Back to normal (not sure what that is though!)

After two weeks of having Cami and Klas here- they are already back in Stockholm. The time flew by. It wasn't the greatest of trips for them and for that I feel bad. But I am grateful they were here. I loved just hanging out with them, being in the same room and not even talking. It makes me happy to see them together. Also, I loved having both of my girls together. I wish Ian could have been here too. Maybe this summer.......

I mentioned earlier that Cami's friend Jamie was in a terrible accident in Kazakhstan. She is now in Washington DC getting ready to be moved again to the Bay Area where her parents live, where she grew up. She is no longer in a coma. They say she is awake but not aware. It is going to be a long road back for her. It breaks everyone's hearts. But we are thankful she has survived. The prognosis is still unknown. For now we are grateful for each baby step of progress that she makes. Cami will probably be back sooner than planned so that she can be with Jamie. It was hard for her not to be able to be at Jamie's side.

The weather was really terrible for most of their visit. I obviously have no control over that one too. But darn------- I wish the warm sun had made itself known more than it did. It was still warmer than Stockholm though. Upon their arrival home they were greeted with sub-zero temperatures!

To top it all off I got sick the last week of their visit too. Cough, cold, sinus issues...... I am not back to normal yet but feel a lot better. I hope that Cami and Klas don't go home with my germs, I hope Brooke's family doesn't get sick either. Anyhow---- I'm thankful for the past two weeks. Being a mom and Grandma is the BEST CALLING in life I will ever have. Really tough to see Cami go home. But grateful that they are safe, healthy and happy. Life is so fragile.

Cami, Jamie, and Robin

I have been pretty tied up this past week. I have absolutely loved having Cami and Klas here in California. They stayed at my place for 3 nights which was truly a treat. They cooked dinner for me twice. They were able to visit with friends here in Sacramento. The rain is still pretty much happening but not quite as stormy. They went on to San Francisco for 2 days and now they are having fun with other friends in Pleasanton. They will head back over to Brooke's soon so I will go back too to have a couple of more days with them. We just aren't sure yet if they will leave early for Cami to go see Jamie.

Jamie is now at George Washington Univ Hospital in Wash, DC. She is still in her coma but shows positive signs of waking up soon- we HOPE. She is not withdrawing from pain any more, she reaches for the tubes in her throat when her hands are not restrained. She opened her right eye for a moment too. Her sister-in-law, Lailah, has done an amazing job of keeping us all informed as to her progress. You can read here if you want to pray for Jamie too. I can only imagine the pain her family is going through. Brain injuries are unique to each patient. I have learned so much just reading online about cortex damage these past days. So think positive thoughts and pray for "Jamie-girl".


Jamie and Cami painting their apartment at UC Davis


Jamie and Cami at Brooke's baby shower.

Yesterday I was able to be a part of my friend, Robin's, wedding. She and Richard got married in the Sacramento LDS Temple. I had the privilege of being her "photographer". Yes- scary thought, huh?!!!! I had Brooke and Evan's amazing Canon DX camera, which obviously made all the difference in the world! It was a long day but a fun one. They have a lot of friends, family, and co-workers that were there to support them. The reception was sooooo fun! The had Behind the Scenes DJs. I know them from when I used to be in charge of the Single Adult Dances at church. They are great! They made the party for us all. Congrats to Robin and Richard! Heres to an eternity of happiness!

Robin and Richard after the wedding at the Sacramento Temple.

Welcome to Sunny California!

Cami and Klas left Stockholm hoping to get away from the cold and the dark to escape to the sunshine state. Well........ it hasn't exactly happened they way they had hoped! So far they have seen the sun for probably a total of 3 hours in the past 6 days. We have been having horrendous rain and wind. To add to that - Cami recieved news that her dear friend, Jamie, was in a terrible car accident in Kazakhstan (Jamie was serving in the Peace Corps there). Two other people were killed in the accident. Jamie is still in a coma. She has been transported from Kazakhstan to Afghanistan, to Frankfurt, Germany, and now to Washington DC where she is currently at George Washington Univ Hospital. We are getting constant updates from Jamie's sister-in-law's blog. Lailah went with her husband and Jamie's parents to Germany and they are now in DC with her. This news and the weather is definitely making it hard for Cami and Klas to really enjoy their vacation in California. We have enjoyed family time though. Just want to share a few fun pictures of their visit. More to follow after the rest of their visit. In the meantime, please remember to add Jamie in your prayers for a full recovery.


I love having my girls together!


The sun almost came out when we went to Farmer's Market in Pleasanton.


Cami and Klas took me to barbecue for dinner!

Freezing in Atlanta!

I had a fun weekend in Atlanta with my brother, John, and his girlfriend, Jeannette. Jeannette is visiting from Amsterdam. Last August I stayed with her for 4 days after I had been in Stockholm. It has been so fun to get to know her. Of course, I loved reconnecting with John too. It was extremely cold in Atlanta- but it wasn't snowing. The snow was on the ground but no new snow to speak of. We drove to Helen, a little town that looks like a German village. We went to the lake to play with Max, John's dog. We went out to dinner to see John's son, JJ. We played Yahtze. We had a birthday celebration for Jeannette too. I was only there 3 nights. I wish it could have been longer. He is a funny guy-- and I love him so much!


John and Jeannette by the Chattahoochee River


John IV and John III


A frozen fountain in the town of Helen.


Jeannette at the lake.


John's house.


John, Jeannette and Max at home in Cumming, GA.

Happy New Year!!