I "POaST" about my life ... 1971 - 1972 9th Grade

POWELL JUNIOR HIGH

At the beginning of the 9th grade I was the bomb! I thought being the top of the grade chain was the best.  I was in Swing Choir, I loved school, my teachers, and even the dreaded SEMINARY!  Since our school was brand new we didn't have a seminary building yet so we walked to the Alma School Rd. Church Building. But it was all good.  I loved going there, this was a way for our whole stake of youth to actually merge together find common ground.  And then it happened.  I got Mono.  I don't know how, when where or why.  All I know is we were sitting at the Whataburger and I mentioned that my throat hurt and my glands were swollen. Next thing I know I am in the doctors office and he is telling me I have mono and asking who I've been kissing lately!  I was horrified.  It was like Marcus Welby MD and any moment I was going to have to hand over a list of people I'd been kissing, (if indeed I had been kissing anyone)!!! The Doctor prescribed... Bed rest for 2 weeks and penicillin.  At the end of the week I tried to go back to school afterall I was at the top of my game - I needed to get back there.  The penicillin has made me break out in GIANT RED BLOTCHES all over my pasty white skin, I was so embarrassed, teased and laughed at as I went around to my classes getting homework assignments and to my locker to get my books, because of that I was horrified and retreated quickly back home to my roll away couch!  I got sicker instead of better.  I ended up with bad case of mono and too, a deep hard to breathe case of pleurisy! I was out of school for 3 months.  Urlene brought me home my assignments.  I laid on our roll out coach, home alone, weak, and puny for months.  I did school from home. In late nov when I returned we still had to walk to the church, I couldn't do it, I was still too weak.  My mom happened to work right up the street so she would come and drive me to the  church and everyone would jump on the car and tag along, it was the only thing that made this terribly depressing turn of events livable.  The fact that others thought it was fun to get a ride to seminary.

Nancee

me

Friends shift again Dale Childers, Sherman Davis, Charlie, Kevin, Jane, Debbie and Sheila of course no Sandy or Nancee they are back at Mesa Jr... This year Nancee and her family were in a car wreck and her little sister Lauree died it was really really hard on her.  She got a concussion and now has a metal plate in her head.  She could have died too. It was a hard dark time for her.  
Urlene is coming and going her mom ... it's all very hard on us. Our moms are sick alot!  
The teachers are very cool this year. The Drama teacher I really liked her, Mrs. Carlson. I really like drama the lights especially. I got to work the technical side of the plays this year.  I love Mrs. Garrett - Choir!  I note in my diary that Mr. Thompson (the shop teacher) is out-a-sight!  
I'm always busy with Mutual. But a bit rebellious. For instance it is a given that you don't wear pants, and at times I do!  Also For ward dances I like to do the music. If I play songs that are not appropriate when it's coming to that part I DJ with "SNOWBALL" and start the song again! I think I'm so much smarter than the adults about these things like I think I'm getting away with something.

9th grade

A high light of this year would be going to Teen-Elect! No one from Mesa Jr. attended? Weird because it's me stake.  It was so great. We learned manners at the table and how to dance proper! I enjoyed it so much and loved seeing everyone and dancing.  Of course you know me any time I can dance life is groovy throw in some boys and food - I'm happy as can be!!  I really love going to mutual, to church even. I pay my tithing from working at WIllis Linen and Babysitting and I participate in all the extra circulars. I love girls camp, Dance Festival, Speech Festivals, firesides, you name it I love how I feel when I am there.

speaking of seminary... Brother Randall was our 9th grade teacher. Poor Brother Randall. I'm sorry. I have to say first, WOW!   Debbie and I gave that man a run for his first year of teaching. I think maybe he even quit after the first year I'm sure we were to blame. Again I'm sorry.  

• One time he called Debbies mom - I'm sure to tell her that we were acting out. The next day Debbie shook hands with him and told him she was gonna tell her Dad that he was calling her mom and acting so alarmed that he would "come on" to her mother. HE was horrified, his face turned white I'll never forget the look on his face or the laugh of Debbie Harper.  WOW!  
• Another time we went into class - he always met us and shook hands with us.  I then went behind the door he called roll I said here. But the whole time I was behind the door.  I was eating an orange and throwing the peelings out into the class. I could hear the kids laughing but Brother Randall just kept on teaching. Afterward Deb told me he just kept looking around to see where I was and never did figure it out. I shook hands with him on the way out he looked so confused. (all of this of course is My perspective I wonder what he was really doing or thinking of me).
• When we got into our new building the building had the coolest sliding chalkboards. I went in before class and wrote bad words on the hidden part of the chalk board and when he slide it over to write on it ... BAM! the class roared.

From Moms Notes; It has been an eventful year-- with heartaches a plenty at Mothers Death and that of several very dear friends and the seperation of Timmy and his family.  Timmy finished a course in Motel Management and will begin doing so after the holidays. Until then he is working with Tim at the stable. Tom is making money shoing horses. He works nights at the butter factory and rodeos on the weekends. Judyann awarded a CPS certification -- we are proud of her. She is secretary for Comptroller of ASU she spends her weekends in Rocky Point. 

I'm sure that their are more stories but you get the drift, I was awful and must have needed attention, but I did like to make my friends laugh.

Grandma Gladys and Grandpa Lyman

Aunt Sarah Mom Aunt Audruff and Uncle Otis  they came to visit and to shop for Birds!

Judyann and I in our Maxi dresses!

Daddy bought a new horse trailer and moved his Riding Stable business

This year we bought another new Riding Stable, now we've gone from 48th street and McDowell in Phoenix to Hardy Dr between Broadway and University and now 618 W. 1st Street in Tempe.  I spend alot more time at the stables now I seem to be the cleaning help and the clean the stalls girl.  I really like being over there I just want to feel like I belong somewhere.  Sometimes Timmy is over helping Daddy, he lives in the little silver trailer now I don't know why? I'm kinda afraid of him yet at the same time he is hilarious and really fun to be around. A few times he took me to school and would let me drive down 8th ave! 

MEDIA:

THE WORLD:  these are The years of;  Go Ask Alice, Billy Jack, Godfather and Dirty Harry!

The Sonny and Cher Show was a regular I loved watching them.

I was raised on Jim Reeves, Merle Haggard, Marty Robbins people like that and then things started to change with the war. The Doors, Iron Butterfly, CCR, TheBand, Black Sabbath, and Edwin Starr actually singing WAR! My music world has turned upside down.

Three dog Night, Rolling Stones, Temptations, James Taylor, Carol King, Donnie and Marie

In 1972 Deep Purple, and Neil Young.

1971 New Years Eve Dance  (not very flattering but I thought I was Far Out I'm sure)!!

a poem from school about Girls camp summer before the 9th grade

Camp in the Summer of '71

Good ole camp LO-MIA! Enchantment arose when May ended and I could return to the many moods of this great place, including love, madness, learning and talk of THE boy!

WHAT A JOY!

Friday night brought excitement to our adie when beans were Served and sickness occurred. Debbie need aid - "Help, Help!" she cried! Sandy Turned to see and fell off the top bunk.

WHAT A THUNK!

Sunday is always a beautiful day at camp, with worship in the morning in our out side grove. The logs on which we sit are not always so comfy, but the spirit is jus great!

WHAT A TRAIT!

Fireside on Sunday Evening when we all gather together to share our love of the gospel and each other, is where comradeship is shown and we shed many a tear.

WHAT A YEAR!

We always go on hikes - this time we chose to go to the bathtubs. Taking the path up we followed the creek back getting wet and having fun.  Some don't like to get soaked -- Like our Jane!

WHAT A PAIN!

Coming home is so sad! We gather to sing and say goodbyes. As we board the bus for the long ride, I see friends both old and new and think "Oh, I'm glad I'm alive!"

WHAT A DRIVE!

Teacher comment; Good job! Cleaverly done thanks for sharing your experience   B+

I "POaST" about my life 1969 1970 1971 7th and 8th grade

Sorry, this one has two years of school mixed up in it somehow! it's long!!

I like to note the Encyclopedias and the wonderful flowered TV tray, of which we had 4 and had many a meal on our favorite TV trays while watching the television! Sunday nights were my favorite All in the Family with Daddy and Saturdays watermelon and milk shakes while watching something with mom.  Also note the hats on the counter, never worn in the house, never touched by the children!

1970 Family Together With Tom last sunday before Vietnam pretty much sure it was the last time he went to church I remember singing "God Be With You Til We Meet Again" and all of us just bawling. Dad waited at home.

Since I have been married we have moved alot, living in several different places.  Result is our children were in and out of several different schools (one year they attended 4 schools in the same grade!).  Growing up I lived at the same address for my school girl days but for some reason attended two different elementary schools, three different Junior Highs and finally One High School, but high school is a story for later!

In 1969-70 I went to Mesa Junior that was a crazy year.  Moving from Elementary to junior High is a some what traumatizing experience, well it was for me anyway. No more Class Photos! It was the end of some things and the beginning of well, lots of things.  

• In 4th5thand6th grade I played the flute in band, but when we got to Jr High and because I played a "loaner" instrument 7th grade I was low man on the totem pole I had to take what instrument was left if I still wanted to play in the band.  So...Alto Clarinet was my default choice!
• I rode the bus to school when I went to Franklin Elementary, but in 7th grade the boundary line was drawn.  If I had lived across the street I could have ridden it, but since I didn't I could not.  The bus driver knew me from elementary school so I couldn't say that I lived elsewhere, besides he wasn't very found of me, Debbie and I had caused some maham on the bus in the 6th grade that he hadn't forgotten.  The reason I even bring this up is the ALTO CLARINET, remember my mom works she often took me in the mornings but I had to walk home in the afternoon let me remind you also about the scorching heat in Arizona! Carting this ridiculous instrument home everyday to practice was suppose to be the rule!  If you know me at all you know this was not my favorite thing and practice was minimal, especially towards the end of the year, maybe on friday I brought it home!  Thus we see NO FIRST CHAIR for me!!!
• My Bishop was a Math teacher.  This made me very uncomfortable! Nope no other story just a comment in my diary!
• My english class required lots of reading.  This teacher, liked the SUN she would invite us to take our books and go outside and sit in the sun to read.  eeewwwghh! I've already mentioned the heat.  Plus I hated to read.  I couldn't focus.  I have no image of what I am reading. Maybe that is why in doing this (blogging) I always use pictures!  I Read magazines back to front.  I even today need to read out loud to make myself to pay attention and know what I've read. My reading rules for best understanding are; read it to yourself, Read it again, Read it outloud. Maybe then I will remember, but not for long. Testing then becomes a real problem for me.  That year we were reading H. G. Wells Journey to the Center of The Earth, I have no idea what it said I only remember being made to sit in the sun to read it.
• Friends shifted this year also.  My friends from Franklin Elementary went to Carson. I had made friends who went with me, but I was so sad to loose Annette and Greg especially.  My friends now, are Nancee, Connee, Sandy and her sister Brenda (two sets of twins completely different from each other) I am very adaptable, I get along with all kinds! Well except at school with my church friends who were a little to squeaky clean for my taste!  I still had of course my girls Jane, Debbie and Sheila but they were students! I don't seem to have really been a student.  I guess this is when I started to rebel!  
• I didn't really like going to class and this is the year I started to willingly not go to class. I liked both lunches.  I liked DQ. and I didn't like sitting still, Math or reading.  One time I remember getting caught and being sent to the Principle. While in the principal's office, after he called my Mother to come get me and while we waited we took a stroll to the Shop class where the "PADDLE" hung and I was paddled 3 times and before being sent home.  To top this off (from my perspective) Mom was even madder at me than she would have been I think, just because her sister, my Aunt El is here visiting.  It embarrassed her that I had done such a thing.
• I very very much liked track.  I did pretty good at these events even in the heat. But do not like running long distance, I'm a sprinter that's for sure and I really like long jump.
• I dance 2 or 3 times a week.  It's right across from the school so that is wonderful. I am involved in recitals and contests and I do well!!!
• Sandra Sue Anderson was my counter part in all things 7th grade.  I met her in the 2nd grade We didn't like each other at first, me because she was "real good in playing games like kick ball, baseball just everything and that I'm not. She shows me up all the time and beats me up part of the time!" I write in my diary!  One day after school we were having a contest to see who could kick their shoe up on the roof the highest and farthest...mine got stuck up there and Sandys mom made her go up and get it for me (not that I was afraid to climb up there and get it myself!), and we've been friends ever since!  She had a gopher named conrad I was scared to death of it, those girls loved that thing!
  
  Our friend CD (Cedilla) worked in the office so she got us passes to skip class.  One day we were called to the office, we thought she should go too, so we went and got her from class saying she'd been called to the office also.  When we got there Principle Wheeler said "Oh you were with them too?"  "boy she was mad at us. We just couldn't stop laughing though and that only got us into more trouble.  We got study hall for a week every night after school for 2 (TWO) hours! She went with me to Camp one year - it was a great friendshipping moment in time.  I know she loved it too. She was catholic and her parents very much against her coming to church with me or camp!  I went to church with her a few times. Brenda was quiet, not loud like me and Sandy.  Sandy and I went thru ups and downs good times and bad, but we always came thru with flying colors. When we went into High School we kinda took up different friends and different habits,  she "the Jock" and "me the Dancer"  may have had something to do with it.  But we will always be friends in spirit for her spirit is tender hearted. When I came home from living in California for a visit she is where I went. I felt unconditional love from her and I had will always have that for her. She is my friend forever.

My church has a youth group that I am now attending and they planned a trip to roosevelt Lake, we climbed up to some Indian Ruins I really do like to hike.  We also had a picnic. It was very windy so the picnic was cleaned up quickly and put away and then we started up the mountain.  On the way down the wind was pushing me and I just started to run it was bliss I remember feeling like I was flying and loving every minute of it.  I could mention here that I might have also been trying to keep up with a boy!  The ruff and ragged trail had switch backs the wind caught me, I didn't turn and went from one level of the trail to the next threw the rocks, dirt and cactus! I tore my knee open, it was bad and a very long drive back into the city.  We met mom at the church and she took me directly to the hospital.  It took hours to be done at emergency two shots of anesthesia into my knee and 18 stitches later I was home!  Mother again, not very happy with me, an expense I am sure we couldn't afford.  But me and that Mesa Community hospital we were friends!  I went to dance anyway broke stitches and had to go back it was ugly, I had to stop going to dance for 2 months after that! and then barely caught the end of track.

In the Summer I went with Judyann to Colorado I thought I was hot stuff because she was taking me on vacation with her, Lexie and Janet!  Oh man!  After Flagstaff we saw a couple a guy hitchhikers and she picked them up!!! I was so thrilled and scared to death that she had done such a crazy dangerous thing, this I write; "was the coolest most FarOut thing I'd been a part of"!  I also write about the change in weather; "The thing is I'm so excited by the time we got to flag I was already freezing! I was sticking my head out the window and I loved it, it made my head feel one hundred percent better... we stayed in Blanding, had an ear of corn for breakfast! Grandma did not approve of Judyanns cut offs!!!  Then we left for Durango, got there and waited for Marsha - she never showed and Sis was ticked off.  We drove to a beautiful water fall where I drank some good ole Rocky Mt. Spring water. (on our way from Durango and to Montrose is where we stopped.)  We hiked to those falls and now sis is sore - but I am not!!!  Box canyon so so cool so neat!   While we were hiking sis tore her cut offs.  When we got to Montrose we went to church. The only one who recognized Sis was Rosco Austin, he and his wife new her. They invited us to dinner they have a daughter she's 14.  I remembered when seeing  her the lady who watched me when we lived here and she has a son named Robert as well - I saw them.  My Sister is so cool, I love doing stuff with her!  I wish we could do more stuff together.  I wish we could do more stuff together than just me rubbing her feet!!!"  
I go on ... "We went to Grand Jct. to see her BFF from High School her name was Margarite they went out and left me home to babysit!  I had never seen much less used a dishwasher I was pretty excited about doing the dishes I loaded them up and filled it with Dish soap ... suds started to come out the bottom of the dishwasher!  Water the soap everywhere!  Needless to say the house was spotless even mopped floors when they got home".  Back then I was the best babysitter, and when I did this job I cleaned house, did the dishes and even did wash too! I'm ecstatic that;  "I haven't had a headache since I've been here in this cool air - isn't that neat"?!!!.
We left Margarites and went as far as oh about 20 miles then we stopped for gas and the car wouldn't start so "we went to the head cat there and he got some of those wire things to start it they went from his motor to our motor"!  When it started "We drove as far as well price area, between Price and Thistle and we camped - it was a blast!"
After colorado we went to see Aunt El we stopped "at Idaho Falls (they are beautiful).  The Salmon river is right there in front of the cabin.  We went swimming and fishing.  Holy smokes you have to take a trolley across the river to her cabin if that isn't scary I don't know what is - especially at night!  I caught fish!  Most were too small and Uncle Ross said to throw them back. Over to vegas we went to see Uncle Otis and Aunt Audruff then back home".  It was the most exciting vaca ever.

Eighth grade brings me to a spilt schedule at Carson Jr High.  I couldn't have been more happy.  

• I can ride the bus now, this school is even farther away.
• school is NOON to SIX!  Noon to six!!! This is my schedule.  I loved it.
• Choir. No Band (surprise). and I'm trying to like English it's more writing this year than reading and I really like that.  But Math - no. Track is cool. and Life is FAR OUT!
• One of my friends got pregnant.  I think I went most of the year without even knowing this.  "We were at a softball game watching Sandy" and this girl was there, mom ask "Is so and so pregnant?" and I remember being agasp - "NO! Of course not!" but she was.
• I tried out for Young Americans the swing choir of Junior High for next year and I made it!
• I'm pretty much "in love" with whoever!!! and it seems I just really "wanting" someone to love me.  Ahh, if I could only have known it didn't matter back then and just not had that as a focus.
• I did really liked going to firesides and my church meetings.

Timmy came home for a visit. In Moms Journal she wrote that he was "fat and has a Chinese mustache"!  I guess things are up in the air for he and Kathy. I hear talk they might be getting a divorce.
Tom in Vietnam he writes and keeps us really posted on his comings and goings unlike his brother! Timmy says "no news is good news". Tom sends letters home every week. I miss him so much and I know mom and Daddy are always so worried about them.  Tom sends me a card from a deck of cards with each letter "when he comes home he will bring me the box."  I love it. I love him.

Karen, Urlene, Betty, Stan, Sister Green, Sandy, Kelly, Mom, Jane and Mary Jepson

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the same organization no matter where you live!  In every journal in February I am getting lists ready and organizing in one way or the other Camp for the Young Women ages 12-18!!!  Lists of certification.  Lists that name YCL's.  Lists that are who will and who won't go as a leader!!  I'm sure other times will show up to tell of camp experience, but I can testify here and now that it molded me as a youth, it left life long experiences with me as to the person I would become ... that of going to camp every year as a teen-ager.  Skills and nature, it's right up there with "NO WAY" and "No HOW" will I ever need to know that, but who knows when we may indeed need to know how to do CPR, start a fire or purify water to drink.  And  ohhhh to be in shape to walk, and run and help those in need.  It's all so critical and we don't even know it!!!

"Went to camp.  It was a great great year.  I love going to camp.  I love the feeling and the spiritual awareness when we are out in the trees.  We had church in the grove and people talked and bore testimony.  The boys came up and passed the sacrament to us - it was so far out!  I love Betty and I am so glad she got to come to camp with us girls. I love the singing and the friends that I make at camp. I am not to good at the crafts but I love the certifying and the JCs - I just want to be them so bad".

When I got home from camp this letter (not my mom) was waiting for me (FYI; this is ICONIC for exactly how I was raised);

Sunday June 13, 1971
My own dear Kelly Sue how thrilled I was to be able to up to visit you at that beautiful place today and how proud to have you be one from that whole group of girls to give a prayer.  It is a choice blessing to have yo participate in such things and to be known for your ability to do so. It was also a pleasure to have you neatly dress in a dress, which tho Too short, was not indecently so and your hose and shoes were in good taste. Oh how my heart swells with love and pride to know the Lord allowed me to be your earthly Mother and have your sweet spirit in my home. It is my heart felt desire to do those things which will enable me to be with you for eternity.
     Betty and Stan are fine young people who are doing everything within their power to live close to the Lord and be blessed with His spirit to guide and direct them that they might do good for their fellow men and particularly for you girls. Do you realize that besides the fact that it is a sacrifice for Betty to be gone from home for the time she is at camp that they spend a lot of money to do things for you. For instance today besides the gas and so on for the car, the chicken salad, etc it cost them about $15.00 out of their own budget. Then to hear Betty say that after at the meeting for cabin mothers where they were told to go to their cabins and kneel in prayer with their group that she couldn't even get her girls together to even deliver a message was a very real disappointment. You, who has the potential to be a real leader of the group were not even there. Now do not misunderstand; Betty was not complaining -- she was feeling that she had not done her due diligence, and I'm sure her heart must have hurt when you made the remark that those girls were really lucky to have such a neat cabin mother as Patty. I very much doubt that even Patty with all her beauty and charm could care more for you and be more concerned for your real and lasting happiness!
     Perhaps you get tired of me telling you what a special person you are and because of being so, that I want so very much for you to try to live worthy of the special blessings meant to be yours. I'm so pleased you are able to go to camp, to have all the opportunities to make friends; both young and old - to learn all sorts of arts and crafts, to sing, to dance, to pray and play with all your camp friends. It is sometimes hard for me to remember that you are not a little child any more and that it displeased you for me to come to camp and be part of your experience and I apologize for intruding on your week of pleasure. Next time, I'll send the treats and the money and stay home - okay?
     You are precious and dear to me and I humbly pray our Fathers blessings for you. Please try to learn to be True to the BEST that is in you.

Mother

Went to Blanding to see grandparents I didn't want to go this time. But "I am glad I did since we got here. Went to the show with Ned and his friends. I Love the Trampoline at Smiths and he is reteaching me to play chess. Went with Lynda on the dirt bikes and walking with aunt Guen.  On Sunday" May 1971 "I got my patriarchal blessing.  It was so humbling. I don't know what to think. I am so excited to some day be a Mom".  



Mom and Daddy went on a vaca - believe me this did not happen but two or three times in my life time!  I stayed with Betty and Stan Abbott. I found out Mom has been reading my diary and is bugging me to keep writing ... she says someday I'll want to remember stuff like when Urlene left or when I went to BYU or Uncle Otis.  She left me a note that said "Remember to say your prayers! The most important thing in this life is keeping close your Heavenly Father.  Be true to Him and to yourself. We will always be proud of you and of our faith in you. We want to trust you. Tho you may wonder about or even question what Daddy or I do or say, please, sweeheart, Never, Never question our very deeep love for you. Lovingly Mother"

31 Days of 31 Christmas' - 2012

What can I say about the year 2012?  

I can say this COUNT YOUR MANY BLESSINGS for they are MANY!

Merry Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

My first quote in my calendar for the year is this: “Any attempt to compel behavior is accompanied by withdrawl of the spirit and decreased effectiveness”.  –Merrill

Applicaable for the year ahead, little did I know what was ahead for us this year.  My “keyword” for the year that I had picked to focus on was “Perspective”, I have a whole knew perspective now of sooooo many things, even in my old age and 31 years of family life.  "We can learn to love again" pink, I "believe in the forgiveness of sin and redemption of ignorance" a. stevenson and "he that is without sin let him (or her) cast the first stone" Jesus Christ.

I notice in my journal that one of my goals for the year was to loose 40 pounds by April!  I’m sure I gained 40+ pounds by April!!!  A very stressful 4 months.  Reading thru my journals is interesting, I pray my kids are writing – keeping records – for it is very insightful looking back definitely a learning tool.  As I have been reading and posting 31 Days of 31 Christmas’ I have struggled with how much I “posted” in each years Christmas letter telling people stuff they didn’t need to know or maybe even should know.  Because I did it though, I have it, I have the history (which is a blessing) plus My kids have it and I am indeed sharing it - a marriage and family evolving into what we have become, (I’m still not sure what that is, even today)!  I do know though that from it I see struggles, triumphants, failures, joy, mistakes, love, hurt, religion, lack of religion, testimony, vacations, money, "causes", the world around us, relatives, growth (we are slow learners, lots of growth!), friends, callings, and what I see today is SURVIVAL, ENDURANCE a family fighting to be a FAMILY TOGETHER FOR ETERNITY!  For that I can be grateful, count my blessings and move forward - not embarrassed for sharing as many details as I have, hoping that someone learns something and maybe grows too.

One of the things I was enlightened to from reading the scriptures this year came from King Solomon and it was that we were “moved from house to house to be where the LORD needed us to be, some moves might have been us counseling the Lord, but most were for our benefit and in the end were Joyful to the purpose”.  Somewhere along the year I was taught this “ETTE” Enjoy to the End! and that I hope my friends and family that we apply all the days of our lives...

To begin the year we were stuck in Wyoming and didn’t get home for a proper New Years Eve… that should have been a clue to the year ahead!!!  I want to preface this year with the resolve that we had made to NOT GO ANYWHERE THIS YEAR – for the sake of the budget (that didn’t really work out!).

•          We spent the first recovering from a trip home from Utah stuck in Wyoming for many many hours due to semi crash and bad weather.
•      Richard and I flew to Washington for the weekend in Jan. – during a snow/ice storm – I do love it in Washington.  I was ever so happy to go to church and see friends that I love dearly. And go to Jack in the Box both in Vancouver and in Chehalis!!!  Yippee!!!
•        We spent the next 4 months planning a wedding.
•       Ayris and Tyler moved to Utah
•       Apryl and her family struggled with unemployment for months. They came to the house just about daily up until August ;) love spending time with them and enjoying the boats, the beach and the time doing YOGA!!!!
•      Amric Graduated 4 years of seminary
•           Amric Graduated from Burke High School
• Ashlee and Dillon move to Omaha - fun to have her her, sorry we weren't better company!
•      Amric, Richard and I were blessed to travel with a “Youth Group” to Nauvoo, it was beautiful, wonderful fun experience.  Made knew friends, got to know the youth better.  The Temple is beautiful and the stories of the settlement are tremendous and tragic at the same time.  The spirit that is there is peaceful, the work and the effort, the suffering and hardship it left an undeniable mark that will imprint Testimony of a Prophet, a People and reminds us that Jesus Christ still lives.  Carthage is the saddest place ever, I felt like I was suffocating being there, seeing and hearing how he was treated.
•      I spent 6 months working on and planning “Girls Camp”. It went off without a hitch except that silly weather!!! Rains and wind, but I loved it and I believe (as I must) that the girls had a great time!!!  Soon after it was over I was released.
•       The A. Sobczaks came to visit and we got to go to Chicago with them.  Richard and I went for walks and we all enjoyed the sites, the food the hospitality of Chicago! 
•       Richard travels LOTS and LOTS doing his Appraisal Work - which by the way he still loves!
•      Amric starts his “paperwork” online to serve a Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
•       Apryl and Sean, Pax, Gage and Vaughn moved to Vermont.  Sean had 3 jobs this year! with prayer and the Lord's blessing (not mine!! hehe!) they moved to Vermont :(
• Ayris gets a job working for EFY in the office scheduling teachers and such!!  loves it too by the way!!!
• Amric still working at Fuddruckers and gets a second job at Best Buy!
•       Sudden trip to Utah - Ayris and Tyler Separated.
•          Tender Mercy that the Wares  (thank you Steve and Jake) were in Salt Lake too!  "Tender Mercies" all around,  let me count the ways!!  Jenni we love you and are so grateful for your influence, sacrifice and friendship to all of us but especially to Ayris at this time.  When Austin and Anona moved to Utah they had a family emergency, but I still believe it also had to do with Ayris I've been so grateful they lived close by as she has attended school at both SUU & BYU.
• We've been blessed to attend Nauvoo, Oquirrh, Salt Lake, Draper and Winter Quarters Temples this year.
•        Draper Temple - beautiful.  Very spiritual experience there.  I know that I totally felt and heard the presence of my mom and Aunt El, I can say this - I know they are watchful for and after Ayris Joan
•        Kelly called to teach Seminary – AGAIN!
•        BYU Parents Week-End!!  The Mom (that's me!) loves being with Ayris at BYU we went on tours, went to Womens Conf. with Anona and we were Blessed to attend the Salt Lake Temple (it has definetly been a year of "the Temple" for our family and we are all grateful for that blessing).
• Austin and Amric go to Washington D.C. - Amric sneaks in a trip on his own to New York City!
•       Sammy and Felicity came to visit for 3 weeks!!!  It was wonderful.  Austin and Anona went on a cruise!  But we got to keep the kids, it was so fun.  We sang, played games, went for walks, baked - celebrated Halloween – much JOY!
•        Amric Received his mission call – Carlsbad California Mission – He reports Jan. 2, 2013.
•       Amric went to the Winter Quarters Temple Nov. 3rd – Count our blessings!
•       The family gathered for Faux Thanksgiving and to support Amric leaving for mission we were sad that everyone couldn't be here, we missed Sean and the kids! L
•   An Annulment was granted :(  But, A fresh knew start, a wonderful positive future ahead for them both.  
•       Amric gave his talk in church (see highlights and follow his blog Storminmormonazsobczak.blogspot.com for the next 2 (count 'em - TWO) years!
• Leaving to take Ayris back to school and Amric to the MTC getting in a little time with Noyes Family and Sobczaks in the process!  YAY I’m so excited!!!  
• I am sure I will cry all the way home!  I'll tell you abou that in the Jan 2nd blog!!! Stay Tune!

The Following is a collage of pictures in remembrance of 2012....

The Mom and Amric Oct 2012

Dad Sam, Cici and Firt

Samantha in Gretna

Dad and Daughter Provo Ut Aug 2012

Austin and Cici Valley Oct 2012

Pax and Apryl Valley

Cici in Draper on Parents Weekend

The Mom and The daughter on Parents Weekend BYU Sept. 2012

Matthew and Matteo

The Bean

CHicago

Sean and Vaughn in the back yard!

Vaughn and Pax back to school only this time in Vermont!

Ayris at Jenni's Aug 2012

Ayris and Mom Salt Lake City Sept 2012

Ayris gets a new phone for her birthday!

Calvin!  visits -- What a Surprise!!! 

The Ren's where else? Baseball!!!

The Cousins at Amrics Graduation

Apryl, Ayris come home for Amric Nov 2012

Faux Thanksgiving Nov 2012

Anona helps mom Landscape this is my little bit of the southwest here in Nebraska

Fall here in Valley

Felicity 

Ashley and her Family 2012 (Timmy's Grandaughter and My Great Niece!)

Tim the third! with his family! (Timmys grandson and name sake)

Nikki and her family (Timmys grandaughter)

Olaf and Dania (Judyanns beautiful baby son)

RIchard and I  at Sioux falls  March 2012

Amric Graduates!  His parents tag along for the ride!!

Bianca Ren

Ayris and Tyler go to Seattle

My little runner - GO APRYL!

Apryl Ann I miss you so much!!!

When I grow up I hope they call me on a mission!

Richard finally gets his boat!

Winter Quarters Temple .... What a blessing to have our kids there together.

Anona and Austin with Sammy and Cici

Tyler and Dad

Oquirrh Temple

Matthew and Marcella (Judyanns Oldest Son)

Amric is fulfilling Uncle Tom's prophecies with Girls and Blackeyes!
 (see his christmas card quote in 1999 letter)

Ayris goes to the Oquirrah Temple Parkers and Noyes came in support

Apryl and The Dad as she left for vermont

Oquirrh Temple

Ayris and Dad

Zane instructs Austin in Utah at lunch!

Gage - isn't he cute!

Apryl and Pax

Just love the shoes

Apryl and The Mom Love the shoes!

Matteo is blessed in Mexico

Vaughn so somber

Amric in the back yard! with his graduation present!!

The family comes together to support Amric as he goes to the Temple and
Prepares to serve the LORD on a 2 year mission.

Count your blessings - 

I know I am counting mine, as this years perspective seems to be how blessed we are.

"Count your blessings.  Once you realize how valuable you are and how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play and you will finally be able to move forward the life that God intended for you with grace strength, courage and confidence."  Og Mandino

Hugs to all and to all a Good night and Great New Year 
Please, bless us all with a even better than 2012 - 2013!!!