Thursday, June 12, 2008

The Sibling Chronicles, Chapter One








Yay, we finally got a sunny day in Portland with a temperature above 70 degrees. Ahhh, the little things. So I have two sisters with birthdays this week. Happy Birthday Jill, yesterday and Sarah, this Sunday. As a Mom, its kind of a bummer to have your birthday on Father's Day because then you have to share (I mean, who gets breakfast in bed, the birthday Mom or the father's day Dad...?) hmmm. Thank goodness this only happens once in a while. So, I am starting a series of blogs about my siblings--all 10 of them! So, you can see why I am doing a series. All at once would overwhelm anyone. Lots of photos, hope you enjoy!

And, sibling numero cinco, cinq, go... number five, of course (not literally #5 in the Godsey family order, but #5 in the order of ALL my siblings--don't worry Dana, I won't test you on this later)

Jilly (aka Jill Marie Godsey)
Jill was (and is) cute and sweet. For years Jill walked in the shadow of her big sister Kim. Kim having the more, shall I say assertive personality for the first few years of their lives. Jill went right along (Joey and Sammy would follow this same pattern years later).
Then, I was pleasantly surprised to see Jill blossom later on, especially in high school,
no longer willing to be seen and not heard.
If I remember, this may have been somewhat difficult on her Mother,
but all things pass and this did too.
Jill now, with her beautiful family....


and Jill then

1974, Jill turns one!


1975 Godsey Family Photo
(Just a side note: Kim is wearing a hand-made, hand-me-down,
from Tiff, lovingly made by Karen -- you want proof, you say... )

Well, here's the proof, we all had them, and loved them.
Karen's dress shouts... 1972!

So much fun to have siblings. This was about the age when I would drive on over to the house from my dorm at ASU (and bring my dirty laundry with me, of course) and Jill would come out of the house, arms crossed and say "... so you here to do your laundry, again!"
(Sometimes the truth hurts)


And then there is sibling number seven

Sarah Jane Godsey Franchi
Sarah was one of the three Godsey siblings born at Hood River Memorial Hospital. If I'm not mistaken, Sarah was also one of the Godsey girls almost born on the way to the hospital (I believe Jill was the other). Sarah was ready to greet her siblings and getting to the hospital was no concern of hers. She always was very social. As a matter of fact, no matter what you were doing, or where you were going, Sarah wanted to go with, and she was, and is, so lovable and compassionate--always concerned for the well being of everyone and everything.

Not sure whose birthday it is, but since we know Sarah was born the middle of June and that is baby Sarah there that I am "sort of" holding, my guess is it is Tiff's August birthday and I just know what I am thinking... Byron, don't fool around too much there and knock yourself right off that chair. (I am still that OCD older sister)

Those eyes, those big round eyes!

I am particularly fond of bathtub pictures and who could beat that smile!

One of Tiff's favorite photos... Sarah, the thinker.

The back of this one is signed by Dad "Little Big Shot"
I think I would call it Little Princess without her shoes.


Sarah and little Madeline! Happy Wedding Day....

and Happy Birthday Y'All

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Rafting Trip








When will the rain ever end....

Despite the June gloom weather up here in the Pacific Northwest, Joey and Sammy went rafting on the Skykomish River in Washington with Uncle David and Aunt Sarah Lubitz this past Saturday.


Sammy, David, Joey & Sarah Lubitz


By all accounts, it sounds like they had a great time!

Saturday, June 7, 2008

So Proud of Sam




Japanese Ronald McDonald looks
eerily like American Ronald McDonald,
maybe a little skinnier?






Sammy has not officially been promoted from 8th Grade into High School yet, that will happen next Tuesday night, but he is pretty much officially finished with Middle School. This past Thursday night, Sammy's 8th grade Japanese Immersion Program class got up in front of hundreds of people to speak in both English and Japanese about all the life changing events they experienced this past April/May on their curriculum based trip to Hiroshima and Santo Japan. The presentation ceremony is called "Omiyage Banashi" which loosely translated means "Gift Speech". First, they had to use pretty much all of the subjects they have been taught in school in order to finish a presentation piece. All the presentation pieces were on display Thursday night. Then, all the students got up individually to speak about their experiences. Sammy was the first of the whole class to get up in front of the crowd and he did a great job. He was witty, confident and composed. We are very proud of him.

Sammy in Hiroshima, Japan with WWII Peace Park in background
April 2008


Sammy Practicing his Taiko drumming in Japan


Sam with his presentation piece.


Sammy giving his speech.