This Was No Silent Night

The Cast of the Nativity

Steve and I weren't sure what this Christmas would hold, but it was one for the books! A foot of snow (our first-ever Seattle white Christmas... I've waited a LOT of years for this!), a phone call from France and hosting dinner with friends Christmas nights were some great highlights.
We also had a wonderful Christmas Eve... As is tradition, we spent the evening with Steve's parents in Port Orchard. We had the annual Mexican Feast and Nativity Play, but this year, we added a special twist: Santa showed up!!!! A few of you may recognize his uncanny resemblance to Uncle Steve!

The Transition Begins

Steve doesn't really relish being the center of attention, so he was initially a little reticent. But one look at the wonder-filled faces of his nieces and nephew, and Steve's heart was won over. The little ones were so enamored by Santa showing up in Grandma's living room! Almost four-year old Skylie was the least shy of the group and approached Santa as soon as he was seated in the chair of honor. She walked up, looked up at him with those doe eyes of hers and said in a clear and confident voice, "Santa, I cleaned my room." I thought Steve's heart would melt. He got so many hugs and kisses from the little guys and he is such a sucker for that. It really made his Christmas... and mine! He got so excited at the end that he almost took a few eyes out as he tossed candy to unsuspecting family members... but no one was maimed, so it was a good night for Santa Claus.

Oddly enough, just as Santa had left, Steve returned to the party. He said to the kids, "Hey, guess what I just saw??? I saw Santa and his sleigh fly off!" The kids looked at him with awe. Little Elizabeth asked with great excitement, "did you see Rudolph?" Steve replied, "I did see a bright red nose... that must have been him." Elizabeth was very excited and said in a very superior tone to her older brother, "see Mark! I told you Rudolph wasn't just a story!"

....And to all a good night!!!!

Santa with Skylie

...and Elizabeth

...and Mark!

(Mark was hysterical, because he was quite nervous to introduce himself to Santa. But after a bit of positive-self talk he geared up, put his game face on, and as you can see, got quite comfortable very quickly!)

Greetings from France

I thought folks might be ready for an Elder Rowley Update.  Here are a few quotes from recent emails...  Brian, in his own words: scary thought, huh?  I've left the punctuation and style just as we received....  I hope no one is offended by a few of B's turns of phrase, but those who know him well wouldn't recognize him without them...

Here they are:

• its kind of weird being roomates with people who have been on their missions way longer than me cuz its hard to quote new movies and stuff. hopefully i don't lose my sense of humor.  [this has been the only fear that Brian has shared with us since arriving in Paris.  the kid is definitely unique!]
• today was elder fairbourne's b day so we went bowling on our p day it was awesome! then we went and got pizza kobobs. soooooo bomb. [I included this to show that Brian is really appreciating the french cuisine!]
•  im gay enough i have a freaking scarf!!!!  there so normal over here but dad dont worry im drawing the line here!!!! NO MAN NIKKERS!!!!! [Steve and Brian have always shared a disdain for men wearing capris.  They refer to them as "man nickers"]
•  i miss you all dearly though but this is where im supposed to be.  nothing is bad!!!  and if something seems bad or hard, its really not.  it really is only for our good to make us better and stronger.  the lord loves us so much and he would never just let us suffer for nothing, it is always great for us in the long run.  sacrifices, i've learned are really just big leaps of faith.  and it always seems hard or bad at first, but it ends up being giving up something good for something great, its not really a sacrifice.  we have so much to be thankful for its ridiculous!!!!!  gosh life is good and will just keep getting better! 
•  ive noticed really quickly that the worst days on the mission are days where you dont work hard.  there was one day this week where we were on exchanges and i was with elder navarro and we couldn;t do enything cuz neither of us spoke french and so we just sat around!!!!  it was freaking horrible!!!!  the worst day of my mission,  but it was such a good experience!!!  all of our trials are in the long run.
  

We're thrilled for Brian to have this incredible opportunity.  I love seeing that he is still Brian, but already a more mature version of himself.  It's exciting to see and brings a special kind of joy to this Christmas.  

Mele Kalikimaka

Down town Lahaina's Famous Banyan Tree ready for Christmas!

I fell in love with this Stand of Trees on the Road to Hana

Another mighty Banyan Tree on our Hike

A beautiful black sand beach

Self-Portrait of a Very Happy Pair

Sunset at Makenna Beach

Back in August, before the world fell apart, we planned a trip to Maui for early December. While now, it hardly seems practical, it has still been a blast.

Steve and I arrived last Saturday afternoon. We stayed at a tiny, but beautiful condo right on the beach in Lahaina. We've enjoyed great seafood, some amazing hikes and beach time, not to mention the very strange experience of hearing Christmas songs while wearing flip flops at 85 degrees.

Some highlights were the crazy Road to Hana, (which we didn't take last trip because we had a bored teenager in the back seat), a beautiful hike through a bamboo forest to the tallest waterfall we've ever seen, and some incredible sea food. It's also amazing to remember what it's like to have plenty of time together, to sleep 9 - 10 hours a night (incredible!), and have skin that no longer looks like Edward Cullen's less the sparkles (at least for another week and a half).

We also had a wonderful dinner with my former boss and her husband, who have since retired and now live in this Paradise. If you sense any bitterness here, I'm sure it's your imagination. When the market recovers, in another 25 years or so, we can afford to come live here as well. Of course this will depend on other factors such as our strategy for winning the lottery, searching out a buried treasure with our metal detector, or finding a long-lost rich uncle who will come to love us with his final breaths. (If you know either of our families, you realize that this last one is a real long shot.) In the mean time, we have no problem watching how the other half lives and pretending it is us for brief moments in time.

It has been a great week and a wonderful contrast to years' past with the Hectic Holidays breathing down our throats. It's also a great reminder that yes, Virginia, there is Life after Children. This trip was a wonderful one to take with Brian a few years back and we saw so many things this past week that made us miss him, but it was also fun to try the trip again at our own pace and style. My only real concern now is that, well, .... next week is really going to suck.

Mein Fuhrer on Washington Sports Scene

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI_xCBAv2rk

   As dark as the picture presented in this documentary, it still doesn't cover the depths of the Pacific Northwest's degradation: Seattle Sonics, Mariners, SeaHawks, University of Washington, WSU... find me a winner in that mix.

   As I've always said... to be a fan of Seattle sports is to have one's heart broken every season.  True that, Adolph!

That's My Niece!!!!

This weekend I had a rare privilege: I was able to watch my niece, Megan, star in a play put on by The Richland Light Opera Company. The play was ambitious, powerful and everyone did a great job. That being said, Megan truly was the star in every sense of the word.

I know what you are thinking... I am her aunt. What would I know? But while I have no performing talent of my own, I do have the ability to spot it. Megan performed beautifully and sang with incredible power. Her voice is a miracle. There are a couple of numbers that continue to give me chills 48 hours later.

But there was something even more. Megan's goodness and joy came through with word, note and gesture. Seeing that light in her caused me to reflect on my drive home. I thought of each of nieces and nephews. Each of them have that same light burning bright. It reflects differently in them all, but I am so blessed by my knowing and loving each and every one of my nieces and nephews. Each has a powerful light that both illuminates and warms those around them. There is one more miracle in all of this... they have managed to marry people who add to it!

Any one who knows me, understands that I am not a Pollyanna, and I don't wear rose-colored glasses. Trust me on this. I'm right about these people. I find such laughter and joy any time I am with "The Next Generation". They are funny, intelligent and unfailingly kind to me. For at least the past twenty years, I've understood a very important mathematical formula. There is no better ratio of effort/reward than being an Aunt. All the love... very little of the drama. You get to see the glowing smiles without having to drive them to orthodontist to straighten their pearly whites. None of the sleepless nights, but you still get the excited phone calls very early in the Game... Proms, Weddings, Babies... As an Aunt, you pay for none of them, but share in the joy of them all.

When these nieces and nephews were little, I typically bonded with the girls at younger ages, but I've also come to know my nephews as my dear friends. Some of those relationships came when they moved close but a couple of them were forged when these young men were in other hemispheres! And I still am delighted when I get a phone call or an email forward just because they think I'll enjoy it. I'm grateful any time one of my nieces or nephews spends time with me. Every one of them make me feel young, happy and very alive.

So, to my nieces and nephews, while it was Megan who dazzled me Friday night, each of you amaze me each time I see you. I love your confidence and your kindness. Thank you for always making me feel vital and important. And to my brother and sisters, thank you for sharing your incredible children with me. They've become individuals who are such a credit to you.

(this is one of the few down-sides of being Aunt.... you really deserve no cudos for who they become... oh, well.. those orthodonture bills would have killed me...)

No Way??? Norway!!!!

Alicia's call arrived today.  She will be serving in the Norway, Oslo mission!  She is thrilled as she has many ancestors from Norway and several family members to serve missions there. Alicia enters the MTC February 4, 2009.

We are thrilled for her!  

Mostly, Karine is thrilled as it means she wins the pizza.  Would you prefer Thin Pan on your next visit?  

Alicia won't be serving too far away from Brian...  and think of the freakish language skills they'll have by autumn 2010!

We love you Alicia...

Happy Anniversary Baby, 'Got You On My Mind

Dear Steve

Happy Anniversary!

We've joked for years about what a "blessed woman" I am, but you know what? It's true.

I am blessed. Your combination of laughter, faith and good heart, tinged with just the perfect dose of sarcasm, are just what I need. You remind me of what is really important and sometimes you can even get me to slow down and enjoy the view!

Our different parenting styles at times made me want to scream (and I think I did a time or two!), but I look at Brian now and think maybe we're a good combo. He certainly makes us look good, doesn't he?

You've always given me the credit for the fact that we have such good friends, but I know better. I might be better at making friends, but you are the best at keeping them. You do it again by your humor, easy going nature and the fact that you people feel better when they're around you.

Thank you for your acceptance and love. Thanks for loving me for who I am and not some expectation you had of me. Thank you for believing in me more than I do in myself. Thank you for making me laugh.

I know our lives are in a very quiet chapter, but I love that! I love knowing that tonight we chose to spend another quiet evening at home together to celebrate 26 years together. We must be doing something right. I love you with all my heart!

Lynn

My Man's Evolvin'

First, let me say that I consider my husband to be a Renaissance Man.  He has it all:  he's athletic, intelligent, the funniest person I know and even does the laundry.  I have it good.  He taught his son to respect women and NEVER once in 26 years of marriage has asked me, "what's for dinner"?  Yes, I am a lucky woman.

I have had one complaint that I've held to my heart for many, many years.  While Steve is a great reader who loves The Great American Novel, he has held one prejudice to his heart:  the man won't read women authors!  For years, I've tried to introduce him to the likes of Willa Cather, Toni Morrison and George Eliot (never mind Jane Austen... I knew I wouldn't make any headway there).  I can't express how much this annoys me and how many arguments I've made over the years trying to expand this man's horizons.  I mean you're only missing out on the perceptions of slightly over half the worlds' population, but whatever.

So on Sunday afternoon between desperation and my nagging, Steve broke down and started Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton yesterday afternoon.  He finished it two sittings and pronounced it one of the best books he'd ever read and has talked of little else since he finished it.  Can Jane be far behind?  (okay, to be perfectly honest I don't know that I want to be married to a man who loves to read Austen... maybe I need some enlightenment myself!)

Nevertheless, I am vindicated.  Indeed, I am a lucky woman.

Where In the World.....?

We heard last month that our dear friend Alicia decided to serve an LDS mission.  As of last Sunday,  Alicia's Papers are in!  She should hear late next week where she will be serving. 

Steve is predicting that Alicia will be called to Costa Rica.  (If she is called to serve there, Steve is also predicting that we will be visiting her during her mission there!)  I am predicting Nicaragua, South Carolina or Taiwan (somewhere in that neighborhood anyway).  

Wherever Alicia serves, she will be such a powerful force.  Her love of others and her love of the Gospel are just two of the qualities she'll take with her.  We are so blessed by what she means to us and to Brian.

Where do you think she'll be called?  Bragging rights and a pizza to the closest pick!

Validation: I've Finally Been Tagged!

Wendy, thank you for loving me enough to tag me. It is a heady feeling, I'm tellin' you.

8 Favorite TV Shows

1. The Office

2. The Office

3. The Office

4. Project Runway
(you have not lived until you've heard Steve and Brian Rowley vehemently argue over fashion)

5. 30 Rock
(thank you Bethany and Nathan for the recommendation. Life changing)

6. The Cosby Show

7. Cheers

8. Taxi
(who DOESN'T love Nick at Night?)

8 Things I Did Yesterday

1. Sat in a meeting that was too long.

2. Sat in another meeting that was too long.
(fun afternoon, as you can see)

3. Read my scriptures. (don't ask about my journal!)

4. Cuddled on couch with Steve and re-watched Thursday's Office and 30 Rock episodes (see above)

5. Tried Costco's lettuce wraps for dinner. (this should be avoided)

6. Read my book in a hot bath.

7. Wrote to Brian.

8. Sat on hold with the IRS. (again, a fun afternoon)

8 Things I Look Forward To

1. September 2010

2. Vacation... any Vacation

3. Weekends

4. Retirement

5. Going to the Movies

6. This Stinkin' Economy to Recover

7. My Next Meal

8. Finding out where Alicia will be serving her mission!

8 Favorite Restaurants

1. Thin Pan
(you should have known this one already... and no, it still hasn't closed)

2. Tres Hermanos
(certainly not for the food, but many great memories)

3. The Met

4. Etta's
(their salmon is the best I've ever eaten)

5. Asian Wok

6. Palomino

7. Wild Ginger

8. Brad's
(only Gail and Anne will get this, but it cracked me up and brought back memories of soda fountains and sliding your tray down that glorious buffet line. Bremerton had a lot to offer, didn't it?)

8 Items on My Wish List
(mostly places to go, rather than things to dust)

1. Fiji

2. Peru

3. Greek Islands

4. New Living Room Furniture

5. Viet Nam

6. Photography Class

7. Wimbledon
(to go watch, not play in!)

8. A Lexus Convertible (this I wouldn't mind dusting)

8 People I Tag

1. Bethany

2. Emily

3. Karine

4. Megan

5. Melissa

6. Stephanie

7. Lisette

8. Colene

Now, will you actually read my blog and respond to my tag? I'll wait patiently for your validation (gulp.)

We Are Fam-I-Ly

Well, we survived another one! Thirty plus Beagley's together for 3 days and no bloodshed... other than that may have been hidden under Caiden's plethura of bandaids!

Some of the highlights:

*Trick Or Treating in downtown Port Townsend
*Henry's Bowing at the end of each "performance". He must have some stage mother, huh?
*Caiden's Star Wars Move (what WAS that?!?!?)
*Family Olympics
(who was that being that took over Gail's body and what did she do with my sister?)
*Ping Pong.
Nathan, remember when Aunt Lynn beat you??? I just wanted to be sure you remembered....
*Watching the Great Nieces and Nephews color and eat color crayons (sorry Grandpa)
*The candy fest on Saturday night. Watching Gibson two fisting lolly pops was truly impressive.

Along with these, it was great to just visit at meal times with nieces and nephews. I am so blessed by the fun, wise and good family members who surround me. One personal note: Spending time with Mike McLaughlin was such a blessing. His words of comfort and wisdom meant the world to me. I was struck at how none of go through challenges without reason. Because of his faith during trying times, it bolstered mine.

The Reunion Committee did an outstanding job! Generation 3 of the Beagley Clan could truly run the world. Thank you guys so much. I love you all (and that is AFTER the reunion. Impressive, huh?)

Dad Beagley and his four kids. He must be so...... proud?

Bethany and Megan

Darling, Beautiful Maddie

Emily and Baby Ethan -He and Beck had quite the Cheek Contest. Winner still TBD.

I'm not sure what this is, but Gail just cracked me up and had to share.

We'll never outgrow Halloween Candy!

Steve must have been jacked-up on sugar as well.

Caiden at the drums. He's already learned that chicks dig Rockers.

It was so fun to see and visit with Kristin - I love this girl.

Family Olympics Survivors - Go Team 1!!!!!

Do you think that Uncle Derek may have thrown Henry just a bit TOO high?

Nathan and the Boys (he's carrying Ethan)
Caiden running to Daddy

Gibson and Grandpa! Hip Hip Hurray!

Preparing for Trick Or Treat. Believe it or not, this was the best group Shot. Herding Cats would be easier!

Beckett: Rooster. Gibson: Giraffe. Caiden: Dragonfly... w/ gun? Madison: Lady Bug. Henry and Ethan: Butch and Sundance.

A World Where Two Giraffes Colide!

Gibson spotted this little girl trick or treating in his same costume. It was hysterical! They had a stare-down that lasted a full minute, then Gibson went in for a hug and the little girl burst into tears! Best Halloween moment ever!

Aunt Bethany aka Annie Oakley

The Rockers at Work.... Steve will be cool forever in his nephews eyes. Any "grown up" (and I use that term loosely) who can score 94% on Rock Band must be respected.

Manda and Mark checking out the Jolene Memory Book. Thanks to both of you for all your work and the fun you added! Amanda is directly responsible for the two-15 minute time periods when the great grand babies were calm and quiet. You two are the best!

Elder Rowley Update

This week we received our first pictures from the MTC along with our weekly letter.  Brian sounds great!  The pictures cracked me up.  They are the "quintessential" MTC photos.

I'm also attaching an excerpt from his letter:

[Everything is so good.  I love you and miss you.  This week was amazing.  Richard G. Scott or I just call him Rich is so funny.  His talk was so good.  Also, yesterday, the Fox herself came to talk to us...  Sheri Dew.  You know one of my favorite hymns is "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing".  We sang that to open the fireside and then we sang "Armies of Helaman."  It was so powerful.  Then Sheri Dew gave a great fireside.  One thing she said was in 1998 Priesthood, Gordon B. Hinckley said, "the economy is fragile, so get out of debt.  I want to say this with all the emphasis of my heart."  Also, Thomas S. Monson in April 2008 said, "We have no reason to fear, for the Lord is at the helm... we can and will win.  It was so good.]

I loved the letter:  filled with Brian's special blend of sacrilege and testimony.  I just hope the Chinese and the French are ready for him!

During a grueling week at work and facing a weekend of chores, it was a great shot of positive energy to hear from Brian and see that he appears to be thriving...

The infamous "Matrix" shot.  Also known as the laying on the ironing board shot.  Either way you slice it, very cool.  Please also note that Brian is wearing his Back Street Boys shirt in the photo op.

Steve must have laughed for 10 minutes when he saw this one.

This was my favorite!  Brian and his cousin Matt (who is now serving in Boston, MA)

Brian and his companion and zone leaders

See?  He knows where France is!  He is not an Ugly American.  Frenchies, please treat him kindly!

I'M READY TO PARTY! ARE YOU WITH ME?

I have a confession to make: I love our Family Reunions.

I love the weird smell of Fort Worden and the Ghost Stories. I love taking a nap in the afternoon and hearing the laughter float up the stairs. I love the cousins. I love the lazy walks down to the water. I love the food (God bless you Amanda!), I love the memories from seven different reunions over 17 years: cakes shaped like Africa, fireworks, photo shoots, the crafts... ahhh, the crafts, holding little ones (in 1992 it was my little one, in 2008, it will be my great niece and nephews), the canoe ride with only one oar, being scared spitless by a scarecrow sitting on the toilet at midnight. I love the comraderie and that special kind of joy that I feel only at Fort Worden with my family.

And this year, I'm even more excited. It may be that it will be at Halloween, and what could be cooler than Fort Worden at Halloween? It might be that I'm missing my boy, so it will be extra special to hang out with the family. It may just be that work really sucks right now and I just need to get out of that place, but however you spell it, I can't wait!

If you are a family member reading this, know that I love you more than I can say. If you are a friend, you may feel quietly jealous. Because my family rocks!!!! We may not have talent, looks, intellect or any other redeemable quality, but we have do have some powerfully forged bonds: the same twisted sense of humor, a shared faith in God, and a loyalty that has run through weddings, births, funerals and in out of days and years. I have always loved my family, but it has taken me years to realize how precious this incredible blessing is. The blessing of being Beagley... who knew?

The girls at Madison's shower. Madison might be a more powerful force this year, do you think?

Megan wearing the infamous sweat shirt that once beat out a forest fire

Caiden makes his first appearance at the 2006 reunion

The Beagley Men: Feel the Testosterone

The last morning of the 2006 reunion. If you look closely you'll see a tear in Mike McLaughlin's eye. "Is it over already?"

these boys can quilt!

'hard to believe that two of these boys are now "bringing the world His truth". Heaven help us.

The Armstrongs Represent! (I love that Jolene totally looks like she is starting a cheer!)

Can you say "Craft Nazi"?
preparing the baked french toast.... mmmmmmm.

the Gangstahs

Here's everyone saying goodbye two years ago. 'Just two more weeks until we're back in the damp fog that is Fort Worden. I love you all and can't wait to see you!