A New Year - A New Page

Welcome 2009!! The day has dawned sunny and cold - perfect for flannel PJs (which will be my all day attire) and a crackling fire (hooray for Duralogs - no fuss, no muss.) Doggie Skye is sacked out on the couch and my sweet Lily cat is curled up in my lap as I type. Matthew is home and sleeping after an early morning deer hunt with friends (Bambi-1; Hunters-0) and we've had our New Year call from Frank. All seems right with the world - our little world anyway.

2009 begins a truly new chapter in our lives. Matthew is reveling in the joys of waking up on a New Year's morning feeling great and not having to deal with a hangover. He was going to attend an alcohol-free party in town last night but chose to just chill here with Mom instead, knowing he'd be getting up at O-dark-thirty to begin the deer hunt. His recovery continues to be the most wonderful gift our family has received of late - he is doing SO well. We are extremely proud of him, and he is not ashamed to say that he is equally proud of himself! Rightfully so, as this has been and will continue to be, hard work. With God's help, the strong support system he has built, and the honest upfront approach he is taking, our Matt will make it!

The next wonderful gift in our lives will be arriving soon - our first grandbaby, Liam Scott Stinson, is due in a matter of weeks and we are giddy with excitement! Christopher and Lynne are preparing their "nest" and learning all they can about Parenting 101. I think they will find that the best teacher of all will be parental instinct! Frank is due in from Iraq on January 22 for 3 weeks of R&R and, with the exception of a few days of duck hunting when he first hits US soil, the remainder of his time home will be in anticipation of meeting baby Liam.

From Fayetteville, Chris tells us he has finally been able to relax after a beyond-crazy work pace during the holiday season. We are so proud of his dynamic and creative photography work. He has such an eye for capturing the candid and priceless moments of childhood. (check out his web site at http://www.stinsonphoto.com/index2.php and stop by if you are in that area and would like to book a photo session!) Christmas picture bookings were back-to-back and his clientele continues to expand as word spreads of his unique talent. We hope he and his dear wife Lynne will have the most joyful of New Years as their little family grows to include baby Liam!

From Iraq, Frank tells us the weather is mirroring ours here in Louisiana. He is well and doing fine. The long hours of contract work for KBR continue, but at this new base (COP Rawah) there is a smaller troop Morale, Welfare, and Recreation program because it is a smaller base. That means the stress level is WAY down compared to what it was when he was running all over the huge camp Al Asad trying to keep things going smoothly. Rawah is much nearer in size to Habbinayah or Haditha, both bases he really enjoyed. Since being named to start the MWR program at Rawah he has been working with fewer assistants but they are a good and enthusiastic team. They share the same mission - to put in place facilities and events that will provide the military men and women stationed at Rawah with options for health maintenance, fun and relaxation. Thousands of miles away from their own homes, our military personnel count on a good MWR program to make their base a "home away from home" - and if anyone can do that Frank can! He is already known all over the Iraqi military camps for his ready smile and crazy humor. That's my hubby!

Back here in Louisiana I'm planning to do a bit of New Year Organization on my one day off (at least the weekend is not far away!) and the menu for the day covers all the class New Year traditions. Matthew and I will feast on ham (symbolizing a year of "plenty") spinach for me and brussel sprouts for Matt (the green symbolizing "wealth" in the New Year - please Lord!) and an awesome black-eyed pea dip (the black-eyed peas symbolizing "luck" - we can always use that too!) Of course, I'll be ending my meal with a cup of hot, aromatic Lady Grey tea and the last of the Christmas chocolate!

Wishing everyone the happiest of New Years - from our house to yours.


May love & laughter light your days, and warm your heart & home. May good & faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam. May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures, May all life’s passing seasons bring the best to you & yours. - author unknown