Home Schooling in Eugene and more

On Monday, January 30th, Crismon drove me down to Eugene. I was spending the next, nearly 2 weeks with Seth and his four boys, Jackson, Addison, Preston and Asher, while Tiffany was in Europe with her family. It was a busy day learning from Tiffany what I was to do to home school Preston and Asher. They attend the "Academy for Character Education" one day a week and then home school on the other days. Also, we went to the boys violin lesson and I got an idea of how I was to help them through their practicing each day. They have a very busy household, and by the end of the day I was wondering how I would be able to do this, but I know the Lord blessed me greatly. Crismon had given me a blessing the week before, and I felt added strength to keep going, despite the usual pain and exhaustion I deal with on an ongoing basis.

Crismon headed home on Tuesday afternoon. He needed to get back for his Stake President responsibilities, stewardship interviews, and to keep our business going. I was so thankful he came back on Thursday afternoon until Saturday afternoon. Then the following week he joined me again on Wed. late afternoon and drove me back home on Friday afternoon, Feb. 10th. The boys loved having him there, and I really appreciated the extra hand with meals, cleanup, running to basketball practice, etc.

Seth was a good help as well. The first week I was there he was under a tremendous amount of stress as he had a deadline to apply for a Grant, and all that has to be done in pulling that together. Also, he met personally with the Univ. President in seeking for funding for a project. All of this along with preparing for the classes he teaches, etc. It was truly a team effort to keep everything going on at home. 

The boys are so good, always willing to help when I asked them. It was busy getting the older boys out the door in the morning, and then jumping in with the younger ones to begin violin practicing and home work assignments. It's a tremendous curriculum, but very intense, and confusing to me at times, so it was stressful trying to keep them on task, by being kind and loving, but also having to gently get on them to keep pushing forward in their work. It was delightful to listen to Jackson and Addison practice the piano each day. They are getting very accomplished and Addison even wrote a piece that sounds amazing!

Seth and the older boys helped some with the younger boys homework on Saturday, but there was still much to do for Preston and Asher to be ready to turn in their school work by Tuesday morning. After our meetings on Sunday, Seth felt the boys should work on their homework. This was causing a lot of upset feelings by the boys. They definitely wanted a day off. I couldn't blame them. I asked Seth that instead of having them work on their homework, how about we all pray for miracle that somehow the boys would finish their work in a timely manner if we kept the Sabbath day holy by not working on their homework. We asked Dad to pray with us and that was our sincere pleading in all of our prayers for the next 24 hours. It truly was a miracle! Asher finished his work by 1:30 pm on Monday, and Preston finished up by 8:30 pm that night. It felt so good to have them finish, and I was very grateful to our Heavenly Father for His tender mercy in helping this miracle to happen. 

That night Asher was begging his Dad to take him to the library to get the next Harry Porter CD so they could listen to it in the car. Seth was about to ask him to wait, but Asher was so anxious, and he deserved it for all of his hard work. I thought there was no way they would be able to get the CD book version without placing it on hold. But at the library, Asher was able to find it on the shelf. He grabbed it and raised his arm triumphantly to tell his Dad, "It's the last one. It's a miracle!" We were blessed with several miracles that day for which I was so very grateful.

Other activities of the week included all the boys, Seth, and Grandpa going to the Univ. of Oregon basketball game. Then the next night, Grandpa, Seth, Jackson and Addison attended a speech at the University. It's so nice they live so close to the campus to have these opportunities. Saturday morning Dad took Jackson and Addison to an Eagle Project activity, planting trees, then to their church basketball game. This was a wonderful opportunity for us to having more bonding time with these good boys. I wish I didn't have such restricted energy, as I wanted to do so much more with them. I went on a short walk with Grandpa, Preston, and Asher, and played the younger two boys in a game of ping pong, otherwise I was busy keeping up with the daily schedule of events. We are happy we could live just two hours away from them so we can help occasionally. 

The boys adore their mother, Tiffany, and they were so excited to have her home on Saturday afternoon. She's a great mother. We're thankful she returned home safely to her precious family.

 

 

 

January Chill

Our January weather with snow, ice storms, and very cold weather has brought some challenges, and yet enjoyment to see the beauty of our world after deep, freshly fallen snow. Our grandchildren in the Portland, Vancouver area were without school for a week plus due to the weather, church was canceled and some delays, the temple was closed as well on a few days with later openings on others. Grandson Hudson wanted to see Grandpa due a snow angel. It was fun to send him a video of that.

It was so rewarding to see the interaction of our neighbors through the difficult weather conditions. One neighbor who was heading to the store offered to pick up our groceries. Through the neighborhood email communication we were able to learn who needed help from fallen branches, etc. Some pitched in with chainsaws to help out, and others offered rides to those unable to get their vehicles down our hill. Thanks to chains, we were able to make it down our steep hill on our 42nd Anniversary, January 16th to watch a movie and bring home dinner. How we love and appreciate each other. We rejoice in the blessings of life, and the goodness our God’s tender mercies rescuing us and guiding us in times of need.

After Christmas

After a delightful Christmas in Eugene, we returned on Dec. 26th with Crismon and Danielle to prepare for the family to gather at our home that evening for dinner and games. Danielle made a delicious taco soup. I really appreciated her help in getting the dinner ready. Vivi had organized a gift exchange among the cousins, so they had fun watching each other open their gifts.

Ondalynn surprised me with this cute GrandKids plaque that holds pictures. It is a fun addition to our home and is now in my office and I love looking at it every day.

Ondalynn and Gary brought a fun game over for everyone to play. It was a hit. We loved having Crismon and Danielle here for the Christmas holidays. They were good to help us and bless our home by their sweet spirits. We love listening to Danielle's beautiful violin music. They left the next morning on the 27th.

I love putting the Christmas cards on our door in the kitchen each year. I don't think we received as many this time. I think people, like ourselves are sending greetings by email, although, I hope we never stop sending Christmas cards to each other. It's hard to see this wonderful Christmas season come to a close, but it's time to pack away the Christmas boxes and begin a new year.

Christmas in Eugene

Christmas is all about family, music, sharing, serving, gathering and so much more. Emily & Bronson came early during the holidays to be with us. The day before they left, Crismon & Danielle arrived. It was great having their help to finish up some Christmas traditions, like delivering caramel popcorn to friends and neighbors.

We had never spent Christmas with Seth & Tiffany's family before. Having them close, was ideal for spending our first Christmas with them. Along with Crismon & Danielle, we traveled to Eugene on Friday, the 23rd. Tiffany was busy with last minute gifts and preparations for the musical gathering in their home that evening with friends from their ward. Dad and I jumped in to start wrapping Tiffany's gifts. By dinner time, we had nearly finished all the wrapping.

We loved meeting their friends that evening. There is an abundance of musical talent in their ward and it was inspiring to sing the Christmas carols with them, and here many of them perform. Danielle, Preston, and Asher played beautifully together on the violin. Tiffany had always wanted to have a gathering like this during the holidays, but living in this ward was the ideal time.

Saturday morning, Dad, Crismon, Seth and his boys met up with cousin, Joseph and his children to go sledding. They had a terrific time. It gave Tiffany, Danielle and I an opportunity to work on different projects while they were gone. Danielle and I had a great visit as we had a nice walk around the neighborhood in the sunny afternoon with bright, blue skies. Crismon shared with the boys later that afternoon some interesting facts about Chinese characters, and the research he has been doing.

Christmas Eve began with Tiffany reading from a book we had given each of the families, years ago, about a Nephite boy on the first  Christmas Eve. This has become a tradition in their family. Seth picked up Chinese food, another of their traditions for dinner that night. New pajamas were giving to the boys, and then sent them off to the basement so their parents could finish preparing for Santa to come. So much excitement, it was hard for everyone to settle down.

Jackson put together a pull-at-the-heart strings video of their home in Minnesota and saying goodbye to their life there. It was funny, tender, emotional and a special gift to his parents, especially, Tiffany. Another unique gift was done by Tiffany where she laid out Seth's clothes in a variety of different options, took pictures of them, put them in a plastic photo holder and it hangs in his closet so he can quickly decide what things go together. Very clever! Preston wanted some "Little Debbie's" treats that his Mom never buys, so, of course, we bought him a big box of Swiss Rolls. Sorry, Tiffany! It was fun to see the college gear apparel that some of the boys, and Dad received. 

Uncle Crismon was so fun to play with the boys. We had a great time being together. Sunday, Christmas Day turned out to be gorgeous, brilliant sunlight, crisp, but not too cool weather and perfect to remember the source of all light, our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. We are grateful for the "Light" He brings to this world. We praise his name and worship Him with our hearts...and hopefully, our whole hearts.

Monday morning we gathered up our things and headed back to Gresham to prepare for family to come to our home that evening for dinner.

Emily & Bronson's Visit

Emily & Bronson were not able to come for the Christmas holidays since Emily works full-time in a Rehabilitation Center in Orem, Ut. They flew to Portland on Dec. 15th. Gratefully, we had decided ahead of time to drive our Mazda to the Vance's home and have them pick them up at the airport on Thursday evening. It was a good thing, because we wouldn't have been able to get to the airport, or give them our car due to the snow and ice on our hill. They ended up staying the night with the Vance's and driving to Astoria the next morning. Once they got out of Vancouver, the roads were fine. This has been an unusual winter with early cold, wind, snow and ice!

We were stranded on our hill from Dec. 14th-18th. Fortunately, our neighbors, the Hatton's, helped me get to church, and then the Steve Lewis family brought me home. It felt so wonderful to finally get outside and be around other people. 

Later that day, the ice was finally breaking up enough that the family could come to our home for dinner, and Seth & Tiffany's family made it later that evening. 

The grandchildren acted out the nativity. As always, it was a combination of sweetness and humor. Our hope is that the meaning of this sacred event that ushered in our Savior to the world will always be cherished in their hearts.

I love having our family together. Monday they decorated Christmas cookies, a tradition with the grandchildren each year. Playing acquire was a favorite, and other games with family.

Each year I want to give up on the tradition of making caramel corn for our neighbors and friends because it wears me out so much. But each year Dad doesn't want to give it up. Emily, Bronson, and Dad were good to make it happen. I try to stay out of the kitchen as I'm just too particular, and want it to be just right. I'm hoping I can come up with a better alternative. But many comment on how much they love it and look forward to it at Christmas time. Traditions are great! But they definitely have their plus and minuses. 

Meredith was so kind to send me a beautiful, light-colored, bedspread/comforter and pillows for our bed. She knew I wasn't too excited about the gray and white one I had purchased earlier that year. I'm not sure what I was thinking but "gray" is not the color you want in your house in Oregon. We have so many dark days. This bedspread brightens my spirit and I love how it changed the feeling of my bedroom. Thank you so much, Meredith! Love you!

A special thanks to Bronson and Emily to paying for their tickets to fly to Oregon to be with us during these special season. It was wonderful to have them here. I appreciated the many things they both did to help me out while they were here.

Early December

Our December started with Addison's Shakespearean play "The Comedy of Errors." He played the part of Angelo. The costumes and acting were very good for a middle school. We loved the opportunity of being there for his performance. He is a good actor.

 

The winter weather hit early this year with snow and ice on Dec. 8th. We felt so badly to miss Bro. Wilford Stevenson's funeral, but we were grateful that we visited with him earlier in the week where he shared many experiences and memories of his life. What a great man of God. He was the first stake president in the Gresham area, and at one time was our Home Teacher who we loved and appreciated. He sealed Vivi & Brett in the Portland temple.

The roads finally cleared enough for us to get off our hill and on Saturday, December 10th to attend Julia & Bryson's piano recital in Vancouver and then Jackson and Addison's piano recital in Eugene that afternoon. Gratefully, there was enough time between them to make them both. Tiffany fixed a yummy dinner for us afterwards. Grandpa gave Addison some tips on building a fire, in their fireplace and we headed home that evening to prepare for Sunday. We enjoyed listening to an audio book as we drove. I love to read and so it was delightful for me to share a book together with Crismon.

Monday, Dec. 12th was our annual neighborhood Christmas gathering in our home. Each year the number gets larger and everyone seems to have such a good time. As Crismon had them go around the room and tell a little about themselves, everyone commented that this was the best neighborhood they had ever lived in. I know it has a lot to do with how Crismon has reached out to all of them and helped bring our neighborhood together. Everyone brought a treat to share, so that made it fun.

 

Then on Dec. 14th, we had more snow I called ahead and told my coordinator, Carol Buroker, that I wouldn't be able to come to the temple that day due to the predicted snow storm. I'm so grateful I did, as many temple workers had a great deal of problems getting home. One sister was on the road for 7 hours after the temple shift before making it back to her home in Eugene. The rest of the week we were pretty much stranded.