seasons greetings family we miss you all tons and we are exited for christmas wooooooooo hooooooo. So i am done with the semester thank goodness it was a rough semester and i am glad to be done love ya guys
Thursday, December 20, 2007
jingle balls
seasons greetings family we miss you all tons and we are exited for christmas wooooooooo hooooooo. So i am done with the semester thank goodness it was a rough semester and i am glad to be done love ya guys
OUR 5TH SANTIAGO HIGH SCHOOL CHRISTMAS CONCERT
ANNIE CHLOE AND KATHERINE
Tonight was Annie's first Santiago Choir Concert. She was awesome. Maggie as a returning Alumnus was invited to sing the chorus of Handel's Messiah. It was fun to see her back on the stage. Don't Maggie and Annie look beautiful. They are amazing.Julia, Grant, Cindy, Gayle, Alex and Suzie Fackrell also were there.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
ELF
I made us all elves!
Check out this one. I love how Dad got the girly body: Maggie, Annie, julia, Dad
I put Julia in this one, too because her face was so funny in the picture richard posted: Richard, Kristy, and julia.
And of course, me, Bobby, Sophie and Franny.
Check out this one. I love how Dad got the girly body: Maggie, Annie, julia, Dad
I put Julia in this one, too because her face was so funny in the picture richard posted: Richard, Kristy, and julia.
And of course, me, Bobby, Sophie and Franny.
Friday, December 14, 2007
HO HO MERRY CHRISTMAS! SEVEN DAYS TILL WE'RE ALL TOGETHER!
I am so glad that all of you are using this blog. I love signing on and the first thing I see his Marianne smiling at me.
Last night I went with Annie and the Young Women to the temple. While there I met a friend of Marianne and I who had grown up with Marianne. We went on a couple of double dates with he and his wife when we were engaged.
Well he hadn’t heard about Marianne and I had to kind of go over everything. When I got home later that night I had a really hard time. I just really missed your Mom. It seems that every time this happens Marianne shows me something. The last time was when I read the book “Adversity”. Remember she had left notes outlining five stories that she wanted me to read. This time I start reading where I left off in Nibley’s Old Testament and Related Studies. There was hardly any underlining by Marianne in this book, but last night I read a couple of pages that she had underlined. And somehow I knew that she knew I was reading it.
The thing that makes Nibley so interesting is his ability in ancient languages. This has enabled him to study the Apocrypha and the Dead Sea Scrolls which contain a great many additional scriptures that verify some of the unique doctrines of the Restored Gospel (i.e. the Preexistence, the Apostasy, the Restoration, the temple ordinances, Joseph Smith’s translations of the Book of Mormon and the Pearl of Great Price).
Anyway he is talking about a scripture from the Aprocrypha called the Hymn of the Pearl from the Acts of the Apostle Thomas.
(When the Savior was resurrected he spent forty days with His disciples, teaching them the doctrines of His Kingdom. Some of the Apocrypha is a record of His teaching.
Excerpt: page 178
In coming to earth each man leaves his particular treasure or his share of the Treasure, in heaven safely kept in trust (“under God’s Throne”) awaiting his return. One has here below the opportunity of enhancing one’s treasure by meritorious actions, and also risk losing it entirely by neglecting it in his search for earthly treasure. Hence the passionate appeals to men to remember their tremendous stake on the other side and “not to defraud themselves of the glory that awaits them” by seeking the things of the world. To make the “treasure” test a fair one, the two treasures are placed before us on an equal footing (the Doctrine of the Two Ways), their two natures being mingled in exactly equal portions in every human being. To neutralize that would otherwise be the overpowering appeal of the heavenly treasure, the memory of its former glories has been erased from the mind of man, which is thus in a state of equilibrium, enjoying by “the ancient law of liberty” complete freedom to choose whatever it will. In this state, whatever choice is made represents the true heart and mind of the one who makes it. What conditions the Elect to make the right choice is no unfair advantage of instruction---for all men are aware of the issues involved---but a besetting nostalgia, a constant vague yearning for one’s distant treasure and happy heavenly home. This theme, akin to the Platonic ( Marianne loves Plato) doctrine of anamnesis, runs through all the Apocrypha and scriptures; it is beautifully expressed in the Hymn of the Pearl from the Acts of the Apostle Thomas.
In this classic tale, a king’s son has come down to earth to find a pearl which he is to return to its heavenly depository; here below he becomes defiled with the things of the world until a letter from heaven, signed by the Great and Mighty Ones, recalls to him his true heritage and his purpose in coming to earth, whereupon he casts off his earthly garments and with the pearl returns to the waiting arms of his loved ones in the royal courts on high and to his robe of glory that has been carefully kept for him in the Treasury. Our various “treasure” texts consistently refer to going to heaven as a return, a joyful homecoming, in which one follows the steps of Adam “back to the Treasury of Life from which he came forth.” A great deal is said about a garment that one changes in passing from one stage to another, the final garment of glory being often equated in Treasure itself.
This garment introduces us to the very important ritual aspect of the treasure story, for it is generally understood that one can return to one’s heavenly treasure only by the careful observance of certain rites and ordinances, which provide the means both of receiving instruction and demonstrating obedience.
...........These ordinances, imported directly from the Treasury of Light to which they alone offer the means of return, are types of what is done above; through them “souls are led to the Treasury of Light.....Between us and the Great King of the Treasury of Light are many steps and veils,” and it is only by giving the proper replies to the “Guardians” that one is able to approach and finally enter the Treasury of Light. The ordinances are most secret (they are usually caolled “mysteries”), and it is through their scrupulous observance that every man “put his own treasure in order.”
end of excerpt.
There are many references to the preexistence, the restoration of the gospel, our mortal probation, and the temple ordinances which will enable us to return to our Treasure or Treasury.
I know that Marianne(Mom) is helping us realize that our Treasure has been left behind with our Heavenly Father. I believe that we really have no idea who we really are. We literally are royalty. We have to realize where our Treasure is to return to it. It is through obedience to the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and the ordinances of the temple that we return to the Treasury we left in safekeeping with our Heavenly Father. I know with all my heart that part of Marianne’s(Mom’s) mission is to assist us to this end.
In one of President Faust last talks within the last year he said,
I would like to say a word about the ministering of angels. In ancient and modern times angels have appeared and given instruction, warnings, and direction, which benefited the people they visited. WE DO NOT CONSCIOUSLY REALIZE the extent to which ministering angels affect our lives. President Joseph F. Smith said, “In like manner our fathers and MOTHERS, brothers, sisters and friends who have passed away from this earth, having been faithful, and worthy to enjoy these rights and privileges, may have a mission given them to visit their relatives and friends upon the earth again, bringing from the divine Presence messages of love, of warning, or reproof and instruction, to those whom they had learned to love in the flesh.” Many of us feel that we have had this experience. Their ministry has been and is an important part of the gospel. Angels ministered to Joseph Smith as he reestablished the gospel in its fulness.
I can’t explain how I know it, but Marianne is with us. It has been easier for me because I go to the temple so often. Whenever I am there I ask Heavenly Father to allow Marianne to be with you guys. I look back at the things I have tried to do and I realize that it is exactly what Marianne would want me to have done. That's how I know she is helping me. When I pray I always ask Heavenly Father to let her know how much I and you miss her and want to feel that she is around.
I don’t know how this works, but I feel that we will all someday realize that this will have been a great blessing to our lives and it has to do with how much our Heavenly Father loves our family. This is part of Heavenly Father's plan for us and it won't surprise me if we knew this as a family before we came to this earth.
Anyway it's 1:30 am and I probably have said enough. Richard is right we are strong. We are also blessed. Remember where our Treasure is. Satan tries to show us treasures all the time, but they are false treasures (actually more like snares and traps). I hope you will refer to that which Marianne underlined often. It is really beautiful the way the Plan of Salvation is presented. I hope we consider what a beautiful Treasure we can reclaim through the love of our Heavenly Father. And your Mom will be waiting their for each one us! One thing I have been blessed with is the knowledge that my time on earth without Marianne will pass quickly. I am sure I will live to be an old man. Neil Maxwell talked about Jacob having to wait all those years to marry Rebecca, but because of his love for her it seemed as only a few days.
What a blessing it is that your Mom can watch over us:
With what tenderness of love, with what solicitude of affection will they watch over our slumbers, hang about our pillow, and seek to communicate with our spirits, to warn of dangers or temptation, to comfort and soothe our sorrow or to ward off the ills that might befall us, or perchance to give us some kind of token of remembrance of undying love!
Parley P. Pratt
Love you,
DAD
Last night I went with Annie and the Young Women to the temple. While there I met a friend of Marianne and I who had grown up with Marianne. We went on a couple of double dates with he and his wife when we were engaged.
Well he hadn’t heard about Marianne and I had to kind of go over everything. When I got home later that night I had a really hard time. I just really missed your Mom. It seems that every time this happens Marianne shows me something. The last time was when I read the book “Adversity”. Remember she had left notes outlining five stories that she wanted me to read. This time I start reading where I left off in Nibley’s Old Testament and Related Studies. There was hardly any underlining by Marianne in this book, but last night I read a couple of pages that she had underlined. And somehow I knew that she knew I was reading it.
The thing that makes Nibley so interesting is his ability in ancient languages. This has enabled him to study the Apocrypha and the Dead Sea Scrolls which contain a great many additional scriptures that verify some of the unique doctrines of the Restored Gospel (i.e. the Preexistence, the Apostasy, the Restoration, the temple ordinances, Joseph Smith’s translations of the Book of Mormon and the Pearl of Great Price).
Anyway he is talking about a scripture from the Aprocrypha called the Hymn of the Pearl from the Acts of the Apostle Thomas.
(When the Savior was resurrected he spent forty days with His disciples, teaching them the doctrines of His Kingdom. Some of the Apocrypha is a record of His teaching.
Excerpt: page 178
In coming to earth each man leaves his particular treasure or his share of the Treasure, in heaven safely kept in trust (“under God’s Throne”) awaiting his return. One has here below the opportunity of enhancing one’s treasure by meritorious actions, and also risk losing it entirely by neglecting it in his search for earthly treasure. Hence the passionate appeals to men to remember their tremendous stake on the other side and “not to defraud themselves of the glory that awaits them” by seeking the things of the world. To make the “treasure” test a fair one, the two treasures are placed before us on an equal footing (the Doctrine of the Two Ways), their two natures being mingled in exactly equal portions in every human being. To neutralize that would otherwise be the overpowering appeal of the heavenly treasure, the memory of its former glories has been erased from the mind of man, which is thus in a state of equilibrium, enjoying by “the ancient law of liberty” complete freedom to choose whatever it will. In this state, whatever choice is made represents the true heart and mind of the one who makes it. What conditions the Elect to make the right choice is no unfair advantage of instruction---for all men are aware of the issues involved---but a besetting nostalgia, a constant vague yearning for one’s distant treasure and happy heavenly home. This theme, akin to the Platonic ( Marianne loves Plato) doctrine of anamnesis, runs through all the Apocrypha and scriptures; it is beautifully expressed in the Hymn of the Pearl from the Acts of the Apostle Thomas.
In this classic tale, a king’s son has come down to earth to find a pearl which he is to return to its heavenly depository; here below he becomes defiled with the things of the world until a letter from heaven, signed by the Great and Mighty Ones, recalls to him his true heritage and his purpose in coming to earth, whereupon he casts off his earthly garments and with the pearl returns to the waiting arms of his loved ones in the royal courts on high and to his robe of glory that has been carefully kept for him in the Treasury. Our various “treasure” texts consistently refer to going to heaven as a return, a joyful homecoming, in which one follows the steps of Adam “back to the Treasury of Life from which he came forth.” A great deal is said about a garment that one changes in passing from one stage to another, the final garment of glory being often equated in Treasure itself.
This garment introduces us to the very important ritual aspect of the treasure story, for it is generally understood that one can return to one’s heavenly treasure only by the careful observance of certain rites and ordinances, which provide the means both of receiving instruction and demonstrating obedience.
...........These ordinances, imported directly from the Treasury of Light to which they alone offer the means of return, are types of what is done above; through them “souls are led to the Treasury of Light.....Between us and the Great King of the Treasury of Light are many steps and veils,” and it is only by giving the proper replies to the “Guardians” that one is able to approach and finally enter the Treasury of Light. The ordinances are most secret (they are usually caolled “mysteries”), and it is through their scrupulous observance that every man “put his own treasure in order.”
end of excerpt.
There are many references to the preexistence, the restoration of the gospel, our mortal probation, and the temple ordinances which will enable us to return to our Treasure or Treasury.
I know that Marianne(Mom) is helping us realize that our Treasure has been left behind with our Heavenly Father. I believe that we really have no idea who we really are. We literally are royalty. We have to realize where our Treasure is to return to it. It is through obedience to the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and the ordinances of the temple that we return to the Treasury we left in safekeeping with our Heavenly Father. I know with all my heart that part of Marianne’s(Mom’s) mission is to assist us to this end.
In one of President Faust last talks within the last year he said,
I would like to say a word about the ministering of angels. In ancient and modern times angels have appeared and given instruction, warnings, and direction, which benefited the people they visited. WE DO NOT CONSCIOUSLY REALIZE the extent to which ministering angels affect our lives. President Joseph F. Smith said, “In like manner our fathers and MOTHERS, brothers, sisters and friends who have passed away from this earth, having been faithful, and worthy to enjoy these rights and privileges, may have a mission given them to visit their relatives and friends upon the earth again, bringing from the divine Presence messages of love, of warning, or reproof and instruction, to those whom they had learned to love in the flesh.” Many of us feel that we have had this experience. Their ministry has been and is an important part of the gospel. Angels ministered to Joseph Smith as he reestablished the gospel in its fulness.
I can’t explain how I know it, but Marianne is with us. It has been easier for me because I go to the temple so often. Whenever I am there I ask Heavenly Father to allow Marianne to be with you guys. I look back at the things I have tried to do and I realize that it is exactly what Marianne would want me to have done. That's how I know she is helping me. When I pray I always ask Heavenly Father to let her know how much I and you miss her and want to feel that she is around.
I don’t know how this works, but I feel that we will all someday realize that this will have been a great blessing to our lives and it has to do with how much our Heavenly Father loves our family. This is part of Heavenly Father's plan for us and it won't surprise me if we knew this as a family before we came to this earth.
Anyway it's 1:30 am and I probably have said enough. Richard is right we are strong. We are also blessed. Remember where our Treasure is. Satan tries to show us treasures all the time, but they are false treasures (actually more like snares and traps). I hope you will refer to that which Marianne underlined often. It is really beautiful the way the Plan of Salvation is presented. I hope we consider what a beautiful Treasure we can reclaim through the love of our Heavenly Father. And your Mom will be waiting their for each one us! One thing I have been blessed with is the knowledge that my time on earth without Marianne will pass quickly. I am sure I will live to be an old man. Neil Maxwell talked about Jacob having to wait all those years to marry Rebecca, but because of his love for her it seemed as only a few days.
What a blessing it is that your Mom can watch over us:
With what tenderness of love, with what solicitude of affection will they watch over our slumbers, hang about our pillow, and seek to communicate with our spirits, to warn of dangers or temptation, to comfort and soothe our sorrow or to ward off the ills that might befall us, or perchance to give us some kind of token of remembrance of undying love!
Parley P. Pratt
Love you,
DAD
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Warner Family Gift Exchange 2007
Hey guys, here's the gift exchange info for this year. Thanks Julia for organizing it. Please try to keep your gifts at 50 dollars or less.
Bobby-Richard
Kristy-Julia
Richard-Grant
Grant-Bobby
Maggie-Kristy
Annie-Katherine
Katherine-Maggie
Julia-Annie
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Miss you Grandpa
When Dad was here, I told him I thought it would be fun if he came with me to drop Franny off at school so he could meet her teacher and check out her classroom. Well, because of the time change from Cali to here, everyone stayed up really late. The night before this was taken I finally went to bed at 12:30, and when I did, Dad was still up reading Nibley. The next morning I let him sleep because I knew how late he would be up, but as I was putting Franny's shoes on for school, I heard the bathroom door open and Dad walked out He was dressed and ready for the day and he said, "Let's go to school!" It meant so much to me that he got up so early just to see Franny's school. Love you dad!
Monday, December 3, 2007
Sunday, December 2, 2007
byu game
we went to the sdsu byu game with dad wayne cal sistrunk and krist and her brother of course the cougars won hells yea. i just wanted to let you guys know how much i love all of you guys and how proud i am of all you guys we are warners we are strong and we have great testimonies. we have endured a trial and we will encounter more and as long as we hold true to the faith and keep close we will overcome. kath i heard that frances can poop now good job love you
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Tea Party
Dear Grandpa, Julia, Maggie, and Annie,
I am hosting a tea party in your honor on Wednesday next. We will be eating plastic birthday cake, pie, fries, chips and drinking fake tea. Won't you join us?
Love,
Franny
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Thanksgiving countdown
Are you guys excited or WHAT?! Me, too. Maggie, I just found this recipe for creamed corn, which I think will be a perfect compromise. How good does this look?
Creamed Corn Gratin With Fried Onion Rings and Bacon
Creamed Corn Gratin With Fried Onion Rings and Bacon
Friday, October 26, 2007
Here's some pictures that I took on Saturday of general conference weekend. After the first session, we opened the door and found this from Dad for Sophie's birthday present. She looks so pretty in it, even when she's crying like a big baby. I HATE this picture of myself, but I love SOphie in it. That's why I'm posting it. Also so Dad can see Sophie in the dress.
Love you guys.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Sophie's birthday party
Hey guys,
I posted this on my blog, but I thought I would post it here, too, so you could see some of the pictures from Soap's birthday party. It was kind of cool, because after the party while I was cleaning up, I started to feel sad and miss Mom, but then I realized, this is just the kind of thing that Mom would want to be around for. So that made me happy thinking she was probably with us that night. I figure that most of the time she's with Maggie and Annie, but when one my kids is having a birthday, I call dibs on Mom! :) Just joking.
Wish you all could have been here! We had a fun time. I miss you guys.
Here's a few more:
Thursday, October 11, 2007
I AM SO IMPRESSED WITH ALL OF YOU!
I WAS SO THANKFUL THAT MAGGIE RECEIVED AN ANSWER TO HER PRAYERS. WHAT A BLESSING FOR HER TO KNOW THAT SHE CAN RECEIVE SUCH GUIDANCE. I KNOW THAT YOUR MOM IS INTIMATELY INVOLVED WITH ALL OF OUR LIVES.
I BORE MY TESTIMONY LAST WEEK AND I THANKED HEAVENLY FATHER FOR YOU GUYS. HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR YOUR FAITHFULNESS AND DESIRE TO LIVE THE GOSPEL. AND HOW PROUD I AM TO BE YOUR FATHER.
I AM SO THANKFUL FOR YOUR MOTHER. I THINK ABOUT HER ALL DAY. WHEN I PRAY I ASK HEAVENLY FATHER TO LET HER KNOW HOW MUCH I AND ALL OF YOU LOVE HER AND THAT WE ALL WANT TO BE TOGETHER FOR ETERNITY.
I WAS READING MY PATRIARCHAL BLESSING AGAIN. THE FOLLOWING WORDS SEEM TO HAVE MORE MEANING TO ME NOW.
......YOU SHALL TRULY BE A PATRIARCH IN YOUR HOME TO YOUR CHILDREN. THEY WILL HONOR AND LOVE YOU FOR THE LOVE THAT YOU GIVE UNTO THEM. YOU SHALL HAVE CHURCH LEADERS COME FROM YOUR HOME-THOSE WHO WILL SERVE OUR HEAVENLY FATHER HONORABLY IN THEIR ASSIGNMENTS; AND IT SHALL NOT BE DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO KEEP THEM ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW PATH. YOU SHALL NOT BE WORRIED ABOUT THE WAYS OF THE WORLD, BECAUSE YOU HAVE A FOUNDATION, AND HAVE A HOME THAT WILL MAKE THEM WANT TO LIVE THE COMMANDMENTS.
YOU SHALL NOT BE CUT SHORT. YOU SHALL LIVE A LONG TIME UPON THE EARTH..........
I AM THANKFUL FOR THE OPPURTUNITY I HAVE TO BE MORE INVOLVED WITH EACH OF YOU. HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR MARIANNE AND HER BEAUTIFUL PERSONALITY, STRONG TESTIMONY AND WISDOM. SHE TRULY HAS CREATED THE FOUNDATION THAT OUR FAMILY NOW ENJOYS. MAY WE ALWAYS BE WORTHY OF THE LOVE AND EXAMPLE SHE HAS GIVEN US.
LOVE DAD
I BORE MY TESTIMONY LAST WEEK AND I THANKED HEAVENLY FATHER FOR YOU GUYS. HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR YOUR FAITHFULNESS AND DESIRE TO LIVE THE GOSPEL. AND HOW PROUD I AM TO BE YOUR FATHER.
I AM SO THANKFUL FOR YOUR MOTHER. I THINK ABOUT HER ALL DAY. WHEN I PRAY I ASK HEAVENLY FATHER TO LET HER KNOW HOW MUCH I AND ALL OF YOU LOVE HER AND THAT WE ALL WANT TO BE TOGETHER FOR ETERNITY.
I WAS READING MY PATRIARCHAL BLESSING AGAIN. THE FOLLOWING WORDS SEEM TO HAVE MORE MEANING TO ME NOW.
......YOU SHALL TRULY BE A PATRIARCH IN YOUR HOME TO YOUR CHILDREN. THEY WILL HONOR AND LOVE YOU FOR THE LOVE THAT YOU GIVE UNTO THEM. YOU SHALL HAVE CHURCH LEADERS COME FROM YOUR HOME-THOSE WHO WILL SERVE OUR HEAVENLY FATHER HONORABLY IN THEIR ASSIGNMENTS; AND IT SHALL NOT BE DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO KEEP THEM ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW PATH. YOU SHALL NOT BE WORRIED ABOUT THE WAYS OF THE WORLD, BECAUSE YOU HAVE A FOUNDATION, AND HAVE A HOME THAT WILL MAKE THEM WANT TO LIVE THE COMMANDMENTS.
YOU SHALL NOT BE CUT SHORT. YOU SHALL LIVE A LONG TIME UPON THE EARTH..........
I AM THANKFUL FOR THE OPPURTUNITY I HAVE TO BE MORE INVOLVED WITH EACH OF YOU. HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR MARIANNE AND HER BEAUTIFUL PERSONALITY, STRONG TESTIMONY AND WISDOM. SHE TRULY HAS CREATED THE FOUNDATION THAT OUR FAMILY NOW ENJOYS. MAY WE ALWAYS BE WORTHY OF THE LOVE AND EXAMPLE SHE HAS GIVEN US.
LOVE DAD
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Well it looks like im not going to utah for a while..
Last night i was really thinking about going to Utah. I really wanted to go. So of course as soon as i got back from the temple(which was amazing by the way) i decided to grill dad and to see where we were at as far as his decision. Well we talked and he told me that he wasnt convinced and whatnot. So when i went out last night i was telling my friends about my talk with him and I was kinda starting to see his points, and there were many. then i got home and i read my scriptures and i said my prayers and i really asked that somehow i would get a clear answer as to whether i should keep pushing it or just stay here. and after my prayer when i was llaying in my bed i had an overwhelming feeling that i would not be going, which is the funny part. it was not that i maybe should not go, it was that i would not go. it turned into an argument between me and mom. it makes me laugh now, but that was what was. and it lasted til three in the morning. and it became clear that until i understood, i would not be going to bed. i had thoughts like.. "ok i just wont tell dad that im feeling like this, i belong in utah and im just over thinking it, i just need to go to bed." and the response back was "no your not going to utah, your staying here." so once again, i lost an argument to mom. and i loved it. and now my attitude about staying here has totally changed and i know it will be for the best. Utah isnt going anywhere anyways...
love you guys!!!
love you guys!!!
Friday, October 5, 2007
Missing Mom
After reading Maggie's blog I had another good cry. This is the second day in a row!!! That was really sweet Maggie. I feel exactly the same way. There was no one who could help me when I needed it more than mom. I enjoyed our talks so much. She could always make me feel better. She was sooo good at it. I remember always thinking wow, I have it so good....my mom is amazing. She was good at everything. We are all like her in some way and that makes me feel very lucky and good about myself. I thought I would mention a memory I had of mom too. I remember going through the temple for the first time with mom as my escort. She was so great and so helpful through it all. She made it so special. I remeber afterwards we had a really good talk that I will never forget. I am so glad that I got to have that experience with her before she passed away.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
11:45 and bloggin...
well its 11:45 at night. I am used to being in Utah and staying up til 3 in the morning. And so i figure that i wont get to bed for a while. I kinda got myself worked up tonight so i kinda had a breakdown. And so since i was just sitting in my room all miserable and whatnot, i decided to go on my laptop. and when i go on it i check the very few websites that i visit. First, Katherines blog. I mean that. It is more important to me then anything else. then i check facebook then i check the family blog and then i check myspace. So when i checked the family website i read katherines post about favorite memories and so i decided i wanted to write one but for some reason i cant think of one. all i can think of is how much i miss talking to her. i feel like my life isnt going to be ok until i can talk 2 her again. which is really hard because i know its not going to happen. but ya that is something i really loved and something that i truly miss. i love all of you guys and i hope everyone is holding up.
Love
maggie
ps- when i think of a favorite memory i will post it.
Love
maggie
ps- when i think of a favorite memory i will post it.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Saturday, September 29, 2007
It's so tasty, too!
This is SO good and SO EASY! You guys will love it. I've been serving it with peas and the pesto sauce tastes good on those, too.
Pesto-Coated Baked Chicken
2-3 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
1/4 c + 1 T prepared pesto
1 1/2 tsp sour cream
1 1/2 tsp mayonnaise
1 T shredded Parmesan (but I ended up using about 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella)
1 T pine nuts (used more of these too)
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Arrange chicken in a single layer in a shallow baking dish. Combine pesto, sour cream, and mayonnaise in a small bowl. Brush over chicken. Sprinkle with cheese and pine nuts. Bake 10-25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
Pesto-Coated Baked Chicken
2-3 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
1/4 c + 1 T prepared pesto
1 1/2 tsp sour cream
1 1/2 tsp mayonnaise
1 T shredded Parmesan (but I ended up using about 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella)
1 T pine nuts (used more of these too)
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Arrange chicken in a single layer in a shallow baking dish. Combine pesto, sour cream, and mayonnaise in a small bowl. Brush over chicken. Sprinkle with cheese and pine nuts. Bake 10-25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Dog Food
I think this site would be good for posting memories of Mom. I'd like to see us all do that.
When I was little, I was prone to daydreaming. In elementary and Sunday school, my mind would often be wandering and I would find myself not paying attention to what was being taught. Well, when Mom would take me grocery-shopping with her at Hughes (remember Hughes in Huntington Harbor?), I would wait and stare out the window while she paid for the groceries. Right below the window is where they kept the dog food bags. There I would be, standing right in front of them, staring out the window. Mom would tease me EVERY TIME we went to the store. She'd say, "Katherine, why are you staring at the dog food?" "Katherine, do you want me to buy you some dog food? If you want to eat dog food, I'll get it for you." "You like dog food?! GROSS!" Though I didn't think so at the time, it was hilarious.
You go.
When I was little, I was prone to daydreaming. In elementary and Sunday school, my mind would often be wandering and I would find myself not paying attention to what was being taught. Well, when Mom would take me grocery-shopping with her at Hughes (remember Hughes in Huntington Harbor?), I would wait and stare out the window while she paid for the groceries. Right below the window is where they kept the dog food bags. There I would be, standing right in front of them, staring out the window. Mom would tease me EVERY TIME we went to the store. She'd say, "Katherine, why are you staring at the dog food?" "Katherine, do you want me to buy you some dog food? If you want to eat dog food, I'll get it for you." "You like dog food?! GROSS!" Though I didn't think so at the time, it was hilarious.
You go.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
THIS IS REFERRING TO THE BOOK I HAVE TOLD YOU ABOUT. DAD
My daughter-in-law was killed by lightening 15 months ago while climbing the Grand Tetons. She left behind two babies, a boy almost two and a girl who had her fourth birthday the week before. Many have given theories and tried to explain this tragedy. None of them are very comforting. The hardest part is knowing that these two little ones will never be physically loved and held by her again. They are too little to grieve, yet they really do miss their mommy. I have to say that she was the best mother, spent every minute with these kids and loved them and giggled with them and was patient and good. She put a whole lot of living and loving in the short time she was here on earth. Her death was tragic, sudden, and doesn't make sense. But then, I realize that I only have a mortal point of view. My son and his friends placed a memorial on the mountain that said, "Touched by God." That is the most comforting statement of all.
A book that gives us great comfort is The Message by Lance Richardson, who just happened to live in my son's ward. He died a few months after Erica. I've come to believe his promise that our loved ones who have died are still very close to us. I think that they are our guardian angels. My daughter said the one thing that made the most sense, "These two little ones must have a challenging life ahead of them if Erica can help them more as a spiritual mother than as a mortal mother."
My son's faith has remained unshaken. He is living a good life with a new wife, who is wonderful to my grandchildren. My question now is, How much do we keep Erica's memory alive? Or is better for the kids to get on with a new life? Is it okay to teach them that their mom will always be close by? My inclination is to grieve forever; the pain doesn't seem to lessen with time. I hurt so much for them. But I think the very young kids are more resilient than the adults. They are able to get on with life in a happy, positive way. I just want to love them and be there for them as only a grandma can. – Grandma Packer, Rigby, ID
You sound like a wonderful grandmother, and I’m so glad the children, and your son, are surrounded by so much love. I believe the best approach is to help your children keep Erica’s memory alive all that you can. She has not ceased to exist; she has only gone ahead of them. It’s certainly okay to teach them that their mom is still close by; what a comfort, in fact. Maybe they could celebrate her birthday each year, look through scrapbooks and pay tribute. Bringing her up now and again, in a loving way (“Oh, you have the same gorgeous singing voice your mom had!” “I wonder what your mom would do in this situation; she was always so wise…”) is both healthy and needed. This won’t prevent them from loving their new step-mom; but will cement all their bonds of love.
NOTE: I THINK THAT THE COMMENT ABOUT A CHALLENGING LIFE REFERS TO THE AGE OF THE KIDS. THIS SHOULD BE A HUGE COMFORT TO ALL OF US.
YOU ALL KNOW YOUR MOM. JUST TRY TO IMAGINE HOW YOUR MOM WILL WANT TO HELP YOU.
I WILL TELL YOU WHEN I AM IN THE TEMPLE I FEEL THE CLOSEST TO HER. IN FACT WHEN I AM THERE EVERYTHING FEELS ALRIGHT.
LOVE YOU
DAD
A book that gives us great comfort is The Message by Lance Richardson, who just happened to live in my son's ward. He died a few months after Erica. I've come to believe his promise that our loved ones who have died are still very close to us. I think that they are our guardian angels. My daughter said the one thing that made the most sense, "These two little ones must have a challenging life ahead of them if Erica can help them more as a spiritual mother than as a mortal mother."
My son's faith has remained unshaken. He is living a good life with a new wife, who is wonderful to my grandchildren. My question now is, How much do we keep Erica's memory alive? Or is better for the kids to get on with a new life? Is it okay to teach them that their mom will always be close by? My inclination is to grieve forever; the pain doesn't seem to lessen with time. I hurt so much for them. But I think the very young kids are more resilient than the adults. They are able to get on with life in a happy, positive way. I just want to love them and be there for them as only a grandma can. – Grandma Packer, Rigby, ID
You sound like a wonderful grandmother, and I’m so glad the children, and your son, are surrounded by so much love. I believe the best approach is to help your children keep Erica’s memory alive all that you can. She has not ceased to exist; she has only gone ahead of them. It’s certainly okay to teach them that their mom is still close by; what a comfort, in fact. Maybe they could celebrate her birthday each year, look through scrapbooks and pay tribute. Bringing her up now and again, in a loving way (“Oh, you have the same gorgeous singing voice your mom had!” “I wonder what your mom would do in this situation; she was always so wise…”) is both healthy and needed. This won’t prevent them from loving their new step-mom; but will cement all their bonds of love.
NOTE: I THINK THAT THE COMMENT ABOUT A CHALLENGING LIFE REFERS TO THE AGE OF THE KIDS. THIS SHOULD BE A HUGE COMFORT TO ALL OF US.
YOU ALL KNOW YOUR MOM. JUST TRY TO IMAGINE HOW YOUR MOM WILL WANT TO HELP YOU.
I WILL TELL YOU WHEN I AM IN THE TEMPLE I FEEL THE CLOSEST TO HER. IN FACT WHEN I AM THERE EVERYTHING FEELS ALRIGHT.
LOVE YOU
DAD
Friday, September 21, 2007
Tony Snow's testimony
Wayne sent this to Dad and I and I thought I'd post it here. I'm pretty frustrated today because I found out Bobby will actually not have tomorrow or Sunday off, but has to work both days, and I miss my husband and I was looking forward to having him home with us. When life gets a little frustrating, it is tempting to start feeling sorry for myself, so I'm glad that when I got an extra couple of minutes (2 minutes is really all I'm going to get this afternoon. Franny is screaming for me as I write this), I'm glad I was able to read this. I especially like his third point: that God relishes surprise. And though we prefer when our lives go smoothly, our greatest growth comes from how we deal with these trials. I love you all very much. I'm glad this just sort of fell into my lap this afternoon, because I'm not doing a great job of seeking this kind of comfort out on my own. Miss you.
Beautiful testimony by Tony Snow
This is an outstanding testimony from Tony Snow, President Bush's Press Secretary, and his fight with cancer. Commentator and broadcaster Tony Snow announced that he had colon cancer in 2005. Following surgery and chemo-therapy, Snow joined the Bush Administration in April 2006 as press secretary. Unfortunately, on March 23, 2007, Snow, 51, a husband and father of three, announced the cancer had recurred, with tumors found in his abdomen-, leading to surgery in April, followed by more chemotherapy. Snow went back to work in the White House Briefing Room on May 30, but has resigned since, "for economic reasons," and to pursue "other interests."
------------------------------
"Blessings arrive in unexpected packages, - in my case, cancer. Those of us with potentially fatal diseases - and there are millions in America today - find ourselves in the odd position of coping with our mortality while trying to fathom God's will. Although it would be the height of presumption to declare with confidence "What It All Means", Scripture provides powerful hints and consolations.
The first is that we shouldn't spend too much time trying to answer the "why" questions : Why me? Why must people suffer? Why can't someone else get sick? We can't answer such things, and the questions themselves often are designed more to express our anguish than to solicit an answer.
I don't know why I have cancer, and I don't much care. It is what it is- a plain and in disputable fact. Yet even while staring into a mirror darkly, great and stunning truths begin to take shape. Our maladies define a central feature of our existence: We are fallen. We are imperfect. Our bodies give out.
But despite this -, or because of it-, God offers the possibility of salvation and grace. We don't know how the narrative of our lives will end, but we get to choose how to use the interval between now and the moment we meet our Creator face-to-face.
Second, we need to get past the anxiety. The mere thought of dying can send adrenaline flooding through your system. A dizzy, unfocused panic seizes you. Your heart thumps; your h ead swims. You think of nothingness and swoon. You fear partings; you worry about the impact on family and friends. You fidget and get nowhere. To regain footing, remember that we were born not into death, but into life,- and that the journey continues after we have finished our days on this earth. We accept this on faith, but that faith is nourished by a conviction that stirs even within many non believing hearts- an intuition that the gift of life, once given, cannot be taken away. Those who have been stricken enjoy the special privilege of being able to fight with their might, main, and faith to live-fully, richly, exuberantly -no matter how their days may be numbered.
Third, we can open our eyes and hearts. God relishes surprise. We want lives of simple, predictable ease, smooth, even trails as far as the eye can see, - but God likes to go off-road. He provokes us with twists and turns. He places us in predicaments that seem to defy our endurance and comprehension- and yet don't. By His love and grace, we persevere. The challenges that make our hearts leap an d stomachs churn invariably strengthen our faith and grant measures of wisdom and joy we would not
experience otherwise.
'You Have Been Called' Picture yourself in a hospital bed. The fog of anesthesia has begun to wear away. A doctor stands at your feet; a loved one holds your hand at the side. "It's cancer," the healer announces.
The natural reaction is to turn to God and ask him to serve as a cosmic Santa. "Dear God, make it all go away. Make everything simpler." But another voice whispers: "You have been called." Your quandary has drawn you closer to God, closer to those you love, closer to the issues that matter-, and has dragged into insignificance the banal concerns that occupy our "normal time."
There's another kind of response, although usually short-lived-; an inexplicable shudder of excitement, as if a clarifying moment of calamity has swept away everything trivial and tinny, and placed before us the challenge of important questions.
The moment you enter the Valley of the Shadow of Death, things change. You discover that Christianity is not something doughy, passive, pious, and soft. Faith may be the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. But it also draws you into a world shorn of fearful caution. The life of belief teems with thrills, boldness, danger, shocks, reversals, triumphs, and epiphanies. Think of Paul, traipsing though the known world and contemplating trips to what must have seemed the antipodes (Spain), shaking the dust from his sandals, worrying not about the morrow, but only about the moment.
There's nothing wilder than a life of humble virtue -, for it is through selflessness and service that God wrings from our bodies and spirits the most we ever could give, the most we ever could offer, and the most we ever could do.
Finally, we can let love change everything. When Jesus was faced with the prospect of crucifixion, he grieved not for himself, but for us. He cried for Jerusalem before entering the holy city. From the Cross, he took on the cumulative burden of human sin and weakness, and begged for forgiveness on our behalf.
We get repeated chances to learn that life is not about us, -that we acquire purpose and satisfaction by sharing in God's love for others. Sickness gets us partway there. It reminds us of our limitations and dependence. But it also gives us a chance to serve the healthy. A minister friend of mine observes that people suffering grave affliction often acquire the faith of two people, while loved ones accept the burden of two people's worries and fears.
'Learning How to Live'. Most of us have watched friends as they drifted toward God's arms not with resignation, but with peace and hope. In so doing, they have taught us not how to die, but how to live. They have emulated Christ by transmitting the power and authority of love.
I sat by my best friend's bedside a few years ago and saw the sting of cancer take him away. He kept at his table a worn Bible and a 1928 edition of the Book of Common Prayer. A shattering grief disabled his family, many of his old friends, and at least one priest. Here was an humble and very good guy, someone who apologized when he winced with pain because he thought it made his guest uncomfortable. He retained his equanimity and good humor literally until his last conscious moment. "I'm going to try to beat [this cancer]," he told me several months before he died. "But if I don't, I'll see you on the other side."
His gift was to remind everyone around him that even though God doesn't promise us tomorrow, he does promise us eternity -, filled with life and love we cannot comprehend -, and that one can in the throes of sickness point the rest of us toward timeless truths that will help us weather future storms.
Through such trials, God bids us to choose: Do we believe, or do we not? Will we be bold enough to love, daring enough to serve, humble enough to submit, and strong enough to acknowledge our limitations? Can we surrender our concern in things that don't matter so that we might devote our remaining days to things that do?
When our faith flags, he throws reminders in our way. Think of the prayer warriors in our midst. They change things, and those of us who have been on the receiving end of their petitions and intercessions know it.
It is hard to describe, but there are times when suddenly the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, and you feel a surge of the Spirit. Somehow you just know: Others have chosen, when talking to the Author of all creation, to lift us up, - to speak of us!
This is love of a very special order. But so is the ability to sit back and appreciate the wonder of every created thing. The mere thought of death somehow makes every blessing vivid, every happiness more luminous and intense. We may not know how our contest with sickness will end, but we have felt the ineluctable touch of God.
What is man that Thou art mindful of him? We don't know much, but we know this: No matter where we are, no matter what we do, no matter how bleak or frightening our prospects, each and everyone of us who believe, each and every day, lies in the same safe and impregnable place, - in the hollow of God's hand."
End
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Franny and Sophie
Here's some cute pictures of the girls. Here's Franny the first day she did potty-training at school and the other one was from earlier that morning. I looked up and Soph was trying to push Franny in the doll stroller! Sophie's hair is always in her eyes like this. It's driving me nuts because she won't leave any barrettes in her hair!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATHERINE
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU....HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.....HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR KATHERINE....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
GO (literally) FRANCIS!!!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
GO (literally) FRANCIS!!!!!!
Happy Birthday!!!!
Hey Kath! Happy Birthday!!! You are almost 30 years old. Man you are old, haha that's me getting you back for the whilte lightning comment haha. Jk I hope you are having a great birthday!!! I wish we could celebrate your birthday with you. I love you so much!!
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Happy Birthday Katherine!!! (tomorrow)
Happy birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. happy Birthday drea Katherinnneeee. Happy Birthday to youuuuu. I love you fool. I hopee your birthday is bomb. bomber then bomb actually. You deserve it. I'll be calling you today!!
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Katherine and Bobby's new house
Here's the front of our house. I made this video so you could see where we live. We miss you all and we can't wait for Thanksgiving. Love you! Sorry the video is such poor-quality. I just used my piece of crap digital camera. Which sucks. Hey- you know what I want for my birthday? For all of you to post something on this blog. That would be so bomb.dsoihf
Hi Family
I think this blog will serve our family better. Thanks to Katherine for all her caring and work. We would like to use this site to help us stay close and to help us focus on our goal: To live our lives so that we can be together as a family forever. I have asked all of you to be aware of your Mom's influence in your lives. I promise you that your Mom is involved with each one of us. She is very interested in our well being and will be able to help and influence us. Probably more than she could do if she were with us in mortality. Marianne Linford told me that Elder Richard G. Scott (who lives in their ward and lost his wife) always wonders why so many think that the departed are not with us. Therefore the theme of this blog is the promises made to Marianne in her patricarchal blessing regarding each one of you:
......"I BLESS YOU WITH THE POWER OF DISCERNMENT IN THE RAISING OF YOUR CHILDREN IN BOTH SPIRITUAL AND TEMPORAL MATTERS. WITH THIS POWER YOU WILL ALWAYS KNOW WHEN THEY ARE TROUBLED AND IN NEED OF YOUR HELP, AND THUS WILL BE ABLE TO BE WITH THEM DURING THE MOST CRITICAL TIMES IN THEIR LIVES TO HELP THEM MAKE THE RIGHT DECSIONS."
......"I BLESS YOU WITH THE POWER OF DISCERNMENT IN THE RAISING OF YOUR CHILDREN IN BOTH SPIRITUAL AND TEMPORAL MATTERS. WITH THIS POWER YOU WILL ALWAYS KNOW WHEN THEY ARE TROUBLED AND IN NEED OF YOUR HELP, AND THUS WILL BE ABLE TO BE WITH THEM DURING THE MOST CRITICAL TIMES IN THEIR LIVES TO HELP THEM MAKE THE RIGHT DECSIONS."
Thursday, September 13, 2007
under my umbrella
Hey family!
I worked all day on this header so I hope you like it. I thought "You can stand under my umbrella" would be a nice theme for our blog since the reason we have it so we can be a support to one another, but I'm not sure if it's the best idea. I happened to see the music video today and it is pretty gross. I welcome anyone's suggestions on better titles. I love you guys and I hope you all use the blog. Please tell me if you need help.
Kath
I worked all day on this header so I hope you like it. I thought "You can stand under my umbrella" would be a nice theme for our blog since the reason we have it so we can be a support to one another, but I'm not sure if it's the best idea. I happened to see the music video today and it is pretty gross. I welcome anyone's suggestions on better titles. I love you guys and I hope you all use the blog. Please tell me if you need help.
Kath
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