Corless Clan Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan - 24 April 2011

Dear Family,

He Lives! - Twelve years ago Mom & Dad, with Grandma Sparks, Deanna and the Stebar’s, visited the “Garden Tomb” just outside of the City of Jerusalem. This sacred experience left them with no doubt that Jesus lives. He, who once was dead, lives and we too will live forever. Happy Easter!

The Fixer - This week, Dad performed a couple of near miracles, at least, minor triumphs over matter: 1) removed spilled wax from the carpet in the family room by using an iron to melt the wax, paper towels to absorb the wax, and steam from the iron, to clean it. 2) solved the mystery of Grandma Sparks, leaking toilet - “It is quiet”

History Tourists - Mom & Dad made two trips to “The Henry Ford” this week:  1) On Monday, they visited the museum with Michael, Timon (Michael’s friend) and Guilherme. Afterward, they had a yummy dinner with Ryan at Pizza Papalis   2) On Thursday afternoon they went on the Ford factory tour to see some history of Ford Motor Company and the production process of the F-150 and later to the IMAX theater to see a 3D wildlife movie with Michael & Guilherme and dinner at the Michigan Cafe in between.

Movies ‘R’ Us - Dad watched “Ben Hur” in four installments while working out on the elliptical. Mom & Dad took Michael and Guilherme to see the “Conspirator” about post civil war America and Lincoln’s assassination. Saturday afternoon, Papa & Nona took Sam, Josh and Olivia to “Rio” an animated musical about a couple of rare blue Macaws threatened by the illegal exotic animal trade during the crazily famous “Carnaval” celebrations in beautiful Rio de Janeiro. They all liked the movie, but Nona, specially liked the Samba music.  Shake yo booty!

Adult Supervision - Friday evening, Jim & Vanessa celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary and needed some adult supervision for the kids, but, instead, settled for Papa & Nona to stay with the grand buddys. It was fun to be with them: Nona played card games and Papa taught Josh & Olivia to play “Mahgong” on the computer. In the morning, Papa made waffles for breakfast and took Josh to his baseball practice and Olivia to her dance class. At Olivia’s request, Papa performed an impromptu outdoor photo shoot of Olivia in her Army style camo “Tumble Team” costume.  Thankfully, the adults, Jim & Vanessa returned and as a bonus, they brought Jet’s Pizza. YES!  Life is good!

Kisses & Hugs to all Love y’all,

Mom & Dad

Henry Ford Museum - Timon, Myriam, Michael & Guilherme

Olivia - Tumble Team

Corless Clan Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan - 17 April 2011

Dear Family,

Safe Journey - Wednesday night Michael and his friend Timon arrived safely after driving the Explorer for ~1700 miles from Utah to Michigan. Mom & Dad were very pleased to meet Timon, who was one of Michael missionary companions and a fine southern gentleman from Georgia.

Neo Audio/Video - Mom & Dad have a new Vizio 55” Flat screen TV with a Sony Blu-ray home theater system and a programmable remote control to operate the whole system. Thanks to Ryan and Michael for installing the system and programming the controller.  Dad had to completely dismantle the old media center to get it downstairs into the basement and then reassemble it.  Thanks to Michael & Timon for getting the old and very heavy TV in the basement.  

Neo Family Room - To compliment the new media, Mom, with the assistance of Michelle - an interior decorator, decided on and ordered the new couch, media center, ottoman, end table and sofa table for the family room - it will look real nice. The home will be even more pleasant and inviting for family and friends.

Healthly Stuff - Dad achieved his body mass i.e. weight goal and maintained it for six weeks and is now a card-carrying lifetime member of Weight Watchers. Dad says, “Watching your weight is easy, loosing it is difficult.” For exercise and fun, Dad, Michael and Timon played racquetball on Thursday morning. Dad won, of course, soundly beating those young inexperienced whipper-snappers.  

Shuttlers - Monday morning Mom & Dad took a recently widowed member of the ward to airport. Saturday they had the joy of picking up Guilherme who is visiting from Brazil via Chicago where he is attending high school for a semester.  With another Brazilian in town, it is Party Time!!!  Grandma Sparks joined in and supported the partying by picking up the tab for dinner at Red Lobster for 11 of us. Thank you, Grandma Sparks!

Knee News - Pedro Armando is back home after his prolonged hospital stay. He will be on Microbiotics for another 3 months, physical therapy and have weekly tests, but for the most part he can resume his normal life. We are all grateful for the good news.

Family Sunday dinner - 17 April 2011

Love y’all,

Mom & Dad

Corless Clan Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan - 10 April 2011

Dear Family,

Rest & Relaxation - Mom & Dad didn’t do much this week except: clean the temple on Tuesday and Friday mornings; Temple Baptistry on Tuesday evening; work in the homeless kitchen at Fort Street Presbyterian church in downtown Detroit on Thursday morning; RS Gardening Activity Thursday evening (Dad was Priesthood support and photographer); visited 4 single ladies - 3 in assisted living and 1 in a hospital; shop for furniture with Grandma.  Dad says it is “great to be retired” and often wonders how he ever had time to work at Ford. So much for the plan to lay around in a hammock savoring sweet grapes and bonbons. Oh well, maybe next week.

Interior Decorators -  Mom was the chief consultant and Dad was the official chauffeur for Grandma Sparks’ quest for a new kitchen table and chairs, which included visits to several stores and ended up with designing and ordering a new table from the Thomasville store.  Mom & Dad, caught up in the excitement, imagined what new Thomasville furniture would look like in the bedroom and family room and study - R e a l  n i c e!

Corless Clan Connection - 3 April 2011 - Michigan

Sunday Dear Family,

R.S.V.T. Mom & Dad worked for several hours generating a grid “map” locating all the Relief Society sisters in the Ward to facilitate Visiting Teaching organization. It was well received by the the RS leaders and proved helpful in getting their “matters organized”. 

Triple Temple Trips - Mom & Dad worked their normal Tuesday evening shift, but Mom, also, had a Relief Society sponsored sealing session on Thursday night with pie and ice cream for refreshments. Nathan, who just turned 13 years old, was also there on Thursday evening for a baptism session.

Snow Bird Returns - Grandma flew back from Yuma to Michigan arriving safely Thursday evening at the airport. Dad was there waiting to pick her up and wisk her home after a grocery stop at Kroger.  On the way to the airport Dad stopped to visit and have dinner with Daniel & Holli and sons.

Beauty & The Beast - Friday morning Mom, Dad and Grandma were escorted to front row seats to enjoy the musical performance by Wyandot JHS. Tyler played the part of Gaston and Samantha played the part of Cogsworth. They were impressive;  good acting skills as well as singing.  Dad took a few photos to share with the family and school.  Afterward, Grandma treated Mom, Dad and Vanessa to lunch at CPK.

See Photos: http://gallery.me.com/rcorless

The Word - Once again, the word of God is heard through out the family homes as General Conference speakers seek to edify us all with the word of the Lord. Thanks be to Heavenly Father, whose “hand is out stretched still” to receive us unto himself. May we all be lifted up and strengthened in our quest to return to Him.

Love y’all, Mom & Dad