What a Weekend

Friday night was opening night for Fiddler on the Roof and I got to go be an usher.  I already wrote about how great the show is, so I’ll skip that this time, but ushering is a fun gig, cause you get to see the show and I got to scan tickets which I enjoyed.  I don’t know why, but I really love really basic, simple tasks like that.  I guess that says a lot about me, basic and simple.  Anyway, I got to see the show Thursday night and Friday night.   Friday night was also a huge Stake Mini Mission activity for our youth.  All the  kids who attended got a mission call a few nights before the activity.  Abby was called to Milan, Italy and Anna was called to Lisbon, Portugal mission. 

All the kids met at the Stake Center that evening for a fireside by a former mission president and his wife.  Then they had some activities to learn about the cultures of their mission as well as a few others.  Then the beehives and deacons (Abby) had to go home because they’re not old enough to participate in overnighters.  Anna couldn’t go either because of the play.  The kids were divided up into small groups and sent to host families where I think they discussed the Preach My Gospel program.  They slept at the host homes and then reconvened in the morning at the Stake Center.  Anna was able to join in Saturday morning.  They had breakfast and then got to go knock on doors (in the church buildings) and share the Gospel with people asked to participate and pretend to be hearing it for the first time.  I helped shuttle some young men and they were so enthusiastic about it, I was so impressed.  I believe after that they met again and had a testimony meeting.  What a gigantic undertaking, but such a neat experience for these kids.

Saturday night, we took the kids to Fiddler.  We drove two cars knowing it might be too much for Josh, which it quickly was.  He doesn’t do quiet very well ).  Since I had already seen it, I took him home so Brennan and the big kids could enjoy it. 

We had learned about John’s fall earlier that day and then that he was most likely not going to survive the night right before leaving for the play.  We had prepped the older kids that things didn’t look good.  When Anna got in the car after the show, she asked Brennan if Grandpa had died.  He had just gotten word during the show that he had.  He nodded to confirm it discreetly so the other kids didn’t hear until we could sit them down at home and tell them.  I guess Abby saw the exchange and by the time they got home Anna and Abby were both in tears and Nate walked right in to me asking if Grandpa John had died.  Poor Ben was totally unprepared and oblivious to what was happening.  I had Nate sit by me and waited for them all to gather in the family room.  Brennan told them what had happened and poor Ben just crumbled.  They were all so sad, we tried to comfort them with assurances that he is at peace and with Heavenly Father.   Anna composed herself and quietly offered comfort to Ben and Nate.   I went to lay with Ben in his bed since he was so upset.  He calmed down and I thought was finally asleep when he surprised me by whispering, “Mom, is Grandpa ok?”  I assured him that he is, that he is at peace and no pain.  He was quiet for another few minutes and then asked, “Mom, what is Grandma going to do?”  I was so touched that my little 7 year old boy was so concerned with his grandparents, not just with his loss, but he genuinely needed to know that they were ok. 

Sunday morning Brennan left to go be with his Mom.  We were sad to see him leave, but so glad he could go help her.   We went to church and Anna bore such a sweet testimony about her experience with the Priesthood.  About a week before the show opened, (on a Thursday) she woke up with tons of red bumps all over her face.  I didn’t even see her, she left for school and I finally saw her later that night.  We were slow to realize that I had just bought her a new face wash, toner and moisturizer with Benzoyl Peroxide in it which didn’t seem to bother her for a few days, but a few days later it caught up to her with a vengeance.  She stopped using the stuff and we were giving her Zyrtec in the day and Benadryl at night plus rubbing hydrocortisone cream on it twice a day, but by Sunday her face was still so swollen and red and bumpy, we weren’t seeing any real improvement.  She was so brave, chose to go to church in spite of her drastically altered appearance.  Our friend took a look at her and kind of panicked.  She wanted us to take her to the ER, but we settled on bugging her neighbor, a doctor.  He and his wife were so kind, and reassured us we were doing the right things, but had us add Pepcid, which is evidently a histamine blocker.  He told us if we didn’t see improvement in 24 hours to take her in for a steroid treatment. 

That night my parents had us over for dinner and we took that opportunity to have my Dad and Brennan give Anna a blessing.  In just a few days she would have to have full stage makeup on which we were instructed not to do until her face had gotten back to normal.   Brennan asked my Dad to bless her.  He first asked her if she had the faith to be healed.  She did.  He blessed her that she would be healed according to her faith and her willingness to pray and really ask.  She came home from school on Wednesday looking completely like herself!  I thought for sure it would have to peel and be kind of a mess before it got better, but it just completely faded, all the bumps and redness and swelling just went away.  Her own miracle.  What a blessing!

Needless to say, it was quite a weekend, exciting, sad, and exhausting!  We are so blessed, even in death we have comfort and peace.

Fiddler on the Roof

Anna tried out for her high school’s musical production and made it to the ensemble.  They did “Fiddler on the Roof”.  Last Thursday night was their final dress rehearsal and parent preview.  I was once again caught off guard by a rush of emotion as the show began that night.  I think it was partly due to the thrill of seeing for the first time, the scenery in place, the costumes perfected and a cast of 100+hard working high school students fill the stage.

I know that it was also in part because it was one of those moments that I remember so vividly living in my high school years just two seconds ago, and yet here I was watching my daughter.  As they sing in Sunrise, Sunset “I don’t remember growing older, when did they?” 

The show is wonderful!  I have now seen it about 3.5 times and I still love it!  The boy who plays Tevye is just incredible!  It’s a very talented cast and such a great show. 

Anna is so good.  She has such a beautiful voice and such a pleasant stage presence.  It’s so exciting to watch her be so confident on stage.  I’m so grateful she’s had this opportunity!  We love Anna!

John S. Williams–Grandpa

On Saturday, March 1, 2014, John fell and hit his head.  Jamie took him to the hospital where they discovered a brain bleed.   His health had been declining rapidly the last few years.  He was on oxygen and was becoming more and more limited in terms of mobility and just even staying awake.  It was so sad to see him, once so strong become so frail and thin.  Jamie took such good care of him, he was proud and wasn’t always a very cooperative charge, but she did everything she could to help him.    I can only imagine how scary, exhausting and lonely it has been for both John and Jamie these last few years.

The first time I met John was shortly after Brennan and I got engaged.  John was in town for business and Brennan was out of town for work, so John took me to lunch.  I was so nervous, but he was so polite and such a gentleman I quickly relaxed.  I remember him talking about Jamie and many of her accomplishments.  It was obvious he was so proud of her, I thought that was sweet.  John was always good to me. 

Shortly before we got married my parents invited John and Jamie to dinner at our house.  It was probably only the 2nd or 3rd time I’d met them and the first time my parents met them.  It was going fairly well.  My brother, Christian, came upstairs and met John and Jamie for a few minutes and then excused himself as he had to go somewhere.  A few minutes later, a very pale Christian stood came back in and motioned for me.  I followed him to another room where he told me he backed into John and Jamie’s new car.  I could have died.  Poor Christian was beside himself.  I went in and motioned for Brennan and we filled him in.  He kind of laughed but wasn’t very helpful in predicting how John and Jamie would react.  It was finally time to face the music, so we accompanied Christian into the dining room where he confessed his crime.  John and Jamie both laughed and the three of us took a collective breathe of relief.  It was so nice, it could have been so awful, but they were so gracious.   I will remember and be grateful for that moment forever.

John was so game about visiting us in Arizona and then here after we moved.  He was generous and always spoiled us by picking up the tab at dinner which was always such a treat for us.  Whenever he and Jamie came into town we all looked forward to dinner at The Olive Garden. 

John preferred to stick to things he knew and liked over variety.  I relate to that, especially in eating.  He loved my short ribs and so whenever they visited I always made them.  I always worried about them getting sick of them, but I don’t think he ever did. 

I’m grateful that he is free from ill health and discomfort that have plagued him these last few years.  I’m grateful that sweet Jamie doesn’t have to worry about him anymore. 

Goodbye, Grandpa John!

Emily wrote his obituary:

(July 16, 1946 – March 1, 2014)

John Steven Williams passed away on March 1, 2014 at Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, Utah. He was born July 16, 1946 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Silva Tayler and Howard Williams and the youngest of 4 brothers, Dick, Jim and Tom.

As a child John’s mischievous nature and ability to find trouble tested the limitations of his parents’ patience. John enjoyed playing football and baseball. Graduating from East High School in Salt Lake City and attending Weber State College. He graduated with honors from SUU, majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Accounting and Economics.

In 1970, John married Rebecca Yager and had the privilege of having two girls, Lori and Emily. Then through a later marriage he gained a son, Gerald.

He married the love of his life Jamie Spendlove on October 14, 1989. They enjoyed many years of traveling to Europe, Guatemala, China, Greece and Hawaii. Together they welcomed 13 grandchildren into their lives, who they loved and cherished.

In September of 1978, John was appointed as Executive Director of the Five County Association of Government. John was only the third person to serve in that capacity. John worked tirelessly throughout the 27 ½ years. John, along with the Five County Association of Government’s directed the evolution of the Association from an emphasis in unification of social services programs, to the creation of the Southwest Utah Public Health Department and the Southwest Mental Health Center, and to planning for anticipated, and later realized, growth in Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane and Washington counties.

During the 1990’s John helped the Association emphasize community and economic development projects, including corporate recruiting and corporate expansion. He played a key role in helping to bring the Wal-Mart distribution center to the region as well as the development of other industrial parks and businesses in this region. Under John, the Association took a prominent role in addressing population growth issues, public lands issues, metropolitan transportation planning, rural transportation delivery, and human services programs.

He is survived by his wife, Jamie Spendlove Williams; two daughters, Lori (Tony) Leonard and their three children, Michael, Zachary and Hailey, and Emily (Paul) Gates and their four children, Sean, Shea, Sheldon and Mya; son, Gerald (Teshia) Williams and their children Alexis Wyatt, Brendon, Abby and Ethan Williams; stepsons, Brett (Julie) Wright and Brennan (Andrea) Wright and their five children, Anna, Abby, Nate, Benjamin and Joshua; and also his three brothers, Dick, Jim and Tom Williams.

Funeral Services

• Funeral services will be held Friday, March 7, 2014 at noon in the Riesley Chapel, 630 Riesling Ave., Santa Clara, UT.
• There will be a viewing Friday from 10:30 a.m. until time of service at the chapel.
• Interment will take place in the Tonaquint Cemetery.

January Photo Dump

Here are a couple more photos from January I want to get posted. 

 

Josh and Bear hanging, or more probably, Bear tolerating Josh’s “love”.

 

Most nights around 11 pm, Josh comes stumbling out of bed and onto the couch for one last snuggle.  Can’t say that I mind it.

Sledding day at Josh’s preschool

Poor Josh was sick this day and could not get comfy, til he climbed in the dirty laundry where he slept cozily for about an hour.

Nate has had his first indoor soccer season, and played some pretty impressive girls.

 

Our trip to the Ice Castle, so cool!

 

 

And last but not least, is this little trick of Ben’s.

Strength

Last Friday, I had the chance (thanks to Brennan) to go to the Temple.  It had been way too long since I had been, especially to an Endowment session.  I raced there and made it up to the Chapel at 10:29 hoping to make the 10:30 session, but no such luck.  The next one wasn’t til 11:15.  I’ll admit to having a small panic attack for a minute at the thought of sitting in the chapel, phone-less and book-less for 45 minutes.  I’d already read my scriptures that morning and just didn’t know if I had it in me to read the scriptures for 45 more minutes. 
I took a deep breath, calmed myself down and closed my eyes to pray.  It was the perfect opportunity to express the concerns I brought with me to the Temple.  The things I really need guidance on.  I prayed silently for a long time and poured my heart out.  Then I opened the Book of Mormon to the index.  I thought for a minute what one word might sum up what I needed.  It came to me, “strength”.  It was perfect, it’s exactly what I need in my life this year.
In years past I’ve tried to pick one word as my mantra for the year.  I knew right then in the Temple chapel that my word for 2014 is “Strength”.  I started looking up some of the references listed in the index with my word.  I only had time to look up a few, but one of them was, “…yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my god shall be my strength.”  1 Nephi 21:5.   I love that one.   The next one was “Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion…” 2 Nephi 8:24.  I wondered what that meant, how do does one put on one’s strength?  The footnote had my answer, in D&C 113: 8 it says, “…and to put on her strength is to put on the authority of the priesthood…”.  I was so excited, not only did I have my new word, I now had a way to access the strength I need, the priesthood. 
Those 45 minutes flew by.  I went into the session and it was beautiful.  It was a new film and I was completely absorbed and touched by it.   I went home and had a nice mellow afternoon and evening running kids around. 
Saturday was a busy, productive day topped off with a great date with Brennan.  We ate at Dickey’s and had great conversation then went home and watched a movie.  Sunday morning was Fast Sunday.  I knew just what to fast for.  Anna has had some challenges lately so both of us requested a priesthood blessing from Brennan.  He gave each of us a beautiful blessing filled with promises, encouragement and reminders of a tender Father in Heaven’s love for us.  Promises and encouragement regarding specific things that have been on my mind.  Some of which Brennan knew some he didn’t.   I’ll never get over the amazing gift blessings are.  To sit at the hands of someone I love so much and have him then open the door to an all-knowing, perfect Father is just plain miraculous.  I know there are some women who feel sad to miss out on the opportunity of holding the priesthood, but one of my favorite parts of participating in priesthood ordinances is the process of  humbly turning to my husband and asking him to administer his gift in my behalf  and the responsibility he humbly accepts in doing so.  It’s binding in way I can’t describe.
I feel so blessed and so excited and renewed.   I am known and loved and strengthened by Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ.

Happy Birthday, Abigail–Big 13!

January 16, 2014 Abby turned 13!  We officially have two teenagers now.  So weird.  The poor girl woke up very sick on her big day.  It was also one of the last days of the semester and she had all kinds of finals that day.  She was so stressed out about her school work and that she was missing out on the things her friends had planned for her.  Evidently, they all met at her bus stop to sing to her but she wasn’t there .  They also decorated her locker.  I went to her school to talk to her teachers and took pictures of her friends’ darling work.  They decorated the outside too, but it got ruined before I could get to it.  Seeing this picture, brightened her day considerably!

She wasn’t too sick to open presents, so we did that in the morning.  She got mostly clothes and shoes, and curtains. 

It was her year for a friend party, and fortunately we scheduled it the next weekend because of Human Right’s Day weekend.   She was nice and healthy by her party this last Friday night.  We struggled to come up with a theme and something to do, it gets so much harder when they’re older especially in the dead of Winter.  She has such a darling age group and has so many fun, sweet friends her age, most of whom are in our ward.   She ended up inviting 16 girls and all but one came, so we had a LOT of giggly girls here.  It was kind of too many people to try and manage, but I think they all had fun in spite of the chaos.

We finally settled on a game night theme, so I kind of used an Uno card as my inspiration.

 

I also went with the Uno card for the cake:

We had pizza and soda and then Abby opened gifts.  After that cake and ice cream and then happily for me, she took over from there.  They all went downstairs and played spoons, mafia, and murder in the dark.

 

It was a fun night for a great girl!  We love Abby!

Joshyisms

 

Josh has had some good ones lately that I have got to write down before they’re gone forever.  

• A few weeks ago I gave him a haircut.  A day or two later he looked up at me and asked, “Am I still weawing my haiwcut?”

 

• Anna was teasing him and then finally gave him the treat or drink he was trying to get from her.   Once he had it, he said, “You’we a good soul.”

 

• Today he asked, “Mom, is today tomorrow?”

One of my favorite things to watch is when he has our two little neighbor girls, Daisy (4) and Liza (3), and how protective he gets of them.  When it’s time for them to go, he’ll help Liza put her her shoes and coat on and then he’ll tell me he’s going to walk them home.   I love it! 

The other day, when Daisy was over, we caught this:

Oh, and they kept saying, “Yeah, babe.”  Oh dear, who knows where they got that!

We love Josh!