Two thousand three has just zipped by; I really don't know where the time went. But we're all still here, in the midst of holiday planning, and it's time to be grateful for family and friends, near and far.

I was going through old files (the real kind on paper) and ran across numerous letters and cards some of you sent us while we were in Brazil in 1987, and after we returned to California. It reminded me of the many friendships our family developed while we lived in Maryland, and how grateful we are for those times.

Our family experienced some exciting events this year. On March 28 Jocelyn gave birth to Kyra Tiana Arango with Daddy Martín and all of our family present at the birth. She definitely looks like her Daddy, but maybe has Jocelyn's nose. Our first grandchild has been a joy, and if I don't see her every few days I start to have baby withdrawals. Grandpa is thrilled with her, and we're still trying to figure out how we're supposed to be, now that we're grandparents! Her Uncle Terry and his girlfriend Lauren, and Auntie Amanda are pretty attached to her, too. She melts the hearts of her three tios (Martín's brothers). Jocelyn is working as a certified nursing assistant, with an eventual goal of going to nursing school, and Martín is working very hard. He is in awe of the fact he has a daughter; he takes Kyra outside to "play soccer," and at the rate she's trying to stand and walk she's going to be running for those goals in no time. It's very rewarding to see what dedicated parents Jocelyn and Martín are, even including writing a detailed list of instructions for Grandma when I was babysitting.

I began an odyssey two years ago - the Physician Assistant program at the University of California at Davis and graduated this June. I officially finished in August, and then studied for 6 more weeks for the national certifying exam in September. I knew when I started I would have to shut out distractions around me, but our family still had to stage a wedding (2002), and this spring be available for Kyra's birth and the weeks following. That was tricky, since shortly after, I left for 5 weeks in Sacramento in April to do a hospital in-patient rotation and my regular class sessions. On weekends I would go to help Jocelyn and Martín and spend time with the baby. But somehow, I finished - and with decent grades!! It was one of the most exciting, draining, rewarding endeavors I've ever undertaken. Our class was lucky in that we were very close, formed a lot of friendships, and we needed each other's support - often in the form of study groups, aka parties. I currently have a 24 hour per week position (more like 50) at the clinic where I precepted and it continues to be a challenge, but I'm happiest when I can just see patients. If this country would straighten out the healthcare mess, the practice of medicine would be a lot more rewarding.

Tim was always patient and always supportive, taking over a lot of the daily chores, and helping me pack for my monthly trips to Sacramento - including two crates of medical textbooks and paperwork. The kids were supportive, too, especially Amanda, who kept telling me I could do it! They not only listened to my gory medical stories, they listened to my party stories. Wait, Mom, I thought you said this was a very stressful week, full of crucial midterms and interminable assignments...ll, we had to have some kind of stress relief!

Tim has had an interesting year. Besides continuing his work with Environmental Science Associates, he's designing websites on the side, picking up his brewing again, and taking cooking classes! He is also very active in the local Green party, much to our kids' dismay. In fact he recently declared himself in the race for the Greens' county council. Before we know it, he'll be arm-wrestling Arnold. He decided that since I was in school and he was going to be the house husband and cooking meals, he better learn some of those culinary tricks I've utilized the last thirty years, but of course are a discovery for him. It's been fun for him, especially since I spent a lot of weekends studying and fuming because I couldn't go outside. He also planned some sanity breaks for us - going hiking or out to dinner with friends. In July, we went to the Vancouver, Canada, Folk Festival for a beautiful weekend of eclectic music with our friends Bruce and Martha Webb. I think Tim spent the last of my student aid on CDs!

Something I really wanted to do after graduating was go to Hawaii with the family. Terry, Lauren and Amanda went with us, and we rented a beach house in Waimanalo, on the windward shore of Oahu. It was a nice relaxing week with lots of body surfing and swimming. Lauren and Amanda took a board surfing lesson on Waikiki, and had a great time. Two days later, Terry and Lauren went out, and as I sat on the beach waiting for them I realized, looking out over the reef, that the waves were twice the height of the surfers! Yes, they were out in 10-15 foot waves, record breaking for the south shore. They both had adventures to tell, but made it back to shore, as helicopters were flying over the reef conducting rescues!

Terry just finished the harvest season at Beringer winery and just finished another semester in school. The fall is not his easiest time of year, but he had a good semester, doing some research with one of his profs, which will continue through next summer. Lauren is doing well with her music major and teaches flute and piano privately. Their real vacation time together is in January, and they may have time to travel to some warm locale before resuming school.

Amanda moved out (again) last July. In planning her move, she said, "I hope you don't think I don't like you and Dad, or like living here..." It's ok Amanda - you're 19, you can move out. She still comes by to visit and chat with us and, oh, to do laundry. (We miss her, too.) She just finished a welding and auto mechanics class and really liked them, especially the welding. These are very practical classes, she tells us, so that she can work on her '57 Chevy (you mean...the driveway ornament?) She wants to continue with the welding next semester, but also is taking pre-requisites for a radiology technician course. She's currently working at a record store, and still plays bass guitar in a punk band. We're now out of teen-hood, as she turned 20 this year.

We hope that you are all having a wonderful Christmas and holiday season. And let's hope California survives the "Governator," and that the country unravels itself from the Iraq conflict! Let's hope for a more peaceful 2004.

Tim and Sharon Morgan
Terry, Lauren, Jocelyn, Martín, Kyra, and Amanda