is a consultant for Tastefully Simple products, and is having fun throwing food tasting parties here and there. Not really making much money yet, but building a clientele takes time.
Anita and Rich just celebrated their 9th wedding anniversary - can't believe it has been that long already! Griffin is still an only child, and still the only male grandchild too, even on Rich's side of the family. Anita is still working part time in the hair salon, The Boulevard, in Renton. I still laugh to think that it is the same building that held the old Kennydale Market where I used to go in the summer to get ice cream and treats on the way to the beach park. Rich has continued to build gorgeous houses for folks all over the eastside, though he has his eyes on getting into another field. One option he's considering is going to work for the railroad as an engineer or conductor. The modern day jobs are not the same as the historic ones, but it sounds like a fun and challenging career, if he can get the opportunity to switch.
Michael is out of the Army for good, and is happy to put it behind him. After a tour in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Korea, he has had enough of the easy life in the Army (LOL). He had a nice job in fabrication with his cousin Adam, and lived with his family for a while after getting out. Unfortunately, he was run over by a car (a story for another day), and got laid off while he was laid up. He just landed a position at Jiffy lube, thanks to his brother and his friend Matt, the manager. He's enjoying the challenge of learning new things and being on his feet all day, and making progress in his training. His daughter (our oldest grandchild), Rannen, turned 7 this past summer, and is growing into a lovely young lady. The twins, Caasi & Kari, are now 3, and just as sweet as can be.

Well, there's the kids in a nutshell. Maybe I will get this photo thing figured out and post some more current pix. TTFN!

New Photo

Well, I was going to upload a photo of my kitties, but I can't figure out how to get it to find the photo on the iPad. I love technology, but it can be so frustrating at times!

New content...

Trying to figure out how to post photos that are on my iPad... There doesn't seem to be an option for adding photos from a file on your device/computer! Strange, but I guess I can figure it out. Maybe I have to use the URL option.

Misty Mornings

Fall has arrived, and with it, the misty mornings have returned. But this year will be different. My Misty, who loved to be near me in the mornings, is gone. She's been gone almost three days now - most likely the latest victim of the neighborhood coyote. The house seems empty. The cat tree, out of place. Do I set up the cat door again so she can get in the house if she comes back? Do I put her food dish back on the floor when it comes out of the dishwasher? What about all her cat toys scattered here and there? If she's gone to be with her sister, Licorice, how long do I mourn? How long do I wait to find a new cat? Or bird? Or fish? The one certainty when you have a pet in your family is that it will die - one way or another. Should I be glad that she didn't have to suffer through old age or disease? I loved that cat... she was a sweet little kitty who was a dear member of the family, and we will miss her furry face.

One thing is for sure, things and people come and go in our lives every day. Some we barely notice are there, some we barely notice are gone. Some are gone in an instant, like a popping balloon; some fade over time, like an ice-cube slowly melting into oblivion. Who will notice as each yellow leaf falls off the autumn maple, until there are so few left we can see the skeleton? And yet, God is constant - His love endures forever.

The Honeymoon is Definitely Over

Sadly, the marriage we celebrated not even one year ago has disintegrated into a pending legal battle over their one joint asset - their precious little Aeries. It's been our good fortune to have Erick and Aeries staying with us still. They are both assets to the household. Watching them both grow into their roles as parent and child has been a true joy. But watching the pain of separation and the hassles of visitation are genuinely distressing. We continue to pray for the well-being of all parties and a peaceful resolution to issues around visitation and child support. And I add a prayer of thanks that we are surrounded by such loving family and friends who add their prayers to ours.