One awesome,busy, wild, exhausting week

Mitchell and Mark helped to put in French Doors where our sliding glass door use to be. They turned out looking so nice. We really appreciated their help.

The French Doors look GREAT!!!

This is quite a way to spend your vacation. Janessa's girls were great about it and even helped out. Lindsay was quite the sander.

Janessa has wanted to refinish our cabinets for years. We decided this would be the year we'd go for it. We appreciated Janessa and Mitchell's expertise. Janessa all prepared for the tons of sawdust.

Mitchell and Doug hard at work.

This was quite the project and we were all determined to get it done.

Janessa really going at it.

Doug was covered in sawdust but determined to as much done that day as possible.

At Pismo we were spending the day relaxing and taking it easy. Lindsay and Ashley excited to surf.

Lindsay took to surfing like she had been doing it for years. It was fun watching her catch the waves.

Ashley by a huge jelly fish. When we arrived at the beach their were a lot of small jelly fish all over the sand.

Hailey loved standing in the ocean and the strong waves hitting her legs. She also had fun in the sand.

We had a great time enjoying the ocean and sand at Pismo. It was almost a perfect day weather wise. Two days later we heard it was 107. That would have been miserable.

Mitchell, Lindsay and Ashley having fun on Pismo Pier.

San Luis Pier, the water was beautiful and so are the group in front of it.

Fun at Morro Bay.

Janessa relaxing and enjoying Morro Bay.

I had Janessa try the stain in the bathroom in case we made a mistake. They turned out great once she did some mixing. We came up with a new stain color we should market it as the Couch Stain.

Doug is staining the last two drawers and we'll be done.

Our beautiful final product! They look like new. Thanks Janessa & Mitchell.

Top Reasons why I love Doug

When Doug and I were having our Temple Recommend Interviews, Doug’s Stake President Howard Hatch, asked us on our wedding night to write down 25 things we love about our spouse and to continue doing this on each of our anniversaries. We did what he asked for several years and hit and miss since then. The reasons why I loved Doug then and the reasons why I love him now are very different. The depth of the reasons has become so much more meaningful.
Here are the 25 reasons why I love Doug.
1. Doug has a strong testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. He has answered my questions and taught me many things about the gospel that I did not understand.
3. He wanted to be a Father of many children. He has been a wonderful Father, always working hard to provide for our children’s needs. He has never been without a job in all the years that we have been married. Many of those years he has worked two jobs. Whatever it has taken to make sure we were all taken care of financially.
4. He is my best friend. I love being with him and doing things together, whether it is watching a television show or enjoying a paddle boat ride around the lake. We are comfortable together.
5. He is a good Father. He has helped me so much in raising our children. He was always willing to rock our babies to sleep and he watched our children when I needed to be away for a while.
6. Living so far away from both of our families and our children is hard. He values the time we are able to spend together. We always make time each year to be with them whenever possible. He has been ok with me making trips to be with new grandbabies and their family, leaving home to spend time with my Mother after my Father passed away, attending special events in our children’s lives.
7. We have been able to attend almost all of our grandchildren’s baptisms and some of their baby blessings. We wish we could attend all of them but it isn’t always possible.
8. Going to the Temple was important and continues to be important to Doug. We try to attend as often as we can. The Temple helps our eternal perspective and we always come away uplifted and better prepared to handle whatever may come our way. We love having the Fresno Temple relatively close.
9. I love working in the same school that Doug works in. I enjoy a recess hug, going to lunch with him each day and always knowing he is only a few doors away.
10. Doug loves music and so do I. We love to listen to good CD’s when we are traveling. Doug’s favorite is the Mormon Tabernacle Choir my favorite are songs from plays and movies. That makes for a good combination. Doug loves classical music and I have grown to enjoy it. I especially like it on trips when I want to read. Classical music has no words.
11. Doug enjoys being in the mountains and so do me. Through the years we have enjoyed a lot of time in the mountains together and with our family. It is so relaxing.
12. Doug loves to travel and so to me. We have enjoyed many trips to Utah and Oregon to see our family. We have also traveled to Hawaii, Nauvoo; we love to explore the California and Oregon coastline, trips to San Francisco, ect.
13. He doesn’t mind watching chick-flicks that I love.
14. He is very supportive of me in my church callings and gives me a lot of help during the big and little events.
15. He knows the importance of attending church and has established that pattern in the lives of our children.
16. He loves his Heavenly Father, and follows the example of the Savior and our Prophet.
17. He listens to me. I am quite a talker (I wasn’t growing up.) He always listens to me and is a good sounding board.
18. He understands me and knows when I need his help and support. He is there for me at every crossroad. We are in it all together.
19. He enjoys the simple things of life, taking walks, enjoying nature, a beautiful sunset, watching for falling stars, a meteor shower or whatever it may be.
20. He is a very good cuddlier and even in our old age we still love to cuddle.
21. He still holds my hand and is my protector.
22. He gives me confidence to do things I never believed I could do. He has given me the wings I have needed to fly.
23. He has always valued education. He has taught our children a value of education from the time they started school. Homework was always completed every night. They were expected to do their very best in school and behave appropriately. Having your Dad in the same school with you helped to keep you on your best behavior. He was in the same school for quite a few years for each one of our children. They liked being able to go to him when they had a problem or even for a word of encouragement. He is a great resource to them.
24. Our goals and values have always been similar. We are striving to make it through this life together and for all eternity, hand in hand.
25. When one of us is down the other is up and vice a versa. We build and strengthen each other.
26. I have to add a 26th one and there are many more. He always does his church calling and attends his meetings. Each spends many hours at the church. He knows what he is doing is important.
27. We are fulfilling each others Patriarchal Blessings.
28. He wants to go on a mission with me.
I'm very grateful to have him as my helpmate.

37 Terrific Years

In May Doug and I celebrated our 37th anniversary of our first date. That was the beginning of something very precious that has grown more precious each year through our life. That date was like no other date I had been on in the past. We were totally at ease and comfortable with each other. This was actually a blind date but I knew who Doug was and briefly knew his sister Kathy.
I was a member of the Sorority, Lambda Delta Sigma. We were having a dinner-dance and I was disillusioned with guys at the moment. My last couple of dates had been pretty strange. There was no one I was interested in asking to it.
Our Sorority President, Lu Gena Myers, asked Doug if he would take me to the dance. She gave him my name and phone number. Doug asked the boy sitting next to him if he knew me? It just so happened that I had gone out with this guy the week before. He was a very different person, I didn’t want to hurt his feelings and so I went out with him as a friend. He was really nice but I knew we would only be friends. I was a little distant that night. He could have said something mean but he just told him that he didn’t think Doug would like me. Thank goodness he was brave enough to give me a call.
We had a fun visit when he called to ask me out. There was something right from the very beginning about us being together that felt so right. After a few minutes of talking I knew that he was Kathy’s brother. He did not know who I was. We talked for quite a while.
The night of the dinner-dance we had so much fun being crazy in a fun crazy totally at ease way. He came from a family of six children the same as I did. Both of our families had what we needed monetarily but extra things we earned the money for. I am grateful that from a young age we learned to depend upon ourselves to help financially. It made us stronger and less dependent on our parents.
We both loved music. Doug loved classical music and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I loved songs from movies, church songs, and I guess what some would say, bubble-gum and elevator music. We have blended these all together and we both enjoy them all.
Doug taught me a lot of new dance steps. We had so much fun dancing.
Our favorite foods were not alike. His favorite food was melted cheese. The thought of melted cheese would gross me out. I’m not big on milk or cheese. I’ll take ice cream any time to get my calcium.
That evening when he took me home we talked for hours. He asked me out and I couldn’t because I was going out of town. I’m glad that he was persistent and asked again. He invited me to his fraternity Steak Fry. I knew that he was someone special and he treated me very well.
The next day I week out to lunch with my cousin and a friend. I told them about my date and I really felt like I would marry Doug. I asked them if they would be bridesmaids at my wedding. Of course I was just goofing around but it seemed like a good possibility.
On Thursday nights I usually went to dance in Ogden that was sponsored by returned Missionaries, to earn money to help support other missionaries. It was called Metro. Doug found out that I go there and he came that night for the first time. I was excited to see him. He asked me to dance and we danced a couple of songs having a great time. He was teaching me some new dance steps.
When a couple became engaged they would clear the floor and the engaged couple would dance to the “Hawaiian Love Song”, alone. Everyone was looking for chairs to sit on, there were two chairs left. We raced a couple I knew for them and slipped. The hardwood floor had just been refinished. I hit the chair with my arm pretty hard. Doug flew into me. It really hurt but I didn’t tell Doug that when he asked how I was. He was also hurt and said he was fine.
After the engaged couple danced a friend asked me to dance. Doug didn’t ask anyone else. He waited for me to come back and we danced the rest of the night together. I went there with friends and I wasn’t driving. Doug took me home. I liked the way he was so loyal to me. (The last dance I went to with a date, the guy I was with flirted with my cousin and knew that loyalty was an important quality that I wanted my husband to possess.)
Doug asked me to his house for dinner and to go to church the next Sunday. Doug lived in Bountiful and I lived in Ogden. He came to pick me up. He didn’t seem to be in a hurry and I asked if we could go over to my friends so that she could meet him. He said sure and I didn’t realize that this diversion was making us late for church.
When we got to church, we walked to the second row in the front where all of his family usually sits. As we were sitting there I watched down the line members of Doug’s family leaning over to see me. It was funny to watch. I looked on the stand and there was my cousin’s husband. It was fun to see a familiar face. He was the High Councilman that was speaking that day.
Doug’ mother played the organ and I get to meet her until we were at their house. When I met her I felt like I had always known her. Dinner was delicious and his family was a lot of fun. I enjoyed getting to know all of them. It was great and so was all of his family.
During dinner we heard an ambulance siren. Later we found out that a little girl from Doug’s ward had been hit by a car and killed. (A couple of years later our first child would be buried next to her.)
After dinner we were visiting and Doug’s Dad asked me what happened to my arm. I didn’t realize that I had a huge bruise where I had hit the chair several days before at the dance. When I mentioned that must be what it was from, Doug told me that he had probably cracked a rib and he had a tight bandage on it to keep from hurting. We had both lied about being all right. It was a hard fall.
The Sigma Gamma Chi bar-be-cue was a lot of fun. I guess we were like most other couples in love kind spent most of our time off together doing our own thing. By this time I was pretty sure Doug was the person that I would marry. That night he kissed me for the first time.
My married sister Cathy wanted to meet Doug and she had asked me to invite him to our family reunion in Bothwell on Memorial Day. I asked him and he accepted. It was a great day. Ken my brother-in-law is a lot of fun and we all laughed a lot. We spent the whole day together. After the reunion we went to Cathy’s for a bar-be-cue.
Each night we were out together we would get busy talking and stay out in front my house visiting in his car. The time would fly by so fast. Our time together never seemed long enough.
Those two and a half weeks we were together 72 hours on 8 dates. Doug asked me to marry him. It has been a wonderful 37 years. I am so grateful for him. He asked me to be his "Passport into Eternity". That was so romantic. We were married five months later in the Salt Lake Temple.

Trouble at School!

Today was our annual field day. This is probably the students favorite day of the year. Usually I have used this time to wade out of all the books that were coming my way. Instead I was asked to help keep an eye out for misbehaved students. The only ones I saw making trouble were the staff.

We had water games and as you can imagine this conjures up all kinds of images of out of control adults. It was actually playful fun but many staff members got wet along with cute innocent bystanders as witnesses.

Yesterday we had a end of the school year party and they gave out awards. One was, "Who would be the most likely to squirt you with the fire hose?" (or something to that effect) Their were 3 nominees and the winner came to school today with the biggest soaker gun I have ever seen. Craziness is what happens when teachers are worn out, worn down, and summer break is on the horizon. She had other accomplices.

It was fun to watch from a distance. The staff at our school are a lot of fun. I enjoy working with them especially my other half. Tomorrow is our last day of school. We are ready for a break.

Relay for Life

Last weekend I was able to participate in a wonderful event, Relay for Life. I was amazed at how many people were involved, around 900 people. Our city raised $35,783, which will go towards helping to find a cure for cancer.

Enjoying our rest and cold water before the next lap

One day. One night. One community

Kathy Schmidt a teacher at our school and I relaxing before we headed back out for more laps. It was fun getting to know Kathy and the others better.
The first lap is for cancer survivors and their families.
At night luminares were lit surrounding the track in honor and memory of those who have had cancer. It was very touching seeing the preparation for it and names on the bags. I'm sure that was quite an emotional experience to walk it. What a special tribute.

Trekkin' Tigers

We were the Trekkin' Tigers!!! Our team was made up of Fremont School Staff and family. This picture is of three sizzling woman: myself, Lora Cartwright, and Pearl Prins. We were literally sizzling, the temperature made it to 103.

For 24 hours members of our team walked the track usually in groups of two. The relay is for24 hours because cancer is with a person 24 hours a day.
Each hour had a theme. We walked in the Hat (at 10 AM) and Disney (at 2:00 PM) laps. Lora and Pearl walked off and on most of the day.

Each team had a boxcar to race. Our car was safari style, made by Pearl. It is below us but didn't make it into the picture.

Many of our Young Women came to support Amber in her Baptism

Amber was very supported by her friends at her baptism. She said that she felt loved. Back row: Amber Strain, Carol McMullin, Ruthie, & Willow Chamberlin Front row: Kayla Inabnit and Teresa McMullin.

The 3 Strain Children were Baptized

It was a very special occasion last Sunday when Amber, William, and Robert Strain were baptized by their Father. Elder Stone and Smith taught them. If you knew Elder Stone you wouldn't be surprised. He is full of the spirit and teaches like very few others. He is amazing.
Amber has come to church with her Father and brothers for over a year. She went with us to YW Girls Camp and had a wonderful experience. She even bore her testimony. She has been one of our most active Young Women all year. She adds a very bubbly, creative, intelligent element to our Young Women Meetings and activities. She is also growing more beautiful all of the time.
It was very special seeing her Father baptize them and their Mother come and support their decision. It was a special family moment.

I'm so thankful for President Gordon B. Hinckley

Through President Hinckley's challenge to read the Book of Mormon by the end of 2005 , I really was able to connect the book together in a way I never had before. It is easy when you are reading a chapter at a time to forget what is really going on.

Reading this book in his memory was another great spiritual experience. I have no doubt that this book came from God. It is the best roadmap we can follow to find joy and happiness on this earth and in the eternities.

Completed the Hinckley Challenge

I finished and I am so grateful for this wonderful book. Each time I read it I better understand and appreciate it's teaching.

Parker and Carter on the train, all aboard!!!

Parker & Carter enjoying lunch in a train car at a fun fast-food restraunt in Salt Lake. The food was delicious and it was fun watching our grandkids have a great time.

We enjoy every minute that we can spend with them. We wish it could be more often.

My favorite part of our visits are when they entertain us with the fun songs they know. This is one musical family, all included.

Sorry my posts are backwards. You may want to start at the bottom of our Utah trip and work yourself back. It was a wonderful visit.

What a good looking Cub Scout

Our day started out really windy and cold. We all warmed up by the end of the day. Tanner is standing by one of my favorite animals to see, the zebras.

White Alligator oh my!

Bradley, Camille and Johnathan by the white alligator.

Hogle Zoo with the Beck's

Last Saturday we were able to enjoy a special day at the zoo with Byron, Tricia and their six children. It was "Earth Day" at the zoo and people where handing out all kinds of treasures to remind us to recycle, conserve, and take care of our planet.

They had many groups performing song and dance routines. It was a very fun day.

We enjoyed seeing a baby giraffe, turtle, monkey and a meerkat. The white alligator was a fun experience. I was amazed at how well Tricia's children knew the different species of animals by name. Some of the names I could barely say let alone memorize. They are well educated.

We all enjoyed a fun train ride. The playground had all kinds of things to discover.

Ally at her BYU Commencement

This was a special evening. We were able to enjoy this evening with her by listening to Elder Bednar speak. He encouraged them to be "Life-time Learners". The room was totally packed and babies were everwhere. Doug and I and Ally's in-laws, Warren and Nancy Ashby were there on this special occasion. Pres. Samuelson's first year as BYU President, was Allyson's Freshman year. She really enjoyed having him as President. His remarks were on the importance of continuing your spiritual education and going forth and serving others.

Making this occasion even more special she was able to enjoy it with two of her first room-mates, Sara and Melissa who also graduated.

She is putting her Education to work

Myles and Rose are her on the job experience in progress. There is nothing like being a Mother except being a Father, a grandmother, and grandfather.

Happy Day!!!

This picture was taken just before her graduation. This was a big day for the four of them.

Ally did it!

Allyson graduated from BYU with her bachelors in Home and Family Living.
What a special day! Dallin, Myles and Rose were there to see her walk across the stage and receive her diploma. She was also joined by Tricia and her three youngest, Parker, Carter & Bradley, her Mother-in-law Nancy Ashby, her Uncle Rob and Aunt Sharyl Adamson and her Dad and Mom.