A REMEMBERING Christmas

This Christmas holiday was another one of those joyful occasions when family gathers together.  It is always fun to see children and grandchildren enjoy being together.

We opened gifts as usual but there was something added to our gift opening that was unique and special for us this year.  

I wanted our children and grandchildren to remember special moments with their loved ones so I asked each to text, email, or write a memory of a certain person or people before they opened each gift.  It's important to share these memories and hold them close to our hearts. It helps build a connection that can last forever.  

I knew it would be fun to read, but it was even more special than I had hoped it would be.  What a wonderful Christmas gift it was reading these memories.  I asked for memories of Terry, his parents, and my parents.

Among the gifts were some "homemade" gifts made by my mother and father.  This is a train he made for us years ago (when Gregory was born).  The kids played with it for years until I put it up on the library shelves for safe keeping, coming down only a few times for a grandchild's request.

Dad and mom made more this year after asking each of their children how many they would like.  I ordered one for each of our children and gave it to them for Christmas.  

I also received a homemade Christmas gift from my parents - a shuffle board.  There will, of course, be much more fun in the future.  

In this picture one of the grandchildren spilled their mini m&ms onto the board.  This brought a cheerful noise and created another fun activity.

There were many fun activities during the holiday - like playing in the snow.   

We also enjoyed going to the theater to watch a movie.  Something we have done a few times in the past.  

This year we saw FERDINAND at the Lee Theater in Ephrata ..., with pizza.  :)   

This story is about Ferdinand - a bull in Spain who would rather sit under the cork tree and smell flowers than fight in the bullfights. 

I bought this book for Terry many years ago.  It was a fun story for Terry and I because of Terry's service to the Spain, Barcelona mission (1976-78). Unfortunately I'm not sure if our children really remember us reading it to them much.  I did pull it out and read it to those here at the house the day before we went to the movie.

It was a cute movie, though a bit different than the book.  Because of the connection with the book I felt like Terry was a part of this fun family adventure.  I am sure he would have enjoyed it too.  I am anxious for the video to come out so I can own it.


This Christmas we remembered fun moments from our past and it will be a fun Christmas to remember.  I have invited all to continue to send me memories for the next few months, if not forever.  When I asked for these memories I knew it would be great to receive them, but it feels more like I gave myself a special Christmas gift. I enjoyed reading every word and recalling the special moments each talked about.

There is joy in remembering.

Christmas Holiday Happenings

Here is an update, as has been requested by several of my faithful followers.  Sorry I've been slacking with the posting - so much of my time is spent on studying for seminary.  I do love it though.

However, the holiday break was definitely not filled with seminary study.  It was filled with family and Christmas and a wedding, a new year and a few other things keeping my heart, mind, and soul a bit preoccupied, and now I need a week to catch up from all of that ..., that's just not gonna happen.


The beginning of our holiday vacation was Friday, 18 December 2015 - no school or seminary because of the winter weather conditions.  I missed seminary, but luckily we already had our Christmas lesson so I had given the students their Christmas gifts - Temple Socks.

These socks are to help remind them to walk in the ways of the Lord, which will lead them to the temple and to all of the eternal blessings awaiting those who do follow Him.

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With no seminary and no school I thought that Friday would be a good day to catch up on my cleaning and decorating and laundry and organizing and preparing for company and Christmas and wedding, but instead it became a very emotional and nonproductive day.  However, looking back now it was a beautiful day that holds a memory that we treasure.  It was the day we received what we call our CHRISTMAS MIRACLE.

The short story is that on the way home from BYU-I (18 Dec. 2015) BJo was in an accident.
She slid off the road at the exact place that another car had previously slid off.  That car was still there and the three passengers (students from BYU-I) were out at the tire trying to put chains on.  
BJo found her truck heading straight for them and began to honk the horn to warn them of the danger.  One gal saw the truck and was able to move out of the way, avoiding any injury.  The other two were not so lucky and ended up tangled in their tire chain, drug with the truck, and eventually pinned under the back tire of the truck (one in front of the tire, the other behind the same tire).  The gal that was uninjured saw her two friends under the back left tire and thinking they were dead, went to check on the driver (BJo). 

Connor was traveling in his vehicle a couple minutes behind BJo and stopped to help.  A local fireman also stopped to help.  BJo called 911 and soon other emergency responders came, but they seemed to be more interested in the story than in actually helping.  Thanks mostly to Connor and the first fireman, the two students (a young man and a young woman) were eventually freed from the truck and taken to a nearby hospital.  After a few hours they were released, and walking out on their own, one with a cracked rib and one with a cracked vertebrae (I think) and both with many bruises and aches and pains. They were definitely hurt but alive, and not paralyzed or disabled for life.  

BJo, Connor, and the group they were with (a 3 car caravan with a total of 7 young adults) went to the hospital to check on the injured young adults and were met with a type of friendship that touched their hearts.   

At first sight, this accident seemed to be one of death and destruction, but after prayer and long hours of emotional and physical torture, the outcome was much different.  There have been several things brought to our attention that help us know that the Lord had a hand in all of this, from the beginning (even before they left for college that fall) to now. We have seen the Lord's hand in our lives and we are grateful for the divine help given during this tragic experience. 
BrittanyJo was blessed to be able to feel her father's presence during this ordeal too, and we know that it was her dad's truck (instead of the small Ford Focus she used to take to school), and divine intervention that saved these four young adults from death and/or major physical problems.  Walking out of that hospital on their own never seemed to be an option, but we are grateful that the Lord was watching over our loved ones and all others involved, and we know that the Lord has a plan for each of these young people - their lives are in His hand.  My prayer is that they will each continue to follow Him so that He may continue to guide them.  

FYI - The young man that was pinned under the tire has his mission call and will leave for that mission sometime in February.  Our thoughts and prayers will go with him.

More FYI - the truck is totaled, 

but we are grateful that it was a part of this day, and it is a reminder that Terry is present and still looking after his family in ways that we are not even aware of.  Our love for him continues to grow, as does our love for our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ.  They are aware of each of us, and that includes each of you, and will be there for us in our time of need.

No one would have chosen to be involved with this accident, but we are grateful to have felt the love from above and to have another witness that we are loved and cared for and watched over. This time it definitely did turn out better than we thought.


Here is a photo BJo took last semester that speaks even more to our hearts than it previously did.

The view is in the mirror.  This view fits well with the temple socks mentioned at the beginning of this post, and it fits well with our Christmas Miracle.  The writing on the mirror speaks volumes as does the picture itself - OBJECTS IN THE MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR!

It's beautiful!  It originally spoke to our hearts because of our first trip to Rexburg, with Terry.  He gave BJo a blessing in the parking lot of that temple.  He talked of a North star guiding us where we need to go, and though the temple is south of campus, it would be her guide while she was there.  Precious memories.

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Next up - Christmas!  We had a great Christmas and enjoyed having family with us.  Gifts were exchange, puzzles were completed, games were enjoyed, and all other excitement of being together.  

Did you notice the half lit tree?  That's the way it rolled this year - I ran out of lights and by the time I got them the tree was dead and I didn't want to put them on.  It didn't bother me at all, until I had guests that were new to my home, that may never see another tree at my house again, and it made me wonder what they might think.  Oh Bother!  Maybe I should have come up with a new tradition and special meaning for that half lit tree, but then I'd have to think too hard.  :)

Snow was a bonus and added some great fun for the kids.

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We welcomed in the new year playing Nerts. I don't usually play card games, but gave in to this one.  I was BJo's partner and though the first few attempts were slow, we actually won a couple rounds (not my doing, BJo could have played as the team ... wait, maybe she did and I was just there for moral support - they were giving to me, not from me.  Oh Bother!  Well, at any rate, we had fun!) 

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We spent a couple days making cookies and chicken puffs for the next celebration and after the New Year we had a wedding - Connor married Rebekah Richins (from Warden) in the Columbia River Temple - 2 January 2016.  It was awesome and beautiful, but snowy and cold.  That evening we had a wonderful reception in Warden to celebrate this union. Next day they came to open gifts and headed out again.  We enjoyed this occasion and wish them love and success.

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School was next on the calendar, so Anthony went back to school on the 4th and I drove BJo and a friend from Yakima to Rexburg to begin their next semester.  The roads were most bad as we traveled down Adams, but once on I90 we were pleased to find them pretty good the rest of the way.  We got them settled and unloaded gifts at Connor and Bekah's apartment.  (Thanks to all of our wonderful family and friends who gave such awesome gifts to this newly created eternal family!) 
Next day I traveled home alone, but not really alone.  I felt a peace and comfort, and a help that was not my own.  I am so grateful for the constant help from above.  


At one part of my drive home I couldn't get radio reception so I played the CD already in the player.  The first song was Glorious and I flipped to the last song, a song about 1 Nephi 3:7

7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

I played it once and then again, the second time singing along with it, when a powerful feeling came over me.  I know that the Lord has prepared a way for me to accomplish the thing which He commandeth me. He is aware of us and our every need.  He doesn't always give us what we want, but he does always help us through what comes our way. He has given me seminary to help me accomplish this most difficult task of living righteously without my husband and I am grateful for it.  He has protected my family, given us peace and comfort, and direction.  He is helping us learn how to smile and be happy in these tough times through life.  I hope and pray that we will always be worthy of His divine guidance and comfort.  There is no good without it.

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I stopped at Missoula on my way home, to check on the truck and after seeing it and visiting with both the body shop owner (where the truck is presently resting) and the tow truck driver that hauled it there, I saw and learned things that made me even more grateful for the Lord's hand in that terrible accident.  We will miss that special truck.  We tell ourselves that it is "just a truck", but we know it was more special than "just a truck" and it will remain more special than "just a truck".  It became a protector and we love it even more.  It will now rest from it's protective roll, but we know that it's owner will not, and we love him.  We are at peace because we know that Terry is still a part of our lives..., forever.

That reminds me -
In the wedding ceremony the sealer told Connor that Bekah will be his only love forever and he told Bekah that Connor should be her only love forever.  I loved that, because that is how I feel -  Terry is my only love, forever!  There is great peace and comfort in knowing that our love is forever.  At times I feel like my life is going to be too long without Terry and I hope to not live to be very old because I wish to see him again soon, but I know that I still have a work to perform and personal progress to make, so I will do my best to make the best of what I now have to work with.

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I almost forgot - we had a Christmas concert too

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Wow, this took me way to long - I've really got to run now.

Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Weekend Ended

The first thing I'll share is about how Terry is --- he is feeling more nauseated the last few days and has less energy.  The sinuses are still not clearing up, however we are hoping that the BK virus is slightly improving and hope that it continues in that direction.  I wish we had some good health news, but we just don't.  However, we do have some good news ..., you'll learn about it if you continue reading.

We had a Vidaza infusion Saturday and then we left for Royal City, (with a detour to Costco on the way).  We arrived home  (HOME ... HAPPY DAY!)  sometime after 4:00pm and carried our boxes in.  I can't believe how much we acquired over the few/several months here, which included Christmas.  It was stuff we aren't using now and didn't really wanna move it to the new apartment. 

We then headed in to the last basketball game BJo had for the season, which was Sr. Night (where they recognize the seniors and their parents).   We talked to the doctors and they agreed to let us go, even suggesting to re-schedule our infusion today (moving it from 10:00 to 3:30).

It snowed while we were in watching the game Saturday night and the roads were not fun traveling from town to home, but we all made it safely.  We woke up to these drifts out our front door, and cancelled church meetings. 

We had planned to go to Sacrament meeting but instead we had the kids over for brunch.  I was enjoying the company too much to remember to take more pics, so this is what we get!  :)  Pictures or not, we enjoyed the visit.

Good thing we left a few minutes earlier than we planned, cause the traveling was slower goin' for awhile.  Several miles before and up Snoqualmie Pass were 45 mph, and coming down was 20 mph, but there were no accidents and we had no problems.  We drove straight to the clinic, arriving about 10 or 15 minutes late for the appointment, but it wasn't a problem. 

It was so nice to be on our home turf and with family, even though it was short (less than 24 hours).  We are anxious for the day when we can be home for good.  I didn't post anything about going home earlier because I didn't want to say something and then have it change.  Anthony and BJo had been sick (throwing up and icky) and we weren't sure if we should go.  Well, I was hesitant, but Terry was determined to be there for BJo's Sr. Night.  If BJo was too sick to go to the game then we would probably have stayed here, but she was determined to go too, so that was all we needed to know.

So if either of us get sick it's our own fault.


Oh, they got a bit of snow here in Seattle too.  There is not much, but we can see it here and there.

We Woke Up To Snow Today!

The snow is gone now, but it was snowing when we got up this morning. This is what it looked like when we walked out the door of the PGH to go to the clinic at 7:53 this morning.

 



We didn't want to slip and slide up and down the sidewalk so we took the shuttle to the clinic for blood draw and bone marrow biopsy.

This is how it looked out the windows of the SCCA 2nd floor this morning.

We were so pleased to get the gal we like to do the biopsy.  She is so pleasant and good at what she does.  The biopsy went well, even though they had to go in a second time for the bone sample.  Sometimes the bones just don't want to cooperate.  We came back to the apartment and started Terry's hydration - 6 hours of hydration is a long time.

It's fun to run into some of the doctors that used to care for us but have moved on.  We saw one today (the doctor from Russia that we gave a Halloween treat to him for his daughter).  He asked Terry how he was doing and seemed very sincere in his interest.  There are good people everywhere and we are so lucky to get acquainted with a few of them here.

We saw a little snowman on the way back from the clinic.  He stood about 2 feet tall.  I tried to get a picture but with the bus moving and the man walking on the street I didn't time it well enough.   It was so fun to see, sorry I couldn't share that look.  However, the photo I did get was kinda cute too as it shows some of the fun holiday décor our driver sticks on the windows.  That little snowman was either right behind that little white bear on the window or not quite in view just beside the window. 

We feel quite cheerful as we see these and other fun little stickers that cling to the windows of the shuttle, and we feel so lucky and blessed to have a kind and caring driver of that shuttle.  He is one of those good people we are happy to meet here.

It's been a great mail day and we thank you friends and family for thinking of us.  We are blessed to know you and have you in our lives.  We love you!  You are good people and we thank the Lord for you!

Once There Was A Snowman

Say hello to our snowman friend ... and to Auger who eagerly invited this friend.

Connor and Thomas helped our friend get here. 

I think the story was that Auger wanted him to have a hat - well, no hat, but how about a mohawk ... or is that one of those Roman style helmet hat things?





 

The snow is melting fast so I'm not sure how long our friend will be visiting, but he is welcome for as long as he can stay.

 



Snow is Here!

We went to sleep with a little over an inch of snow and woke up to more.  Happy Snow Day! 

A Grateful Heart

The daily posts came to a halt last week because there were just too many other things taking up space in my mind. I was still aware of many many reasons to be grateful, but did not take the time to concentrate on posting them. Those reading the blog may not have missed them, but honestly, I did. I kept thinking about what my grateful heart would post about for the passing day, and each day had something I could have posted. My words weren't coming out very well, and the days were so filled that I decided to omit the posting part of the process. However, I am ready to play catch up.

Our weather has been quite beautiful at times and yet so cold and wet we didn't want to be outside traveling in it and we were very concerned for all who were traveling to come to the viewing and the funeral. So far our travels have been done in safety and we have heard that others have traveled safely. We are grateful for that and pray that it continues to be the same for those traveling home today.

We also worried about the conditions at the cemetery. It is so hard to want to stand out in the snow, the wind, the cold, the freezing rain, the fog, - we have had it all! Our hearts are so grateful that the wind was still, the sun was trying to shine and the temperature was at it's best. It may not have been ideal, but it was wonderful to me.

I did not get any photos of the funeral, but if I receive any in the future I'll post them here. I also plan to post the Life Sketch. We were so pleased with everything - the funeral home, the care and concern from friends, the care givers, the family gathering, the food & meals, the kindness of so many, the services, the love and comfort from above, and the list goes on. Compassion was blooming as if it were the first crocus in a snow laden garden.
THANK YOU all for everything!

We will miss the opportunity to see family daily but we look forward to the next gathering. We will especially miss the opportunity to see Mother/Grandma/Great Grandmother Idris daily - it hurts already - but we look forward to that next gathering as well. We missed Dad/Grandpa/Great Grandpa Keith when he left this mortal world. His departure left us with a bit of an empty feeling too.
I was going to write that now we have a complete empty feeling, but it just isn't quite true. There is surely an empty feeling, but it is not a complete loss. We are so grateful that FAMILIES CAN BE TOGETHER FOREVER through Heavenly Father's plan. Hope and Love fills that empty spot.

There has been a different feeling in their house as we have gathered the last few days. It will mend itself in time and life will carry on. We will learn to adapt to the new conditions and we will continue to love our family.

We have a few projects on our To Do lists and we look forward to those being started and completed - these projects will act as a sort of vessel for precious memories and a visual of our family heritage, and they will help fill those holes in our hearts. My heart is grateful for those things that remain to help us along our way, but is even more grateful for the time we spent together for the past 32 years - and the past 54 1/2 years for Terry.

Among the things we have learned from Terry's wonderful parents is that we can do hard things. We are survivors. All is well - My heart is grateful for that peaceful feeling that fills our heart and soul. And so ... we carry on ... we press forward ... we hold tightly, with both hands, to the iron rod - the word of God - 'twill safely guide us through.

SNOW!

I know - we don't have snow, but I have missed it this year, and feel quite grateful for the snow we've had other years.
There is something beautiful about the snow and I love it!
It's kinda too late to enjoy it this winter season, but I'll be looking forward to another winter with some beautiful white snow.
(Image from Bulletin)

Winter's Coral

Winter's
Coral.


The
frost
is so
thick
and
beautiful!

So Confused!

Happy first day of the month of Spring?!?!?!
OR
Merry Christmas!?!?!?



We are anxious to get planting, but it seems to be getting postponed.
The snow is really heavy and moist so it isn't sticking to the ground, just melting right into it.

I apologize for not getting a better picture. I didn't want to go outside so I took it from a window, in the warmth and comfort of home. I am so thankful for our home. As I think of my children away at school it makes me thankful for the vehicles we have, and happy to not have to ride in a covered wagon, or walk for that matter.

Having a Great Week Together...

We are so happy and grateful that they came to see us.

Days Gone By:

We enjoyed visiting family at the Hebdon family reunion.
We played games...

The men branded a "slice" of wood, using Keith's brand and slices of a tree that had been chopped down out of their yard. The brand is Lightening Lazy H.

Some made snake ties. They were so cute.

The women's craft was putting vinyl lettering onto a box, which read; "Your future is as bright as your faith", a quote by Pres. Monson. We put together a puzzle, learned about some of our ancestors, and enjoyed being together.

Each family took turns cooking and cleaning...

We ate...

We took pictures.

And played in the snow.
I didn't get very good photos this year. It was a busy time for me since we were in charge of things. We hope to share photos, so that everyone will end up with much more than they were able to get themselves. We love family and are so grateful for this opportunity to gather together and enjoy each other's company.

We came home and put things away as much as possible, loaded up again, and traveled to Rexburg Idaho, where we left Chase to attend a semester of college before his mission. We spent the night with Sherri and Bryan, took one day getting Chase settled, went to see Lisa and Skyler's home and headed for home. We love family and are so happy to have so many loving family members there to help Chase when he needs it. We are excited for his experiences this year.

Connor, BrittanyJo and Anthony stayed home so that they could start school Monday. It was such a quick trip that they only felt bad that they would miss lunch at Craigo's. :) It's good pizza! It's strange to think we only have 3 kids at home now. Connor and BJo are off to games tonight, so there is only one right now, and it is strange, but not bad. We will adjust! We always do! How well is what's debate-able.

We missed Terry's doctor appointment Monday, but will have it Wednesday instead. More to come...

Snow and Water

Yesterday we saw snow fall and water fall.
The snow was beautiful big flakes that we would love more if we didn't still have corn standing in the fields needing harvested. That seems to be the case in many other fields we see along our travels to and fro. The weather has been strange this year. But then, there have been many strange or different things happening this year, so maybe it fits right in.

The water fall came in the way of a toilet that kept running and over flowed to make a pool in our bathroom and bedroom. It wouldn't shut off and couldn't keep draining. So, we spent the day scooping up water with a dust pan and soaking it up with towels and more towels. We aren't sure what remodeling will need done with the vinyl, but I made a safety call with the carpet and took it and the padding out. We also have a heating duct that we will need to replace. I'm not ready to go carpet hunting, so it will have to wait until after Christmas, family reunion, and taking Chase to college. We cut out the wet section and left the other, so we'll throw a rug down after it is completely dry so we don't have to walk on the bare floor. If I wait until those other things are done I will probably make a better choice - or at least feel better about it. For now, there are heaters and fans going and it's looking pretty good this morning. Luckily the sub floor looks undamaged under the carpet area.

With our large gathering for Thanksgiving we had something go into the toilets that should not be there, and it was clogged up a bit causing some hardship with showering and I couldn't do laundry, etc., and we finally had some back up in a couple showers. The guys got to go out in the snowfall to get that figured out and cleared out. We think that is under control now. Maybe next time we have a large gathering we will rent some BIFFY's. :)

Today is a full day for sure, definitely laundry day, though I won't get it all done. We are just glad that yesterday is over. We are all pretty tired and muscle sore from the bending and wringing out and heavy lifting .... Other than that, things are going great! :)

Terry's finger is looking better today, so everyone feels better about it, but we are to call in tomorrow to let them know if there are any changes.
The shot he got yesterday is kicking in. We know that because it is causing a lot of discomfort and even pain in the bones, etc.

Other news:
No school today! Too much snow last night, especially in the form of drifts, and it was way cold.



Some of us went to the doctor appointment this morning and we all helped clean the house this afternoon. We just got done watching Miracle Match - it's a good movie. It's about 11 degrees right now, and we are so happy to have a warm house to be in. Ah! The comforts of home! Home is such a great place to be!

Snowball fight at Gregory and Adena's

Isn't it ironic!?!

We had a water damage in our bathroom/bedroom which meant that I needed to take the many things we store in our bedroom to a different location. I was taking some tall skinny evergreen trees to the little house out back and when I opened the door to go out I saw that it was snowing. It seemed a bit odd that I was carrying a kind of Christmas tree out to the house and it was snowing for me to feel the Christmas spirit. I really should even though it might not be the Christmas holiday. The flakes were not too big, but it continued for a few hours, and for a short time the flakes became big and beautiful. I took a photo from the front door to prove to myself (and whoever else might need it) that I wasn't just crazy.
We did get moisture that we needed, and it was beautiful for a while.
As for the water damage - we are trying hard to dry it and it seems to be successful, but will still take a few days.