HAPPY EASTER

HAPPY EASTER FAMILY!!!

Thanks Dad for the beautiful dresses. The girls love them. They've been dancing around all morning.

SPRINGTIME

I've always loved the Spring. The days are longer, the flowers and shrubs return, General Conference is just around the corner, and of course there's basketball.
Marianne and I never had a gardener. She loved everything about gardening, so we landscaped four homes. She definitely had a green thumb and I had the green stains on my pants to prove it.
When it was time to cut back the garden, Marianne would do the cutting and I would gather the clippings in bags.
When I would come home and see the results of Marianne's pruning I would always laugh. I could tell what kind of day she had based on the how the garden looked. If she was feeling frustrated, she would take it out on those poor shrubs. But the shrubs always came back in the Spring.
Now it's my turn to do the pruning and I marvel every spring as the garden awakens the world seems renewed.
This too was Marianne's favorite time of year. She loved how the surrounding hillsides would turn green after months of brown.
As I am writing this I am watching an old movie, Ben Hur. The Savior has just been crucified. We know that in three days time he will be resurrected and that event will take place in a garden.
As I am getting older and learning more about the Savior, I realize that everything testifies of Jesus Christ. He is the source of all light and life.
Springtime is symbolic of the Savior’s resurrection. Just as spring inspires renewed hope and new life, so does the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Your Mom knew this. The day she left us was really a beautiful day. We had spent the day together buying shrubs and planting them. As we worked together for the last time Marianne told me she wanted us to teach you kids how to garden.
I was talking about gardening with Katherine just a week ago or so. It's now her turn to garden. You will all have the opportunity. When spring comes around and your garden returns, remember to turn your thoughts to the Savior. It is only through adherence to his teachings and example that we will find peace and happiness.
Also think of your beautiful Mom and her love for gardening and that because of the Savior's wonderful gift, she too will be resurrected and that we all can be together.
I want you to know that I feel her loving presence everyday and I see her influence and love in each one of you.
Enjoy the springtime.
Love

DAD

A Whole New World

Bobby would probably kill me if he knew I posted this video, but luckily he never checks this site. Enjoy...

Playing the Wii at Christmastime

We all missed you guys so much at Christmas. If Wes and Jen hadn't come, I think we would have had a very VERY quiet Christmas. It was so fun to video-conference with you Christmas morning and see all your faces. I'm so glad we did that.





When Wes and Jen were here for Christmas, they plugged in their Wii and we had the best time playing tennis and bowling. Everyone commented that my style of playing tennis was a "wii" bit spazzy, but I promise it's more fun that way. Wes said my tennis-playing reminds him of Elaine's dancing. (Watch the videos simultaneously. Bobby tried it and it is hilarious.)






This I'm sure doesn't need to be said, but these beautiful pictures were taken by Jen.

NO COMMENT NECESSARY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIA! AND ELVIS

ONE OF MY FAVORITE JULIA
PICTURES
(Bobby, check out her cool lunch box.)

ENTERTAINING with MARIANNE SANT WARNER

I JUST WANTED TO EXPRESS MY THANKS TO KATHERINE FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL BOOK. I THINK ABOUT YOUR MOM ALL THE TIME AND THIS HAS BROUGHT BACK A FLOOD OF MEMORIES.
KATHERINE TITLED THE BOOK PERFECTLY. YOUR MOM DIDN’T REALLY LOVE TO COOK. PROBABLY BECAUSE YOU KIDS WERE A LITTLE TOO PICKY. TYPICAL KID STUFF. BUT YOUR MOM LOVED TO ENTERTAIN. SHE WAS A GREAT ORGANIZER, SHE HAD EXCELLENT TASTE, WAS CREATIVE AND SHE LOVED PARTIES. SHE LOVED TO BE WITH HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
WHEN WE FIRST MET, MARIANNE TOLD ME THAT WHILE AT CAL STATE FULLERTON SHE PUT ON THE WEEKLY LUNCHEON AT THE INSTITUTE. I GUESS THESE LUNCHEONS TURNED INTO A RATHER LARGE EVENT. I REMEMBER REALIZING THEN HOW MUCH MARIANNE LOVED TO ENTERTAIN.
WHEN WE BUILT OUR HOUSE IN FAIRE MARIN, MARIANNE WANTED A HOUSE THAT WOULD ACCOMADATE LARGE PARTIES. REMEMBER THE LARGE WOLF STOVE AND THE LONG, WIDE GALLERY (THAT’S WHAT SHE CALLED IT) DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE DOWNSTAIRS. WELL THAT WAS GREAT FOR SETTING UP TABLE ROUNDS. WE EVEN INSTALLED A SECOND SINK IN THE KITCHEN, ALTHOUGH I CAN’T THINK WHY.
SHE LOVED TO DECORATE THE HOUSE. I ALWAYS ENJOYED BUYING CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS OR SETTING UP DECORATIONS OR WHATEVER BECAUSE IT SEEMED TO MAKE HER HAPPY.
WHAT MADE MARIANNE REALLY HAPPY THOUGH WAS HER FAMILY. FROM YOUR BIRTHDAY PARTIES, BAPTISMS, THANKSGIVING (REMEMBER THE OVERNIGHTERS) TO THE SANT CHRISTMAS PARTY. I THINK SHE WAS ALWAYS HAPPIEST WHEN SHE WAS THROWING A PARTY FOR HER FAMILY. ALTHOUGH IT COULD GET A LITTLE TENSE PREPARING FOR THE PARTY, HER PERSONALITY LITERALLY LIT UP THE HOUSE ONCE GUESTS WOULD ARRIVE.
WE HAD A COUPLE OF WEDDINGS AT THAT HOUSE. SEVERAL WEDDING RECEPTIONS. WE HAD A NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY; I THINK THE WHOLE STAKE WAS INVITED. WE HAD THE STAKE HIGH COUNCIL CHRISTMAS PARTY ONE YEAR. WE THREW A SIT DOWN DINNER PARTY FOR OVER 100 PEOPLE CELEBRATING PHYLLIS CURTIS’ 50TH BIRTHDAY PARTY........AND OF COURSE THE SANT CHRISTMAS PARTY.
REMEMBER THE BUTTERCAKES! MARIANNE GOT THIS RECIPE FROM HER MOTHER’S DUTCH NEIGHBOR GRETA. MARIANNE WOULD MAKE AT LEAST 40 TO 50 BUTTERCAKES EVERY CHRISTMAS. PUT THEM ON A PAPER CHRISTMAS PLATE, WRAP THEM IN CELLOPHANE TIED WITH A RIBBON AND A NAMETAG AND WE WOULD DELIVER THEM TO FRIENDS ALL OVER TOWN. EVERYONE WOULD KNOW THAT THEY WOULD GET THEIR BUTTERCAKE THAT CHRISTMAS. MANY WANTED THE RECIPE, BUT MARIANNE WOULD ALWAYS DECLINE. SHE WOULD RATHER BE THE ONE MAKING THE CAKE. HOWEVER, IN MEMORY OF MARIANNE, KATHERINE HAS INCLUDED THE RECIPE IN THIS BOOK, ALONG WITH A PICTURE OF THE WORN 25 YEAR OLD RECIPE CARD SHE HAD USED EVERY CHRISTMAS.
MARIANNE CREATED SUCH A BEAUTIFUL HOME FOR US. I LOVED THE WAY SHE WOULD DECORATE THE HOUSE FOR THE HOLIDAYS. I MISS SITTING UP LATE WITH HER WATCHING TV WHILE SHE MADE BUTTERCAKES, ROLLS , CHEESECAKES; GETTING READY FOR A PARTY. I MISS GOING TO THE STORE FOR HER WITH HER GROCERY LISTS. I WAS ALWAYS AMAZED HOW LONG SHE COULD BE ON HER FEET PREPARING FOOD IN THE KITCHEN.
FOR ME, ONE THING THAT MAKES DEALING WITH SEPARATION FROM MARIANNE EASIER IS THAT I KNOW SHE IS WITH FAMILY. A MUCH LARGER FAMILY NOW. I KNOW SHE IS HAPPY AND HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE HER TALENTS WITH THEM.
WHEN I THINK IT COULD BE A LONG TIME BEFORE I SEE HER AGAIN I TELL MYSELF THAT THE LONGER OUR SEPARATION, THE MORE SPECIAL OUR REUNION WILL BE.
WHAT A GREAT BLESSING SHE HAS BEEN AND CONTINUES TO BE TO OUR FAMILY.

LOVE DAD

Christmas Exchanges

Bobby Grant
Katherine Kristy
Grant Richard
Julia Katherine
Richard Bobby
Kristy Maggie
Maggie Annie
Annie Julia

The price limit is $40. Love you guys!!!!

NOTES..........

Why this is the greatest advantage of my whole existence, for I have passed from a state of sorrow, grief, mourning, woe, misery, pain, anguish and disappointment into a state of existence where I can enjoy life to the fullest extent as that can be done without a body. My spirit is set free, I thirst no more, I want to sleep no more, I hunger no more, I tire no more, I run, I walk, I labor, I go, I come, I do this, do that whatever is required of me. Nothing like pain or weariness, I am full of life, full of vigor, and I enjoy the presence of my Heavenly Father, by the power of His Spirit.
We have more friends behind the veil than on this side, and they will greet us more joyfully than you were ever welcomed by your parents and friends in this world; and you will rejoice more when you meet them than you ever rejoiced to see a friend in this life. BRIGHAM YOUNG

Sophie's new outfit from Grandpa (and her new haircut!)

She wore it all day long. She wouldn't let us take off her shoes, her dress or anything. Thanks "BAPA"!

Sophie is 2 years old!

Here's our big girl taking a nap on her birthday. I just love the two teddy bears tucked under her arms.

I found this birthday cake online and thought it looked like fun to make. It wasn't. But the kids loved it, so it was totally worth it.


And here's Sophie getting ready to dig in. She's so fun. I'll try and get some video posted so you can see. Love you guys- even though you forgot your niece's birthday!

DR. ROBERT

CONGRATULATIONS!
BOBBY HAS ACCEPTED A POSITION AS A RESIDENT PHYSICIAN WITH AN INTERNSHIP AS AN ANESTHESIOLOGIST. HE WILL BE AT A HOSPITAL IN KIRKSVILLE FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING AND HOPING FOR. ANESTHESIOLOGY IS A HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER SPECIALTY AND IS VERY COMPETITIVE. WE ARE SO PROUD AND HAPPY FOR THEM. WAY TO GO BOBBY!

DON'T KNOW WHAT AN ANESTHESIOLOGIST IS?
Anesthesiologists focus on the care of surgical patients and pain relief. Like other physicians, they evaluate and treat patients and direct the efforts of their staffs. Through continual monitoring and assessment, these critical care specialists are responsible for maintenance of the patient’s vital life functions—heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, breathing—during surgery. They also work outside of the operating room, providing pain relief in the intensive care unit, during labor and delivery, and for those who suffer from chronic pain. Anesthesiologists confer with other physicians and surgeons about appropriate treatments and procedures before, during, and after operations.

NOTES......

My Mom sent me this last year. I noticed this in my notes after talking to Richard and Katherine. I thought I would share it with you. I don't know where it's from.


Blessed By Angels
A father died. His young adult daughter missed him terribly. She thought about him regularly.
Her sister chided her: 'By missing Dad, grieving over him, and insisting on his attention to your life, you are keeping him from doing his work on the other side of the veil. Because you are unhappy and he cares about you, he is drawn to you and it keeps him from doing what he needs to be doing. Let him go!'

The Wisdom of Heaven
That may sound like sensible advice. Yet I doubt that it captures the wisdom of Heaven. When we impose mortal constraints on eternal doings, we are surely selling heaven short. As the Prophet Joseph observed, 'It is the constitutional disposition of mankind to set up stakes and set bounds to the works and ways of the Almighty' (TPJS, p. 320).
If we limit heaven's doings by our rules and assumptions, we will shortchange Heaven and ourselves. Maybe a set of laws very different from those we know for mortality govern the doings of immortals. My propositions for the laws that govern immortals include the following:

1. Departed spirits love us and yearn to be a part of our lives. There is nothing they enjoy more than serving the family and friends who literally mean everything to them.

2. Those who live in eternity are not everlastingly at odds with time. While those in the spirit world may not be fully free of the constraints of time, surely they do not struggle with time the way we do.

3. Depart spirits can only participate fully in our lives when we allow them to. They are not allowed to intrude on our lives uninvited but may take part as we appropriately invite them to take part.

4. They will not violate our agency (nor do our chores), but they gladly teach us, love us, reassure us, and guide us according to heavenly wisdom.

5. Though it may take us years to learn to hear their language, they already know us and our language.


Seeking Grandpa
Some years ago I began studying my great-grandfather's life. The more I learned of him the more I wanted to become friends with this good man who died almost two decades before I was born. I yearned to sit and talk with him.
One day as I finished an endowment session in the temple, I pondered. 'How can I visit with grandpa Ben?' I wondered if, after striving to be more righteous, God would send him to visit me. I wasn't sure. I also wondered if I might request of the temple president some time alone in a sealing room to invite him to visit. This option did not seem quite right.
As I stood in the temple, a single word from Alma's great invitation (Alma 5) came to me with new meaning: Imagine.
Imagine! Suddenly it made sense. We do not spend a lifetime trying to be good and settle into great spiritual experiences as a retirement reward. We seek them. We pursue them. In matters of faith, we exercise all the energies of our minds and souls. Faith is mental exertion.

When a man works by faith he works by mental exertion instead of physical force.(Lectures on Faith 7:3).
Suddenly my path was clear. Rather than wait for Grandpa to come to me, I was to seek him. I began falteringly. Sometimes I sought him as I drove alone at night to teach a class in a neighboring town. I would leave the passenger seat free of books and papers. In my mind I imagined Grandpa Ben sitting there. It wasn't hard to imagine him. I have studied every picture of him I can find. And I have not only read what he wrote in his journals and articles, I have also tried to read books that he read so that I could know how he thought and what he loved.
So, as we drove along, I would talk to Grandpa. I would tell him what I appreciated about his legacy. I would thank him for leaving a journal filled with his spirit. Sometimes I would ask him for advice. To be honest, I never heard his voice in my ear. Yet I sometimes felt his message in my heart. It was sweet. Was it real or just 'vain imaginations'?
It felt real to me.

Getting Counsel from My Dad
At a time when I was at a spiritual and professional crossroads, I desperately wanted counsel from my wise and compassionate Dad. But he had died a year previous. I missed him terribly.
Fortunately I got even more desperate as I struggled for an answer and found none. One day I got desperate enough to leave meetings and find solitude in a restroom where I locked the door and begged Dad for his counsel. When I paused to listen, I felt warm, reassuring, and wise counsel come to mind. I knew it was from Dad. I wrote it down. As I acted on his counsel, our lives have gotten better and better. I believe that my dad is just as interested and even more able to counsel me now than when he lived in mortality.

Following Grandma
I did not want to presume on Heaven's goodness. But I felt there was still more.
My paternal grandmother was a counselor in the general presidency of the Young Women beginning in 1937. I read her articles in church magazines. I read her correspondence. I also read her expressions of love to her children.
Unfortunately, Grandma died when I was just barely 16 months of age. So I can't remember her holding me and cooing to me, her first grandson. I can't remember her voice or words. But everyone who knew her told of her powerful testimony and great passion for the gospel. When I read a letter inviting her to speak to a group of Young Women in Logan, I longed to be there.
I exerted myself. I studied her notes. I found a quiet place and imagined her sitting on the stand in a chapel of that era. I found that the Spirit would not let me sit in the audience, but He would allow me to stand in the foyer and hear Grandma speak. I could almost hear the words and themes in my mind. I certainly felt the warmth as she testified of God's great gifts and invited the Young Women to be true to their covenants.
What a blessing to hear Grandma speak after these many years of silence!

Family Gatherings
Recently our family gathered in the temple for a sealing. I felt sure that our ancestors wanted to attend. And we wanted them to attend. So I sent an invitation - by way of prayer. I asked that Father allow them to visit and be a part of this cherished family experience.
When we arrived in the sealing room, I mentally placed our cherished visitors in specific seats. I imagined them sitting there. I mentally expressed my love and appreciation to them. I was flooded with joy even before the sealing began.

Ministering of Angels
Are there other ways that departed spirits can bless us? Are the ways only limited by our imaginations? I have often invited my dear dad to accompany me on speaking assignments. I have asked Heaven to allow departed spirits to help me when I undertake a new writing project. (I call them the book team!)
We might modify Elisha's insight: 'Fear not: for they that be with us are more than [we ever imagined]' (2 Kings 6:16).
Consider the words of President Faust at the April 2006 General Conference:
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. (Emphasis added)
I would extend President Faust's statement to say that the ministry of departed spirits can be, not only an important part of the gospel, but also an important and blessed part of our daily lives.
For the young woman who is missing her dad I say, 'Invite him over for some daddy-daughter time. He will come gladly. You will both be blessed by the time together.' I know from experience.

Annie's new bedroom

Annie and I had a blast redecorating her room while I was there. Now we just need to get Dad to paint two of the walls a lovely shade of muted turquoise. :) Love you Annie! Thanks for getting so excited about this project.

CHANGES

Maggie's automobile
MAGGIE MOVES TO UTAH
Last week Maggie and I traveled to Utah to move her into her new apartment, job and life in Utah. Maggie has been wanting to move there for sometime. She has prayerfully approached this and it has been obvious she receives answers to her prayers.
Maggie went to work for an Allstate insurance agent in Corona several months ago. She picked up the business quickly but soon thereafter felt it was time for her to make the move.
Maggie sent out an email and resume to all the Allstate agents in the Utah Valley. One of them hired her from just a telephone interview. This a good job with generous pay. She can work full time or part time depending on her college schedule. I'm very proud of her. Check out Maggie's blog Maggie'sCollegeChaos.blogspot.com.


Katherine, Francis and Sophie came over from Idaho to help get Maggie settled. We had a nice stay with my parents.
So that leaves just Annie and I at home. Annie is amazing. She is President of her MIA MAID class and just started her sophmore year in high school.
And I just started teaching seminary and I love it.

ANNIE'S DANCE FESTIVAL

Annie participated in a thirteen stake dance festival in July. It was a month of practicing in stifling heat, but they pulled it off. It was a great success. Annie invited her friend Katherine. Katherine's family came to the performance. Here is a picture of Annie and her dance partner Jordan.

CHECK OUT ANNIE'S SWEET MOVES.

Burp Tennis

BURP TENNIS
Toss a coin to see who serves. Play the rules of tennis with burps instead of balls! This can only be played I game at a time as in my experience you feel sick after 5 or 6 burps!!

I'm online looking for car games. We're going to spend TWO WHOLE DAYS in the car this weekend and I thought it would be fun to look for some besides the usual "Twenty questions" or the license plate game. This struck me as funny. Gross! I would need a lot of diet coke to participate in this game! I wouldn't stand a chance against Bobby.

from the mouths of babes

Franny said a really cute prayer tonight, so I have to record it somewhere and I knew you guys would enjoy it.

Dear Heavenly Father, bless panda bear and bear and baby and papers and books and pen and scissors. [at this point she wanted to close the prayer but I prompted her with "please bless Daddy."] Bless Daddy and Mommy and Sophie and Franny and Richard and Kristy and Garrett. And Garrett again. Jesus Christ Amen." (Garrett is a boy in her class.)

She is so funny.