Kitties

So I have to share...
Kaleb is having some "potty issues"  Perhaps a little too much information, but essential to the story. And I have to watch those carefully because Em had bilateral reflux which caused some real health issues until it was addressed.  Anyway, Kaleb cries when he goes.  A lot.
Last night, I was explaining to the kids that I has afraid he had an UTI and that we had to be careful because it could turn into a kidney infection.
Kaleb was intently listening and said "A kitty infection??? It's going to turn into a CAT?!?!"
How I love that kid!

Heritage

So "someone" told me I need to update my blog. I reminded her that I'm consistently inconsistent.  But I woke up this morning thinking I really should get on it.  But what to write?  My thoughts turned to a talk I gave a couple weeks ago that I have been wanting to remodel from a bunch of notes into something that makes a little more sense.  So here we go....

In a talk to the young men, Martin J Brough asked: "Have you ever had the experience, as you left your home for a youth activity, to hear your mother say, “Now, Son, remember who you are”? Did you wonder each time, Why does she always say that? And, by the way, who am I?"

One of the great gifts we have been given as members of the Restored Church is a sure knowledge of who we are.  We often take for granted that knowledge.  But there are many out there who do not know.  They do not know that they are children of loving Heavenly Parents.  Parents who want nothing more than their happiness and success.  They don't know their spiritual heritage.  

On a shelf at our family farmhouse there is a card.  It lists the line of Priesthood authority from my Dad back to the Savior Himself.  That is heritage.  On the same shelf is my Grandma Taylor's Relief Society membership card from 1970.  That is heritage.  In the closet in the back bedroom there is a hat.  It has hung there for forty years since my Grandpa passed away- except for a few times when I imagine my Grandma lovingly took it down and wished he were with her.  That is heritage.

As we continue to learn and gain greater understanding of our heritage, we gain strength and character that will see us through the most difficult times.

President Howard W. Hunter said  “The greatest search of our time is the search for personal identity and for human dignity."

Elder Brough said: "Access to these contemporary icons is expensive and unproductive. We are almost always disappointed when we come to witness the shallow and murky standards by which the public heaps its praise. No wonder the public areas of so many cities and towns are crowded with young people who are possessed with these same shallow and murky standards of personal behavior.

Yet there is an abundance of role models who can be found much closer and who can have much deeper influence upon each one of us. Most of us, with relatively little effort and much less cost, can provide for our families a veritable list of important role models. This list can be created from a modest search into the lives of our ancestors."

So much of this information is available on Family Search.  You can now add photos and stories to any family member's information with a couple clicks of  a button!  A a value project, Katherine transcribed parts of a 100 year old journal of one of Denny's ancestors.  By doing so, she has come to know him and his story. And now she can choose to share that information with others through Family Search.

As I review my family's history, I am reminded of examples of faith.  Of courage.  Of compassion and love.  As I share a few of these stories with you, I encourage you to think upon your own family's stories.  How can you teach your children to have strength and courage in living the gospel through your heritage?

From time to time, you may hear my family mention going to the farm.  Although I was born in Denver and basically raised right here in Riverton, a little farm house between Loa and Fremont in Wayne County Utah is home to me.  And I believe that is true for the rest of my family as well. 

Several years ago, we were headed home from a trip to Disneyland.  We had a wonderful time.  I'm not sure what possessed me to do so, but I asked my kids what they wanted to do for vacation the following year.  Their unanimous reply- Go to the farm.

We are fortunate that both sides of my family share Wayne County as a part of their heritage.  My parents met in Seattle Washington while my Mom was going to beauty school and my Dad was working for Martin Marietta.  They soon discovered that they both had roots in Wayne County.  So when we go there, we learn and talk a lot about the Taylor side on my family because that's our farm.  But we drive by the house in Lyman where my Grandma Nelson grew up and we remember her too.  And on the way home, as we drive through Payson, I can't help but think about her and the courage she had.

Lois Jackson was married to Rancell Sorenson in 1943, but the experiences of war made it difficult for Rancell to be the kind of husband he needed to be.  After the war, they lived in Salt Lake where he drove a taxi.  They had two daughters, my mom and my Aunt Judy.  My Great Uncle Fred came to visit and learned of the conditions they were living in and took my Grandma, Mom and Aunt home to the family farm. My Grandma didn't allow these difficult circumstances to dictate her life.  She worked hard, eventually finding a job at Strawberry Water Users where she became known as the Strawberry Queen.  In a time when single parents were very uncommon, she held her head high and provided for her daughters.  She created a wonderful heritage for our family, at one time helping to support 5 missionaries.  When we drive through Payson, I look for the homes on Main street that she owned and rented out to families in need for far below the going rate.  I can't help but smile at the memories as we drive by the old Strawberry Water building and I cringe a little as we drive by her home and see how it has changed.  There are so many wonderful memories there.  Of SkipBo and long talks.  Of word searches and Sunday dinners.  One day I hope to be able to follow in her example of grace and courage and generosity. 

My Great Grandpa Jackson passed away just a couple months before I was born, but I feel I know him because of the stories I have been told of his sense of humor and love of the kids.

I have read letters he wrote while he and my Great Grandma Jackson served a mission in the Samoan Islands.  Reading their words brings me closer to them and allows me to learn from them.  This excerpt came was transcribed by my cousin and placed on family search so it is available for all of his descendants to read:

On the 18th day of August, the year of Eighteen Ninety-Five, the stork left a small bundle on my parents’ doorstep. They took it up and after looking it over decided to keep it. So they took it to church and had it named Harvey Perry. They lived on a ranch three miles south of Lyman, Wayne County, Utah at that time. A few years later, they decided to see if the school teacher could learn me something, so they moved into Lyman town in what was, at that time, a large brick home of three rooms. There, I fought my way thru the first few years of school. There were, at that time, three of us brothers getting large enough to do some work in the fields, and my father being somewhat of a homebuilder by now, had about two hundred acres of land that had to be worked. So we moved back on the ranch and [he] put us to work. There wasn’t any automobiles or tractors at that time, but my father, being a lover of fine horses, had plenty of the finest horses in the country. From that time until I graduated from the eighth grade, I got my schooling by riding that three miles to school, sometimes in a two-horse sleigh with plenty of snow, [but] most of the time by horseback.
I love his example of humor and faith.  The mission he and Great Grandma Jackson served leaves a legacy of faith.  I have a picture of them at the end of their mission, attending a farewell party sitting on my piano.  They are laden with gifts and a band is playing in the background.  I know they were loved in those Islands just as they were loved here.  

 

My Fourth Great Grandpa on my Mom's side was John Henry Giles.  He was born in England where his mother passed away when he was three years old.  He was taken in and raised by his wealthy Uncle John.  He married Louisa Candy. They became interested in and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and planned to immigrate to America. His uncle John was opposed to the Mormon church and when he heard that his nephew and family were going to America, offered to give him half of his estate if he would stay in England and denounce his religion, otherwise he would not give him one cent. John Henry said, “I will not sell my religion.” Uncle John kept his promise, and all his money. (Excerpt from Family History.org)  This story is all I know of John Henry- but it serves as an amazing example to me.

Any my own mother serves as a constant example.  There is no one who teaches kindness and compassion better than my Mom.  From her, we learn to give without judgement and serve when and where we can, even if it's hard.  I am so grateful that my children have her example to follow.

The Taylor side of my family holds an equally amazing heritage:

My Grandpa Taylor passed away about a year before I was born.  But thanks to the stories I have been told and the letters I have read I feel like I know him too.  I love stories of him telling my sister that the cows ate his hair.  One story has been the topic of more than one primary talk:  Each fall, Grandpa would head up into the mountains and spend the day chopping wood.  After a long cold day of chopping, he and my Uncle Bud headed back to town.  On the way home, he slowed to a stop outside the home of a widow and told Bud to open the gate.  Bud did so and they pulled into the yard.  They proceeded to unload the wood in her yard.  When Bud asked why they were doing this, Grandpa simply replied "Because she needs it more than we do."

The stories go on as we read about the faith of William Taylor: (taken from the Taylor Family Website): William and Elizabeth settled on a slight elevation of land between two forks of the Fishing River in Ray County, Missouri. At this place, William bought two good farms and remained until the fall of 1834. Zion’s camp had been organized by Joseph Smith to demand that the Mormons in Missouri be given their rights. About two hundred recruits had joined. When Zion’s camp reach this place (Fishing River), they were forced to stop to mend some of their wagons and go in search of some of their horses that had wandered away. Enemies of the church had made threats against the camp but before they could carry out their plans, a furious storm arose. So much rain fell that the Fishing River became an impassable torrent. The members of Zion’s Camp were forced to take refuge in an old church and in the homes of the residence thereabouts. The terrific storm routed the mischief-makers, who fled in panic. Joseph Smith and his followers remained in the vicinity from Friday night, June 19 – Monday morning June 22. On the Sabbath day, services were held and the Doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were explained. Having heard one sermon, William Taylor was converted. Before the camp moved on, he and all members of his family and friends who were old enough were baptized in the Fishing River. There were 28 persons baptized at this time. William Taylor was the first person to accept the gospel in the state of Missouri and to be baptized into the church. Shortly after this, he was ordained an Elder in the church and became an earnest preacher of the gospel. Two days after meeting the Prophet Joseph Smith, William manifested in the prophet by fitting up his own son and his son-in-law with provisions and equipment to become members of Zion’s Camp.

William's Son Allen Crossed the plains as a family.  They were then asked to return and help struggling families make their way to the Valley.  Allen and William Riley return and made their way across the plains again.  With 14 year old William Riley driving a wagon for a widow and her family.  Allen then proceeded to heed the prophet's call to help settle five different areas including Kaysville, St. George then eventually Wayne County where I am grateful to say he stayed.

When we visit our farm, I find myself drawn to a dresser in the back bedroom.  It is filled with simple spiral bound notebooks.  Each one contains small fine handwriting that gets shakier as the books get newer.  They are my Grandma Taylor's journals.  I find myself turning to important dates in my life to see what she had to say.  One of my favorites was April 21st 1999.  There are a few lines written in black pen.  Then, blue pen is added.  Clearly the note was written later on in the day it says something like this: "Denny and Pam's baby was born tonight.  A little girl.  They named her Katherine.  Pam called me herself to tell me." 

I had no idea what it meant to her when I made that call.  And she could never know what those few lines would mean to me all these years later.

Another entry reads: "Lowell, Denny, Pam and the kids visited this week.  Wish they could have stayed longer."

I cherish the words I read from my ancestors.  Many of the lessons I learn are held in a few short words.  I wish we could have stayed longer too.  How I wish they were here to talk to and learn from and how I look forward to the day when we will be reunited and be able to share our lives and our testimonies.  I know our Heavenly Father wants us to draw nearer to our families.  To learn from our Heritage.  To find strength in the stories of those who have gone before.  In these stories, we can truly find heroes who will guide our lives.

Van Wagoners then and Now

I loved this post because it was such a eclectic snapshot on my family.  So I thought I would compare 2011 to 2013.  Here we go:
Us by the numbers....
7: seat belts. STILL SEVEN!
5: Isaac's baseball jersey.NO JERSEY ANYMORE.  HE TRADED IT FOR A UNICYCLE.
1: Week until Katherine turns 12! SHE TURNED 14 A MONTH AGO.
2: Years Emily has been waiting for us to paint her room. THAT WOULD BE A 4 NOW.
13: Josh's baseball jersey. NO JERSEY FOR HIM EITHER.  HE AND EM ARE ON A FIRST LEGO LEAGUE ROBOTICS TEAM AND LOVING IT!
34: Denny's age (still) YEP.  WE'LL GO WITH THAT.
6: Knives, forks spoons, plates, cups needed when we set the table. 7 NOW THAT THE BOY HAS JOINED US.
7: Years Pam's been on the Board at NSA. 9- TRYING NOT TO THINK ABOUT THAT.
2: Jobs the kids have to do each day. STILL 2
0: Cavities the kids had on their last trip to the dentist (hooray!). STILL 0 = YAY!
4: Kids attending North Star Academy. 3 KIDS AT NSA, 1 AT RIVERTON AND 1 CRYING IN THE CAR WHEN WE DROP THE OTHERS OFF.
6: Months we've had the little man in our family. 31 MONTHS
5: Years til Isaac goes on his mission. THAT WOULD BE 2! AHHHHH!
3: Years Denny's been in the bishopric. DENNY'S THE WOLF LEADER NOW.
8: Diapers changed per day (give or take) WE'RE DOWN TO 3-4.
6: Baseball games per week. 0- SO SAD!
8: Irish shoes on the laundry room floor. STILL.
4: Lawns for Isaac to mow. YEP
84: Socks to wash and match each week. 84- IN THEORY. REALITY: 5 BASKETS OF LAUNDRY FOR KIDS TO DIG THROUGH TO KIND SOCKS.  NO MATCH SOCKS=BEST INVENTION EVER!
1: Year left with all 4 kids at the same school. 0.  THAT DAY IS OVER.
7: Weeks until summer break. 1 1/2 FOR ISAAC - 2 FOR THE OTHERS.
2: Science Fair projects completed this year. 2 - KAT AND EMS,  EMS GOT 2ND PLACE AT BYU, KAT GOT A SPECIAL AWARD FROM THE METEROLOGICAL SOCIETY.
4: Spelling tests to study for each week. DOWN TO 3.
21: Meals to prepare each week (give or take) BEEN DOING BETTER AT THIS SINCE WE TAKE DINNER TO COLLEEN
9: More days of spring break. 0. IT'S OVER
7: Museums we plan on visiting during the break. STILL ON THE LIST.
5: Ramona books left to read with the kids. WE SHOULD DO THIS!
140: Nails to trim. DOWN TO 20- THE KIDS HAVE GROWN UP SO MUCH!
3: Heads of hair to cut. 2 - CURLY ISAAC GOES TO THE SALON AND JOSH IS BALD AT THE MOMENT, WHICH IS ISAAC'S JOB.
3: Bathrooms to scrub.
5: Kids to kiss goodnight.
1: Very lucky mom!

Consistently Inconsistent

So if I am consistent in in anything, it's being inconsistent.  Life seems so different than it was two years ago!  I'll do a then and now post in a few, but first, how life has changed....
In December, Judy was diagnosed with Acute Leukemia.  She asked Denny and I to be responsible for her finances and help with the girls during her battle.  The past six months have been a roller coaster ride, full of low lows and miracle highs.  It has been a privilege to help them out during this time.  I won't say we've carried this task out perfectly, but we've done our best.  For now, Judy is in remission, but her body is not happy.  Her bone marrow is at 10% and she has no immune system.  It is hard, but she is here (well, at the hospital) so we are grateful.
On April 23rd, Colleen was in a car accident and fractured her second vertebrae.  She was very blessed a protected, but it is still a hard recovery.  It is difficult for her to be so limited in what she can do.  Luckily, she is very organized so she only needs help with a few things.
I have also taken over financial duties at An Dragan Celiteach Irish Dancers.  It is something I love to do.  (Which I'm sure Denny finds ironic).  So it is good.
I am still on the Board of Trustees at North Star and the Relief Society Committee Chair.  Oh ya and we have five kids.
So life is good.  And hard.  But it's ok. It can be both.