Family

Meet our E X T E N D E D F A M I L Y Members and many relatives in a brief photo overview.... .

This is my mother, Ardys Kaeppeli, without whom there would be no story or webpages. She has been my personal heroine and inspiration throughout my life just by being the kind, loving, giving and hard-working compassionate woman that she is. She is far from perfect, but that has let me have hope that even I might achieve her goodness at some point in life. Mom raised the six of us pretty much on her own, working full-time and retiring from the Oregon State Hospital where she worked as a registered nurse for over 35 years. She is still the pillar of our family and holds us together in her peaceful, gentle manner always giving encouragement and allowing us our foolish mistakes. She enjoys people, quilting, working at the temple, and being with family and friends. Her life has always been one of service.

This is Joe's father, Max, who lives with us. He was the only living son of his parents, raised by a grandmother, and growing up in a Jewish community in Southern California. He spends his time working at the temple, watching TV, puttering about in his 35 foot RV and in general trying to keep the world astir since the passing away of his beloved wife, Eva June in December of 1997.

Now it gets interesting! These are my neices & nephews. I included most of Joe's family as I went along since he doesn't have quite so many to fit in. Hope this isn't too confusing to sort out!

This grouping is Jim's family of six kids with their children.

Jim's kids and grandkids are further below

Before I was a Mom

I made and ate hot meals.

I had unstained clothing.

I had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a Mom

I slept as late as I wanted

And never worried about how late I got into bed.

I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was a Mom

I cleaned my house each day.

I never tripped over toys or forgot words to lullabies.

Before I was a Mom

I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.

I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom

I had never been puked on

Pooped on

Spit on

Chewed on

Peed on

Or pinched by tiny fingers

Before I was a Mom

I had complete control of:

My thoughts

My body

And my mind.

I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom

I never held down a screaming child so that doctors

could do tests or give shots.

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom

I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces

When I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.

I never knew that I could love someone so much.

I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom

I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond between a Mother and her child.

I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night

Every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay

I had never known the warmth

The joy

The love

The heartache

The wonderfulment

Or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

This is my side of the family.

At some point in time, I'll have updated photos of each family member...but don't hold your breath! There are members of my family (like myself) who abhor having their photo taken, let alone displayed. Meanwhile, enjoy the un- named clowns in our family!

A family group went to Disneyland by AMTRAK for Spring Break 2001. Only Trish is missing from this photo, and Katie's friend, Sarah Jensen who went with us. The Cheethirala's were only on board from Emeryville to San Jose so we could visit with them briefly and see Austen once again since Christmas. Don't know why the photo scanned in so weird!.

Kylee was born Nov 2nd 2001--no photo yet available

Joe with his sister, Judy and her husband Gordon. We attended their daughter, Eva's mission homecoming.

Jim Miller & Wife, Jeanie

Joe's mother, Eva June, at Brig's mission farewell 05-97.

Sister, Carol with daughter, Chylene

Jenn & Rob, Brigham & Michelle, Serg (not pictured yet), Tammy and Susie with Jenny's youngest of two sons.

And double that for being a Grand Mom!! It's the greatest!

My brother Jim is my hero and has always been. He's one of those quiet, strong types that can do anything! He has the most wonderful woman for his wife, and together they have such love that their entire family has purchased homes within walking distance of theirs so they can all be together often. They work and play together and laugh a lot!