The Joseph Family » Family

Ernest Homer Joseph (October 18, 1945 – May 22, 2010)

miajoe — Thu, 27 May 2010 01:40:14 +0000

Ernest H. Joseph, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great- Grandfather and Marine passed quietly without pain at 4:34 pm Saturday.

We are so grateful that we enjoyed his last days in his presence. It is such a blessing that so many of his family members were together in St. Louis for our niece Katee’s high school graduation.

Though we are saddened by the loss of a great father and true American hero, we can find comfort in the fact that he has peace.

View Obituary | Video Tribute

Seraya’s Baptism

miajoe — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:24:26 +0000

Vavia’s first trip to the dentist

miajoe — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 00:59:30 +0000

She was a champ!!! She smiled almost the whole time and she did everything they asked her to. She jumped right up in the chair. She laid right down and put her head back. She opened her mouth and said “Ahhhhhh”. She let them clean her teeth with the noisy air tools and she thought it tickled. I think she actually had fun at the dentist. And her teeth are as close to perfect as you can get at two and a half years old.
(Sorry for the poor qulality pics… I took them on my phone.) By RJ

Princess Vavia

miajoe — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 01:42:10 +0000

Giving Thanks

miajoe — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 02:32:13 +0000

I have to admit, Thanksgiving was always my favorite holiday. There’s just something about it. Probably has a lot to do with getting prepared for a season that is filled with family and friend get-togethers and Thanksgiving is one that is really just about getting together with family with no expectations and really just enjoying each other’s company. The food doesn’t hurt either!

I am so grateful for so much in my life and I should probably practice this kind of gratitude in my daily living. I am blessed to have a husband who loves me and takes care of me. A daughter who is the light of my life and my reason for being. And a family that cares about me so deeply. I am grateful to have a job in this unfortunate economy. Grateful for my dear friends who have been there through the years and even the new ones who I now hold close to my heart. I am surrounded by loved ones, family and friends. Life is precious and we often take things for granted but as I sit here after a wonderful evening with my family, I am beyond grateful.

Happy 2nd Birthday!

miajoe — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:48:52 +0000

It’s so hard to believe that two years ago at this moment, I was in labor, awaiting the arrival of my daughter. It seems so long ago that I laid in that hospital bed, with Rich by my side, helping me through contractions. Rich was the one who stood by me encouraging me to forego the epidural as I originally planned, even when I thought I could no longer take it. In the end, the labor, the 9 months of discomfort, paid off. We had a beautiful baby girl, who we named Vavia Rose.

I’ll never forget the way she looked the first time I saw her. All I could see was a head full of hair. She was gorgeous. Counted the fingers and toes, yep, they were all there. She was perfect.

I’ll never forget how she looked laying next to me in the hospital. This beautiful little creature that was depending on us completely.

I’ll never forget the first time she smiled. We were listening to “I’m Sticking With You” by the Velvet Underground.

I’ll never forget the first time she ate solid food, slithered across the floor, laughed hysterically or the day she took her first steps.

And I’ll never forget the countless memories we’ve made over the last two years as I watched her grow from a completely helpless little baby to a very strong and independent little girl.

Having a child, especially one like Vavia, has brought so much joy to our lives. I always feel good when I hear her shrieks of joy or see her in the morning with her sleepy eyes.

I know the next year is going to hold even more excitement as we witness the arrival of her first cousin on my side of the family, Seraya Baker. I cannot wait for her to have a cousin who is close to home and that she can grow up with. I can only imagine what the coming year will bring.

I love you Vavia. Happy Birthday.

Videos from Branson

miajoe — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:03:38 +0000

Here are a few videos from Vavia’s trip to Branson.

Branson Visit

miajoe — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:03:05 +0000

We got back from Branson about 6:30 this morning. It was an interesting trip and great to see the family. Unfortunately it was a small group of us, but we made the best of it. Vavia had a blast. She was finally able to meet one of her cousins, Jennifer, who is the second youngest on the Joseph side. We picked up Jennifer in Festus, MO and then drove down to Branson. Our friend Joe came also, and it was great to see Vavia finally warm up to him. She couldn’t stop calling for her Uncle Doe. Too cute. Enjoy the photos!

: Vavia enjoying the fountains at the landing.

: Jackson Cash – A Tribute to Johnny Cash at the Caravelle Theater

: Rich and Jennifer riding Go Karts

: Jennifer, Vavia and Mom

: Jennifer

: Rich and Joe getting ready to race.

: The Caravelle Theater

: Vavia enjoying some pizza at Pizza World.

: Joe, keeping Vavia happy during a meal at Pizza World.

: Water Lover

: Uncle Doe

: Jennifer, watching the fire/fountain show.

: Dad

: Vavia, looking beautiful as always.

: Vavia and Grandma, watching iCarly.

: Vavia enjoying some Yogurt with Uncle Joe.

: Jennifer Rose

: Do you see the drool?

: Rich, Vavia, Dianna and Jennifer

: Vavia, ready for a fire show at the Shogun Japanese Steakhouse.

: Vavia, ready for a fire show at the Shogun Japanese Steakhouse.

: Jennifer and Dad

Hanging at The Baker’s

miajoe — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 02:07:10 +0000

: Enjoying a ice-pop before going to the Baker’s.

: Her new flip flops hurt her toes.

: Brushing her teeth backwards in the car while daddy filled up the gas.

: Sad when daddy took her soda away…after she got it back the tears stopped pretty soon.

: Happy to be with Masi!

: Rich, hanging out.

: The baby bunny.

: Vavia playing in the camper.

: Isn’t she beautiful??

: Obsessed with iCarly.

: Grandma in the background.

: Vavia with Grandpa.

: Sweet Vavia

: Vavia loves smelling flowers.

: The air conditioner was blowing on her head. She was having a lot of fun.

: Learning to drive…way too early.

Mid-Day Distraction

miajoe — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:38:38 +0000

Watch Them Grow – Zach Gill

The Monkey

So…it’s been a very busy day. Lot’s going on at work and I got a message from Samia which spawned an unexpected conversation. I thought I’d share my thoughts and hers:

Samia K Joseph - [1:57 PM]:

Richard A Joseph - [1:57 PM]:

Samia K Joseph – [1:58 PM]:

just wanted to tell you I was thinking about you

Samia K Joseph - [1:58 PM]:

listening to the Zach Gill song, Watch them Grow, makes me think of you and Vavia

Samia K Joseph - [1:58 PM]:

She’s close to God, I’m sure of that

She sits him down and they have a chat

She asks for sunshine and he agrees

You see for her, he’d do anything

You watch them grow then you let ‘em go

She is a monkey and I’m her tree

Now she’s climbing all over me

Swinging on my vines dancing on my limbs

Her monkey sounds sound like angels hymns

You watch them grow then you let ‘em go

She is an angel, she is an imp

She’s got a big toe and her mother’s lips

She gives fishy kisses and great big bear hugs

42 pounds of pure love

Then one day she’ll be 17, feeling too big for her home

Seems she was just only

Richard A Joseph - [2:07 PM]:

I was thinking about that the other night when we heard it at the show…I was thinking that I feel that same way all the time.

Richard A Joseph – [2:08 PM]:

Like this morning when I looked back and she was looking out the window of the car like she was deep in thought.

Samia K Joseph - [2:08 PM]:

I know…you are a good daddy…we’ll have to remember that tune…when she is getting married some day and you need to pick a song to dance with her

Richard A Joseph - [2:08 PM]:

I saw for just a second, her at 18 and I’m taking her to college.

Samia K Joseph - [2:08 PM]:

that’s gonna be a tough day

Richard A Joseph - [2:08 PM]:

I could see the person she will someday become.

Samia K Joseph - [2:09 PM]:

she is going to be amazing

Richard A Joseph - [2:09 PM]:

She IS amazing

Richard A Joseph - [2:10 PM]:

It’s like the conversation I had with Pat…He said you watch them do something for the first time and you think, wow. That’s so cool. Then the next thing and the next thing…and before you know it they’re walking, talking, talking back…and it never gets old. Each new stage is cooler than the last.

Samia K Joseph - [2:10 PM]:

that is pretty cool

Samia K Joseph - [2:11 PM]:

and so true so far

Richard A Joseph - [2:13 PM]:

I think it’s sad that they have to grow up because you begin to realize that they don’t need you as much as they did yesterday… and then, they develop their own personality. They don’t think the same stuff is cool anymore…the stuff they did with daddy and the stupid things we will do together. Then they have their other friends and you feel like an outsider… I think this is why parents have such a hard time with teenagers. By the time they get to that stage, we feel left out of their lives after we put so much into them.

I miss her everyday after I drop her off…and it’s true that some days, I feel relieved to have dropped her off because she was especially challenging that morning, but I still miss her.

I get jealous of Felicia…and sometimes I get a little short with Felicia because I’m jealous. I hate that she get’s to spend so much time with MY little girl…and she is witness to so many firsts that I miss out on.

After this conversation, it was much easier for me to put my day, job and life into perspective.

I love you Samia! I love you Vavia!

So, I need to say for Felicia’s benefit, I love that Vavia has you in her life. It’s not often that you meet someone as kind and caring as you have proven to be. It’s even less often when they become such an integral part of our lives. You are a member of our family, just as Vavia is part of yours. Thank you for everything you do…

I’m still jealous though…