April 2009

The month of April last year was pretty quiet in comparison to some of the other months of the year! LOL We spent much of the month just hanging out at parks, shopping, doing laundry, and enjoying having Cherstin and Abby and Emmett with us - the time for them to head home was fast approaching and we wanted to savor this time before it slipped into the past. Cherstin worked really hard to provide the children with learning opportunities and time out of the tiny apartment...her stoplight cookies (the kids made them) are an example of her creativity.

Abby and Emmett loved getting out of the apartment and going to the laundry room. They were always wanting to help put the coins in the machines and it certainly was a way to occupy some very active and curious little ones LOL.

Cherstin's birthday came this month and so did Easter. Abby and Emmett loved hunting for the eggs and baskets! Rich and I had a blast watching them hunt. Abby really got it - Emmett not so much - but he had fun anyway!

As the month started to come to an end and we knew that I would be heading back to Oklahoma with Cherstin to be with Dan Rich and I thought it would be nice to head down to South Carolina for a memory trip. It ended up being our memories more than Cherstin's - although there were some things she had recall of. We dropped down into Charleston and went to Boone Hall Plantation where they were having a Strawberry Festival. The kids went on some rides and we went on a wagon ride around the plantation and then picked some awfully yummy strawberries. We also thought the kids would enjoy the trip out to Fort Sumter - especially the boat ride. I think they did enjoy it - but I think they enjoyed going to the beach more! LOL

We drove into Sumter, had dinner at a new Outback there. Tried to go to church - but they were having Stake Conference somewhere - who knows where? And we finally came home - knowing that our time with them was coming to an end.

At the end of the month I drove out to Oklahoma with Cherstin and the kids. They travelled so well - but why wouldn't they at this point? They had literally been from one end of the country to the other both directions! LOL They were so glad to be home. I knew they would be even more excited in a few days to have Daddy home. Cherstin and I found a hair salon and got our hair cut, she had another OB appointment, and then it was time for me to fly home. You don't always have an opportunity like this one - so you grab it when you can!

March 2009

In March Cherstin and I thought that we'd take a little trip up to Wisconsin to visit Wanda and Robert and Hannah and Phil. While Cherstin and the kids missed Dan terribly the fact is: had he been home we wouldn't have had this opportunity - or at least as easily. Somehow it is just harder to pick up and go with no other reason than wanting to when our hubbies are home. (It is said that the mother is the heart of the home - I think that is true. But the dad has the mother's heart and so maybe it's really the dad that is the heart of the home! LOL) Anyway, without any deadlines looming we took that opportunity and wended our way north.

Cherstin and I share a love for Kentucky and it was lots of fun to drive through this beloved countryside with her. In my mind's eye I could see her, Felicia, and me heading to Mrs. French's for violin lessons on Thursday nights. I could see us pulling into LYO as we drove through Louisville. I could see Joseph and Beka standing on cannons outside of Ft. Knox. Or all of us touring Abraham Lincoln's birthplace.... So many wonderful memories and waves of nostalgia flooded my being. I loved my two year stay there - it just felt like home - and am really grateful that we got to share it with Felicia, Cherstin, Wanda, Joseph, Beka, Rachel, Mary, Ben, Desi (it seems like we only had a few moments with Desi but one of my favorite's was meeting her and Wanda as they drove in and they were listening to that song, "Just Wanna' Talk About Me!" - I don't actually know the title -surprise! or the artist - surprise! LOL but I never hear it without thinking of that trip!- she took our teasing with laughter and grace), Suzanne, Nathan, Sariah, Paul, Aaron, and Hannah. The bonds are tight and the memories so much fun because of the shared time.

As we crossed the Ohio river more memories flooded - the many trip out wests and back again, wading in the river, visiting the Civil War Fort., seeing fireworks, and so much more - and we headed through the gentle Indiana countryside. We saw lots of farmland under water from the storms and wondered if there would be any crops this season. Leaving Indiana we headed into Illinois and Wanda had told us that there was a "Sweet Tomatoes" in Chicago. Yea! Garmin! It seems that we drove for at least an extra 1/2 hr. to find it - but Garmin did not let us down! The kids had done really well - but getting out and stretching and having something to eat that wasn't fast food sounded pretty good - and it was.

Wanda and Robert and their little (that's kind of a relative term LOL) family welcomed us and we had so much fun. Phil and Hannah and Orion were able to come over often and it was just wonderful to be there with them all. Feeding the 5000 - sort of!

While there Cherstin took Beka and Rachel and some of their friends to WalMart at midnight to get the new release of Twilight. To say that Beka loves the Twilight series by Stephanie Mayer would be an understatement by at least a 1000% ! LOL

We sewed and shopped and ate at Red Robin while there. Wanda was due in September with Adam, Cherstin was due in July with Elle, and Hannah was due (it looked like any minute LOL) with William in June. Poor Hannah was huge even then and so it came as no surprise when William was born and weighed in at a hefty 11 lb. 2 oz.! Wish I had some picture of them!

A Game of Basketball with Moroni, Emmett, and Abby

Hanging Out with Our Cousins

It was a lot of fun to be with everyone - and I especially enjoyed watching the little ones play and and having time to spend with the bigger "little ones" too. One of the memories that I will always cherish was watching Moroni and Emmett play basketball. Robert had purchased a "little tykes" basketball hoop for the kids. Moroni LOVES balls and as soon as he gets one in his hands it get tossed, thrown, or dumped. We decided that Moroni would have to be the basketball player in the family as he really gets the idea of getting the ball into the hoop and even passing the ball. In contrast, Emmett would have to be the football player - if he got the ball he was not going to give it up! LOL It was so funny to watch Moroni's face when Emmett wouldn't pass the ball to him - it was like, "Hey! What ya doin'? Come on!" But Emmett looked like he was saying, "I'm not giving this up for no one! Touch Down!" What a hoot! And if Orion happened to be there it completely changed the dynamics. Moroni and Orion have become "buddies" and you could see that they were kind of on the same wave length - but neither one knew quite how to handle Emmett's "control of the ball" except to "tackle" him - which he didn't like! LOL

As it came time to leave it was sad to leave our family there. However, I am sure that they could use the return to normal. LOL

The latter part of the month we took a trip to Georgia. Rich had a conference in Atlanta and so we tagged along with him.

We took the opportunity to go to the Coca Cola Museum in Atlanta. Cherstin had some vague memories - really vague - from when we had visited when she was a little girl and then she and Dan had visited it when they had been displaced by Hurricane Katrina. This time though our two little munchkins proved to make this trip memorable in their own way. Emmett decided that he was going to "pick up" all the cute girls in line to go into the museum. He would smile at them, flirt with them, hold their hands, and even let them carry him - what a ham! Abby absolutely loved the 3-D picture that she and I went to. It was fun to watch her face and her surprise at the experience. And, they did enjoy drinking all the different kinds of soda pop that Coke makes!

We had a chance to go to the LDS book store while we were there, drove past the temple, went to Church and just enjoyed having some time to meander.

We drove down to Albany to see Grandma Bainbridge and Marsha and Blair. Had dinner with them at the Golden Corral and then the next day we headed south to Florida so that we could spend some time at the beach. We found a nice spot where the water was shallow and had hardly any surf. It was barely warm enough for a swimsuit and we picked up sea shells, made sand castles, and dipped our toes into the water. Abby and Emmett seemed to love it and I think they would have liked to spend even more time there - but we needed to pack it in and drive back up to Atlanta for Rich's conference, which is exactly what we did after a couple of relaxing hours.

The next day we dropped Rich off at his conference and then Cherstin and the kids and I headed to the Atlanta Children's Museum. We spent a little bit of time there (the kids seemed to enjoy this too), had some lunch and then it was time to pick up Rich and head for home. All in all I think we packed in quite a bit for the month! I had fun - it's too bad that the kids won't remember a thing! LOL

February 2009

In February my brothers and sister-in-laws and I had been planning on having an 80th birthday party for my Dad. We wanted to make it a surprise because we knew how he would react. And, most importantly, we wanted to try and get everyone of his posterity there, if at all possible - at least children and grandchildren.

Well, Cherstin and the kids and I drove out to Oklahoma (Cherstin used that time to have an o.b. appointment) and spent a couple of days. The kids were so excited to be home and to be able to play with their things and fall into familiar patterns. We then continued on into Denver. I got to spend some time with Mike and Desi, Emily and Mordecai. Cherstin got to spend time with them too but she also got to have a chance to share some time with Karen and Dave (Dan's folks). We waited out a snow storm before heading into Utah. I really didn't want to get stuck in Wyoming. Been there, done that. And, finally we headed out and Desi and Mike followed us that evening.

Wanda and Moroni flew into Salt Lake and she had some time with Robert's parents before Cherstin and I arrived in time to head to Provo to have dinner at the Chuck-a-rama with Joey and Carlie, Gideon, Glory, Scarlett, and Levi who had just driven up from Tucson. They had picked up Nena and Brett for dinner. And Felicia met us with two of her roommates. I had a blast. It was so fun catching up on things in El Centro and Arizona, and Nena and Brett, and meeting Felicia's roommates. That, in and of itself, was a fun "reunion."

Wanda and Moroni spent the night at Felicia's apartment - I think Moroni was a hit (all those dimples will drive any girl crazy!) The next day I spent most of the time trying to help Julia do the last minute shopping and prep. We had fun too.

Phil was able to fly in and Cherstin and Brittany were able to pick him up. He spent his nites with Joey and Carlie at Jason and Chantele's. I am sure he missed having Hannah and Orion there, as Cherstin missed having Dan and Wanda missed Robert and her little brood, but I think he had fun too. Jason and he had been close in Germany when they were little and both of them have been back to Europe as adults and have a love for the region, and they both work in the computer industry.

Rich finally flew in and that completed those who could come from our family. While we were in Utah it seemed a great time to celebrate Emily's 3rd birthday. She had both sets of grandparents and Aunts and Uncles and cousins from both sides of the family there and so we all went to Chuckee Cheese for pizza and some down time. I think Emily enjoyed herself too. Brittany and Jason and Chantele and their little ones also joined in the fun.

Jim and Maria and their guys came in from Idaho and everyone else was already there in Utah, so we worked together and prepared for the celebration of Dad's life. How blessed we are to have him.

I think Dad was pretty excited and overwhelmed. There had been a real question of how we would get him to the church but Desi and Mike settled that by telling him that they were going to take him out to dinner (something they routinely do when they are in town and so not too suspicious) but that they were going to a fancy place and he needed to get dressed up. He complied and I think he really was surprised when he walked in and found so many people just to see him. His brother and sister-in-law, Les and Marj, and sister, June came, as did some of their children. Suzanne Halls (we knew her from Germany and she lives in Colorado) came, as did the Swanders, Betty and Don, Kerns, people from the ward when he was bishop the first time - hundreds of people really. They talked with him and shared memories with us (the kids) and I think it was a really nice afternoon. Rich and I and our children and some grandchildren were there, Mike and Shauna and their children and grandchildren, Derk and Julia and their children and grandchildren, Brad and Lexie and their children and grandchildren, Jim and Maria and their children (minus CJ who is serving a mission in Zimbabwe and Tony - obviously), Chad and Ronnie and their children were all in attendance. As I write about this I am remembering that Brandt made a DVD about Dad's life and he was going to try and get us all copies - I need to follow up on that - they were having technical difficulties and they were also heading out of town the next morning - hmmmm.

On Sunday Rich and I, Cherstin and her little ones, Wanda and Moroni, Joey and Carlie and their little ones, and Felicia went to Church with Dad. He was pleased as punch.

Joey and Carlie, Phil, Wanda and Moroni, Desi and Mike headed home. And Rich and I and Cherstin headed south toward Tucson. I had always wanted to see the Grand Canyon and so we took that opportunity on our way. I really enjoyed it - but really - it is just a huge hole! We also took some time to see the dam there. Sadly, it could never be built today - not because we don't have the "know-how" but because we would tie ourselves in knots of regulations, redtape, permits, environmental impact statements, and lawsuits. For all of our sophistication and advanced technology and knowlege we have lost our will and way.

We got down to Joey and Carlie's and had a wonderful time. Nathan And Suzanne and their brood came in and it was so much fun to catch up with them. The kids have made remarkable, if not miraculous, progress. Toni, Amanda and Brandon and their little ones came, as did Stephen, Jr. with his two. Carlie was ever the gracious hostess with delicious food for everyone. Joey gave all the kids rides on his motorcycle (Abby became his best friend LOL) and it was just fun.

Joey and Abby (his best friend) on Joey's RIDE

Joey's new bike

But best of all - we had the opportunity to witness Glory make those sacred baptismal covenants. It was very special to watch another of my precious grandchildren enter those holy waters, with her father worthy to perform this sacred rite, and promise to keep Heavenly Father's commandments. As I watched I realized that if she really does keep those commandments and does everything she can to follow the Savior her life will be richly blessed. There will be trials and difficulties - but the bulk of most problems are self-made - and she would avoid those - because if you keep the commandments that's what happens!

Emmett on the way home --soooooo tired of all the traveling!

We said our goodbyes and put Rich on an airplane for Tennessee and then Cherstin and the kids and I headed back to Oklahoma. Cherstin had another o.b. appointment and we stayed there for a few days. The kids really were glad to be home again and I was sorry for them that we would be back on the road soon. When we finally did leave and get back to Tennessee and the apartment poor little Abby started to cry. "No! Not here!" Home is so important.

Remembering

Today is my grandmother, Wanda Bingham Roskelley's 110th birthday. She is such a wonderful person - such an elect lady. It is only now that I think I even get the significance of her role in my life. She taught me to crochet, to sew, to piece and to tie quilts, to do genealogy, to make bread and pies. Recipes that she made to feed her little family through the dark days of the depression still live with us today - "hamburgers in gravy" is one of my favorites but the one that probably gets used most frequently is "hamburger gravy." I love her crystal pickles (as does Wanda) and banana bread and lemon meringue pie. She was frugal and generous, kind and consistent, thrifty and industrious. I can NEVER remember her ever sitting in a chair with her hands idle - she was either crocheting, studying the scriptures, working a crossword puzzle, or doing something else for the benefit of others. I can't ever remember her ever saying a negative word about anything or anybody either - a trait I admire and would so like to develop. She loved tomatoes and raspberries, and cucumbers in vinegar. She loved to learn and I still have a book of drawings that she made for her biology class when she was in school in Valparaiso, Indiana that are absolutely stunning in their detail and artistry. She held high standards and I can remember her saying things like, "a job's not done if it isn't done right." She insisted on proper English and dress. She loved going to the temple and she loved family history. She didn't like the tv series "Mash" or "I Love Lucy." I suspect Mash was because of losing her son in the Korean conflict. Now, I Love Lucy - I am just guessing - but I think she probably thought that it was stupid and insipid - but it's just a guess. She had a difficult childhood and life - but she never complained. She loved her children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren fiercely. She loved my Mom and taught her so very well. And she loved me. I love you, Grandma. I am so grateful that you were born!

Today I had a thought that I ought to write a brief synopsis of what happened last year before I forget...I always think that will never happen, especially when things have been particularly momentous...but time really does take it's toll and I am always amazed at how fuzzy things can become so fast. I find that I can often remember an event, but placing it in time can be difficult. And then, who's to say I even remember the event at all! LOL

Anyway - I will try to put this in some kind of chronological order because that may be the best chance I have of remembering.

In October of 2008, on Conference Weekend, Felicia had a car accident that totaled her car. Rich had come home to help pack up the moving truck and drive it out to Tennessee - but he and I stopped for a few hours and bought a van for us so that we could give our car to Felicia to use. The next couple of weeks I finished packing (with the help of friends, family, and ward) out of the house we were renting in Westminster, Colorado, cleaned it, and moved in with Desi and Mike.

In November I then drove to Utah so that I could get Felicia the car and other things she wanted and needed. I spent a week there with Dad and got to see my brothers and their families and Felicia. I had been back to Utah in June/July (with Wanda and her little brood, Cherstin and Abby and Emmett, Hannah and Orion, and Felicia) while Felicia looked over BYU. Then I had driven out with her in August/September when she returned for school and stayed for Jenna's wedding. And, while things hadn't radically changed in that amount of time I was glad to have the chance to get back there before our move to Tennessee. I flew back to Denver and shortly Rich and Felicia joined me and Desi and Mike, Mordecai and Emily for Thanksgiving. We had a lovely time with everyone and then we said our goodbyes and packed up a trailer with some of the things that were left from the packing of the house and my personal belongings and drove out to Tennessee. We stopped for a couple of days in Oklahoma with Cherstin and Dan but we were anxious to get back and get things put away so that Rich could get back to work.

In December (just a few weeks later)Rich and I drove back through Oklahoma (staying a couple of days again with Cherstin and Dan) and on in to Colorado for Christmas with Desi, Mike, Emily, Mordecai, and Felicia. We had a lovely time again but this trip had been planned specifically (the the added bonus of Christmas with the kids) to get out of the storage units that we had there and to get my plants and get home. So we packed out of the storage units, packed up the plants, said our goodbyes, and headed east.

Now this is where my memory is fading already - hmmm - maybe I do have Alzheimer's! I would call Desi and ask her because I know she would remember - but I think I'll just let this stand as a testament to how quickly timing of events can fade and hopefully I (along with anyone else who reads this) will learn to record when things happened and not later on. Anyway - Desi had been having a long battle with kidney stones. All through her pregnancy with Mordecai and then afterwards. I specifically remember her Dad being with me and Emily and Mordecai too while we took her for tests and to dr. appointments. But I think these were during the Thanksgiving period because Emily got hooked watching Polar Express in our van while waiting for Desi and that was a lifesaver. I also remember that Rich and I talked about getting her a copy of the movie for Christmas and that Desi told me Emily was watching it on tv one night before we got there. But I believe Desi had one of her many surgeries just as we were leaving from Christmas (and it could have been Thanksgiving 0 SEE!!!) At any rate - I felt awful about leaving. She had been through so much and yet I needed to complete the move and we had time constraints, etc. Lexie Ludwig and Crystal were there to help her for the few days right after the surgery. I was so grateful to our church family. My heart was breaking as I pulled away from the curb but I was so confident in her care and recovery that I felt to express my gratitude to one and all.

As we drove east through Kansas we then headed northeast into Nebraska and Iowa and finally into Wisconsin to drop things off at Wanda's and Hannah's - especially plants. It had turned bitter cold and while the plants were in the back of our van as opposed to the trailer - some did not fare very well. In fact - a year later and some of these are still making their way back. We then left Wisconsin and headed south for Tennessee.

Rich's back had been bothering him and he had thought it was the bed. He put an eggshell foam cover on it - helped some. Tried nerve stimulation, therapy, analgesics, pain meds, nothing seemed to help very much. So finally Dr. May referred him to a neurosurgeon here in Oak Ridge. We went to see him in January. Going there we were reminded that you never know when the Church and the gospel might become the topic of conversation. He had given us a history to fill out and on it they wanted the names and ages of all of our children (who knows why?). As he went over the list he noted that we had six children to which he responded, "What are you, Mormon or something?" To which Rich responded, "Well, yes, we are!" We watched the red flush of embarrassment completely cover his face as he struggled to know how to respond. After what seemed to be 5-10 seconds he responded that he had known a few Mormons in his life and, "they were actually some very nice people." We have laughed about it over and over - you never know who is watching you!

Anyway - he (the neurosurgeon) found from the MRI that Rich had actually broken a vertebrae in his back, and while the discs were bulging in the area, he didn't think that was the problem. He thought the break was causing a pinched nerve and recommended that he go to a pain specialist who could deaden the nerve with radio-frequency procedures - and if that didn't work then he would fuse his back. Well, we saw the pain specialist and after a series of procedures - he has been relatively pain free. Yeah! Modern medicine is sure nice when it works!