My Primary Teacher
A Primary Report card? Inside:
For those who may not be familiar with this, Primary is an organization in our church for children ages 3-11. We would meet once a week for about 90 minutes...or was it an hour?... We would learn about very tender subjects such as family, being honest, being kind, etc.
I noticed the signature, Linda Jaeckel. Then I remembered that we had a Linda Jaeckel in 2nd ward, the next ward over from ours. I talked to her and sure enough, she remembered teaching me nearly 50 years ago!
She said one particular Primary day we all had red crepe paper around our necks. I think they must have been attached to a hat or collar we were wearing for a program perhaps. She said I was chewing on mine and I got red coloring all over my dress. My mom was the Primary President at the time and this was Linda's very first Primary class. She was worried my Mom would be upset with her because she thought my dress was ruined.
She didn't know my mom very well to have been concerned. My mother never worried about drippy red stains on dresses.
I took this picture last Saturday night of Sister Jaeckel and her husband, Patriarch Jaeckel.
Thank you Sister Jaeckel for being my Primary teacher back in the school year of 1959-1960. I wish I could remember you specifically, but I do know that I loved Primary back then. I also noticed that on my Primary report card you said I was attentive and willing to participate. I obviously felt comfortable with you because I was a very shy little girl.
Selective Memory
I realize I have selective memory as I get older. I tend to hold on to the good and conveniently forget the not so good. I have my journals to help balance it out:
November 3, 1987
“Today Tyler (almost 2) threw every bit of make up I own in the toilet, threw a bucket of dirt on the couch, threw a handful of spoons at me, turned the backyard water on and flooded the yard and himself,-----I dressed him again and he stripped himself. He also poured a bucket of water on the dining room floor. McKay whined most of the day (and screamed).”
September 19, 1988
“Brock (11 ½ ) had an enormous amount of homework so I asked Logan (9) to clean the family room by himself (they usually do this together each night). Logan was very upset and said this wasn’t fair. So I told him---“Why don’t you make a deal with Brock? Tell him you’ll clean the family room by yourself tonight if he’ll do it alone tomorrow night.”
Half of our grandchildren
We had one foot injury that was cured by a brownie.
Cami loved watching the video all about herself. She even does the hand signs at the right time...copying herself in the video. Too cute.
We wish ALL our children and grandchildren could have been with us today but then we'd need a bigger house.
Under the same roof
Dennis thinks I should leave this event off my blog.
I, however, love this event. I love the thought that they are together again living under the same roof. A mom thing I guess.
I hope I don't embarrass them, but I don't think they read this blog anyway. And so what, they know how I am. I just have to say, they were so inseparable growing up. If we were looking for one in the house, the other one would be right there. Always together.
No, this was not their room. They often consider our bed, their bed.
I know at 22 and 24 they do not look like this anymore. Still to me, they always will.
A journal entry of mine, Dec. 18th, 1992:
"Today was the last day of school before vacation. I informed McKay (8 1/2) and Tyler (7) that when school resumed they would have different lunch hours. They both looked very sad and hung their heads. Then Tyler said, "Well...at least we'll still be brothers."
Leaning Towards Good News
Turns out, the Drs think she has a virus that went into her ears and then into her brain. So they have ruled out a bacterial infection (which is good) and they are now leaning towards a virus of some kind that will just have to run its course. They will know for sure what this is on Monday, they are told. She may even be able to go home on Monday!
Thank you all who are praying for our Hosanna and for her family. I am going to sleep better tonight. We are leaning towards happy.
Hosanna jumping from a tree with little brother in Carly's back pack and 3 year old Rivy near by. Picture taken last month. Beautiful country, huh?
More on Hosanna
Dear all,
Most of you have heard that Hosanna has some ailment that the doctors here in Panama are currently trying to diagnose. It began from what we thought was a bacterial meningitis infection but then was complicated when she fell from her bed and got a large egg on her forehead. This all began Tuesday morning when she suddenly lost her vision and became very lethargic with a slight fever. It seems like we have driven over half of Panama in ambulances now but she is in stable condition and being monitored and studied by a competent team of doctors and a neurologist. A CT scan came back clear and we are waiting (until Hosanna is drowsy so she will stay still) to have an MRI so they can take a closer look at her brain. We will keep you informed as we find out more.
For those of you who are worried that we are in Panama, Panama's hospital system is the best in Latin America and Hosanna is receiving first rate treatment. If it becomes necessary we have the option to fly to a hospital in the United States. Hosanna is currently in the ICU at Jose Olbadia Children's Hospital in David, Panama. Please keep us and Hosanna in your prayers. If you wish to call us you can do so by calling internationally: 011-507-6811-7710.
Much love,
Enoch and the gang
Having Hailey Withdrawals!
Papa and Chickie (aka her grandparents) picked up Hailey from our home yesterday afternoon about 4pm. They were driving her back to be with her Daddy. Hailey had been with us for a week. Jason, her Dad, was here too but he went back home on Sunday.
Bye bye Hailey.
We are going through withdrawals. What a delightful little girl she is and how we love her!
She took Headie home with her. Headie use to hold her Mommy's wig. Here is Headie with Chickie and Hailey:
You know those ugly rotten looking teeth that people wear on Halloween? A few days ago Hailey and I were visiting Dennis at his office. One of the investigators, "Funny John" as Hailey calls him, quickly put in his Halloween teeth before we entered his office. When I saw him open his mouth I was worried that Hailey would be frightened. Instead she looked right at him and said in her very soft spoken serious way, "My daddy could fix your teeth. He's a dentist."
Hailey and "Funny John": (after he took those ugly teeth out)
I miss Hailey. I miss her coming in my room every morning and climbing up on my bed to snuggle, with her head sharing my pillow.
Sorry, I don't do morning pictures.
Hosanna Update
However, Hosanna was put into ICU and Carly and Enoch, with their other two, have been sent back to the hotel they are staying at, which is just a few blocks from the hospital there in Panama. They were told they cannot see her til 8am tomorrow morning and only for 5 minutes. Of course the big question is, if she is getting better why have they put her into ICU? And why can Carly no longer be by her baby's side? It is especially difficult because only Enoch knows Spanish, so he has to interpret everything to Carly.
We should know more tomorrow after their 8am visit.
This was taken last month. Rivy, Hosanna, and a neighbor girl:
May we ask for your prayers?
"I believe in strength in numbers so I am asking for your prayers in behalf of Carly's little Hosanna. She is in the hospital in Panama, they are not sure what is wrong but they are testing for meningitis. Carly is absolutely beside herself with worry, she has no support system there so she had to stay behind on the island while Enoch is going by ambulance 3 hours away. I am so far away all I can do is pray and I ask the same of you my family. thanks Peggy"
Rivka on the left and Hosanna on the right, wearing the Easter dresses Peggy sent to them.
click to enlarge
Trying Not to Mess with Nature
Last year same thing happened. Den was so worried that our cat would get the bird before her eggs had a chance. So he went to Lowes and bought a piece of wood and sawed it down to size. Then he ever so carefully put it in such a way on the tree underneath the bird, making it nearly impossible for Alex our cat to climb to get to the nest. Well in the process of doing this, the bird freaked, flew off and hit the garage door. She was injured and then limpingly flew onto the roof.
Next morning not only was the bird gone but so were the baby birds that had just hatched. We found their remains....oh, never mind, I'll spare you the details. Dennis felt just TERRIBLE about it.
Hailey is very intrigued by this year's bird and wants to go check her often. Here she is in her jammies holding her deedee, first thing this morning. We are hoping this spring for a happier ending.
A Mother's Love
He's Arrived in Atlanta!
Above he is seen in 1989 with sister Carly and brother Jake. He was born on January 13 of that year...Friday the 13th, also the 13th hour and the 13th minute. Lucky boy. He actually made a small clip in national news because of his interesting birth time.
So on April 8th, he left the Missionary Training Center and arrived in Atlanta. Here he is with the mission president, Warren Mathusek, and his wife.
If you would like to write to Elder Kennington, here is the main address:
Elder Colt Kennington
112 Governor's Sq, Suite A
Fayetteville, Ga 30215
We are so proud of you, Elder Kennington!!
Poppa-sicles
likes to eat Popsicles as soon as the weather starts warming up. She called them "Poppa-sicles" last summer so I labeled them that way in our freezer. She is 7 now so we are hoping they will still be "Poppa-sicles" this summer, too.
Happy Birthday Logan!!
(Note: I am having much trouble with this post. The pictures keep disappearing. If anyone has a clue what I am doing wrong, please contact me.)
He was so good to his little brothers once they came along. When Logan was about 6 and McKay was a toddler he once said to me, "I wish I could hold him all night long". He was so patient and kind and he would tell me that when he grew up he was going to have lots and lots of children:
He was a very creative and independent little boy. He knew what he wanted to do and he found a way to accomplish it. I love the look on his face in this picture. I remember this day very well. Tyler was only a couple weeks old and they decided to play detective. It was a Saturday morning and they were still in the PJs so they just added their dad's pajamas on top, along with his hats. I remember the total joy I felt that morning watching my FOUR SONS.
Logan was not into details. He use to say on Halloween night, "Mommy where is my Easter basket so we can go trick or treating?" Or instead of saying Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs, he would say very innocently, "Snow White and the 7 Twirps." He also had a wonderful imagination. I remember the time I went to his parent conference with his kindergarten teacher and Miss Briglia said to me, "I didn't know you were moving to Oklahoma."
His 6th grade teacher wrote us a letter once that read, "....In the last 6 years of teaching and coaching, I have never "met" a more honest person. His values are high, his goals all high and his personality is perfect for getting along with others..."
When Logan was 16 he was determined to get a job at Wild Water Adventures. He applied and then was thrilled when he got accepted. Problem was it was early spring and Wild Waters was not opening til end of May. So he would call them often and ask if they had anything he could start doing now. They let him come and do yard work or whatever. He didn't care, he just wanted to work. When the season started he would work all the shifts they would allow him to do. He was very well liked. He ended up getting Employee of the Year....chosen from about 150 employees.
Here he is with cousin Robin back in 2003:
The very happily married couple, Logan and Amy:
Logan and Amy, his beautiful wife and 5 children, Chandler, Austin, Macie, Kylie, and Laurynn:
I love you Logie. Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!
Sad News
When you get to the link, press "watch video" not the words above it, or you won't have sound.
Picture Memories of Robin
My son Logan with Robin
This was taken in 1993. My parents with all the grandchildren at the time. Robin standing right behind my mom. Click to enlarge.
My oldest son Brock with Robin
Christmas Eve 1979 with her parents and baby sister Natalie
Brock and Robin
Aunt Peggy and Aunt Robin holding Brock, Robin, Logan, and Natalie. The very first grandchildren.
Having dinner in our home last Fall
Robin and Hailey in our playroom last Fall
Logan's wife Amy and Robin last Fall
With the love of her life
Look what happened last night
Just a little pre-graduating gathering for our DIL Amy.... Not everyday a Mom of 7 and a Grandma of 7, graduates from college. It was not ...