Christmas Lights

Us and our good friends Lance and Karen Colburn out looking at Christmas lights.

Another Birthday for Jackson Bomont

Today Jack celebrated his 2nd birthday with a yummy treat from Ceaser, beef nuggets, a new birthday hat and a purple stuffed dog that was destroyed in 5 min. We are grateful everyday for Jack, he keeps us on our toes and helps us remember how much he loves to pay ball. I never thought I would fall in love with a dog and you might call me crazy, but I have, I'm in love with my sweet little guy. Happy Birthday Jack ;)

My Fathers Birthday

Yesterday was my fathers birthday. All week I have been thinking about him. I was emotional in the beginning of the week, but I got better as the days went by getting closer to his birthday, I really think my father was close helping me be strong. On Tuesday I went to see a doctor, I told her how over this past year I have been very stressed due to loosing my father at the beginning of the year and started to cry, but then I clentched my teeth and told myself not to loose it in the doctors office. The rest of the week went better. On Saturday I took my dog Jack for a walk and enjoyed the beautiful weather and thought of my dad the whole walk. Everything around me reminds me of him, the sky, green grass, the sound of a law mower and the nice cool breeze. I felt him close. I held it together pretty well and again almost lost it just after sacrament meeting I leaned over to Shane and wispered to him, it's my fathers birthday today and leaned back and said I know, for a split second I thought I was going to burst into tears, but I did good. I then celebrated the day relaxing on the sofa with 4 hours of Sister Wives. It's not really how I wanted to celebrate my fathers birthday, but I think he would have wanted me to celebrate the day just how I did. Just being me and enjoying life. How hard the last 9 or so months have been with him gone, but I know I only get stronger each day and I continue to remember him in all the little things I do. What an amazing man he was and continues to be. I see him every time I look at my brothers and my nephews. He is there in each one of us. My sisters, my neices, in me and my mother. He continues to live in me and that brings me joy knowing he is closer then I think. Still to this day when I think about his life, his illness and his death, it hits me each time like a ton of bricks. I still hurt, but I know one day we will see him again. I wrote in a birthday card for him once when I was alittle girl, I love you dad, you're the best dad I ever had. He laughed and his reply was, what other dads have you had. I continued to write that phrase, but added a P.S. in every birthday card up unitl last year. You really are the best dad I ever had. Love you Dad and Happy Birthday.

A man of many talents. This is a pinokio puppet that he and I made for my neice Abbie. He made the puttet and I made the clothes. It was a great project to work on with my dad.

Summer Comes To An End

We went camping with the Hirschi's over Labor Day weekend at Honeyman campground outside of Florance, Oregon. It was so beautiful, clear sky, nice weather, loved the town of Florance and I am officially calling this my new favorite place to vacation. The day we got to Florance Paige and Dave suggested a dune buggy ride, the fast buggy not the slow. Shane wasn't able to go because we had Jack. Oh, my!! What a ride!! It was a half hour of what felt like a crazy rollar coaster, but better! I can not explain it, you must go and see for yourself. Loved every moment of it and we are already planning on going back next year. Miles and Miles of dunes. Great fun!!

Ed Helping his dad build a fire.

Adele holding Jack.

This was on the Lake close to the campground, it was so beautiful. This is Paige and Dave and their kids on a paddle boat.
The Hirschi's

The Bonella's

Jack is swimming!

So am I!

Summer Continues at Indian Mary

Shane and I went camping with our friends from work, Sandy and Tanya and Tanya's husband Devin at Indian Mary Park about 45 min from Grants Pass, on the Rogue River.

It was a fun weekend with nice weather, a game of Phase 10, relaxing on the river and more.

Tanya and her husband Devin

Sandy with Joe and Neeko

Jack having fun in the water.

Sandy and Shane with Neeko and Jack.

A beautiful blessing day for my nephew Cody John

Summer Adventures for the Bonella's

Me, Shane and Jack overlooking the Columbia River Gorge

Memorial Day weekend in Portland, Oregon with my family. Shane and I with Ethen, Jack, Abbie, Leim, Ella, Cade and Sydney.

4th of July dinner with my mom.

Waiting to board the jet boat, on the Rogue River in Grants Pass, Oregon.

On the Jet Boat just as we were taking off. Wahoo!!

Harris Beach

We had a nice get-a-way weekend for Father's Day at Harris Beach in Brookings, Oregon. It was our first time to Harris Beach, a little windy, but very beautiful, peaceful and quiet.

This is my first Father's Day without my father. Part of a our camping trip adventure was in celebration of my father, in memory of him, he had such a great love for the outdoors. On our way back to Grants Pass we stoped off at the Smith River and I had a moment of peace and let some yellow flowers float down the river. It was my way of saying Happy Father's Day to a great father. I miss my dad so much it still doesn't feel real that he is gone. I love you dad.

Also want to say Happy Father's Day to a great Father in-law. Thanks Harold for all that you do. We love you.

Cody John

My new nephew...Cody John Holwege. I can't wait to meet him.

Exciting News!!

Dear family & friends,

We are excited to announce some good news. We have recently been approved for adoption through LDS Family Services. We are delighted to know that our dreams of becoming parents and adding to our family will come true, hopefully soon. We ask that you help us with that dream by keeping us in your daily thoughts and prayers and assist us in finding a birth mother who is willing to consider us as adoptive parents. If you become aware of a birth mother who is looking to place her child in a loving home, we would love it if you would pass along our information to her.

Joe Daines from LDS Family Services can also provide her with additional information concerning our background. Birth parents can also view our online profile at http://www.itsaboutlove.org/ by clicking on “Search Adoptive Profiles” and typing in “ShaneandAmy (no spaces between names) or just click on our photo to the right where is says view our profile.

We are grateful for your love and assistance in helping us build our family.

Love,

Amy & Shane

It wasn't my fault. . . I swear

Ashland, Oregon

Jacks Static Hair.

On Sunday The Bonella's took a drive to Ashland, Oregon. It's about 45 min south of Grants Pass. A fun touristy town with lots of cute shops, restaurants, "Ashland Springs Hotel" which I absolutely love and want to spend a weekend get-away there sometime and it's pet friendly. http://www.ashlandspringshotel.com/ Ashland is also the home of the "Shakespeare Festival". It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed our time as a family.

LOVE

Happy Valentine's Day Shane. thank you for being you, for loving me and for being us.

I love you!!

Jacks Anniversary

One year ago on January 29th, Jackson Bomont came to live with us. I just happen to be driving through the Wal-mart parking lot when my eyes were caught by this furry, little puppy. He has been the best addition to our family. He is the noddiest little thing, but at the end of the day we still love him. Jack got to celebrate his anniersary by sitting in the passinger seat of the car while driving home from Medford and his mama was in the very back, I mean not just the back seat but the back of the back seat, laying down and holding a TV for 45 min. I'm glad Jack got to celebrate in Style. Love you Tinker Winker!

This is a picture of Jack and our friend Sandy Heine at a work picnic this last fall. It's one of my favorites because it show his true self.

Always Remembered

On December 31st, my father, John Lynn Holwege at 62 years of age, passed away peacefully with my mother and brother by his side. The world has lost a wonderful man, my family has lost an amazing father and grandfather. He will be missed deeply. With our memories he will live on forever. Last week was a really hard week as my family laid him to rest, his graveside ceremony was very impressive, one I will never forget and he deserves every bit of it. On Saturday, January 8, over 500 people arrived at his memorial to show their support, friendship and love. My father was truly a great man. He has taught me more about life then anyone. Because of him I want to be a better person, I want to be non judgemental, a hard worker, a better wife, fulfill my duties in the church by providing service to those in need, I want to enjoy life and all the little things that we all seem to ignore. When I think about him passing away it's hard to believe and it doesn't seem real. I'll always remember him each and every day as I feel him close, watching over my family. Today a friend at work gave me a special keepsake ornament. On the back of the box it reads, memories remind us that we have loved and been loved... that our lives were touched by someone very special. The ornament is a white sea shell with a shinny pearl in it and on the ornament it says, "Every life leaves something beautiful behind". My fathers life was a wonderful life cut short and he did leave something beautiful behind, he left a legacy of a great family, who loves and supports one another. I will forever remember my dad, he is the best.