We spent New Year's Eve at a party at the home of one of John's coworkers.  This was our 3rd time and it was lots of fun and family oriented.  The weather was foggy though, and it was a bit nerve-wracking driving to and from the party.  Some photos from the holiday season follow:

Alan & me at dinner before going to A Christmas Carol

Joseph being a block head. . .

Dad opening his present from James:

Dad picked out a great shirt for Joey:  (it's hard to see, but the bunny has an F on his test)

Happy New Year!

Joseph has a style all his own:

I usually send out an annual letter with our Christmas cards.  I typed one up this year, but somehow I just didn't have the heart to send it.  So, I decided to post it here, where our adventures have already been revealed.  No point in wasting effort (?). 

December 2008

Beloved Family and Friends,

It’s already time for another annual letter.  This has been a difficult year for many, including us.  However, with great joy, we can say that the year improved with age.  As the year began, we were dealing with Nancy’s job situation and James’ school performance.  During the early part of the year, John caught the flu, Joseph had his appendix removed, and Nancy was on disability for 3 months.  It seemed like a never-ending string of events.  It became apparent that the private school wasn’t meeting James’ needs, and we transferred him back to public school.  Sadly, that dramatic change precipitated a crisis.  It became apparent that the private school wasn’t meeting James’ needs, and we transferred him back to public school.  Sadly, that dramatic change precipitated a crisis. 

During Easter break, we were thrilled to have John’s sister Cindy and her husband, “Science Bob”, come for a visit.  It was great to have family here.  We spent a lot of time exploring the coastal region, as well as Balboa Park.  It was sad to see them go, but we look forward to seeing them again.  John went to Louisiana to celebrate Mom’s 80^th birthday, but both boys were in school and it wasn’t possible for the whole family to go.  John had a wonderful time being with family.

By May, Nancy was back to work, everyone was healthy, and professionals were handling James’ crisis.  Both boys passed their classes and in June, we attended a promotion ceremony for Joseph and James. 

Then in early July, Nancy and James went to Missouri to Ian and Alissa Garbi’s wedding reception. The reception was beautiful, and celebrated the joining of two precious people.  It was a very healing trip for James, and he especially enjoyed spending alone time with Ian.  It was also a great opportunity for Grandpa Riggins and James to bond.  We bought fireworks and set them off on the 4^th at Sally and Louis’ house.  We also got to see Uncle Wilford and Aunt Helen on two occasions.  Janeane, Wade and Rosalyn treated us to a delicious dinner, and Richard and Andrea hosted us overnight before we left.  Sally and Louis did a wonderful job raising their children, as they are all exceptional people.  It was also nice to spend a brief time with Grant, Cindy, Laura, Emily and Julie at the reception and then at Sally and Louis’ home.  Curt and Rhamonda treated us to dinner.  Their daughter Della and James enjoyed the visit as well.

While we were in Missouri, Nancy got word that she’d been hired for a new job at Camp Pendleton.  The change has been an adjustment for the family; since it’s a minimum 90-minute commute each way.  The job is utilizing Nancy’s skills as a therapist.  It has been a positive change for Nancy.  She started the new job the last week of July.  In contrast, John received an award for 25 years of government service. 

James is now in 9^th grade, and Joseph is in 6^th.  They have both had adjustments to the expectations of their new schools.   It’s been a challenge, but we know they’ll succeed.

In October, we spent a wonderful week in Kauai.  It is a beautiful island.  We spent a lot of time snorkeling and sightseeing.  The roosters and chickens were unexpected, but added laughter to our trip.  We never did figure out why they crossed the road. 

Thanksgiving was enjoyable as we hosted dinner for several of our friends.  And here it is, almost Christmas again.  We hope your family has a blessed holiday season, and a joyous New Year!

____________________________________________________________________________________

Oh, to end on a positive note, the dog didn't get sick -- even though he should have!  And this is one of Joseph's presents -- but he didn't get one this big:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImLD8_Wskas

He used shrimp as bait and said the fish was about the same size.  No photographic evidence is available though.  We believe him, because otherwise it would have been "You should have seen the one that got away!"

It's rainy here tonight.  We left the dog inside while we went to Christmas Eve services.  We got home to find him on the counter, eating something.    Sadly, the annoying critter had sampled the peppermint fudge James & I had made this afternoon.  I have no idea why that batch was the most tempting.  He ignored the Heath toffee fudge and the rocky road fudge.  We're just hoping he doesn't get sick from it.  Chocolate is really bad for dogs, and the beast has required emergency vet treatment in the past when he ate some.

Once upon a time, I worked at a job with a Christian single mother who somehow lost a wad of cash.  She was understandably upset because it was grocery money.  She and I prayed together for it to be found.  I sympathized with her and she went back to work. 

Another woman I worked with was legally blind -- really.  She came back from lunch and showed me a wad of cash she had found -- in the grass beside the sidewalk going into the building.  So, what is the likelihood of a legally blind woman finding green money in grass? She said it "caught her eye".   I told her that our coworker had just told me a few minutes prior about losing her money.  Money and owner were reunited, and her kids got supper all week.  And, we both got to witness to our spiritually and physically blind coworker. 

I can't even remember what day it was -- sheesh, I should blog more often.  I know it was the week of Veteran's Day.  I was hurrying to the cafeteria because I only had 20 minutes to get and eat my lunch before my next appointment.  A construction worker got on the elevator at the same time as me and we rode down in silence.  At the first floor, a lady got on with a baby in a stroller.  As we were dropping to the ground floor there was a weird jerk and then the elevator stopped.  And it didn't start moving again.  The lady said, "I hate elevators.  I'm claustrophobic.  I would have taken the stairs if I didn't have my grandson in the stroller."  

Sigh.  So much for lunch.  I guess my next appointment was in the elevator!  I suggested hitting the call button, and the lady did.  The phone rang for a while, and when it was finally answered, we told the guy on the other end that we were stuck, and could someone please rescue us?  He put us on hold (no I'm not kidding) and then when he got back on the phone, told us the firemen would be there soon to get us out.  Luckily the lights stayed on, and the lady focused on the baby, who was 2 months old, and a wonderful little guy.  He kept her from freaking out.  The guy and I stood without saying much.  The lady was worried about her daughter who was having oral surgery.  She was sure her daughter would be upset that she wasn't there yet.  She pulled out her cell phone, and saw it didn't have a signal.  Finally, after 20 minutes, we heard sounds in the area that sounded like rescue workers. 

The phone came back on, and the guy at the Quarterdeck told us to hang on, the firemen had arrived.  They did something, and an alarm went off.  Sigh.  High pitched, loud, and here we were in a metal box.  After a few minutes, I went to the door and asked if someone could please turn it off.  They said sure, and then did.  We were all thankful that the baby didn't start screaming.  At long last, with a jolt, the elevator started back down.  We exited to a crowd of about 30 people with to go boxes waiting for the elevators.  I suggested that they might want to take the stairs instead of that elevator. 

My pager hadn't gone off to notify me my client had arrived, so I was able to get lunch, take it back upstairs -- in an elevator (with the same lady, her daughter this time & the baby).  We laughed about how weird it was that we were all back in the elevator again so quickly.  The elevator arrived at the 7th floor, and I went to the front desk to be sure my appointment hadn't come while I was stuck.  Nope.  So, I went to the conference room where everyone eats, and ate quickly.  Later I figured out we were in there for about 30 minutes.   I went in to the Department Head's office to let her know what had happened, and she said that she had been in another elevator when the firemen activated the emergency switch, and it pulled the other 5 elevators to the first floor.  She had to walk 6 flights up to her office.  She said she was glad I was ok, and was surprised I'd taken the elevator again so soon.

I just wasn't up to taking the stairs with food, and while wearing uncomfortable shoes.

 This video was shown at church this morning.  I never expected to watch a YouTube video at church, but it was worth seeing.  I had gone off on a rant about how important it is to vote, but I'll let the video say that instead.  For some reason, my previous entry didn't load.

And I've uploaded several more photos from Kauai. 

 We've been having lots of fun so far.  The island is gorgeous, and the water is warm.  We went swimming and snorkeling today at 2 different beaches on the North Shores.  The water goes from deep blue to turquoise.  We were all able to snorkel, though John is a much better swimmer than the rest of us.  Joseph saw a sea turtle, but I missed it.  James got very nervous when Daddy was gone for so long and was out of sight. 

The sad thing today was that as I was getting out of the water at Tunnels Beach, my engagement ring slipped off my finger.  Not surprisingly, we couldn't find it.    John spent at least 30 minutes at the edge snorkeling looking for it.  The strange thing was, a guy realized he'd lost his wedding ring while he was swimming also.  He said it was the second wedding ring he's lost.  He lost the first in Hawaii on their honeymoon! 

I was able to remind James that God's thoughts toward us are more than the grains of sand in the sea.  We were both in awe as we sifted sand trying to find the ring. 

Like father, like son!

One of the things we haven't figured out is the story about all the chickens.  We were woken at 4:23 am Monday morning by a whole crew of roosters crowing all over the area.  They seemed to be competing with each other to see who could be loudest.  Everywhere we've driven, we've seen chickens around.  If I ever find out, I'll let you know.  The following photos were taken from the balcony of our timeshare rental.

Just as I finished it, and was trying to load up the photos, it disappeared. 

It's been a busy few weeks.  I went to a training at the VA on Thursday and Friday.  I learned a type of therapy for treating PTSD symptoms.  It was helpful, and I intend to use it with quite a few of my clients.  The following 3 photos are views from the hospital on Camp Pendleton.

He's back from camp:  We all missed him, although the house was a whole lot quieter last week.

Jean Claude decided to try out the Ab Lounge:

Then he had to rest in the clean laundry basket:

Meanwhile, Fluffy was inspecting the cat food:

For his birthday, James wanted to go to the USS Midway Museum:

Joey took this photo and then added the flourishes:

Yep, I'm still goofy:

After the photo was taken, I got my hair cut, and it looks more like the heart photo style again. 

We're getting ready for another trip to Hawaii for vacation.  One of John's coworkers owns a timeshare in Kauaii, and couldn't use it this year.  He offered it to us for what he'd have to pay.  Only took a few minutes to decide to go.  So, I suspect I'll be posting some more tropical paradise photos soon. 

We missed the experience with James because he was in a private school, but Joseph leaves tomorrow for his "Outdoor Education Program" AKA "Outdoor School".  I hope he behaves himself and we don't have to drive out to pick him up. 

We got his first grade card by mail.  He didn't show much effort.  His only A was in PE.  And for the first time ever, he got an F -- in History.   He didn't do homework, and kept telling us the incomplete papers in his back pack were "extra".    So, any "extras" are going to be completed from now on. 

We were happy to hear that all John's family members in Louisiana and Texas made it through the hurricanes safely.  For Gustav, his mom and sister went to Texas to stay with relatives there, then for Ike, they stayed in LA, but the Texas relatives stayed in Texas.  One cousin had a tree fall onto his jerky factory, but no injuries!