Life

I feel like I should re-introduce myself and my ward of patients.  The past 6 months have been pretty tough going for the most part-  with a few scattered reports of joy.

Here it is-  January.  Many things have changed in the Looney Bin- mostly for the better, although the changes themselves felt like the world caving in for a while there.

The best HAPPY of all- is the anticipated arrival of a new patient!  Outpatient and LOL are embarking on that test of all tests known as parenthood- and have already experienced a few stresses.  I was barely adjusting my thoughts to the idea of maybe someday in the grandparent mode- and that very weekend- we received this:

To say that we are thrilled is an understatement.  To say that I feel even remotely like a grandmother is an overstatement-  but all patients are excitedly awaiting the future Princess-  Oldest has  been especially cute with his excitement- although he was hoping for a Prince.  The addition is expected Mid-April, and there is actually hope that she comes a little late- as that is finals week for Outpatient.

January in a Nut Shell-

Well- my blogging hasn't gone well as of late-  hampered a great deal by a huge increase in my hours of employment-  like doubling.  Like full time plus some overtime.  And an increase in hockey activity as well.

We started of the New Year with:

Grandma Bunnie had a birthday.  She is older. Ha.

The DR got the tree taken down and out of my house on the 2nd.  That may not seem remarkable- but the last few years it has still been up when Oldest's birthday rolled around.

PB&J was made a Bishop in a newly formed Singles Ward.

Miss Middle and Oldest played a lot of hockey.

Piano back in session after holiday break.

Then- more and more hockey.

I GOT A NEW OVEN!!!!! A double/ convection  oven.

Baby sister's baby A was blessed- but the girls of this ward were unable to attend because we were snowed in at hockey games.

Oldest turned FIFTEEN!  Not sure who gave him permission to do that.

Baby Sister's baby A had surgery on her skull, and that same day, her beloved dog, Flash, passed away. 

Then the night of the 30th, we received a phone call that a young man Outpatient and the DR had hometaught in our old ward had shot himself.

END OF THE NUTSHELL PART.

A little more detail-

 At the meeting where my BIL was called and sustained as a new bishop- there were two men on the stand from my home ward growing up.  That was rather surprising to me.  What are the odds?  He is going to make a great bishop.   We sent Middle to play hockey in a different state with a friend that weekend.  Everyone but her plays hockey on Sunday.  She had to stand up all by herself  (without even her parents) for her choice to not play hockey and break the Sabbath.  She was shocked to learn that two other members on her team are also members of the church (one she already knew was so there are a total of 5 members of our faith including her, which is a pretty high percentage considering there are only 15 girls on the roster).  It is hard for her to understand why they go to church and yet not only play hockey but do many other things that they have been taught are not good.  I was a little worried about what her choice would be, but she held firm and from what I heard, she did it with humility and class.  Good Girl! Her teammates had some interesting ideas for her, including saying that it was Monday instead.  I think they do respect her for her decision  and her coach told both me and her that he would take her any time he can get her, and he would rather have her half the time then not at all.

We had ordered a new oven and it was supposed to be delivered on Dec 23.  It wasn't.  Then it was backordered again.  Well- actually- it was built specifically for us because we ordered white I guess.  Anyway-  I didn't get to do my Christmas cookie baking in it-  but we christened it by cooking lasagna, brownies and then three pizzas all at the same time.  And I have since baked 9 dozen cookies in just a couple of hours.  I need a few more silpats and good baking sheets :)

Oh-  and I taught RS in there too-  I was not at peace with the lesson, and felt that I didn't present it as well as I would like.  It didn't help that my neighbor had her farewell talk that day and our former bishop whom we are very close with spoke as well.  I was emotional, and coughing up my lung- so it wasn't my best.  I hope the sisters felt the spirit though.  Many spoke to me after- so I guess maybe it went better than I was afraid.


The weekend of Oldest's birthday was a crazy one- the girls headed to Middle's hockey.  Outpatient drove out and the boys took off a day to go find snow and ride the machines.  Then Oldest also played hockey games.  The girls got up and headed out of town. nearly had a wreak on snow packed roads and then had to endure the bulk of the trip in a stinky car after Youngest got motion sick and threw up. She gets that from her mother.  Thank goodness that my aunt lives where we were headed and even more thank goodness she was in town and Youngest got a shower.  Miss Sophie wasn't so lucky- but I wiped her with wipes as best I could.  As we headed to the rink, it had begun to snow.  Lots of snow.  By the end of the game there was over 4 inches.  The only roads home are mountainous, dark, lightly traveled, and poor cell phone service at best.  So- after fueling up our tummies and car, we headed to the one remaining open road- only to find it super slick, snowing heavily, and pitch dark.  So we turned around and got a hotel- sneaking in Miss Sophie.  She is a good hotel dog- surprisingly.  I had made the girls grab extra clothes and over night stuff just in case, and I had grabbed my computer so if we got stuck there- we would be prepared.  Well- I forgot to grab clothes for myself- and who knew that Youngest would have used hers up in the first 30 minutes.  So- we made a quick trip to Wally world- and I did a load of laundry at the hotel.  And I vowed to RESTOCK my  car's emergency supplies like wipes and sacks for sick kids.  I also found that I left my power supply at home so I worked like a crazy woman for as long as my battery lasted. The drive home the next morning was bright and sparkly-  very slick and a few scary moments when I wondered what I would do if I could not make it up the iced over hill and I started to slide back down-  but it was all good-  I think we said 4 or 5 prayers for safety- and after the first 30 minutes- the roads were clear. 

In the meantime-  the DR, Outpatient, and Oldest headed back from their trip and got up early and headed out to Baby A's blessing.  I feel so bad that I missed it :(  I haven't missed very many of my niece and nephew's blessings.   The DR and Oldest got home very late but safely.  I am thankful for that.  It was a bit of nutso.

We had Oldest's birthday breakfast-  but because his birthday fell on a payroll Monday- we deferred the rest of his celebrating until the next Sunday. I made his cake in two layers of cherry chip and one of chocolate and it was decorated like the Wild Thing in "Where the Wild Things Are"-  it turned out cute, I think.  I got a little teary as we were singing Happy birthday with our great Neighbor/Friends, and I thought back to the first time we had gathered for his birthday-  the same group- only older and with the addition of Youngest and one other little brother, and a cousin who is living with Grandma and Grandpa.  We have all lived here for nearly 15 years now. 

Friday brought Baby A's surgery on her skull which went very well- but the day ended in sadness with my brother in law returning home from the hospital to find Flash had passed away.  I am probably almost as sad as if he was my dog.  He loved me a lot. :)  He had started having seizures recently and it is probably for the best- as he most likely had a tumor or something-  but still so sad.  My youngest brother and my BIL buried him in their backyard, and in the morning- he and the kids had a little funeral. Baby and Mom got to come home on Sunday- and get on with the healing. 

The phone rang at 11:00  pm on Monday night, and it was Outpatient telling us that V had shot himself.  I wrote about him a little bit here.  He is currently stable and Outpatient and LOL are going to try and visit him.  I was so sad for him that night, I couldn't sleep.  I though about the bond formed with Outpatient during those months when Outpatient and the DR were hometeaching, and the little extra effort for friendship that Outpatient made.  I hope that this will be a turning point for V- and that somehow- that bond can be strengthned and he will find his way out of the darkness he has been living in. 

In all- January was a rather rollercoaster month- super busy, and now on to February.

September's gone Already???

Wow- did the last month fly by or what?

Middle has played a lot of soccer-  all out of town.
Girls are back to TaVaci
All patients are back to Piano Lessons- after a 2 year break while Grandma was gone.
BYU Football has been a little bit Bi-Polar.
Outpatient turned 23
Neighbor/ Friend opened her mission call. To Germany.
Relief Society Tea Party
Nephew TC returns from Chile
Our first- born niece got married **-
Nephew TC reports mission.
Science Fair Project
Service projects

DETAILS:

Soccer-

Lots of traveling but they have won all but one game-  they are doing well. 


TaVaci-

Middle changed her other mind (at least 6 times) and decided to finish out her last possible year.  She will be glad, I hope.


Piano-

Regardless of what my patients might say to your face, I think they have missed it and are enjoying the progress they are making so quickly in trying to get back up to speed.  I have spent a small fortune in new books and music for all of them to work on.



BYU football.

Well- it has had its moments.  They have been few and the DR has/will miss more games this year because he doesn't want to miss his meetings on Sunday and that is hard to do with games getting over so late on Saturday nights-  the night of the Utah disaster- he and his dad didn't get home until 2:00 AM.

So far, only the girls have had a turn to accompany the DR to the games, because the one other weekend was too crazy with the wedding and our nephew's mission report- so the DR opted not to add yet another round trip out in that week.


Outpatient turned 23-

LOL had a party for him- and it was adorable! Woodland Theme- thanks to the acquisition of Rufio to inspire the theme.  Hedgehog cake balls, owl cupcakes, "acorns" from kisses and pretzels, and a cake like a tree stump.  Gummy bears and "sticks" as well.

 LOOK AT RUFIO'S PARTY HAT!!!!!  Seen anything cuter?

stole the pics from LOL's blog- since I wasn't packin that day-


Mission Call-

Friend opened her mission call- which has quite the story behind it- and it said Frankfurt Germany.  She is way excited and we are excited for her.


Relief Society Annual Tea Party-

Caused way more stress than it should have for us.  They had a fun idea to bling out shoes for a fashion show.  Thanks to our busyness, we didn't get to start until almost the last possible minute to create our blinging fashions.  We only did the girls.  We tried our hand at making cake balls (those take more practice- although they looked okay once we got them on the cake plate to display.  Only got pics of Middle's shoes-  Youngest had silver blingy healed sandals and she attached gold bows and big curly ribbon streamers which trailed behind her.

Middle's shoes actually turned out pretty good- but thanks to soccer practice, she and I missed the Youngest's play that she did at the tea party.  I felt bad about that and wonder why they didn't wait until later into the party to perform- since a few of us weren't there yet.  Oh well- other than Youngest being disappointed- it was fine.  Our cake balls disappeared quickly- so that was good.

Elder C returns.

Our nephew TC returned from serving a mission in Chile- he left 6 days before Outpatient had returned from Brazil- so it has been 4 years since these best buds had seen each other.  I didn't go to the airport- it was on a Wednesday and the week of the wedding, but the DR drove out and back that afternoon with his parents.  He said he looks great but thin.  Might mention here that he was serving 60 miles from the epicenter of that horrendous earthquake a couple of years ago-

Wedding

Our niece is one of the sweetest gals ever- She was married once before which was not a good situation- divorced a little over 8 years ago.  She has had such a struggle- but finally- she is so happy- and we are so happy for her and J-  it was a long time coming- and I have to say that wedding was possibly pulled together in the shortest time I have ever seen-  it was so creative and fabulous and I was so happy to help with the set up and during the reception.

Mission Report

We got up dark and early to drive out and back for TC's mission report-  it was so nice to see him again!  He did a great job speaking- even though I couldn't hardly keep my eyes open :)  There was another person speaking that day who was preparing to leave for a mission- to Frank furt Germany- and so of course I had to run up and speak to her immediately after the meeting was over and tell her about our neighbor- so maybe they will even end up serving together down the road.

Science Fair-

Middle had her project due- and that was shocking to the system-  I am used to trying to help with those in the spring months- not immediately after school starts-  but we got it done- doubt she will be going to the main fair-  but that is what I said last year too.

So-  for the most part-  That was our September- Cliff Notes Version-

Fill in the Blanks- New Family member

As I mentioned- Outpatient and LOL have a new pet- a hedgehog-  because they are cute and unusual- and the landlord won't let them have a Sophie Dog.

His name is Rufio- and he is growing rather quickly.

He is cute!  Even if he is a bit pokey.

Buzz Reunion 2011

This year- the reunion was bigger than it has been in a long time.  We had lots of newer attendees- like LOL, and plenty of old timers.  The weather cooperated with no rain from Thursday evening on.  There were plenty of mosquito and buffalo gnat bites for those who didn't religiously apply bug spray, but for those of us who did, we were good.

Middle trying out her new bow.  She is a pretty good shot already.

Theme for this year was fairies- and it was a HUGE hit with all the little girls in particular-  but the older girls and Outpatient and LOL painted canvases and found other fun things to do-  here is Youngest's face after "makeup"  She was a Garden Talent Fairy and helped the younger fairies make garden stones.

The water was HIGH!  that boat would usually be docked at least 50 to 100 yards further away.  The patients and cousins were bummed because they didn't get to make their traditional mud pit.

But where there is a will- there is a way!  They had to go a bit further around the lake- but find some beach front property they did.

There was also the regular shooting of the breeze ( this is just some of our own branch of the family tree)

The boys- and Norine- created a flotation device.  They called it a raft, but my vote says it was too hole-y to constitute a raft.  There was also lots of fishing.

And downshifting.

A hugely successful auction.

Youngest always entertains and she did not disappoint the crowd this year with a skit from an episode from That's So Random.  She was totally in character!

And- for the second straight year, Middle and Cousin Am did a wonderful job dancing to a parody they worte about the reunion.  I unfortunately couldn't find the charger to the video camera, forgot to grab the iphone, and didn't have either Middle or Oldest's cameras so there is no video record of these acts this year.  BOO! Oh- and the word "shoebox" will never be the same and no- you really don't want to know.

When talking to my sil about some of the missing cousins who currently reside in Europe, I said without any doubt that my patients ( with quite likely the exception of Out and LOL) would far rather go to the reunion that take a trip to Europe.  And for now- that is the absolute truth.  Maybe as the girls get older it might change for them- but for Oldest- it never will.

Dear Larsen Family Aunts:

Fabulous as usual!

Thanks!

Side Order of Drama

For those out of the immediate loop-  here is what has been going on.

Last March- I found a letter in the mail from a law firm for Outpatient.  I don't know what prompted me to open it rather than just throw it away-  okay- I do know now, but then, instead of just assuming it was junk mail and throwing it away, I opened it to see for sure.  It was trying to collect almost 12,000.00 for an insurance company for a wreck that occurred in August in the State of California.  I freaked a little bit- and called the DR- and the company that sent the letter.  Talked to a guy- told him they had the wrong Outpatient (name was a tiny bit off- but not that much) and told him that Outpatient had not stepped foot in CA since 2007- and that was on a Senior trip on a bus that went straight to Walt's backyard, and straight back.  He said he would look into it and call me back on Monday-  oh- I forgot to mention I was getting ready to get in the car to head out of town for hockey.  Monday- no word-  and so on.  End of story- so I thought.

A couple of months ago- I had a really rude woman call for Outpatient- and the hair on my neck stood on end. She was calling for collections for a hospital bill in CA.  She wouldn't talk to me because he was over 18-  even though he didn't live here and there was no way I was giving her his number-  I told her the same thing I told the law office- he had not been in CA for almost 4 years.  She was not nice. Still is not nice, actually.  A few days later, a bill came in the mail.  Now- we were looking at almost 20,000.00.  NOT KIDDING.

Now- I assumed the bill from the hospital was in conjunction to the wreck-  NOPE- completely different time frame. This happened in DEC- the exact dates were when Outpatient and LOL were here in Small Town and easily verified by many other people than family-   including the fact that he played hockey with the Adult League and scored a hat trick in one game.    She wanted Outpatient to send her a copy of his drivers license and handwriting.  Well- we did not fall off a turnip truck yesterday- no how- no way was that going to happen.  We were suspecting ID theft and we weren't about to help out.  Anyway-  the names and birthday matched- but not the social- thank goodness.  But with that dollar figure involved, we called an attorney.  The "lady" won't talk to him either.  I am about to go ballistic with her boss, I am telling you.

Okay- so lawyer is dealing with whatever- focusing more on the lady than the first deal because it seems most likely that the law office one isn't coming after him- at least right now.

So- now, here comes yet another collection agency bill in the mail.  Hospital bills again-  but different agency and seems like a different hospital- although the info on it is very vague and NO Dates.  this one is ONLY 5,500.00.

So- I didn't call that one, yet.  Turned it over to the lawyer first off and we will have to talk with him next week after the holiday to see what else we should maybe be pursuing-  like calling the CA Attorney General's Office or something.

So- over 25,000.00.  And that is just what we know about.

My personal theories are:

More than one perpetrator?  But I really am wondering if this is a drug issue-  emergency rooms visits to get drugs.  I almost feel like getting on the phone and calling as many hospitals as I can find in the general area where these things have occurred.

Wedding Weekend Wrapup Two

The day started with rain so we could finally commit to having to go to our backup- indoor location.  Of course the weather was fine later- but too late.  Then I found out that it did indeed rain where we were supposed to be- so it worked out for the best.  I only wish we would have committed to indoors the night before and got most of the setup done then like I had hoped to do.  Especially when I woke up Saturday- explanation to follow.  Now on to the photo tour- although the pictures can't quite make it feel like it did in there.

I found these yard stakes in purple and gold-yellow and we had those going up the walk.  They are now happily residing in my yard.  Win-Win situation.

The guestbook table

Visiting area, candy buffet and tables when first entering.

Looking a little more to the right (that is Middle putting out food)

you can kind of see the drink station- we had water with lemon slices, lemonade and grape juice.

More view to the right and family milling about. We also had music set up in that back corner- which seemed to be a big hit- people hung around and talked and visited way after the time frame for the reception.

We borrowed the pillar idea from Yvonne in Canada and used the pillars to separate the room a little bit.    I am not going to lie-  it was awesome and the pictures do not do it justice- but a funny thing about it was how many people forgot they were in a church gym and tried to lean against the pillars.  They were pretty stable thanks to the AWESOME efforts of the DR, his brother PB&J, Grandpa, and LOL's Dad.

Gift table and trunks (stole those out of my front room), DVD to watch while coming up the line. Setup compliments of the newlyweds.  Those two are both very artistic. The ribbons with L O L on them all over the walls were done by my aunt and uncle- a few more awesome rescuers that day (THANKS!)

Super cute bicycle that the DR's cousin's wife lent me- also up the walk.

The Main Attractions (with their yellow doors and LOL)

Looking back from the doors.

Beginning the food setup- the dessert end of the table- we served mini eclairs, cream puffs, jam filled tarts, brownie bites with a divine topping, mini cupcakes, and fruit kabobs.

Awesome people like LOL's mom, my mom, the Lunch Lady, a friend-Chris, and Middle helped put together the fruit kabobs ( we found really cute sticks for those- yellow even)

Down to the hot stuff / more savory end- we served  meatball mini subs, cocktail sausages in homemade sauce, sweet and sour meatballs, spinach dip on shaped bread, and chicken salad on mini croissants.

Close up of some of the candy buffet containers

Now-I started feeling under the weather a little on Wednesday, and when I started to have a froggy voice on Friday- I didn't worry too much, but come Saturday morning- I felt like I had been severely abused and my voice was gone- along with my energy. 

 THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

To my awesome help- some of whom were recruited last minute.  It could not have happened without you- I would have been crying in a corner somewhere as Murphy's Law was determined to override this reception..

This Just in...

Tomorrow-  this lovely girl is going to go through the MT Timpanogus Temple.  Then, in one week from today, she will marry this darling but crazy boy.

pic from EFY-  summer of 2006.  That's right-  they met nearly  5 years ago

There won't be 2.4 million people on earth watching.  There will most likely be a very crowded sealing room.

There won't be a horse drawn carriage and the groom won't be wearing a bright red military uniform. There will be one of three vehicles which have spent the last few months as storage facilites and the groom will be wearing a custom made grey suit.

There won't be Royal titles and palace.

There will be Eternity.

P. S. Nine Days :)

Scanning Pictures

I have been busy in my "free" time scanning lots of pictures.  So far about 60.  I could scan thousands if I wanted to.  But it is hard to select just a few pictures out of 22 years when they look like these.

Where did the time go? - Tender Mercies

There is no doubt that this little punk has been a source of trials as well as the tenderest of mercies in the DR and my lives.  How very grateful I am for him and the life he has managed to live despite all the temptations and challenges of our world. He has not been the perfect child, but he also has been far easier than a lot.  I am grateful for the Tender Mercies which made it possible for him to move forward with his life and seek out and find LOL.  They are going to be so great together.  He called tonight and was getting ready to scour the bathroom in their new apartment.  We have less than 10 days until the wedding.  On Saturday, we get to attend the temple with LOL as she goes through for the first time.  I get a bit teary thinking of it.  I wonder if my mil thought about me and the DR in the way I think about my two.  I highly doubt it.  I am totally fine with being an emotional mess when it comes to my patients. 

Dear Outpatient.  I miss this smile!  and that little boy who was so full of energy his dad thought he had A D D sometimes :)

Outpatient's blog

Outpatient has a blog.  Because he uses his name, I do not have the link on my side-  but if you are interested, let me know and I will give you the link

It is coming along-

The location (and backup) are reserved. The decor details are filling in. The girls and my dresses are in hand- so are shoes - except the girls are too big :(-  so I will have to keep my eyes open for something else- the ones we picked are out in Youngest's size-  Need to get the menfolks stuff ordered.

A few orders are on the way, and a few things purchased.  Still a lot to do - but so far- so good.  I am pretty excited about a few things we are going to do- but I can't divulge them right now-

Middle made the comment that if it was this much work to marry off the Outpatient- just think how much more it will be when she gets married.  Um- Hopefully have a few years before I have to contemplate that, (and crossing my fingers my girls don't do what my sister and I did or worse) but I don't know that it will be that much more- since we are doing a reception in Small Town as well.

Every time I look at LOL and Outpatient's pictures, I am so happy for them.

1-1-11- and Reflections on 2010

 Happy New Year!

Happy 66th Birthday to the One and Only Grandma Bunnie!

Happy Baptism Day to Addie Reese! Known to the Looney Bin affectionately as Binx

 

Happy Blessing Day to Pierce.

We have started this year off in a good way.

This past year started out pretty good- My mom had good news with her cancer- and won't need PET scans as frequently as they had thought. My sister made year three since diagnosis- and also was accepted to grad school to become a Nurse Practitioner. We have added a few more babies- a niece, a nephew, a great-niece, and a great nephew just barely yesterday.  The DR's side is probably going to hold steady at 39 grandchildren- they range in age from 32 down to 6 months.  My side may add a few to the mix- but not too many, but we will add to the next generation faster and faster now.

We made the time and effort to take some actual trips that didn't involve soccer or hockey.  The kids enjoyed our semi- staycation, and the trip to Moab.  We have also enjoyed the traveling for our sports for the most part.

Of course- the biggest change for the year is the addition of LOL.  She and Outpatient will be married in May and we couldn't be happier for them.  She is such a happy and sweet person and I am so grateful they were led to each other.  Outpatient's only lament is realizing that their children aren't going to have too many cousins- but he will just have to "borrow" his littlest cousins or his oldest cousins' children :)

Our biggest trials this year came from within.  Choices that have been made by family which has caused great turmoil and heartache..  There is a lot of truth that the trials caused by our human-ness are often the hardest to bear.  We pray often for the resolution and repentance, as well as the softening of hearts.

My D-word is still that- a d-word.  I can say that I have done fairly well- although my body seems pretty determined to hang out in the weight zone it is at-  but that is 15 pound lighter than last year at this time.  I will keep working on it. I haven't been obsessive or super dedicated, but I have tried to make changes in my eating habits and in my physical activity that will stick.  I know I have made changes in my eating, because when I "junk eat" any more- I feel junky.  I still crave chocolate- but I have cut way back.

Outpatient is happy, and progressing in life and school.  LOL is learning a lot about the "joys" of younger siblings.  She is going to be living with my baby sister and her family for a while and going to school at BYU. I think she is happy too ;) 

Oldest is taller than me. Shaving much more frequently :( .  He is still my best worker around the house and has worked this year in taking care of his grandparents' yard and cleaning the DR's office every week.

Middle- well, she is growing up too darn fast also.  She has adjusted to Middle School, and the different teachers/schedule quite well.  She will be making a trip soon to try out for a girls hockey travel team.  I am not sure how I feel about that, but her coach is thrilled.

Youngest- smart little turkey.  We have seen a little improvement lately with her medical situation, and we pray that the worst of it is behind us.  She is so full of life and creativity- I just need to find her another outlet or two.

My goals for this year are in part the same-  become better.  Better at taking care of me.  Better at taking care of my family.  Better at being forgiving of those who hurt me.  Better at following the leaders of the church.  Better at being a friend, Aunt, Sister, Sister-in-law, daughter, and daughter-in-law.

I still need to work on the D-word- I need to do better at the five Power Principles - which are:-  personal prayer, family prayer, personal scripture study, family scripture study, and temple attendance.

Worldly goals include new flooring for my house (and I wouldn't say no to new light fixtures- but they are less needed)- and I would love to finish the downstairs- for another bedroom and bathroom to use. I want to paint some more and replace a few pieces of furniture that have been around for quite a few years.  Not holding my breath on any of that- time and money have a way of slipping out the door.

The New Year is a time for reflection and also for looking towards to future.

I hope and pray that this year brings much of good and joy to each of you.