Just missing my little bug

Got to talk to her on the phone this morning. I asked her what she wanted to do when she comes to see Grampa and Grandma. She wants to build a snowman and feed weezy treats. I asked her what she wanted Santa to bring her. She said it's ok cause her mom got her the princess piano and the baby doll set.

Camille had just told me how they had gone to the sale on friday and had found the little piano she wanted. So Kellen took Olivia to the other part of the store and Camille bought the toys and took them out to the car. Then they all got in the car and went home. Liv somehow knew they had bought it cause she kept saying she wanted to hold the piano on her lap!

Ha! You'll have to be a lot trickier than that with her...She is so smart and aware of what's going on around her.

Camille was telling me that on Thanksgiving, they were all out in the backyard of Kellen's parents house. They were playing golf on his putting green. Kellen's grampa spilled a bucket of balls and Olivia said "What the hell?" This is to celestial grampa that has been on about 20 missions and only has conversations that involve church subjects. I told Camille that her and Kellen better watch what they say cause she picks up on everything ...she is seriously like a little sponge, taking everything in...and you sure can't predict or control when she will let it out!

Everyone should get to have a child that is just like they were.....it's a good thing!

Jasen had mentioned cutting down a Christmas tree with his family at a place that was a lot closer to home than Evanston Wyoming, so Candice talked to him to find out where it was. He tried to explain how to get there, then decided it would be easier to just go with us. We met him up in farmington and headed up Weber canyon.

We were all bundled up thinking we would be tromping through snowy mountains like last year. The weather forecast has predicted snow this morning, but it must have been the warm before the storm, because we didn't even need our heavy coats.

After a short drive, we arrived at a Christmas tree farm. You could just walk around the mountain side and look through all the trees and pick the one you liked and cut it down.

We wandered around for a while then Jasen hollered at us from a ways away and said he may have found a winner. Yup! it was just right. Not too big, not too small, not too bushy, or too sparse. Good eye Jasen!

Yes! That's the one!

Kelley approves

Timberrrrrrrrrrr. Ok it's only about 5 feet tall, but I still had to say it

We had a fun day with Jasen and appreciate him taking the time to go with us. He was telling us about some real exciting things he has been working on. He is going to be doing a series for History Channel and also for the National Geographic Channel. I'm happy for him. He has been working for a long time, waiting to get a break and this sounds like the perfect job for him.
I hope everything works out for him. He is a great guy.

Kelley couldn't wait

Jasen and Katie came over to the house and had some turkey sandwich's then went to a movie and Kelley and I went over to Mark's to watch the BYU-Utah game.

That was a hoot. He had Grampa and Pat and his friend , Chris over too. She was really nice and I can see how she has won her way into his and Grampa's heart's.

Mark fed us yummy enchiladas and homemade bean dip. Then pie to top it off.

The game got ugly though. Utah didn't play very well and it came down to overtime and BYU scored a touchdown to win.

It all started out good, then the more alcohol that was consumed, and the worse Utah played, the funnier the comments got.

Things heard at the viewing of the BYU-Utah football game:

Just break their legs (at least 25 times)

BYU...you know they are known cheaters

Ref's love BYU

Why haven't they broken their legs?

Dad...did you see that dad?

They are big cheaters!

Now what are we going to do?

Break their freakin legs

This is not going well

They are cheating again...

Dad, you are sitting by a known BYU lover

To Chris: You can just leave now

Thissss cannnn't happen.....

This is what drives men to drink

Waited up for Kate to get home so we could talk a little bit before she had to leave. She was driving home with Morgan early Sunday morning. It's been so nice to have her here.

Love you and pray for your happiness every day Kate.

Friday morning we were up bright and early and headed up to visit Grandma

When we got there it was about 10:30. We walked through the house but she wasn't in any of the regular spots. So we went upstairs and found her sitting on the edge of her bed staring at the floor. I was like "are you ok?" and she said she was but was just having a hard time getting going. We made her some breakfast and she seemed like she perked up a little bit after that. I fixed her hair and did some things around the house for her.

It was nice to be able to just sit and visit for a while. She liked K.C.'s letter he had written just to her and read it over and over. I'm so glad that he writes to her.

When we had to leave it was kind of rough though. Mom put her head in her hands and said "Oh no...you have to go?"
That makes it very hard to leave.

Later that day, Katie and I decided to venture out with the crowds. There was a few places she wanted to go to while she was here, so we thought we'd give it a try.

Went to Walmart, it was practically deserted. We went to Seagull book and distribution center. We were able to get everything done so decided to go out to Tai Pan. There really wasn't very many people there either. We had a fun time looking around and getting some stuff for Christmas and gathering things for making a Christmas centerpiece. Pictures forthcoming...

Katie has inherited the shopping gene from her grandma Jensen. Me...not so much. I wish she was here to shop with Katie...they would have such fun.

Anyway, we had a real nice day together.

Happy Thanksgiving!

So glad to have Katie and Candice with us for Thanksgiving. Helps us feel like Grandma is still with us a little bit when we're all wearing her aprons. Peeling them spuds

That's a lovely vegtable tray you have there!

Enjoyed spending some time with Grampa and Pat

Kelley's dad wanted to contribute something for the meal, but couldn't really cook anything so instead he gave me 100.00 to put in K.C.'s account. He has been a great support for K.C. I'm so grateful for him...how lucky we have been to have him with us for so long...90 next week!Rolls...mmmmmmmm

Don't try to make vegan corn dip

no bueno

Katie was telling me about some yams she had at a Thanksgiving dinner with her ward friends. They had apples baked in them. It sounded good so we gave it a try...delicious!

I found a recipe on the internet for cooking your turkey (moist and tender!) They used melted butter and chicken broth to pour over it, Then they rubbed mayonaise all over the bird. It got rave reviews, so I tried it and it was really good.

I love cooking with my girls.

Spencer came by later for pie and a nice visit.

Merrill had given Kelley some great tickets to the Jazz game so Katie and Kelley went to that. Candice and I have been trying to find a time to go see the "New Moon" movie (loved it) so it worked out to be great finish to a real nice Thanksgiving.

The only thing that would have made it nicer would be if Camille, Kellen and Olivia could have been with us. I know...I've got to share. Still don't like it.

K.C. told us in his last email that he would be eating Thanksgiving dinner with their Senior couple. Gosh, I miss him bad...it's time's like these when I really feel that big empty space in my heart....but I'm so grateful that there are people there that are watching over him and are feeding him and loving him for me. Makes it easier for me knowing that he's happy.
My heart is full...so is my tummy...ahhhhhh too much pie!

This has been a rough week. Watching our dear friends of the past 20 years pack up and drive away with load after load of their lives here on Brucemont drive makes my heart ache.

They have been wonderful friends and neighbors. We have great memories of raising our families together...Nikki was K.C.'s first friend...even though she was a few years older, they always stayed close, Jamie and Camille were good friends all during junior high and high school, and Little Steve and Katie were very good friends too. (That's a whole other story) They are just the kind of family that is there for you, and will always go the extra mile to support you in whatever you are doing.

Sherrie and Steve have just been great friends to us. Kelley has been their home teacher for years. He has spent countless hours just sitting on their front porch talking about fishing and enjoying Steve's company. Kelley loves to share his salsa with them, and we have received many heavenly peach pie's from Sherry. It's been extra hard for Kelley to see them go. When he got home from church Sunday, I could tell he was feeling pretty down. I asked him what was wrong and he said it was Steve's last week in PEC and it had been pretty rough.

Anyway, they are about down to their last load...(how do you do that? After living in the same place for 20 years, how do you move all of your stuff? Kelley and I are real bad at saving things. His hut is the perfect evidence! (You just never know when you might need 10 extension cords!) He seriously has at least 25 screw drivers\ wrenches, 30 gas cans, thingamabobs...stuff he found at the junk yard, random things that he will never use...mostly because he can't find them because there is so much stuff out there! There is no way you could move all the stuff he has in there...we would just have to blow it up.)

Steve is a super tidy guy though, (have you seen his front lawn?) so they probably don't have as much junk as we do. He actually brought over some church books and things he had collected for us to give back to the different organizations. It was all in one little stack. I thought about the piles and piles of books, old manuals, folders, ward lists and handouts, camp books and certificates, primary things...flannel board pictures, posters,etc.... that I had just gone through as I de-junked just one room upstairs. (That is a whole other story...Last week we had this guy- Don Haslet come to a stake enrichment night and teach us about cleaning and de-junking...I was inspired!) I thought I was doing good to get rid of 3 extra copies of a old church video I had. I may need to rethink and re-de-junk.

When Steve handed me the little stack of things, and explained what they were, I couldn't help it, I just started to cry. Then he started to cry. Man this stinks.

Sherry and I said our goodbye's at church last Sunday...I was sitting by her in Sunday School and we were talking and laughing and trying to ignore the huge elephant in the room. Steve comes in and I go to move over a seat so he can sit by her. Then I realized this was the last time I would be sitting by her in Sunday School, so I just put my arm through hers and said, 'I would just like to sit here next to Sherrie for as long as I can if you don't mind.' then we both started bawling. There weren't really any words to say, so we just sat there holding on to each other with tears running down our faces.

So anyway, this is a painting that Steve did for us. He is an amazing artist. I will think about them and miss them every time I look at it.

These are some other friends I am saying goodbye to. Angie said her friend wanted some of these little animals for her kids for Christmas so I am going to box them up and send them on their way. Baby birds are latest addition. I just found the pattern and thought they were so cute, so I'm going to put them in with the other one's she wanted.

My visiting teachers just left and I must say how I love these sweet ladies. I don't know how I got so lucky to have them, (sometimes I feel guilty because they are so wonderful, I think they should be going to see someone who really needs to have dedicated amazing visiting teachers). hmmm, now that I think about it I need them too!
Leah and Lori come faithfully every month. I mean even when Leah fell, and was having some pretty serious health problems, she still called me to see HOW I WAS DOING and apoligized for not being able to make it that month.
They always have a great message...usually the one from the Ensign, sometimes just what they feel I need to hear. They always make the message very personal to me. I know they pray for me and have been inspired to tell me things that Heavenly Father knows I need to hear.
Today Lori gave the message and it was so beautiful. It was kind of wierd because I had just been telling them about some of the cool experiences that K.C. has had so far on his mission, and how we could see that there are people there that have been prepared and are waiting to hear the gospel. That the Lord is directing these people in some unlikely and amazing ways to find the missionaries. Lori said, that's just what our message is about today!
She was reading from a conference talk that Brent H. Nielson had given where he talked about his mission to Finland in 1974. His mission President's wife was from a town in Finland called Viipuri. During world war II, she and her family had to leave their home, and Viipuri became part of the Soviet Union and was renamed Vyborg. His mission president's wife told how they prayed for those left behind that the gospel could be taken to them. This was when President Kimball was telling everyone to lengthen their stride and enlarge their vision. That every worthy young man should prepare to serve a mission. He asked people to pray that the hearts of the leaders of nations would be softened and the doors opened to missionaries. This seemed like an impossible task to this sister and to Elder Neilsen as they would go to the border between Finland and the Soviet Union and see the gaurd towers and fences and would wonder who those brave young men and women would be that could accomplish this task.. (We were pretty much bawling by now) Anyway, Elder Neilsen goes on to say that three years ago, their son received a mission call to serve in the Russia St. Petersberg Mission. In his first letter home he wrote that his first assignment in Russia was to a city that he thought his dad may have heard of. He said it was called Vyborg, but it was previously a Finnish city named Vipuri. So he had been praying for the borders to open and the missionaries to be able to go in...for his own son.
This generation of missionaries is the answer to the prayers of thousands of faithful Saints so many years ago....the fullfilment of the prophecy that in our day "the truth of god will go forth boldly to all natiions..." "There is no greater work; there is no greater call " Wow that is powerful stuff!
Lori said she knew she needed to share this with me when she read it and I'm so glad she did. She said she was grateful for K.C and the example he has been to her boys...the fact that he was willing to give two years of his life to the Lord, that he had kept himself worthy to do so.

As we read K.C.'s last email, we were struck by the evidence of the Lord's hand and loving care in the way things are happening there.

Subject: Re: > From: kcjensen@myldsmail.net> To: pjdaisy50@hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:40:56 +0000> > Hello family,> so this week we had transfers, and I was transfered to an area called Kuhovsky. It is a lot different from my last area. My new companions name is Elder Rudd, he left the MTC 6 weeks before I did so we are really new. It was a weird change going from not worrying at all about not understanding because i was always with a Russian to not understanding a lot of stuff and trying to fugure it out together. HE is really nice though so we will get along great, he is from Boise. We get a night in each transfer to go see something cultural here and last thursday we went to see an art gallery. It was way cool, and it was interesting to see how their art was differnt from American art. Then we went to Red Square, and its even cooler at night. It was weird because it was the first time since i first got here that i really felt like i was in Moscow, because most of the time there is nothing to special to see but when you are downtown it is really neat. I kept thinking that i really wanted you guys to come see it. Maybe in 20 months? We have a lot of work to do here, some guy searched for the nubmer of the church and finally got a hold of us and really wants to meet with us. And last night a guy from Georgia, the country, talked TO US on the metro, which is really weird and we got his number to meet with him too. Awesome! We have been working with a guy who was baptised 10- years ago and then became inactive. He has had a really rough life and his family is really a sad situation but he really has a desire to change and he has been coming to meetings and he is helping us out with teaching tonight, it was just interesting to see how the gospel really gave him hope and direction in his life, and helped him make it through hard times. He has a huge testimony and is planning to get the Melchezidek preisthood and go to the temple. There is another guy here who we met with yesterday who is like 24 or so and served a mission here in Moscow but is inactive now. He really has a strong desire to come back too but this is a really hard city to be a saint in, and he doesnt have any good freinds. So he is struggling but he wanted to come hangout with us and do missionary work on friday night so he could stay out of trouble. He also speaks English as well as I do without an acent so that also helps our lessons. HOw are things going at home? Thanks for the pictures i loved them, someday i will figure out how to do it, im just a little paranoid. I have a goal to learn how to cook on my mission so could you send me some recipies in the mail? banana bread woudl be awesome, and some other things you know i lilke that are somewhtat simple. IM so sad to hear about Steve and his family. Man, that really is aweful. Dad, i hope youre staying warm, its cold here too but im not outside as much as i was last transfer so thats good. There is also another investigator who is the husband of an active woman in church and he reminds me of dad, he is a big security guard and he plays basket ball, and is just way nice and funny and cooks. So basically dad but speaks russian. Ill have to ask if he likes to fish. I am pretty sure he will be baptised soon so that is great. We also teach a guy who is a little different, but he is way smart and when you ask him about a chapter in the Book of MOrmon he knows what happend in it up to about Jacob, so that is pretty amazing. love you guys, I miss you but Im 100 percent sure that this is where I should be and that this is really the church and work of God, so its not that big of a deal to miss your family a little bit. love you> Elder JEnsen>

"We love you too!"

Little Lamb

How very lucky the kids were to have their sweet grandma to read to them and play with them. To spoil them and worry about them. To laugh with them and cry with them. To support them, pray for them and to listen to them. To unconditionally love them.
Just found out that a dear sister has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer ( same that took Grandma from us) and my heart is aching for her and her family. Cancer is so cruel. It doesn't care if she has so much more life to live, so much more to do, so many sweet grandchildren waiting to snuggle up in bed next to her and doze off to the sound of her reading Peter Rabbit. I know we all have a plan for our lives and when it is our time to go home, then we go. Just hard to accept sometimes.

Ok, So I'm starting to freak out a little bit. I have been trying to not think about it, to just be patient and wait for some change, but it has been 4 weeks now, and my face is still numb.
After my last visit with the dentist, where he took the implant out I expected the feeling to start coming back. He said he was sure he had not damaged that nerve, he had just put pressure on it,so it just needed some time to regenerate. So I went home and followed all of his directions he gave me to help my mouth heal up from the trauma it had been through.
He called me a few days later to see how I was doing. I told him I was healing fine, but my lip and chin were still numb. "Hmmmmmmmm. ok, lets do this..." so he called in a prescription for some steroid that was supposed to help me heal faster.
I went and picked it up and it had a big red label on it that said 'if you have been in contact with anyone who has any contagious disease, cough, cold, fever, do not take this... it will weaken your immune system'. Plus it had a list about a mile long of wacko side effects.
I had been taking care of Candice who was pretty sick at the time, So I called Dr. L. and asked him about it. He said it was more important that I get better than to worry about the side effects. Then he asked me how long Candice had been sick and told me to wait for 4 days, then to start taking it.
The side effects weren't too bad, only that I was pretty bloated and when I tried to play racquetball, my head felt like I had been spinning in circles...Wheeeeeeeeee (that could have just been me)
So every morning I wake up and hope that this will be the day that I can feel some improvement. I'm trying to push the thought that this could be permanent out of my mind, but as each day goes by, it's getting harder to not think that way.
I know there are lots of things worse than this, but just the idea of not being able to feel when Kelley kisses me, or to be able to talk without sounding like I've been drinking, or to be able to smile and have both of the sides of my mouth go up (I am a happy person...I like to smile!!!) well it makes me really sad.

What a girl's mom wants

Disclaimer: I have an absolutely wonderful happy life and I am sooooooooooooo grateful for the very blessed circumstance I have been given in my life. Hmmmmmmm I was going to talk about some things I wanted, but maybe I will mention my blessings first.
...in no particular order
*Being born into the gospel
*Being born into a loving family and being raised in a happy home.
*Living in a free country
*Having good health
*The knowledge that I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father who loves me
*Being able to find and marry a man who was worthy to take me to the Temple
*Kelley (in general)
*Four wonderful children ( So grateful for them!)
*Being able to live a comfortable life
*Olivia!
*The trials I have been given
*The Scriptures...love them!
*The callings I have had and the opportunity to serve
*Eternal family
*Our amazing bodies and the power within them to heal
*Wonderful friends
*This beautiful world, and especially our own little space that Kelley and I can enjoy and beautify
*Good neighbors
*Being able to see our children grow into amazing, strong, delightful people
*My Testimony
*Extended family
*Being able to pray and know I am being heard
*Having the guidance of a loving Father and Mother and many other great examples in my life
*Repentance
*Technology and all the conveniences we enjoy
*Grateful for the relationship I have with my kids
*The plan of salvation
*Music...my piano, the ability to play it, and to be able to sing!
*The Prophet
*Ancestors who sacrificed so much so we could live here and have the blessings of the gospel
*Kelley's mom and dad
*The amazing experience of bringing a new life into this world...4 times!
*Feeling the love of the Savior and my Heavenly Father
*The joy of being a mother
*Flowers! They make me happy!
*Being able to see and hear and feel!
*Having a son who is worthy and willing to serve a mission
*The gift of the Holy Ghost and the guidance and comfort it gives me
*Our garden and the joy of picking swasberries with Olivia
*The talents I have been blessed with and the ability to create
*That Kelley has a job and good health so he can work
*Being surrounded by Temples and being able to go there often to feel the love, comfort and peace that dwells there.
*All the opportunities and experiences that are available to me to help me grow

I have so much to be grateful for, I forgot what is was that I thought I wanted now. How could I ask for anything more.

I got a nice surprise in my email from some members in K.C.'s area. This is what she said:

Dear sister Jensen, your son came with his companion to help us with the Internet setup for which we had had great problems.
While here I took his picture and said I would sent it to you. He is well.

Sister Overly

Wow! That made my day! We also got a great email from K.C.

From:
Kelley Jensen (kcjensen@myldsmail.net)
Sent:
Wed 11/04/09 4:17 AM
To:
pjdaisy50@hotmail.com
Hey guys!Hope you had a happy Halloween. Mine was actually exactly like every other day. No trick or treating. So winter has arrived here, I thought it was kinda cold before but it has been way cold recently. I thought that snow would be way fun, and it was, until thousands of people walked on it and then it turned into ice. My shoes are slippery leather on the bottom so it was a little scary I almost fell about 30 times. But I went and bought some boots today so it will be better. I also bought a new coat, because every member we visited said mine wouldn't be warm enough, so basically I had to spend a bunch of money today. We had 54 people in our branch on Sunday so that was awesome! I think the first week we had like 35 or so but we combined branches, so things are moving along here. We weren't able to meet with Boris and Galina this week but hopefully on Friday, they are still reading the Book Of Mormon. I have had a little cold this week but I'm getting over it now, the flu is apparently going around but i got my shot so I should be fine. I heard there was a package for me so we went to get it and then it wasn't there, we get our mail from our central building so its safe, I have no clue where it went but I'm way sad about it. was it in an envelope? Hope i find it. I cant believe Ive already been out almost a transfer, one more week. Its been really good and i have learned a lot. I taught a couple little lessons to members last night, my Russian is getting better, but its still pretty hard. I am enjoying my time here, i think that if I'm not transfered, I will get to see at least one baptism next transfer. This area has a lot of promise. love you guys.

He also sent a sweet personal note for Kelley and I. Can I just say that I love my boy!

Candice started feeling sick Tuesday morning, and by afternoon had to leave work. She had a bad cough, sore throat, runny nose and body aches. She came over so mom could take care of her and stayed for a few days. Nothing I gave her made her feel any better, so Wednesday night, I took her over to insta-care. It was pretty freaky to walk in there and right by the front door, they have a table with masks and hand sanitizers on it with a sign that says "If you have a cough, cold, or fever, put on a mask."

The whole room was full of people wearing masks.

We went up to the desk to get Candice signed in and the lady taking her information asked her what her symptoms were. She told her and she said "You got it baby!"

We tried to find the least crowded place to sit and wait for her to be called back. There was seriously some very sick people there. I kind of felt dumb to have taken Candice there cause compared to others there, she was not so bad.

We finally went back and saw the doctor. He listened to her lungs and asked her a bunch of questions. Then he said he could do a test for the swine flu, but he would treat her the same if she had it or not. He said they have something called Tamaflu to treat the flu, but it doesn't really help very much, and can cause hallucinations, so he didn't recommend that. He told her her lungs were clear and that was the biggest concern. He said very rarely people get pneumonia with this and that has been what has been killing people. So if she was not better in two days she was supposed to come back in. He said the media was kind of blowing things out of proportion and scaring people. He said he had seen about 1500 people with this flu, and only two have gone to the hospital with it. So we just went home, and she suffered through a few more days of it. I went a little crazy with the Lysol...no offense Candice, but I don't want to get this!

Friday morning I went up to mom's. We had kind of a hectic morning because Leslie had called a company to come clean mom's carpet and she also had a dentist appointment.

The carpet cleaners got there a little bit late, so by the time I explained what we wanted them to do, we really had to hurry to get to the dentist. You can't really hurry with mother. She had on her slippers, so I just grabbed some shoes out of her closet and thought we could put them on on the way. When we got there, I tried to get the shoes on her feet, but they were too swollen, so she had to just wear her slippers. She wasn't very happy about that. Sorry mom!

When we finally shuffled into his office, we were about 30 minutes late. Oh well, I think they understand. They love my mom at the dentist. She has been through a lot with them, (" did you misplace your teeth again Jean?") and think she is about the sweetest lady ever. True that!

We came home to very nice clean carpets! Leslie had a neighbor who was selling a couch and love seat and we were looking for a new one for mom, so she bought it from her. Saturday morning, Leslie and Alan brought it down and we took out the old couch and put in the new one. It was really nice and she was tickled with it.

Kelley drove up to mom's Friday afternoon after work. We both worked out in the yard till it got dark raking leaves, cutting dead branches and pulling up dead flowers. He also shut down her sprinklers and put away the lawn furniture. There is so much to do up there...it's like everywhere you look, there is something that is either falling apart or needs to be cleaned up or trimmed or cut down! I sure do appreciate him getting so much done! Alan and Phil came over and helped get some dead branches out.


Kelley said the roof he was standing on up there was not very

strong. I'm just glad he didn't go through it!Teina and Brenda and Leslie all came over and we got the next few months planned. We decided to celebrate mom's birthday on Christmas day because that is when most of the family could be there. I think it's going to be nice. We were trying to think of things she would like and decided to make a little slide show with all the pictures we all have with her in them. We talked about having everyone think of a memory they have with mom and to share that, and also for us girls sing her favorite songs and maybe make a recording for her to listen to later. She always wants us to sing, so I think she will like that.

I stayed till later that afternoon doing some things around the house, and just sitting with mom on the fancy new couch. Last rose of summer

Happy Anniversary!

Today is Mum and Daddy's 61st wedding anniversary. Although Daddy has been gone for almost 15 years, this is still how I picture them...walking around in the yard, looking over what they had accomplished that day, making plans for future flower gardens, and holding hands.
What an amazing example of a wonderful marriage I have had, and I try to pattern our marriage after theirs.
Daddy was a kind, gentle, humble man and I always wanted to find someone just like him to marry. I think I got pretty lucky when Kelley came into my life. He has a lot of the same qualities as my dad...hard working, loves to serve others, has a great testimony of the gospel, loves his family and would do anything for them, has a great sense of humor, and is gentle yet strong! He also has the same attitude about talking in church as my dad did. My dad even skipped out (decided a horse ride sounded like a better plan) on his own mission farewell to avoid talking in church! Kelley has resigned himself to the fact that he can't get out of speaking in church, but still doesn't like it!
I loved the way my dad treated my mom. They were never mushy with each other, but you could tell they really enjoyed each other's company and it was rare to find them apart. My mom and dad never argued in front of us. They may have had disagreements, but I never heard my mom or dad raise their voice or say something unkind to each other.
My dad would do anything for my mom. She would say" Del, what do you think about putting in a new flower bed right here in the back yard (no room in front...already full of flowers!)...We could start a rose garden!" So my dad would dig the foundation, form it up with boards ( he always had a never ending supply of whatever he needed in his garage.. (he was the true king of saving EVERYTHING). Then he would mix up some cement and pour a nice little edge for the new rose garden. Then they would work together in getting the dirt ready and picking out and planting the roses. My mom was always sweet and appreciative...I bet that's why daddy enjoyed doing nice things for her.
I was reading in their life history to see what it was like for them when they were courting...this is my mom talking:
"Two years after high school, I married my childhood sweetheart, Reed Bitters who lived across the street. We were happy until one day he was persuaded to join a polygamist group. He had been attending their meetings unknown to me for some time and believed strongly that it was the right thing to do. He wanted me to go with him to Shortcreek, Arizona and live polygamy. Of course I could not go knowing this to be completely against our religion, so he went without me. I received a Temple Annulment six months later, and for the first time was glad we hadn't had any children. The months that followed were sad ones for me, but I kept busy, working at J.C. Penneys and doing church work, and as time went by I knew I had to pick up the pieces and go on.
When the war broke out, I got a job working at Wicks Engineering, packaging radio equipment to send overseas. I worked there until the war ended in 1945. I then took a job working at Singer Sewing Center, which I really enjoyed.

In the meantime, Del, who lived only a block from me, and who used to take me out occasionally during high school, got a call to go on a mission to Tahiti.He came over to tell me goodbye and although I was happy he had accepted the call, it was hard to see him go. He spend a wonderful three years in the islands. When he got home he joined the Marines and spent almost four more years overseas. He saw many of his buddies die, but the Lord spared his life, and I like to think he saved him for me!
We started dating in 1947 and had so many fun times together. He used to do some crazy things like borrowing Ken's car and getting it stuck in the sand at Bear Lake. After sinking deeper and deeper, I knew we were there to stay. We found an empty jeep with the keys in, so we borrowed it and pulled the car out. Then the time we were in the old Model A and went down the steps in front of Old Main. He used to scare me to death! We used to go target shooting, and I got pretty good at hitting the tin cans.
It was November, and Del was working at the Lewiston Sugar Factory. After being engaged for over a year we decided to get married on November 4th, 1948. We went with our families and were married in the Logan Temple.
Marrying into the Braegger Family was to mean a great deal to me and I soon loved them all like my own family. Del's mother was such a sweet special Mom to me. I loved her dearly. The whole family are close and always willing to help each another. I feel very fortunate to be a part of this wonderful family. But best of all, I married the sweetest, kindest man in the world. I'm so thankful he is mine, and love him with all my heart."
I love thinking about them as newlyweds, starting out their lives together. They were both older (mom waited 7 years for him!) when they got married and I imagine that made them appreciate each other even more.
I know my mom is getting anxious to be with my dad again. She has his picture sitting right where she can see it all the time. She tells me quite often how much she misses him and says "doesn't he look handsome in his uniform?"
Won't it be a great reunion when they meet in heaven! I imagine the Lord will present them with their own well earned beautiful mansion surrounded by magnificent flower gardens to tend together for all eternity.

Last night I couldn't sleep , so I started looking through the old photo albums. Came across this picture and thought I would send Katie a hug from Grandma. I can still feel her hugs. Sometimes I feel like she is not very far away from us and I can feel her love and concern for our family.

OK, now this was fun! I found all the kids pictures from Halloween's past and wow what a lot of great memories they hold! I had forgotten about a lot of those costumes....there's some classics though that probably only the kids will want to see... and maybe they won't!

Didn't realize how many times we had dressed K.C. as a girl. Sorry bout that.

The Riddler
Had disaster in washing machine with green dye

Kelley working the Little Red Riding hood costume. Wish I had a picture of the wolf!

I'm going to blame Marsha for starting this. Kassidy and K.C. exchanged clothes one day over at her house.

K.C. and Kjera . I think that is Candice's popcorn costume there in the background.

How cute are they?

Holly and Katie...BFF

There is no explanation

Made those pumpkins when the girls were young to take trick or treating. We still use them for decorating.

That was a good one Kate!

This one was really cute! Miss muffit and the spider wore this to daddy-daughter party

This was when we lived over in Hunter

grapes and strawberry...classics

Can't you just picture Katie giving Camille the look and saying "no candy till after dinner!"

Camille is like "Whatever!"

Now that's scary. Does not make a pretty woman

I'm not sure about this one either.

Dan, you make that wig look good.

That's me working the poly-ester

This was over at West Kearns Elementary

Cute Kitty!

This was at a party Marsha and Tony had. Kelley those pants are hot !

At a ward party.

Box of popcorn...messy but cute!

Wizard

And finally the hippie.

Hope the kids have as good of memories of Halloween as I do!