More March Events

The first weekend in March we had the privilege of having Brad K. Risenmay in our home. He is an Area Seventy, and was here for our Stake Conference. He is a wonderful man, and it was our joy to host him.

The think one thing I do that pleases my husband, is making homemade wheat bread. He loves it, and he is easy to please. He doesn't need a lot of fancy meals, but with bread, honey, and possibly bottled peaches from sweet daughter, Alice-Anne, he is in heaven.

Bryson turned 5 years old on March 25th. I took him to McDonald's for a special treat. It's fun spending time with my cute grandchildren.

I love this time of year when the world comes alive with beautiful flowers. Some especially beautiful ones will appear each year in different areas in our yard.

For Easter we had the family come for dinner and an Easter Egg Hunt. We had the fun of having Spencer & Melissa Ashton and their cute family of 5 children come stay with us for a short time. During their spring break they went to the ocean and rented a home with Ondalynn's family, too. We also celebrated mine and Gary's upcoming April birthdays.

Highlights of our lives in March

The highlight of my day was doing a “Google Hangout” with our 3 grandchildren that are turning 8 this year, Kenna Johns, Julia Vance and Preston Lewis. The title of the Hangout was “I Can’t Wait Until I’m Eight.” It was delightful to be able to “see” their cute faces and be excited along with them about their upcoming baptism this year. I had them share their feelings about being baptized. Kenna said she was “excited, but it seemed so far away (about 4 months). Julia said she was excited, too, and she personally shared with me later the 13th Article of Faith.  Preston said, “I want to be baptized so I can get the Holy Ghost.” We talked about several principles, priesthood authority, and what the word “immersion” meant. They are all well prepared for making this important step. We’ll do it again next month, but their assignment was to ask their parent’s about their baptism. Technology is a blessing in staying in touch with loved ones. (Update...it is now April 14th. We had another fun "Google Hangout" together talking about the covenants we make at baptism.)

Kenna Johns

Preston Lewis

Julia Vance

We enjoyed tending Clark, Daisy and Kaeley from Friday afternoon until Saturday afternoon while Brett & Vivi had a little break. They were so cute and were very good. Right after Vivi left Clark said, “I want to do chores so I can use the IPad. It had been several weeks since I told him that rule. I was glad he remembered and he said he wanted to clean all the door handles. He did a good job and then Daisy dusted to earn her turn, too. We fed the ducks, went to the library, and made small pizzas. Crismon took them on an evening walk, played soccer with them, and told them bedtime stories. They were good to sleep through the night.

Creative Clark.

Definitely a girl...Daisy.

Kaeley was so good.

Feeding the ducks is great fun.

The most fun is piling on top of Grandpa!

I love teaching, and today I enjoyed teaching Relief Society from Pres. Uchtdorf’s Saturday morning Oct. General Conference talk entitled “Of Regrets and Resolutions.” It always amazes me the many things I learn when I read and study a conference talk in comparision to just listening to it. I guess I’m a visual learning, too, because I gain a greater insight. His message has helped me evaluate the things I’m doing throughout my day, “Am I developing bonding relationships with the ones I love? Am I living up to my potential?” Are my actions trivial or worthwhile? “I am deciding to be happy now?”

Crismon has had the privilege of setting apart two missionaries this week, Emily Miller going to Germany and Cory Yates to CO. These experiences are some of his most choice opportunities as President.

While I was in Arizona helping Meredith with new baby, Hudson, our stake held the Mt. Hood Family History Conference, March 8 & 9. It was 2-full days of classes and hands on with computers for anyone to search their ancestory’s and to have one-on-one help. The Keynote Speaker was Stephen P. Morse, an award-winning genealogist from California. He even stayed in our home, which meant that Crismon had to prepare to host him without me. Fortunately, the house had been cleaned well for our visiting authority the week before. There were about 500 people who came over the two days and half of them were non-LDS. There was a nice write up about it in the people this past week. While in the temple this week, a sister in our stake shared a very sweet story about a non-LDS friend that came hoping to find information about her father. She had good success in her search. When she left the Conf. she said, “I feel so loved.” The power of doing genealogy, blesses lives and touches members and nonmembers. We're hearing more wonderful stories from non-members about participating at the Family History Conference.

Dr. Hastings visits Portland...and 1st in the Nation for Feb!

March entered with a whirlwind of events. Friday evening, March 1st, Dr. Carl Hastings, the lead scientist with Reliv, was visiting Portland for a special event. Distributorships that qualified through volume of sales or number of new distributors added, were invited to have dinner with Dr. Carl at Multnomah Falls. We were joined by Jill McGrath, Ondalynn's VT partner who she shared Reliv. She  qualified to go as she had purchased a substantial order the night before. Jill has gotten good results with problems in her back. What a privilege to visit one-on-one with such a great man, who is humble and kind to everyone.

Crismon, Vivienne, Dr. Carl Hastings, Jill McGrath

The next morning he spoke to a packed room at the Embassy Suites Hotel where he shared more about the latest product, the LunaRich X capsules. We're excited about the latest in nutritional technology that is now able to effect the cell more than every before. The results people are getting with the capsules are incredible! We're seeing increased energy, more mental clarity, a deeper sleep and a better sense of well being. Others are seeing their cholesterol dropping, feeling coming back after 20 years from 4-5 degree burns over 85% of the body, a softening of the skin and many other results. Best of all, our customers are getting results quicker as the capsules magnify the synergism of the Reliv nutrition.

We learned the exciting news this week that we were first in the nation in volume of sales for February! It was very exciting to have Fed Ex deliver a large bonus check to us this week with a personal note from Ryan Montgomery, the President of Reliv. These bonuses are a big boost to our business. Our best month ever! We love sharing hope with others.

Briefly: Lunasin can attach itself to the epigenome and, as a result, can increase expression of important genes needed for normal functioning of the cell and protect the cells from environmental damage once it occurs. That’s how lunasin has both maintenance and preventive roles in the cell. It maintains optimal functioning of the epigenome and prevents unwanted changes that can eventually lead to chronic diseases.

Fun Times in Glendale with the William's Family

Lucky Grandma, I have the privilege of helping with this darling little baby, Hudson, and cute William's Family. The days are going by too quickly, as I'll head home on Wed. morning, Mar. 13th.

We enjoyed a wonderful Stake Conference weekend with our visiting authority, Elder Risenmay who stayed in our home. I'll record those events in another post. Monday morning after Stake Conf., (March 4) by 6 a.m.  I was flying to AZ to help Meredith with her new baby Hudson and trying to keep up with her two active ones, Evelyn (4) and Christian (2). I'm having so much fun being with this precious family. Little children are very demanding, but the rewards are endless.

Christian loves holding his new baby brother.

Hudson at one week old.

Bryan is such a fun Dad to these kids. He puts them on the handbars and off they go! He has a little time each day to be with them, but he makes every minute count and they adore him.

My first night in AZ, the weather was perfect and their friends, Danny & Collin Wood invited them for a BBQ, along with their friends, Jaron & Brianna Marriot. They all live in the same apt. complex and all the guys are in their 2nd year of medical school. Their apt. is just 5 minutes away, from Midwestern University and is a lovely paradise location with beautiful fountains, ducks, fish, and a beautiful pool and other amenities.

The William's have many LDS friends in this complex, all going to medical school and they have great fun together.

Evelyn gave the scripture in Primary today. She looked so adorable up their in front. "Confidence" is her middle name and she says the cutest things. Her beaming smile is like her Mommy's. I love her laugh and her love for life. She's a good helper for her Mommy, and she likes to keep Christian in line.

Evelyn loves her little brother. She's very gentle and sweet with him.

Meredith is amazing! She is out walking with her kids just one week after giving birth, and holding on to Christian to keep him from going over. She's very patient with them, and gives them lots of time and attention. Although they don't like to slow down very long to eat, she's good at making sure they get good nutritious meals. I love watching my daughters be mothers. I learn so much from them. I wish I would have had their example when I was their age. Many came up to me today and told me how much they love Meredith. Often they would say, "She has served them."

We go on a walk everyday. It's delightful to enjoy this AZ sunshine and lovely surroundings.

Christian can't keep his feet on the ground. He climbs  everywhere!

I love tending this cute little guy. He doesn't hold still, but his beaming smile and his constant, "Hi Grandma, I love you, Grandma," melts my heart. He has the strongest arm muscles, and if he can reach something, he's pulling himself up, and exploring the world from a new view.

Christian has no fear.

Beautiful Baby Hudson. He has been such a good baby.

Christian turned 2 years old on March 7th. It was a fun day for him to go to lunch with his Dad, and play basketball with him.

Evelyn & Christian have so much fun together.

We've been to the library, the park (a number of times), McDonalds for lunch and to play on a rainy day, walks, played games, worked at putting them to bed, and enjoying the many cute things they do.

I couldn't push these two high enough!

Speaking of climbing, we've found Christian in bed with Hudson several times.

Hudson almost two weeks old. 

Beautiful walk on this Sunday afternoon.

I love being a Grandma!

Hudson Read Williams has arrived!

We are happy to announce that Meredith and Bryan welcomed their #3, Hudson Read Williams,  tonight at 6:10 p.m. in Glendale, AZ. He is a big baby boy, weighing in at 9 lb. 3 oz., 21 inches long and he is absolutely perfect. We are so happy to have #21 grandchild join our family! What a blessing to have a healthy baby, and to have Meredith doing well.

He is a Reliv baby. Meredith drank the Reliv during the entire pregnancy and she had a terrific pregnancy, labor and delivery.

Meredith was induced as she was 3 days overdue with a big baby. Fortunately, things worked out great as Bryan finished his finals on Friday. Mom Williams is there now tending Evelyn and Christian. I can't wait to go to Arizona next Monday, March 4th, after Stake Conference to help take care of this precious family. 

Proud Dad, Bryan.

Oregon Mother of the Year 2013

On Saturday evening, Feb. 16th, I was chosen as Oregon Mother of the Year for 2013. I am overwhelmed by all of this. I would prefer not to be the center of attention, but I'm grateful for the opportunity before me to stand up for mothers, to reach out to them, to help teach them, and to serve in my community to help mothers in need.

I'm grateful for a wonderful husband who made it possible to be a stay-at-home Mom over these past 38 years.

I really feel this is like a mission I've been called to do. I now need to learn how my Heavenly Father wants me to fulfill this mission. Our lives are already very full, but somehow, we add one more thing, and the Lord will give me the strength to do it.

Vivi, Ondalynn, me, Alice-Anne. I was so thankful to have 3 of the 6 of our beautiful daughters with me.

I'm grateful for the wonderful examples of mothers all around me, especially for all the dear mothers on our Smith and Lewis side of the family. Also, the beautiful mothers our daughters and daughters-in-law are to their children. It brings me great joy to see them all as such good mothers.

It was delightful this past weekend to have Alice-Anne and Julie Jensen (my sister, Meredith's, daughter) come to Portland on Friday from UT. We had a very fun, relaxing, and uplifting weekend together along with Ondalynn & Vivi who joined us for 24 hours on a Sister/Mother Retreat here in our home. It was fun to add Julia and Meredith on Friday evening for a Google Chat, too. 

Julie Jensen & Alice-Anne at Multnomah Falls.

My sister, Meredith, really wanted to come, but couldn't make it, so we are very glad she sent Julie. My sister, Kathi, joined us in Tigard, for the Gala Event. I was very grateful to her for driving all the way from Puyallup to be with us and then turn around and go back those long 3 hours home. It meant so much for me to have her here!

Vivi, Ondalynn, me, Alice-Anne and Julie Jensen.

Crismon was in Austin, TX, for the Reliv Conf. and returned that afternoon in time to join us for the big event. He left on Wed. afternoon for the conference.

Flowers in February

When I was honored as Oregon Mother of the Year, I was showered with some beautiful flowers. I appreciated the kindness of family and friends.

The morning I was preparing to leave for my interview for Mother of the Year, flowers were delivered from my sister-in-law, Duraye Lewis who lives in Arizona.

My good husband gave me flowers on Valentine's Day and as Mother of the Year. Jill McGrath, our friend that Ondalynn introduced us to so that we could help her regain her health through the Reliv product, surprised me at the banquet with flowers.

Tiffany's parents, Preston & Janice Gee sent me a tower of boxes of yummy food from Harry & David's. They are so generous and kind. I received flowers from our children, too.

I visit teach Verla Jeffries. She's another flower in my life, born in November 1920, she has lived a stalwart life and it is a joy to visit her each month.