Our Dog Dawson Passed Away

Yesterday, Dawson, our faithful black lab of over 10 years, passed away. He had been dealing with arthritis and had some lumps around his stomach area for several years now. But up until Tuesday he seemed to be doing OK. Then on Wednesday morning, he just was not able to stand up and move around. His breathing was erratic too. We all said our good byes that morning and then he died within an hour after. Susan absolutely loved Dawson. He was such a faithful companion to her. I have included a picture of Susan and Dawson. This was the night that Susan was checked into the Cancer Ward at the hospital. We snuck Dawson into the hospital just to see Susan. They both were very excited to see each other, as you can see on Susan's face.

I will upload some more pictures of Dawson when I get home tonight. This morning was not the same around the house without Dawson. We will miss him.

"Be kind to one another"

"And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32

Greetings family, friends and anyone else that happens along this blog site. Grace and peace to you! I was reading in Ephesians during my quiet time and this verse really spoke to me. I often times forget how God treats us is unconditional, no strings attached, no preconditions and He loves us no matter what. The Bible is very clear on His love for us, it "extends to the heavens"(Psalm 36:5). And we are called to "be Holy, for I am Holy" 1 Peter 1:16. So let us be kind and love one another, forgiving just as we are forgiven. Hope all is well with you.
We have had a busy month. First off, Sarah's car was totaled but thanks to insurance, she recovered the value of the car. And she has bought a Honda Accord. She had no injuries from the deer encounter. I am very thankful for that. And Laura's headaches have gotten better. She gets them on occasion and it is not associated with reading. Some think that it could be her age and the hormone changes that she is going through. Still pray for Laura.
Updates:
1) Jason has been running and has now signed up for the Coeur d'Alene marathon on Memorial Day weekend. This is very exciting because Jason has never been a runner. He has always liked soccer which involves a lot of running. But this is a stretch for him. But he is doing well. Sarah, Leah and I are planning the 1/2 marathon on the weekend as well. Should be a fun family event.
Jason and I did our kick off run for the season, the Spring Dash. Here is a picture of Jason and I before the race. Also, Michelle and her cousin Lydia ran.

2) At Susan's gravesite, we had a special time together. Again this year we wrote love notes to dear Susan and released them attached to Helium balloons. We had fun watching the different balloons go each different ways and trying to keep them in eye sight as they got higher and higher. Hannah and Kitty (Jake's mom) painted up some very special rocks to put around the grave marker. They both did such a great job making each rock for a member of the family with their name on it with a special artistic flavor on each. Thanks Hannah and Kitty for making it really special.


3) Being a Grandpa has been very exciting. Luke is changing so fast. I have been getting some one on one time with Luke and that has been special. I get to watch him this Thursday night in fact. Luke is now just over 4 months old. I am so proud of Nathan and Michelle. They are doing such a super job with Luke. They are really getting into parenting. Nathan dropped by on Saturday. Here is a picture of the two. Handsome guys aren't they.
4) Yesterday, Hannah, Jake and I did the famous Bloomsday run in Spokane. 50,000 people participate in Bloomsday. 7.5 mile course through scenic parts of a Spokane. Jake did real well. This is a first time running event for Jake and he finished! Proud of him and Hannah. We all had a great time. Weather was very beautiful in the morning.

Remembering Susan Today!!!

"Praise Him for ALL that is past and Trust Him for ALL that is to come."

This is a written note that is still on my refrigerator, that is in Susan's handwriting. She had written it down years ago when she was going through the cancer, in the middle of the trial. She had such a focus on our Lord. It is a statement of faith. Simply FAITH. Trusting in Him for all of our needs, through good times and bad. And Susan is remembered today. My angel was ushered into the presence of our Lord two years today after seven years of breast cancer. She Praised Him in the storm and showed us how to Trust Him. Jesus said in Matthew 11: 28-30,

²⁸"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

²⁹"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.

³⁰"For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

We are all doing well. God holds us close when we need Him most. Some prayer requests:

1) Sarah is without work right now. Jeff, whom she works for as a nanny, has been diagnosed with throat cancer. So she is not really working for Jeff right now. Also, two weeks ago, Sarah was in an accident when she tried to avoid a deer. This happened on a mountain pass, and she hit the right side barrier, bounced off to the center barrier. She did not roll the Jeep but it was totaled. She had insurance but she is without wheels right now too. So she is going through a lot right now.

2) Laura is getting headaches these days. Trying to figure out what may be causing them. Have to take her to a specialist to further diagnose what may be going on.

Where's the Snow????

Hi All,
Here we are in the middle of February and we still don't have any snow. Ya there is snow in the mountains but we haven't had snow since before Christmas. And the irony is that the rest of the country is experiencing all kinds of record snow falls (like Dallas with a foot of snow this past week). Maybe where you live, there is some snow on the ground. I want snow. It is winter isn't it? Well, Laura from Korea went back home this past week. The time went by so fast. She was a real joy to have around. She was so quiet but yet so good to have around for the kids to see a different culture and to talk about differences in cultures. It was an education. Here are some pictures and clips of events that were held while she was here.

Mary, Laura, Laura and Kayla

Here is Luke, our MVP for the Vetsch Team, Yah! Luke is doing real well. Gaining weight nicely and just keeps getting more handsome each time I see him.

We celebrated Jason's birthday. He is now 20 yrs old. He is doing very well. Going to school at North Idaho College, he is getting into Psychology. This study is right up his alley. He really likes it. He is also working double shift these days as a server at Tomato Street Restaurant. So Jason is real busy. He is training also for the Coeur d' Alene Marathon on Memorial Day weekend.

Laura from South Korea here with us

Hello all,

We have a South Korean exchange student with us as of this past Monday, Jan11th. Her name is Laura (Hyebin Seo, here actual name). She is 15 years old but in America she would be 14 yrs because at birth in Korea, she is 1 year old already. What a wonderful addition to our family for 4 weeks. Laura goes to middle school with Mary and my Laura, attending classes alongside Mary. She brought her saxophone, enjoys putting puzzles together (which we love too), eating pizza and loves to write. She prints English very well and speaks pretty good English. We too are learning Korean and she laughs at our struggles with the language. I see a very great friendship bond being made with my children. We will definitely stay in touch and foresee trips to Korea in some fashion to see her in the future. Laura is a Christian and requested a Christian family to stay with through this exchange program. The school thought of us and we are blessed because of it.

Here is Laura, Mary and Laura the first day in Coeur d'Alene.

Here she is with my girls along with Dawson. She loves Dawson and our cat Smeagle too! Her family does not have pets so to have them laying around near by is new but very fun for her.

Laura traveled with other Korean students. Here are two friends of hers, Rosi and Stella who are staying with Jessica (on the far right) as part of the exchange program.

My Grandson Luke is doing well. There was concern about his weight. He lost a pound and a half after coming home but has now rebounded. He is a big eater and sleeps alot. He is a very good baby for Michelle and Nathan. What a blessing to have a new Grandson. Her are some new pictures of Luke.

Try and focus Luke!

Bundled up and ready to go!

Awwwww! My dad!

Happy New Year!!!!

We have been having a great time as a family. My brother John has been here and he leaves tomorrow. What a great visit it has been for all. Today we got together and celebrated Kayla's birthday (Jan 3rd) and Laura's birthday (Jan 4th) before Uncle Johnny leaves on Sunday and before Leah leaves back to Bend this afternoon. Here are some pictures which includes updated pictures of Luke. He just gets cuter and cuter each day.

Uncle Johnny and Aaron

A BEAUTIFUL BABY BOY

LUKE PAUL VETSCH was born tonight, December 27th, at 8:01 pm. He weighed in at 9 lbs 7oz and 21 inches tall. He looks just like Nathan when he was born and almost the same weight. Both Michelle and Luke are doing well. Michelle looks awesome for just going through a birth and Luke is most handsome. I am a very proud Grandpa. Here is a picture of Luke about an hour after birth.