Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Family Reunion

As a little girl, I knew that my parents came from very different families.  My mom had a huge extended family just a few generations removed from handcart pioneers.  They held big family reunions and published family history books.  My dad had a very small family and we didn't know too much about them.  Several years ago, my dad was able to make contact with his half-siblings that he hadn't seen or heard from in many years.  He was especially touched when his brother Dan and his sister Cheryl came all the way from Minnesota for my mom's funeral.

Last weekend Dan made another trip to southern California and this time he brought his wife Karen.  It was wonderful to spend some time with them and get to know them better. On Saturday we all got together for a visit to La Jolla Cove.  Even though it was a little chilly for the rest of us, it didn't feel cold to Dan and Karen and they were happy to be on the beach enjoying the waves and the sand.

I was having so much fun visiting with them and taking pictures, that I didn't notice my flip flop was headed out with the tide.  Fortunately, Cammi grabbed it for me!

I think my dad and Dan look alike, but I couldn't believe how much Dan's sense of humor and personality reminded me of my dad.  Dan is about 17 years younger than my  dad--the same age difference between me and my youngest brother David.

Next the family went to explore the tide pools.  Molly and I didn't go down.  We stayed with the strollers, thinking the little girls could play on the grass.

    Instead, they wanted to play in the dirt and climb trees.  But they had a great time getting dirty!

Lavender was following this seagull and was surprised when he flew away.

Evan got in some good unicycling, but our game of frisbee was cut short when the frisbee went flying over the cliff and into the ocean.  Not even Cammi could get that one back for us.  Later, most of the adults went out for Thai food.  We had so much fun laughing and talking and eating.  I haven't had such a fun dinner in quite awhile!

On Sunday, my dad, Dan and Karen did a bit of sightseeing and then joined us for the Cinco de Mayo dinner I told you about in my last post.  We are so glad they came to visit!  They are such lovely people and it was a treat to have them here.  Dad's side of the family seems to be growing bigger and better!

This Deserves Its Own Post

I've know my baby brother David since the moment he was born.  It was exciting to see him grow up, even though I didn't live at home with him for very long.  As a child, he amazed me because he could start a conversation with just about anyone.  I remember him talking to John about the stock market when he was ten years old.

He continued to be friendly and outgoing as an adult.  Last Easter he came to visit us for Lavender's blessing.  On the flight home, he used his conversation skills with a fellow passenger.  Apparently they had such a good conversation that he drove her home from the airport.  Those conversations continued, and . . . .  almost exactly one year later (on the day before Easter) they got married!!

On March 30, 2013

David and Annie 

were sealed for time and all eternity in the

  Sacramento Temple of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Felicia & Grandpa Jerry, Carolyn & Dad, The Groom & The Bride, Me & John, Denise & Scott and Jason. Not pictured Brian & Jenny (who was very ill, but came to the temple and left immediately after the ceremony)

The sealing was lovely and I cried through most of it because it was so wonderful to be in the temple with so many members of my family.   My Dad and Carolyn were there along with all of my siblings and their spouses (except for Lacy who was home with baby Cole).  My Aunt Muff & Uncle Paul and Uncle Gerry & Aunt Jody came.   My kids Ryan and Molly were in the temple with us and I was sitting next to my sweet husband.  Finally, I know that my wonderful mother was there.  She wouldn't have missed this day for anything and I felt her presence within the temple.

That evening we traveled to a wonderful country setting for the ring ceremony and reception.  It was a great celebration and David gave quite a performance singing "Hooked On a Feeling" to his beautiful bride Annie!

Congratulations to the newlyweds and welcome to the family Annie!!

Easter vs Last Year

Marianne and Evan both got Easter baskets this year.  They always do, but I dared to suggest that the Easter bunny might think they were too old for baskets.  They assured me that he ALWAYS brings baskets to my kids who live at home.  In fact, he even brought baskets to my brothers who were visiting last Easter!

But let's be honest.  Even though Marianne got a Les Miserables DVD and tons of candy in her basket and Evan got The Hobbit DVD and even more candy in his basket, our Easter fun was really all about Lavender this year!  In fact, we were so excited, we had Easter a week early this year.

She wore this dress and used this basket and even hunted for eggs!

As compared with last year when she fit inside the basket with room to spare for her eggs

Last year she barely fit in the newborn size of this dress

Thanks to Leighton for letting her wear the middle sized version this year!

Just like last year, we had fun with our beautiful granddaughters!

And gave them a few Easter treats.

Don't worry, Lavender got a little patio chair too!

And we really did celebrate a week early. Why? Because of my brother's wedding.  But I'll save that story for another post!

It's Jenny's Birthday, Shout Hooray!

Before Lavender came along, I always felt bad that Marianne didn't have a sister.  Marianne assured me that she had cousins and friends and would be just fine.

I couldn't imagine life without a sister because I have been blessed with such a great one! This year my one and only favorite sister celebrates her, well I'd better not say, but it's a milestone birthday! I am excited because once again we are in the same decade, agewise.  To celebrate my wonderful sister and her wonderful life, here are a few fun facts about Jenny and me and our sisterhood.

• I am almost 7 years older than Jenny.
• We have been mistaken for twins.
• I have also been mistaken for her mother.
• We shared a room and a bed for many years until I left for college.
• We both met our husbands at BYU and got married in the Los Angeles Temple at age 20.
• We wore the same wedding dress and it didn't even need alterations!
• We have walked together (almost) every morning for 16 years.
• If one of us doesn't go walking, the other one rarely goes.
• Our husbands have both mistaken our voices for each other on the phone.

A few things you may not know about Jenny:

• She has sizeable collections of: smurfs, baby slings and exercise videos.
• She loves musicals and used to sit on the counter singing while my mom cooked or cleaned.
• She is good at doing research and has done lots of family history.
• She wouldn't eat peanut butter even if she was starving.
• Her name is not Jennifer, just Jenny.  It says so on her birth certificate.

If you want to see my favorite picture of Jenny and me and find out how old she is click HERE

In the meantime, here's another fun picture of Jenny rocking some red suspenders and curly bangs!

Christmas 1982 - Jenny, Grandpa Jerry and Melanie

Happy Birthday Jenny!  I love you!!

Our Elder Aaron

On Sunday we left church 15 minutes early.  We wanted to be home in time to receive a call from Elder Aaron.  Yes, it was Mother's Day, but it was also his 20th birthday.  We were excited to talk to him.  I told him I wished he could see Lavender and he said, "Well we are allowed to skype, but we couldn't find anyone in the branch who had a computer we could use."  That made me kind of sad.

Then we asked him about the Korean branch.  We knew they were struggling with less than 20 members attending and the stake leaders were considering disbanding it.  Elder Aaron told us that they finally had a branch activity.  He and his companions (yes they are still a threesome) were excited because they hadn't had any activities since they've been there.  Then the branch president told them the activity would be a health seminar presented by a doctor in the branch.  The missionaries didn't think that sounded very appealing and suggested adding a potluck or something, but the plan was already set.  So the elders forged ahead and invited all their investigators and less active members.

So how did it turn out?  Well, the branch president and his wife came.  So did the doctor and his wife.  With the three missionaries, they had a grand total of 7 in attendance.  Finally, about 30 minutes into the seminar, one of the less active members arrived.  He has since told them he isn't interested in the church.  Sigh!

Elder Aaron is enjoying the opportunity to meet people from all over the world.  They have taught several people from North Korea.  Most likely they had to leave illegally, so I'm sure they have some exciting stories.  There are immigrants from all over the world in Toronto, so there are 6 or 7 different languages spoken in the mission.  In fact, they are the only mission with Farsi speaking elders.  It isn't a language taught in the MTC, but the mission president assigns English speaking elders to learn Farsi and work with the Iranians in the area.

Today Elder Aaron got a new companion, a native Korean speaking elder who has been serving as an English speaking elder for the past few months.  They will be moving downtown and will work in the southern part of the city while his former companions work in the north.

We hope this will be a good change for all of the elders and give Elder Aaron the chance to improve his Korean and find new teaching opportunities.  We know that Lavender is proud of her big brother because when we were reading his latest email, she said something that sounded remarkably like "Aaron."  All four of us heard it, so no one can accuse me of being a crazy mom.  But if they did, it wouldn't be the first time.

Lavender's Blessing Day

April 7th was a perfect Saturday! We had beautiful, warm weather and most of our family gathered together for Lavender's blessing.  I was especially grateful that my brothers traveled long distances to be with us on this special day.

First we got our sweet girl dressed.

 

This slip was made by Grandma Anne nearly 16 years ago for Marianne's blessing.

This quilt was also made by my mom.

 

She was covered in lace and ribbons from head to toe

She looks beautiful, but not too happy!

We had a little mother daughter talk (and a drink of milk) before heading downstairs.

 

 

It must have worked because she didn't make a peep during her blessing.

Afterwards she fell asleep.

 

Her Daddy gave her a lovely blessing, surrounded by all these priesthood holders who love her.

Uncle Brian, home teacher Br. Warren, Bishop Mendenhall, Uncle David, Daddy with Lavender, Uncle Scott, Uncle Jason, Grandpa Bob and big brother Ryan.

After the blessing, we ate a great lunch (Thanks Marianne, Denise and Carolyn!)

and then visited Mom's grave at the cemetery.

That evening we headed to the Stake Center for my niece Cammi's baptism and confirmation.

We are a happy family!

Easter Advice from Lavender

Count your eggs so you know how many are in your basket.

Guard them carefully!

Tell your mom to knock it off if she tries to take any!

Happy Easter!

Almost 3 Weeks

There is so much I want to say and I don't know where to start.  Over the past few weeks I have felt many emotions, but one stands out above the rest.  I am filled with deep gratitude for:

Our sweet baby girl and the peaceful, healing spirit she brings to my heart and our home.  

Lavender with lavender

Her strong and healthy body 

The love of our extended family--not to mention the meals, visits, gifts and phone calls

Beautiful flowers and balloons (thanks J & L for these)

My missionary son who asks me to "please send more pictures of Lavender" even though we didn't name her Zadie as he suggested

Friends who gave me such a lovely baby shower with

beautiful gifts, yummy food, laughter and my favorite flavor of bundt cake

(white chocolate raspberry in case you were wondering)

And who are still patiently awaiting their thank you notes!

Warm weather so we could go out for a walk

A fabulous doctor and nurse who I could trust completely while in labor

Delicious meals brought by friends in our ward

The cards, gifts and wishes from friends near and far

Being able to walk, breathe, eat and sleep without pain.

In other words, not being pregnant any more!

On our way to the hospital at 5:30 AM. My expression says "Hurry up and take the  picture!"

Think Pink Garage Sale

I learned that:

• garage sales are hard work
• people love pink cupcakes
• Brenda is the lead fundraiser on our team
• Jenny looks great in pink
• our friends are very generous in donating items to sell
• our husbands are very patient
  
• you should wear sunscreen unless you want your face to match your cupcakes
• we can raise over $800 in one morning!

Did you know?

This little May flower turned one!
And boy did she love her cake.
Almost as much as we love her.

Sweet Sunday

Happy May Day! Your virtual basket and flowers are HERE!

And in honor of May Day, I have another gift for you. I want to share a story I read recently. It is called "Alone in the Garden." The author tells of an "extraordinary experience" she had while visiting the garden tomb in Jerusalem. Click HERE to read it.

Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy loving kindness and thy truth continually preserve me. Psalms 40:11

A Few of My Favorite Things

I am not a shopper, spender or decorator.
I am really not into "things" and

I am pretty good at getting rid of stuff I don't use.

But there are some things I really do treasure.
Many of my books fall into this category.
So do my china, silver and crystal.

I received all of this when we were married almost 24 years ago.
It seemed like an extravagance at the time (and it still does to some extent),
but my Mom convinced me I would never regret it.
She was right!
Our family and friends were very generous with their gifts
and I have service for fourteen.

I haven't used our china enough recently, so I decided to pull them out for Easter dinner. The kids loved using the "fancy" dishes and goblets.
Over the years, many of the goblets have been lost,
but that's okay. I still have 8 or 9.

The china pattern isn't what I would choose today,
but I still think it is beautiful. I love how the delicate silver edges come to little peaks.
I think the silverware is classic and I would choose something similar now.

My mother-in-law fell in love with our silver pattern and bought a set for herself.
When she passed away, I was given her silver and I have enough for 16 people.

My favorite part of the whole set is the gravy boat.
I love the shape of the handle and
the peaked ends of the dish.

In fact, don't tell anyone, but I actually have two of these gravy boats.
I'll admit we didn't use them at Easter, but come Thanksgiving time,
the kids' table won't feel neglected!