A new Decade, A new Year - 2020

The beginning of 2020 started just like last year with one of the parents in the hospital.  My dad had a heart attack and could not walk.  Mom had to call the ambulance for a ride to the McKay Hospital in Ogden.  As she told me, 'we are going to stop having a New Year celebration and my birthday (January 18) in coming years.'  Last year, she was having a heart operation and this year my dad spent some time in the hospital and then a month in a rehab center getting his muscles strengthened.  He recovered well and has since been driving again.  When do children take that license away?  I worry every time she tells me they have gone to Ogden or that they are planning some other trip around Morgan.

As we were sending text messages and calls around to my siblings, it became apparent that there were feelings that were running deep.  Denzil made all kinds of snide comments about me being in Yuma and never doing anything.  Linda just doesn't talk to me or mom and dad.  Rodney was mostly too busy to drive mom to the rehab center, but did from time to time.  There is absolutely no 'charity' among us as siblings - enough said.

Mason and Taylor Ordained

This year, we didn't go to Yuma until after the first weekend.  Mason and Taylor were being ordained. Even though Mason is just 11, under the new Church procedures for entering Young Men, he was ordained in January with all the new deacons.  Taylor was ordained a priest.

How wonderful to have these two young men ordained to the priesthood.  They are both very loving grandsons and we are so, so proud of them.

This is Taylor with Brother Phillips and his bishop.  Look how tall and handsome he is with Adrain and Todd.

Marc and Brittney have a cute family and they celebrate every occasion.  This makes things so special.

I love this photo of Marc and Mason.  Proud that Marc could ordain him and that Mason is growing into a strong priesthood young man.

What!!! When Did That Happen? Marc, our baby, is 40 years old!!!

I still remember with great clarity the Christmas eve day when we did last minute shopping and I'd have to stop in the middle of the store to have a labor pain.  Then the night of wrapping presents, oh, stop another labor pain.  This can't be happening.  Finally we called my parents who drove down from Morgan to spend the night with Adrian and Curt so we could go to the hospital.

All night one labor pain after another until finally at six in the morning, the doctor came in and said, let's have a baby.  He was the father of teenagers and told me they were still in bed until noon, so he had lots of time. 

That event happened 40 years ago, Christmas Day.  It's difficult for me to think we are all that much older.

Marc, dad and I love you.  Happy Birthday.  You make our family complete!!








The ugly sweater party gave us a chance to have a family picture.  Yup, this is our family.  Couldn't be more proud.

It Looks Like Christmas - 2019

Christmas is now one of the best holidays for me. It hasn't always been that, growing up there were some pretty sparse gift Christmas' but they just weren't the happiest of times that I remember.  I do remember Grandma Inez would always give us new pajamas and Freida would wrap her presents in the most lovely of wrappings - bows, trinkets, and fancy paper.  Our Christmas' weren't organized, at least I don't remember, we just grabbed onto packages and if it wasn't ours we would toss it aside until we found one that was ours.

Then we had children and my heart burst at the sight of smiling eyes and anticipation of what Santa would bring.  I liked our tradition of opening presents one person at a time rather than digging in and having a tear and throw fest.  The family skiing trips were some of my favorite times.  Theron and I made a lot of Christmas presents during the early years - the rocking horse, the tables and chairs, a large Barbi house and an entire kids kitchen.  As I recall, our kids did not want for much and we didn't go totally overboard either - we had a nice balance.

Now with grandchildren Christmas is delightful.  Each family does things differently, but that's just building their traditions.  This year was again a special family Christmas.  We spent Christmas eve and morning with Curt and Melanee.  The kids walked down the stairs with anticipation of what they would find.  Jesse saw the large basketball hoop right off, stockings were a big hit with hatchables, and then the presents.  The story this year was about Brooke's "Yite up unicorn."  That Santa had not brought - at least by the parent santa's.  Aunt Adrian knew how much she wanted this and so late Christmas eve we went shopping and found the only 'yite up unicorn' in the town.  We wrapped it, attached a note from Santa (the note consisted of cut letters from magazines and looked like a ransom note) and hid it behind the tree.  When Melanee handed Brooke her first present, her classic comment was, "I told Santa I wanted a yite up unicorn."  Melanee was chest-fallen and didn't know what to do.  Fortunately, we high-fived and knew it was going to be okay.  The very last present was finally put in view of the parents and as the kids quickly opened it, the sparkle and yipees began as the yite up unicorn was revealed.  Christmas was saved.  We are so glad Melanee and Curt were good sports about this present.

 Tyce received his motorcycle and Ali proved her agility on her hoverboard.  Kacy received everything Frozen and Mason loved the Foosball game.


Cameron and Taylor, our favorite Paschal grandsons, were gifted electric razors from Grandma and Grandma.  Just a hint to them to do a little trimming of fuzzy mustaches and perhaps the long hair.


Theron had a little put it together present - a new workbench for the garage.

We enjoyed Christmas night with Melanee's family and the re-enactment of the Christmas story, complete with sheep and children singing.  This was the heart of Christmas.

What a wonderful time of the year!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Okay, we moved to St. George to avoid the snow and cold.  So far we have avoided the snow, but not the cold.  I swear every cold front that has ever existed has come through this year.  The cloud cover has kept our solar production to minimum levels and our heat production in the house has kept our gas bills high.  But, I can't really complain, I have loved living here.  I love the red rocks, the palm trees, and the smaller town atmosphere.  But, it has been cold.

The kids are writing their Christmas lists and it's fun to hear them express their desires for the upcoming Christmas gifts.  Kacy had a dance recital and as her mother said, "Nailed it."  She's a sweetheart with a strong will.

On the 14th, we had our annual Spendlove Christmas Party at the Henefer Fire Station.  Mom took control this year as Janeil is suffering with lung cancer.  She arranged, in secret, to have a Santa Claus come for the little kids.  It was such a sweet surprise.  This is the only time we get together as extended family and the only time we learn all the happenings.  Garrett is getting a divorce, sad to hear.  Alison is doing well after her divorce this year.  All Dawain's kids are back home.  Cherry and Lucy are going to have a baby.  Not sure about a father in this case, but it's definitely a baby that Lucy is carrying.  Jennalyn and Casey are doing well after losing a baby this year.  She said it was a very spiritual experience for them and I'm so grateful for the Plan of Salvation.  Janeil is dying from lung cancer and her two daughters have stepped up to take care of her.  This is a miracle in and of itself because there has been so much dysfunctionality among them over the years.  Denzil is still Denzil and Rodney is still Rodney and Linda is, well Linda.  Lisa's daughter, Heather, was able to come down from BYU Idaho and we enjoyed visiting with her.  All in all, the family keeps growing and we keep coming together for at least one day of every year.

What are you going to tell Santa you would like for Christmas?  I loved watching at Kacy and Tyce both whispered in Santa's ear.

These are the memories we will always hold dear!

 Lori and Jared are in the background.  Dad always wears his Christmas hat; I think just to keep his head warm.

Linda and mom haven't had a good discussion in years.  Wonder what is really being said.

A November Catch-Up on the Family

November is a month of thankfulness.  I am so thankful for our family and extended family.  We were able to visit with Norm and Elynn one day on one of our trips up north.  Elynn has suffered many years with MS and Norm is now being treated for prostate cancer.  However, I never hear them complain.  Elynn still makes fun of her condition and can laugh about life.  I'm thankful for them.

Kendall turned 86 in November and we had a great visit with he and Denae on his birthday.  He is still out trying to improve things around his house, taking out old asphalt and putting in pavers and grass in the old driveway.  It was a delight this year to have him come visit and take a rzr ride in the canyons.  I'm thankful for his testimony of the gospel that was such an example to me.

Curt had nose surgery just a week before Thanksgiving and they were able to make some needed repairs so things drain better and he can breath better.  I hope this helps his ears.  While there, we attended the kids soccer games.  I'm so thankful that these kids are healthy, so many things could have gone wrong, but they didn't.

Curt, Melanee, Lauren, Brooky and Jesse came for Thanksgiving this year.  It was cold, but we made the best of it.  Craig and Judy Christensen couldn't go up north because Craig was scheduled for open heart surgery and had to stay close to home.  We invited them to dinner.  I'm grateful for family - all of them.  My mother called one day and she said something that made my heart swell.  She said, "I called your kids and asked them to bring salads to the Christmas party because I know I can depend on them."  That is one of the most precious things I can remember my mother telling me.

My dad turned 89 this year in November.  He is old, but hanging in there.

I'm thankful for Theron who is my life and love. 

Life is worth being grateful for as I share it with others.  Love to all.

An Honor to Dubby and Carolyn Johnston

Carolyn published this family picture on Facebook and I'm taking this post to honor her.  Carolyn and Dubby (Darwin is his real name) were with me as my only family to escort me through the Temple when we were married.  They have always been a special family to me.  Dubby was one of our witnesses and Carolyn was my escort.

Carolyn is the daughter of Elvira and Golden Harris, my first cousin as Elvira and my grandmother Inez are sisters.

Her sons are Mark  on the far left; Lanny, the youngest was a Colonel in the Marines; Carolyn and Dubby; and Craig is on the far right.  Craig works at Hill Air Force Base.  This is a special family.  Thank you for all you have done for us over the years and for being such a good example to me.

A NEW RZR

This year Rich and Brett bought new rzrs with all kinds of "bells and whistles" such as Ride Command and new suspension.  Well, our rzr was getting old, you know we had it two years.  It did now have 5000 miles on it and needed new tires.  Well, my stand-off was that Theron had to sell the Corvette to make up the difference in price from our trade-in and the cost of a new one.  Well, Theron is kind of a wheeler and dealer and sold the houseboat share instead.  Wall-a a new rzr it is.

So the first of November, we traveled to Heber City (after Rich and Brett helped Theron get a discount price at Karl Malone Polaris).  This machine is a 2020 Rzr Turbo, with Ride Command and the new suspension system.  A totally redesigned machine.  Now Theron is in first place with the new rzr.  It's a poll position for men's toys.

Merry Christmas Theron.  It is a sweet ride.  Hope to be able to use it much in January and February when we go to Parker and Yuma.