Merry Christmas everyone! We have had a much better year than 2006. On the one year anniversary of Sherri’s death a man was arrested for her murder. He is awaiting trial which has been postponed several times with all the problems of changing lawyers and all that legal mess. He is already on death row for the murder of a family in Richmond, VA. I will be glad when this is all over so the kids can move on and it won’t be kept so fresh in their minds.

 

On to other news…Lonnie has met someone and, if things go as they plan, they will be married May 31, 2008. Liz has two girls, Jessica, 13, and Kelly, 7 or 8 (I’m not sure). Not only will we have three new family members – we will have two Jessika/Jessicas and two Kellys. We have not met the two girls yet as every time we are up there they are with their dad but we really like Liz. We believe she will be very good for Lonnie’s kids and he for hers. Jessika, 15½, has her learners permit (look out) and is a very responsible young lady. Stephanie, who loves to bake, is 12 but looks to be much older as she is taller than Jess. Clay is 10 and played on a travel soccer team this past year. They all do well in school even with all they have been through.

 

Raleigh, Amber and Alyssa are celebrating the Hokie (Virginia Tech) ACC football championship. Amber graduated from Tech and they, as well as the rest of us, are big fans. They celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows on the beach in Aruba in July. We were blessed to be able to attend and enjoy the trip with them and approximately 15 of their friends. Alyssa, of course, was the flower girl. She is also 10 and loves working/playing with Webkins online. She was showing me what they are all about Thanksgiving weekend and she can type as fast as I can. She’s taking golf lessons, which pleases her dad very much, and is learning to play the violin. We plan to celebrate Christmas with all the family at their house again this year.

 

Kelly is doing much better after a round of radiation and then chemotherapy three consecutive days a month for approximately eight months. They are giving him a rest for three months then will reevaluate. The last MRI’s showed no growth but not much shrinkage either however the doctor seems pleased with the way Kelly handled the chemo. He and Clayton have become mall walkers at our local mall and it has really helped with his balance and stamina. He is walking some now without his walker. This is a great answer to prayer. We praise God for this as well as the fact that Medicare picked up a lot of his medical bills and Shelli was able to add him to her insurance. Also many friends and family have had fund raisers and helped in many ways. God has been good! We pick up Ryan when Shelli tutors at school twice a week. He loves to come to “Gwandmom” and “Gwandad’s” house. He’s a bundle of energy and picks up on everything. There’s not a thing he can’t say. He has red hair though it’s not quite as red as it was when he was born. He’s beginning to show a little temper and 2 year old temperament but he’s still a lot of fun. Last night we attended his first Christmas program at daycare. We celebrated Shelli’s birthday tonight. Our “baby” is 36. Amazing when I’m only 40. We are planning a birthday dinner with Kelly’s mom and dad next week. Shelli, Clayton, Becky and Kelly all have birthdays from the 5th to the 13th. Ron and I are the only oddballs.

 

Clayton and I are pretty much the same as last year, busy with family and church. He likes to do genealogy research with a cousin who lives in Bedford, VA but hasn’t been able to do much lately as he’s been the primary transportation to and from treatments for Kelly so Shelli can work. The timing of his retirement has been a God send. Every time Kelly has a treatment it means a trip to Charlottesville, an hour and a half drive one way. We also have a dog, Abby, which keeps him busy. We are casually looking to find either a small piece of land for a doublewide or a small house. With the real estate market as it is now is probably the time to make a move but want to be careful and do what is God’s will for us. We also enjoyed Clayton’s 45th class reunion in October. It was great to see how everyone has changed. I graduated a year behind him so I knew most everyone there. A week in Myrtle Beach with Shelli, Kelly and Ryan was especially nice except for the 116 degree heat. I pray that you each will be well and have a blessed 2008. If you are in the Lynchburg area, PLEASE call (434-525-5221) and stop by to see us. May God bless each of you.

 

                                                            God bless,

 

 

                                                                        Jean and Clayton Warner