Kimberly (20) is a senior at BYU and still loves college life. As an Ancient Near East Studies major, she spent four months in Israel, Jordan, and Egypt. This year she added German to her list of languages in addition to Greek, Hebrew, and some conversational Arabic. She’s been invited to participate in an archaeological dig for three weeks in February, so she’s headed back to Egypt soon. Our favorite quote from her e-mails this summer was, “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll only be one mile inside the West Bank. It should be fine.”
Bryce (17) is, in his own words, “stunningly handsome,” and he has quite the female following to prove it. He has only 189 more days until he turns 18 when, as everyone knows, life suddenly becomes grand. He’s still the neighborhood computer guru and go-to tech guy. He detests having a curfew (seeing as how he’s almost 18), and his favorite possession is his iPhone. He worked full-time this summer doing computer drafting for a local engineering company, and he’s anxiously awaiting college acceptance letters since college is where you go when you’re 18.
Brett (14) went on a week-long hike with his scout troop to earn the coveted “50-miler” merit badge. His feet were blistered and sore for days afterward, but he earned every single mile of that merit badge. He also earned himself the nicknames, “The Wanderer” and “The Wayward Son” by getting separated from his troop and spending 24 hours lost in the Oregon mountains all alone. His leaders were very happy to find him but not as happy as he was to be found. I’m sure it will generate stories for years to come, but it’s not an experience he (or we) ever hope to repeat!
Jeff (10) has kept us young by remaining in elementary school. How old can you be if you still have a child in elementary school? He loves chess club and competing in chess tournaments. He’s a video game fanatic, an avid reader, and he’s looking forward to becoming an official Boy Scout in March and going on real live campouts. It would be a stretch to say he “loved” piano lessons, but he does tolerate them. They’re just one of those things you have to put up with (like having parents when you’re almost 18).
Jim (somewhere past 49) is still writing patents at Battelle. In October, he went to San Francisco to pursue his real passion, working with students doing advanced leadership training through Klemmer and Associates. He also finds time to study karate and is inching ever closer to earning his black belt. Sometime soon he would like to graduate to a permanent position watching trees grow at a mountain inn or exploring caves in a forest.
Marilee (much younger than Jim) got an offer she couldn’t refuse in April. A friend was flying to Salt Lake in his private plane and invited her to tag along for the day. She got to fly from Kennewick to Salt Lake, have lunch with Kimberly, visit family from Texas who just happened to be in Salt Lake that day, and then fly home again in time for dinner. Best day ever!
In this joyous season, we pause to give thanks for all of our many blessings. We include among our greatest gifts the deep friendships we have. We love and appreciate all of you.
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