December Events… not all are Christmas…

Dear Guillianna and Elijah,

December is usually full of so many different events.   Just like you know, early December is someone you know who has a birthday!   This year Papa and Grandma Sharyn had celebrated Hanukkah early in December and Aunt Nori has a birthday today.   Life is full of all kinds of events and special things .   Today is a Saturday and we are going to drop off an ornament at a special Christmas gathering, then go visit Uncle David in the hospital, and then babysit baby Bash for a bit.   Your Aunt and Uncle are having another baby next year in late May or early June likely, and tomorrow we will find out if Bash is having a brother or a sister.   We do not know what all has been on your schedule this weekend but we are hopeful  it was a great one.    No school at least, an any day you can hang with mom and dad, and not go to school has to be fun.    I know your cousins are all thinking about you.  Aunt Kiki came to your house the other day to wishing you a Happy Birthday and I am serious when I say she truly wanted to say Happy Birthday and hello, it was sad she wasnt allowed.    She has always been so dedicated to you both, loving you always and sending you all kinds of things regularly no matter where she has been, no matter what she always thought of you both and  she sent cards and gifts.    She would truly have wanted to give you hugs and tell how loved you are.   The other cousins here ask about you all the time too.   We imagine you  being so active with the  first and fourth grade, and having possible play dates, or after school activities just like you did when you were in the mitten.

No matter what you are involved in doing, just knowing that your loved by all, and thought of often, will hopefully one day help you.  Remember you are loved to the moon and back, forever and for always,

XOXOXOXOXOXO

❤️Nana and Poppy❤️?

Music and Memories

Dear Guillianna and Elijah

This is Nana when she was small – visiting Santa, and every time I hear certain songs at the holiday season I can see so many magical memories I my head!   Christmas in my home as a child was always so special.   I tried for many years to bring the same kind of memories to our children and to their children too.    Those memories are so special.     Poppy as I hope that there will be some  same kinds of instances that occur for you two- maybe not so much with music but maybe  who knows may for Gugu, it would be PIE?    Or maybe it will be music from Christmas concerts or the smells of food, the taste of punch, or decorations or gingerbread houses?      We hope when you remember Christmas morning and all fun on Christmas Eve  it is that the warmth that keeps your heart warm and full of happiness .

There are so many new things in your lives, and we hope they are warm and wonderful and bring you both great happiness.   Always remember, we love you both to the moon and back, forever and for always,

XOXOXOXOXOXO

❤️Nana and Poppy❤️?

How amazing is technology?

Dear Guillianna and Elijah –

Ten years ago when Nana started this website it was a labor of love since she doesn’t know much about technology and had to teach herself … after all , when I grew up in school there were typewriters and to look things up you had to go to the library or use books called encyclopedias there was no Google, which likely makes you think Poppy and I lived with the dinosaurs !   But no … Great Grandma lived in a time before television and at almost 90 years of age – she has come a long way and seen so much – She loves her iPad. she loves Alexa and always says “I will never forget Guillianna teaching me how to use it and telling me ‘Grandma Sally you don’t have to even use manners with her ‘   She loves seeing photos and following all her grandchildren and great great grandchildren seeing the activities of people she can’t normally see – it keeps her current with news and life in general  too!    Great grandma Sharyn and Papa also are pretty good at following the family.    As I have learned more and more it is still all so amazing.    It’s so nice how my journals and images come up each day saying ON THIS DAY through a lot of years !    Look at what I saw this morning from this day, your cousins….

 Thank was Then  ( before Cole !) and here they are now

On that same day long ago – you two had a photo taken too  here you two are –

The best thing ever is  to know that because of technology there are so many pieces of history that you will get to discover both for educational purposes and even about yourselves  with this site.   To see the smiles and laughter in images videos –  and hear stories of when you were little is something you will look at as be able to connect with your individual  memories.   All the activities, people, and places in your mind will get a boost from images that are able to be found without looking up in an old attic.    Or in old video tapes or like  for me where everything is old photos or on 8mm film which has faded and is brittle!      Here is a photo of Nana when she was a little girl .. there was no internet …. no iPhones or computers …

We are so grateful for technology and the ability to remind you how loved you two are.    To tell you what happiness you shared with us and so you can feel it one day when you’re able to see this.     So you will always know the story of love that brought your mom and our whole family to us and the love that always will be in our hearts !

Here is Great grandma Sally as a young mom holding your nana and  the second one is of course her now –

The ability to technology give you images and words to have truly is an amazing gift.   All of  these love letters will hopefully help you both feel connections to all who love and care for you, maybe  see your family a little more with every passing love letter.    Poppy and I hope you will remember as time passes ….

The ever changes faces of our lives ….   missing you so much and so so so hopeful  your both doing good.    The image of your faces, your smiles, you’re personalities are etched in our hearts.    We can hear you and feel you both –  and want you to know you’re loved to the moon and back ,

forever and always

XOXOXOXOXOXO

❤️Nana and Poppy❤️?

Thinking of you

Dear Guillianna and Elijah

While waiting for the repair man today I was thinking about this “no gifts for you two” rule … and while I am not understanding any of what has happened or what could possible be going on inside of either of you after such a long and happy journey with us – I have decided this … there once was a story called the Inconvenient Christmas we shared with our children at Christmas time.    Every year at this time we used to do something that was service oriented or that was a contribution, something that help other families in need.    This year – as our hearts yearn to see you and hear all about the wonderful things you have learned and are doing,  we will do that in honor of our love , in honor of the two of you.    That through our own sorrow and the deep sense of  loss we are feeling, we will put all of the energy we can find to in some way  honor the good … for the good in you , the contagious smiles and laughter we have always known , was a gift and the only thing I can think to do is bring some kind of happiness, some smiles to others the way the two of you do to all you meet !  We will donate time and food or clothing – in honor of the sacrifice you each have endured.  We will find a cause in need ,  In honor of the courage it has taken for each of you to leave – with out everything you ever knew-  to begin a new and unknown journey.    I am sorry to both of you for any pain or heart break you will have Christmas Not seeing all your family, that you’ve spent every Christmas with , not being able to FaceTime, or feel the love that has always surrounded you by so many relatives !    The fact is none of this is fair to either of you.    We will also continue to hope something inside everyone’s hearts expands to see truth – and to see how amazing it truly is to have extended family in your life.  We will always believe ? ❤️  in love and in you both to stay sweet, loving , and true to the memories of the Mitten and all who have always loved and always will love you both !

We love you both to the moon and back ,

forever and for always

XOXOXOXOXOXO

❤️Nana and Poppy ❤️?