50 miler

Kerst and John left on June 24 for the 50 mile backpacking trip in the mountains with the boy scouts.

 

Do remember the flu I caught and had while taking pictures of my niece's wedding?

John caught it.  The first evening.

Their 50 miler ended up being less ... and only 2 days long instead of 6.  I rescued them on the second day.

There will be another opportunity in two years for another 50 miler.

Kerst is doing a 14er camp out next weekend.

50 mile backpacking trip - or not

The flu I had this past weekend was caught by my sweetheart. 

I had it while taking wedding photos. 

He caught it on the evening of the first day of the 50 mile backpacking trip in the mountains with our 12 year old, Kerst, and his scout troop. 

I had to go rescue him (and Kerst). 

He wins.

2006 Father's Day Memory

June 18, 2006

I was in the hospital being monitored on Father's Day ~ Kendall arrived the next day (8 weeks premature).

I called home to check on everyone (micro-managing from the hospital bed). I had Jaley go downstairs and I walked her through making homemade waffles.   Kerst cracked the eggs, Jenna made the orange juice.   Julia arrived a bit later and made easy over eggs for everyone to add some protein to their breakfast.

The kids put the phone on speaker phone. I was able to hear all of their busy activity and was able to imagine what was going on...the mess, the excitement, etc.   John was upstairs preparing a lesson for his Sunday School class for that afternoon. He heard it all and was loving every minute of it.

I was placed in the middle of the table (speakerphone) and enjoyed breakfast with them.   Kerst offered the prayer. I started to cry as I heard him pray that I would be safe and that the baby would be too. Prayers are answered. Angels do watch over these little ones.

It was an amazing experience. Probably the best Father's Day ever.

Happy Father's Day 2013 to my amazing husband ...

Papa's Memorial

It was a sweet moment - and a sad moment.   So wonderful to have family from the T and P side there to celebrate Gpa.

I took photos (yes, in the chapel - shame on me, so kick me out).   It was sweet to see my uncle Keith give Gma a kiss and tease her.  

It was tender to see my Dad with Gma talking to her and then leaning over with tears running down his cheek while leaning on her shoulder.

And then the reunion of Jaley's childhood best friend.  She missed seeing her Bama.

It was heart wrenching to see Jaley realize that her Gma didn't remember her.  Dementia is a horrible disease on everyone.   They were best friends ever since she was an infant and remained that way for over 10 years (with nearly 8 years of constant visits due to living so close).   So many fun times they had (sleepovers, play dates, tea parties, make up parties .... exactly what I did with her when I was growing up!!).   

The tears flowed with this realization ... and didn't stop for a long time.   

Jaley sat by Bama the entire time and held her hand through most of the memorial service. 

  

Gma remembers the memories, but the grown up faces are hard for her to place.

How wonderful it felt to hear Gma say, "Ahhhh, John!" when he walked up.   Some faces never change, and his was one that didn't need a memory boost for her.

The military presented a flag to Gma.   

I took pictures - the angle was difficult from where I was standing outside.   It was still so very moving.

They played Taps for Gpa

My brother, Richard, gave a moving tribute and talk about Gramps, grandparenting and our own Gethsemane.  

He then sang a beautiful hymn, Where Can I turn for Peace (one of Gramps' favorite hymns and it is Richard's favorite as well).  

My Dad gave a wonderful eulogy and tribute as well.

Kerst and Jenna sang a duet, I Know that My Redeemer Lives.   I have that audio as well.

President Kenneth Robinson spoke as well.   

President Robinson after the service

He is a good friend of Gma and Gpa's and the former Chicago temple president.   He would visit Papa weekly and bring him a chocolate covered donut with hot chocolate.  They also made trips to Wendy's for their chili.  I loved how he used the imagery of a ship  - Just as we stand on the shore and watch the ship with loved ones sail over the horizon and we say "there he goes," others on the other side of the horizon say "here he comes" and he is greeted with tears of joy.

Afterwards we gathered in the foyer for pictures.   It was fun to see the kids shake hands and tell Gma who they were.   

Jenna knelt down next to Gma and talked to her and then you hear "Aahhh, Jenna!"   ... her memory came back.  

Jaley was there with a glimmer of hope her childhood best friend would remember.   She saw Jaley and told Jaley how beautiful she was.   She beamed through her flood of tears.

Viewpoint from my Mom:
Grandma would comment on all of the little boys....years ago it was all of the little girls.

The grandchildren flocked to greet her.   It was touching.

The boys, Kerst, Max, Kendall, RIV, Carlisle, and Sam were close to the front.   Many boys flanking her on the right and girls on the left.   Sweet Jaley was right next to her.   When the Air Force did the flag presentation, you could hear a pin drop.   Their presence and bearing was electric.   When they folded the flag, you could HEAR the fabric snap.   They were erect, wore impressive uniforms including white gloves.   Sharp, crisp, serene.

From where I was sitting, I could see the organist, Clayton Waite, an elderly man who was at his post at the organ, crying his eyes out.   The taps were played and the sound seemed to echo in my mind as the other soldier stood in front of Grandma with the freshly folded flag.

The flag presentation was before the service began.   Bishop Wright opened the service with a lovely teary prayer by Corin, then we sang America.   Perfect after the military presentation which was scheduled to be after the closing prayer, but the military men had another obligation 30 minutes away.   So Bishop Wright consulted Dad and the change was made to before the Service began.   The Stake President had given permission to do the flag part in the chapel because of Grandma's frail condition.   The taps was played outside by the open door.

The talks were great.   Richard's was very personal and tender...Dad was to do the Eulogy with a couple of personal touches.   He wrote it on Wed, Typed on Thurs and practiced on Friday....He sat in Gramps old car to practice.   and on his bed and on his chair....He didn't want to read it .   President Robinson's ...well what can you say about a former temple presidents talk.

Gramps had requested that Richard sing ...he came through...very solid yet touching...what a proud mommy I was!

Kerst and Jenna...beautiful

Grandma made it...that was great and kind iffy that she would be up to it.   But she did.

So wonderful to feel everyone's support.   

Kerst's tutor

Kerst was tired of doing his IXL (on-line math progress tracking program).   Last night he started listing 
off parts of the problems while Kendall was getting ready for bed.

"What is 27 x 3?"

I started saying "Think of it as 25 times 3 and an additional 6"

Kendall piped in "It is 40 plus 20 plus 21"

"What?" I asked.

"Yeah, it is 60 plus 21, so it is 81" 

All in a matter of under 10 seconds.

I can see what he did.   He learned in school that 27 is 20 and 7.   He is also learning
multiplication.   He likes to ask us random multiplication facts of larger numbers.   He must 
have gleaned from that exercise that 3 20's is 60 and that 3 7's is 21.

Smarty pants.  He's only 6!

Best Looking

In the car Kerst said, "I am going to be the best looking guy in college. That means I am going to be just like Jared (Julia's Jared)."

 I'm glad he has a great role model to look up to. 

A Holy Place/Moment

When I shared an experience my family recently had, my Mom pointed out that we had experienced the Holy Place/Moment that Sis. Dibb referred to in her talk at the General Young Women's Meeting.

When we moved to our home a couple of years ago, our kids adopted our neighbors as their grandparents.  They really enjoyed spending time with them.  Over the past year, we have not seen them as much.  Gpa T's health was failing.  We saw Gma T at Julia's reception.  It was the second time she was out in the past year for a social event.

Last week Kendall was home sick.  Gma T. called me and asked for me to put instant sugar free vanilla pudding and sugar free canned peaches on my shopping list.  She then broke into tears telling me that Gpa had only days/weeks left to live.  I told her I would be right up.  My one hour visit turned into four.

She was frantically trying to reach her boys.  One son was on Spring Break with the grandchildren on a remote island with little cell coverage, another son lived out East.  She asked me to pray with her.  I did.  

We visited.  Held hands.  Remembered.  Cried.  Laughed.

Gpa had a breathing rhythm going.  Deep breaths.  No breathing for 20 seconds.  Shallow Breathing.  Repeat.  Gma was connected and knew the pattern.  She would go over and check on him - it was during the 20 seconds on no breathing.  That pattern continued.  It was nice to be there with her.  To see heaven so close.  To see her loving and tender care of him.  She had been doing this day in and day out for a long time. She was getting worn out.  She needed help.

I needed to leave to pick the kids up from piano.  Just as I was leaving, "Visiting Angels" arrived - hospice care - to do an assessment.  She said it would take an hour.  Two hours later, she was still there.

I told the kids about Gpa T's failing health during dinner.

Kerst went to visit after dinner.  Gpa T and Kerst have a sweet connection.  Even with Alzheimers, Gpa still connected with Kerst.  He called Kerst "my little boy".  Kerst held Gpa's hand.  Gpa woke up and saw him.  He smiled and started holding "conversations" with Kerst.  Kerst conversed right back.  Kerst sang to him.  That calmed Gpa.  Kerst sang Lullaby by Billy Joel.  Kerst had the hospice helper, Lisa, in tears.  Gpa would reach up and pinch Kerst's cheeks and touch his dimples.  It was very tender.

On Wednesday, April 3, his health was failing rapidly.  Jenna and Jaley took the afternoon off of school and went to stay with Gma and Gpa and visit.  I arrived later that afternoon.  Gma told me that Gpa asked for "my little boy" frequently that day.  She had our Christmas Card and would show him Kerst's picture.  He would light up.  Kerst arrived after school and immediately came over.

Gpa heard Kerst come in and immediately called "my little boy".  Once again, the sweet interaction between the two continued.  Jenna and Kerst sang to Gpa.

Gpa would drift off.  We would sit with Gma and visit.  Gma would go over and check on Gpa.  She would tenderly touch his head, bend over and weep.  It brought Jenna to tears.  A Holy Moment.

Jenna spent her 18th birthday with them.   She told me she couldn't think of a better way to spend her day than with them.  A Holy Moment.

We left that night with Gpa's bday cake that he never ate due to his failing health.  We used it to celebrate Jenna's bday.

Thursday I stopped in to check on them in the morning.  Gpa was slipping away.

We were heading out later that day to UT to see Julia sing.  I knew heaven was close.

Kerst came home on Thursday.  I told him Gpa was not responding to anyone.  He was "transitioning" as the hospice nurse shared.  Kerst dropped his things and ran up the driveway.  I had him come back and wash his hands.  Kerst went in to see Gpa.  Gpa opened his eyes when Kerst held his hand.  We said goodbye.

Kerst sobbed as we walked down the driveway.  He has a tender heart.

We experienced a Holy Moment.

Gpa passed away on April 6 at 11:33 p.m.  One of his sons and the grandchildren were able to get home in time to say goodbye.  A tender mercy.

Kerst and Jenna are singing at his funeral tomorrow.

Festival of Colors

We were able to attend the Festival of Colors in Spanish Fork last week during Spring Break (we tried last year, but Jenna's accident foiled our plans).

Here are some pictures from our fun day!

We started out nice and clean ....

And then this happened - chalk throwing

My favorite of the kids!

John still has pink in his hairline - 3 days later!  I wonder what story he is telling his co-workers ....

The kids acting like zombies

We went to Sam's Club afterwards for pizza, pretzels and ice cream.  We turned some heads ...

Study Skills

We were discussing with our 6th grader, Kerst, about the importance of getting good grades and how to go about it.  (He is an excellent student)

He told us that he does really well on most tests and then not so great on others.

Do you study?

No.  I know the stuff already.

You should still study and review the information.  It is a good habit to develop. We taught your sisters how to study and prepare for tests.    It has made them very successful students.

When did you teach them how to study for tests.

Around 4th and 5th grade.

Wow Mom and Dad.  You really dropped the ball on parenting.

We laughed.  Maybe it is true .... it seems like the younger kids miss out on learning the nursery rhymes, etc. Gotta pick up that ball again.

**  What is wonderful about Kerst is that he does his homework on his own and doesn't need to be reminded.  That is a HUGE step in the right direction.

Guilty, but honest

We are working on a lot of merit badges with Kerst.  Cooking is one of them.  Today is a perfect day for this ... we are snowed in!

Kerst is to create a 3 day menu for the family - with lots of details (cost, measurements, utensils needed, etc).

Today for breakfast he made homemade blueberry cobbler and peach cobbler.  Kerst also made some muffins.

Guilty.  But we are honest!  As we would swipe one, we would edit Kerst's number (that he had secretly written on the back of the card).

Saving $

Kerst walked in with the mail.   I quickly went through it and had him throw away some junk mail. He wanted to know why we would throw it away.   I told him that the companies are trying to sell us things that we don't need. "Are you worried about money?" "No.   We just don't need to spend money on things we don't need.   We should save it." Kendall (age 6) piped in, "Why, is it endangered?" I think some government officials need to answer this one.   Kendall's a smart one :)

Falling - skiing

We were talking about skiing at dinner tonight - preparing Jaley mentally for her ski trip tomorrow with John, Jenna and Kerst (The high school needs me last minute to take pictures of their dress rehearsal for the musical tomorrow).

I told Jaley that she needs to go tomorrow so that she can get over her fear of skiing so that she can help me with Kendall next week when we go up again.

"I'm afraid I will fall over on a little kid on the bunny hill."

Kerst remarked, "You won't fall on the bunny hill."

"I have fallen on the bunny hill."

"YOU FELL ON A BUNNY?"

Kendall was very worried.

He survived!

I survived!

He survived!

Kerst's first boy scout camp out and .... I .....   ummmm ...  he survived!

It wasn't an easy camp out either.  Snow camping.  No tents.  Just snow caves.  They camped near Estes Park .... 11,000+  ft in elevation.

To put my mind at ease, my sweet hubby attended with him.

It was in the single digits at night (below zero with the wind factor).

John helped Kerst dig his snow cave.  It was an all day affair.  Digging and digging and more digging.  The boys in the troop played in the snow afterwards.  John said Kerst and his friend, Ian, were about ready to fall asleep by the camp fire at 7:00 that night.

Kerst came back all smiles and very rosy cheeks.  I thought at first he was sick.  Then I thought he was still cold.  Nope.  Sunburn!  He didn't find the sun lotion I put in his 10 essentials bag.

Phew ... one down ... many more to go!

The camp site.  You can't see the snow caves - this is the warming tent.

Kerst's snow cave.  His patrol caves were the only ones that didn't cave in.  The other patrol had to sleep under a tarp.

The key was to make the snow cave just large enough for one person

John and his snow cave