So tender and mild

I didn't write last week. Before I knew it, my week had gotten away from me. Besides that, I just didn't feel like it. I didn't have that much to say...

Imagine that!

We have had Miss Harmony with us for three weeks now, and I'm so thankful that she's here. It takes a bit of adjusting on all of our parts, but I think it's a win-win situation for the three of us. She began working at the local Marathon station this past week. They like her a lot. She was hired in at 20 hours/week, but this week will be working 38.

We also took a day to sign up for all of the veteran benefits that are available. There are many, many things that are there to benefit our veteran's - and for that I'm thankful. She will be receiving a war bonus that she could only have received by coming back here to Ohio - the state she enlisted from.

Things are looking good for Miss Harmony. And, we're behind her all the way!

Kerry and I had an exciting time a couple of weeks ago. We went to Wilmington, OH - the small town that Glenn Beck has recently put into the spotlight. He was there that day, and has to be one of the nicest men I've ever met. I shook his hand and simply said, "Thank you, Brother Beck." He lingered just a moment longer and looked me straight in the eye, saying "Thank you."
Signs were everywhere
That's Kerry's arm. I figured I can show you pictures of him anytime.

The next day was a busy day, but we simply had to take the time to visit the Lexington Public Library, where the staff was holding a glorious retirement part for Waunita Wharton. We have known each other since I was ten years old. Her last day will be this Friday. They truly loved her at this library.
She's always smiling.

Harmony went to Columbus the next day. We dropped her off at a library while we went on to work at the Temple. She spent part of the day shopping and part with Erik. I'm glad they were able to be together for awhile.

Saturday was spent just doing fun things. We began by attending a free community breakfast at a church in Lucas. It was delicious, as always. We also went to Bellville, where we found some great deals at the "Fill your bag for $2" store. Harmony found some great coats for $2 each.

That evening was another community dinner in Bellville. We attend that on the third Saturday of the month. A friend from church - Martin - and his two children went with us. He said he could tell we go there each month, for when we walked in people started saying, "Hey, Peggy! Kerry!" It was delicious, too.

Sunday morning, we continued to play beautiful Christmas carols for prelude. I have 2-3 flutes, 2 violins, Karen Keck on piano and me on the organ. The congregation just loves it. I have them play along with the congregational singing, too. But never for the sacrament song. The focus is to be fully on the Savior.

This past Tuesday was just a little bit rough for me, for it was the first anniversary of Peter's death. I couldn't help but think the following thought on Monday - did he know that he would only have one more day to live? Do any of us really know that?

Kerry and I have had several dreams concerning him, which we have recorded in a special journal. Just as he was in life, he seems to have the same look and the same temperament and the same sweet personality he had as a boy. I can hardly believe he's gone - and I can hardly wait to hold him again.

This may be kind of rough, but let me show you some pictures:
This was him in January 2009.
This was him just five months later - in May 2009
This was him in Dec 2009 - just a week before he died.

I guess the reason I'm showing these (besides remembering him) is so that one can see the effects of some recklessness and drug abuse. He went downhill so quickly after drugs and disease had taken its toll on him. If you know someone that may be living with the same casual disregard for the care of their body, you might want to show them these. It can happen to anyone in any family.

I can't wait to hold him again.

Thursday was a wonderful day of celebration. My three living children and the grandboys all gathered at my house, along with sister Jean and Earl. It was a bit out of the ordinary for us, but it gives the grandboys time on Christmas day to stay at home and play with their toys. We had a big dinner of salad, lasagna (yes, Patty! Jean ate lasagna!!), green beans, garlic bread, banana pudding, pumpkin pie, jello, razzleberry pie, and cookies. We were stuffed!
Peggy and her girls - Harmony and Melissa
I think Harmony looks like my friend, Alice. Do you?
Earl and Jean
Peggy's men - and little men! Erik, Jordan, Kerry & Justin, Jayden, JJ

The whole gang!

On Christmas Eve, we were invited to the Andersons for their annual dinner and Nativity reading. We've gone for the past few years, and last year (I was in the hospital with back surgery) they brought me part of the dinner and I listened to the reading over the cell phone.
Yep - that's me - the token pianist!
Harmony was a sheep
Vonnie was Mary

Christmas Day was a bit quiet. Sister Betty and Pete arrived about 11:00 am and ate breakfast with us - whole wheat blueberry pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage and juice - before loading up Mr. Kerry and heading for Florida. They have sold their house down there and have decided to just rent during the winter months. Instead of Pete flying down and Betty and I driving - I have now been replaced by Mr. Kerry.

He'll return on Tuesday night - and will have traveled a total of 18,000 miles this year. I told him he should have been a truck driver!

At the end of the day, I checked my computer and found a picture of the little people in Main enjoying a dollhouse we sent to them! Harmony and I carefully cleaned each and every inch of the house and every nook and cranny of the accessory pieces. Kerry got creative and we fashioned a huge box to mail it all in. I think they enjoyed it!
The little people in Maine!

I appreciate all of the Christmas greetings, cards, emails, and even the condolences you sent to us this year. They have all meant so much to us. Our friends, our family, and knowledge of the Plan of Salvation have been the things that have held us up during some hard times. God bless you all...
Kerry and Peggy - Christmas 2010

And now for another memory...

The year that Miss Harmony was born was a tender year for us. She had played baby Jesus in the Christmas play and sneezed in Mary's face.

She refused to nurse.

She had quite the willful spirit that was evident even before she was born.

But, there was one night Kerry and I will never forget.

I had fed her and bundled her up at the end of the day. She was full. She was dry. She was swaddled. I laid her on a blanket under the Christmas tree, where she continued to coo and look up at the twinkling lights.

Soon, Peter (age 2 1/2) came over and laid beside her. He rubbed her tummy, her arms and her face and talked to her, telling her all about Christmas. Then, they both were laying side by side looking up at the lights.

Kerry and I sat there with tears in our eyes. We didn't have much money. There weren't many presents under the tree. But, we felt like the richest people on earth with the two best presents we could have that year.
Harmony - just a few weeks old
He helped me out
No, my teeth weren't black. Peter told me he always wanted to have kids

es, my little family has been my greatest treasure...