Family Pictures

With everyone home for Christmas I wanted a new family picture.  My niece Liz (Timeless Touch Photography) took our photos.  She doesn't have them all edited yet, just this one.  I'll post more when she gets them to me.  I think she did a great job and I also think I've got a beautiful family.

Christmas

Our family gathers on Christmas Eve to snack, visit read the Christmas story from Luke 2 and open the "exchange" gifts.  We had to wait as Clint didn't get off of work until 8pm.  Earlier in the day, Pat, Jeff, Tom, Erin, Andrew, Cami and I went out and did some caroling.  Sammi and Clare stayed back with their babies. 

We ate corn chowder and cheese and Clare made other snacks.  It was a good time.  I always enjoy watching my children open their gifts from one another.  They all got nice things from one another.

Christmas morning was pretty lazy.  Evelyn was up early.  She gave her parents a very nice gift in sleeping all night long.  Clint was on shift but since it was Christmas he was allowed to spend most of his day with us.  He had to leave when he got a call, but otherwise he was able to be with us.

Pat and I surprised our kids with some pretty exciting gifts.  Andrew got a moped.  It's an old machine.  I believe a 1986 model.  He loves it!  Clint got a wheelbarrow.  Now I can keep mine at home.  Jeff got some dress Crocs which he loves.  Tom got classic Sesame Street which he had his eye on for some time. The girls each got an ipad.  Lots of screams and jubilation.  Now we can all keep in better touch via Face Time.  It's so much better than Skype. 

I got Pat a new white shirt and a movie he requested and some decorative tiles for his office.  One says "Relax and go to the temple" and the other says, "Flood the Stake with the Book of Mormon."  I got the reaction I was after.  He got me some new pajamas and a dress as well as a necklace and earring combo and another necklace.  A wonderful day to be together as a family.

My dad joined us for our noon meal and stayed for quite some time.  I gave him his usual box of mints and of course another year of making bread for him.  I also gave him a letter expressing my love for him.  I'm so glad he joined us.

The Fillmores are leaving tomorrow so I've taken some time today to play and snuggle with little Evie since I'm feeling better.  Sammi, Jeff and I as well as the Gourley children have all taken our turn having this wonderful flu/cold.  I'm ready for my health to return.

To the Rescue

Sammi and Erin were attempting to surprise us by coming home earlier than they said they were coming.  Truth be told, Andrew kept their secret but Clare and I had it figured out.  Anyway, Sammi and Jeff's car is not the best vehicle on the lot.  They took care of some things before they left but none of those things really mattered.  The heat wasn't working in the car and by Friday night they were all very cold so stopped in Bismark and got a hotel.

On Saturday morning, Sammi called to tell us they were having car trouble.  Pat did some checking to find a new motor for the car if they could limp it home.  Well, it doesn't need a new motor anymore as it found it's grave in Valley City, ND.  Andrew and I left at noon to go get them.

Pat found a stake president in the Fargo stake who went and got them and brought them to his home in Fargo.  What a blessing that was.  They didn't have to spend hours in a truck stop.  We drove through rain and some snow before getting to Fargo.  We loaded up the car and began our drive home.

On the way home, we drove in rain and more snow and finally fog through most of Wisconsin.  Not ideal driving weather.  We arrived home at 3:15am.  I'm proud to say I drove the entire time.  At least they're home and safe.  So many blessings accompanied them on their trip.  They stopped in Bismark and slept.  Thus they weren't stranded in the middle of the night in the middle of North Dakota.  President Ransom wasn't able to contact any of the members who live in Valley City to take care of our kids.  A blessing because it cut off an hour of our trip each way.

On Monday Pat was able to purchase them quite a nice car for a reasonable price.  Now they've got a way to get back to Provo.  Are we blessed?  Yes we are!

Results

Seven weeks ago I began a fitness class with some other ladies from the community and school.  The first day wasn't too bad but the second class was a killer.  I came home and just sat.  I don't think there was a muscle in my body that didn't ache.  Since then, I still have lots of aching muscles and some days are really hard, but other days I love.  I found out that I like kick boxing and aerobics.  I don't like yoga.  I can tell that I really do have abs under the belly fat cause I can feel them working!

Our last class was Monday and we don't have enough people for our trainer to come out to Gresham. :(  But, she will still keep us as a class.  We just have to go to Shawano.  I can see results!  Some on the scale but more with the measuring tape and the way my clothes fit around my waist.  Not as tight as they used to be.  Yippee!  So, today begins the next 12 classes.  I have to admit that sometimes I'm in class thinking, "Why am I doing this?  I must be insane cause this is really hard."  But then I see results and know that all that hard work is worth it. 

Gray Thursday

My husband and I have been "black Friday" shoppers for the last five or six years.  Well, this year we were Gray Thursday shoppers.  I'm not sure that I like the fact that the businesses are now trying to one up each other by beginning their deals earlier and earlier.  I do like the fact that I don't have to get up to go shopping at 5am to get the deal I'm after.  Why can't they all just start at 8am on Friday morning?  There really wasn't anything I was after this year and didn't really want to go, but Patrick insisted that we get an IPad.  I'm learning how to use it and for some things I love it.  Other things like the internet are just way better on my PC. 

Then we also went shopping on Saturday to K-Mart and Penney's.  We got some new sheets for our bed which was a good deal and Andrew got some snow pants for hunting and being out in the cold.  At Penney's they always have their jewelry on sale this time of year and I bought another necklace and earring set.  Loving that.  Their pajamas were on sale and so my dearest thought that everyone should have new PJs for the family picture.  Let me explain.  My niece Liz is going to be taking our family pictures.  She was really excited to do something with a Christmas theme.  I wasn't sure I wanted that, but want to help out her portfolio so decided that I want a picture with everyone in PJs or bathrobes as if it were Christmas morning.  So....all the men are getting new pajama pants and the kids are all getting their new jammies thanks to their Papa.  I think it'll be a great photo!  By the way, there will be a photo with us all dressed up in our nice clothes as well.

I love the deals to be had in the days following (and now also on) Thanksgiving.  But, it could wait a few more hours.  Let those employees have some time with their families too.  I officially believe that Gray Thursday should be outlawed!

Gratitude

As promised, I'm back with my Thanksgiving list of things for which I feel gratitude.
  1. Those brave souls who came to this country seeking freedom to worship as they saw fit.
  2. This country where I can worship as I see fit.
  3. A warm, comfortable home.
  4. A handsome husband who loves me unconditionally.
  5. Incredibly beautiful daughters and handsome sons who are more importantly righteous people.
  6. Friends on whom I can always rely.
  7. The knowledge that I am of divine heritage with a Father in Heaven who loves me.
  8. The Savior of the World with whom I have my own personal relationship.
  9. The opportunity to teach seminary each school day.
10. A strong, healthy body.
11. Enough.  To eat, to wear, to pay bills, etc.
12. The scriptures from which I learn constantly.
13. Grandchildren!
14. Parents who taught me between right and wrong.
15. A sister.
16. Brothers.
17. Technology to keep me "close" to my loved ones.
18. A testimony of the truthfulness of the restored gospel.
19. A living prophet upon the earth.
20. A bishop who watches over his flock.
21. Continuing revelation through the Lord's servants.
22. Women who want to exercise with me.
23. The changing seasons.
24. A wood supply.
25. Christmas lights.
26. Ten wonderful seminary students.
27. The power of prayer.
28. Employment
29. Modern medicine
30. Birds outside my window.
31. Photographs both past and present
32. The testimonies of others who help fortify my own.
33. My mother's writings and stories.
34. A grandmother who always told me how wonderful I was.
35. A grandparents' home where I always felt love.
36. Aunts, uncles, cousins and relatives in general.
37. The temple.
38. Covenants made at baptism and in the temple.
39. Athletics.  I love to watch and play when I can.
40. Schools where my children and I had the opportunity to be educated.
41. Mentors in my life.
42. Music. I love to listen and be involved in it.
43. A group of people called the ward choir.
44. Friendships that will continue through the eternities.
45. This beautiful place called Wisconsin!
46. Automatic washers and dryers.
47. Hot water.
48. A reliable car.
49. Air travel.
50. Sunshine!
I could go on, but I think for today I'm finished.  I live a very blessed and happy life with the most amazing people on earth.  Happy Thanksgiving my friends and family!  I do love you all.

All Better

A good round of antibiotics will knock the strep throat right out of you.  I'm so thankful I live when I do.  If I lived 100 years ago, I would never have survived out of my teenage years.  I've had too many illnesses/surgeries that could have killed me.  I enjoy life very much and I'm very grateful that I've had this splendid opportunity to live it to the fullest.  With tomorrow being Thanksgiving day, I think my next post will be about things I'm thankful for.  Until then...

Sick

The past two days I've been sick.  I don't like being sick.  I'm not sure anyone does.  Fever and chills and a sore throat.  Perhaps I'll be feeling better later today so I can go to my fitness class.

Election Day

All I can say is I'm so glad that the political ads will stop.  He's a liar, she's too extreme.  He's no good, etc, etc, etc.  And last of all, "You're Damn Right." I'm glad that's done.  I despise so much the advertising on all sides.  Some of the worst were from those groups (both Dem and Rep) who support one candidate or another.  They distort everything.  I think I'm with the other 99.9% of the country who is sick and tired of it.  Let's make nice now.

19 Years

I was digging for a story last week and looked through every possible place I could think of only to find it in the most accessible place of all.  Anyway, while searching I found several photos of my mom and her siblings/parents/grandmother.  I posted them on facebook for my extended family to see.  I noticed how classy my mom was as a teen and young adult.  Just check out how she's sitting and how she places her legs.  She's modeleque.  If that's a word.  Anyway, yesterday marked 19 years since she left this life.  I'll admit I felt a little sad and lonely for her.  I think about her often and imagine what she'd say about things, but I don't readily miss her like I used to.  Still, it never goes away.  I think I'm even closer to my dad in those 19 years.  He and I have always been close. 

I had a lot of fun looking at this beautiful woman whom I obviously didn't know.

Enjoy the pics!

 Sophomore year in high school

 10 cents to ride the bunny!

As much as I love the old photos I love this last one best because its the lady I knew and still love with her eternal sweetheart.  I always wished that I could be more like her.  I know I have many of her qualities, but then as much as we are alike, we're different.  She's probably the age I am now in this picture.  I still maintain that 55 is way too young. 

 I miss you Mom.

Four Generations

I'm not sure why Clare and I haven't done this, but Sammi wanted this picture.  Even though Evie's not happy, I love this picture.  I think I pretty much love anything with my dad in it. 

Boys Night Out

 Over the weekend we had a few opportunities for the guys to work together, except for Clint who had to work the whole time.  Last night they finally got to have some time together.  They went to see the new Batman movie at the Crescent.  Here's the deal I got.  The family fun pack purchased on the shopping show at the radio station.  Four tickets and a pitcher of soda for $3.50 plus tax for a grand total of $3.69!

 I think they had a good time together. 

Clint is waiting for the 6 pointer to show his face, so he can kill it.  I love these guys more than I can say.

Grandbabies Together

I know I've only had four grandchildren for a month but this weekend we got them all together.  A few pictures were taken and unfortunately I didn't get them all.  Brock was very leary of Evie when he first saw her.  He sat by me for some time before he finally got the courage to touch her.  He touched her head and watched her for a long time.  By the end of the weekend he was petting her head rather regularly and surpisingly gently. 

Brock after church.  He appears to be climbing the back of the piano.

 Little Evie helping me with my seminary lesson for the morning.

 Before they left last night, we got some great pictures of the four of them.

 Cami is already asking her mom for a baby sister.

 What a bunch of cuties.

 I'm amazed by the amount of love you get back when you give it away.  Grandkids will do that to you.

I so love these faces!  Being Nana is great!

Blessing Evie Mae

Way back in April we bought plane tickets for Sammi and Jeff to come home for a visit and bring their new daughter to show off.  Since Jeff's family lives only 6 hours away, they were invited to come see their new granddaughter/niece as well.  Jeff and Sammi decided to have her blessed and made all the necessary preparations with their bishop and ours.

Jeff was especially excited to come home as his brother Nate had just returned home from Brazil where he was serving a mission for the last two years.  It's been 3 1/2+ years since the two brothers last saw one another.

 Church was fantastic since it was the yearly primary presentation.  Those children are awesome!  Last week they sang the "Armies of Heleman" song with the ward choir as a prelude number at stake conference.  As they walked to the front last week I started to get misty.  As they sang it this week, the tears flowed freely for me as well as several others that I saw.

After church we had Indian Tacos and then blessed the baby.  After that was an opportunity for some family photos.  Here is the Fillmore family minus Matt, Natalie and Courtney and her family.

 We needed one with the Plesheks and Fillmores.  That was tough to get a good picture with all those people.  We never did get one that I consider good.

 Here's the reason for all of us to get together.  Miss Evelyn Mae.

 Her dad holding her.  Not a great photo but so what?

Sammi with Audrey.

 The blessing gown Clare and I made together.  I wanted to do it solo, but she came over when I struggled and did a part of it.  It was very beautiful on her.

 Afterward, Pat came over with the boys to play for awhile.  Monopoly Deal and Life were played.

Meanwhile the adults, except Pat who was sleeping, enjoyed being together in the kitchen.  Our friend, Alicia came for the day.  I'm so glad she did.  She's awesome.

By evening when our home teachers came, Adam was worn out.

It was a wonderful weekend.  Very busy and full of love and friendship.

Thanks to all who stopped by to meet Evie and brought a gift. 

Memories to Share

 I have a memory from my childhood that I shared with my grandchildren a couple of weeks ago.  I remember a bunch of us from the neighborhood going to the intersection of Hillview and Grunewald streets and picking cattails and milkweeds and "exploding" them all over the road.  We had a huge quantity of fluff in the road.  There was so little traffic back then that it seems we were there for at least a half an hour or more creating this pile of fluff.  We were trying to get into mischief but really there was no harm in what we were doing.  A couple of weeks ago on our Sunday walk, Pat got some cattails for the kids out of the ditch.  I showed them what we did as kids and they joined right in thinking it was just as wonderful as we did.  They waited for cars to come by and as they did, they slowed way down as to NOT disturb our fluff.  What a disappointment!  The cars were supposed to go fast so we could see the fluff fly!  Dumb people.

Yesterday we went for our walk again and as you can see, we made another pile of fluff.

 These fuzzy ones that Adam is holding don't make very good fluff, but the brown ones that look like corn dogs make great fluff.

 You can see that even Brock was having a good time.

 I don't know how many we pounded on the ground, but it sure seemed like a lot.

 At times it was flying around pretty good as you can see by what Clare is doing.

 Adam with his bouquet.

 Even Papa got into the act helping our little Brock.

 What a harmless and entertaining time we had.

 Adam liked to run through the flying fluff. 

Finally a car came that wasn't afraid to disturb our fluff.  We ran off the road so the car wouldn't have to slow down.  You get the idea.  Fluff was flying everywhere and the kids ran out into the road afterward to run around in it. 

Cami had it all over her coat and on her hands and in her mouth.  As she tried to get it out of her mouth, she would put more in as her hands were covered.  Then she tried wiping her tongue on her sleeve.  You guessed it.  More than ever was on her tongue then.  She was gagging and spitting.  It was really funny watching her.  I helped her and then her mom helped her until she spit all the cattail seeds out.  When they went home last night, they still had fluff on their jackets.  I'm glad I could share something so fun from my childhood with my grandkids. 

Trying Something New

On Monday I signed up for a fitness class.  This is the first time I've paid someone to work me out.  The reason I decided to do this was then there would be some accountability on my part.  There are 11 of us in this class and I think only a couple are actually more fit than I am and I'm NOT fit!  Monday's class consisted of being weighed and measured. YIKES.  Anyway, we had so much of that to do and instructions that we only had a 15 minute workout.  I felt it a bit on Tuesday.

Today was the second class and we got WORKED!  I came home absolutely beat!  I can't remember the last time I felt so exhausted after a workout.  My plan is to do some kind of exercise on the days when I'm not being worked by our trainer.  I'm guessing tomorrow I'm going to feel this one. 

Next Monday is cardio day!  I'm so glad I have several days to recooperate!

A Treasured Friend

On Saturday my friend, Sue passed from this life to the next.  She was only 55.  Last December she was told that she had approximately six months to live.  Well, that doctor didn't know Sue!  She was on month number 11.  She is a loving, caring, compassionate, giving, tender-hearted woman who will always remain in my heart. 

We met many years ago when she moved to this area and married a local man.  I was her visiting teacher when the two of us had small children and that was the beginning of our friendship.  It didn't matter that she moved away for ten years and we had no contact.  When she came back, we picked up right where we left off.  We talked about important things and we laughed together.  I think she and I were visiting teachers to one another or companions with one another on and off for probably 10 years.  I love this woman!

She never talked about herself.  Rather she would ask how you and your family were or about some other life events or community happenings.  She was a master at deflecting the attention on others.  She loved her children fiercely and maybe at times was guilty of aiding them too much.  Who among us isn't guilty of that?  When I would ask how the pain was she would simply say that it was there and then change the subject. 

I know this incredible woman had a difficult time in her growing up years.  I also know she lived on a very meager income for most of her adult life.  She always made it. 

When she came back to this area to live in 2004, she also made her way back to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  She was converted to the gospel and did her best to live it.  She gained a strong testimony and I think, finally about a year ago, came to understand that she was loved by many as well as the knowledge that she is a daughter of God and he loves her completely. 

Today I had the privilge of dressing her for the final time.  I am always amazed at the miracle that takes place when I have that honor.  At first, the body is just a corpse.  When we were finished I turned to look at her beautiful face and she appeared to be smiling.  I mentioned it to Clare and Gene and they both agreed.

Thank you my friend for allowing me the privilege to be a part of your life.  I'm at peace knowing that you no longer have to be in pain and you can move freely.  You are able to see many of your loved ones who have already passed on.  I know you are happy and at peace.  Until we meet again...

More Time Away

 It is so nice to have our boys old enough and capable enough to take care of themselves.  It's also really nice to have Clare so near by if they should need anything.  On Thursday we went to Chicago for Pat's work.  Then on Friday afternoon we flew out of Milwaukee on our way ot Provo and also General Conference.  We've been attending October conference in Salt Lake City for several years now.  I wasn't planning to go as I had some other things I wanted to help with.  With little Evie Mae making an early appearance, how could I not go?

With a delay in Denver (again) we finally arrived in Provo after dark.  We knew it would be dark, but it was even darker.  We got our rental car and drove over to Sammi and Jeff's.  This is where we got to meet our newest grandbaby.  She's absolutely perfect!

I had such a wonderful time holding, changing and feeding her.  Since I live in the central time zone, I was up way early.  This was the time of day Evie was awake and I could take her and let her mama sleep.

 On Saturday morning Pat, Erin and I went to the first session of conference while this little family stayed home and took pictures on my camera.

 It seems we cannot visit without there being some major laughter.  Several years ago there was a commercial from Arby's where they had a "ranch tooth."  Pat loved that commercial and Erin found it on the internet and Pat was off in laughter land once again.

 He said he needs to stop visiting Provo since this happened last time as well.

On Saturday evening we had a photo shoot.  Between me making the background and putting Evie how I wanted her; Erin taking the pictures and Sammi's editing, we got some great photos of our little angel.

I can't wait until the end of the month when they come for a visit and the rest of the family gets to meet their newest niece, cousin, granddaugher, etc.

It was a wonderful weekend that went by way too fast.  By Monday evening we were back home by our boys. 

A Quick Weekend "Away"

 This spring we attending the Dollars for Scholars banquet and won a few really great prizes via raffle.  One of them was a weekend at Captain's Cove which is just a few miles from our home.  It came with a casino package which obviously we didn't use.  The last weekend of the month we had the perfect weather and stayed two nights in this little "park model" home.  We invited the kids out on Friday night to go swimming and then again on Saturday afternoon after Andrew's soccer tournament.  We roasted hot dogs and made s'mores.

We also played on the playground.  I love this picture of Cami and Adam looking down the slide.  I'm not sure what Adam was doing, but it sure is cute.

 Just prior to sending Brock down the same slide I grabbed this picture of he and his mom.

 I think Andrew thinks he's too old to come do fun family things with us.  But, he had a good time on the playground as well. 

 Then there were random races.  Most of which included Tom.  It's one way we can get him some cardio excercise without him knowing he's doing it.

 Brock liked this swing.

 Cami climbing the "climbing wall."

 Tom winning until Andrew turned on the afterburners.

 Cami sliding.

 Clare beating Tom.  He looks like he's enjoying it.

 Like I said, Andrew pretends not to have any fun with us.

 One of the very few campfires we had this summer.  It was just too blazing hot to have one.

I was able to watch the R.S. broadcast from the park model.  The next morning we got up early and left for home.  We got ready for church and headed off to Shawano.  It's my birthday present from my sweetie.  We have to leave the stake in order for him to sit with me.  We enjoyed their Primary Presentation.  Then back home to have dinner with the family.  A wonderful weekend "away."