Sick Family Members

The Thomas Family grandkids are all sick with the hand-foot-mouth virus-  Stacy and her family just got in town late Tuesday night.  They went to the Towner cabin late and to our Draper home yesterday. They are hanging out there for now.   Chad has been sick with the new variant Omicron.  He tested positive on the weekend and has been running a fever.  I talked to Stacy last night and she didn’t sound good. She has laryngitis like I had last weekend- she says she feels ok. The kids have all been sick with colds but she says they’re doing a little better.  I know they wanted to come up to the lake but Craig and I are being cautious, we do not want to get sick again.  We both had a rough year with illness and our immune systems don’t appear to be the best right now. So as much as I want to see them all, I think we’re going to have to avoid getting together for the New Year celebrating my birthday and little Cora's birthday on the 31st.   They need to stay home.  Unless they come up here and we go down there. We do have Michael and Landon here with us to celebrate the New Year with us.   We have to take them home some time before Monday.  It has been snowing most of the day today so we don’t want to be driving in the snowing conditions.  We need to wait until the roads are better for traveling.  Little Annie looks terrible. So Sad we cant be together bringing in the New Year for 2022.

Teaching the Old Testament

2022 we are studying the Old Testament this year.  I’m teaching this Sunday so I have begun my study time.  Trying to Fit it in with the family here, I have the pockets of time can read and study.  I have begun reading the Book of Moses and the Book of Abraham that is recorded in the Pearl of Great Price.  It is exciting information to review and immerse myself in the scriptures.   I love studying the Old Testament and excited to teach this year.  The Come Follow me lessons weekly keep me on track.  There is always so much to review and learn.  

Officially On Medicare

I just signed up today for a Medicare health insurance advantage plan on zoom.  So nice we didn’t have to drive down to Salt Lake.  Burbidge family this morning is heading home today.  They wanted to get ahead of a new snowstorm coming in later today and all day tomorrow.  I talked to Natasha this morning and kids are all sick with the virus Winn had.  It’s Hand,foot and mouth.  As a virus it has to take its course- no treatment for it.  It is very contagious and spreads to other children easily.   So don’t think they are coming to Bear lake to celebrate little Cora’s Birthday on Friday 31st of December.  She is going to be 2 years old.  Stacy and Chad arrived late last night in Heber.  They are staying  a few days with the Towner family.   They rented a cabin for their family togather.  They plan to come see us at the lake after their time there.   Stacy said they were in a bad snow storm the roads were bad.  It was bad for us driving to the lake on Sunday.  Michael and Landon are with us for the entire week.  Hoping Shannon and the rest of their family will come up but don’t know if we will get them up here.  If Natasha ends up coming they won’t come.  Don’t want to expose her kids to the illness.  Stacy said her kids already have had it.  So they have an immunity to the illness.  We will know more tomorrow.  We are suppose to get another snow storm tomorrow.   We do have lots of snow at the lake now.  Winter is officially here.  It is pretty with the ground covered with snow.  It is really cold.   Craig is getting the snowmobiles out.  We never got them out last year with Craig having a knee replacement surgery he was in recovery all winter. He is hoping to get out this year and enjoy the snow.  

Lots of Snow

It snowed all day yesterday.  It has cleared out today and the sky is a petty blue.  It is really cold today. The Burbidge family, Michael and Landon all went skiing today.  They should have a great time. Craig and I are just resting today.  I’m so tired.  I woke up at 4am cramping really bad I had to take a hot bath. Don’t know why?   I’m just feeling under the weather today so to speak.  I didn’t feel like being on a ski slope today.  I’m so out of shape I know I would not last very long.   They plan to ski all day.  I’m just going to rest.  Stacy and her family are driving up from California for a winter trip.  They are first going to a cabin with the Towner family for a few days and then coming to see us.  

Christmas Day 1974

I lived with the Rhodes family in 1974 to finish my senior year when my family moved back to Texas.  I was there with their family at Christmas.  She just sent this picture to me today saying happy holidays-  I was surprised I had not seen this picture.  

I don’t have much memory of the day-  those were hard times for me.  I know I was grateful to their family for taken me in and helping me.  I was missing my on family at Christmas too.  Sister Rhodes was so kind and loving to me makeing feel welcomed and a part of their family.   

Our Family Post Christmas Gathering

I road up to the lake with the Burbidge family the day after Christmas in a snow storm.  Our snow is finally here!! It has been snowing for two days now.  Micheal and Landon road up with Craig Christmas Day - evening after our family party.  They were just ahead of the storm.  Criag had to be back for church Sunday morning.  I was beat from our family party and Craig’s Mom was sleeping over at our Draper Home so I needed to stay in town.  I wanted to stay a few more days and just rest which was not going to happen.  I'm riding up to the lake with the Burbidge family.  The weather has turned to snow finally, we waited for three days, the weatherman kept saying snow was on it's way each day.  We thought Christmas Day there would be snow. The day after it has started to snow.  I had to rush to get ready to pack up and come up to the lake with the Burbidge family.  I barely got the dishes done from the family party and tyied up our place up a little.  Lavon left this morning and I had one hour left to hurry and get a few things done before the Burbidge family picked me up.  It was scary driving up in the snow storm.  The roads were bad all the way up.  We did arrive safely.  I’m so tired today from our fast pace this last week with our  Christmas activities.  It feels good to have a day to rest.  It is peaceful with the snow falling.  It’s suppose to snow all day today so we are just staying in, playing games and watching movies.  Tomorrow we plan to go snow skiing if the snow storm clears out. 

Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning

We went to the Burbidge family for Christmas Eve.  Trisha fixed us a lovely Christmas dinner.  It was fun to spend time with them and see the kids open their gifts.  They all got fun new pj’s-  

Grammy with Karlee and Saydee enjoying a pedicure that morning. 

My Sweet daughter Trisha -Christmas Eve. I love her so very much she is so talented and shares her talents with us all - Merry Christmas 

Christmas Morning we went to the Thomas home to share with their family- it was fun to watch them all open their gifts.  The little girls are so precious.  Little Cora is talking alot now so adorable.  

She loved her new baby doll from Santa 

Lincoln and Winston - poor Winn is sick with hand- foot and mouth virus -  so he had to stay home this year from the family parties.  Love this picture of them in their new pj’s 

Our Sweet Annie-  modeling by the advent calendar.  It was so funny little Cora pushed Annie out of the way to get her picture taken too but wouldn’t look at me she just wanted to model by the calendar too.  It was so funny so see.  

Our sweet Ashtyn Christmas Day at our family party on her new scooter from Santa.  The grandkids all had fun in the skating room I created for them this year.  

It was special to have Craig's mother in town this year to share Christmas with us all,  It has been very few times over the years she has been here for Christmas.  A fun time having her in town.  We kept her busy hoping between the families.  She spent the day before Christmas with us.  I took her to see the Christmas light close to our home it was really fun.  Christmas Eve she went with Scott’s family, Christmas morning with Shelly and her family and back to our home Christmas Day for our family party.  The day after Christmas Kelly picked her up to go to brunch.  She had a very busy schedule.  I know she was getting tired.  Alot to do for an 86 year old grandma- she is happy go lucky and went along with everything. We are blessed to have her visit us this year.  Comforting to me with the passing of my mother.  She is the last grandparent alive in our family tree.  Enjoy her while she is here with us all.  

Christmas Day

We had our family Christmas party at 4pm with all our family.  We were blessed to have Craig’s mother with us this year for Christmas.   I fixed a yummy Christmas ham dinner and apple pies from the apples I picked at the lake.  We had quite the surprise at our family gift giving game.  Three presents opened had two baby bunnies.  We all had some great laughs watching the grandkids open their Christmas and find baby bunnies inside.  Shannon’s Rabbit had 9 bunnies so she was sharing them with the family.  It was so aborable.  

Our three grandsons Austin, Lincoln and Boston all holding a baby bunny.  

Annie with her bunny she was taking this in home.  

Aubrey with her bunny 

Grandmother Lavon holding a baby bunny.  We all had some really good laughs.  Annie said know one could trade their Gordy for her bunny she was keeping her gift.  It was so aborable.  We had a great family Christmas gathering.  Our cold storage room I made a winter roller skating room for the grandkids to play in the had great fun skating and listening to Christmas music.  It was a great place for them to hang out in. 

Boston Skating-  

Christmas Eve Morning

I woke up early to have a pedicure with Trisha, Saydee and Karlee.  It feels so good to have a pedicure this morning.  The man that did mine did such a great job- I have to stop to by the grocery store for a few groceries and head home-  I have several presents to wrap for our family party tomorrow at 4pm.  I have been busy with Craig's mother in town, so I have to work fast to finish up today what needs to be done.  

Christmas Is Almost Here

I have been busy this past week making poppy seed bread for the ward members as a Christmas gift this year.  I baked about 60 mimi loafs and delivered about 2O each trip.  I finish up my last batch yesterday and made my final round of deliveries.  It was fun to visit with the members.  They all were suprized and appreciative for my yummy treat.  Brother Negus text and said it was amazing- thanks -their family loved it.  The popy seed bread I made this year was really yummy.  It is a recipe from sister Despain in our Mountain Oaks ward.  She would make it for us each Christmas and I loved it.  She gave the reciepe and cookbook with all her favorite recipes.   I had never made it.  It did turned out really good.  We packed up and drove to our Draper home last night.  We didn’t do as much as we wanted on our dating anniversary this year.  We both were just not feeling the best.  Today I’ve just felt off all day too.  I beautify myself for our Symes Christmas dinner tonight at City Creek downtown Salt Lake City.  Craig and I are heading there now.  Just stopped by Costco on the way to purchase some last minute gift cards and then we need to stop by the bank for some cash for the grandkids, we give them each $50 for Christmas and each couple $300.00.  It gets harder to know what to buy.  

Thomas Family

Love this Christmas picture of the Thomas Family.  

Love these beautiful green velvet dresses the Girls are wearing. 

Natasha and Annie at a Christmas photo shoot -love the red dress so pretty.  Natasha’s dress business has done so well.  

Annie’s Dance Recital

Craig and I attended Annie’s dance recital Saturday evening before we drove back to the lake.  

Love seeing little Cora’s little belly showing in this picture.  

Love Annie’s Candy Cane outfit.  She is such a darling 7 year old dancing.  

Celebrating Our 50th Dating Anniversary

Craig and I are celebrating our 50th Dating anniversary today. It was 50 years ago we began our journey of loving each other.  The years have gone by so fast.  We are getting old now and our bodies are feeling it.  We were going to drive down to our Draper home today but we are to tired.  We took the time to have a nice lunch at Coopers.  It is so beautiful this time of year.  Fun to be there at Christmas time- it is decorated so pretty.  I so enjoyed our lunch.  We need to make it a yearly tradition to eat there at Christmas time. I loved hearing the Christmas music playing in the background.  We had a special delivery today from our kids for Christmas.  A man showed up to deliver us a peloton bike.  He brought it in and put it together.   I did my first 20 minute work out.  It is so fun.  We plug in to the internet with an instructor.  She coached me thru my 20 minute workout.  There were 18,000, who also signed in too, after the workout I was in the 12,000 catagory of keeping up.  I’m tired and sore from my workout already.  We are both going to enjoy this gift.  They spent way to much money.  These machines cost about $2500.  We are so grateful to our wonderful children.  

Driving Back To The Lake

Craig and I drove down to Salt lake on Wednesday morning early. We started to head out Tuesday night but the roads were too bad.  The snow storm was hitting hard.  It was a blizzard.  The wind was blowing hard and the snowing falling fast.  We couldn’t hardly see the road.  We just turned around and went back to the cabin.  The weather was to bad to be driving in.  It was a winter storm alert.  Monday and Tuesday last week I baked 25 mini loafs of poppy seed bread.  I delivered them all Tuesday evening.  It had already started snowing up in Bridgerland location up in the mountains at the lake.  I was trying to get ahead of the storm coming in.  I don’t like driving up there with all the snow.  It had gotten dark on me so it was challenging for me.  I was able to get all my loafs delivered.  Fun to visit with the ward members.  I still have lots more to make but gave me good start.  I was was done by 7:30 pm that evening-  Craig got home by 8:30om hoping to leaving and get ahead of the storm but it was already here.   We drove down to almost laketown and just decided it was not worth the risk to go any further. Craig turned around which I was glad- I was a nervous reck.  The roads were bad coming down Wednesday morning.  We really didn’t get that much snow at the lake only a couple of inches. The roads were snowy all the way to just outside of Park City.  We were surprised how much snow was in the Salt lake valley.  There was a couple of feet.  Our driveway in Draper was piled high.  They hadn’t cleared the snow yet.  Craig had to hurry to his dentist appointment.  He dropped me off so I could tinker at our home there.  I’m love decorating for Christmas.  I have had lots of fun decorating our Draper home.  I had the car loaded with Christmas decorations I brought back from the lake.  I decorated last week for the ward Christmas party and the relief society Christmas lesson on Sunday.  It all turned out lovely. The sisters loved our special Christmas time together as sisters in the ward.  I had taken most of what I used up and back to the lake and back to our Drapet home.  Our car was full again.  While Criag was gone I setup our family table sitting downstairs for our family Christmas dinner Christmas Day.  We are hosting this year at our place.  Last year we went to Trisha’s home.  I kept busy while he was gone.  We have our new ping pong table downstair so I was able to set it all up nice.  I can seat 14 comfortable. It’s a big table to gather as family for dinner.  I got it all set up while Criag was gone.  We are able to seat all 32 of us with plenty of room downstairs in our basement,  Craig’s tooth was really sore after his appointment.  Wednesday evening we had a wrestling tourmant to attend for Austin.  We left early to get ahead of the 5pm traffic-  we ate dinner at Toco Time in Kaysville.  It’s a really nice restaurant there. Good to see Shar and Dave too.   Austin didn’t win his match he was bummed.  He was undefeated. Austin was sick with a sore throat and not feeling well.  So that could be part of the problem.  He didn’t have the strength he needed.  I could be the onicrom virus going around.  I was concerned being around him and in a crowded area with this virus so contagious.  Thursday morning I started cleaning up our Storage room putting away the Halloween decorations from a year ago.  It all turned out really fun last year.  For Christmas I thought this year it would be fun to make a winter skating room.  So I went to work cleaning and creating.  Thursday afternoon we drove out to see the Chaudhry’s.  Their rabbit had 9 baby bunnies they are about 4 weeks old.  They are so adorable.  

Ashtyn has become so attached to them all they are going to have a hard time getting rid any of them- Ashtyn wants to keep them all.  Fun to visit with the Chaudhry family.  Our Michael is so sweet he had just gotten home from his 7hour shift working at Walmart.  He came and sat by me and gave me a big hug.  He has such a tender heart.  Thursday evening our little Annie had a gymnastic performance.  She has gotten really good at her tumbling. We arrived just in time to see her perform. 

Ward Christmas Party

We had our Ward Christmas party last night.  It was a great success, we decorated so pretty this year. The second ward had their ward Christmas Party the night before and decorated so pretty they left all their decoration for us to use for our ward Christmas party the night after theirs.  They hung light over head.  Which was really fun to dim the lights for the party.  They had all these amazing decoration for the stage area which we would not have.  One of their members in the ward inherited some amazing Christmas decoration from the Nordstrom department store.  So this added so much to the beauty of it all.  They even put up a huge manger on the stage which the Bishop showed a lovely video of the Christmas story.  It added so much to the spirit of the season in celebrating our Savior's birth.  We went over to the church yesterday morning to put table clothes on all the tables and add the table decoration for our ward.  I decorated the fun dessert tables.  I also made 14 flower arrangements for all the round tables this year.  They turned out so pretty.   I had bought the poinsettia flower picks after Christmas two year ago.  I only paid a $1.50 for each of them.  We didn’t have a party last year due to the Covid illness. So this year I was able to make them up for our ward party.  I bought vases at the $ dallor tree store on Monday.  I had to go to three store to get enough vases.  Sunday evening we drove down to Draper.  I had an dermatologist appointment Monday morning.  I made my shopping rounds after my appointment. I was excited to make the flower arrangements.  I had accent greenery to add to the poinsettia picks. When I arrived home I went to work making 14 of them.  It took me the rest of the day to finish up. That evening I wasn’t feeling well all achie and felt I was fighting another infection coming on .  Luckily I have some more antibiotics on hand.  Tuesday I worked the morning away cleaning up our draper home. We had not been back for over a week since thanksgiving.  Things needed to be tyied up after Stacy and her family stayed there for Thanksgiving.  I washed the downstairs bedding and able to go thru some of the clothes I brought back from my mother.  Most of it is too small for me or the shirts are too short. I’m hoping to lose some weight and her clothes will fit me better.  I had just enough time to get things cleaned up and we were out the door by 1:30 pm- We stopped by Costco on our way out of town to buy some Christmas treats -to hand out to our Ward friends at the lake.  It was a quick trip-  I wanted to stay longer but had to get back for the Ward Christmas party.  I’m on the decorating committee which I love! I worked hard yesterday getting things ready.  It all did turn out so lovely.  We had a great attendance about 2OO showed up.  Everyone loved how pretty it was decorated this year.  The clean up is always a lot of work too.  My back gave out on me.  I hurt so bad when I crawled into bed.  I could hardly move. My darn back just gives out on me when I stand too long.  Here are a few pictures I took.  

The pretty flower arrangements I made for 14 tables.  I love the Christmas season.  It is so fun to decorated.  This morning I’m back at the church to decorate the Relief Society room for our Ward Christmas lesson on Sunday.  A good nights sleep helps my back to recover.  We are hanging Garland around the room and adding Christmas decor.  Another project.  

December -Sabbath Day / section 138

The Christmas season is upon us.  I had fun decorating at our lake home this week.  Not doing as much this year just enough to feel the Christmas spirit in our home.  I also decorated our Draper home the last time I was there.   It will be fun to walk in and have it all decorated.  We are leaving later this afternoon to head down.  I have a dr appointment in the morning.  We are heading back up Tuesday afternoon. I’m helping to decorate for the Ward Christmas party this coming Wednesday.  I taught our gospel doctrine lesson today section 137 & 138 -  this lesson was on the redemption of the dead, the world of the spirits after death and the missionary work that continues after we die.  There are millions there to teach.  It was a very touching lesson after just having the funeral of my mother.  I was very emotional, my feelings very dear and close to my Heart.  I’m so grateful for the knowledge that we will be together again in the resurrection.  Life does not end, it is just another stage in our growth.  Heavenly Father has a wonderful plan for us all.  We will all have the opportunity to accept the invitation of coming unto Jesus Christ as our Savior. I have often thought about the world of the spirits, those of my ancestors who have passed on.   Will they accept the gospel ?  I have often wonder why have I been so blessed to have had the privilege of hearing the restored gospel message in my lifetime when so many of my ancestors did not have this opportunity.  As a first generation member of the restored church and with this membership I have the responsibility to do their temple Work - I feel this responsibility deep in my soul. I love these quotes I came across in my studies for this lesson - President Woolford Woodruff said that every apostle, every seventy, every elder who has died in the faith, as soon as he passes to the other side of the veil, enters into the work of the ministry and there is a 1000 times more to preach there than there is here on earth-.. They have work on the other side of the veil, God wants missionaries and they are called to teach the gospel message to the host of spirits in spirit prison.  

President Joseph F Smith said that those who have passed away in this dispensation are preaching that same gospel that they lived and preached here to those who were in darkness in the spirit world, who had not had the privilege before they left this world, the gospel must be preach to them, we are not perfect without them, they cannot be perfect without us…Now among these millions of spirits that have lived on the earth that have passed away from generation to generation since the beginning of the world without knowledge of the gospel among them you may count that at least half are women. Who is going to preach the gospel to the women? Who is going to carry the testimony of Jesus Christ to the hearts of the women who have passed away without a knowledge of the gospel? Well to my mind it is a simple thing, there’s good sisters who have been set apart, ordained to the work, call to it -authorized by the authority of the holy priesthood to minister for their sex in the house of God for the living and for the dead will be fully authorized and empowered to preach the gospel and minister to women as the elders and prophets are preaching the gospel message to the men. Those who are authorized to preach the gospel here or appointed here to do that work will not be idle after they pass away but will continue to exercise their rights that they obtained here and of the priesthood of the son of God to minister for the salvation of those who have died without the knowledge of the truth.  This really stood out to me as I have been set apart to administer temple ordinances in the temple.  I was blessed with the proper priesthood authority to officiate these ordinances to the sisters acting as proxy for the dead while serving in the Draper temple for five years.  This same authority will continue beyond the grave as sister who died, continue teaching and sharing the gospel message with the sisters in the spirit world and administer to those sister the temple ordinances as they accept the gospel message.  I had the strongest feeling the other day as I was taking a hot bath and pondering about the spirit world and how temple work is done on earth, how will it be done in the spirit world?  I had the thought come to me I would be officiating to the sisters in the  spirit world the same ordinances that are being done here.  Their names will be called up and they can participate in Spirit Along with the living sister acting as proxey for their behalf.   I have wanted to be a temple worker officiating in the house of the Lord in this life and the life hear after.  These thought became very clear to me- I can serve here as well as beyond the veil.  

Decorating For Christmas At The Lake

December 1st - I started decorating for the Christmas season at the lake.  It’s fun to get out my decorations I have collected over the years.  I have split my decoration, the more rustic look at the lake and more elegant for our Draper home.  It's fun to get it all out and cleaned up today.   I was able to mop the floor this afternoon.  I get tired fast standing on my feet all morning, I had to take a nap.  Craig left for picklelball  at 1pm.  He has played pickleball every day this week.  The weather has be so nice for the first of December.  Unusually warm for this time of year in the low 50’s with the sun shinning, it feels so nice to be outside in the crisp air.  I had a relief society meeting yesterday planning for Decoratiions for the Ward Christmas party on December 8th and the relief Society Christmas lesson on Sunday December 12th- The season is here.  I love to decorate this time of year.  Fun  Fun!!

Missing My Mother

Hi. This is your late loved one speaking. I don’t have long, so listen up because I have a lot I want to tell you.  First off, I get it. 

Ever since I left this world you have missed me, and I know you’re bracing for the holidays without me. No matter what anyone says, this year’s festivities are going to be really tough. 

In fact, let’s be honest, this festive season will probably suck pondwater. But then, Thanksgiving and Christmas are tough holidays for a lot of people. You’re not alone.  

See, the misconception about the holidays is that they are one big party. That’s what every song on the radio claims. Each television commercial you see shows happy families clad in gaudy Old Navy sweaters, carving up poultry, smiling their perfect Hollywood teeth at the camera. But that’s not exactly reality. In reality, fifty-eight percent of Americans admit to feeling severely depressed and anxious during November and December. In reality many folks will cry throughout the “most wonderful time of the year.” Well, guess what? Nobody is crying up here in heaven. This place is unreal. There is, literally, too much beauty to take in. Way too much.  For starters—get this—time doesn’t even exist anymore. Which I’m still getting used to.   Right now, for all I know, the calendar year down on Earth could be 1728, 4045, 1991, or 12 BC. It really wouldn’t matter up here. This is a realm where there is no ticking clock, no schedule. Up here there is only this present moment. This. Here. Now. That’s all there has ever been. And there is real comfort in this. I know this all seems hard to grasp, but if you were here you’d get it.  Also, for the first time I’m pain free. I feel like a teenager again in my body. You probably don’t realize how long I’ve lived with pain because I never talked about it, I kept my problems to myself because I was your loved one, and you needed me to be brave.  But pain is a devious thing. It creeps up on even the strongest person, little by little, bit by bit. Until pretty soon, pain becomes a central feature of life.  Sometimes my pain would get so bad it was all I thought about. No, I’m not saying that my life was miserable—far from it. I loved being on earth. It’s just that simply waking up each morning was getting exhausting.  But, you know what? Not anymore. In this new place, I am wholly and thoroughly happy.  But enough about me. I don’t have room to describe all the terrific things I’m experiencing, and you don’t need to hear them. Right now, you’re grieving, and what you need is a hug. Which is why I’m writing to you. This is my hug to you. Because you’ve lost sight of me. And in fact, you’ve lost sight of several important things lately.  Death has a way of blinding us. It reorganizes the way you think, it changes you. You will never be the same after you lose someone. It messes with your inner physiology. It reorganizes you’re neurons. But then, there’s one teensy little thing you’re forgetting:

I’m still around.  Yes, you read that correctly, I’m right here with you. No, you can’t see me. No, you can’t reach out and hold me. But did you know that one of the things I’m allowed to do as a heavenly being is hang out with you?  It’s true. I’m never far away. I’m in the room with you now, along with a big cloud of ancestors, saints, and witnesses. I’m shooting the breeze alongside you, watching you live your life, watching you raise your kids, watching your private moments of sorrow. 

Here, in this new realm, I am in the perfect position to help you learn things. Which is what I vow to spend the rest of your earthly life doing, teaching you little lessons, lending you a hand when you least expect it, and desperately trying to make you smile. Actually, I’ve already been doing this stuff, you just don’t realize it. What, you don’t believe me? 

Well, wake up, pal. You know that tingle you get in your spine whenever you think of me? That’s me. 

You know how, just yesterday, you had a beautiful memory when you were driving and it made you cry so hard that it actually felt good and you began to laugh through tears? Also me. 

You know how sometimes when you’re all alone, preoccupied with something else, suddenly you get this faint feeling that someone is standing in the room with you? Hello? Me.

You’re not alone on this earth. You never were. You never will be. So during this holiday season, when cheerful families are getting together and making merry, and taking shots of eggnog, I’m going to be clinging to your shoulder, helping you muddle through somehow. 

I’ll be making your spinal column tingle a lot, and I’ll be sending plenty of signs. Each of these signs—every single one—is code for “I love you.” So start paying attention to these hints. 

Because this was one.  " This was posted on facebook by a friend and spoke to my heart!!"

Celebrating Christmas 2O21

We went to the annual Christmas tree lighting Last night.  So fun to visit with the locals at Bear lake.  The small town associations is fun.  They did a great firework show, serving donuts and hot coco.  

Matt and Laura- it’s a miracle Matt is with us this year.  He had his really bad stoke this time last year.  Laura stayed at our home in Draper for a couple of weeks while she went back and forth to the hospital.  They didn’t know if he was going to make.  He is is now talking, can’t walk but his is doing amazing well from what he endured.   

Decorating For Christmas

I started decorating for Christmas while at our Draper home the past four days.  It will be nice to come back and have it all decorated for the Holidays.  I love the Christmas season.  It is fun to get out my Christmas decorations.  I had the tree all up so we could take some family pictures - I told everyone to bring a Christmas sweater for a group family picture.  

Our Family Christmas Cheer Picture

All the girls in our Family

Natasha & Bridger Christmas Cheer  

We went to Trisha’s home this afternoon to play pickleball on their new court.  It was lots of fun to gather as family and enjoy the sunshine sun.  A fairly warm fall day for this time of year.  We said our goodbyes, Craig and I headed back to the lake.  Craig is conducting sacrament in the morning-  so we needed to get back up to the lake.  I have been gone 3 weeks since the passes of my mother.  Feel good to be back at the lake and sleep in my soft bed.  It will be nice to attend church tomorrow.   I really do miss my mother.  It feel so strange knowing she is no longer here.  I do have the faith and hope we will meet again during the glorious resurrection.  

Natasha And Her Family

Natasha and her family Thanksgiving  day -

The girls are dressed so darling-in their Ivy city matching outfits.

They also did a darling family photo shoot love these pictures of their family.  

Baby Cora is so Aborable !

Our Sweet Stacy

Stacy posted this message on her Facebook page - she is the sweetest daughter, love her so very much and thankful she is in our lives.  We celebrated her 37th birthday while in Texas for my mother’s funeral -  so glad she was able to be there with me.  I really needed one of my daughters for support.  Stacy is very family Supportive and so kind to her parents.  She had taken the time to write us many thoughtful notes over the years showing her appreciation to us as parents.  

-“‘I am thankful for Family ❤️  Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.- 

Stacy & Jake  Cousins- on her birthday Nov 19th 2021- 37 years old. 

Stacy and her little family Thanksgiving Day at our place in Draper.  

Chad Celebrated his birthday a week earlier.  They were born the same year in November.  They celebrated his special day as family and Stacy came to Texas to attend My mother’s funeral on her b-day this year.  She enjoyed having some alone time and a break from the demands of her family.  The kids are alot of work.   

Sabbath Day

It feels so good to be back in our Bear lake ward.  Craig is conducting the sacrament meeting today.  To my surprise we have the entire stake presidency sitting in the stand today.  He was very kind to me after sacrament meeting, taking the time to greet me and talk about the passing of my mother.    There are many members wearing mask with our ward having many who have been sick with the Covid illness.  

Emily Transtrum is speaking today, I served with her teaching the self-reliant class in the Stake.  She is also serving as 2nd counselor in Stake Relief Society. We can feel joy in our lives as we draw close to our Saviors.   To gain experience in life is so important to work at many things consistently  - what is my personal relationship with the Savior?   I’m working consistently in my relationship with him -  it is a life long experience.  Learn of me - first -  study the scriptures.     Strengthen our relationship thru personal prayer-  3rd Try to live the example of our Savior in our lives - how will we treat others- making time for the lord every day in our lives-  let every heart prepare him room - Christmas song- give the gift of giving to others so they can experience this room for their relationship with the Savior- How spiritual healthy is my heart - like a heart monitor-  harken and listen to the voice of the Lord - story of the lost watch -  silence helped to hear the ticking of the watch.  Learning to listen to the still small voice.  

Stake high Counsleor Brother Jensen -  what are my spiritual gifts and do I use these gift ?  Prophet Mormon - shares a gift to be sober and quick to observe.  We need to hear with our spiritual eyes to serve others.  Being quick to observe - not by our natural eyes but spiritually-  we need to work to receive to be quick to observe.   Time management -  shared in the gift of time-  then make an list of who I can serve daily-  make a list, I do what matters daily -  I ask questions and try to do better each day. Watch the self reliance video - return nightly and report to my Heavenly Father.  Very good talks today. 

Nice Time With All The Family

We had a very nice Thanksgiving this year with all our family.  Everyone was here but Cole on his mission.  We did get to visit with him.  He called and  veryone got to so Hi and visit with him.  He has only 7 more months left.  The time goes by all to fast.  

 

Thanksgiving Dinner 

Our sweet Ashtyn 

Stacy & Chad stayed at our place for 5 days.  They kept busy each day visiting with Family on the Towner side and our family.  Stacy is driving back to California Sunday morning.  Chad is flying out on Wednesday.  

The granddaughters has fun going thru my mother’s clothes I brought back for them to pick thru as a keepsake from Gaga.  She had good taste in clothes.  Not too many great-grandmothers can pass their clothes on to their great-granddaughters.  

Trisha and Saydee home from College.  

We did have a nice Day.  The food was all so yummy this year.  Chad smoked a Turkey and it was really yummy.  We love the smell of a Turkey cooking in the oven.  

Thanksgiving Day

The turkey is in the oven!!  I’m all decorated and ready for the family this year.  The girls are all bringing something to add to our dinner at 2pm today this makes it a lot easier on me.  Looking at my past text messages from my mother.  I really miss her just knowing she is gone.     

It’s hard not to get emotional.  The tears are flowing this morning early as I reflect upon her and the suffering she had to go thru in her last days.  She was in alot of pain.  Comforting knowing she is not suffering anymore.  Excited for all the family to arrive today.  

Feels Good To Be Home

We made good time on our road trip home.  We arrived back to Draper at 5:30 pm.  We stopped a couple times along the way- had lunch in Moab, filled our tank and some drinks and on the road.  Craig and I were ready to get out of the car.  I was tired but didn’t want to sit after sitting 8 hours.  I started unloading the car with the things I brought back from mother’s closet.  I got it all put away and sorted in piles for the girls to see if they want anything.  It felt good to clean up for day.  I wore an outfit from my mother’s clothes-  I have got to lose weight.  I feel so fat in the stomach - which is where all my extra weight seems to go.  Stacy arrived about midnight Monday night for the Thanksgiving Holiday with the kids.  She drove in from Las Vegas.  Chad flew in late last night.  I enjoyed the day with the Towner family.  Farrah and I went to the grocery store and brought lunch home from Cafe Rio.  They all went over to Stacy’s home about 4:30 pm.  I set up our Thanksgiving table upstairs and started getting things ready for our family gathering on Thanksgiving day.  It is our turn to host this year.  We host every other year.  Last year Craig and I stayed home by our selves due to the Covid restrictions.  This year not playing by those rules again.  This Covid scare is getting old.  I was so tired last night I went to bed early.   Stacy fixed us a yummy dinner at Natasha home.  The grandkid kids had fun playing with their cousins.  Craig headed back to the lake yesterday morning.  He wanted to check on things with us being gone two weeks.  It didn’t seem like we were gone that long.  He had a young men’s activity last night. I’m sure our cat was glad to see Craig.  Today I need to gather up chairs from Trisha-  maybe check Wallmart to see if they have any to buy.  I wanted to go see Shannon’s new baby bunnies, she has nine of them.  I’m cooking the Turkey and the girls are all bringing side dishes for our family feast.  Going to enjoy this day with the Towner family.   

The Drive Back To Utah

We got up early this morning and packed up our car with all the things I packed up from Mother’s room.  It took Michele and I sorting all week long what was in her room at Tommy’s house.  I have a car full of clothes, shoes and costume jewelry.  Mother loves clothes and fashion.  She had good taste in her clothes. I will let the girls see if there is anything they want.  We are making our way back to Utah today.  Not going to push it as much as we did coming down.   We will stop and get a hotel tonight to rest.  It took us 18 hours driving down.  Anxious to get back and get ready for thanksgiving.   The family is all coming over this year.   

Mother’s Funeral

The Funeral day has arrived.  It has been a week’s worth of work getting prepared. It was a race against the clock to get it all done.  Stacy flew in Friday night and was able to be with us.  I got up early to get dressed and be at the LDS church at 9am in order to sing at Mother’s funeral.  I practiced 45 minutes. The funeral home was very helpful in setting everything out.  There were Ward members attending from The Decatur ward that knew Mother.  Richelle’s family was very supportive.  Stacy read the obituary and shared memories from her sister’s in Utah who couldnt attend.   We lived streamed the funeral for them.  It didn’t start out as smooth as we would have liked but they got to hear most of it.  I spoke 2nd following my sister Michele.  She spoke her memories so tenderly.  I then sang my solo I had practice. It was hard to not cry, but I got thru it.  Tommy tenderly spoke and then my nephew Jake.  I know mother was proud of the outcome and felt her close by.  When leaving the Chapel Terry my cousin that lives by mother - said she was her favorite Aunt, touched me as I walked by.   I was so touched to see her I started to cry..   I have not seen her for over thirty years.  She look just like her mother Aunt Shirley. Justin came to the funeral and special for him attend.   Tommy gave a beautiful family prayer before the funeral started.  Saying our goodbyes is hard.  Wished John Wesley my brother could have attended. His entire family missed the entire events.  John has lung cancer and was not feeling well enough to attend. He just finished his last chemo treatments this past week.  He did missed a special time to heal from bad experience from Morher over the years.  Mother was very challenging at times.  I had gotten them Together the past few times when I was in town which was good.  We were able to get a few pictures with mother in her later years with John we displayed in the memoriy video.  The church hosted a lovely luncheon after the funeral services and we were able to visit as family and friends.  

Saying good bye is so hard - I have had my moments of tears.  We then drove an hour to lay Mother to rest next to John Wallace her beloved husband who died 30 years earlier.  Craig said a beautiful prayer dedicating her gravesite.  We all had our moment to place a flower on her casket and say our good byes.  It was a solemn moment to watch her casket lowered into the ground.  Good bye mother till we meet again in the glorious resurrection.  I know she was very pleased with all our efforts.  

Picture display 

Debbie, Michele and Richelle 

My Cousin Terry and I 

Mom and Daddy John’s head stone 

Mom’s beautiful flowers.  

At the grave sight-