February 1

 One of those days to remember

  Even if the little details are not spectacular, 

   some days are worth writing about

   because you want to always remember.

My story begins….

The day I have been waiting  for has  arrived.  Yesterday, February 1, 2022.The little angels that had lived next door to us for that ugly year 2020, were stopping in Seattle for two nights

Daddy is being transferred from South Korea to San Diego.
Since they arrived early in the morning and had been traveling for over 20 hours, we were not sure when they would be ready to come.

3:00. That is when they arrived.  ( Darrell had already gone to pick up Tanner from school. )
From the first step into our home they were excited.

Lots of hugs and smiles and just settling in to the house they had spent so many hours during 2020.
They carried with them a very special gift for us.  A fan with stand from Korea.  So beautiful and a special reminder of them, and the year that made new memories for them 

Pretty  awesome.... and I was wearing red...and it is the Lunar New Year..

The girls played the piano and found the instrument basket.

That was then...↑ 2020

This is now ↓ 2022

( Mama Annetta closed her eyes a bit ). They remembered our cozy rec room  and the warmth of the wood stove

When Tanner arrived they played hide and seek

Little one did not waste any time finding the robe she had worn many times ( only because she wanted to ) 

Anita came a little later and helped in the kitchen and with conversation ( She can talk to almost anyone and adds fun to the conversation)

Just about 5:30 and the dinner is ready.

This is how it looked before the food was added

and there was a Bee theme 

As we were all seated at the table, I took advantage of the quiet and had a little message ready.. 
I thanked the family for coming , for making the time to be with us.
I reminded them how special they were to me during that year… like my family, which I could not see
Tanner interrupted. He knew he had been here because when school and zoom started,
 he came here twice a week
I reminded him that for Easter I had watched the girls through the fence…
Oh,

   I admitted that when they left last year, I thought I would never  see them again. 
But here they were… what a thrill
Annetta responded with some very warm thoughts  and thanks and then

Darrell prayed for our meal.


While the adults visited around the dinning table
the kiddos decorated cookies

and since no one was counting

one last bite

One more detail..

When I had written to the family, inviting them to come, I asked if I could leave Christmas up and have a little celebration, or even go forward to February 15, for someone else's  birthday.  No, Mommy  said, the girls just want to see you. 

But what we did not hear was... Daddy said, maybe Darrell will need help storing the Christmas tree.  

fast forward....

So while the cookies were being decorated Darrell came up with the idea of asking for help lifting up the Christmas tree in the garage. He did not remember that the same "project" had taken place last time. 

Even though it was past bed time, there was still time for a trying on funny hats and there is always time for one more picture

Then I wonder why I did not take one more.

One with all the family

Well, for sure next time

and that just might be February 1, 2023

because

I pulled out the guest book and as Annetta was writing her message, she glanced across the page and saw her message from their last visit Exactly one year ago. February 1, 2021

While I will always remember my angels

Tonight will be remembered by three amazing things
1.   Exactly one year from our last visit

2.  The timing of the Christmas tree storing
3. Beautiful fan from South Korea 

I live an exciting life