A Girl's Garden--A Farmacy Story (COMPLETED)

[deedee_828]

Dearest Marley and family,

I'd barely sent off the first part of this missive when I began writing this one.

The Sunday after the costume party, which began with the startling fight between Thistle and Charles the Evil Chicken, ended with a big teen event, prom!

'When Thistle arrived, she grabbed Jake and they showed off some of their dance moves.'




'After Jake dressed in his fashionable pinstriped tux, the two of them headed out to the limo.

I'd wanted a photo of Jake and Thistle together, but in all the commotion, I didn't get one.'




'Because Joshua was so excited when Rosalie arrived, that he dashed off outside to greet her.

The two of them looked so cute together, especially when they held hands!'




After we waved them off, Jerad and I went to our own adult party at the Gilscarbo home, and spent the evening dancing.

Your father may have given up his party animal ways, but he still has plenty of moves!

Jake definitely got his dancing skills from his father, though I can cut quite the fancy two-step, if I do say so myself.'




'When prom was over, Jake even congratulated Joshua on winning the coveted King's crown!

This had the boys' relationship going from best friends to BFF's!

So nice to see teens siblings staying close instead of competing against each other.

Makes me feel that your father and I have done a decent job of raising them!'




'Both boys came home all excited and displayed their prom photos, with Jake telling us that Thistle spent every moment with him, they were voted best dance couple, and she agreed to be his girlfriend!

Though I was disappointed that their prom photo was taken in their outerwear instead of their formal outfits.'




'Joshua  told us that he and Rosalie were voted cutest couple, which was nice, but then he confided that when the band was playing their favorite song, Rosalie asked him to go steady!

When Joshua placed their prom photo on his bedside table next to his crown, I knew it was a night he would never forget.'




Jake was so keyed up from the excitement of prom and Thistle becoming his girlfriend, that he expressed it in this amazing painting!

He's really developed his own sense of style where his art is concerned, and I hope he continues as he's quite talented.




'And that talent isn't just limited to painting either. He still plays the guitar every chance he gets, becoming quite skilled with that too!

Your father couldn't help but listen when Jake played that evening, and even though he didn't say anything, I know he was proud of Jake's talent!'




The next morning, both boys were still caught up in the haze of young love and wrote love letters to their girlfriends!

Joshua thoughtfully composed his, trying to get the words just right.'




Jake wrote his with a flourish, his artistic bent giving him a definite edge when it came to writing flowery words, but he still got all dreamy-eyed thinking about Thistle!'




'Jared was working on another batch of jam when the boys got home from school one afternoon, with a school chum in tow, and they all worked on their homework.

That wasn't anything new, as they were pretty good about getting it done first thing, leaving the evening free for fun activities.'




'But instead of dates or working on the their hobbies, that evening was a bit special as it was my adult birthday!

You'd think I was a little kid the way we all carried on, but I can't help myself as it's part of my make-up, something I've passed on to both of your brothers.'




'When the sparkles were almost gone, and everyone was cheering, I became an adult.

I kept my cute clothes so that was good, but my hair suddenly straightened out and was much longer, which was a shock!'




'I wasn't totally thrilled with my new look, so I tried another short hair style, but I'm not convinced it's me yet!

Maybe you can help me decide when you come to visit!?!'




'But my birthday wasn't the only big event over the next week.

In fact, we had several.

First, Joshua discussed ways to learn additional recipes with your father.

Jared told him you could learn some from watching Cooking' Cable on TV, but buying recipes at the bookstore and reading them at the library was a far quicker way.'




'Joshua didn't waste anytime in doing just that, but he did put on his formal suit, in expectation of achieving his lifetime wish, giving the event it's due.

And it no time at all he had learned enough recipes to become a Culinary Librarian!

Just think of that, your baby brother completing his lifetime wish as a teen!'




'Then he came straight home and put his new knowledge to use baking up a batch of cookies!

He couldn't hide his disappointment at the quality of them, but Jared assured him that was pretty normal for a beginner, and if Joshua kept baking them, the quality would improve until they reached the pinnacle for any cook, perfection.

"And once that happens son, we can store the recipe in the replicator and have dozens of cookies for the family to enjoy!"

Even after his father's encouraging words, Joshua looked a bit doubtful, but we all gobbled up the cookies and declared them delicious!'




'And though he wasn't working on his lifetime wish, Jake was doing something very important too.

Building up his relationship with his Imaginary Friend, Patterns.'




'Jake even told us that they had something big planned, and though we could actually only see and hear Jake, he swore to us that Patterns was in on it too.'




'Jake had been reading up on the potions that could be made with my chemistry table and found an obscure reference to making his friend real using Imaginary Friend Metamorphium.

Since I had recently discovered all the potions, there was one in my stock, and Jake gave it to Patterns!

Patterns, totally trusting in Jake, drank it down without hesitating.'




'To our complete shock, the potion worked and Patterns joined our family as a real boy!

Jake was quite impressed and after calling us all into the room, he said, "Chalk one up for you Mom! That potion worked and now Patterns is real, just like me!"

I'm not sure who was more surprised, me, Jared, or Patterns.'




'But with Patterns being the same age as Jake, that meant he had some serious catching up to do in school.

So I started tutoring him straight away.

This served a two-fold purpose, as not only did Patterns have an 'A' by the time we were done, we'd also become friends.

This led to us discussing a more tradional name, along with deciding that it would be best to officially adopt him, since he already had our family name.

That's how Patrick Frio became part of the family, so now you have three brothers!'




'And Jake didn't waste anytime introducing Patrick to his friends, hosting a slumber party that very night.

Patrick spent the majority of the time introducing himself to the female members of the group.

First, chatting with Lola DeLuca.




'And then flirting and dancing with Maria DiPaolo the rest of the evening!

I'm glad he's making other friends besides Jake, as he actually prefers being alone to being in a group.

Since he's a teen, I guess he's making an exception when it comes to meeting girls!'




I didn't recognize her family name and it turns out Maria was an orphaned papergirl who is now fostering with the Ferrari family.

I couldn't help but think of you being fostered Marley and I hoped that the Ferrari family was treating her well, and making her feel welcomed and loved, like your foster families did for you.

Though it did give me a pang thinking of us missing all those years with you.

But with you contacting us and all our shared letters, I feel that my heart is healing now, and I hope you feel the same way.

And your visit in the near future will be the culmination of a dream come true, to see you again, hold my baby in my arms again!

I know you're a grown woman with three children of your own, but you will always be my baby Marley, and I've never been more thankful than when I opened your first letter and you came back into my life!

Love and hugs,

Mom

Of course this letter had Marley in tears again, but they were tears of love and joy.

And with Scott's birthday scheduled for tomorrow, I finalized our plans for our trip.

I'm not making Marley wait any longer to meet her birth family!

I'll jot down all the details and take photos of course, and share them in Journal Entry 124: Birthday Bon Voyage

[deedee_828]

Toddler birthdays are always an exciting time, getting that first look at your child and seeing who they take after in the family.

I'd always thought my mother made too much of this, but now being a parent myself, I was quite eager to see who Scott looked like.

Would he have my hair and eyes, Marley's, or maybe even his own unique color?

He already had Mom's darker skin, not like the twins' pale skin that was so prevalent among us red heads, so maybe he'd get her hair color too!

With the twins home from school though, we would find out soon enough as we were all gathered around Scott's cake and in my excitement, I couldn't help give a loud cheer, though Mom and Marley looked pretty sober.




But Dad and the twins were cheering, clapping, and blowing party horns, just as excited as I was!

Though maybe the pleasant surprise of a chocolate frosted birthday cake increased our excitement?

Whatever the cause, no one could mistake the joyous shouts coming from our kitchen.




With the candle blown out, and amidst all the birthday cheers, Mom gently placed Scott on the floor and stood close by.

And though Mom still looked quite severe, Marley joined the rest of us, squealing and jumping up and down in her excitement.




But the room quieted suddenly when Scott sat before us as a toddler, sporting Dad's dark hair, which sure was a surprise!

Though Dad was pleased as punch and Scott, well, he was gave us a big grin and looked cute as a button!




While the girls ate their cake and Mom and Dad played with Scott, I took Marley into the hall, just off the kitchen, and sprung my surprise!

Trying to act nonchalant I asked, "Are you ready for that vacation to Monte Vista?"

The doorbell rang startling Marley, but her eyes flew to my face a she asked, "When?"

"Right now! That's probably the airport pick up driver at the door!"




Marley screamed and jumped into my arms, tears wetting her face, "Really Diwan!?! Right now!?! Oh, I can't believe I'm being so improper! First squealing at Scott's birthday and now flinging myself and crying all over you!"

With a satisfied smile I held her tight and said, "I think you can be forgiven under the circumstances, sweetheart. You've waited a long time for this visit!"

But with the doorbell's insistent ringing, I added, "But I do believe we need to get a move on, the driver sounds a bit impatient, and we don't want to miss our flight!"




I quickly picked up Scott while Marley rounded up the twins and we headed off to Monte Vista!




The flight was uneventful with Scott napping most of the way and the twins eagerly looking out the windows.

And when we all saw our first view of the town, well, it looked even better than the photos on the travel website!

An ages old sandstone wall surrounding the main village, which was perched on the flattened plateau, green topped rolling hills with winding roads leading down to the valleys on all sides, and an aqua river curving around one side lending it's color and freshness to the beauty of this town.

"Oh, it's so picturesque, breathed Marley on an intake of breath."

While our outdoor girl asked, "Do you think there's fish in the river dad!?! Could we go fishing and find out!?!"

"I'm sure there'll be plenty of time for exploring the town, and getting in some fishing, but remember girls, the focus of this trip is to meet your mother's family, your family too, with another set of grandparents and three uncles."

Marley smiled at my words, and said, "But your Uncle Joshua loves to fish, just like your Dad, so I'm sure he'd be happy to show us his favorite fishing holes and spots along the river!"

Both of the girls perked up at that, as though meeting family was our purpose, getting to explore while we were here just added more excitement to this trip.




And it wasn't long before we were all standing before our Villa, Marley and Mia looking eagerly around the paved street, while Scott sat happily on the pavement, safely on a covered walkway in the entrance.

Myrabella followed me into the place as I unlocked the front door, exclaiming, "This place is huge Dad!"




Myrabella was right!

The Villa looked even larger than it did in the photo I showed them, being long and somewhat narrow, but taking up an entire block on one side of the village, with two streets enclosing it!

It was named Rustic Retreat, but we all agreed it didn't look anything like the 'rustic' we were used back in Appaloosa Plains.




And the inside was far from rustic, being expansive and extravagant!

I'd made sure that the villa had a nursery for Scott, and we weren't disappointed, even though it was rose-colored, because the nursery led to, not one, but two large sitting rooms, one with a bookcase and comfy couches for leisurely reading.




And it had a connected en suite master bedroom, all done in gold and blue!




Complete with it's own private courtyard that boasted a tinkling fountain, which added even more to it's charm and ambiance.




Marley was blown away by the opulence, but was concerned about where the twins would sleep, asking, "Our rooms are beautiful, but will the twins be very far away Diwan?"

"There's a whole second floor that has three more bedrooms. In fact, there's another en suite master right above our room, with it's own sitting room, that we can access quickly from the stairs in our courtyard."

"Is that the one you booked for them?"

With a huge grin, I said, "I didn't book just rooms Marley, I rented the entire Villa!"




Excitedly I continued, "So the girls can sleep in the one above ours, or the central room with a double bed on the second floor, close to a study complete with a high end computer and it's own living room with a TV, and a central bath for that wing."




"Or they can choose the smaller room with twin beds, if they prefer that. They have access to the central bathroom and they can use the computer room or the huge siting room on the end with another bookcase and TV."




"They could even sleep on the top floor if they want too, as it's very private with a bathroom of it's own. Technically, they could sleep in a different bedroom every night while we're here! Or you could invite your family to stay with us if you wanted to, since we have plenty of room for all of them too."




"And that's not all! The Villa has a separate kitchen to keep the other rooms cool in deep summer, which it is now, and it's across from a large dining room, both just steps away from our courtyard and bedroom suite."




"The left wing of the main floor has two more sitting rooms, one with a TV, a couch and two easy chairs, with access to the main floor bathroom, and the other sitting room has a large bookcase and two couches. Either one of those could accommodate our whole family."




"On the far end of the main floor, there's an eat-in kitchen, with yet another living room with two full couches and a wall-mounted TV, that also has access to the bathroom on that end. Stairs from the courtyard also give access to the second floor wing above it."




After our tour of the house, we all gathered outside and Marley, holding Scott asked, "But isn't renting this entire villa a bit extravagant Diwan? All those bedrooms and living rooms, just for the five of us!"

"Marley, this trip has been a long time in coming, a trip of a lifetime in fact, and I'm not missing out on making it the most memorable time we have! You deserve some extravagance in your life for once!"

Marley looked lovingly at Scott and said, "I guess Mommy has to give in and accept some spoiling this time! Are you ready to meet your other grandparents, sweetie?"

Scott didn't speak but shyly nodded, but both girls shouted their agreement.




Marley called her Mom, to let her know we were heading over, while I called a cab.

After Marley's phone call, the entire Frio family gathered on the front lawn to greet us.

But then Myra said, "This doesn't feel right, we look like an inquisition squad, and we'll probably scare them all half to death!"

Jared said, "I agree, it needs to be more natural than this," and he pulled out a book and headed for the back deck, while Patrick decided to work on another street art mural.

Myra decided to do some soothing gardening to relieve the butterflies in her stomach and Joshua excitedly said, "I'll go bake something! The smell of freshly baked bread always puts everyone in a good mood!"

Jake stood there debating whether working on a painting or playing guitar would distract him more.




Back in town, we piled into the cab and Marley gave her parents' address to the driver, "12 Via Veronaville, per favore."

"Buongiorno, bella tourista! That is quite far from here, on the other side of the fiume, the river. You are known to the residents there? They are quite the celebrities and don't take kindly to strangers!"

Marley answered softly, her nervousness showing now that the moment was at hand, "They are my family…la famiglia, and I haven't seen them in a very long time…in fact, they've never met my husband or our children, their grandchildren."

"Oh, so I will have the honor of reuniting a family! It would my pleasure to drive you there!"




After driving through the beautiful countryside with an Italian driver used to the hills and curves, so it was at speeds not conducive to photos, we finally arrived.

The first thing Mia and I noticed was the scenic view of the river with it flowing under a classic Italian bridge on the far end.

It truly looked amazing and the urge to throw in a fishing line was super strong!




But this was Marley's big moment, one she'd waited for as far back as she could remember, so with Scott in her arms, and the twins following close behind us, we approached the front door.




Scott's birthday brought some surprises, his dark hair and beautiful blue/gray eyes for starters.

With our departure to Monte Vista moments later, my surprise gift to Marley!

The villa that I'd rented surpassed all of our expectations and I'm sure it will be more than satisfactory for our stay this week.

Five whole days in a glorious sunbaked Italian town, and the icing on the cake was reuniting Marley with her family!

Of course I'll tell you all about it Journal Entry 125: Meeting  La Famiglia!

[deedee_828]

I could tell Marley was nervous, I mean that was completely natural under the circumstances, so when she stood beside me, I took Scott, leaving her free to greet her family.

The girls and I held back for a moment, letting Marley enjoy the initial meeting on her own.

Marley's father and her brothers had done the same, leaving Myra in the entryway to greet Marley on her own.

We all knew just how important this was for all of them, but especially for mother and daughter.

And as soon as their eyes met, the nervousness was gone, and their was no mistaking the sound of their joy and happiness!

First, with Marley's thrilled shout of, "Mom, I'm home!" Then she giggled, "I've dreamt of saying that for sooo long! It wasn't too corny was it?"




Myra threw her arms around Marley saying, "Not at all, especially if it means I've got my baby girl back at last!"

Marley hugged her mother tightly with a huge smile on her face, saying, "We may have been apart all those years, but we've always been together in our hearts, Mom!'

Myra didn't answer, just squeezed Marley even tighter.

Then she stepped back and said, "I'll let your father and brothers meet you before I monopolize you with my chatter!"




Then Marley's father, Jared, started chatting away to her, while her oldest brother Jake, introduced himself to Myrabella.




I'd taken the opportunity to introduce myself and Scott to Myra, and then asked if a potty chair was available, or if I should pop back to the Villa and grab the one there.

Myra laughed and said, "As soon as Marley told me you'd visit right after Scott's toddler birthday, I made sure all the boys toddler stuff was cleaned up for him! It's all set up in Joshua's old nursery, crib, toys, and all. In fact, Joshua still sleeps in there in the single bed, since Patrick joined us and took over what was Marley's old room."

"Marley's old room? But…"

Myra's eyes met mine as she said, "I know it sounds crazy, but when we bought this house, and it had four bedrooms, I decorated one for Marley, just in case we ever found her."

I shook my head, saying, "Not crazy Myra, full of love and hope."

At my words Myra sighed with relief, and said, "I had photos taken before we redecorated it for Patrick.
Here's the best one, all done in purples, complete with fairy bear, teen posters and make-up. I'd added to it over the years, as she grew up…"

With tears in my eyes, touched by Myra's love and longing for Marley, I said, "She would have loved it Myra. Any little girl would! In fact, Myrabella's favorite color is lilac!"

Ruefully Myra said, "Yes, I wish we'd kept the room for the twins and just made Patrick his own room downstairs, but…that didn't seem right either. He's not our natural son, but we didn't want to treat him like a second-class citizen in the family!"

"Of course not Myra! Marley, of all people, would understand that and want Patrick treated well."




With Scott more comfortable after using the potty, I started teaching him to walk and he took to it quickly, giving me a big grin when he reached my waiting arms.

Mia joined us and started playing at the blocks table.




Marley was chatting away with Jake by then, and you would have thought they'd been around each other all their lives the way they gossiped and joked around!

Jared looked on with a smile seeing his children getting along so well.

Friendly Myrabella, much more outgoing than Mia, introduced herself to her Uncle Joshua and asked him if they had any games they could play.

When Joshua said they had video games in the living room and a chess board downstairs, our little genius innocently told him she knew how to play chess.




Then she challenged him to a game, which he readily accepted, and she easily won!




After playing chess with Joshua, Myrabella chatted with Jake again.

"Mom's outside showing off her garden to Marley. I'm sure they wouldn't mind if you joined them. There are baby chicks in the coop nearby and you can even hold them."

"That sounds fun…but I'd rather play video games with Grandpa Jared, if it's okay?"




Both Jake and Jared were a bit shocked hearing Myrabella call Jared Grandpa so easily, but Jared recovered quickly and said, "Of course, Myrabella, grab a controller and join in--maybe I'll have some competition in the house for once!"

Jake laughed as he left the room, saying, "I can take you any day, Gramps!"

Myrabella joined her grandfather on the couch, and was soon deep involved in smashing her car against her new grandpa's, laughing when he said, "That's how you do it! Stick with me kid and I'll have you giving Jake a run for his money!"




Outside in Myra's garden, Marley chatted away with her mother and Patrick, who'd been enjoying the garden sprinkler.




But Patrick didn't stay long, which had Myra apologizing, saying that it wasn't anything against Marley, just that Patrick preferred being on his own.

Marley nodded happily and said, "Oh, no offense taken. I understand completely. I have a bad habit of turning off lights in the house, and Diwan's family has been very accommodating to that idiosyncrasy!  I'm so happy to get to meet everyone finally, but I don't want Patrick to feel uncomfortable."

"He knows his limits, so when he needs alone time, he'll head for his room, the back deck to paint, or even the front yard to work on his street art. Someplace where he can be alone! In fact, he's off by himself so often that sometimes we almost forget we have three sons now!"

"His origins are a bit unusual. I've wanted to ask about that as the twins both have those peculiar dolls."

"Well, my advice is to have the girls give them away, if not as children, then as teens! After Patrick arrived, I did some research on them and they can cause lots of trouble within a town if they don't feel they are being treated well, especially if they're not allowed to become real, like Patrick!"

"You know, we did have some trouble when we first arrived so I bet it was the girls dolls that caused it!"

"Oh, dear. Traveling with them is even more problematic, even after they are made real, from what I've read! It may be best to get rid of them sooner, rather than later!"




Then Marley told her Mom all about the Villa we were staying in.

"It's amazing Mom! I'm sure you know it. It's right in the village, and takes up a whole block all by itself!"

"Oh, you mean the Rustic Retreat! That is a nice place!  I've always wanted to check the place out. Your father and I keep saying we should stay there some time, treat ourselves to a luxury weekend, but first the boys were little, then they started school, and things just keep getting in the way. But it would be great to visit you there. What rooms did you book?"

Marley grinned and said, "Diwan rented the entire Villa! So all of you could come for dinner one night and even stay with us! Diwan and I are in the main floor master suite because it has a nursery close by. But there are 3 other bedrooms with double beds, two have their own private bathrooms and the third one shares a bathroom with a room with two single beds. There are two kitchens, two  indoor dining areas, plus a courtyard with a fountain that has another dining area. And I lost count of the sitting rooms and living rooms! The place is enormous! And it's far from being 'rustic', though retreat is very appropriate!"

"It's sounds wonderful and just the type of place that my daughter deserves to stay in! I'm happy to see your Diwan treats you so well Marley. And the girls, both of them are just lovely and I know your father is proud as punch that they have red hair, even if most likely comes from Diwan's side of the family. And Scott, what a handsome boy! He's going to be a real heartbreaker some day."

"That's what Diwan's father, Leonard, said! From the stories I've heard, he was quite irresistible as a young man. Even now he's quite distinguished and garners his share of attention from females around town! And with Scott having Mother Rielle's skin tone, along with Leonard's hair, well, the combination is just adorable, if I do say so myself. Though Diwan was hoping that one of our kids would have my…our…hair color. Oh, it's so good to actually see others with it, you and Jake!"

"Well, you're still young Marley! Plenty of time to have another child, or two!"

"The thought has crossed my mind, but I wouldn't want to have a child JUST because of a hair color. So…if it happens, it's going to have to be because Diwan and I both want another child."

"I agree. No sense pinning your hopes on one specific thing for a child---just want the child for themselves, period."




Myrabella joined us in the nursery just as Scott mastered walking!

I don't know who was prouder, me or Scott! Probably me!




I left all three of our kids playing at the blocks table to check on Marley and the rest of the family.

With Mia and Myrabella both helping Scott, he should be building bridges on his own any day now!




I found Jared just coming in from the back deck with a plate full of something that smelled delicious!

Seeing me in the living room archway, he said, "Hope you guys like Teppanyaki fired chicken and rice! Ever since Myra bought me all the new appliances for my birthday, we've been eating like kings!" Then he glanced back and said, "Patrick, grab the whole platter and bring it to the kitchen, so we can all eat together."




Besides the grilled food, Marley's brothers had contributed to our feast as well, with Jake making fresh baked white bread and Joshua showing his own skill in the kitchen, making Cheesy Bread in the wood fire oven.

Marley couldn't decide which bread to try as they both looked and smelled amazing!

It's true what they say, 'There's nothing like the smell of freshly baked bread!'

But spotting Myrabella on the floor cuddling her doll, I was thinking we'd better all eat and head back to our Villa for some sleep.




But first dinner!

Myrabella put away her doll and grabbed a plate of the grilled chicken and rice and headed for the table to join Marley.

Jared had already finished his first plate, with Patrick almost done, and they were discussing dessert even before I'd sat down at the table!

Marley said, "I think the chicken and rice, bread, and cheesy bread will be plenty for tonight Dad! I'll have to buy a whole new wardrobe if I eat more than this!"

Jared laughed, but conceded, saying, "Okay, but you have to try my cobbler before you head home. I was hoping to send some back with you, but I don't think it would travel well."

Marley said, "Maybe you could give me some cooking pointers and I could learn to make your recipe!?!'

Jared nodded, saying, "That sounds even better! It could be a family recipe we pass down from generation to generation. What do you think of that Myrabella?"

"I love baking, Grandpa, and I've already learned to make muffins and cookies in my toy oven at home. I think making cakes, and cobblers, when I grow up would be great, especially your cobbler."

"You are a child after my own heart Myrabella! I cooked with the toy oven and so did both your uncles. I'll make sure you have a baking station for your next birthday!"




Marley finished her meal and started cleaning up as took my first bite of food, with Jared starting on his second helping.

Sounding a touch regretful, Marley said, "After you've finished Diwan, I guess we should head back to our villa.  It's been a rather long day and we should get the kids to bed, especially Scott."




But seeing Myra happily rocking away in the nursery as she watched over Scott heading for the xylophone, Marley gave us a few more minutes to socialize and get to know her birth family.




Jake took the opportunity to show me  the chicken coop and we discussed all the recipes that fresh eggs make even better.




He let me feed the chickens, saying even the twins could help, as it was so simple that even children could do it.




And getting to play with the baby chicks, feeling their downy fluff and their rapid heartbeats, was a wonderful experience too!

Even if it's not a huge money-maker, it's still something that would make a great addition to our farm.




Soon after that, we rounded up the twins, picked up Scott, and said our goodbyes with hugs all around.

Marley settled into the cab with a sigh and I asked, "Happy, honey?"

She nodded and said, "Oh, this day brought more joy and happiness than I ever expected! Thank you so much Diwan, for supporting me in my search for my family, and making this trip happen! I love you, your family, and our children so much, you all mean the world to me! But getting to meet my birth family, it just makes my heart so full, and adds a dimension to my life I'd never dreamed of."

I swallowed a lump in my throat  at Marley's words and felt my own heart swell in response, and then Mia summed everything up saying, "It's so wonderful having more family!"

We all nodded in agreement, and with full hearts, we settled in for the ride back to our villa.

With the first day of our visit to Monte Vista turning out so well, having an amazing place to stay in and Marley's expectations for the reunion with her family being even more than she'd ever hoped for, I'm really looking forward to the rest of the week here.

I'll make sure and take lots of photos and record it all so not a moment is lost in Journal Entry 126: Monte Vista Days
Coming soon.

[deedee_828]

In the morning, taking Scott to the potty becomes a family event as Marley and I stand nearby to encourage him.

Then Mia adds big sister praise of her own, "That's it Scott! You're getting to be such a big boy now! Soon you'll be using the potty all by yourself!"

Since that was more my line or Marely's it was no wonder the thought that Mia would be a great Mom when she grew up flashed through my mind.

Quickly followed by a pang of shock at how quickly time was passing, how fast the kids were growing up!

On our farm we were kept pretty busy,  but we still had found time to take the twins to the Spring Festival for a few hours.

But being on vacation in Monte Vista, that gave us the rest of the week to spend time together as a family.




So after breakfast we all ventured out to the town square to check out the sights.

While I pushed Scott in his stroller over the cobbled streets, the twins played with their dolls, and Marley said she'd check with a local on not-to-miss sights or events in town.




That's how we found out that Monte Vista's Summer Festival, held at Etruscan Park, was in town!

This news had us all piling into a cab and heading to the outskirts of town where the festival was held every year.

And our first glimpse of it had us all gasping as it was set among an old ruins, though the site of the towered City Hall, perched high on the hill back in town, was even more breathtaking!




Marley and the girls tried out the skating rink first thing, and I found a rocking' rider for Scott.

A horse that was painted so vibrantly it reminded me of those on the carousel in the park back in Aggie's Corner.




Scott enjoyed it so much that I started dreading the moment I'd have to take him off the horse!

I was thinking of that toddler photo of Marley and how peeved she was when her turn was over.

Would Scott have that same reaction?




I didn't want to chance it, so when the music stopped, I whisked him off and tickled him silly!




The twins were hot from all the skating and excitedly discussed what flavor to try at the snow cone machine.

Myrabella decided on a grape flavored one and, after a few licks, she was even more amazed by the festival.




Mia went with blue raspberry and loved family even more as her thoughts were filled with love….and romance!

Note to dad-self: Do NOT allow her access to a snow cone machine as a teenager!

To take my mind off those disturbing thoughts, I donned some skates and roller skated a bit.




Marley couldn't decide on just one flavor so she picked rainbow and declared it was the best snow cone ever made!

It put her in such a great mood that she decided to invite her family over for a dinner party when we got back to the villa.




Full of energy (and sugar), the twins decided on a water balloon fight to wrap up their fun-filled day.

I'm not sure which one of them won, but I paid the cabby a little extra for the damp seats!




Marley started cooking in the eat-in kitchen soon after we got back to the villa.




And within the hour her family had arrived and we sat down to a home-cooked meal.

Marley raved on and on about how much better food was using fresh home-grown vegetables.

"They're just so much tastier and healthier for you, and you can't beat the quality! The stuff they sell at the grocer's pales in comparison!"

Jared, Myra, and Patrick all nodded in agreement as they all had their mouths full of Marley's delicious goopy carbonara.




The twins' long day at the festival was catching up with them, but they each grabbed a plate and chatted with their grandmother about their day.

Myra couldn't hold back a loving smile as she quietly listened to her granddaughters, reveling in being in the presence of her long-lost daughter's children.

I could tell just by the look on her face that her heart was filled with joy and happiness, which increased my own, knowing I'd played a part in bringing our two families back together.




Scott preferred the sleeping mat to the crib and he fell asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow.

I tucked the cute dinosaur blanket up around him and couldn't resist a photo of our sweet son, all tuckered out after a day in the fresh air and sunshine of Monte Vista.




I found the rest of the family in the TV room off the eat-in kitchen.

And came in the room just as Marley was saying, "It was such a lovely day Mom! The views of the town, the square, the friendly residents, and the festival! But most of all getting to share all that as a family, seeing the kids excitement as they took in the new sights and activities. We'll definitely have to make time for more family events when we get back to Appaloosa Plains."

"I think that's the key honey, doing things together as a family, staying close, even if you have responsibilities. A good balance is essential, though it can be tricky for families that have both parents working outside the home. That's why I started my garden and became self-employed, to be able to stay home with your brothers and work my own schedule."

"That certainly does help Mom! The farm is a lot of work, but with Diwan and I being able to set our own work hours, and our Red Berry Bean crops bringing in plenty of funds, we can focus on the children now, establish strong family connections in their formative years. Though I'm sure the teen years will still bring plenty of surprises!"

Myra laughed, "You can count on it!"

But then she quickly sobered and said with a touch of regret, "I envy you getting to spend this time with Mia and Myrabella, even the teen years to come, with all the angst and drama daughters can bring. I…I missed so much of your life Marley!"

Marley gave her mother a wistful smile, saying, "I know Mom! But we can't change the past, just forge a different path for the future. One where we're back in each others lives!"

Marley's forgiving words easing the pain of the past, Myra gave Marley a warm hug, then she urged Marley to join me on the couch for a family photo.




After dinner, Jared had been called in to the Bistro to take care of an emergency, Scott was asleep, and the twins had gone up to bed, but Myra got a great photo of me, Marley, and all three of Marley's brothers.

Jacob was raving about the villa and just how great it was, and Jake was agreeing and saying how I'd made a great deal with the travel agent getting the whole place.

But it was Patrick almost nodding off on the couch that had us realizing just how late it was and calling it a night, especially since all three teens had school in the morning.




Early the next morning, I got Scott fed, changed, pottied, and set up playing happily with the peg box.




Then I took Mia fishing at a local fishing hole!

The morning was warm, sunny, and just perfect.




I explained to Mia that fresh fish were great to cook with, and that learning the bait for each type improved your odds of catching them.




But nothing could actually beat fishing itself, either in the first rays of a new day dawning, or in a dark, mysterious, graveyard trying to catch elusive death fish!

In fact, I couldn't think of a time of day that I didn't enjoy fishing!

Mia nodded as she kept her eyes focused on the pond, waiting to see her bobber dip below the surface.




And her diligence and patience paid off as her first catch was a whopper of a trout!




Which made my first catch of the day a joke that we laughed about the rest of the trip and for many years to come!

A minnow so puny you could barely see it in the photo a fellow fisherman took, laughing so hard he could barely keep the camera steady!

"You betta leave the fishin' to la tua mimma, signore! She is a natural, sí?"

I didn't know Italian very well, but it was easy enough for me to figure that one out and I shook my head ruefully at his words, though I was proud as punch about Mia's success.




When we got back to the villa, we found that Scott had moved on to the xylophone and Myrabella and her doll were keeping him company.




That afternoon, we headed over to the Frio home and caught Marley's parents in a romantic clinch.

I was a bit embarrassed but Marely was so thrilled that her parents were still so much in love that she couldn't resist a photo.




I teased her a bit about that being proper, but she waived my teasing aside with a smile and told me that she hoped we were just as loving after we'd been together that long as adult love between a married couple was quite proper.

Especially after watching Jared spin Myra in for a passionate dip kiss!

Even with Patrick dancing nearby, you could tell Marley's parents still only had eyes for each other.

And that had me thinking about some alone time with Marley once we got back to our villa!




Our first days in Monte Vista were filled with meeting Marley's family and spending time together with our own family unit.

We'd strolled around the village square, enjoyed a day at the Monte Vista Summer Festival, gobbled up some delicious goopy carbonara that Marley had prepared, and just had a wonderful time!

But we still had the rest of the week to explore the town, spend time with Marley's family, our own family, and hopefully, get in some romantic couple time of our own!

I'll tell you all about it in Journal Entry 126: Monte Vista Days--Part 2
Coming soon.

[deedee_828]

Marley, holding Scott, waited until her parents romantic interlude was finished and then eagerly started chatting away to her mother.




I headed inside not wanting to risk another painful sunburn, especially in the strong afternoon sun in Monte Vista.

I found the twins playing with their dolls in the entry way.

Marley had told me what her mother had said about getting rid of those dolls, but the twins played with them constantly and loved them so much I didn't think that was going to be an easy task!




After getting Scott settled in the nursery, Marely and Jared played a very competitive video game.

Seeing Marley's focus and hearing Jared's cries of dismay, it was pretty easy to figure out who was going to win the game!




With Marley the champion, she left Jared to practice, and chatted a bit with Jake, who was all dressed up for a date with his girlfriend, Thistle.

"Don't you look handsome!" Marely gushed, but Jake's surly reply, "What's THAT supposed to mean!?!" took her by surprise.

Myra, appalled at Jake's manners, quietly said, "Teenage mood swing or not, Jake, you DO NOT speak to your sister, or anyone else, for that matter, like that!"

Jake frowned, but mumbled, "Sorry", which alleviated the uncomfortable moment a bit, but had me heading outside.




I found Joshua and Mia enjoying the warm summer night in the pool.




But soon everyone was ready for dinner, so Joshua offered to cook up a dish on the grill.

He let me watch and boy was I impressed at his cooking skills as a teen!

Thinking back, I could barely boil water at his age, and couldn't even remember the last time I'd been the one to cook a meal for our family.

Though I did recall wanting to impress Marley with her favorite dish, spaghetti with veggie sauce.




Marley tried out the wood fire oven and made a delicious lasagna!

The smell wafting through the house when I got back inside had my mouth watering and I quickly headed for the kitchen.




Jake even joined us, saying his date with Thistle had been postponed as Thistle had to stay late at work.

I was thinking that with the mood Jake was in that was probably for the best.

But we did have the pleasure of meeting Rosalie Ferrari, Joshua's girlfriend, who was able to join us for dinner.




The twins were the last ones to grab plates of lasagna, and they enjoyed it as much as the rest of us.

In fact, this trip to Monte Vista had given us such a taste for the ethnic food I added a wood fire oven to the list of improvements to our farm kitchen!




While the others said their goodbyes for the evening, I chatted with Patrick and got to know him a little better.

He shared my love of the outdoors, enthusiastically telling me fishing holes were great places to be alone.




Then we headed back home and got a scare as we saw a local resident hovering on the sidewalk!

Monte Vista's own ghostly resident, Valentine Monty, the one that had made pizza famous with his world-renowned Pizza Margherita recipe!

We'd heard the tale from almost every local resident we'd chatted with, but the reality of seeing him in all his ghostly glory was a bit startling, to say the least!

Unlike our family ghosts, who only came out of their urns to check on the family from a comfy rocker, he was an active ghost that resided with his wife, Silvia, and could do anything in town that he desired, whether it be eat, sleep, or cook pizza to his heart's content!




We sent the twins off to bed and got Scott settled on his sleeping mat, then I put the plan I'd been thinking of all day into action.

I took Marley by the hand and led her outside into our private courtyard.

We cuddled together on the bricked pavement still warm from the day's sun, pointing out glowing stars and constellations above us.




Then I drew Marley nearer to the fountain, it's spray and soft tinkle and fall of water adding it's own romantic touch to the moment.




I caressed Marley's cheek and she sighed as she stroked my hand, our eyes meeting and filled with love.




Then I caressed her shoulders, my hands tingling as I stroked her bare shoulders and listened to her contented sighs.




Her contented sighs turned to a gasp of pure pleasure as I twirled her into my arms for a passionate kiss.




That lead to an extended make out session under the stars!

And from there, back to our bedroom, for a delightful, and passionate, end to another wonderful day.




I rose late the next morning, well-rested and glorying in the romantic evening Marley and I had shared.




Hearing young voices nearby, I peeked into the nursery to find Mia and Myrabella playing together at the blocks table, while Scott played with the peg box.

The twins were chatting about what new adventures we'd have today, and I listened shamelessly, hoping to discover what they hoped to do and make it happen.




But the children must have been up much longer than I had, because as I watched, Scott toddled over to the sleeping mat, and quickly fell asleep.




Mia, always the little mother and caregiver, quietly stepped over to tuck him in.




With Scott settled down for a nap, I motioned for the girls to join me in the sitting room, where we could discuss our plans without disturbing Scott.

We gathered some of the tourist brochures we had collected and started browsing through them.

The girls eagerly discussed trying the pizza at the Pizzeria for either lunch or dinner.




Doing either, or both, sounded good to me, but food flew out of my mind when my eyes lighted upon the next brochure in the stack I held in my hands.

A brochure with the photo of the most picturesque place I had ever seen on the cover, it was called the Last Venue of Amore, and was absolutely stunning!




You could even take your family on a daytime gondola ride through the canals.




And the nighttime photo was even more breathtaking!




My mind started spinning with ideas, taking the whole family for a daytime trip, then spending the evening with Marley, an actual date just for the two of us.

I didn't think it would be too hard to persuade Marley's parents to babysit and spend some time with their grandchildren.

Then another thought struck me, maybe the gondola also ran in the evening?

What could be more romantic then a gondola ride with a lover under the stars!?!

My heart raced with how excited everyone would be with this adventure and I could barely keep the surprise to myself.

But with Scott napping, I had some time to shower, eat a late breakfast, then spring my surprise!

I'll tell you all about it in Journal Entry 127: Monte Vista Surprise
Coming soon.

[deedee_828]

Marley had asked me if my surprise plans could include her family and I told her the more the merrier.

Jared and Myra had readily accepted our invitation, though Marley's brothers all had school, so wouldn't be joining us.

Marley greeted her parents when they arrived and invited them inside.




Myra headed in straight away, but Jared and Marley enjoyed the early morning sunshine and chatted about all the great food that Monte Vista had to offer.

"I've looked over some those recipes you gave me Dad and I can't wait to try them out at home. Of course, we'll have to buy a wood fire oven to make all the great Monte Vista pasta dishes and the amazing pizza, but Diwan's already got that on his list of improvements to our farm kitchen. Though it may have to go in the nectary kitchen since there's so much more room down there."

"And don't forget the baker's station I promised Myrabella for her teen birthday, so she can try out some of my cobbler and pie recipes."

"Oh, that's right! We'll have to get some berry cuttings too, as that's one thing we don't have on the farm, a berry garden."

"I'm sure your mother would have gladly shared some of hers but nothing's currently harvestable yet."

"Oh, that won't be a problem Dad! Our produce is so well known in Appaloosa Plains that I'm sure the grocer would get us all the different berry varieties available, as long as we provided some of our own homegrown perfect produce in exchange. We usually deal with the consignment shop as it provides a higher return, but for berries and the chance to try out some of your family recipes, I think we can spare a few items."




Jared impulsively hugged Marley, and said, "I know I haven't been as demonstrative as your mother, or as free with my feelings about having you back in our lives, but I want you to know that the happiness and joy, the completeness we now have, it's because you found us Marley! And we couldn't ask for a more precious gift, not only having you back in our lives, but your family too. The twins, little Scott, it's more than we ever expected and I will never stop giving thanks that you searched for us and found us!"

Marley is too overwhelmed to respond, but Mia smiles and says, "We love all of our new family too, Grandpa!"




I hear Scott chattering away in the nursery, his own baby babble that we can't really decipher yet, and get to the door just in time to see that it's Mia he's chatting away too as she hands him a bottle.

She's so thoughtful and aware of family that it's plain to see that she'll make a great Mom.

She also loves the outdoors and the cold, and enjoys fishing, though she's not an angler, so I can picture her being an excellent caretaker of the farm.

I guess it will all depend on if that's what she really wants.




Once the bottle is empty and Scott's used the potty, I pick him up, change his diaper and change him into his everyday outfit.

I tell Marley we're all set to leave and she says, "Let me get the TV turned off first. No sense having it on when there's no one here watching it."

I just smile at my frugal wife and head for the corner where the cab will be picking us up.




And when we arrive at our destination, the venue is even more amazing than in the brochure!

The architecture with arches and levels, the balconies and winged lions, along with the canal's crystal clear water, and the trees, ivy, and flowering plants, all making it a haven of beautiful serenity.




Lucky for me, our Watcher Lady helps me out with some aerial photos showing off the entire lot in it's glory!

A photo from a corner perspective.



 
As well as one from a straight on view, showing the ripples of the beautiful ocean in the background.




I take over then and get a photo of the gondola from one of the raised walkways.

But there's no driver on duty so no rides are available yet.




So we all walk around just drinking in the beauty of the place.

Scott keeps reaching for the water in the canal and the fountains, so I keep him safely in my arms.




And though all the fountains are beautiful, my eyes keeping drifting up, and up, and up, focused on all the towers, rooftop balconies, and the marvel of such a creation.




Mia looks around as avidly as I do.

But she keeps her distance from the winged lions she's spotted as, though they are statues, they look so real she's playing it safe!




Myrabella is just soaking up the feeling of the place and says she found a brochure on one of the tables that she just HAS to read right now!




Our little genius can't stop soaking in knowledge wherever she is and settles down out front on a sun-warmed bench next to a tinkling fountain, to learn all she can about this historic place.

I'm afraid that, with her thirst for knowledge, the farm's not going to be enough for her.

She's already talking about college and all she could learn there, and it seems she's already got her heart set on being a scientist or a doctor!

We've got the money to send her so that won't be an issue, and I'm sure she'll qualify for at least a partial scholarship after her birthday, maybe a full one by the time she becomes a young adult.

It's just the thought of her leaving us to attend, and then leaving the farm completely once she graduates, that gives me a pang.

But Marley and I have decided to let our children follow their hearts, wherever they may lead, as only one of the children will need to stay on the farm.

After a few minutes of avid reading, Myrabella told us that the gondola driver is called a gondolier and, according to the schedule, should be on duty now.




I peek over one of the bridges and find out she's right!

But my excitement wains when the gondolier tells me that the entire canal must be tested, which is a lengthy process, before any rides are allowed, and means it will be hours before any of us can ride.




Hearing that, Jared finds a free computer and starts playing a game to pass the time.




But when Myra finds him there, they decide to soak up the romance of the place with some couple time.

That was my cue to find someplace else to be, though I did take a photo of the amazing arched windows behind them!

The grillwork isn't just decorative but limits the light coming in to make the rooms cool and welcoming from the strong Monte Vista sun.

This bit of information I learned from Myrabella as well, as the girl is just bursting to share everything she learns.

This has me wondering if she should add teaching to her future endeavors since she's so friendly and impressed by everyone she meets.




With all of the stairs and walkways, we have to carry Scott, and though he's just a toddler, after a bit it's pretty tiring on the arms, so Marley gives me a break and carries him around for a bit.




And to our surprise, Jake was there!

He was able to get permission to visit as long as he took notes and wrote a paper on it.

Jake hadn't decided if his paper was going to be about the scientific aspect of the canals or the amazing architecture, mostly he was just glad to be outside and free from classroom constraints.

I could definitely agree with that!




Having his girlfriend Thistle along was bonus, and as the sun dipped below the skyline, he happily pointed her out to us.

We'd seen her in photos, of course, but actually getting to meet a Plantsim was pretty cool.

We got to meet Thistle's mother, Dulcinea, too.

When she found out we were a gardening family, with extensive gardens and a nectary, she eagerly told us all about Thistle's origins.

Just imagine our surprise when we learned that anyone with high gardening skill could plant and grow a Plantsim baby!

Of course, you had to find an elusive Forbidden Fruit seed, but I added this to my growing list of future ideas for our farm.




Then the gondolier called us and, since it was getting late, we gave the twins the honor of the first ride.




Mia eagerly pointed out that she could see me through the grilled windows, while Myrabella was focused on the stars that were popping out in the night sky.

What each one of them focused on was telling, with Mia all about family, and Myrabella on the world around her, just soaking up every bit of knowledge she can.




After the twins ride was finished, Jared and Myra took them, and Scott, back home to our villa, and Marley and I got our own gondola ride.

It was pretty romantic with the gondolier crooning a song softly in Italian, the stars above us, and surrounded by the beauty of the place.

But, a boat's not the best place to indulge in romantic activity, unless you don't mind getting wet, so we just floated along, enjoying being in each other's company.




But the arched bridge did not have the same restrictions and Marley and I eagerly took advantage of the picturesque spot, holding hands and gazing intently into each other's eyes.




And ending the romantic evening entwined in each other's arms!




The Last Venue of Amore had lived up to all of my expectations and allowed me to give Marley a beautiful romantic evening.

Though as a family venue, I think they should have bigger gondolas that could at least seat four, and add some food vendors as well, or place it closer to town and restaurants.

I did add these suggestions to my review and drop it in the box on our way out, but since this is a once-in-a-lifetime-trip, not something we'd get to enjoy even if they did implement my suggestions.

But tomorrow is Leisure Day and the last day of our trip, and Jared's planned a pool party for a big send off!

I'll tell you all about it in Journal Entry 128: La Famiglia Farewells
Coming soon.

[deedee_828]

Our last day dawned sunny and warm, like all the rest of the wondrous week!

We packed up and got everything ready to go as we would be picked up for the airport from the Frio home.

We'd made these arrangements so our two families could spend our last day together without rushing back to our villa.

Other guests were already enjoying the garden sprinkler when we arrived, and Scott started bouncing in my arms in his excitement when he spotted a little boy his age.




Myra had thoughtfully provided a playpen for the youngest guests and I got Scott settled in with little Goopy Gilscarbo.

The name sounded familiar somehow but I didn't connect it with a toddler.

Oh well, probably just some odd sense of déjà vu.

I mean it couldn't be anything else, right?




Then I joined my family and other guests in the pool.

The water felt great in the heat of the day, but I'd learned my lesson from that first awful sunburn and now wore a shirt whenever I was outside.

Especially swimming, as the sun's reflection off the water can cause even more sunburn, and those of us with fair skin being even more susceptible, we need to be even more careful.




As the sun slid over the horizon most of the guests headed home and we all headed inside for some dinner.




Then Marley chatted with Patrick and hugged him goodbye.




Jake wandered in to grab a plate of food and Marley hugged him too.

Jake grinned and said, "It was so great finally getting to meet you sis! Sorry about biting your head off the other night, I was in a rotten mood, but it wasn't your fault!"

"Oh, don't worry about it little brother. I just want a promise that you'll come visit us in Appaloosa Plains sometime soon!"

"You can count me in on that trip! Just say the word and I'll be there!"




Joshua pulled Marley in for his own goodbye hug, asking, "Does that invitation include me?"

As Marley squeezed him tight she said, "Of course! I'm hoping you'll all come visit us soon."




Jared came in at that point and Jake asked, "What do you think about a vacation to visit Marley and her family in Appaloosa Plains Dad?" With a grin he added, "Should I start researching horses and buy myself a cowboy hat!?!"

Jared smiled and said, "I'm sure this isn't something Marley cooked up on her own, and if I know your mother, she's already planning on what to pack and when we should visit!"

Marley smiled and said, "You know us too well Dad! Mom and I have already talked about it!"




After chatting about the visit a bit, Jared grabbed Marley saying, "The airport van will be here soon enough and I want my goodbye hug, girl!"

Marley flew into her father's waiting arms and said, "I wouldn't leave without one Dad!"




But Marley wasn't the only one saying her goodbyes, the twins were making the rounds too.

"I heard Mom asking Uncle Jake about coming for a visit Uncle Patrick, does that mean you'd come visit too?"

"Maybe Mia, I would love the opportunity to travel and see another town. But being an imaginary friend made real, traveling could be tricky for me. So I'd have to do some research on that. To make sure it would be safe."

I froze as Patrick's words filled my ears and I saw the astonishment on Mia's face as she exclaimed, "You were an IF doll!?! Does that mean my doll could become real too!!!"

Patrick, realizing his error a bit too late, tried to back peddle, saying, "Well, it takes a special potion and you have to have high logic skill…"

"Myrabella's a genius Patrick! Logic is almost her middle name! But she'll need specifics, so start talking!"

I saved Patrick by telling Mia she had others to say goodbye to.




After thinking about it a moment, Mia said, "Right. I'm sure Uncle Jake and Grandma Myra know more about the process anyway, since Grandma's mastered logic and Patrick was Uncle Jake's doll! I'll go ask them! Myrabella will go nuts when I tell her about this!"

But first Mia was waylaid by her Uncle Joshua pulling her into a hug in the kitchen.




Then he distracted her even more by starting a pillow fight in the entryway.

Breathing a sigh of relief, and hoping Mia stayed distracted, I headed to the back deck to relax while the rest of the goodbyes were going on.




I'd just settled into a lounge chair when Myra and Myrabella had their goodbye hug.




But the cool water from the pool called me so I headed over for one last swim.

I mentally added a pool to our ever-growing farm list, since we all enjoyed it so much, but felt that it would have to be a house addition, rather than a farm expansion, as it wouldn't do anything to add to the farm's overall operating funds.

But before I could dive in, I found myself face to face with Jared, who was just getting out.

I'd avoided most of the goodbyes so far, but I knew I couldn't avoid this one.

"I just wanted to say thanks for such a warm welcome Jared! You've opened up your home to Marley, to me, the children, and we've had a wonderful week. One we won't soon forget. And that invitation to visit doesn't just come from Marley, but from me too. I was worried a bit after she found you, not wanting her to get her hopes up, but Myra's letters, this visit, Marley's joy and happiness at being reunited with all of you, it's exceeded anything I could have dreamed for her."

Jared looked me in the eye and said, "It's me who should be thanking you Diwan! Encouraging Marley to find her birth family, being there for her through the whole process, loving her, giving her a wonderful life and family. Things could have turned out so differently for her. But I think they turned out the way they were meant to, with her finding you in Aggie's Corner, and then finding us. And…it took losing Marley for me to turn my own life around. I'm not the person I was back in Sunset Valley. Myra and her love made me a better man than I ever knew I could be. The kind of man you are Diwan. The kind of man every father hopes of for his little girl."

We both nodded then, a little embarrassed after being so honest with each other.

But Jared motioned to the pool and said, "I think you still have time for a swim."




I'd just barely got in and frantically ducked away as Joshua nearly fell on top of me, yelling, "Watch out Diwan!"

Joshua swears something tripped him but the only thing nearby, besides Jared and Myrabella getting in their goodbye hug, was a golden gnome statue, and we all know gnomes can't move on their own, right?

So we chalked it up to Joshua just being clumsy, though I almost swore I heard an odd little chuckle in the vicinity of that statue!




Then we all headed inside for final goodbyes.




For the girls that meant final pillow fights as Mia took on Jake, happily thumping each other with feathers flying.




And Myrabella gave as good as she got with her Grandpa Jared.




Then Mia called her Grandma Myra into Patrick's bedroom and asked, "Is it true that this room was originally for my Mom, Grandma? That even though you didn't know where she was when she was a little girl, you made a room for her in your house, hoping she'd come home one day?"

With her voice trembling Myra said, "Oh, yes sweetheart. I hoped and hoped and when that first letter came from your mom, well, I rushed into this room and threw myself on one of the beds and just cried and cried!"

"You cried!?! But weren't you happy she found you Grandma!?!"

"Oh, more happy than I've ever been Mia! They were tears of joy! And now she's here, in our home, one that will always be her home! We're a complete family again and I'm even happier now!"




Then she scooped Mia up and squeezed her tight and said, "Happier because not only do we have our long lost daughter back in our lives, but her children too, you, Myrabella, and Scott!"

Mia sighed and said, "Family is the best isn't it Grandma!?!"

"Oh, it is honey, it certainly is!"




At Myra's mention of Scott, I realized he'd been in the nursery on his own for quite some time so I decided to check on him.

Only to discover the nursery was empty!

I rushed out into the hall in a panic, which was quickly relieved when I heard a distinct toddler giggle coming from Jake's room.

I stepped quietly inside and waited and soon Scott's head popped up and his little eyes were peeking out from Jake's toybox!

I scooped him up with a tickle and a snuggle, and headed back out into the hall, as our cab would be here soon.




But then I heard voices from Patrick's room, two grown-up voices, and I realized Marley was saying goodbye to her mother.

I knew this would be an emotional moment for both of them, another goodbye, but they both surprised me.

"Mom, I heard what you said to Mia about me always having a place in your home and you've no idea what it means to me to know you were thinking of me all those years ago when I was dreaming of you."

Then she saw the look on her mother's face and added, "Well, I guess you do know, probably better than anyone else."




They stepped into each others arms and Myra said, "My home and my heart are whole again, dear daughter! There are no more if's, no more questions, no more anguished moments, no more sleepless nights! I go to sleep with love and peace in my heart and wake with joy each day, knowing you are safe, loved, and happy."

"Oh Mom! I am! Diwan, his family, the children, the farm, and now you and dad, Jake, Joshua, and Patrick, my life is more wonderful than I ever dreamed it could be! I wouldn't trade it for anything!"




Moments later there was a loud tooting of the airport van out front and we all hustled out the door.

Shouted 'goodbyes', 'love you's', 'write soon', and 'visit soon' all tumbled from everyone's lips, and then there was silence as we all settled into the cab.

Marley's eyes were bright with unshed tears, but I knew they were tears of joy not sadness.

Monte Vista and meeting Marley's family had surpassed all of our expectations!

We may never make it back here, but we had a week full of wonderful memories to look back on, and the promise of a visit from her family to look forward to in the near future.

My next journal entry will focus on resuming our life on the farm.

Follow along as I recount Journal Entry 129: There's No Place Like Home
Coming soon.

[deedee_828]

Seeing the farmhouse in it's steadfast glory was like being reunited with a long-lost friend.

The summer breeze was cool and the air was fresh, and I breathed in deeply as I headed for our front porch, with it's welcoming lights a beacon drawing us into it's warmth.




Mia, who'd apparently not gotten enough of them when we left Monte Vista, greeted Dad with a hug.

But it wasn't the hug that shocked me as much as seeing how tired Dad looked, noticing how gray his hair was, how stooped he'd become.

With a shock I realized that with my adult birthday only two days away, Dad was in his late elder years being 104, and Mom was only a few days younger, being 100!

Every moment we had with them now was precious, so I didn't immediately send the girls off to bed.

We'd all ridden home in the motive mobile, so we were all full of energy anyway.




Marley settled down in the nursery and started teaching Scott how to talk.

With Marley's frugalness it wasn't a big surprise that Scott's first words were, "Save simoleans!"

Marley clapped and praised him enthusiastically, though what he'd actually said sounded closer to, 'Sab si'mo'eans,' which I guess it a good first attempt for a toddler.

I'm sure if it'd been me, I would have started with something much easier, like 'fish', or 'crops', but with Marley's early success, who am I to question it?




And I'd no more than thought it when Marley was saying, 'dig in the garden,' and Scott repeated, 'dig', with a big smile on his face!




When Marley followed that up with 'test tubes' and Scott repeated it perfectly, I knew he was in the hands of master.




So I headed across town to do something I was good at and had been itching to do for over a week.

Catch some death fish at the local cemetery!

And I'd timed it just right as I got there just before midnight and I'd barely thrown my line in the water when I caught a big one!

It did fulfill my wish of catching 10 of them to stock our pond on the farm, but it still wasn't a perfect one.

So I set my sites higher and popped a wish to catch 25 deathfish, hoping at least one of those would be perfect!

I caught a few more, but none of them were perfect, so I headed back to the farm.




I found Marley playing with Kimo in the hall, getting in some doggy time with her favorite pet.

She hadn't mentioned adopting another dog for awhile, but now that the twins would be teens soon, and Scott's birthday was right after that, maybe a puppy for his child birthday would make both of them happy.




Though the way he was banging on that drum, I think it was a good thing we didn't have one yet!

It wasn't that he wasn't musical, he was just very forceful and though the drum could take it, I doubted a puppy could!




Marley started playing tug of war with Kimo but that didn't last long because the trip had finally caught up with Scott and he started to cry.




I offered to pick him up but he said, "Want my mommy!"

So Marley did the honors, snuggling him close, and then she whispered something that had him calming down instantly.




Instead of having to sleep in his crib, we'd purchased him his very own napping mat, just like the one he used in Monte Vista!

Scott laid down on it and fell asleep instantly!




With the twins nowhere around, I did the honors and tucked him in.




Then I went and tracked the two of them down.

I found Mia playing in the treehouse, where she'd bunked down when she got sleepy.

She was having a blast spying on pirates, so I left her to it.




Myrabella was a little harder to find, but that's because she was down in the terrarium room off the nectary.

I found her down there singing to her doll, but when I checked the fish bowls and terrariums, I found out that she'd fed all the fish, the snakes, and the reptiles, and she'd even cleaned out the womrat one that no longer had an occupant!

She had been feeling sad about that so singing to her doll was providing comfort.

When she didn't make any mention of learning logic or making potions to help her doll become real, I breathed a sigh of relief that her sister hadn't shared any of that information with her.

And I hoped the subject wouldn't be brought up again.




Satisfied that my children were all well and accounted for, I stocked the farm pond with deathfish and popped in a line.

Ah, nothing like fishing to calm the soul.

And having them stocked in the farm pond meant I could fish for them whenever I liked, as well as not having to go to the cemetery to do so, so a double bonus.




But moments later I was no longer calm, but whooping and hollering like a school boy as I reeled in my first death fish out of our own pond!




The sun was beating down so I hightailed it inside and got to the nursery just in time to see Scott master talking, repeating, 'Grandpa cooks good food'!

Dad was lucky enough to be in the rocker listening as well and he beamed with pride saying, "That boy is a quick study! Not like you and your sisters at all Diwan, all of you were pretty stubborn when it came to talking."

I grinned and said, "Then I guess he must take after Marley, Dad, which means he's a very lucky little boy!"

Marley blushed and said, "Oh, go on with you!" But I could tell she was pleased by my praise.




On the high that only helping your child achieve success can bring, Marley headed for the nectary herself, to start making progress on making 100 bottles of nectar.

She was already at 86, so a few mass produced batches should complete that wish and help her gain experience to master nectar making, which is a wish she'd disclosed while we were in Monte Vista.

So I guess I wasn't the only one that had been itching to get back home and start making progress on my wishes.

Marley was so skilled at nectar making now that she quickly stomped two batches and had both machines processing nectar in no time.

And though I'd seen her swimming in MV and in her swimsuit every time she stomped grapes, I know I will never get tired of the sight of my beautiful Marley doing something she loves.

That cute little two-piece she wears certainly adds to the view!




It felt so good being back home!

Monte Vista had been adventurous and romantic, but there's no place like home, and watching everyone engage in familiar activities, and enjoy them even more due to their absence, was wonderful.

But the weekend had just started and we had a big event coming up in the afternoon and evening.

The twins first slumber party!

If I survive, I'll tell you all about it!

Just kidding, I mean how bad could it be having a house full of school age kids!?!

Um, don't answer that question!

Let's see what happens in Journal Entry 130: Campout
Coming soon.

[deedee_828]

Later that afternoon, Myrabella's guests started arriving for her slumber party.

The guest list included her cousin, Karie Schmidt, the oldest one of Karina and Ben's daughters, and trailing along after her were the Loveland twins.

Lynn had her father, Rodney Singleton's, tanned skin, and fair-skinned Claire, took after her mother, Grace Loveland, but they had both inherited Grace's lovely golden locks.




Then her cousins, the Gallo twins, Chad and Tyler, Kindle and Trevor's middle sons, arrived next.

Along with a rather disgruntled fairy paparazzi who was booing about something.




Oh, it was Mom he was booing as she was pinching Mia's cheeks in the garden!

Mia just stood there stoically enduring the process as she loved her grandmother so much she didn't want to hurt her feelings.

But this action brought home to me that both my parents were definitely elders and getting on in years!




Myrabella finished up the book she'd been reading out by the pond to go greet her friends.




Then, after everyone changed into pajamas, Myrabella and Chad started the party off with a pillow fight in the garden.




Then Myrabella told a ghost story out by the camping area we'd set up just for the party.

It was complete with three tents and a fire pit surrounded by six colorful chairs for the kid's to toast marshmallows.

Chad and Mia sat enthralled by the story though they were the only kids that came out to listen.




Marley had been a bit worried when she saw Myrabella's guest list saying that besides the Loveland twins there were only two other children in town, and both of them were girls.

But the implications of that didn't strike me until I saw the twins and their guests eating the grilled hot dogs I'd prepared for their dinner.

There were no boys in town the girls' ages that weren't family.

Which meant that, when the girls became teens, they would meet and probably date, boys ahead of them in school!

No wonder Marley was worried, I was now terrified just thinking about my little girls involved with not just boys, but OLDER boys!!!




After dinner, Myrabella sat in one of the chairs by the fire pit, using the light from the flames to read yet another book.

Mia was a bit more adventurous, testing out the fire pit by roasting marshmallows on a long stick.

By the happy looks on both their faces, each one was content with the activity they'd chosen.




But the crackle and pop of the fire wasn't high tech enough for these three guests, who were excitedly playing a video game.

Well, Lynn and Karie were playing while one of the Gallo twins watched and provided eager advice.

To be honest I wasn't completely sure which twin it was which made me feel a bit ashamed, being their uncle and all.

But then I remembered that Chad had been wearing green pj's so this must be Tyler!

I really needed to be a more involved uncle, and I mentally added yet another item to my to do list, which was getting longer and longer!




Then it was time for bed, which is what slumber party's are all about right?

Ah, who am I kidding? Slumber parties are all about eating too much junk food, playing hard, and staying up half the night!

But these kids all dutifully gathered outside and laid out there sleeping bags and were soon fast asleep.

The night was so warm and clear they didn't even bother with the tents.




Which gave me the opportunity to act on something I'd been thinking about ever since we'd set the tents up.

I quietly moved one of the tents to the other side of the house, out back near the pond, and invited Marley out to join me.

She eagerly stepped into my waiting arms and we kissed under a full moon.




Then I ducked inside the tent and Marley quickly followed murmuring about how I'd turned into a such a romantic ever since Monte Vista.

I thought about that for a moment and asked, "Do you want me to STOP being romantic!?!"

Marley laughed a very throaty and alluring laugh and just before she joined me, said, "Not even for a moment, my love!"




Then we just focused on each other, and boy did we make that tent spin around!

I think it even levitated off the ground several times, so it's a good thing I moved it out back, away from too young eyes.

Though I hope the neighbors were all fast asleep and didn't notice, especially after seeing the photos the Watcher Lady took of the whole event!

She's handy for taking overview photos and all, but a bit on the nosey side!




The morning dawned cool and bright and the sound of the water lapping in the pond had me eager to throw in a line.

I took a quick peek around the house and found most of the kids still asleep, but Myrabella was singing quietly to her doll, and she seemed to be enjoying the early morning just as much as I was, though it was Mia that was the outdoor lover.




As the sun started to rise and cast it's first pale rays over the farm, I was fishing companionably with Kimo by my side.

I'd never felt so content as I did in that moment, with everything completely right in my little world.




Then Kimo barked and I gave him the attention that such a loyal companion deserves.




When I bent down, he rewarded me with a doggy hug!

And though Marley was the dog lover in the family, I was proud to call Kimo my best friend too.




Then young voices broke the morning stillness and a peek around the house showed our young guests all waking up.

In a flurry of feathers, so I could tell there'd been a few more pillow fights during the night.

Mia quickly headed inside to bake up a few batches of muffins for everyone to enjoy for breakfast.




But, apparently, all the kids had chores to attend to at home as they all quickly dressed, thanked Myrabella for a wonderful party and headed home.




I let Mia know that one batch of muffins would be plenty for her and her sister to share, and though she was disappointed that their friends left so quickly, she said, "I could make extra for your party later today, Grandma's guest list is huge! She invited all of our relatives and there's tons of names on the list that I don't even know!"

With a sigh I said, "That would be great, honey. I'm sure your muffins will be a real treat for a crowd that size."




I knew Mom had mentioned a party but…ALL our relatives in town?

Even with some of the newest family members too young to attend, that meant a LOT of people coming to help me and Marley celebrate our adult birthdays!

But before I could protest, Mom pointed out that this could be one of the last times she and Dad were around for a family party.

The very thought of the farm minus Mom or Dad made me sick to my stomach, so I just nodded and said a party sounded great.

So right after the twins' young guests left, our house would soon be filled with a lot more guests, from children to elders, and most of them related to us!

I'll provide all the details in Journal Entry 131: Reaching Adulthood
Coming soon.

[deedee_828]

It wasn't long before a parade of guests started showing up heading for our front door.

Most of them were family, including my ghostly Grandma Karie who I'd forgotten was an active ghost, which I think is the fault of that Watcher Lady.

Anyway, my nephew, Evan Gallo, my sister Kindle's oldest son, freaked out when she floated by him!

But a few of them were just guests of guests that we didn't really know, like Dakota Fox, who had interesting red hair with white streaks in it.




Karina rushed into the house all excited to see us after our vacation in Monte Vista.

Mom was on the phone confirming a last minute guest, so instead of shouting out, "Welcome back!", Karina just gave me a big smile and a wave.




Then the introductions began as Mom helped me identify everyone.

Kindle, you know, but she came in with Dad's sister, Grace.

Seeing Aunt Grace as an elder almost took my breathe away and made dad's age even more ominous as she is his BABY sister!

She did make a rather stunning elderly lady though, and both Kindle and Aunt Grace had brought food to share, having the same thought as Mia with a crowd this size.

Kindle's contribution was a banana cream pie while Aunt Grace proudly showed off the cheesy bread she'd made in her new wood fire oven!

Wow! I thought we'd be the first ones in town to boast that coveted appliance and Aunt Grace beat us to it.




Then there was Kindle's husband, my brother-in-law, Trevor, who was carrying a plate full of Teppanyaki Jumbo Shrimp!

I guess none of the dishes we'd tried in Monte Vista were a secret anymore.




Behind Trevor, there was Aunt Grace's twin sister, Julia, and Aunt Julia's oldest daughter, Jacqueline, who definitely got her looks from her mother, though she too got her father Lamar's blonde hair!

In back of Jacqueline was my nephew Bryce Schmidt, Karina and Ben's eldest child, and only son.

I thought I'd had it bad with two older sisters, but poor Bryce had three younger sisters!




Once I got turned around, and Bryce brushed the hair out of his face, I got a better photo of him.

(That Watcher Lady does come in handy for some things.)




Coming up the cobbled walkway was my cousin Deena Kindle, Aunt Grace's daughter with her husband Ian, who had taken her name when they married back in Aggie's Corner.

If the sunbrella she's carrying didn't give it away, I'm sure her glittering eyes made it clear that she's a vampire, which comes from her father's side of the family.

But what a looker with that red hair!

She's a teen, so I'm thinking I should get some advice from Uncle Ian on dealing with a teenage daughter, since I'll have two of them soon!

More to the point, dealing with all the boys hanging around a pretty daughter!




Mom's cousin Wesley Rhoen was all grown up now, and he'd inherited the blonde looks from his father, Lamar Rhoen, but you could definitely see the Kindle in him.




Cousin Lamar got his looks and blonde hair from his mother, Rayne, my Great-Grandma Summer's sister, who lives back in Aggie's Corner.

Cousin Lamar was Aunt Julia's partner so their kids, Wesley, Jacqueline, and their youngest daughter, Julianna, who was still a teen, were doubly related to us!

But what was more surprising than that was how young cousin Lamar was, he looked younger than his son Wesley!

That's when Mom reminded me that Lamar's father was a genie and they didn't age the same as humans, so we figure Lamar had definitely inherited that from his dad.

I wonder if Wesley, Jacqueline or Julianna have genie blood too?

But before I could ask, Mom told me it was time to stop the relativity lesson, which could go on forever with our huge family tree, and head down to the nectary and get our birthday party started.




I hustled downstairs and Marley, as was proper, was the first one to start twirling a noise maker.




Not very many of the guests had made it down here yet, but I went ahead and blew out my candles anyway.




But by the time my sparkles hit, a few others had joined us.

Wesley had joined Marley and they were both loudly blowing noise makers now.

While Jacqueline and Deena were clapping and cheering wildly, which had Lawrence Bedlington giving Jacqueline a longing look.

Aunt Grace and Uncle Ian's son, Irving, was watching close by as Aunt Julia and Cousin/Uncle Lamar's youngest daughter, Julianna, blew a party horn too.




I felt pretty proud of myself, I'd blown out all of my candles in one go and didn't even have a mid-life crises!




We let the guests eat the first round of cake, and then it was Marley's turn.

She even waited for me to get rid of my empty plate with her candles blazing.




Marley was making her wish just as the doorbell rang.




I'm not sure if it was the doorbell, the sparkles, or just being an adult, that caught Marley off guard.




Whatever it was, she tried to brave through it, putting her hands on her hips, just like I had done, but I could tell from her wobbly smile and unfocused eyes that something was definitely off.




Soon everyone was grabbing slices of cake and the other goodies, chatting away, and catching up on family news, enjoying themselves and having a good time.

A few guests were already thanking us for the party and heading home.




I'd been trying to make my way through the crowd and get a dance in with Marley.

And finally achieved my goal.

Getting to dance with her with both of us adults.

I didn't feel all that different and I didn't think Marley looked all that different either.

In fact, she still looked amazing in her party dress and she had some awesome dance moves!




It wasn't until we were in the kitchen and I saw her look at her reflection in the window and run a hand down her flat stomach with a look of concern, one that happened so fast I almost missed it, before she quickly put a smile on her face.

But it was then I knew what was wrong.

My wife was having a mid-life crises!!!




What would this mean for us?

Would she want to move? Change careers? Buy a flashy car?

Wait, those all sounded like guy things, girls were more about feelings…

Would she cry? Does she think she's getting fat? She's not fat!!!

Oh God! I better not even THINK the word Fat!!!

And then I realized I'd written it down. In this journal.

Well, I can't cross it out now, that would look even more suspicious!

What if Marley regretted marrying me?

Wanted to flirt with another guy? Have an affair!?!

GET A DIVORCE!!!

Great. If she does read this, now I'm giving her ideas!!!

Now I'm thinking having the mid-life crises myself would have been easier…

I could have just bought that flashy car or a boat or something! Done!

If I survive this, I'll tell you all about it in my next journal entry.

[deedee_828]

Fortunately for me, Marley was too busy over the next couple of days to dwell on mid-life issues.

She'd spent an entire morning at the library with Scott reading toddler skill books.




The library was such a focused environment that they just flew through one book after another.




But Scott wasn't the only one with a love for reading as Myrabella had a book in her hand almost every waking moment.

I'd even caught her reading in the spare room upstairs late at night so as not to disturb her sister.




And our concerns about the twins wanting to make their dolls real evaporated but also broke my heart.

Because I found Mia singing to hers down in the nectary, but heard her sigh and say, "This is our last play time. My birthday is tomorrow and I'll be too old to play with you anymore. But it's not been the same since we went to Monte Vista anyway. I think Patrick was right, traveling changed you. I'm sorry Pat."




Though I did catch Marley checking herself out in the bathroom mirror after a workout.

I wasn't sure if she was looking for wrinkles or checking for love handles, but I had the sense not to mention either of those things!

And before she could ask me, I smiled, saying, "Since it's the twins birthday, let's get their last child photo for my journal."




We found them both in the entry way diligently doing their homework.

But when we told them their birthday cakes were waiting, pencils and homework got put away fast!




Mia went first, with all of us cheering her on.




Especially Myrabella, who blew her party horn as loud as she could.




Marley looked pretty sober knowing she was about to become the mother of  two teenager daughters.

I was petrified, but just kept tooting away on that party horn hoping to cover up my fear.




Mia made her wish, blew out her candles….




And my heart stopped as a teenage Marley stood before us, the only difference being her bright red hair!

It was styled the same way Marley's was when she was a teen, and she even had Marley's tawny eyes.

Though Mia chose to follow her grandmother's example and become an equestrian, now that she was old enough to ride.




Then it was Myrabella's turn.

And she didn't waste a moment, quickly making her wish and blowing out her candles.




This time it was Mom and Dad who were shocked, Dad just staring open-mouthed.




Mia clapped delightedly for her twin, while my heart sank…

That's when Myrabella smiled and declared she was now a perfectionist.

I'm not sure what else it will mean, but I do know one thing for sure, I'm no longer a father with two pretty daughters, but of two perfectly beautiful teenage girls!

And now that it was too late, the thought of Mia spending her spare time playing with her doll and Myrabella having her nose stuck in a book sounded better and better.




We all grabbed pieces of cake and headed downstairs to the cool nectary.

Where dad regaled us with horror stories from Kindle's teenage years!

"…the house full of boys, Kindle sneaked out to a club in a storm, where she met a boy who'd already graduated…"

I just sat there feeling too sick to even take a bite of my cake, while Marley, who'd already eaten hers, looked like she might lose it any minute.

Dad finally glanced up at her and seeing her eyes so huge, he realized his mistake and lamely added, "Um…I'm sure nothing like that would happen in the house now…not with the twins…"




That's when the girls showed off their new wardrobes and hairstyles and had my heart beating a mile a minute.

And I'd never been so thankful that there weren't unrelated boys their ages in town, but then I remembered there were lots of OLDER boys attending the high school, which made me feel even more sick to my stomach.

Mia had kept her hair like Marley's was at that age, but with make-up, jeans, and a cropped shirt, she was anything but my sweet, sing-to-my-doll little girl, even if she was helping to clean up!




And Myrabella's idea of the perfect teenage look was not one that made me feel any better as she was showing off more skin than her sister, though her midriff was covered!

Maybe she'll need glasses with all of that reading, something studious, with black frames!?!

And more clothes, definitely more clothes!




But despite my suggestions, the girls headed off to school the next morning looking way too grown up for my piece of mind, though they did indulge me with a 'first day of high school' photo.

And to be honest, they both looked as nervous as I was, though I'm sure it was for different reasons!




I went inside to check on Scott and found him safely snuggled in Mom's arms.

Seeing the two of them so close together, it was easy to see where Scott got his warm brown skin tone, and with Dad's hair color, he really was the cutest toddler.




Then Mom got him set up at the peg box while she watched over him from the rocker.




To calm my nerves, I headed for the fishing pond.

Maybe focusing on catching a death fish, that elusive perfe…nope. Don't think that word, just fish!

So that's what I did.

Or tried to anyway…Fareshine decided she needed to stand right where I was fishing!




But Mom had noticed my predicament from the nursery window and she'd come outside with some horse granola which had Fareshine trotting eagerly away to get her treat.




Then the whole day turned upside down!

I heard Fareshine whinny in alarm, and my heart dropped into my stomach…I knew that sound!

I'd expected to hear it for some time, but what I didn't expect was that it would be Mom!



 
I flung down my fishing rod and raced towards her, but she faded to a ghostly gray before I'd taken two steps.

Grim was already beside her along with a stately tombstone!

I added my own yell to Fareshine's panicked whinny's and Kimo's frantic barking, but Grim's voice was clearly heard, "I come for thee, Rielle Swanson. You have lived a long and fruitful life, one filled with love, family, and friends. It is now time to join those that have gone before you." 




Mom fell to her knees and pleaded for just a moment more, to say goodbye, but Grim wasn't feeling generous today, and as Dad joined us, she'd already disappeared as Grim followed her, dissipating in a puff of black mist.

Leaving me, dad, Kimo, and Fareshine to morn our beloved mother, wife, and companion, as Mom was gone!




I'd wanted something to take Marley's mind off being an adult, so spending time with Scott, and celebrating the twins' teen birthdays had certainly helped.

But losing Mom, that had Marley's mid-life crises worries and my pretty teenage daughter ones down at the bottom of both of our lists.

I knew if we could just make it through these next couple of days, we'd be okay.

But knowing that time would ease our pain didn't help to ease the heartbreak of loss.

Not one little bit.

Thankfully, Scott was too young to be affected by it, too young to understand what had happened.

But his birthday was scheduled for tonight and Marley's family was expected later this afternoon.

Grim's timing was particularly bad this time around, but maybe Marley's family could help her get through it.

I know I could use a shoulder to cry on…

I'll do my best to write everything down in my next entry but my heads spinning and I can't focus anymore.

The pain is as much physical as emotional, with my chest aching and my mind numb.

I miss Mom so much…

[deedee_828]

As you can see from the photo, Diwan, Dad Swanson, and both our pets were in agony over Mom Swanson's loss.

I wasn't in the best shape either as I'd been friends with my mother-in-law since I was a teen, and loved her as much as I did my birth mother.

But Diwan just wasn't up to writing anymore about the event as it was too close, too painful.




But both Dad and Diwan were quick to respond to Fareshine and Kimo's distress.




Dad pushed his own hurt aside and rubbed Fareshine's neck, talking to her in a soothing voice, "It'll be okay girl, we're here for each other, and we'll get though it."




Diwan gave Kimo a belly rub, saying, "It's okay boy, the man in black is gone, and Mom will always be with us, no one can take our memories of her away! And she'll visit us, I'm sure of that."

Diwan said it so adamantly, that my heart ached for him as I knew he was saying it more for himself than for Kimo.

Though Kimo seemed to understand that Mom existed in a different form now.

But Diwan wasn't so nice to the poor paparazzi woman who hurried over as he shouted, "There won't be any comment from the family, lady, it's too soon, so go look for a scoop someplace else!"




I'd gotten a call from Myrabella earlier asking if she should cancel her homework session with her cousin, Irving Kindle, Aunt Grace and Uncle Ian's son, but I told her that if she felt up to it, it might help to focus on something else besides our loss.

Myrabella agreed, but I could hear a quiver in her voice, so I knew she'd been affected by it even if she'd been at school when it happened.

Loss is loss, and not being there for the actual event didn't make it hurt any less, in fact, not being there to say goodbye probably made it worse.

Not that any of us got to do that, with Grim being so strict about his time table.

The two of them diligently worked on their assignments, and though Irving was subdued at the loss of his Aunt Rielle, he finished first, while Myrabella found focusing on her high school homework a bit much under the circumstances.




Mia, on the other hand, came home distraught and flew into her father's arms, "Oh, Daddy, I can't believe she's gone!"

The two of them comforted each other as best they could and Diwan, being the wonderful father he is, said, "I think we both need to focus on something else, how about a driving lesson?"




I wasn't sure that was proper, or even wise, but the thought that it might ease their grief had me holding my tongue.

Neither one of them looked very comfortable in the truck, Diwan's face so sober as Mia asked, "Are you sure about this Daddy?"

Diwan nodded, then quietly said, "Just take it slow, focus, and we'll be fine."

Again, I had a feeling he wasn't just referring to the driving lesson.




Right after they drove off, my family from MV arrived, with my Dad quickly bringing their luggage inside, as I greeted everyone else.

Jake, Joshua, and their girlfriends, Thistle and Rosalie, had all celebrated their young adult birthdays, and it was a bit of a shock seeing them all grown up.

Especially Joshua, since he'd lost his hair prematurely and looked older than our father and Jake's pants were ridiculous!

I tried to hide it, but before I'd turned away, Jake had seen my questioning look and explained, saying, "Someone spilled their drink in my lap on the plane and these were the only pants they had on the plane that even came close to fitting me! I'd have changed once we landed but, somehow, my  luggage got routed someplace else, so I'm stuck with them!"




As soon as we got inside, I fell apart, collapsing in Mom's arms as I told her what happened.

"Oh, I'm so sorry Marley. I wish we'd have known, we could have re-scheduled our visit…a house full of guests is the last thing you need right now."

"Not guests Mom, family. And I do need you. You can all stay as long as you like, we have plenty of room."

She held me tight and let me cry as she said, "We'll discuss all that in a little bit. You just cry honey."




Diwan and Mia showed up then, cutting their driving lesson short as neither one of them was really in the mood and Mia was already exhausted from her first day of high school and her overwhelming grief.

Mia welcomed her grandfather with a hug, "Oh, Grandpa Jared, it's so nice to have you here…"

But her joy was short-lived as her grief struck with a vengeance, and she began sobbing in her grandfather's arms.

I saw Mom give them a sad look and I knew her heart was breaking for all of us too.

Their visit with us that we'd all looked forward to with such joy was now filled with heartache.




But Dad had kept his promise and our own wood fire oven was delivered moments later and placed on the covered back porch.

Since the twins weren't up to it, I cooked up some lasagna.

The twins were starving and so was my Dad, so they all grabbed the first plates and sat down at the kitchen table.

Dad couldn't take his eyes off the twins and finally remarked, "Well, I see you both take after your beautiful mother and grandmother, except for your Dad's red hair. Congratulations on your birthdays!"

Myrabella had already dug into her lasagna, so Mia said, "Thanks for the present Grandpa Jared. If this tastes as good as it smells, Myrabella and I will be cooking up a lot of Italian food very soon!"




And I have a feeling Jake and Thistle will be taking there relationship to the next level soon, after seeing just how flirty they were with each other as young adults.




I didn't mean to steal their thunder, but with dinner over, it was time for Scott's birthday.

I brought him to his cake and helped him blow out his candles with family cheering him on, despite our sadness.




But Mom Swanson's absence had me breaking down just after I placed Scott on the floor.

And Mia actually caught me in full blown distress, which had me rethinking if I really was the best one to be writing this entry.

But Dad Swanson told me it was okay, and it showed just how much I loved and missed our matriarch.

And though his words were meant to be reassuring, I felt even more pressure building as I realized that I was now the oldest female in our home, the one everyone would be looking to for guidance.

It was all just too much and a nasty little thought filled my mind---you could always divorce Diwan!




And though I couldn't shake my panicked thoughts, I at least had the presence of mind to step out of the photo just as Scott became a child.

His coloring made my throat close up even more, since he had his Grandpa Leonard's dark hair with Grandma Rielle's Dean skin tone, he'd become a very handsome little boy.




After eating their cake, Dad and Scott chatted a bit, and Scott told him he'd really wanted to choose Natural Cook, so he could make yummy food just like him, but he wasn't old enough for that yet, so he'd chosen angler as his new trait.

Dad was flattered and he encouraged Scott to bake with the toy oven so that he'd have a head start on cooking when he aged to teen, and then he could use the wood fire oven as well as the stove, and even the grill where he could cook all the edible fish he caught.

"With all your fresh veggies and fresh fish, your meals will be incomparable young man!"

Scott gave his grandfather a shy smile and looked pleased as punch at his words of praise, so I knew their friendship was off to a good start.




But after their long flight, they were all pretty tired, so Jake ended his video game, gave Kimo a pat, and headed to a B&B in town, with Thistle, Joshua, and Rosalie.




Mom and Dad decided to stay at the house with us for moral support, though Mom was feeling a bit sleepy too.

So I told her to grab a nap on one of the beds.

Unfortunately she chose my in-laws bedroom, and Dad Swanson didn't even pay her any mind and just crept under the covers and went to sleep!




Needless to say, Mom was mortified when she woke up and found him by her side, and she quickly joined Dad in the nursery.

I couldn't help myself from listening in for just a bit.

"I'm just glad I woke up before he did to save us both from such an awkward situation," Mom said with an embarrassed grin, her cheeks a bit flushed.




Dad was looking pretty stony-faced, as he replied, "You'd think the man would have a better sense of propriety, but I'll chalk it down to his grief, Myra."   

Mom actually laughed and said, "Just think, Jared Frio concerned about propriety, wonders will never cease!"

Dad looked even more uncomfortable as he added, "I'm not that man anymore Myra! I changed after we lost Marley."

Mom softened her tone and said, "I know Jared, her loss changed you, changed us both."

Dad sighed and said, "Changed me for the better Myra, and I don't regret that, just what had to happen for me to wake up and be a better man."

"Well, you've been a loving, caring, husband and father ever since, and now we have her back. Her, Diwan, the grandchildren. She has a wonderful life here Jared, filled with family and love. The farm is amazing, the twins have become beautiful teens, Scott's a handsome little boy. But…"

"But what?"

"I just hope she doesn't throw all that away and do something foolish. She's got a wild look in her eye, and I don't think it's just because of the loss of Diwan's mother. In fact, the stress of now being the family matriarch could very well compound the issue."

I saw my father's face even turn more sober as Mom's words struck him almost as forcefully as they had me!




They say you don't hear very nice things when you eavesdrop, especially about yourself, and I found that out in spades!

I can't believe Mom had guessed something was wrong, I thought I'd hidden it better than that.

But her words had shocked some sense back into me, and I dismissed my ugly thoughts, knowing they were the direct result of my adult birthday, quickly followed by Mom Swanson's passing, and feeling totally overwhelmed with the responsibility I now carried.

I went to up to bed, determined to shake myself out of this mid-life crisis and my own disturbing thoughts.

My head and heart were much clearer in the morning, and watching Myrabella practicing chess, seeing her so totally focused despite her heartache at her grandmother's passing, made me realize just how foolish my thoughts had been about leaving Diwan and the farm.

I could do this…I HAD to do this, it was the proper thing to do!




When I pulled Mom aside, I could see the worry for me clearly etched into her face, so I quickly put her mind at ease, "I know it was wrong to eavesdrop, Mom, but hearing your words, well, I realized just how foolish my thoughts had been! Becoming an adult, having teenage daughters, then Mom Swanson's passing and becoming the matriarch of this family, Scott becoming a child…it was just too much, too fast! But your words were a wake up call as I realized just how much I had to lose and just how precious it all is to me, Diwan, the twins, Scott, the farm…yes it is a lot, but…it's so much more than so many others have! I'm not going to do anything that would jeopardize all of that!"




The relief on Mom's face was almost instant as she pulled me in for a soothing hug, "Oh, sweetheart, I'm so glad to hear that! I was so worried for you, what you might do with all this piling up at once. I know you're strong, independent, growing up the way you did made you that way. But you didn't turn despondent, brooding, or bitter with all of that, and I know that you can get through this too. The biggest thing you need to remember is that being proper doesn’t mean you have do this alone. Diwan's family didn't get their farm to this point without all of them working together, so don't try to carry everything on your own shoulders. You've always got me and your father, your brothers, your father-in-law, and especially Diwan, to love and support you. And I know Leonard, Diwan, and all of the children will work right along side you to keep the family and the farm going. If you let them!"

"That is definitely something I need to keep in mind! I am not alone in this! And with all of you with me, I can do this, WE can do this!"

"That's my girl! Now dry your tears and we'll do something special to honor the previous matriarch of this family."

"Oh, what a wonderful idea, Mom! That sounds just perfect…"

"Yes, the PROPER thing to do!"

And with Mom's words, despite our sadness at our loss, we both smiled, and the ache in my heart eased a bit.




Since Mother Swanson was an equestrian, her love of horses and riding her contribution to the farm, we thought it was fitting that her memorial grace the barn, so she could continue to be close to her beloved Fareshine, the legacy of Sunshine and Wayfarer.

We started off by placing a family portrait on the wall of the main floor, but when Dad Swanson showed us all the trophies that Rielle had won over her years of competing, we realized there wouldn't be any place for Fareshine to even move!




So we had local contractors build a loft area and when it was finished, Leonard, Diwan, the twins, Scott, my Mom and Dad, and I, brought all of those trophies together.

And once we were satisfied with the results, we took several photos, sending one off to the local paper, accompanied by our heartfelt testimony for the passing of our matriarch.

Rielle Swanson, the 2nd generation heir of the Swanson family, took her leave this past Wednesday morning, the 6th week and the 4th day of her life in Appaloosa Plains at 102 days old, though her family believes she might have been a few days older than that.

She leaves among us, her loving husband Leonard Diwan Swanson, her daughter Kindle and husband Trevor Gallo, her daughter Karina and husband Benjamin Schmidt, and her son, the 3rd generation heir, Diwan Swanson and his wife Marley (Frio), along with Kindle and Trevor's five children, Karina and Ben's four children, and Diwan and Marley's three children, for a total of twelve grandchildren, a grand familial legacy in and of itself!

But her contribution to this community did not stop there, as she was also a horse lover and a renowned equestrian, one who rode her beloved pets, Sunshine, Wayfarer, and their filly, Fareshine, to victory, time and time again. Below is the families loving memorial to a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, one of the greatest horsewomen to grace our community, one who passed that same love on to her granddaughter, Mia, who will be continuing in her grandmother's footsteps as an equestrian. Rielle Swanson, you will be missed, but never forgotten, as your legacy is firmly established and you will live on in the memories of friends and family in both of the towns you called home, Aggie's Corner and Appaloosa Plains, but even more so in the minds and hearts of your friends, pets, and especially family.




Though most of us were still in mourning, stopping to wipe a tear now and again, helping to put together this memorial, both the one in the barn loft, as well as the written words in the paper, seemed to ease all of our hearts a bit more.

And Mom was right, working together as a family to do this, drew us all even closer together.

As everyone left the loft, one by one, Diwan gently took my hand in his and said, "Thank you. When her spirit visits, I know she'll love this! It's just perfect Marley…"

As Diwan's anxious eyes looked into mine, I knew he was leaving something out, "But?"

"But I'm more worried about you, are you okay?"

I squeezed his hand tightly, and replied, "I'm okay, but more to the point, WE'RE okay Diwan! My Mom helped me to see the error of my dangerous thoughts and I'll do my best to banish them as quickly as I can!"

Diwan's relief was plain to see and he smiled as he squeezed my hand again, saying, "Well, you can't always control your thoughts, but as long as you don't act on them, I can live with that!"

"Now that's one promise I can make, I love you Diwan, the children, this farm, and this is where I belong!"

With those words ringing in our ears, we left the loft and walked to the house hand in hand.

Tomorrow would bring it's own trials and joys, but together was definitely the proper way to continue the Swanson legacy.

I'm not sure who'll be writing the next entry, but it will continue.
Until next time.

[deedee_828]

The memorial that Myra and Marley helped us all put together really did help ease the heartache of Mom's loss.

But life goes on despite our trials and tribulations and we felt getting back into a normal routine would be the best for all us.

For the twins that was furthering their high school education, and though they made it through the day well enough, as soon as the last bell rang and they stepped outside, they couldn't contain their grief any longer.

Mia openly sobbed at the loss of her grandmother, family ties were so important to her that she was filled with joy when things were going well for all of us, so the opposite happened when things went badly and her tender heart was struck with the force of our loss.




Myrabella wasn't immune to the sense of loss either, though she managed to stop herself from breaking down in public, through shear force of will, though earning her first 'A' helped, I'm sure.

Though I'm sure if she'd noticed her cousin Evan behind her, saw the distinctive hair he'd inherited from her grandmother, she wouldn't have been able to do so.




Evan's YA birthday was coming up soon, but under the circumstances there weren't any plans for a big family party.

Though with both his parents and four siblings there, it would be a big enough event.

I don't know him as well as I would have liked to, we always seemed to be so busy with our own family and the farm, but I'm thinking that we should show him how proud we are of him, maybe with a nice fat check as a graduation present?!?

I'm sure he wouldn't mind that at all!

And seeing the look of concern on his face for his younger cousins, he seems like a deserving young man.




Dad continued to shower Kimo with love and attention, which our faithful friend lapped up like nobody's business.

And this kept Dad from wallowing in grief as well.




Fareshine was much harder to console and had been steadily declining, going from shock, to sadness, to absolute despair at the loss of her trainer, rider, and closest friend.




Fareshine's mood would improve slightly when she was involved in other activities, like playing with her horse ball.

But her attention on it wouldn't last very long, and she'd just stand there, staring at it forlornly, whinnying loudly for her missing rider and companion.




Marley kept herself busy exercising, still worried about 'love handles' and wrinkles and such, though she banished any other wild ideas, thankfully.




But Mom's loss still caught her off guard from time to time, even in the middle of a workout.

And she'd have to stop and wipe away a tear before continuing.




Dad got a myriad of calls from family and friends offering their condolences, though some of the older ladies in town were a bit more forward, asking dad out for drinks or a meal.

One of them even had the gall to ask him out on a date!

But Dad just put them all off, nice as could be, saying he wasn't up to that yet, though his eyes did have a bit of a twinkle after the date call.

It made me realize just how irresistible Dad still was, even at 109!




And though Myrabella held it together at school, she broke down as soon as she walked into the house.

Mia's soft heart wouldn't allow her to just watch her twin suffer.




She quickly walked to her and did her best to cheer her up.

"It's okay to cry, Bella. Don't feel that you are alone in this. I'm here for you."

Dad couldn't hold back his fond smile as he saw the twins together, but he didn't say anything to ruin their sisterly moment.




And Myrabella rewarded her sister's thoughtfulness by declaring her a best friend forever.

Mia was thrilled with that honor, but was then stricken with her grandmother's loss once again!




So the two of them consoled each other.




Focusing on homework helped to get their thoughts off Mom's leaving us, but Myrabella's brainstorm took me by surprise.

"Oh, I've just had the most wonderful idea! You should go to Uni with me Mia!"

Mia didn't stop reading her next math problem, just said, "I'd planned on just hanging around here after our birthdays, riding and racing Fareshine, then maybe get a place with you after you finished Uni. I don't need a degree to do that."

"But just think of the fun we'll have together, besides…I can't go to Uni without my BFF! And you could still study riding, work on getting more fit for it. You love the outdoors and that's one of the traits that helps the Phys Ed degree, along with athletic skill and riding skill. If you decided college life just isn't what you want, you wouldn't have to go back for another term. And you just might meet the love of your life there and have that family you know you want!"

I could see Mia wavering under her sister's argument, especially that last one, and it almost stuck me like a blow, BOTH of them could be leaving for Uni soon, not just Myrabella!

And even if Mia didn't want to pursue a degree, it sure sounded like she wanted to pursue a relationship!

My girls were growing up faster than I was ready for, that's for sure.




Then Scott came home from his first day of school, after going to the supermarket to do some research for a school project, and asked Marley to help him with his homework.

Marley was so thrilled she sat right down with him in the entry way, without even showering after her workout.

She always does low impact aerobics, not breaking a sweat, so it wasn't like she needed a shower, just something under her 'proper' things to do list.




Right after finishing her homework, Myrabella grabbed some Uni freebies, donning the t-shirt, and eagerly taking the aptitude test.




But seeing her frown, I realized the test wasn't as easy as she'd hope it would be.

And I was right.

She'd gotten a partial scholarship, $1000 simoleans towards her first semester, scoring 1572 out of 2400, but she was disappointed to learn that her current skills only earned her +6 credits towards degrees in either Technology, Science and Medicine, or Fine Arts.

I breathed a little easier thinking those results might dampen her enthusiasm for higher education as it required 48 credits to graduate.

With only +6 credits, that would mean having to earn 42 more credits, a daunting two or three terms, either with two 18 credit weekly terms, or one two week 36 credit term, plus one 6 credit term to obtain a degree!




But my reckoning was faulty because Myrabella just put the test away, gave me a bright smile and said, "Well, now I know where I stand and what I need to work on!"

"You still want to go to Uni needing all those credits?" I asked puzzled, the very idea of being trapped inside slogging over books a nightmare to me.

"Oh, that was just my first attempt at the aptitude test Dad, I didn't expect to do all that well with my limited skill set. I've got a jump on any of the degrees being a genius, and being a perfectionist doubles my traits score towards a Science and Medicine degree, which is the one I want. But you can take the aptitude test again and again, and once I have a few more skill points in several areas, I will do just that! My goal is +18 credits towards a Science and Medicine degree, which requires fishing and gardening as well as science, or alchemy skills, and I can get started on the first two right here on the farm! My guess is that they help develop your pre-Science and pre-Med skills using basic life and plant forms, so it makes sense to start with marine biology and botany."

Having Myrabella explain it so thoroughly, and with such enthusiasm, I had no doubt she was right and also that she wasn't going to let anything stop her from attending Uni!

But it was nice to know that Uni professors saw the value of hands-on fishing and gardening, not just 'book learning', and had Myrabella finally interested in helping out here on the farm.




And help out she did, heading straight for the garden, crouching down to weed and harvest some French grape plants, despite the sun sinking below the horizon and one of the sprinklers coming on in the bed behind her.

She was pretty dedicated to the task she set herself, not stopping until she'd earned two skill points, then finally heading inside for a late dinner, a shower, and bed.




Mia chose to spend some time with Fareshine when her homework was finished.

First petting and talking to her, then giving her a good brushing, as well as cleaning her hooves.

Tasks that Mom usually did, and with Mia following in Mom's footsteps as an equestrian, it was pretty obvious who would be taking over Fareshine's care, now that Mom wasn't here to take care of her.

But even with Mia's devoted attention, Fareshine's mood wasn't improving much.




After homework, Scott joined me out at the pond, to put his new trait to use, and boy did it make me proud to have my boy following in my footsteps!

Even being so young, Scott new what he wanted to do with his life, fishing now, cooking when he was a teen, then gardening when he became a young adult.

Best of all, he had no plans for Uni or leaving the farm; it may be a little premature, but I think I've found my heir for this gen!

Myrabella wants to focus on Uni, earn that coveted Science and Medicine degree and become a doctor due to her love of learning and logic.

Mia would be a great heir, loving the outdoors, being family-oriented, and loving horses and riding, but she really wants to focus on racing and having a family, without the extra chores of keeping up with a farm. I can't blame her for that, the farm is a LOT of work, even with a team of gardeners every day, and with expansions with every generation, only going to get bigger, which means even more work.

But Scott's whole outlook, right now at least, focuses on the farm, fishing and gardening, and putting all that fresh fish and veggies together to make some incredible meals.

Don't get me wrong, we've always had plenty to eat here on the farm, but gourmet cooks we are not, though the wood fire oven has definitely provided some variety to our meals, delicious variety at that!




Early the next morning, Scott decided to cut his own hair and though it looked a bit choppy, it looked good on him.

An easy style to keep up with for an outdoor loving little fisherman!




Then he picked out some new outfits that included his favorite color, violet!

That had me a bit worried, because violet's like a kind of pinky purple…and how would that look on a boy, my son?!?

But Marley helped him and for his athletic wear they chose a pink/purple/violet camo sleeveless tank over a white t-shirt with gray shorts and sneakers, and he looked just fine.




They found the same camo material in swim trunks.




And they chose some darker violet colored summer pajamas.

They were a little too pink for my taste, but with the gray train and collar, not bad.

And Scott was so thrilled to be able to choose his own clothes in his favorite color, that I just couldn't bear to take that away from him!




Well, despite losing Mom, we've all done our best to carry on.

Mia's focused on Fareshine and hoping to get the poor horse out of her doldrums, enough to start riding her soon.

Myrabella's going full steam ahead to learn more skills to earn more credits towards a Science and Medicine degree, as well as persuading her twin to join her for at least one term at Uni.

Scott's adjusting well to grade school and wants to fish, make friends, and have fun, in typical kid fashion.

Marley's slowly coming to terms with being an adult, confining her worries to exercising to keep fit and trim.

Just as Dad is coming to terms with being a widower, keeping busy with Kimo, the garden, and spending plenty of time just relaxing in a rocker. After all his hard work over the years, he deserves it!

Me, I'm hanging in there too, fishing with Scott and Dad, and still trying to catch that elusive perfect Deathfish!

Maybe I need to try the cemetery pond one more time?

I'm all out of Angelfish though, so that means another trip to Cinnamon Crest Falls to catch some!

All things considered, we've come through this better than I expected, and I know we can all see the light at the end of the tunnel now.

In fact, writing all this down has really helped me gain some perspective, and I know for a fact that Mom would be happy knowing we haven't given up on our legacy or this journal.

So I'll tell you all about the next happenings as soon as I get a free minute.

[deedee_828]

Scott wasn't the only one up early Friday morning, Myrabella hit the garden before the sun's rays did!

She was determined to earn another gardening skill point and then get started on her fishing skill this weekend, so she could take the aptitude test again, to see if 3 skill points in each one would be enough to earn her the +18 credits.




And with Mia asking Marley to train her in athletics before the bus arrived, it looks like she's seriously considering her sister's suggestion to give Uni a try.

She already had 2 athletic skill points from all the swimming she did in Monte Vista during our vacation when she was a child, so if Myrabella's theory is correct, one more should help her earn some credits towards a Phys Ed degree.

But with Marley's fierce tone and Mia's pained face, I really felt for my oldest daughter.




But their training session was cut short when they both broke down in grief.

My heart went out to both of them, but before I could offer a shoulder to cry on, the bus beeped it's horn for Mia, and Marley headed to the nectar makers, determined to complete her wish to make 100 bottles of nectar, along with mastering the skill.




Under the guise of seeing just how far along she was with the skill, starting her last point actually, I got to watch her stomp grapes in her bikini, something I will never get tired of, even if she doesn't think me ogling her is proper!

And seeing just how slim and trim she was, I shook my head at the idea that she thought she had 'love handles'.

No doubt in my mind, Marley was beautiful inside and out, and I was one lucky guy to have her for my wife!




Since it was Friday night, Scott invited a couple of his classmates over after school, hoping to make some new friends.

The boy was Dequan Boston and the little fairy girl was Alysia Wilks.

As soon as my son shook Alysia's hands, I saw a light come on in his eyes and I knew he was smitten!

Sure enough, he confessed to me later that he really wanted to become friends with Alysia, and not just friends, but good friends too.




To that end, he chatted away with her in the living room, talking about fishing, the weather, anything he could think of.




He even told her a ghost story, and by the rapt way she was listening, I knew these two would be friends in no time.




Then Scott's cousins dropped by for a visit, Kindle's youngest twins, Deanna, who unexpectedly got bright blonde hair, and Brianna, who's dark like both her parents, Kindle and Trevor.

And Scott welcomed them eagerly too, friendly boy that he is.

He'd been hoping to make friends with their older brothers, Tyler and Chad, but they both had birthdays and were in high school now, along with their older cousin, Bryce, the oldest Schmidt child, and the only boy that Karina and Ben have.

So Scott is the only boy amongst the younger children in the family, going to school with Deanna, Brianna, Jessica, and Claire, and Jess was soon to be a teen too.

Just thinking about how old all the kids were in this generation had me feeling old and just shaking my head at how quickly time passed.




Scott didn't neglect Dequan either, and they played on the water slide and got in a game of tag before we called them in to eat some dinner.




Dinner wasn't very elaborate, just leftover hotdogs and goopy carbonara, but the kids ate it all up, chatting away as only kids can when they barely know each other.

Scott was the attentive host and cleaned up his plate while the other kids finished eating.




Dequan and Brianna followed his example, which had Dad thinking about what a helpful boy Dequan was.

And commending both him and Brianna for being so thoughtful and courteous.

Brianna beamed at her grandfather's praise and shot a look at her twin sister's dirty plate still lying on the table, saying, "Deanna is lazy, and not helpful at all, she doesn't clean up her plate at home either! Mom and Dad are always getting after her about it!"

I saw Dad turn away to hide his smirk as Kindle hadn't been the most helpful around the house when she was young either, not until her teen years and she was trying to suck up when she was grounded!

But neither Dad nor I wasn't about to divulge that information to Brianna, being a parent now myself, I knew we had to stick together and show a united front, or we'd have all sorts of issues with this next generation!

So I just smiled at Brianna and added my praise as well, "It's always nice to see kids helping out around the house, especially doing so without be badgered into it. It makes parents enjoy having their children's friends around and allowing a lot more get togethers."

I could see that my words had hit home as both Dequan's and Brianna's eyes had lit up at the thought of more invites to the farm, as well having guests of their own, ensuring even more cooperation from the children, both at our home and their own.

For once I felt I was really getting the hang of this 'parenting' thing!




And my satisfaction grew even more when Myrabella joined me by the pond to try her hand at fishing.

I was a bit surprised at how earnestly she'd started on her gardening skill, but truly floored when she followed through on learning to fish.

But the longer we stood there with nothing biting, I could see her impatience growing as she shifted from foot to foot, and recast her line, again and again.

I finally said, "Fishing is mostly about patience Bella, just relax and enjoy this beautiful summer evening. Take no notice of the fish and they'll come to you."

I don't know if it was my words or if it was just me using the diminutive of her name, something I hadn't done before, but she took a deep breathe and I could feel the tension ease out of her, even being several feet away.




But her peaceful state didn't last long as she felt a tug on her line, and pulled in her first fish with an elated shout, "That worked, Dad! I actually caught a fish! Even before you did!"

Her words made me realize that part of her anxiety had been fishing with me, afraid that she'd embarrass herself by not catching any fish.

That definitely was her perfectionist trait coming to the fore!

Needless to say, I didn't mention the fact that I was fishing with a bare hook and had been for some time.

That tidbit of information will stay firmly locked within my mind and these pages.

And it wasn't long after that that Bella earned her 2nd fishing skill point and called it a night, saying she was hungry, needed a shower, and was exhausted.

I didn't doubt it, with her being in the garden before dawn, having a full day of school, and then fishing until almost midnight!




Not to be outdone, Mia was up early Saturday morning, trying her hand at the wood fire oven to work on her cooking skill.

And though the quality was normal, it was the tastiest breakfast calzone we'd ever had.

True it was the only breakfast calzone any of us had, but we still thanked Mia for making a group meal instead of just a single serving.




She even volunteered to clean up, but we found out later that there was a reason for that.

Isn't there always a reason when a kid volunteers to do something?

That's definitely on my list of 'things that I learned being a parent'!

Anyway, Mia's need for privacy was because she was making a phone call, a phone call she'd wanted to make for the last couple of days, and had just connected the dots to justify her actions.




A phone call that led to a new visitor to the house.

A personable young woman that Mia greeted eagerly.

"Oh, so quickly! I haven't even mentioned it to my parents yet!"

The young woman seemed a bit startled by that admission and said, "Are you sure they're going to be okay with this? It's a big responsibility!"

Mia nodded her head and said, "They'll understand my reasons. Mostly it's because of my grandmother's passing, so it's not just for me, it's for Fareshine too, my grandmother's horse."

The woman nodded and offered her condolences, "I'm so sorry. I read about that in the paper. Your grandmother was such a fine horsewoman and it's nice to know that her granddaughter is going to follow in her footsteps."




Overhearing that conversation, it wasn't as much of a shock when we saw Mia head outside and greet our newest family member, Ripley Swanson!

He was a Thoroughbred and even being a fisherman I could tell he was a fine specimen of horse flesh.

Mia talked to him calmly, in the same tone Mom had used with her horses, and it wasn't long before he was nuzzling her and they were clearly on the fast track to becoming friends.




But moments later, when Ripley trotted off to the barn, we had a much better understanding of her actions.

Because Mia had quickly called Fareshine, whispered a few words to her, and sent her over to the barn too!




Where Fareshine eagerly greeted Ripley, nickering at him, sniffing him all over, and showing her complete enthusiasm for Mia's decision!

And just look at the two of them, both a sable brown with Fareshine a shade darker than Ripley, but being counterpoints with their manes and tails being opposite colors, Fareshine's white to Ripley's black, with Fareshine having a white sock and Ripley two of them, though much smaller than Fareshine's, though Ripley's tail was long and flowing, almost touching the ground.

Leave it to Mia to understand exactly what Fareshine needed, companionship of her own kind to get her through the grief and confusion of Mom's passing.




And it wasn't long before the two horses were whinnying, romping, and showing off for each other with fancy jumps.




Mia worked on her homework while the horses got acquainted, then she answered her grandfather's text to come see him in the nectary with a bit of trepidation.

She found him in a rocker and timidly started to apologize, "I'm so sorry, Grandpa! I know I should have asked first, but it hit me while I was cooking breakfast, that adopting a horse wouldn't just be for my benefit, but for Fareshine's too. She's been so lonely since Grandma left and…" She waved her arms helplessly, adding, "I though it might help her."

"Help her? Child, she's come back to life! It hurt me so much to see her that way, it was like losing your grandmother every time I saw her hanging her head, listlessly looking at her ball, whinnying out of sadness. But hearing those two horses racing around up there, it was like when Fareshine's dame and sire were young, before she was born, whinnying and pounding hoofs to wake the family ghosts! I'm sure your grandmother will be visiting soon to see what all the commotion's about! And she'll be keeping an eye on you too, Mia, as you learn to ride. I'm sure part of the reason for adopting Ripley is because Fareshine is too much horse for you to handle, isn't that so?"




Mia nodded, and hugged her grandfather tightly, thankful that he understood the situation, and said, "Grandma was a grown woman and a skilled rider and racer when she started training Fareshine, so that made me very nervous. Once I gain some athletic skill, and riding skill on Ripley, I think I'll be strong enough to handle her."

"It's better to know your limitations, Mia, than to overestimate them, especially with horses. It's not only the rider that can get hurt, but the horse as well. It makes me feel even better about your judgement in getting a horse to train that will learn with you. Though…your parents might have wanted to be let in on the plan before Ripley showed up!"

"Well, I thought I'd have more time. When they said, they'd bring him over 'shortly' I thought that meant a few days at least!"

"You can thank your grandmother for that, when you contact the horse center with the Swanson name, you can bet they'll be prompt!"




Marley headed for the mailbox to grab the mail after we got a call about bills being overdue soon!

We'd all totally forgotten Mom was the one who'd taken 'no bills ever' with some of the HP she'd earned, so I quickly paid what was due, and made sure that wouldn't happen again by using some of my own HP to take the same reward.

Marley found Bella by the mailbox taking the aptitude test again since she'd now earned three skill points in fishing and gardening.

And Bella's calculations proved correct as she scored higher this time, earning 1694 of 2400 points, which was still only a partial scholarship of $1000 simoleans, but more importantly, she'd earned +18 credits towards her Science and Medicine degree!

Marley congratulated Bella (the nickname being used on a regular basis now) on reaching her goal, only to find out that Bella wasn't done yet, she was determined to learn new skills to round out her skill set even more and go for a full scholarship!

Not surprising for a perfectionist, and not something Marley was going to discourage, with her being frugal and all.




Bella headed straight to a mirror to start building up her Charisma, using my grandparents bedroom, so as not to disturb anyone with her speech practice.




And Mia had built up enough of a friendship with Ripley, talking to him, petting him, giving him a good brushing down, as well as cleaning his hooves, to get him used to a saddle and carrying her weight.

She even walked Ripley around the yard a bit.

She looked pretty nervous but she murmured soothing words to Ripley to keep him at a slow and steady walk, "That's it boy, slow sure steps, like we're heading off into the sunset, just like in all the movies."




The twins are focusing on gaining skills, building on current ones and learning new ones.

With Bella now having earned +18 credits towards her Science and Medicine degree, but being determined to earn a full scholarship, so more skilling lies in her future.

Scott's meeting his new schoolmates and trying to build up friendships amongst them, friendly boy that he is.

Mia's adopted an untrained horse, Ripley, who can learn his racing and jumping skills while Mia gains her first riding skills, both of them being beginners.

And Ripley also provides some much needed companionship for Fareshine, so he's definitely a welcomed member of the family, pulling double duty.

I'll keep tabs on their progress and tell you all about it in Journal Entry 136: More Skilling, More Friends
Coming soon.

[deedee_828]

Mia gradually became much more relaxed in the saddle, Ripley's slow walk making it easy for Mia to hang on and giving her some much needed confidence in her newly developed riding skill.

This only proved that Mia's decision to adopt an untrained horse had been wise, especially as Fareshine galloped past them at top speed across the field!

Neither Mia nor Ripley were ready for that in the least, but they both watched Fareshine, impressed with her speed and agility, which gave them both something to strive for.




I found Scott playing in the tree house, watching for pirates and spying on the neighborhood, enjoying it just as much as all the outdoor loving Swanson kids had over the generations.




It wasn't long before Mia and Ripley expanded their rides to include the neighboring streets and Ripley truly enjoyed his brushings before and after their forays.

Mia even confessed that she'd been thinking about becoming a jockey like her grandmother, both as her lifetime wish and her career.

We weren't surprised at that, with her having the same love of horses and riding as Mom, but we told her that it was early days yet and nothing she had to decide right now.




And with both Ripley and Mia being beginners, it wasn't surprising for Mia to become saddle-sore or Ripley to want the heavy saddle and it's rider, off, sooner rather than later.

One such outing was cut even shorter when Mia got a call from Eric Marshall asking her out on a date!

She was a little shocked as she reached her destination, the public school in town, to find out it was prom night!

Her date hadn't mentioned that and Mia wasn't at all dressed for a formal prom, so her nervousness increased.




But that nervousness changed to chagrin when she finally met up with Eric and realized he was much taller than he'd been Friday in school!

Eric's words echoed her own disappointment as he looked down at her and said, "I'm sorry, Mia. I hadn't realized it was so close to my birthday, my timing couldn't have been more off!"

Mia nodded, her own disappointment clearly showing on her face, as she said, "I'm sorry too. But that doesn't mean we can't still hang out as friends."




Eric liked that suggestion and they eagerly started chatting, learning each others likes and dislikes, as well as discussing their future plans.

Eric told her that he loved books, both reading and writing them, and hoped to have one of his own books published soon.

Mia congratulated him but soon realized they didn't have much in common as Eric preferred being indoors and wasn't fond of horses either, so she headed home.

I know Mia was disappointed, as I overheard her confessing to her twin that she though Eric was really cute and she loved his wavy auburn hair!

But for me, having him age up and be too old to date my daughter, well, I was happy with that!




Bella used the wood fire oven to make us all dinner and work on increasing her cooking skill.

She made sure to start off with something simple, so it was traditional pepperoni pizza, something we all enjoyed.




After dinner, Scott grabbed a fishing pole and happily settled in for some fishing in our pond.

I took up a spot across from him, giving him pointers from time to time, but focusing on catching that perfect Deathfish, since it's still been eluding me, even using it's preferred bait Angelfish.




The twins asked for permission to go to the library so they could gain more skills, and with most of the other high school kids at the prom, I figured that was a safe enough place for them on a Saturday night.

Mia focused on her riding skill, wanting to gain some additional skill points without adding more saddle-sores to her posterior, which we couldn't blame her for!

Bella read a variety of skill books to round out her skill sets, Charisma, Handiness, and Cooking, gaining three points in each one.

This took some time, of course, but being a Saturday night with no curfew, and the girls being safely at the empty library, it caused us no worries.




I fished with Scott for several hours, as for anglers, time isn't even a consideration when we're fishing, but while Scott caught fish and frogs, I still wasn't having any luck catching that perfect Deathfish that I coveted.

So when it hit midnight, I sent Scott off to bed and headed to the cemetery across town.




I caught several Deathfish and finally realized my dream of that perfect specimen after fishing for just a few minutes!

And I didn't even try to keep my satisfaction from showing as I was truly proud of my accomplishment!




Sunday morning, I told Dad all about my catch, and he suggested stocking our pond with that perfect one, so I could catch more of them!

"Now that's a great idea dad! I hadn't thought of that. Maybe that's why I wasn't catching a perfect one, there were none in there of such high quality!"

Dad and I talked about everything under the sun, the farm, the kids, fond memories of Mom, and I didn't want the conversation to end.

Dad was 111 now and there was no telling when a conversation with him would be the last, a thought that filled my heart with sorrow since most of us had just gotten over losing Mom.




Marley took Bella for her first driving lesson in one of the motive mobiles so I knew it wouldn't be long before we'd have another driver in the family.




Following Marley's example, I found Mia and suggested we continue her driving lessons and she eagerly accepted.

She preferred driving one of our old farm trucks, so off we went, a bit faster this time as Mia had already earned a driving skill point from our first lesson.




When we got back, I was shocked to find Scott playing with one of those disturbing dolls, even more so when he told me he got it after Marley picked up the mail recently, as the creepy thing must have been in the mailbox since Scott's birth!

I quickly suggested that Scott invite some of his classmates over, hoping to distract him.




And it worked, as Scott eagerly greeted Alysia who had a friend visiting her, Kari Loveland, that Scott invited over as well.

Kari had been the youngest child of the Loveland's until her baby brother, Monte, was born, adding a 7th child to the Loveland/Singleton clan!

Rumor has it that Gracie has commitment issues, which is why she hasn't married Rodney, but that hasn't stopped them from having a huge family together, though they live in separate homes.




Then Scott and Alysia had a rousing pillow fight in the garden, with both feathers and laughter filling the air.




Bella found Kari off by herself having fun on the rockin' rider, but when Kari complimented Bella on her braided hair and outfit, Bella offered to help her with a make-over, and Kari was delighted.




Kari was thrilled with the results and couldn't wait to show off her new look to everyone, especially Scott, who had come inside as it had started to rain.

"I'm really glad you let me come over to your house today Scott. Your sister Bella is so nice, she even fixed my hair and helped me put together some matching outfits. My older sister's are waaaay to busy to bother with me since they became teens."

Scott was more glad than ever that he'd chosen his own hair style and clothes, for as much as he loved his sisters, being on the receiving end of a teenage sister's make-over gave him the shudders, something I wholeheartedly agreed with, having older sisters myself!




Kari even showed off her blue athletic outfit, deciding it was even cooler for the summer weather.

Scott nodded over both outfits agreeing they looked nice on her and adding, "I love having friends over Kari, so you've got a standing invitation to visit the farm any time you want. Let's go play with my blocks!"




After her driving lesson and earning her license, Bella cooled off in one of the sprinkler's and then started in on her 3rd aptitude test.

"Third times the charm!" she pronounced determinedly, and then she focused on the test.

And this time she nailed it, scoring 1937 of 2400 points, which not only had her gaining +18 points towards a Technology or Fine Arts degree in addition to her preferred, Science and Medicine degree, but also +6 points towards Business and Phys Ed degrees!

But more importantly, she also earned a full scholarship!




Mia, with her twin's encouragement, took the aptitude test for the first time, and though she didn't qualify for a scholarship, only earning 1188 of 2400 points, with her loves the outdoors trait, and three points in athletics and riding skills, she did earn +18 credits towards a Phys Ed degree, the only one she was really interested in.

She seemed a bit disappointed about not even earning a partial scholarship but we told her money really wasn't a concern and we had plenty to see her through a Uni education, if that's what she really wanted.

Bella went even further than that saying, "You've still got plenty of time to gain additional skills and earn more credits and some scholarship money. And if you get good grades, you can always apply for more aid, there are lots of programs at Uni for good students. I'm going to keep working on my logic skill before we leave for Uni, as that will be a big factor after I earn my degree and send my resume to the hospital. But I'll study fishing, gardening, and science when we get there, to build up my academic performance fast, and get on the dean's list!"

Just hearing Bella talk about learning, studying, and getting on the dean's list, I knew she wasn't going to settle for anything less than perfection!




By now the younger kids were all hungry so they ate leftover pizza, and I could tell Scott was well on the way to making another friend.

Kari was a sweet girl and helpfully cleaned up her own plate, definitely earning brownie points with me, Marley, and Dad.




Then Alysia said her goodbyes and headed home, as Scott chatted with Kari a bit more.

And I knew we'd be seeing a lot more of Kari when Scott asked, "Maybe you could sleepover sometime? We could sleep in one of our tents, or just under the moon and stars in our sleeping bags, if it's nice night. And our tree house is fun to camp out in too, I slept there last night, but it would be a lot more fun with a friend!"

Kari seem struck speechless by Scott's offer and just nodded her head.

I had a feeling that with a new baby brother at home, and no longer being the youngest, Kari was feeling a little lonely, so Scott's offer of a sleepover and, especially being called a friend, had come at a very opportune time.




Then I heard a startled gasp coming from my grandparents bedroom where Mia was practicing Charisma in the mirror.

I peeked in and heard her having an animated conversation about pets.

Which wouldn't have been an issue, if she'd been looking into the mirror.

But she wasn't looking into the mirror at all, her eyes were focused in front of her, about Scott's height in fact, but no one was there!

The room was empty except for Mia!




I pulled back from the bedroom door, my heart pounding and I could feel sweat popping out on my brow as my skin felt cold and clammy.

Was Mia going crazy? Talking to herself? To an invisible friend?

But she was a teen and much to old for that.

So was I going crazy? Seeing and hearing her to talk to someone but being all alone in the room?

No. Mia and I were both down to earth, not insane, neurotic or even dramatic.

So there had to be another explanation.

Then it struck me!

The only time I'd seen Mia so focused, so animated was when she had been playing with her doll!

Could something have triggered it to become like Patrick, an imaginary friend?

Patrick!

I grabbed the name like a lifeline, Patrick and Jake were the only ones I knew with any knowledge of those mysterious dolls and how they worked.

My eyes darted to the wall clock and my heart fell as, with the time difference, it was much too late to call Monte Vista.

I'd have to wait until morning, and the way I felt right now, I knew I wouldn't be sleeping a wink tonight!

Not with an invisible…thing…talking to my daughter and filling her head with who knows what kind of ideas!

If we survive this, whatever this is, I promise to tell you all about it.