Mother's Day Memories

I’m enjoying a beautiful Mother’s Day. The sun is shining brightly and for that I rejoice! Nothing is more beautiful than Oregon around Mother’s Day when the flowers are in bloom everywhere. Our kind Heavenly Father created such a magnificent world to live in!

It was a treat to have Crismon home this morning. He spent nearly every minute serving me. I’m grateful to be a mother and to have the joy having good children who are passing the legacy of faith on to their children.

Its now a week later since I started writing. I’m finally getting back to writing my thoughts. I was happy to speak with each of our nine children on Mother’s Day and some we did “Face Time.” As a young mother living in Florida, I longed to be able to share my cute children with my parents. We could write letters, but if we called, because of the cost of long distance, the one receiving the call would immediately ask, “What’s wrong.” The distance between me and many of my grandchildren is still too far, but the distance doesn’t seem as far thanks to webcam, Face Time, email, and free long distance!

Asher enjoying one-on-one time with his Dad (Seth)

As a new stake president, Crismon was brave, but I know inspired, to encourage Bishops to keep Sacrament meeting on Mother’s Day a day of worshipping, where the talks were on the Savior and not the typical “Mother’s Day” where so much emphasis was on women, giving out gifts, food and so forth. A letter was read to the members ahead of time. I heard a number of comments where sisters enjoyed it instead of guilt feelings or sadness for those who don’t have children, or who have sad situations in their families. The honoring of mothers should be done in the home.

Asher holding the book that they sent me

I loved the cards, notes, and sweet messages from my children that day and into the week. I was thrilled to receive this beautiful book “Mothers of Faith.” Tiffany wrote one of the chapters. She has an amazing Mom, and Tiffany did such a great job. It's a treasured book!

Norah, Janelle, Ruby & Dallin 5/12

We're anxious to have Dallin & Janelle and their 3 adorable girls visit us this summer! Can't wait! Dallin and Janelle are planning our CS Lewis family reunion that will be held before our MW Lewis reunion in June. Dallin feels a big burden lifted after passing his major exams and orals in his Doctorate program. He nows has his Dissertation which will take several years to complete. Way to go Dallin! A big cheer for Janelle for her incredible support. She received a much deserved break for several days to visit a friend in Colorado.

Ondalynn and Gary's family came for dinner. Dad came a little later after setting Kevin Milburn apart as a missionary, to the New Mexico Albuquerque Mission. Gary set to work preparing a delcious dinner along with Sydney's help. Have I mentioned how much we love having this family close by? It's fun to see them all growing up and developing well in many aspects of their lives.

Grandma Lewis, Isaac, Gary, Ondalynn, Julia, Sydney & Bryson

Vivi and Brett's family joined us later. After dinner the mother's were treated to Mother's Day songs. It was the hottest day of the year so far. We pulled out the fans for the first time since last summer.

Julia played so cute with cousin, Kaeley

My first Mother's Day with Ondalynn as a Mommy herself.

Everyone wasn't too excited about singing, but they did it!

Isaac was devastated when he had to leave Grandpa!

Alice-Anne had a special Mother's Day, too. She is such a good Mommy, filling her day with growing activities with her children, planting a garden, making bread, making freezer jam, etc. She added in her blog: "Can you tell how thrilled Spencer is about this picture taking session? This makes me laugh because this is his personality!" 

Kute Kenna, Mommy Alice-Anne & (slightly cooperating) Spencer

Julia Joy calls me each Sunday and I love our chance to visit and get caught up on her week. She has a nice friend who is away for the summer while she's at BYU-I. She's exciting about graduating in Dec. She is such a good aunt to her nieces and nephews.

Julia with Elliot 4/12

Beautiful Vivi, is such a good Mommy. She and Brett were helping me last night with a few projects. I offered the children some candy, but they told Daisy she couldn't have it because she didn't eat her dinner. I was amazed Daisy accepted it without tears or whining. They are consistent in their parenting.

Vivienne with Kaeley 4/12

Crismon recently was hired to be a Chinese patent researcher with Multiling, a translation company based in Provo. The job entails reading over Chinese material that describe computer and engineering inventions and finding key words to see if a similar invention has already been developed. He's excited to use his Chinese in a job situation.

Grandma Swain, Danielle & Crismon, Jr. 4/12

I love talking to my sweet daughter, Emily, who does so many little things for me although she's many miles away. She keeps me smiling! She will be a fun Mom someday. She loves Family History and she's been working on the 1940 Indexing and helping edit some chapters in Grandpa Grant G. Smith's History. She's patient with my computer problems and other technology issues.

Emily with Evelyn 4/12

Meredith is a busy Mommy with her two little ones. I often talk to her as she is walking to the park. I love our Sunday morning Face Time where I can "see" those darling children.! Meredith has been extremely supportive of Bryan who just finished his 1st year of medical school. Congratulations, Bryan! She's serves in her ward as an organist and Bryan as a counselor in the Elders Quorum. Meredith is to be commended, too, for carrying on so well at home while Bryan studied endlessly.

Christian & Evelyn with their cute Mommy on Mother's Day

I feel very blessed to have these wonderful children and grandchildren. I'm so very thankful to be a Mother! They are my jewels! They honored me on my 60th birthday with this special necklace in the shape of "infinity." Ondalynn's birthstone is at the top and the jewels gradually get better with Emily's at the bottom. The children tease that it is appropriate that Emily's is the biggest! My joy is full! Thank you, my precious ones, for making me so happy. I love you, Mom....

The Disney Dream Cruise was a delight!

We felt honored to be included among the 35 top distributors in volume of sales for Nov. & Dec. of 2011, ending up as 15th in the nation. Reaching that level earned us the right to a Disney Cruise to the Bahamas from April 19-22nd with the other distributors. We flew out of Portland on Wed., the 18th and were treated well at the Hilton Hotel at the Orlando airport. We met up with the others the next morning where we took a bus to Port Canaveral to board the ship. What an awesome sight to see the ship looming in the distance!

Highlights included sitting on the deck chairs on our own veranda and enjoying the ocean just the two of us, sleeping 9 straight hours two nights in a row, being with wonderful friends, sharing the gospel and similarities with new friends who are Jewish, reading, swimming in the pool on board ship and in the beautiful ocean at Castaway Cay, the Disney island, having meals prepared, but best of all, enjoying this with my wonderful husband and relaxing from our very busy schedules.

First stop on board - food and visiting with good friends, Jacque & John Hayes (AZ), Mike & Lou Ann Pecorelli (UT), Karen Turner (UT)

I was all smiles leaving FL, no cell phones, no computers, just relaxing together!

Friday morning we docked at Nassau in the Bahamas

Relaxing aboard the ship

Dinner at the Royal Palace Restaurant

Leaving the Micky Mouse Theater after a terrific Broadway caliber show

Enjoying our last evening with Reliv friends at the Animator's Palate Restaurant

Visiting with good friend, Sue Lippens-Brusa

Saying good-bye to Mickey on the last evening

Thank you Reliv for another "dream" vacation

All the Reliv Distributors on board the Disney Dream

More celebration turning 60

Wed., April 4th, I officially turned 60, but I had such a great day that turning 60 was quite delightful! I hope that each of our children will have the blessing of having wonderful children to honor them as they reach those milestones in their lives. What joy I felt as I heard from each of the children and felt their love. My day started out by 4 dozen roses delivered by some sweet family members! Oh my! I couldn't believe it, along with two boxes of chocolates! 

 The Vance children were out of school for spring break so Ondalynn brought the children, and Vivi came, too, with her three for a day of fun. Being with family was the best part of the day.

Beautiful daughters, Vivi with Kaeley and Ondalynn with Isaac

Just the girls went out for lunch at a delicious Thai Restaurant in dowtown Gresham. Sydney managed all the children in the basement while Grandpa worked in the office.

Ondalynn made a delicious cake with whip cream and strawberries on top. Yum! It was fun to share it with the grandchildren.

Then the children enjoyed an Easter egg hunt in the basement. 

Crismon treated me to a romantic dinner at Truffle Hunter. I appreciated him keeping his calendar clear as it was typically a night he did interviews. 

My Sweetheart presented me with a very treasured gift. Each of the children wrote a paragraph of a special memory that they loved about me, and Emily had put it together in such an artistic manner. I loved it! We rented the movie "Courageous" to finish the evening." We highly recommend this terrific movie about fathers being great Dads to their children and stepping up to be the best that they can be. I feel so truly thankful for the many blessings that are showered upon me. Life is wonderful! I love being a mother and grandmother to this precious family.

Turning 60!

In some ways I've dreaded turning over a decade in years and entering the 60's! Oh my, how is the possible? Where has the time gone? But suddenly 60 doesn't seem very old. It's a joy to have family to make growing old so wonderful. The celebration started at Alice-Anne and Gary's home on Sunday evening after General Conf.

Kenna was definitely ready to party!

Spencer & Kenna carefully added and counted 60 candles!

Gary took on the challenge of lighting all those candles - with a few burns!

Alice-Anne made such a delicious carrot carrot, along with Gary's help. My favorite!  I felt spoiled!

I needed Kenna's help to blow out ALL those candles!

That bonfire melted all the candles very quickly!

April General Conf. with family

We delight every 6 months to hearing the words of our Prophet and Apostles. Despite the confusion in the world, what a joy it is to turn our focus to the word of the Lord spoken by His chosen servants.
We couldn't pass up the opportunity to be at the Conference Center for General Conf in Salt Lake City. Since Crismon now had access to tickets we were able to attend. What a treat to have Julia there from BYU-I, Emily and Crismon & Danielle from BYU-Provo. Sat. morning, Mar. 31 was an absolutely gorgeous spring day, in fact I think it was even up to 81 degrees! We had seven tickets, so it was nice to have Alice-Anne join us for the Sat. morning session. We surely appreciate the Johns' letting us descend on them whenever we have these gatherings.

I can't tell you the feeling that over came me when our sweet daughter, Emily, came running to me outside the Conference Center and nearly knocking me off my feet with excitement to see us and the thrill it was for her to be at Conference. Pinch me! I love being a Mom and I love seeing our children delight in General Conference just like I do. It has been a joy of mine since I was a little girl.

I couldn't believe I could be here with my precious children! We had good seats in the Terrace Section. We enjoyed seeing other members of our stake there, too.

The weather couldn't have been better. Alice-Anne and I headed back to West Jordan while Dad, the girls and Crismon & Danielle stayed on Temple Square. They grabbed a lunch at the new City Creek Center and then hurried back to sing in a choir with cousin Jessica Smith located on one of the intersections. Young Single Adults were asked to sing on the sidewalks to take up space so protestors couldn't take over. They were all then able to get seats back in the Conf. Center for that afternoon.

"I Love To See The Temple" Julia, Alice-Anne, Dad, Emily, Mom, Danielle & Crismon Jr.

Beautiful daughters, Emily, Alice-Anne & Julia

My heart went out to Pres. Packer to see him struggle as we both have Post Polio. He can no longer use his legs. I loved his talk on Children, a heritage of the Lord. I've listened again and again since to Pres. Eyring's talk on "Mountains to Climb." The Lord has promised, "I will not...forsake thee." I loved the thought on faith that it doesn't come all at once, but a "twig" at a time.

I loved being with my Sweetheart. We don't often get to sit together, so this was a special treat. There is such a wonderful feeling to be in the Conf. Center. Crismon and I turned to each other as it began and said, "It was worth the trip!" The long 12+ hour drive wasn't easy as we didn't get away under noon on Thurs. and we have been so busy, we left tired. Apostles and other leaders.

The children were having such much fun outside enjoying the warm sunshine when we returned Sat. afternoon. Little Elliot was everywhere! But when he saw his Mommy, he only wanted to be in her arms.

 Sunday morning was cold, windy, rainy and miserable! What a big difference - 40 degree change from the day before. We watched the Sun. morning session in the theater at the Visitors Center.

Elder Scott's insights and understanding of revelation and inspiration warmed my heart. Listening to the Priesthood session has been a joy as well. Elder Bednar's talk on the privilege and power of the Priesthood was wonderful. I loved Pres. Uchtdorf's talk in the Priesthood session on the "Why" of our service. Elder Hallstrom's talk on the question, "Are we just converted to the Church, or do our actions show we are truly converted to the Gospel was thought provoking. 

So many great talks. Crismon and I enjoyed reading and discussion Elder Scotts talk last Monday night for our FHE. We share how we each receive revelation in our lives. I love the companionship of the Holy Ghost in my life.

Danielle's Grandmother Swain joined us for the Sunday afternoon session in the Conf. Center and then she had all of us over for dinner in her missionary apt. less than a block away. She fed us a delicious feast and it was such a treat to get to know her better. We know where Danielle gets her sweet nature. We were sorry to learn later that Dantzelle & Durelle were there, too. Wish we could have met up with them.

It was also April Fools day and there were some tricks. We had called Alice-Anne and Gary to tell them we were on our way home and to please keep the children up until we got there. We were so disappointed to arrive back at the Johns to find Kenna & Spencer had gone to bed. But soon they were running down the stairs yelling "April Fools!" We were so glad they were teasing us as we hadn't had enough time to enjoy them.

Emily enjoying something funny on IPad

Life's Little Pleasures

Finding out the gender of new addition to the family can be very exciting! Several weeks ago I spent the morning tending Bryson and Isaac while Ondalynn went to her ultrasound appointment checkup. They decided to go ahead and find out the gender because their girls were so set on having a girl, and felt like if they were going to be disappointed, they better find out now. Just one of the nice advantages in today's world. It wasn't until we were expecting Julia in 1990 and Emily in 1992 that we knew ahead the gender of our baby. Isaac has no idea that he's going to soon be bumped from that cherished role as the baby in the family. 

Ondalynn bought balloons to make the big announcement. She placed the filled ballons in the bag and sealed it up. Then attached an ultrasound picture of the baby to the front with the words "I Am A....". When Gary returned home that night they opened the bag and found the blue balloons. They are excited to have 3 boys in a row! I think the thought of 3 boys makes Ondalynn a bit tired, but imagine all the fun those boys will have together!

I helped Sydney sew another Christmas stocking

Friday, early afternoon we attended the sealing of Megan Allen and Caleb Hunter. Megan has been one of Meredith's best friends since they were 2 years old. He is a fine young man and looks so much like her brother Charlie. However, at the Bridal Shower Megan strongly challenged that statement.

Caleb & Megan Hunter - Portland OR temple

Chuck and Martha Allen have been dear friends since we moved to Oregon the summer of 1989. We lived just the next cul-de-sac up the hill from them for 7 years. Martha (Fleming) grew up in Ajo and the Fleming were best friends with the Lewis'.  Irvan Fleming and Dad Lewis were missionary companions. Bro. Allen is Crismon's first counselor in the stake presidency.

Chuck & Martha Allen

 We did Initiatories after the wedding. Then we took a few minutes to peek in the new Visitor's Center by the temple. It's beautiful! What a blessing to have one in our area.

We hurried home to attend the Emergency Preparedness Expo in our stake center. It was a big two-day event. After turning on our cell phones after being in the temple, Crismon immediately was getting messages from the Expo saying they were overwhelmed with people. The classrooms were standing room only and they needed somewhere for about 60 people to go. Crismon OK'd the chapel. There were over a 1,000 that attended the Expo and about half were nonmembers. It was a great missionary opportunity to have so many visit our church house. It was a tremendous success!

Elysee Turney, Emily Judd & Kyle Swartz from the YSA Ward

Vivi was given 2 tickets to "Wicked" for Christmas from a friend. Brett was unable to go with her as it was during the day. I surprised Crismon for his birthday with a ticket and Ondalynn came too. What a fun afternoon together. The Broadway production was incredible!

It was with many mixed emotions that Crismon was released as the Bishop of the Mt Hood YSA Singles Ward last Sun., Mar. 18th. We both dearly loved those young people and it was ripping our hearts out to leave them. Crismon especially has had many sweet experiences working with the YSA's helping them to change their lives and getting them heading back on the right path again. We have seen the miracle of the Gospel change their lives. What a transformation living the Gospel can make as we live the principles and teachings of our Savior. It truly is a divine plan of happiness. Crismon served for about 2 1/2 years. I was grateful for the opportunity to bear my testimony. Greg Brown was called as the new Bishop. His wife Stacy is a sister to Pres. Hansen. The young people will love him.

Stacy & Greg Brown