Cami and EPU
There's this special little place tucked away in central Fresno that
our Cami attended often when she was a bit younger.
Whenever I would go there, literally as soon as the doors opened
and I would step inside, I could feel the sacredness of it.
I felt I was in the presence of angels....both in the tiny children and
families it helped, but also in the teachers and aids who attended to
them. Angels.
This video was recently shown at a recent EPU (Exceptional
Parents Unlimited) fundraiser.
Immediately after showing this video, EPU was able to raise
$10,000. in just 30 minutes.
This was filmed in Brock and Erin's home,
even Elora was interviewed.
(It was shown on Facebook recently but not everyone has FB)
I'm finding more wonders
I see wonders everyday if I just pay attention.
Here are a few of my latest.....
1. After all these years I finally learned a way to keep bananas
from going too ripe too soon. Tape over the ends. It seems to keep
them at the perfect stage for eating for about 2-3 days longer.
2. I came upon one of my Mom's passport picture recently. I don't
ever remember her expression quite like that. I guess she just saved
it for her passport photos. And isn't her hair so cute? I miss her!
in Maine where all 37 of them are staying this week. Also, her
parents rented out that entire bowling alley for a few hours.
My people are the ones in RED.
4. Chandler has been on his mission 8 months in South Carolina,
but they just got his plaque. He's doing so well! He ends every
letter with "love one another."
5. Notice the saying on the wall of this little boys' bedroom.
(from a blog I follow)
(I read this blog so I know the little girl doesn't live there.
Baby Harold is still too little to sit in that chair so I guess the visiting girl is instead.)
6. Last night after tucking the grand twins in to their beds, saying
prayers with them, and putting on Mister Rogers, we said
goodnight and left the room.
About an hour later I went to check on them and found them sound
asleep like this.
So Grandpa untangled them and got them into separate beds.
But this morning when he went in to wake them up for school,
they were back together again.
The man above, Gordon B Hinckley, is the grandfather of the mom who put that sign in her boy's room (see #5). And he is the great Grandpa to Theodore and Harold....the 2 little boys who occupy that room.
speaking Spanish at birth??
This picture has nothing to do with my little story below.
But I just like it.
Téa looking at our tiny bird's nest on Mother's Day with her Daddy.
Our 8 year old granddaughter Téa was talking to me
about her new neighbors.
She said they only speak Spanish,
and she seemed disappointed about that.
So thinking of my recent DNA test, I told her,
"Well, I'm part Spanish."
Téa looked surprised, and then she asked me,
"So did you need to learn our language?"
Violet and the tooth fairy
When you're 6 years old and you lose your very first tooth it's a
pretty big deal, right?
Violet felt the need to write about it...even though she is still in
kindergarten and only knows how to spell phonetically.
She loves her tooth fairy story so much
she brought it to Grandma Honey's house.
pretty big deal, right?
Violet felt the need to write about it...even though she is still in
kindergarten and only knows how to spell phonetically.
She loves her tooth fairy story so much
she brought it to Grandma Honey's house.
After her sister went to bed,
she read it to Grandma Honey.
Good thing I had her to interpret.
I think the first page was actually written by the tooth fairy...
Then Violet begins reading what she wrote...
"Everybody waits for the tooth fairy."
(Love all those little beds lined up waiting!)
Violet continues...
"The tooth fairy has come."
Then Violet tells me: "This is my favorite part, Grandma Honey."
"I love the tooth fairy."
But the very last page is Grandma Honey's favorite.
Violet reads, "De en"
(dee-en)
After the story, Violet lays out her treasures
and put them by the front door.
(an eraser shaped like a cell phone, a plastic red frog in a cup, a flower bud from the back yard, and her story)
She didn't want to risk having her parents forget these things
when they carry her out sleeping, later on in the night.
Especially she did not want to lose her tooth fairy story.
De en.
The farewell
Yesterday we got to travel the hour to Visalia to see my brother John and his wife Suzanne
give their farewell talks.....
His oxygen level is only 88 and I know it took great effort to be there yesterday.
give their farewell talks.....
John is retiring from his practice today, and then they will leave end of this month
for their mission to Toronto for a year, where they will work with young single adults.
They have sold their home and just about everything in it except for 8 boxes of things.
Such brave souls they are.
Dad resting after the meeting.
Alex's solo and talent are incredibly amazing!
I told him we would pay money and drive long distances just to hear him sing.
Wish I could share his song here, but instead here's Alex, my Dad, and Susan.
This is the first time I think I've seen my Dad not wear a white shirt to church. :)
His oxygen level is only 88 and I know it took great effort to be there yesterday.
And we thank Susan so much for all she does to help him every hour of every day.
I want to share the last bit of John's talk here.
It won't be exact but I think I pretty much got the gist of it:
He told about how last Christmas Eve 60-70 extended family met for one last time in their home.
We were able to honor and thank our father.
We have all been greatly blessed by the earlier decisions of our parents.
He told about how our Dad back in 1955 was still smoking while the missionaries
were teaching him and my mom about the gospel in their home.
He would blow smoke rings into the eyes of the elders to show they
were in his home and he was in charge.
were teaching him and my mom about the gospel in their home.
He would blow smoke rings into the eyes of the elders to show they
were in his home and he was in charge.
Then our Dad showed great faith in acknowledging his Heavenly Father
and following our Mom in her desire to join the church.
John ended his talk with these words:
"So to my father who is present today, on behalf of myself, and
my brothers and sisters, and our 2nd mother Susan, we say
"Dad this is all your fault. And thank you for it."
my brothers and sisters, and our 2nd mother Susan, we say
"Dad this is all your fault. And thank you for it."
Happy Mother's Day from Grandma Gaynor
While unpacking from our move last August, I came across a talk my Mom had written. Across the
top of it she had written: "Myrla's Support Group." Not sure if she belonged to that support group,
or if she was just asked to come speak at it.
She wrote this in Nov of 1982. 35 years ago.
Instead of putting her entire talk on here, I will just share with you her key points. But I won't change
any of her words. So it's all from her, not me.
So here she is:
"Did you see the article on the new law school dean here in Fresno?
She sounds like a lovely woman who has the best of both
worlds....career and family. She describes herself as a feminist who
believes That neither women nor men should be kept from
doing what makes them happy just because it deviates from the
cultural norm.
My philosophy is that Neither men or women should be kept
from doing what makes them happy just because it is the
cultural norm. In other words I feel happy and blessed to be able
to stay home and take care of my own children, and I would like to
tell you a little bit about us.
31 years ago I graduated from FSU and got married in the same
week. I worked for less than a year as a social worker for the
county welfare and then for a period of 15 years---from 1952 until
1967 we had 8 children, including twins. I might add right here that
my husband made the statement once that the nearest he ever came
to being a mother was when we had twins. He was also good with
the children but at that time I really needed his help---especially at
night. When we went to bed we would each choose a baby and be
responsible for getting up with it all that night. I always tried to
pick the good one but it was unpredictable.
To get back to my story. In 1955 when we had two children ages 1
and 3 we joined the Mormon church and that definitely influenced
our decision to have a large family. Also during the 1950s and 60s a
lot of people were having large families and it was a natural thing
to do. I am so glad I wasn't being told on every side that in order to
be happy and fulfilled I had to have a career. Instead for 26 years I
have heard at least weekly:
Families can be together forever
and No other success can compensate for failure in the home
and that The most important work I will ever do in this world
will be within the walls of our home.
I know it is true that families can be together forever, and a happy
family on earth is but an earlier heaven.
I love being a mother. There is nothing I would rather be. It gets
easier and more rewarding every year. I'm not saying my kids are
perfect or even that they will follow my example---it's just that I
enjoy being involved with them.
Everyone likes an impressive title and "The Mom" is mine. And
one of my cherished trophies is a gem written by Chris when he
was 12. He has given it to me for Mother's Day for two or three
years. Not because it's true but because it saves him money.
Anyway, I'll share it with you:
Here is a gift I hope you won't miss
A Happy Mother's Day poem to you from Chris.
There have been many days since I was born
And you've always been there when I've been torn.
There is really one thing I want you to hear.
The best mother in the world is Mrs. Rozier.
I guess what I am trying to say is that when all is said and done in
this life, it is the RELATIONSHIPS that are most important and
most lasting. When we leave this world all we take with us is our
character and the relationships we have formed.
I agree with the last secretary general of the UN, Dag
Hammarskjold. He once observed:
"It is more noble to give yourself completely to one individual
than to labor diligently for the salvation of the masses." Or you
could change that to a few individuals---your children.
It is also harder.
A wise man once said, "Those who do not feel pain are not
capable either of feeling joy."
Maybe that is why there is so much joy in motherhood because
there is also great pain, misery and growth...because joy always
involves overcoming. It was planned that way from the beginning.
This life is the training ground and the next life will be an extension
of this one....
Every mother's motto should be: "Out of small things proceedeth
that which is great." All the little seemingly unimportant things
we do each day like teaching, listening, guiding, cooking, cleaning
up after, rocking, reading to, on and on are really very, very
important. It is evident in children who grow up without this love
and attention...
I would say to them, and to you, and to me, Make your mark on
the world---in the hearts of your children. You will be eternally
blessed if you do. " Gaynor Rozier
top of it she had written: "Myrla's Support Group." Not sure if she belonged to that support group,
or if she was just asked to come speak at it.
She wrote this in Nov of 1982. 35 years ago.
Instead of putting her entire talk on here, I will just share with you her key points. But I won't change
any of her words. So it's all from her, not me.
So here she is:
"Did you see the article on the new law school dean here in Fresno?
She sounds like a lovely woman who has the best of both
worlds....career and family. She describes herself as a feminist who
believes That neither women nor men should be kept from
doing what makes them happy just because it deviates from the
cultural norm.
My philosophy is that Neither men or women should be kept
from doing what makes them happy just because it is the
cultural norm. In other words I feel happy and blessed to be able
to stay home and take care of my own children, and I would like to
tell you a little bit about us.
31 years ago I graduated from FSU and got married in the same
week. I worked for less than a year as a social worker for the
county welfare and then for a period of 15 years---from 1952 until
1967 we had 8 children, including twins. I might add right here that
my husband made the statement once that the nearest he ever came
to being a mother was when we had twins. He was also good with
the children but at that time I really needed his help---especially at
night. When we went to bed we would each choose a baby and be
responsible for getting up with it all that night. I always tried to
pick the good one but it was unpredictable.
To get back to my story. In 1955 when we had two children ages 1
and 3 we joined the Mormon church and that definitely influenced
our decision to have a large family. Also during the 1950s and 60s a
lot of people were having large families and it was a natural thing
to do. I am so glad I wasn't being told on every side that in order to
be happy and fulfilled I had to have a career. Instead for 26 years I
have heard at least weekly:
Families can be together forever
and No other success can compensate for failure in the home
and that The most important work I will ever do in this world
will be within the walls of our home.
I know it is true that families can be together forever, and a happy
family on earth is but an earlier heaven.
I love being a mother. There is nothing I would rather be. It gets
easier and more rewarding every year. I'm not saying my kids are
perfect or even that they will follow my example---it's just that I
enjoy being involved with them.
Everyone likes an impressive title and "The Mom" is mine. And
one of my cherished trophies is a gem written by Chris when he
was 12. He has given it to me for Mother's Day for two or three
years. Not because it's true but because it saves him money.
Anyway, I'll share it with you:
Here is a gift I hope you won't miss
A Happy Mother's Day poem to you from Chris.
There have been many days since I was born
And you've always been there when I've been torn.
There is really one thing I want you to hear.
The best mother in the world is Mrs. Rozier.
I guess what I am trying to say is that when all is said and done in
this life, it is the RELATIONSHIPS that are most important and
most lasting. When we leave this world all we take with us is our
character and the relationships we have formed.
I agree with the last secretary general of the UN, Dag
Hammarskjold. He once observed:
"It is more noble to give yourself completely to one individual
than to labor diligently for the salvation of the masses." Or you
could change that to a few individuals---your children.
It is also harder.
A wise man once said, "Those who do not feel pain are not
capable either of feeling joy."
Maybe that is why there is so much joy in motherhood because
there is also great pain, misery and growth...because joy always
involves overcoming. It was planned that way from the beginning.
This life is the training ground and the next life will be an extension
of this one....
Every mother's motto should be: "Out of small things proceedeth
that which is great." All the little seemingly unimportant things
we do each day like teaching, listening, guiding, cooking, cleaning
up after, rocking, reading to, on and on are really very, very
important. It is evident in children who grow up without this love
and attention...
I would say to them, and to you, and to me, Make your mark on
the world---in the hearts of your children. You will be eternally
blessed if you do. " Gaynor Rozier
DNA results
I got both my Dad's and my DNA results back.
Took longer than the 6-8 weeks they said.
Okay first my Dad's results:
42% Spanish (Iberian Peninsula)
26% Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)
25% Irish
4% Scandinavian
2% Italian/Greece
1% Europe West
His early relatives settled first in:
Rhode Island
Southeastern Massachusetts and New York
And is what I am made up of:
34% Irish
21% Europe West (Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein)
20% Spanish
16% Scandinavian
7% Great Britain
2% Italian/Greece
My early relatives settled first in:
Ohio River Valley
Indiana
Illinois
Iowa
My Dad has always been dark skinned so I shouldn't be surprised
he is 42% Spanish, but I was.
Took longer than the 6-8 weeks they said.
Okay first my Dad's results:
42% Spanish (Iberian Peninsula)
26% Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)
25% Irish
4% Scandinavian
2% Italian/Greece
1% Europe West
His early relatives settled first in:
Rhode Island
Southeastern Massachusetts and New York
And is what I am made up of:
34% Irish
21% Europe West (Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein)
20% Spanish
16% Scandinavian
7% Great Britain
2% Italian/Greece
My early relatives settled first in:
Ohio River Valley
Indiana
Illinois
Iowa
My Dad has always been dark skinned so I shouldn't be surprised
he is 42% Spanish, but I was.
My Dad's Mom is on the left.
She does look Spanish to me now, but she didn't before I knew she was!
She died when my Dad was 6, so I never got to meet her.
SO interesting how I thought, and was told growing up that we were French. Then all these decades later, I find out I am more Spanish than I am French! And even more Irish.
Dennis is still waiting for his DNA results which he had done in
January. The company lost his test so he had to repeat it.
January. The company lost his test so he had to repeat it.
I did learn a few years ago that Den and I are very distant cousins,
so I'm curious to learn where the connection is.
Back to my Dad...
I want to show one more picture of his Spanish mother.
Never called her that before, but if I'm 20% Spanish, and my Dad is
42% Spanish she may be near 80-100%?
Not sure how genetics work exactly.
so I'm curious to learn where the connection is.
Back to my Dad...
I want to show one more picture of his Spanish mother.
Never called her that before, but if I'm 20% Spanish, and my Dad is
42% Spanish she may be near 80-100%?
Not sure how genetics work exactly.
Wendy
I couldn't find this book I was looking for...
so I texted my sister in law Wendy
to ask if she possibly knew where it was.
so I texted my sister in law Wendy
to ask if she possibly knew where it was.
She worked hard last time she was here. Not only did she spend
days helping her elderly aunt pack up to move,
but she convinced me there was something wrong
with our dining room.....
She explained that when a room has no windows, it needs mirrors.
and the mirror we had up there got eaten up by all the wall space.
And she did not like that reading lamp.
After a few trips to Lowes,
she directed Dennis on just where to hang the mirrors.
We're getting there.
Carly and Enoch stopped by one day to try it out.
Nope, just kidding.
Brock took this picture at the Easter party.
And I still will show that video,
for those who have asked me about it.
PS I find it interesting that while there were at least 35 people at that party, including their 6 children,
they found a place to eat by all themselves! :)
Jonas and Téa
So right after the twins' baptism yesterday,
and while a member of the Primary presidency gave a talk.....
She turned to the twins and asked,
"Your parents love you so much.
But there is someone who loves you
even more than than they do,
Do you know who that is?
Jonas answered, "My grandparents."
Not the answer she was looking for,
but it made Dennis and I pretty happy.
Of course we couldn't love them more than their parents,
but we are thankful they DO know we love them.
It was also a pretty sweet deal yesterday
that I got to sit by all of my sisters.
It's been a fun ride with these two the past 8 years.
Doing what works
So a few days ago I got this text from Karen:
And then a response from Tyler:
And here is what they are talking about.
I don't think they ever miss scripture study as a family.
Even when Tyler went to Boston a few weeks ago,
they still did it as a family through FaceTime.
And then a response from Tyler:
I don't think they ever miss scripture study as a family.
Even when Tyler went to Boston a few weeks ago,
they still did it as a family through FaceTime.
Our enemies and our friends
I read this quote several days ago and I'm still thinking about it....
"As we earnestly strive to be true disciples of Jesus Christ, these
characteristics will be interwoven, added upon, and interactively
strengthened in us. There will be no disparity between the
kindness we show our enemies and the kindness we bestow
on our friends..."
quote by Elder Robert D Hales
I guess we are suppose to be nicer than I thought.
I live with a man who lives this way every moment of his life. He is good to everyone all of the time.
No matter what.
He has faults like everyone else, but not when it comes to being kind.
"As we earnestly strive to be true disciples of Jesus Christ, these
characteristics will be interwoven, added upon, and interactively
strengthened in us. There will be no disparity between the
kindness we show our enemies and the kindness we bestow
on our friends..."
quote by Elder Robert D Hales
I guess we are suppose to be nicer than I thought.
I live with a man who lives this way every moment of his life. He is good to everyone all of the time.
No matter what.
He has faults like everyone else, but not when it comes to being kind.
Where's the baby?
My sister Heidi brought over a letter recently I had written to her on Nov 30, 1985.
I was overdue with my 4th baby, and McKay was just 20 months old.
I won't bore you with the entire letter, but I do love this part of it:
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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 ...