Gwendolyn's birth

I am so thankful I could spend 8 days with Dallin and Janelle's family to assist them after the birth of precious Gwendolyn. She made her grand appearance on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015 at 2:30 a.m. Eastern Time in South Bend, Indiana, St. Joseph County, weighing 7 lbs. 5 oz. . She is absolutely beautiful. She is our 22nd grandchild. The count is 12 boys and 10 girls. On our Lewis side she is 185th great-grandchild. I arrived on Tues., Feb. 10th. and appreciated Dallin picking me up at the airport, finding everything at home quiet as we came in late. It was a busy day with Janelle coming home that day, too.

It didn't take long for Dorothy to adapt to her role as "Mom's best helper." She loves holding Gwendolyn and now she has her "twin" as they look so much alike. 

Each night the family gathers for scriptures and prayer after dinner. Then the twins to bed, and Dorothy has one-on-one time with Mom or Dad where they enjoy a chapter book together.

I love this picture of Dallin and Janelle. Newborns are such a fascination. A sweet moment when things settled down and they could enjoy this precious beauty together.

One thing I loved about being with this cute family was having time to bond with these cute girls. Ruby is in front, Norah Vivienne behind. I say "Vivienne" as Norah is in this stage when she wants to be called "Vivienne." Of course, I  don't mind. She started this before I came and she would correct you if you said, "Norah." Not always, but it is kind of fun to share my name with this cutie! At first I had to focus on how the twins hair was parted, Ruby to the right, Norah to the left to tell them apart. But it didn't take long to identify their different personalities and looks. I soon could just tell without focusing on it so much. They are so much fun!

We didn't get out too much as it was so very, very cold! But one day we did make it to the library. They quickly found their spot to sit and enjoy their books. Have I mentioned how much I love being with these adorable girls? I remember when we took them to the library a year ago. This was certainly much easier now they are 4. This is Norah in pink. Then Ruby was sitting in the ideal spot to catch the sunshine just right on her blonde hair.

While waiting for Dorothy to come home on the bus the girls enjoyed climbing on the piles of snow around the apartment. Notice the tutu that Norah was wearing. I think about 99% of all the pictures I have seen of these girls, they are always in a dress. They are all girl!

Dorothy turned 7 in December and is reading at least on a 3rd-4th grade level. As you might guess, she's excelling in school and loves being good. She is truly a delight! Usually she has on her snow pants as you goes and comes from school and during recess, if the temperature is not below 20 degrees. Then they stay inside. What fun it was to greet this sweet girl as she got off the bus each day.

Dallin has to stand in line to hold this very good baby. He is definitely the hero to all the girls in their household. I'm so impressed how he can do so many things to lift Janelle's load. Since he's been married, he has learned to be at ease in the kitchen from making the most delicious Artisan Bread to preparing breakfast for the girls each morning and getting Dorothy off to school. I love to see his close relationship with each of his girls. They adore him, and are all over him when he comes home. He also braves the cold early in the morning to shovel the sidewalks around the large play area in the center of their complex. When I say cold, take that to a new negative level. I'm referring to like -20 windchill on Sunday morning when Church was cancelled due to extreme cold and hazardous road conditions. Gratefully, Dallin, Norah and I were able to attend an afternoon Sacrament meeting when the traffic restriction was lifted in time for the meeting held at 1 p.m. Janelle works on the grounds crew for the apartment, planting flowers, weeding, etc. throughout the year. Then in the winter for the sidewalks to be shoveled. Dallin has stepped in, of course, to help during the latter part of her pregnancy and in the winter.

I wanted to feel a true winter blast...meaning the -20 windchill on Sunday morning. It was actually refreshing to be outside for a few minutes. The sky was a beautiful blue and it was a winter wonderland. But I didn't last long. 

Amazingly, the girls handle being cooped up indoors really well. The children in the neighboring apartments can come and go so easily as they don't have to go outside to play with each other. That really helps to have easy access to friends. Of course, many times the friends play in Dallin & Janelle's apartment. It is so great they they now have a bigger apartment. Although only 950 square feet or so, it makes a world of difference, allowing Janelle and Gwendolyn to rest without the noise from the other side of the apartment. Norah & Ruby are best buds, but they also have their moments. It was fun to see them hugging and laughing together. Dorothy wanted to join in, but they said, "No, we're twins." Dorothy is such a patient older sister. Some of their interests are Norah loves to draw and spends a great deal of time doing that. She is very good at it, too. Ruby told me, "Norah likes to draw and she does it good." Ruby is a graceful dancer and easily climbs up and down the ladder on the bunkbed. Always saying to Norah, "Do you want me to show you how to get down?" Which Norah doesn't like. Dorothy is learning to cook alongside her Mom or Dad. She climbs to the top bunk and plays with her dolls in a make believe world. As mentioned, she loves to read.

The twins wanted to join me in mopping the floor. Soon they were wet and their clothes came off. Dorothy captured the picture. Janelle is such a good Mommy. Gwendolyn is a very good baby and I think most likely because Janelle is so calm and patient herself. I loved learning many good cooking tips from her. She prepares delicious meals for their family, and manages keeping their lives and their surroundings very organized. We feel so blessed to have her as a daughter-in-law. It's not easy to have your mother-in-law, especially when you want your Mom after having a baby, but Janelle was so very sweet, and so appreciative. It was a joy to serve her.

There was a lot of dancing, reading stories, playing games, and, of course, Grandma's IPad was a favorite thing along with begging for chocolate Reliv. Dorothy and Norah braved the fierce cold to walk with me to the Community Center to get the mail. Again, notice the tutu. No matter how negative the degrees those girls on wearing a tutu. So cute!

I'm grateful that I had a safe trip home. I was concerned as there was a winter advisory warning for lots of snow and wind the day I was to head to Chicago to catch my flight. My prayers were answered and the roads were completely clear and no snow, but a bright beautiful drive to Chicago. Good to be home with my Sweetheart. I appreciated his patience in letting me go.

A couple of kid kwotes. One morning Norah was complaining about a belly ache. She finally said, "My belly is out of batteries." Then as I was preparing to leave on Wednesday morning, Norah seeing my suitcase, etc., said, "Are you going to where you belong?" I wish this cute family lived closer so we could help them more often.

Clark's Baptism

February 1st was Clark's baptism in Portland, Oregon, performed by his Dad, Brett. This fine grandson was so excited to be baptized and become a member of the church. He is a delightful young boy, and we're so thankful we could be with our cute Caudle family for this special event. 

Vivi shared some sweet experiences relating to Clark's baptism, that I'll include, too:

About two weeks before he was to be baptized, Clark had an interview with Bishop Russell King. Before he went in, we told him the bishop would interview him to see if he was ready to be baptized.  About five minutes later, Clark comes bouncing out of the office exclaiming, "The bishop said I could be baptized!" and threw his arms joyfully around me. A few ward members that were standing in the hall cheered for him.  I tearfully hugged him back, so happy that he was so excited to be baptized.  

The Sunday that Clark was to be baptized, was a fast Sunday.  Clark went up to bear his testimony and share how excited he was to be baptized that day.  

As we were driving to the baptism, Daisy said, "My heart is so happy.  I love this feeling that I feel.  I just can't wait for Clark to be baptized!" 

My dad gave a beautiful talk on baptism.  He spoke on how the covenant of baptism binds us to our Heavenly Father. My dad spoke directly to Clark when he shared his testimony of Jesus Christ and the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and told Clark to never forget that he has a testimony of those things.  He talked about how Clark is a sweet and tenderhearted boy.  He shared an example of how Clark exemplifies this.  At my sister, Julia's wedding reception, my mom said out loud, that there is an extra flower and asked who should get it. Clark heard my mom and asked if he could have it.  As soon as he said that, then all of a sudden all of his cousins wanted it as well including Daisy.  My mom not knowing which grandchild to give it to, gave it to Clark because he asked first.  When my mom gave the flower to Clark, he immediately turned to Daisy and gave it to her because he knew how much she wanted it.  That is how Clark is.  He loves to make others happy even if that means giving up something he wanted.

Sydney played so beautifully on the violin with her mommy Ondalynn, accompanying, while they dressed. Despite the fact that it was the Super Bowl at the same time, the room was packed and they kept having to add chairs. I can truly say it was a "perfect" baptismal service.

 

January Happenings

It's always fun to welcome in a new year. Each year passes so quickly. Can't believe how time flies. The first Saturday of January, as we do each month was to have a missionary breakfast at 7 a.m. This time it was with the mission leaders in each ward along with the Zone Leaders. It always wears me out, but I'm grateful I can support Crismon in his calling as a Stake President. 

Meredith sent me this cute picture of Christian marking his first Sunday in a regular Primary class as a new Sunbeam. Our grandchildren are the cutest!

During the first few weeks in January, we had been praying constantly for Grandma Lewis as she was in the final stages of her life. She was not eating, and knew her time was now, but it was frustrating to her as she hadn't passed. It was so sad, she'd say, "What do I need to do so I can die?"

On Wed., the 7th I served in the temple. I kept thinking of Dallin, though, as he flew in to Portland that day. Dad picked him up at the airport and brought him home for lunch and visiting. Then he borrowed our car and drove to Vancouver, British Columbia for a job interview for a job in North Carolina. He returned back to Gresham on Friday evening, the 9th. We had dinner and then visiting late into the evening. He had to be up early the next morning for his return flight home. It was such a treat to have him here.

Crismon had a meeting in Lake Oswego on that Saturday with Elder Ballard who was in the area for a stake conference and to help further the missionary work in this area. His son, Craig Ballard, is our new Mission President.

On Sunday, the 11th, Meredith & Norman were set apart as missionaries for the Mesa AZ Visitors Center. They will be such great missionaries, and such a wonderful addition to the work there.

Our book club friends met for lunch to have one last time with Cathy Hansen, (Janelle's Mom,) before she and Scott left for their mission to the Philippines. I'm grateful for sweet friendships with other women who bless my life. Crismon set them apart as missionaries on Thursday evening, the 29th.

Then on the last Saturday of the month, the 31st, we had another missionary breakfast. This was for all the mission leaders, including the sister leaders along with the High Councilman over Missionary Work. It gives them time to discuss the needs of our stake in regards to how the wards can work more effectively with the missionaries. They share successes from other areas, and these young missionaries provide good insights on furthering the work in our stake..  Each of these events are a big struggle for me, but I know the Lord blesses me and helps me do it. After I rested,  I was grateful I had the strength to attend the stake RS service project that morning. It's so fun to sit and visit and accomplish a good project at the same time. I participated in the making of the fleece blankets.

Crismon and I love having the temple close by so we can go together usually once a week. I serve on Wednesday midshift and then we go together Friday afternoons. My love grows for him and for our Savior each time we are in the Lord's House.