December 2010

Hello everyone!

Here we are again in December. Why does it always seem such a surprise to find ourselves at the tail end of the year? Maybe it’s because even though so much has happened in twelve months, it’s never as much as we had hoped or anticipated – which means that we still have goals and dreams to realize in the next year! That is also a blessing.

We’d like to share our year’s focal points with you. Despite having an active infant, we experienced a year surprisingly full of travel. Gina journeyed twice to Pasco to spend time with Mom and Jeanine. Rachel came both times – she’s a very good traveler. She only cried once, when we were at the customer relations booth complaining about the service. Her timing was impeccable. Other trips included a flight to New Mexico to surprise Ron (who now goes by Leo) and Edith Cummings on the weekend of his ordination to the ministry. What a beautiful service! It also happened to be Rachel’s birthday that weekend, so we celebrated in Santa Fe-style, with a veggie-burger barbecue. Leo introduced Ed to the Morning Star quarter-pounder – Ed was impressed. When we returned home we had an unbeatable birthday bash with more of Rachel’s relatives and friends.

Our travels this year included two trips to Nevada, once to Reno and once to Las Vegas. Before you draw any conclusions, you should know that our Reno trip was for strictly musical purposes. In March we were invited to be part of the La Sierra University Wind Ensemble’s performance in the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Western Division Conference. Ed: tuba. Gina: percussion. It was a huge honor. We were the very first to perform – talk about stage fright! But we did well, and the adrenaline rush was amazing. Later on in October, we spent five days in Mom and Dad’s new Las Vegas time-share. Gina said it’s the first time she’s had a relaxing vacation in Vegas.

Both Ed and Gina reached the 20-year alumni mark from their respective high schools this year. We drove up to Angwin for Gina’s reunion in May and attended Ed’s local reunion in July. Ed’s class really went all-out for the occasion. Our favorite part about both events was getting re-acquainted with old friends.

Ed continues to work in the Endocrinology Department at Kaiser Permanente (Riverside) as a partner physician. Gina returned to work part-time at the Kaiser Permanente (Fontana) Department of Health Education in March. She was sad to leave Rachel in day care, but it is a good day care, and close to where she works. We like our jobs – we’re lucky to work with such great groups of people. And we’re also grateful to be working in a time when so many are unemployed.

Honestly, this year has been all about the wonder and joy of watching a young life grow, develop, and learn. It has been such an amazing start to this parenting journey. Rachel’s first foods, first steps, and first words have been the foremost topics of conversation in our household. Ed is such a proud daddy! Gina is such a star-struck mommy! We’re lucky so many of our family and friends think Rachel is as fantastic as we do.

Speaking of family, a lot of them have traveled to visit us this year. Highlights include visits from: George and Shirley Javor, who are even now wending their way back to us via cruise ship, and Betty Cummings, who spent precious time with us in July. Local family includes Leonard and Mary Cummings (who live in Loma Linda) and Paige Javor (our talented four-year old niece) accompanied by her parents Ron and Susan; we enjoy their visits. Arv and Diana Silcox (Ed’s uncle and aunt), Chuck and Dona Fulmore (Ed’s cousins), and Ruth Lopez (Gina’s cousin) graced our home with brief visits too. This year’s Thanksgiving was made special by the presence of Dad and Mary, Ken and Doris Cummings (Gina’s paternal grandparents), Esteban and Olivia Lopez-Porras (Gina’s maternal grandparents), and Elden Lopez (Gina’s uncle). The Lopez-Porras family arrived in time for Thanksgiving dinner despite leaving Guatemala City that morning. We feel much loved. We look forward to more of the same for Christmas.

We always enjoy getting your seasons greetings and finding out all the cool things you’ve been up to. We’re serious – Gina keeps all of your letters and pictures in her scrapbooks. Write soon!

God bless you as He has abundantly blessed us. Love to you all,

Edward, Gina, and Rachel Javor