[Marilyn]

So sorry that I haven't been on here. I do check FB as many of you know. We have just been so very busy.

Since Nov. 1st, we've planned Karen's wedding which was on Dec 22nd, as most of you know. Then I got a cold the week after and another cold, the week after that. Much of January was trying to get well, trying to help Melissa and Garrett with the remodel of the mobile home that most of you know about. It looks soooo nice. Melissa has posted some on FB for those of you who are on there, and are her friends. I'll have to snatch some of the pics and post here.

February, more helping with the mobile home, and trying to keep up with everything else. We all helped to lay the laminate flooring. I 'bout killed myself one weekend. The kids went on a retreat and Rex and I worked on the trailer. I laid the laminate flooring in the kitchen, by myself, which was the hardest room, lots of intricate cuts. My knees and legs were so tired and sore from getting up and down. Rex, Melissa and I (mostly Rex and me) installed tile and glass block backsplash in the kitchen. The tile is a grey/tan, with shades of blue glass block. Turned out really pretty.

Melissa and Garrett finally moved in last weekend, so whew, now most of that is done.

Karen and Carlton are doing well in California. He deploys to Afghanistan on March 25thish (they can't tell the exact date for security reasons). They will be here next Saturday for a week for pre-deployment leave. We can't wait to see them. It all seems so unreal. The quick wedding to a guy we barely knew, then off to California. They seem very happy and we are thrilled for them, but, with such short notice and again, we barely knew him. These children of ours (yours and ours) are so very precious. We ache for them, hoping all will be well.

I'm on FB more than here because more of my family are there, and it helps me keep connected to our girls. Even Rex has a FB account now, because he felt left out.

Also, Rex got after me for being on the computer so much. I have gotten lots more done since not being on here so much. It is easy to get on check FB and back off, and since he knows I'm communicating with our girls, he approves of it more than here.

I'll try to be on here more. There were over 400 new posts, so I know I missed a lot and can never catch up. Do care for you all and consider you my dear friends.

Gayle, thank you for starting this thread. I'll really try to check in more often. So glad you are all still here and busy with life!!!