The Brother's Hike

In August was the annual "Brothers Hike".  The brothers and brothers-in-law from Derek's side of the family, and his Dad when he is not on a mission, try to get together to tromp through the woods together (or some other scenic location).  This year not many could go -- just five.  They went to the Uintas.  Trent took pictures and generously shared them with us.  Derek asked me to pick a few and print them for his scrap book.  Since this generally IS our scrapbook I thought I would post them with a thanks to Trent for taking them and getting them out to family.


Jordan, Trent, and Derek

Jordan, Doran, Quinn, Derek

Derek, Quinn, Jordan

One of these boats had a big leak.  Quinn got to hold his finger over it the whole time they were on the lake so they wouldn't sink.  He had a life jacket on just in case.  (Okay so they probably all worse those).

My Beautiful Mother

My Mom (Anna) and her sister Gail

My Mom is beautiful.  She isn't just pretty, she is also kind, thoughtful, generous, fun, and smart -- and that is not an all-inclusive list of her good qualities!  I could not ask for a better mother, and that is why it is rather inexplicable that out of all of the birthday blogs I chose to write this year, it is my Mother's tribute that is late!  Still, it is heart-felt and I know my Mother well enough to know that she will overlook its late arrival.

My Mom's birthday was almost a month ago on August the 16th.  She was born in a little mining town in KY where she lived until she was almost 19.  Sometimes now, when she is really excited about something, or is talking to her Sister in KY, I can hear that twang sneaking back in and it makes me smile.  I always loved to listen to my KY relatives speak.

It is hard to know what to write about the person who was there for me from the time I needed her to do everything for me, until now.  She remembers things I did that I don't remember myself!  Through it all she has loved me by listening, teaching, helping, and serving.

When I was eight we moved from Nevada to Kentucky.  I still remember crying my first night there.  My mother must have been exhausted from moving and getting us all settled, but she took the time to listen to me when I told her I was sad, and a little nervous too.  The time she took with me that night was important enough that I have remembered it for decades now.  I think it means even more to me now that I have been a Mom myself and I know how hard it can be to listen when you are tired!

My Mom taught me a lot of things.  From almost my earliest memories I had chores.  I can't imagine that it was really helpful to my Mom for me to do these chores when I was little.  I'm sure it would have been faster for her to do it herself!  Yet, she knew that I would need to do things for myself one day and that I needed to know how.  I learned to clean, and bake, and cook, and even sew (a little).  I learned to bottle fruit, do laundry, and give talks and family home evening lessons.  My Mom read to me, and bought me books so that I could read too.  She loves music and she sang to us, and with us.  She sacrificed some of the family funds so that I could learn to play the piano, and when we really could barely afford it, she bought me a flute so that I could learn to play that too.  I knew that I was a child of God, and that he loved me and wanted me to choose the right because of the songs we sang.  What an amazing gift my Mother gave me through music!

My Mom has the mistaken notion that she isn't very smart.  Though we aren't inclined to argue much in our family, I have occasionally argued with her over this.  What is more smart than to know how to find answers when you need them?  Life has sometimes been hard for my Mom.  Dad worked a LOT of hours for a while and she had five of us to take care of, teach, and listen to.  Then we started moving.  We moved from Nevada, to Kentucky, to Missouri, to Colorado before I was eighteen, and she and Dad, and Brian and Jenny moved more often after that.  Friends were made and left behind.  Jobs were found and left behind.  And she had some health challenges to deal with along the way as well as the normal challenges of being a parent.  My Mom is really very incredible.  When challenges came she would turn to scriptures, and books, and ask people, and most importantly, she would pray.  She learned to listen very well to the help that Heavenly Father would send through the whispers of the Holy Ghost and she did what He said.   My Mom is smart.

I could probably write whole chapters about my Mom's many good qualities, but I will finish by talking about her compassionate nature and the service she gives.  I remember her taking care of me the many times I had tonsillitus when I was younger.  I would get so sick, and she would always offer to make whatever I wanted to eat when I got better.  Then, when I was pregnant with Trisa, she came to Provo from wherever they were living at the time and took care of me.  Since then she has cooked many meals for me and my family, and done lots of laundry, and watched grandkids, and written letters, and done dishes, and cleaned floors, and helped us move, and any number of other things.  I'm sure she has helped my siblings in many of the same ways.  My Mom is an extremely hard worker.  I have also watched over the years as she has made meals for others, or called them, or visited them.  She is good at loving people the way they are and, at the same time, inspiring them to want to be better.

I love my Mom.  Her heart is a loving one, which helps to make her incredibly beautiful. 

My Mom and Dad's 50th Anniversary Tribute

The Story of a Girl and a Boy

(My Parents)

A boy was born in a western town,

Where the LDS church was the main church around.

He had parents who loved him,

And he had siblings too.

He was taught what was right,

He was taught what was true.

He grew up and left home,

On a mission he went,

Knowing his life would change

But, to what extent?

A girl was born in a mining town

There were hills, and trees, and churches around.

She had parents who loved her.

She had siblings too.

She was taught what was right,

She was taught what was true,

To the fullest extent that her parents knew.

But the girl still had questions

Where could answers be found?

And it was about then

That the boy came around.

The girl's family was taught by the boy.

They learned more of truth.

They discovered new joy.

And the man he discovered

By unusual means

That this girl, from this town

Was the girl of his dreams!

So once he went home he wrote letters galore.

He had really strong hopes

He would see her some more!

He sent her a ring, by way of the mail,

And he called on the phone

What a tale he can tell!

Of the girl that he loved

Bravely telling him yes,

And going out with her Father

To buy a new dress.

One fit for a temple that was far away

Where she'd marry the boy

On their own wedding day.

So on September 1^st 1961

They were sealed in the temple

Their marriage had begun.

The girl and the boy

Were now to be one.

They would sometimes be happy,

And sometimes be sad.

There would be times that were hard,

And times that were glad.

Through all things they were

Determined to stay

Together to work

Through each challenging day.

They welcomed five children

They taught them with love,

Of their Heavenly Parents

Watching from up above.

They sent two boys on missions

And welcomed them home.

Boys and Girls soon grow up

Leaving parents alone.

But not so alone as they were before.

Because the children got married

And then there were more!

More people to love

More children to hold

More joy for the years

All more precious than gold.

This because two good people,

A girl and a boy

Who valued good family

And worked to have joy

Were sealed in the temple

Making promises there

Then worked hard to keep them

With diligent care.

I wrote this for my parent's 50th wedding anniversary party.  Mom and Dad are really good people who have worked hard to be good parents.  I am especially thankful that they taught me about Jesus, and His love for me and all of Heavenly Father's children.  Because of that knowledge my life has been full of hope, joy, love, and peace.  I love my parents and hope they are enjoying their anniversary adventure today.

Surprised by Laura

Laura

Laura's birthday is September 1st.  She is married to Derek's third brother Brandon (the 4th child in the family).  Laura is a rather amazing person who I am somehow always managing to be surprised by.  She is smart and capable, and so I find myself being shocked to discover that giving lessons makes her really nervous.  This same Laura is perfectly willing to get up at a family reunion and sing karaoke while doing the air guitar.  I guess we all get nervous for different things.

Laura is very musical and I knew from the time I met her that she could play the cello.  She and Brandon have done a fun number for the family reunion before and she plays in a quartet in the town where they live.  At some point I discovered (to my surprise) that she is also a talented pianist, having played pieces that were much harder than I would dream of playing.  Then, at the reunion, she borrowed Devin's violin and played along with Brandon and Brynn (one of her daughters).  The funny thing is that she probably doesn't really feel remarkable for any of that -- but I think she is very gifted.

Laura has a very artistic eye, and a skill for writing about things in a way that makes them sound very appealing.  She has a blog, and I very much enjoy her photos and writing.  She also has music on her blog.  I like that because I am always discovering new songs that I like (that I then buy), or I discover that she is playing a song that I have just bought because I like it.  We apparently have similar tastes in music.

Laura and Brandon have four children.  They have three beautiful girls and one busy boy.  She works hard at being a good Mom and I think she is a fun Mom too.  Laura loves water, and loves staying on the beach and so they brave camping so that they can stay by the ocean.  She loves reading and shares good books with her children by reading to them.  She loves music, and she helps make sure they practice, and occasionally does musical numbers with them.  She loves the gospel and so she does things like help her family memorize The Family: A Proclamation to the World.  She shared a book of poetry with me and I was impressed that she had some of the poems memorized!  I think it is great that she is good at sharing the things she loves.

Another way that Laura sometimes surprises me is that occasionally I see a look in her eye that is almost mischievous, but is maybe more just her good humor showing through.  I think she is good at seeing the humor in every day things, and is also good at sharing fun stories. 

Laura is a wonderful person.  I am not sure why it is that I am always being surprised by her.  Perhaps it is because I do not get to spend enough time with her.  I'm surprised to find that a person I already think of as talented, has more talents that I didn't know about!  Laura is great.  I love her.  Happy Birthday Laura!

Dancing Diana -- My Youngest Sister (in-law)

Diana lounging on the Jersey Shore this summer.
Picture by Kayli

Diana is Derek's youngest sister.  Her birthday is really September first on the same day as Sister-in-law Laura's birthday and my parent's anniversary.  I decided, rather than to write about all of these nice people on the same day, I would do one at a time.  So Diana's birthday post is early.

Diana was seven when I joined the family and now she is all grown up with a husband, three children plus one to come soon, and a house.  Her oldest son is the same age as my second son, which is interesting because I never stopped to think that the little sisters I gained by marrying Derek would one day have kids the same ages as some of mine and we could be friends in a whole new way.
 
Diana is sweet, and quiet, and smart, and talented, with a good sense of humor.  I like her laugh and she always seems so calm to me.  Maybe she keeps all of her stress tightly under control when I'm around.  In high school she was on the drill team and played the piano for the choir (in a spectacular fashion I thought).  In college, when she was dating Bryon, I discovered that she could draw.  At least, compared to my art work hers is very impressive.  She can also write.  She graduated from BYU in English and, when she was in college, I used to write a lot of e-mail to Diana and enjoy a lot back in return.  That was fun for me.  I enjoyed hearing about her college adventures.

Diana did not feel ready to grow up yet, but she married Bryon when she was 19 anyway because he wasn't going to wait around and she wasn't going to let him get away.  Bryon is great.  I particularly like him because I've seen him look at Diana like he can't believe his wonderful good fortune in getting to be married to her, and she deserves to be appreciated.

Unfortunately for us Bryon's studies, and now his work, took them out east to New Jersey where we don't get to see them often.  Diana has ended up living far from both hers and Bryon's helpful families.  Somehow she has dealt with moving to new places, child birth, meeting new people, sending her kids off to school, a child's asthma, and Bryon's long working hours all without family living nearby.  Now she is even trying out home school.  I am sure she will do a good job because I haven't really noticed her ever doing a bad job at anything.  She is good at planning and organizing.  When we went to New Jersey this summer -- all 8 of us -- Diana took really good care of us, and made it look easy.

I love Diana and am impressed with her wisdom.  I am thankful for her good example and her good attitude about things.  I really hope that her birthday will be a happy one.

Dan Thomas -- My Sweet Boy

Dan has been my sweet boy since he was born.  Sometimes Derek asks why I call him that, but most of the time he knows.  I think Dan was thankful for me three times in one prayer the other day.  He forgot most of the other things he should be thankful for but he remembered me!  Today he is five.  Here are pictures of his big day so far.

Opening presents birthday morning

Dan's first day of Kindergarten -- his 5th birthday.

Iron Man Dan

Dan and Jake on Dan's first day of school.

Robot Cake -- Dan didn't want him smiling.

I'm glad he changed from requesting a "Spy Dog Cake", to requesting a Robot Cake!

Dan's Wiggle Bike

He got a little confused this morning and thought his birthday was already over because he was done opening presents.  I assured him it was his birthday all day.  When he got home from school he told me "My teacher is not the boss of me because today is my birthday and I can do whatever I want!"  I hope he didn't tell her that!  He came home with a crown on and he said his class sang to him.  He asked if Kindergarten was long for me when I was little.  I said no, was it long for him?  He said no.  He liked Kindergarten and he met some new friends, but he forgot their names.

Now he's playing the Wii which is what he told me he would do if there were no Dads and he could do whatever he wanted.  It's time to change activities though and I hope he will still be happy on his happy day after I tell him that there are Dads (and Moms) and so he can't play the Wii forever like he thinks he wants to.  Happy birthday to my fun, loving, dramatic, talented and funny sweet boy.

Lady Lori's Birthday

Lori with baby Dan (2006)  I need to take more pictures of Lori!

Today is Lori's birthday.  Lori is my oldest brother's wife.  Ray married Lori when the rest of us were already married and having children and so Lori got to join a rather large and growing family.  She seemed to handle that easily even though she did not grow up in a large family.  Lori grew up in a good family and her parents are really nice people that we have enjoyed meeting on a few occasions.

I decided to call Lori "Lady Lori" because I think she has handled her marriage, and being the Mother of Michael, who has Fragile X Syndrome, very gracefully.  It has been good to see my brother Ray, who was terrified of marriage, come to obviously enjoy being married.  Lori is good to him, and she appreciates the good in Ray.  Ray and Lori live near my parents and they really enjoy doing things with them, and for them.  Lori calls my Mom a lot, and is thankful to have a good friend / mother-in-law nearby.

Ray and Lori's son Michael is about one month younger than Kayli.  He is 15, coming up quickly on 16, but he is severely affected by having Fragile X Syndrome.  While he is Kayli's age, his development is closer to that of a much younger preschool child.  Now that he is getting older, his behavior is being affected by hormones and he has been having a hard time, which means so has Lori.  Nobody could possibly love Michael more than Lori.  She spends a lot of her time caring for him, and worrying over him.  She is his advocate and works hard to find people to help him.  I remember my Mom telling me that Lori takes Michael to the park every day in almost any weather because he likes to be outdoors so much.  Even that has been hard lately because he is getting big, and it is hard to get him to do something he does not want to (like going home, or even staying at the playground).  He is getting quick too which might explain how Lori manages to stay in such good shape.

When Lori gets a little time to herself, or with Ray, she likes going to plays, and watching movies.  She likes to cook and is good at it, but she also enjoys eating out.  She likes shopping and enjoys beautiful clothing.  Lori loves family events but has often skipped them because someone needed to stay with Michael and she knew Ray wanted to go.  I often think of Lori and admire her for how well she loves Ray, and Michael, and my parents, and really all of us who she knows.  She is patient and she is good at keeping a positive outlook on things.  I hope that she has a very happy birthday.

The First Day of the New School Year

Taken as a whole, the first day of school was good and happy.

Trisa, whose picture I couldn't take since she's away at college, seemed to enjoy her first day of classes and had a couple of fun stories to tell me about.  She liked todays class too.

Tia, whose picture I just didn't think to take didn't go on Monday but did go today and will go through Saturday like she has the rest of the summer.  We did figure out today that if she could get the rest of her stamps done (she gets stamps for the things she does) she should be able to finish by about Thanksgiving.  So, anyone close by please go and get your hair cut, or nails done, or eyebrows waxed, or a pedicure, or something.  She is looking forward to being finished with cosmetology school.

Kayli had her first day of high school.  It was a good day with people she knew in every class.  She didn't even have to ride the bus since her friend's brother gave them a ride.  Kayli said that she freaked out a bit when she first walked in, but it turned out well and you can see that she looked lovely.

Connor braved the bus and the junior high with a good attitude, and other than some classes that he thought were boring, seemed to have a good day.  Today they changed a couple of his classes around, but that gave him a friend in Science and so he is happy about the change.  Apparently, in a windy hallway Connor's shirt was blowing and so he took the opportunity to walk "like a model".  That would have been fun to see.

 Jake's day started out well.  He was excited to try school lunch this year and the first day's menu item was pizza.  He got ready without complaint and looked great.  He did wear a jacket "just in case" and then was frying hot when he came home.  Unfortunately, the rest of his day was a bit hard for him.  During registration we were given the name of his teacher, who we visited during the "back to school" event.  I filled out papers, Jake seemed pleased.  On the day school started I went and talked to that teacher and arranged to help in the class.  I took Jake's picture and left.

Trey, Nathan, Jake, Brennan, McKay

Some time after I left Jake was told he was in the wrong class and he needed to go find a different teacher (they gave him the name).  He went.  The teacher, who is reportedly a very good teacher, also happened to be loud.  Jake, who doesn't like to go into things unprepared, thought she was scarey and mean.  When he got home I could tell he was upset and pretty soon he told Kayli what happened and then he sat on my lap and cried and cried.  I was a bit angry.  I do realize that it was just a mistake, but I do not really like mistakes that affect my children in a negative way.  I called the secretary, who talked to the principal, who eventually got on the phone with me, apologized, and told me Jake could go back to the original teacher.  She said that she is a new principal, and this kind of thing could happen for the next couple of years.  I sure hope she wasn't thinking clearly when she said that!  She said, "look on the bright side, Jake seems to have handled this okay",  and I suppose he did.  Today he went back to the original class and was a happy boy when he got home -- which made me a happy Mom.

I don't have a picture of Dan because his first day is on his birthday on Monday.  He did have Kindergarten assessment.  I sat and wrote down the funny things he said.

Dan:  "I can breathe!"
Teacher:  "You can read?"
Dan:  "No.  I can breathe, but not in water.  In the hot tub I sometimes fall in the water"  I think he proceded to demonstrate and she probably thinks we have a hot tub now since he didn't mention it's the hot tub he gets in maybe once a year at his Aunt Jenny's house.

Teacher:  Can you tell me the first sound in snake?
Dan:  No thanks.  I need a drink. (And then he went to get one).

He did really well at a lot of the test but I thought it was telling when he said "I forgot what the t.v. said about that."  He got most of his great knowledge from the television.  I love leap frog videos.  They make me look like a great Mom.  Dan was angry that we had to leave after his test.  He wanted to stay there and play.  A little school shopping cheered him up a bit.  What's not to like about new clothes and a new Toy Story backpack?

Dan Said...

Mom, I can say anything I want in my prayer tonight.  Okay?

Looking amused I say, "Sure" (I never tell him what to say).

So in his prayer he says something like "Thanks that I wish there were no Moms and Dads so that I could do whatever I want."

Afterwards I said something like "You wish there was no me?"

And he says with a smile,  "But I still love you Mom".

I think the next day in family prayer he added what he often does, "And thanks that I love Mom" so I can't be too worried, except that apparently he wants to do something I don't want him to do!

While we were at Lagoon (the amusement park) he said, "I wish I lived here!"  Any time he walked past a ride he would say "That ride is my very favorite!", and as we were leaving and he was crying big, tragic crocodile tears, "But I didn't get to go on enough rides!"  That is one boy who loves "Magoon".

Today he was hungry and he asked when it was time for lunch.  I told him in about an hour and a half.  About five minutes later he came back and said "It's been at least an hour and a half, is it lunch time now?"

It's always fun to see what Dan will say next.

Running the River

A week ago today I was getting home from girls camp.  I was so exhausted I felt like I was rather fuzzy headed and I had multiple layers of dirt, bug spray, and sunscreen from the three days of river rafting and camping.

We went to Moab, changed into our swimming wear, got our life jackets, and got on a bus which drove us to the launch site.  The fun had begun!  Some of my favorite things were:
1.  Our first short float down a small section of the Colorado River without the boats.
2.  The good company of the nice girls and ladies in our ward -- including my Kayli.  I was glad to have someone from home there so I wouldn't get too homesick!
3.  The rapids, which were only class 1, or 2 at most (out of 5).  They were fun, especially in one of the "duckies" (which were two people kayak type boats).  I think I had a silly grin on my face every time I went through rapids.
4.  The scenery was gorgeous and I wished several times that I had packed a camera after all.
5.  No pranks were played on me.  I could hear them going on around me.  I opened my eyes to look at the stars but I was too tired to focus and everything was a blur and so I just listened to the fun until it was quiet enough to sleep.
6.  Derek's cot.  It has a mattress and everyone was jealous.
7.  The hat I borrowed the second and third day which kept my face from being fried.

The lack of running water and the smelly bathrooms with piles of buzzing flies was not my favorite.  I haven't missed them once.  The last morning I woke thinking "I smell like one of those potties".  Our YW president woke up just then and said "I smell awesome!"

There was a mishap with the cot and it didn't make it home.  It ended up with a different ward an hour north.  My friend went through quite a bit of trouble to track it down and drove a couple of extra hours to get it.  I'm rather impressed with her, and Derek will be extra thankful when he goes out camping soon.

More Reunion Pics

Chris and Jeff

Mr. Tibbs and Dan

Tia, Jeff, Trisa

Tina and Chris

Brian

Lori

Bryce and Kat

Lauren, Kayli, Emma

Connor and Mr. Tibbs

Jeff and Jenny

Derek

Ray, Lori, Dad, Mom

50th Anniversary Party

September 1, 1961
Doyle and Anna

My Parents on their wedding day

Mom and Dad

My Parents at their 50th Anniversary Party.

The paparazzi

Feeding each other Anniversary cake (made and decorated by Tina)

My parents 50th wedding anniversary party was held on Thursday July 28th.  This was the first day of our family reunion.  It was held in my sister Jenny's yard.  Here's how it happened.
1.  We gathered
2.  We had dinner outside on beautifully decorated tables.  Neighbors helped serve and clear.
3.  Jenny introduced the program.
4.  Ray gave a very nice tribute to my parents.
5.  We all sang "No Empty Chairs" by Orrin Hatch and Janice Kapp Perry
6.  Tina gave  her tribute and the beautiful quilt she spent hours and hours making for them.  Unfortunately my camera was in the car.
7.  We sang two verses of "You are My Sunshine" and some people got the giggles over the rather tragic second verse.
8.  I read my tribute (It was a poem I wrote for their anniversary).
9.  Brian and Jenny gave their tributes.
10.  Kayli, Trisa, Alexandrea, and I sang "Happily Ever After" by Jenny Phillips outside on the steps while Tia played it on the piano in the house (and sang) and Audrey turned pages and sang.  We perhaps needed more volume and a bit more practice.
11.  We took a break for family pictures.
12.  My parents cut the cake while they had their picture taken a zillion times and then fed the cake to each other.
13.  We all ate cake, except Dan who is allergic and so he had Oreos, and Derek because it was too late and maybe others that I'm not aware of because really I didn't ask everyone if they had cake!
14.  We had a dance.  I wondered how a dance would work out but it ended up being fun.  Connor was great and kept asking his sisters to dance.  He tried asking one of his cousins once, but she turned him down and so he stuck to his sisters.  Derek danced with me.  Isn't he nice?  We got to pick songs and so Brian had us dancing to "Stayin' Alive".  We tried the chicken dance too -- which was funny.  Dan did do some of his moves, but everyone was so busy doing their own moves that they didn't notice. 
15.  After the dance we eventually got everyone situated and to sleep.  It really was a very well done and happy event for my very deserving parents.

R.I.P. Dear Old Couch

Couch has been with us for nearly sixteen years.  It has served as a couch, a bed, a trampoline, a balance beam, and a fort.  It's pillows have been used for reclining on the couch and on the floor.  It has been there for us when we were sick, or needed a rest.  I do not think it has ever been truly beautiful, but it has been very serviceable and has been with us so long that it almost feels like we are throwing out a member of the family.  Almost.

Saturday Derek and Connor walked downtown to get Connor's bike after it was repaired at our local bike shop.  Derek took his bike too and so afterwards they took a little ride around and decided to stop at our local furniture store.  My beautiful cedar chest came from there, and we have been in a few times before just to look at things.  Derek and Connor tried out couches and chose two that they approved of.  Later Derek told me about their adventure and said that I could go down and look at the couches and pick one of the two approved ones if I liked.  We've been talking about getting a new one for years.

Kayli and Connor came with me.  I liked the one in the window display best.  It was green, very comfortable and looked nice to me.  The other one was the brown color I had planned on getting, but I did not think it was as comfortable.  So, I wanted the green one, but it wouldn't match the two recliners that we had recovered.  No problem, I could pick any cloth and order it -- except choosing what color to do a couch with those little cloth samples is daunting to me.  That's how we ended up with the first one that I didn't think turned out too beautifully! 

The solution?  I tried out the love seat.  It reclines on both sides.  I embarrassed Kayli and Connor by mentioning to the nice store owner lady that I liked the love seat because I could snuggle with Derek better on it than I could while sitting next to him in matching recliners.  I called Derek twice, about adding a love seat and about the pillows.  He was very accomodating and figured out where we could move the recliners.

The nice lady was very amused by it all and was surprised when I decided to take the love seat, the couch, and the pillows that were on display.  They delivered the same day and the pillows were thrown in free.  She didn't know what she would put in its place in the window.  I'll have to go down and see.  So now we have a new couch which has some big "shoes" to fill.  It can't possibly be as fun because it won't be okay with me if it is used as a trampoline or a balance beam.  The boys will really miss that.  R.I.P. dear old couch.  Welcome to the new!