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!