Season's Greetings

As this year draws to its inevitable end, we look forward to the new one with hope and anticipation of all it will bring... not only to our home, but to our family, our friends, our community and our nation! We face the unknown secure in the fact that we are not alone - that Jim and I have each other and, the abiding love and respect that has seen us through both highs and lows in out 14 years together and will most assuredly be the ever constant we can rely on from this day forward.

Reflecting back over this year it is all the good things we see with clarity and joy while the "not so good" things grow dimmer and dimmer. In 2008 we relished and rejoiced in my return to better physical and mental health, aided greatly by my new job at Oregon State University's Memorial Union. A job that brings me tremendous joy and satisfaction! While old friendships grew closer and deeper, new friendships developed bringing more laughter, love and promise into our lives. On October 24th, we celebrated our 10th Wedding Anniversary, while November 12th marked our 14th year together.

And, 2008 brought healing and a greater understanding and appreciation of personal growth, forgiveness, acceptance and love as I (we) reconnected with my parents, my younger sisters and their families. With a shared willingness to move forward came opportunities to revisit and renew those relationships with email, Facebook, blog entries, phone calls and even a couple of visits. I am indeed grateful to not only get to know my parents, Barry Jay and Margo Clift again, but also my six younger sisters: Lisa Clift, Chrissta Clift Hinze, Brandi Clift Devericks, Andrea Clift, Tara Clift Morgan and Jensine Clift Hall!

Love IS magical and miraculous. It warms hearts and homes. It heals. It brings light, laughter, joy and knowledge. It is a gift that is forever and without limitations or conditions. We just have to be willing to accept it.

Bright Blessings!

My Baby Sister's Baby

My baby sister, Jensine, and her husband Kevin had their first baby - Clark Ryan Hall - on June 10th, 2008. To see just how cute he is, please visit Jeni and Kevin's blog.

Welcome Clark and Congratulations Jeni and Kevin!

Happy Birthday A.J.

Austin Joseph Clift (on right)

Today is my nephew Austin's 21st Birthday! Happy Birthday Austin! I can hardly believe it's been 21 years since you made your first appearance in this world. What a wonderful day that was! May this new year be filled with love, joy and prosperity!!!

May is a Very Happy Month in My Family...

with lots and lots and lots of birthdays. And, since I have been such a slacker w/ sending cards this month, I thought I would take a moment and acknowledge all those I love who are celebrating this month!! May the new year ahead be full of love, joy and prosperity for each of you and may all your Birthday Wishes come true!

May 1st Sadie Clift, niece (daughter of Joe and Mariam)
May 7th Tara Clift Morgan, sister (wife to Byron Lynn; mom to Phoenix and Zion)
May 9th Benson Hinze, nephew (son of Chrissta and Josh)
May 13th Brandi Clift Devericks, sister (wife of Eric; mom to Amara, Sully & Finn)
May 15th Natalie Hinze, niece (daughter of Chrissta and Josh)
May 22nd Sully Devericks, nephew (son of Brandi and Eric)
May 30th Phoenix Morgan, nephew (son of Byron Lynn and Tara)
May 31st Xander Hinze, nephew (son of Chrissta and Josh)
May 31st Curtis J Cole, bro-in-law (husband of Peyton)

(Whew! I hope I didn't miss anyone and I got all of the dates right! LOL!)

NOTE: Thanks Mama for helping out with the "holes" in my list - I had inadvertently left Mr. Phoenix off the list on the 30th and had Mr. Xander's b-day on the wrong date. Now, I think it's correct!!

They Say It's Your Birthday...

Happy Birthday to my sister, Lisa!!!

I hope that her day is just SPECTACULAR...

because, SHE is!

Happy Birthday Steve-a-rino!

Today my favorite cousin is celbrating his 46th birthday! Happy birthday Steven... and, many moooooorrreeee!

Love, Nene

My Sister Jeni is So Cute!

My youngest sister Jeni is 25 weeks along with her first pregnancy. Have a look at her and Kevin's blog so you can see just how DARLING she is!

Happy Birthday Amara!

Just a quick "shout out" to wish my niece Amara a very, very Happy Birthday! May all her birthday wishes come true!

Love Is Always In Style!

Wow!

Check out this post my brother-in-law Josh made today in his family's blog. How great is he? Thanks Josh for loving Chrissta and for sharing that love so amazingly!

Katie Graduates June 2nd

After having a fun 10-minute telephone conversation with Katie-Bug yesterday afternoon, I was thrilled to receive her graduation announcement in yesterday's mail. Graduation is in Hermiston OR on Saturday, June 2nd at 10:30 am. Jim and I are going to check our schedules (and pocketbook given the price of fuel these days) to see if we can make it over to support her and her Dad.

Boy, howdy she looks like her mom....