Welcome to the August 16th, 2001 edition of the Valencic family newsletter

Things have slowed down here at the Valencic household.  As most of you know, Joseph returned home to his Heavenly Father on July 31st 2001.  The viewing/funeral etc took place on August 3rd.  Almost all of Tom's family was able to make it out here to Ohio (Adam is on his mission in Taiwan and just couldn't make it- we understood!)  With much greater distances involved, most of my family was not able to come, but Jason did come and was able to stay until the 5th.  Anton, Tom's brother, got here the 30th and stayed until August 14th.  We miss him already, he was a great help and we were even able to spend a few days away in Atlanta, Georgia, especially at the temple there.  This is about 8 hours from us.  The kids were with Anton at home... being kidless was a very unfamiliar experience!  Joseph's marker has been ordered, and there is a sense of closure to all of this, and what is left is a lot of pictures and memories, empty arms, and the knowledge that we have been a part of something very special.  I am still recovering from pregnancy and birth, and it is frustrating to go through this without that little person here with me.

My parents will be here in early September, and we are all looking forward to that.  Also, we are planning a trip to Washington D.C. in October, to visit our friends Melanie and Dale and just have a nice family vacation before the holiday rush for Tom.  As always since our debut with Wal-Mart, we are homebound for the winter holidays, but anyone is welcome to come visit!  Just give us a little bit of warning.

News on our other children- they are busy busy busy!  Emilie is learning how to talk a little more, saying HI and HI DAD and HEY DAD.  She dances all over the place, loves music, loves her dad.  Her favorite games are tackling dad... wresting Benjamin... and running away from everyone.  Whenever the door opens she's out of it like a flash.  (which has been fun with all the visitors lately!) and anyone who looks at her and smiles is rewarded with a cute little grin just for them.  She also is a ham, posing whenever a camera is in view.  This will be fun within the next 2 months when we take her to get her 18 month old pictures taken.  She is still in love with Steve from Blue's Clues.

Benjamin is talking more and more each day, with a seemingly complete turnaround from before his surgery.  He still remembers how to be a grouch if it occurs to him, but most of the time he is a happy little guy.  He turns 3 in early October.  He loves taking things from Emilie, pestering Michael, looking at pictures of Joseph, Bob the Builder, Blue's Clues, cars, trucks, stickers, dinosaurs, and Mom.  Everyone loves when Dad comes home, and when it's tackle Dad time.  He also loves nursery and finger painting.  He is still discovering the computer and what he can do there.

Michael is outsmarting us every day, or thinks he is.  He reads, colors, writes, and pretends all the time.  His favorite thing right now is the backhoe from Bob the Builder, named "Scoop".  Mom gets the fun of making a "Scoop" costume for Halloween... but not a problem... we can do it.  (Can we build it?  Yes we can!)  the favorite lines from "Bob the Builder", to be adjusted to whatever situation my boys are in.  (michael- can we eat it?  benjamin- yes we TAN!)  We have fun at our house!  Michael will be 5 this November and reminds me all the time.  He also reminds me of all the things he will do when he is older, but not right now.  Like, swimming, riding a bike, going on a mission, being a dad, and the newest is driving a car...

Tom keeps busy between work and family, and Tabitha is also being busy being a mom and finally moving into this apartment, (since I was on bedrest when we were supposedly moving in.)

We love you all, keep in touch.  Thank you again for the support you are to us, and the love we have felt in our recent experiences with our son Joseph.

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