Category Archives: Life

Serving

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In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we don’t have paid clergy. Everyone helps and serves. We often take turns doing responsibilities. Right now the leader of our congregation is a wonderful man whose full time job is to work at the local fire station. He donates his time without pay to help members who need help, and to keep us all organized.

A congregation is called a ward. There are lots of people in a ward, maybe 500 or so. There are organizations within the ward that are for specific groups. There is the Primary, where the little kids meet. The Young Women and Young Men where the kids that are 11 years old up to 18 meet. The women’s organization is called the Relief Society, it’s almost 180 years old. The Elders Quorum where the men meet. When we go to church after our big main meeting called Sacrament, we go to our separate rooms and learn some more about God, life and being good.

I starting wondering if I could remember all the responsibilities/callings I’ve had in my 60 years. I’m sure I’ve missed some and we don’t really serve until we’re 18+ years old, so in the last 42 years I came up with 29 Callings or responsibilities I’ve had in my life.

  1. Nursery-18 months-3 years old
  2. Missionary-I served in Texas in the 80’s for 18 months
  3. Sunday School-17-18 year olds
  4. Teaching Relief Society
  5. Relief Society-2nd Counselor
  6. Homemaking Leader-Relief Society
  7. Teaching Relief Society-Spiritual Living Lesson
  8. Teaching Relief Society-Compassionate Service Lesson 
  9. Relief Society 1st Counselor
  10. Relief Society President 
  11. Young Women-Camp Director 
  12. Relief Society-Visiting Teaching Coordinator 
  13. Ward Librarian 
  14. Primary Teacher
  15. Relief Society-Homemaking Leader
  16. Primary Teacher
  17. Scout Leader-Wolves-8 year olds
  18. Assistant Camp Director
  19. Primary 2nd Counselor
  20. Young Women President 
  21. Primary Teacher
  22. Relief Society Teacher
  23. Primary President 
  24. Family History Consultant 
  25. Ward Missionary
  26. Relief Society Teacher
  27. Young Women MiaMaid Adviser
  28. Primary Teacher
  29. Family History Consultant 

I have always learned lessons from my callings. Some I learned more from than others. And sometimes the ones I learned the most from were because they were very hard for me.

When you get a calling, the secretary to the Bishop calls you and says, “The Bishop would like to meet with you, can you come ______,” Then you worry until you see him about what he wants. I’ll be honest, sometimes I knew what he wanted. I had already received a feeling or confirmation in my heart/mind about what was coming. Those times I didn’t worry as much, because I knew God was calling me. I knew He would help me to serve. Not that He wasn’t calling me for other callings. I believe the Bishop and his counselors pray and ask God if so and so is a good fit for this or that calling, at this time. Maybe I’ve felt it in my heart when the calling was big.

When I was just 29 years old I had just had my third child. I was in the middle of motherhood. Up to here, with the daily routines. I was very overwhelmed, but I knew I was going to be the new Relief Society President. I don’t know how to explain it, but I knew it was coming and I knew I could do it. As I met with the Bishop, I thought about all the things going on in our little home. I thought about all of the things God was asking me to do, and all of the time I would need to spend loving and caring for the sisters in our ward. As I was set apart by the Bishop and he placed his hands on my head and pronounced blessings and promises which I knew would help me, a feeling of peace came over me.

Some how I found time to visit, organize and love all of the sisters in our ward. I had chosen to quit breastfeeding my new baby a few months after he was born, and realized it was a blessing that I could just hand him over to his dad if I needed to be somewhere, or help someone. I loved serving the women in our ward and felt so blessed by their love and goodness.

A few months into my calling as Relief Society President, I was diagnosed with postpartum depression. I was pretty much maxed out. I don’t know how I did it, except to say that Father In Heaven had been helping me to complete my responsibilities. He was blessing me with some strength I didn’t even know I had. I also learned that many sisters in our ward had depression. One of the sisters said she had prayed that God would call a president that actually understands depression. I did, and the Bishop was checking on me often to see how I was doing. I would let him know that I felt like I could keep going, I knew I was being sustained by heaven and all of the sisters.

On January 1st I received a call that has forever changed me. I was called to help at the hospital and be there for the family, where a couple from our ward had just been killed by a drunk driver. They were taking their son to the hospital in the early hours of the morning with what they thought might be appendicitis. As they drove up the street they missed the turn to the hospital, and had just slowed down to make a u turn when they were broadside by a car going way too fast! The husband was killed instantly, and the wife died shortly after arriving at the hospital. She was pregnant. The son they were taking to the hospital was ok, and didn’t have appendicitis. I have never seen such sorrow and devastation. News of the tragedy went through our ward and most of us young parents thought about what would happen to our kids if we were suddenly gone. The Relief Society is usually in charge of the meal for the family after a funeral. Watching all of the family grieve was almost more that I could stand. I told the bishop maybe it was time for me to be released.

I think about this sweet couple every New Year. I feel sorrow for their loss and worry for anyone who might be out and about on that day. I am always telling family to be so careful and watch for drunk drivers. I prefer to stay home to bring in the New Year.

Callings and responsibilities can have that effect on you, changing you forever. I will never forget the lesson’s I learned, and the challenges I overcame as the young and overwhelmed Relief Society President of our ward.

Super Power: Birthday Remembering!

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I’m not a super hero, but I do have a super power.

My little brother says, we remember what’s important to us. Well, I must consider birthdays very important. Maybe I didn’t get enough attention when I was younger on my birthday, I don’t know, but I love my birthday, I love celebrating and I love remembering other peoples birthdays and special days.

For as long as I can remember I have had a good memory for other peoples birthdays. I can remember other special days, too. I don’t know for sure how it happens, but when I explain it to others they like to tease me. Example: I’ll say, “Well, I was almost full term pregnant with Kelsey when Scott and Stacy got married. I was big and uncomfortable at the wedding, and Kelsey was born a week later on July 21st. So I know their wedding anniversary is July 15th.”

So family will say, in jest- “The moon was rising over Sagittarius and Jupiter was falling…” like it is a magic ability, or power. Well, if I do have a super power this is it. If you asked me the price of bananas, I have no idea and never have. I can’t remember any prices, ever. I don’t know if what I’m shopping for is a good deal, because I can’t remember what the price of hamburger is per pound. If I need bananas, I buy them. If I need hamburger I buy it, but forget a birthday? Never!

For example: in January these are the birthdays, Brad-2nd, Lizzie-2nd, Indie-6th, Nancy-9th, Ian-16th, Vickie-17th, Monroe-22nd, Kiefer-23rd, Liam-23rd, Lilli-30th, Colin-30th, Abby-31st. I typed all of these from memory except 2. I had to check, but not too bad.

I have made lists of birthday, and anniversaries and shared them with the rest of the family. I may have even saved someone from missing an important birthday. Just sayin’. In that way I may even be a super hero!

I love my family, my people. I have chosen to send a birthday card to each family member on their birthday. It takes effort, but I want them to know I love them and I want them to know they are remembered on their special day. Most the time I don’t hear back from them. That’s ok. The ones who say thank you are always so glad I took the time to remember them. I just got a message from my niece who is serving a mission in Germany. She got her bday card and loved it. When your away from home and you get mail it’s the best!

Maybe that’s it. When I was a missionary I loved mail. When someone takes the time to send a letter it means they thought about you to think about doing it, then they thought about you while writing the letter/card, then they thought about you while getting/writing the address, and then one more time while dropping it off at the mailbox! So much loving thoughts.

It’s worth it to me!

________________________________________________________

Why Important Birthdays Are Important

They acknowledge our steps along the road. They let us savor the joy, yet again. They inspire laughter and shenanigans. They embrace pageantry and tradition. They ask us to close our eyes and make a wish for the future. -Tiffany&Co.

Cheerleaders!

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This cutie on top is my little friend Kalli!

I love to watch cheerleaders! They are truly amazing. They get you pumped up and excited about life. When they perform and do stunts it is a wow moment in life! One of the funnest things I’ve seen them do is called Spirit fingers. They lift up their hands high in the air and wiggle their fingers and yell “Wooohooo!” If they do it right the people in the audience will raise their hands and do spirit fingers back to them and yell “Wooohooo” too.

I loved cheerleaders in junior high school too. I thought that being a cheerleader would be so fun! I did gymnastics for years and knew how to tumble, and do some tricks. I decided when try outs were coming up that I should try out for cheerleader. I worked hard at it, but I was all by myself. Some of the girls would work together as they practiced the required cheer and stunts. We didn’t have stunts back them like they have now, where several girls lift the smallest girl while she holds her leg up and then flips off the top of the girls holding her. It was just you doing a cheer that they gave you. On the day of try outs I was so nervous. I felt good too, like it could happen. I could make cheerleader and have a blast cheering the teams on at all the games.

When it was my turn to try out, I ran out into the gym, did a tumbling pass and yelled my cheer at the top of my lungs! I thought “Oh yeah, I’ve got spirit!” It went well, I thought, mostly because I never got to see anyone else try out. I felt good about it though. I went home. Wondered about it several times. Then bedtime came. I didn’t sleep great, because I was still wondering and hoping that I made it. The next morning I got on the bus for school. I saw one of the other girls who tried out. I said, “I think I might have made cheerleader.” She said, “Really?” I said, “I just feel good about how I did.” She smiled. When we got to school they had an assembly were the new cheerleaders were announced. I found out that the new cheerleaders had been kidnapped the night before and taken for dinner or dessert, I can’t remember which. I also found out that the girl who tried out with me and that I talked to on the bus made cheerleader. I felt foolish. I wished I hadn’t said anything to her. Oh well, I thought you can’t do anything about it now. I was sad for little while, but then ok with not making cheerleader, but I never tried out again. That was about 47 years ago.

I still love to watch cheerleaders. They are amazing. It sure looks like fun!

I was recently thinking about the story of trying out for cheerleader. I’m ok with not making it, and not being a cheerleader, but I realized while thinking, I am a cheerleader! Even though I didn’t make cheerleader as a young woman I am a cheerleader and always will be.

At 21 years old, I was a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was a cheerleader for people looking for a Savior and friend. As missionaries we would cheer as they accepted the gospel and were baptized members of the church. We felt the spirit as they bore humble testimony of God and His influence in their lives. What a blessing to be their cheerleaders.

I cheer for my brothers, Daddy and Mama. Since Daddy passed away I am my mama’s biggest cheerleader. I give her pep talks and tell her how amazing she is, and that she can “do it!”

In the first years of marriage and even now, I am my husbands best cheerleader. All through the years we raised our children I cheered them on daily! (Spirit fingers!!) I was chosen to be a Relief Society President and Head cheerleader to our ward women’s organization. It was an important job- encouraging those mom’s and wives to do their best in spite of exhaustion. I cheered the Primary children on as the Primary President and leader and taught them all about spirit, and how to follow the leader. I cheered for the Young Women in our neighborhood as the Young Women President and leader, and sometimes we cheered together about this wonderful, and exciting life! Just like a high school football game, there were highs and lows and I would cheer; “You can do it! There’s nothin to it!!”

I cheer for my kids now that they are adults, and their spouses and their darling little team mates! I will always be their cheerleader!

This year I made it to one of the best squads. I didn’t even have to try out. I was chosen to be a cheerleader for Families. I am so excited to cheer for the members of our ward family. I will cheer and encourage and persuade them to research and find their loved ones and get to know them. Then they can take them to the temple and be together forever!! I am cheering on my friends who are writing their personal histories. I am sharing my excitement and spirit for Family History. Yes! This is an important job. I love it and I’m having so much fun cheering!

We can all be cheerleaders. You don’t have to try out. You just need to be available and care about others. It’s that simple.

“We have spirit- yes we do, We have spirit- how about you?”

You’ve Got Mail

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This cute and fun romantic comedy came out in 1998. Little did I know at that time it would be such a big part of my life. In 1998 my children were 12, 9, 7, and 4. My days were spent doing laundry, cleaning, running kids and errands all over the city we lived in. It was a typical routine that most moms know. We had only been in our home for a year or so and were feeling the stretch of a house that was a little too much for us. We moved there, because we had a plan to put a massage and hair shop in the basement apartment that was part of the house. This shop would bring in income and help with the house bills and help us raise our family. It didn’t quite work the way we thought. Not wanting strangers coming into our home, we chose not to advertise our shop. Our clientale was word of mouth, not enough customers came. The neighbors were wonderful and very supportive. Often children would stop on their way home from school to get their hair cut. My sweetie still needed to work full time which allowed for health and dental insurance. As it became clear the shop would not provide enough income, I started working at the local grocery store, the first of many jobs through the years.

All my life I have wanted to be a stay at home mom, a homemaker. Making a home is very important to me. So now I was not only a mom, and a homemaker, I was bringing in income. It became very important to supplement my husbands income. I worked about 3-4 days a week. After a time, I started other small jobs, I even tended for a friend for many years. I did PTA, worked part-time, worked full-time, I tended full-time, and I had very responsible church callings. I even studied real estate and insurance at different times, all in an effort to make enough money to pay the bills and live. I enjoyed all of this busyness as much as I could, but then started to struggle with the responsibilities and depending on the day and what I had to do after work, I would come home at 5:00 take off my bra, put on my pj’s and get into bed. I would start the movie “You’ve Got Mail” and would always feel more light and sometimes even happy. Sometimes the kids would hop on my bed with me and we would all watch. I’ve always loved being their mom! I am usually a motivated person, I push myself, but for years I was so over-whelmed that I was just moving a long, doing what I could. Sometime in the middle of all this Alex said to me “Slow and Steady wins the race!” from the Tortoise and The Hare story. I wrote a post about that. Those kind of phases are helpful, too.

I watched You’ve Got Mail so many times, I don’t know, but I still love it so much. The things I love about this movie are; It takes place in New York City, her apartment is adorable, Meg Ryan is the main character and she is just a easy going bookstore owner who just turned 30 years old, I love books, when the story starts it’s Fall (my favorite season), there are some cute and funny one liners, one of the biggest reasons why I love the movie is how she handles the challenges she faces. She does get discouraged, but doesn’t stay discouraged. The most important part is the happy ending. My Darlin always says I need to only watch “Sweetness and Light.” It’s true no dark and scary stuff for me! Sometimes it’s just fun to escape your own life and live through someone else even if it’s just for a few hours. It was important during years when I needed to cope with a busy, busy life. Now my kids are adults. They are amazing! I am very happy I made it through those years!!

On a trip to New York City, we did a little tour of the places that are in the movie. What a blast! We saw the store that was “The Shop Around the Corner.” We’ve been to Cafe Lalo where Kathleen waits for her email pen pal, we have seen H & H Bagels-we didn’t go in, Starbucks, Zabar’s, Riverside Park & Gray’s Papaya (super yummy hotdogs). It is so fun to visit places you’ve seen in a movie.

I still love You’ve Got Mail even though I don’t watch the movie much these days. It actually doesn’t help me feel better like it used to, but I keep finding things that do.

I am so thankful there are distractions, diversions, and other ways of coping when life is over-whelming! I’m super thankful for favorite movies like “You’ve Got Mail!”

Mama

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Photo Credit-Larry Hanson

She is a wonderful Mama. She is my friend. I’m grateful she is mine.

These are a few of the things that make my Mom the great gal she is.

She grew up with a Mama and a Daddy and one sister. She learned a lot growing up. Her Daddy was a hard worker, but also an alcoholic. He joined AA when she was 16. She learned respect. Her Mama was a saint, and taught her how to love and be kind. Her sister was spunky and a tease. This taught her patience. She was a good student graduating a year early. She was a good worker, having jobs that were important like a telephone operator. If you don’t know what that is ask someone older than 30.

She is motivated and has gotten a lot accomplished and has done her whole life. She raised 6 kids, then went to college and received a degree in early childhood education. She taught pre-school, Head Start, and an after school program for latch key kids called CARES.

She has been a student of history all her life, having lived for 89 years. She was born during the Depression. She remembers when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Because of her, I love history. She loves teaching even now, she is very wise. A funny thing she says after she’s had an opportunity to teach is, “I’m such a good teacher!” I usually laugh and say, “Yes, you are!” She enjoys teaching too. She teaches Family History Classes, lessons at Church, Group lessons at the place she lives.

She is healthy and comes from good stock, as they say. She once fell down 24 cement stairs and didn’t break any bones. She was 84 years old when this happened. She and my Daddy were in Slovenia traveling and having so much fun with my little brother and his wife, and her parents. What a miracle!

She is very spiritual. She reads her scriptures everyday. She prays and wants to do what God would have her do in life. She doesn’t let the challenges in life bring her down. Some people would call that grounded. Her perspective is always eternal. She lost her sweetheart and love, 2 years ago and doesn’t feel sad all the time. She knows she’ll see him again, and that they will be together forever.

She likes to be by herself. When I was young this bothered me. I wanted her to want to spend time with me. I am the only daughter. I thought we should be shopping or something. At this point in our lives, I’m ok with my Mama not wanting to be with me too much. She’s taught me that to be by myself is a good place. She’s taught me that she is who she is and we don’t always have the same feelings or ideas, and that’s ok too.

Family is very important to her. She loves the ones who came before, and she loves the ones who are living now. She has taught me to love all of these people too. For 30 + years my Mom would have Sunday dinner for the whole family at their home. This was amazing to me. The meal alone is expensive. For many years, my Mom didn’t even have a dish washer. She would hand wash all those dishes Monday morning. We still get together, though not always at her place and not every week. Because she taught me to love my ancestors I have been blessed to know I’ll never alone. They are always there, with their example, their story, their ability to live life even when it was hard. I am connected to them and I love them so much.

Yes, she is a wonderful Mama. She is such a blessing and I’m filled with gratitude to God for blessing me with the perfect parents, and today I’m especially grateful for my sweet Mama!

COVID-19

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It’s been a tough year in our world.

I’m sure you know.

I have to put an extra amount of effort in to just getting through the day sometimes. The world feels like it is in chaos. So much going on, but it all started for me with Covid-19. This virus has been making its way around the world causing death and heartache. Covid-19 stands for “Co” Corona, “Vi” Virus, and “D” disease. 19 is the year the virus came out. I don’t like that. So-

Aren’t acronyms great?

Looking at the acronym which holds so many negative and frustrating feelings, I made a choice to change what COVID-19 means to me. It doesn’t make it go away, or change the things associated with it, but it helps me focus on what “I” can do. I get to choose how I feel and what I’m going to do inside with the worry, sadness, frustration, and anger I feel about this year. So here is what COVID-19 means to me…

Choose Optimism & Valor In Distress 19

19 is a prime number- only divisible by the number 1 and itself.

Number one is God in my life. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13. I know God is very aware of what is going on right now. I know He’s OK with us having hard things happen sometimes. We need it. It reminds us what’s most important in life. It’s not stuff, or popularity. It’s not running around busy, busy, busy. It helps us grow in ways He wants us to grow.

What can I do?

I have been reminded and I am grateful for the reminder to slow down, spend time on loving my family and loving myself. When I think that 19 is prime, only divisible with “1” which I will focus on as God, and “itself”, that’s me. What can I do? And I decided to set 19 goals to accomplish this year and on, depending on when the goals are accomplished and when the virus is gone.

1-Slow down-Stop, sit still, think. What is God telling me about my life. What is my body trying to tell me. Am I listening to my intuition or the spirit tell me how best to go forward. There is a peace that comes with feeling connected to a higher power. He knows everything, I know not much. I love being lead. I feel calm when I think of Heavenly Father and my Savior. I feel their love and peace. Slowing down is very helpful.

2-Be grateful-Always look for the blessings in life. It is amazing how many tiny insignificant things I see, feel, or notice on a daily basis that lets me know there is order in the chaos. I have a gratitude journal, it is super helpful as a reminder to be grateful.

3-Spend time with my spouse, reminding each other what we love about each other-Busyness is one of the enemies of a great marriage. You really need to make time for each other and work on loving each other. Ask yourself, “Why did I marry him/her?” and appreciate those things again. Look for growth and service. My sweetie has served me in many ways through the years and I love him for it. We need to laugh and have fun with each other. Since we live in the same house and the virus can’t stop us from being together, we have had a lot of time to laugh and love each other.

4-Reading my scriptures everyday-I have been reading for my whole life, and I never get tired of it. There is always something new to learn. I love that about the scriptures.

5-Having meaningful church at home-We’re still working on the meaningful. I love Zooming sacrament meeting in my PJ’s. That’s something I never thought I’d be able to do. I would miss it, if it weren’t for Zoom. Thank you, Zoom people.

6-Organizing our home-Cleaning out closets, organizing memorabilia. I refer to this as, “Getting a grip.” Still working on it.

7-Going through old pictures-What a fun activity!! Looking through pictures of our sweet children when they were little, and sharing fun old pictures with each other through text.

8-Writing notes and letters to loved ones-I love getting letters. I try to write notes to those I love and let them know I love and appreciate them.

9-Donating to charities-After I go through the closets and realize I don’t need all this stuff, I make an appointment and donate it.

10-Gathering in a careful way-this is easier in the summer, or warmer weather. We can still space out and wear masks, like meeting at the park. Everywhere we’ve gone for a drive or to get away form the usual this year, has been packed with people, canyons, lakes, Spiral Jetty’s. I think we’re all thinking the same thing, get out in nature and gather carefully.

11-Family History-Oh, how I love my ancestors! I need to spend more time on them. I love the technology that allows me to do family history from home. I love learning and knowing about their lives and what they went through. It helps me to be grateful and know that I can do hard things, too.

12-Scrapbooks-These will always be necessary in my life. I love keeping a record of what we’re doing each year, and remembering events that mean so much in our lives. I’ll always do this!

13-Deep clean our house-Still doing this, but its definitely a source of feeling good.

14-Movie marathons, games, and laughing-Harry Potter, Scrabble, and others. Good times. There is something about watching a whole series or all the seasons from a show or movie that is satisfying. Great fun!

15-Build a greenhouse with my Darlin-I’ve always wanted a greenhouse. Me and my Darlin worked on this beautiful greenhouse all summer long. Many hours of love and creativity went into building this “She-shed”! My Darlin loves me!

16-Help my Mama-shopping for her, or with her if it’s not crowded, and sharing lunch together, listening and sharing what is going on in both of our lives since Daddy passed away.

17-Simplify-What matters most. What is the best thing/s I can do with today? It makes a difference to really think about my time.

18-Be productive everyday-I struggle when I’m sad/overwhelmed/super bummed. It is all I can do to get a shower and do the dishes, somedays. I do my best and that is enough.

19–Choose optimism & valor in distress! I love that even though I struggle with depression, I still have a desire to be happy, and productive. I push myself to do it, and am always glad I did.

I hope that the way I have chosen to look at COVID-19 is a help to you too.

We can do it!

A New Normal.

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A month ago, my normal changed. My daily thoughts, the things I worry about, my sorrow, my tears all became about one thing; my Daddy. He passed away. He has left a giant hole in my life and the lives of our family members. When someone you love is gone from your days, and the time becomes greater since you saw them last, it is sometimes overwhelming, and you just have to stop whatever you’re doing and cry. He is, and always has been, the most wonderful man I know. His life and contribution to this world was significant. He left things, and places, and situations better than he found them. People were always touched by his love and sensitivity to them and their welfare. He worked hard all his life. He served others and made contributions that are still blessing those he loved. He wrote stories and histories and shared them with everyone. He served our country. He loves our Father in Heaven, our Savior, and has a testimony of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. His example is one that I will work the rest of my life to try to emulate.

When I heard the news, I was devastated, but not surprised. He has struggled with a heart wearing out for years. It finally said, “Enough, you’ve done enough.” He was traveling with my little brother, and his wife, and her parents when he passed. I knew that they would be sad, wondering if the trip was too much, but I believe it was a great send off. They traveled up the west coast of the United States, starting at San Fransisco where my parents met, and ended up in Victoria, Canada. While traveling home, they planned to visit my Dad’s older sister, his only living sibling. He passed away at her home. He may have been holding on to see her. My sweet Mama came home without him, and now will be there in their home without him. She is heart broken. Their 64th anniversary was the week after he passed.

The funeral was wonderful. How could it not be? When you celebrate the life of someone like my Dad, it really is a celebration! Many came to pay their respects. Many had stories about how my Daddy had blessed their life, or how much they admired him, or how something he did at the Family History Center was inspired. It was wonderful to hear stories about how great he is to others. And now we just mourn, and try to get used to life without him here.

I really feel that time spent with family is the most important way to spend time. I will miss time spent with my Dad for the rest of my life. I will miss seeing him most every Sunday for dinner. I will miss our monthly dates, and cutting his hair, and trimming his beard. I will miss him calling and my Daddy’s ring tone of Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World”, playing. When I hear that song, I can’t help thinking about him.

I worry about my sweet Mama. “Is she ok?” “I better call her and check on her.” “I need to take her to lunch.” “What can I do to love her and help her?” These, and more, are all thoughts in my mind several times a day. She’s seems to be doing quite well. Amazingly well.

I am thankful for our strong family bond. I am so thankful that I know that he loves our family and that we love him. We saw him often, and tell each other all the time how much we love each other.

The times I struggle most are when I’m feeling sorry for me. I believe with all my heart that my Daddy is in a better place. He is happy and very busy doing great things and blessing others. Before he passed, he was uncomfortable and frustrated that he couldn’t do what he used to be able to do. He can do anything now. He is at peace and so are we because he lived a great life. His legacy is one of love, service, sacrifice, work, developing talents, faith in God, righteousness, and having fun while he did it all. At the very center of his life was his sweetheart, my Mama, and family. We will all be together in heaven some day.

I love him, and I’m so grateful he is my Daddy.

Getting Home.

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When I was around 8 years old, we lived in the country. We rode the bus to and from school. Us old people like to say, “When I was a kid, we walked up hill, both ways to school…in a blizzard.” It wasn’t quite that bad, but there were a few things that made getting to school, and then back home, (when I was a kid) more challenging than it is these days .

1-The bus stop was a mile from our home.

2-From kindergarten until 5th grade, girls weren’t allowed to wear pants to school. That is hard to believe now. I wore shorts under my dress, so I could play on the monkey bars, and sometimes I’d wear pants under my dress till I got to school then take them off.

3-When it snowed, it really snowed. It has changed, but we used to jump off our balcony into the snow that was not that far down. My legs would freeze on the way to the bus stop. Sometimes I had pants on, sometimes not.

4-Parents never worried about strangers stealing their kids, so none of the parents took their kids to school.

I have all kinds of stories about going to school and then coming home.

Let me tell you about the time there was a very big, scary, obstacle between the bus stop and home. Something that could prevent me from getting home, or so I thought. That big scary thing was also hairy. Our neighbors around the corner from our house had a dog…a St. Bernard. At one time, I felt pretty comfortable with the dog, until it bit me. It wasn’t a bad bite. It was more like a warning bite, that just meant don’t mess with me or I’ll eat you up. And for some reason, I didn’t tell anyone about it. But after that I was scared to death of the dog. This dog lived on the road I had to go on to get home; sometimes the dog was tied up, sometimes not. This was in the country, so I couldn’t just go an extra block and back track to make it home. On this one day, I just didn’t feel confident that I could make it past the house where the dog lived without having a problem. I decided that instead of going home the usual way, I would go behind the house where the dog lived and make my way through the field until I got past the house and then go back to the road. What a great idea, I thought. So I started around the back of the house, making sure not to get too close to the house in case the dog was out and he would see me. My main goal was to not have to pass the house on the road. Within a short time, I realized that the area behind their house was the biggest sticker patch you’ve ever seen.

On this day, I had worn my lace tights. They were my favorite.

When I finally made it past the house and back to the road, I realized my tights were ruined. I didn’t have a lot of nice things back then, so I was pretty devastated about the tights, but at least I was alive and didn’t get attacked.

I don’t know if my mom ever saw the ruined tights, because I hid them in the very back of a play cupboard that my grandpa had made me. If she saw them, she never said anything.

I’ve thought a lot about that experience, and how because I didn’t tell anyone about the dog, I faced it alone. I didn’t feel brave enough, or stupid enough, to go home the normal way, so I tried to make my way around the problem and ended up with another experience that I wasn’t very happy about either. What should I have done different? I know as a child I felt alone a lot. I actually was alone, a lot. I thought I had to work things out on my own. I should have told my parents about the dog bite. Then they could make sure the neighbor kept their dog tied up, or in the house. I must have told my parents about the dog after that experience, because I don’t remember worrying about him after that.

I wish I could tell that little girl a few things, like:

Don’t ever feel like you’re alone. There will always be someone to help.

Ask for help. And if you don’t get the help you need, ask someone else.

Be brave and go through the challenges you face. Don’t try to go around them. It may not help at all, and it may make things worse.

I’m grateful for all of the experiences I’ve had. I always learn something, and I think it helps me see it in others when they struggle. When I see it in others I can then tell them I understand. “You’re not alone”; “I’m here to help”; “You are very brave”; and “If you need help getting home, I’m here.”

2018 Highlights Pt.2

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August

We attended the 2018 Transplant Games of America in Salt Lake City. My parents look so cute in their shirts. My miracle brother, Keith received a liver transplant from a donor. It is a wonderful gift that made it possible for my brother to still be with us after 11 years.

We had our 33rd anniversary. Spent most of the day with our grandbaby, Willow. We went to Salt Lake City and walked around the Salt Lake Temple where we were married. And ended up in Park City where we had our honeymoon.

We stopped at a place I consider to be very peaceful and relaxing. It is the Glenwood Cemetery in Park City. We spent a little time there after we dropped Willow off to her Mama.

We went out to dinner, talked about the years we’ve been married, and set some goals, then went home.

It was a great day!

September

Our cute grandson started soccer. If you haven’t see 4 years olds play soccer, you need to. They are so cute and fun to watch!

Julian kept insisting the little blonde guy was a girl. He didn’t quite understand why he would have long hair.

My parents celebrated their 63rd anniversary. They are amazing. I’m so happy they’re here with us still and we enjoy our Sundays with them. They love each other more than ever.

November

Our oldest son and his wonderful wife announced that they were expecting a new baby in May of 2019. Yay!!!

Natasha spent the night and had some grandparent time with us. I don’t see her as much as I’d like, but we make the most of the time we have. She is such a wonderful, sweet, girl.

My best friend Lilli took me out to lunch for my bday. She is a gift. I am so blessed to have such a friend. Blog post coming on a future date.

December

We celebrated the Winter Solstice with our good friends Sydney and Chad, and their cute son, Parker, and our families! Dark days are hard, but more light is coming. I struggle a lot with the dark winter days, but knowing that brighter days are coming keeps me focused. Years ago, when I taught Parker in primary, I asked the kids what we celebrate during this time of year. I expected them to say, “Christmas!”. Parker said, “Well, you could celebrate the Winter Solstice.” I have celebrated the Winter Solstice every year since then. By the way Parker is 16 years old, now.

2018 was a great year!

2018 Highlights!

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This past year has basically slipped by and I haven’t shared much. When I look back on the blog there isn’t much. So here is some highlights:

April-

Our oldest, Riley and his sweet wife, Janet and children were sealed for time and all eternity is the temple. What a blessing. To be in the temple with their little family as they were dressed in white making covenants, and knowing the promises of a forever family are real. It is by far one of the most precious and sacred experiences of my life. I love them, and I’m so proud of them!

A future so bright!!!

Families are Forever!

Our “Bonus Baby’s” baby Willow, turned “1”!!! What a sweet little dolly. We have enjoyed having our sweet grand baby in our lives, and we love her so much! Grand parenthood is the best!

May-

Our grandson Julian had a birthday!! This great kid is always keeping us entertained. He does an excellent job communicating what he thinks and asking us about the world. I sometimes have to steal hugs, but he is a very sweet and fun boy. We love him!

June-

Our family vacationed at Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. It was so fun to be together. The family went swimming in the huge swimming pool while I tended a napping grandbaby. We traveled to a ghost town, sort of, Chesterfield is a town that was founded back in the 1800’s. There has been families, descendants of the founders moving back and fixing up some of the old buildings. There was a super cute General Store. Riley and Brett tubed down the river. We hiked up to a metal effigy of Big Foot that was near our camp ground.

The down side? Allergies.

I enjoy being with family more than anything.