Another Loss

Andy's mom, Wanda Anderson, passed on, this past Monday. She had not been well for sometime now. The last time she was in California was for Brad and Katie's Wedding in 2005.

We were so glad she and Clyde could join us in the temple for that special event. They came to Calif. for a lot of Christmases over the years, and it was fun to have them join in our festivities. Wanda made the best Sitfa ever. We tried to copy a recipe, but it was a smidgen of this, and a pinch of that, and how it felt to the touch, I wish we had practiced it. They were so good about coming for baptisms, graduations, mission farewells. The kids loved the fact that their Grandmother would keep the dishes done! They were temple workers in the Jordon River Temple for years, and served two missions, one to Florida and one in Hawaii. I think the thing I most admired about them was their devotion to one another. Clyde cared for Wanda as long as he could in their home, and she lovingly watched over him. We will miss her, but feel that she must be happier being able to move around again on her own. Her reunion with her father, mother and sisters I am sure is a joyous one.

You are on the waiting list!

Sunday dinner guests, yesterday, included my sisters, Janice and Lorraine. Nora and Sara love their aunts and we made sure that they could sit by them at dinner, instead of trying to get them to sit at a kids table. Before everyone else came, Nora and Sara were preparing a "Tea Party" in the grandma room. I got a lovely hand drawn picture as my invitation to the "Tea Party" and promptly posted it on the refrigerator. At dinner, Janice and Lorraine got their invitations also. We all were visiting and eating except Nora and Sara who wanted to get on with their "Tea Party" so I volunteered to go in with them and get started. Nora turned to me and said, "Actually Grandma, you are on the waiting list"!

It is my birthday today.

I had one of those "Milestone Birthdays" today. I haven't really been effected by the past ones as much as I was this one. A few months ago I really thought I was turning 57.....That is still a long way from 60 ..right? Well, I recently realized that I had done the math wrong...I was really old. I couldn't fool my self with that "middle age malarkey". I was not going to live to be 120! I maybe have 15-20 years left. Dad was 75 when he died, and my mom 84. My mom died this morning, ending a 19 month battle with pancreatic cancer. It has been an interesting 19 months as I have helped care for her. I have an amazing sister, Janice, whose nursing skills are extraordinary. It was my turn with mom last week, and her care was getting where my feeble skills were no longer adequate. The Lord was watching out for me in the form of an angel, disguised as a friend of my moms. Who came and did those things I was not able to do. I went home exhausted, more than willing to turn mom over to my sister Janice.

We had an amazing day on Sunday. Holly and Sam realizing that mom would not be able to make it to Mia's blessing, decided to have it at her bedside, and thanks to a supportive bishop, we were able to do this ordinance, and have an extraordinary day with mom.

After experiencing such a hard week, I didn't want Janice to be alone, so I told her I would come in on Tuesday to lend some moral support, since on Monday the Hospice people would be there some of the time. Moms condition deteriorated quickly, and I decided to stay the night. After some bad hours, mom got some relief and looked at Janice and I, and said. "I am so tired, but I am Happy." We didn't understand anything else she told us. 12 hours later she joined my dad.
What a roller coaster of emotions have been these last 20 hours.

Love you Mom, grateful you are free from this cancer that has been your cross to bear these past months.

Where is the Fairy?

Brad made this amazing Ferry Boat, complete with antique cars, for the girls, for Christmas and Birthdays. The picture does not do it justice. You can't see all the amazing detail. I hope Brad will post a good picture of it on his blog. Sawdust and Splinters (see side panel for link). He has made some beautiful toys. After unloading all the cars, Sara kept looking all over the Ferry with a very puzzled look on her face........

"Uncle Brad, where are the fairies?"

Fun with Kyle

Once in a while when Katie has a late meeting, I get to play with Kyle.

He is getting bigger, and he was having a great time kicking the ball and laughing. But the minute I got the camera out....no more smiles.

Emily in Europe

I don't have pictures of Emily's wonderful trip to Germany. I do have fun pictures of the Kinder Eggs she brought back for Nora and Sara. Emily spent a fun week at the invitation of her friend Brian, and our friends, Dee and Lee to visit them in Germany. Her adventures are only as Emily can tell them. They included a Sound of Music Tour in Austria, and a myriad of other adventures.

Kinder eggs are not sold in this country, although you can get them on line. Holly had fond memories of them from a college roommate who would bring some back every time she went home, so Holly asked Emily to bring some back for the girls.

Kinder eggs have toys in the center. It was fun to watch the girls reactions. Nora went for the toy first.......

Sara ate the chocolate first. Then opened her toy. Thanks Emily...and thanks Bybees for being such wonderful hosts.

Feed the Birds

These pictures were terrible, but the story is cute. Nora and Sara were helping Andy feed the birds. They wanted to plant some of the sunflower seeds that were in "the mix" We didn't think they would grow.....but they did. When, last week, we harvested the seeds, they didn't want to use them to feed the birds!!