Brentwood Ward Reunites

Our few short years in the Brentwood Ward (1967 - 1971) were filled with faith, fun and friendships and on Saturday, May 23 at the beautiful Provo home of former Brentwoodite Lance Turner, more than 40 years peeled away as we stood face-to-face with many of our post-college friends.
Former Salt Lake County Commissioner Tom and Junko (Grace) Shimizu (who served on the Relief Society General Board many years ago) organized the affair with a committee including Ilse DuBois. There were many we didn't know (even a couple from St. George currently serving a mission in Salt Lake), but those familiar faces in attendance included Tom and Junko, Steve and Ilse DuBois, Brian and Diane Breese, Bob and June Page, Gary and Collette Delgado, Bill Jacobsen and his brother and sister-in-law Soren and Susie Jacobsen; Bob and Jim Holiday and their sister Charlene Whitehead and her daughter Deanna. We also saw (but honestly didn’t remember) Marilyn Blackett, who says she used to babysit our kids. Those we had hoped to see, but who were unable to attend (because of distance or other obligations) included Lonnie and Marian Fawcett, Steve and Darlene Bradbury, Jack and Gail Reese and Joan Holiday!

It was fun to see everyone again and to know that "the more part of them are in the path of their duty and do walk circumspectly before God and do observe to keep his commandments." In the few short hours we spent together, we heard of their successes and challenges in the past four decades and relived the good times we shared.

Many remembered the story of the Sunday morning when Mitzi (our little black puppy) was run over and killed by our neighbor. We had a good laugh remembering Bishop Doug Cusworth's (now deceased) reaction when - after ending Priesthood meeting to come to our aid - he found out it was our dog, not our daughter, who had been killed.

The only thing I regret is that we didn’t bring our snapshots of the famous Brentwood Ward roadshow "How To Succeed in the Roadshow Business without Breaking Up the Ward." I've made a mental note to remember to bring those pictures in five years when Junko plans to do this all again!!!

Vacationing in Park City

Michael, Tara and The Small One came to our timeshare condo in Park City last night to visit, swim and go to dinner. It was fun to see them, fun to visit and fun to swim, but the "go to dinner" part . . . not so much! We selected a steak house across the street from our condo which was highly recommended by hotel staff and others familiar with Park City. When we saw the prices listed on the menu, Michael, Tara and I all voted to find another restaurant, but Dad overruled us because he didn't want to offend anyone.

Long-story-short . . . we ordered and ate our very good food. Then the 3-figure check came!!! With a gulp, I pulled out my VISA and paid, but not happily.

LESSON LEARNED: Always check the menu BEFORE you sit down OR don't let Ed have a vote!

Musings on Mothers' Day

Sunday, May 10, 2009 was a lovely day, filled with conversations with everyone of my six precious children - either face-to-face or by phone. There were flowers and everyone chipped in to buy me a digital camera . . . which I love, love, love! Jan Peterson Free Gardner was here with her husband Ron. They are talking about moving to St. George spent a few days looking around. Besides gifts and conversations, Mothers’ Day is also a time to reflect about the "good stuff" and I don’t need to go too far to find it:

Last week, after getting a pedicure, I spent the night in Pleasant Grove with Michael and Tara. When Lilly first saw me, she ran over, wrapped her tiny arms around my knees, then looking down, she said in her teeny, tiny voice, "Grandma, pitty toes!"

Whitney sent me a text message after her finals at the University of Utah, "I have now completed my freshman year!!!!" When I asked if she was having any fun in the process, she responded, "I wish I had more. I need to find a way to fix that!" Our beautiful Whitney is strong, focused and a genuinely good person. Her grandmother is very proud of her efforts to get an education and to make a difference in the world.

Kaytee makes me smile! She takes dozens of pictures of Adyn every day, as if she might miss a single minute of her life. Kaytee is a sweet little momma and Adyn’s developing personality reflects her mother’s gentle hand. It has been a difficult year for Kaytee and Josh, but they seem to be weathering the storm, though it appears the solution to their financial situation may mean a move to Ely, Nevada.

Kelly continues to amaze me with her hard work and drive to succeed in all aspects of her life. She is simultaneously working fulltime at Hill Air Force Base while also working fulltime toward a college degree and while also working fulltime to bring 10,000 Patriot Guard Riders to Ogden in June for a national "gathering of the guard!" Whew! Yep, she makes me proud . . . and tired!

Most of you have probably already heard about Kris’ "new" job. It seems her boss - "the doctor" - has been paying an independent contractor for payroll, bookkeeping and a whole lot of other services, until she decided to drop him as a client, in part because she thought Kris could do it. After stalling for several days, he gave Kris what he considered a substantial raise until Kris convinced him his substantial raise wasn’t nearly substantial enough! Don’t you just love strong, capable women? So does he, apparently!

Stacy sent me a text message on Mothers’ Day from her work at Dixie Regional Medical Center. "I know I don’t tell you enough . . . but I appreciate all you do for me and my girls. I absolutely could not do this without you! Thank you for the example you are to me . . ." I have watched Stacy’s efforts to make something more of her life. She has struggled through her first semester of college trying to stay focused. She has made some painful decisions about some of the men in her life and is striving to be good mother to her three daughters. In addition to everything else going on in her life, she has been spending nights with Allysa and Josh helping them paint the baby's room.

David, who "doesn’t get into the ‘gift’ thing" says Jan’L, nevertheless gathered his three small sons together on Mothers’ Day to fix their momma breakfast-in-bed. Kaytee later reported her big, strong, handsome oldest brother called to wish her a happy FIRST Mothers’ Day! She was so touched he had taken the time to do that!

And, finally Michael . . . my strong, faithful, resiliant and hardworking second son - with whom I shared this Mothers' Day in celebration of his 33rd birthday! No one has ever questioned how difficult this past year has been for Michael and Tara, but together they just keep putting one foot in front of the other and despite all odds, are managing to get through these tough economic times! I have also been so impressed with his dedication to the boys in his scout troop - 11 of 12 in his ward - who believe him to be the world’s best scoutmaster! Unlike most scoutmasters who spend an hour or two each week on planning for activities, Michael spends 10-15 hours every week organizing, planning, blogging and working hard to keep his boys active because he believes scouting is not about merit badges or camping trips . . . but is about building leaders out of teenaged boys!

So, in case you didn't quite get the message . . . here it is! You all make me very, very proud to be your mother and grandmother!　

She's a Blast from our Past

The doorbell rang on Saturday afternoon and there stood Meretta Adams Barnes, our friend for more than 30 years - and the kids' babysitter during the years I worked at the hospital - now living in Houston, Texas. While visiting Quincy (and Sunnie), Lance (still unmarried) and Andrew (a Las Vegas cop), in St. George, she also enjoyed a visit from Tiffany and her children. Meretta reports she is happy in her second marriage to Scott; and, enjoying retirement because it affords her the opportunity to travel with her husband on his business trips. She is also enjoying Scott's children and grandchildren, as well as having Camille and her family nearby in Houston. Shown here with oldest son, Quincy . . . not Nolan, who he eerily resembles, Meretta is slim and trim, blond and still has her robust happy laugh! She says "hi" to all the Sappington clan!

Meet Sophie

Stacy came home from work the other night to ask if we were interested in getting another dog "papered and free to a good home!" Seems a friend of a friend of hers is going through an ugly divorce and the husband is being a putz about the dog! The lady in question sent photos by e-mail and suggested we could take the dog over the weekend to see if things would work out. We agreed and a few days later during dinner, the doorbell rang. When we opened the door we were shocked to be standing face-to-face with a friend we have known for many, many years! She was probably more shocked than we, considering all the "horror stories" she had shared about her "idiot husband!" We've had the dog for a couple of days and she seems to be settling in with Stacy and the kids. I worry a little bit, because for all of her 7 pounds Sophie is pretty darned protective, particularly of Stacy.

Let's Hear It for America

Usually a 1st grade musical program is about as much fun as . . . . . . . (you fill in the blank) but last week, the four 1st grade classes at Bloomington Elementary School WOW-ed their parents, grandparents and classmates with the most creative and high energy show most of us have ever seen on any stage! This 40-minute "Salute to America" brought down the house and left everyone humming, tapping their toes and grinning from ear-to-ear! We’ve been hearing Taisley singing the songs for the past month, but did not realize how outstanding she and her 75+ classmates would sound and how cute the show would be with props. This was another of those times when we wished Jan’L had been there with her video camera! Kudos to the amazing teacher who went "above and beyond" to put this delightful show together!!!