Tender Mercies

It's been a rough day...

Changing your whole life to become a missionary is wonderful and hard all at the same time. Today was more about learning the hard way than accomplishing anything, but at least we're learning. As I looked at my notes tonight I saw three phrases from yesterday...President's car, Elder Evans and graham crackers. I was immediately reminded how much the Lord blesses us and how His hand can be seen in the smallest of life's details.

President's car

President called the office to say that he was dropping his car at the garage because of a loud banging noise. Turns out a lug nut had broken off and was banging around and that the other four were loose. The mechanic who checked said he must have had guardian angels holding that wheel on during his long drive home the night before. I totally believe that. Thanks to the Lord's tender mercies, the car we drive had just finished its regular service and was there for him to drive home. He was able to pick up his family at the airport and keep all his appointments. The Lord's timing is impressive.

Elder Evans

Jeff planned to go with Elder Evans to a doctor appointment in downtown Frankfurt, but the traffic and parking were so bad that Elder Evans jumped out and ran on his own. When we went to pick him up we could see him coming toward us but there was no way to make the connection...until we turned the corner and found a delivery truck blocking the road. Within two minutes we had him and were safely on our way. Tender mercies again. Timing that close can not be coincidence.

Graham Crackers

I am not a cook, and as the time approaches that I have to take over menu planning for all the lunches we cook for meetings, my stress level continues to climb. Over anxiously searching recipes, I bemoaned both the unavailability of graham crackers and all cooking in general. As I eventually prayed for help, I immediately knew what I could use instead and the next day got a chance to get some graham crackers from another missionary going to the military PX. A tender reminder and gift of encouragement from a loving Heavenly Father. Help is always at hand. I just have to remember when the temptation is to be unreasonably overwhelmed.

2 Nephi 32:9 But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform anything unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate they performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul.

Our Veterans

Schreiters and Dockums served during a cold war and two world wars.
All but one returned safely. We honor them this Veteran's Day.

Herbert Bruno Schreiter 

 My Father

Herbert B. Schreiter home on leave.
I believe this is the Rich home on Whitlock Ave. in South Salt Lake.
 Mom and I lived there with her parents while Dad was in the Navy

Submarine Course Class

Herb Schreiter on the front row

Probably my favorite photo of my Dad in uniform. At 6'4" his head almost bumps the ceiling of the submarine.  That's what my parents looked like when I was born (of course they were happier at that event. This was a serious military event).

Herb Schreiter receiving an award on the submarine while his wife, DeeAnn Rich Schreiter looks on.

Norman Leslie Dockum 

My father-in-law

Norman Leslie Dockum - United States Army

In Casa Blanca during WWII

The note on the back of this photo says,
"Norm looks quite like his Dad!    -D."
 Presumably written by his step-mother, Ardine, known as Deanie.

 Two of the photos Norm took during WWII.

Donald Granville Dockum
Norm's brother 

From the 1936 Navel Academy Yearbook

1956 aboard the ship he commanded

Wilbur Granville Dockum

Norm's father,

 who served in WWI & WWII

Wilbur Granville Dockum - WWI era

Wilbur's photos of unidentified soldiers

"France, 1st Dec. 1918
It's all over, and here I am,
Yours truly,
W.G. Dockum
Captain F.A.
Am. Ex. Forces

Wilbur Granville Dockum - WWII era

Headstone in Arlington National Cemetery

Emil Georg Schreiter

My great-grandfather



Emil served in the German army during WWI and never returned home.
He is buried in France.
There will be those who disapprove of including him here
on our US Veteran's Day,
but he was a father who answered the call of his country.
I imagine few military people want to fight in wars,
and it is only human to remember that every conflict has two sides.
He and Wilbur fought on opposites sides of the same terrible conflict
 that cost so many lives.
As we honor those who served bravely,
I'm okay with remembering all those who didn't return from battle,
regardless of the country for which they paid the ultimate price.

Family Photos 2013

Getting 25 people together at the same time is a challenge. As families came late and left early, we managed it for not quite two days of our "Kenneweek 2013" family reunion.

 The first order of business ... family photos! Despite shoe trama & tiredness, with the help of a few snacks for bribes, all were present and accounted for. 

After a little organized chaos....

 These darlings stole the show, of course!

Hail, Hail, the Gang's all here!

All of our kiddos!

Kaylee, Julie, Trisha, Nanette, Jeff, Lori, Rikker, Bekka, Kira, Nollie

And their families....

Shaun, Gehrig & Nanette Blackburn

Ben, Nollie, Lucy, Andy & Lauryn Haws 

Kaw, Henry, Leslie & Rikker Dockum

Bekka, Finley, Harper & Randy Besich

  

Julie & Michael Henry

  

Nathan & Kira Burt

Trisha & Brent Chase

  

Kaylee Dockum

Couldn't be happier!

 Don't forget tractor rides with Grandpa Jeff

Grandma Duty - Day 4

Continuing the journal entries from my Mom, while she tended the kids for two weeks.

Tues. Aug. 26, 1986 

The girls got off in good time today, & the kids & I kept busy this morning. Sheila came for boxes left for the shop, & we made a jello salad for a ward party tonight. Mixed fruit into it during Bekka's nap, & Rikker stirred for me. We played in back yard this morning & they were pretty good to play while I weeded the garden. Then Rikker played, & I got the play boxes out for him while I weeded. We could talk while I worked & he was so cute & good - singing & playing. We also played card games & I let him watch his TV show & I went downstairs & played with him. Bekka got up about when the girls came home & we had a good talk together. Nan had math homework, & we had to get birthday gifts for a party tomorrow. 

Then we went out to "Cow Hollow Park" for a ward party. The kids wanted to go, & Nan & Nollie showed me how to get there, so we took our jello salad, which Nan suggested, & our utensils, & went, & it worked out fine. I played with the kids at first, then had pot luck dinner, but the kids didn't eat much. By then Bekka was feeling her perky self so ran around & played. The girls played ball & w/ their friends, & Rikker played w/ some of his friends. Bekka ran around by me for a while, then took off w/ the other kids - where Nollie & Rikker were, & I visited w/ four ladies who were friendly & made me feel at home. The people in this ward think a lot of Lori & John, & have been exceptionally kind to me. The kids had a lot of fun & it was late when we got home. 

Grandma Duty - Days 2 & 3

Continuing the journal entries from my Mom, while she tended the kids for two weeks. Day 1 can be found here. 

Sun. Aug. 24, 1986 

It was stake conference today & Nan sang with the primary chorus so we had to go early, but the morning went surprisingly smoothly.  Nollie went to Jr. Primary, & I had Rikker & Bekka during conference. They sat so quietly & still for the whole time until meeting started . Then they got playing a bit, but they still were good. Little Bekka fell asleep during the last half, since she wasn't feeling very well, so I could hold Rikker & enjoy the speakers. They were all very good, but especially Brother Scott, from home - 14th Ward - the visiting general authority.  

We got through lunch OK, but with Bekka's little nap she didn't want another, the kids were a bit hyper, & it was a hectic afternoon. We got dinner OK, but I didn't even get dishes done. The girls were so worked up at bedtime (because they were starting school the next day) it took an hour after they were in bed to get settled down, after so carefully planning & getting ready so well, but I guess the first day of school did it. Wrote a letter to Ray in bed. 


Mon. Aug. 25

Go up & ready first, & got the girls up at 7:00. They did a good job getting ready, & we all walked over for their first day of school - Nollie in first grade & Nan in third. They both got to their classes OK - Lori had planned well. My arm was about dead by the time we got home, but the little ones were so good. Had to take an unexpected trip to Ontario to return my plane ticket, since the news last night announced that Frontier Airlines closed down. I was afraid we'd lost the money Lori paid, as I knew we'd never get it back from Frontier, but fortunately, the travel agency hadn't turned it in yet so we could get a refund from them, & I got a new ticket - not as good a schedule & more money, but at least they should be still flying. We got groceries after, & by then it was lunch time. Bekka still fussed more than usual, but seemed to feel better than Sat. & Sun.

Rikker & I played in the afternoon till the girls came home & told us about their day at school - I taped it for Lori. Then Nollie had to go for her physical exam, so we met the doctor taking John's place - very nice. Nollie did fine except for the shot, & we had to hold her down for that. Bekka was still asleep when we got back, & after dinner Nollie lay on her bed & fell asleep before getting chores done. So bedtime went more smoothly, but we forgot about family night (Aha...I call it Family Night instead of Family Home Evening because that's what my Mom called it). 

Bekka, after such a late nap, wasn't near ready, so she ran around after the others were asleep - what a hoo she is. The way she carries on a conversation & gets me to do what she wants just cracks me up. She is such a riot, & it kills me to have to be firm w/ her shen she doesnt want to do what she need so, but I"m getting better at it,  she doesn't cry long. By the time she settled down tonight I was ready to drop, after having gotten up w/ her so many times last night, & having her spend the last few hours w/ me. So I flopped on the couch to watch the news, & before it was over, Nollie was up. But she went back to bed when I did & then spent the rest of the night in bed with me.

That You Might Know - Grandma Duty

Sometimes life is so fast and furious that you can barely catch your breath, let alone document what's happened. The past year has felt like that. So much to record, most of it good, with hundreds of photos to edit as a result. I struggle to start, fearing the words will be wrong and intimidated by the whole process of trying to capture feelings of the heart.  Inertia has always been a challenge, yet I know that this is the way I'm supposed to share the bits and pieces of what I've experienced and what I remember of those who are no longer here. 

As so often happens, the answer came while studying the scriptures. Reading in the Book of Mormon, I came across these words of Jacob,

"...we can write a few words upon plates, which will give our children, and also our beloved brethren, a small degree of knowledge concerning us, or concerning their fathers--Now in this thing we do rejoice; and we labor diligently to engraven these words upon plates, hoping that our beloved brethren and our children will receive them with thankful hearts, and look upon them that they may learn with joy...concerning their first parents." (Jacob 4:2-3) 

To get me started writing again, I'll transcribe the words of my mom, that my children might come to know her. Only four of the six even met her in this life, as she died at the young age of 49. I haven't read these, either, so it'll be new to all of us. 

Of her dozen journals, I'll start with the last, when she came to tend while John and I hiked around Mt. Hood on a Sierra Club trip. Maybe it will trigger memories in the older kids, but it will certainly show how much she loved them all. 

DeeAnn Rich Schreiter Cole Nickle - Sept. 1985

Fri. Aug, 22, 1986 - Summary by me. Newly married in September 1985, she and Ray had moved to Missouri in July. He retired and she quit after 19 years with a law firm. They came back to SLC to pick up the rest of their things & attend a Rich family reunion at Bear Lake. I took the four kids and we had fun staying with Mom, G&G Rich, Kathy, Elaine & her kids, Kent and one of his kids. Ray suggested she stay and tend during our hike, so she came home with us for three weeks. I remember how grateful I was to have her with the kids instead of various sitters. We did projects (sound familiar girls?) and prepared the first week. Here's an excerpt: 

Really glad I could ride home w/them & help Lori drive & take care of kids. They're good, but an extra body surely helps. We stopped for dinner at Burley, got home after 10:30 p.m. Nan, Nollie & Rikker hadn't slept so konked right out, but little Bekka - also no sleep - ran around trying to take it all in & playing w/ everything - just so excited to be home. So I've been staying w/ them for a week before they leave, & we've surely had plenty to do. I tried to learn the routines on Monday, with all their charts to keep track of chores, & all the things they have to do. Tended them on Tues, while Lori worked, & ever since, there's been plenty to do to keep busy, mainly getting Nan & Nollie ready for school & Lori ready to leave.  

Sat. Aug, 23, 1986 

John had to go to the hospital to see his patient, so Lori had time to pay bills & do more last-minute things. He came back & finished, & they got off after 10:00 (aimed at 8:00 but had time to get to Portland area for Mt. Hood hike). 

Poor Nollie had a tough time seeing them go, so I was a little lenient about watching TV before her work was done, after sitting & loving her a while. Rikker was sad too, but had been allowed to paint and color again after they left (banned for 2 weeks) so got over it. Nan was at a practice by then, but that cute little Bekka was so good with Nollie. I was sitting on the porch holding Nollie as she cried, as I have so often lately sat there with Bekka, and Bekka came up and gave Nollie big loves, said "crying," "matter?" & kissed & hugged her to make her feel better. 

She's such a smart little thing at 18 months, talks like a 3-yr-old, and knows exactly what's going on. We were in the garage Fri, trying to squeeze half a beef into already full freezers, & Bekka, who has me wrapped around her little finger, got in her little "wago(n)" & kept calling "Grandma". As I said what, she said "pull it", when I picked up the handle she said "walk". So I went just to their other driveway, to turn around, & she said, "no - st(r)eet." 

She says so many thing, so amazingly clearly, that it'd be easier to list the things she doesn't say, but some of her favorite things are "go 'way, mine, dump it, walk, outside, blanket." Well she carries on a conversation just like an adult, but with 2 or 3 words only - I shut it (and does), I get it, etc.  She understands everything, knows all about hands, feet, arms, legs, ears, eyes, etc, & now says Grandpa as well as Grandma (in June it was A-Dee) also water (not wa-wa) & all the kids names - Rikker, Nanny, Nollie, John, their friend (calls him Johnny usually), Lisa, Amy, also bedroom, kitchen (chichen), downstairs, well, she says just everything. Up to now she said "love you" as "yuv you" but today for the first time, she said the whole three words as clearly as anything. 

The kids were playing with John, & Bekka & I were in the back yard where I pick the ripe "matos" & I got pulling some weeds. So she played in the yard, climbed into some kids chairs (3 high) & sat there & called "Gama". When I'd say what she said so clearly "I yuv you", all three words. Then she got her 'bike' out, asked me to 'help', etc, helped me pick 'matoes, pull weeds, etc. [It] also tickles me when you ask if she wants something, or try to give her something she doesn't want , it's "no, leave it". Well, I'd take too long to write everything she says, she surely makes life fun. Don't know why Lori's kids have all talked so early, but every one of them has, & Bekka talks at least as clearly as any - even says S good. Says, "gog" for dog, but about everything is darn clear, while most kids, including the cousins she's been around, don't say more than a word or two by 2 yrs. Anyway, she was so good, after waking up from nap not feeling up to her usual perky self, & it was a good day altogether. 

The kids were all good, & Nan, who has had quite a bit of trouble w/ teasing, bossing, not minding, was extra good, so I didn't have to get cross w/ her all day. We managed to get through the whole day w/ no major traumas w/ anyone - except Nollie missing her Mom, of course, but that was just sad, not trouble - & even through dinner chores & baths. 

Lori called tonite to let us know they got there safely, so we all felt better, even tho they have car problems. (Me - We tried to jump another car & it killed our battery. Had to have it towed & then rode the bus 65 miles to pick it up after the hike. Ugh!) Took about 2 hrs to get into bed, but we made it OK. Only 14 more days to go. I'll be exhausted, as my little doll wants me to "carry" her most of the time when she's not running, & it takes a lot of energy just to keep up with listening to four kids talking - often all at once - let alone getting meals, cleaning up, etc. But I'm so glad I can be here. Never could have taken even 2 weeks, let alone 3, if I were still working, so I'm especially glad I can settle down & be a wife & grandma instead of at the office all the time - much as I liked it. Just hope Ray gets along OK, for being so generous. 

A Whole Lot of Happy

Traditionally a day to look ahead and set goals,

it seems appropriate to first look back 

with gratitude for the blessings of the year past.

This New Year's Day hundreds of photos remind me of the 

tender mercies of the Lord 

and the wonderful blessing of family.

The family continues to grow,

with the additions of:

Gehrig Shaun Blackburn

16 March 2012

Lauryn Elizabeth Haws

22 November 2012

Michael Grant Henry

who married our Julie 

22 December 2012

While I have reviewed and updated the goals found here, 

for today, 

I prefer to remember 

the late nights and laughs,

the safe arrivals and departures, 

the jobs found and kept,

the school completed and continued,

the moves across town and across country, 

the health crises averted and recovered from, 

the prayers requested and granted,

kisses and hugs from little ones

and 

the love of family and friends. 

May the New Year

continue to bring us all 

A Whole Lot of Happy!

Around the Storm

Nature put on a magnificent show as we flew around a storm cell outside of Minneapolis, MN Tuesday night. Lightening repeatedly lit up the clouds from the inside, creating an x-ray-like view. We heard no thunder above the thrum of the plane, and watched for 10 minutes as we safely skirted the perimeter in smooth skies.

Breathtakingly beautiful in real life, the video is a poor facsimile, but it gives a glimpse of the show. We could see the light horizon in the distance and the distinct outline of the storm cell as the power of nature raged inside.

(Turn down the sound to eliminate the plane noise.)

I found myself in awe at the power of God displayed in this single atmospheric show. Imagine the power found in the birth of a star or the creation of a world. Humbled, I murmured words of gratitude and honor.

As I continued to reflect during our peaceful travel past the storm, I was reminded of the safety we find in prayer and obedience. No doubt the pilots knew of the storm and where to fly to avoid it, for which I am grateful. I wouldn't want to be in those clouds under any circumstances.  By heeding the promptings of the Spirit and obeying the commandments, we can often travel beyond the reach of many of the tumultuous storms common to this life.

2012 Goals

I am SO not perfect the way I am and I set many a goal as the new year began. 

Grandma Rich used to say, "You eyes are bigger than your stomach!",
 when food remained on my plate at the end of Thanksgiving dinner. 
That's how it is with me and goals. 
Big plans, not enough room to fit them all in. 


After a couple months of delightful grandma duty 

(Gehrig's arrival and playing with Leslie & Henry for 5 weeks) 
as well as a few aimless days (listening to novels instead of doing anything productive),
 it's time to see where I stand and get moving again. 
(Key:  Complete - On track - Needs attention - Maybe next year - new goal)


Personal Goals
Exercise 30 min/twice weekly or 100 times (42 so far)
Postcard to Ben 10 times (5 so far)
Journal entry monthly 
Temple weekly
Read Conference Ensigns cover to cover
Read "Daughter in My Kingdom"

Home Goals

Post to Quicken monthly 

2011 finances finished by Feb. 4 (not til Mar)

2012 written budget by Feb 14 (sigh)

Help Rikker set up IRA

Check into life insurance

Lawn samples to WSU Extension 

Wash windows spring & fall (thank goodness for girls earning money for camp!)

Hang pictures in dining room 

Hang pictures in guest rooms

Plant garden before Memorial Day (finished May 4th!)

Plant melon patch 

Plant pumpkin patch

Trellis the grow boxes

Organize storage room 

Organize sewing room

Dejunk family room

Consolidate computer files to desktop 

Backup photos to external hard drive and clear SD cards

Upload music and audio book files to backup

Seminary Goals

Teach Old Testament 1st & 2nd hours every day (no small feat)

Pray before preparing lessons (I do it during normal prayers instead)

Lesson "in the bag" ready the night before (sigh - 4 am is getting old)

Scripture journal for Old Testament
Read & mark the New Testament over the summer
Scripture journal for New Testament
Add 3rd hour & lunch to my seminary schedule
Read scriptures 100 days in a row May-August

Professional Goals 
IMA Ethics course completed 
Look for internship  Got a PT job instead!
Study for Registered Tax Return Preparer exam
Pass RTRP exam by December

Genealogy Goals 
(here's where the crazy really happens)
Index 1 batch images per week or 50 total (35 so far)
Blog monthly on personal blog and family history blog or 12 times each
Upgrade genealogy software 
Back up genealogy links
Back up genealogy images
Set up white box filing system for genealogy papers
Data input - 12 hours
Filing- 12 hours
Scanning - 12 hours
Digital image organization - 12 hours
Backup family history photos 
File naming convention standardized
TCGS 2011 year end report by Jan 31
TCGS 1st quarter report
TCGS 2nd quarter report
TCGS 3rd quarter report
TCGS 2012 year end report
  
Not as little accomplished as it felt like!! 
Hooray for progress!

Digital thanks - Love it!

What could be better than a thank you note with this picture attached!?!

That is a happy seven-year-old. 

Love you, big boy! 

Heavenly Help

"In the gospel of Jesus Christ you have help from both sides of the veil, and you must never forget that. When disappointment and discouragement strike - and they will - you remember and never forget that if our eyes could be opened we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye can see riding at reckless speed to come to our protection. They will always be there, these armies of heaven, in defense of Abraham's seed."

I shared this quote by Elder Holland with my Seminary classes

 as part of our study of Elisha in 2 Kings 6.

15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? 

16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 

17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.  

I love Elder Holland's talk, For Times of Trouble, given at BYU in 1980 and found here. He speaks of doubt -- especially self-doubt,-- and discouragement and despair as universal problems. These evils Satan uses cunningly to cause fear as we face our individual challenges.

I highly recommend listening to the audio on YouTube 

 (part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5).

Few tell stories like Elder Holland, and the promise at the end, following the quote above, gives hope and courage. 

I have felt that heavenly help more than once as we have been delivered from impossible situations; when the worry and fear alone were crushing.  I am grateful. 

Heavenly help also comes as tender mercies, undoubtedly more often than we realize. 

Not long after Mom died, Vicky and I left the younger kids with Grandma Rich, while we took the older ones to Lagoon. Upon our return we learned that one of the little ones had fallen backwards off the picnic bench and hit his head on the concrete, but he landed gently, as if he'd been caught. 

She was convinced that our Mom had been there helping tend our kids. 

I believe her. 

Fast forward twenty-plus years and now I'm the grandma with three little ones to tend: Leslie - 4, Henry - 20 months, and Gehrig - 3 weeks. After a couple of hours I'm thinking that things are going better than expected and my mothering skills aren't as rusty as I'd imagined. Gehrig is sleeping longer than usual and the others are playing while I fix dinner. As I stand at the sink the feeling gently settles and I say out loud,

 "I had help". 

Yep. 

There was no answer to my question, "Who was it?", but here's my best guess: 

The smiling grandma in the middle (1984)

Maybe it was Dad. I could always tell he was there at settings apart for the girls and when Rikker was advanced in the priesthood and set apart as a missionary. 

There are few advantages to widowhood, but knowing I could ask that Dad be allowed to go with the child headed far from home was one of them. Heavenly Father, in His infinite goodness, granted those requests. I never worried, knowing Dad was there in London, Australia, Thailand, the Remuda cul-de-sac and the Holy Land.

We now have so much family in heaven that I simply ask that someone be sent. As kids scatter across the globe it probably takes everyone anyway. I suspect from their perspective the veil is thin all the time. I'm grateful that sometimes I get "eyes to see" the armies of heaven that come to our aid. 

The rest of the time, just knowing they are there is enough . 

He Is Risen!

He IS Risen!!!

I love Easter Morning! 

With the fun of children with baskets finished yesterday, 

Easter morning brings hope, joy and assurance of happy reunion 

with the Savior and those we love.  

 

As I wrote to my dear young friend who's baby died last October of SIDS...

Happy Easter, my dear Jenn! For all of us with family in heaven, who sadly visit cemeteries, this is the day we celebrate. "For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord" is only the beginning of the good news of the gospel. The other half of the glorious news came years later in an empty tomb..."He is not here, but is risen"! 

Christ lives, and because he lives, we will all live again! Absolutely and positively certain. As we follow Him we have the opportunity to be with Him and our loved ones again. Hope in Christ and the comfort of the Holy Spirit are the reasons we can continue to live and find joy in this life. As He said, "Fear not, only believe".

"He is risen! He is risen! Tell it out with joyful voice. 

He has burst his three days prison; Let the whole wide earth rejoice.

Death is conquered, man is free. 

Christ has won the victory"!!! (Hymn 199)

Much love to you and your wonderful family. We're remembering Jossy and count her as one we look forward to seeing on resurrection morning.

The number of those I look forward to seeing again grows ever larger. 

Among those at the top of that list are my mother and grandparents, 

and my John. 

Kira asked yesterday for the list of "Remember When's...."

from Nollie's journal that we added to shortly after John's death. 

It was tender, sweet and sad to read it again. 

Still, the remembering is only for this short life,

as we will soon be reunited 

and remember our love and experience together perfectly.

Happy Easter to all the family and friends on both sides of the veil. 

We have every reason to rejoice!

Remember When’s About Dad from Nollie’s Journal – Written March 1999

• Eating parmesan cheese & cocoa straight out of the can
• I’m his “Nollie Anne”
• Gingersnaps, taking a bag on a scouting trip & coming home with an almost full bag because he was the only one who liked them
• Dad’s “uniform” – his duck shoes, red sweatshirt, jeans, & his gray & leather down vest, & his Indiana Jones hat
• Helping Dad cook cobbler at the 1997 Ward Trek
• Sitting down & having serious talks with Dad -> he wants me to be a leader & live up to my potential
• Dad teaching me how to do multiplication in the 7^th grade
• Dad with his scratchy whiskers (“whisker rub”) speckled with gray & white
• Playing kickball with the little girls on vacation in Utah
• Late night walks with Dad at Grandma Rich’s house
• Dad renting golf clubs & playing for cheat at U of U golf course
• Going to Big 5 Sporting Goods to buy shoes for cheap
• Asking for diagnoses when we were sick, never being able to fake sick
• Taking tons of pills every day after his liver transplant
• Dad working in a Dole pineapple plant one summer during college
• Eating cereal (especially Raisin Bran) out of a cup – that’s where I get it from! J
• Little girls playing “Bee-uty parlor”
• Dad’s Good Shepherd staff
• Me borrowing Dad’s old wool sweaters
• Dancing in the front room with Dad
• The sign dad made & put on the door when Eric Olsen called about PLC
• Our Daddy-daughter Laurel night with my favorite picture
• Going to Dad’s office in Nyssa & getting treats out of treasure box
• Him organizing the Thunder Egg Run in Nyssa -> I won in 2^nd grade!
• Wearing Dad’s old doctor coats for dress-up
• His major stacks of books/clutter
• Dad tearing articles out of magazines & giving them to me to read (on nutrition or sports, one on plantar warts)
• Playing the tin whistle
• His love of Scouting – being Scoutmaster for forever—Good Shepherd staff, Scout Recognition Dinner (at Keewaydin Park with hot dogs)
• Love of old movies—Beatles—oldies music—classical
• Having boring talk radio channels on when I got into my car after he’d drive it. J
• Always bugging me about cleaning my car (It needed it)
• Teasing me about being a reckless driver
• Giving mom Victoria’s Secret cotton pj’s
• Funny pictures from Hawaii, posing on the beach
• Eating his breakfast (cereal—Raisin Bran) late at night
• Making pasta for himself when his tummy was sick
• Being Nephi in the Book of Mormon play in Nyssa
• Dad and Nan, the “Whistling Marmots”
• Making hug sandwiches with me and mom
• Giving Bekka rides to school every day
• Making dutch oven cobblers at Ward Trek 1997
• Making detailed food lists for our camping trips
• Dad finding Cheyenne at the Humane Society
• His ketchup soup dinners in college
• Rooming with Bob Bell and driving cross country
• Meeting Mom on a blind date
• Taking me to the Olive Garden in SLC for my 13^th b-day
• Picking me up in Yakima after my track meet at West Valley
• Dad’s love of the stock market –playing with it
• Telling me he loved me
• The Leatherman mini-knife and mini-flashlight for my 18^th B-day (Always a scout—Be Prepared)
• Dad’s advice always to be a leader—he saw it in me
• Blue cheese (stinky cheese)    I like it cause of him
• Dad’s Teton Toaster slippers
• Accompanying Dad to REI in SLC
• Dad buying the red monster truck as a scout truck
• Reading Kira & Kaylee Hardy Boys & Nancy Drew
• Dad’s book & scripture basket under the bookstand
• Not being cooperative in pictures
• The movie “Stand & Deliver” – he loved it
• Reading Call of the Wild & Treasure Island to us when we were little
• His silly finger dance
• Accompanying me to California with Mr. Barber
• Baking sourdough bread & biscuits
• Dancing with me in the front room
• The letters he wrote to me every day my 1^st semester at college
• E-mail greetings and forwarded jokes
• Taking me out to Baskin Robbins after an event (or A&W in Nyssa)
• Cheering (and getting worked up) at volleyball games & track meets
• Going hiking on our 30 mile trip on Pacific Rim Trail
• The polecat joke – camping at Ohanepekosh (campground at Mt. Rainier)
• Dad’s love of thunderstorms
• Helping me with my English homework and analysis of poetry (Emily Dickinson – YUCK!) – Passage to India
• Robert Frost & Carl Sandberg
• Dad’s funny Castilian Spanish accent (lisp :) )
• Paella whenever he could get it
• Taking Scotty for a walk and getting to spend time together
• Letting me wear his fuzzy wool sweaters & Big Dog sweatshirts
• Teasing me about boys – yardstick rule
• “I’m perky today Nol.”
• Pictures of dad running races when he was younger
• Dartmouth College & he gave me his old PE shirt
• His loud green & blue jackets – so embarrassing!
• Bow ties (I like them now :) )
• Driving with Dad when I had my permit (I was his chauffeur)
• Being Dad’s caddy at golf in Ontario when I was little
• Hugging Dad @ graduation
• Him always commenting about sports games & it driving me crazy
• Dad’s hugs – The Best!
• Dad getting his “Sports Illustrated” and other good magazines & giving them to me before he read them
• Taking me to the Eagle Caps with his Scout Troop when I was 8 and playing Capture the Flag
• Doggy Poop sandwiches --> backpacking or hiking
• Trips with English muffins with peanut butter & honey mixed in a squeezy thing
• Buying day-old bread – overall cheap
• Cheesy eggs, homemade french fries, homemade pizza with the little girls
• Always helping us with chores, etc.
• “The Big Voice” – I was scared
• Catching me & Brian kissing in front of our house  :) oops
• Dad sitting in his chair before all my high school dances & watching patiently as I pinned on corsages
• Dad sleeping in my bed cause it’s cooler downstairs
• His lunch bunch with Rod Jackson, Mike Beauchamp, Keith Howard, Neil Hymas, etc.
• Dad’s excitement for Mariner’s games
• His ball catching contraption & getting players’ autographs
• Living in Seattle for 1996 summer after liver transplant
• Visiting Dad in hospital during August 1996 after liver scare—my first time visiting there
• Dad sitting at the end spot at the dinner table & sitting in his special chair in the living room
• Always competitive in family games
• The expert BBQ chef of chicken or steak with special seasoning mixed with lemon juice and Montreal steak seasoning
• Him cooking at my 18^th b-day party
• Father’s blessings every year before school started
• Being at my junior year Homecoming halftime show with Mom (when I was announced as Junior Homecoming Princess)
• His love for dogs and nature
• Dad’s testimony that he shares with us, knew important things in life—loved Heavenly Father & Jesus
• Dad’s dry wit sense of humor
• His professional phone voice
• Brushing his teeth so hard that the toothbrush frayed
• Dad telling us the story of Shiz from the Book of Mormon & it always scaring me
• Making biscuits with dad from scratch & cutting them out with a cup (“biskers”)
• Dad’s big brown ugly pillow that was always by his bed
• Dad’s worn out old navy blue bath robe
• I got my writing talent from Dad
• Helping me analyze Emily Dickinson poetry for IB my junior year
• Teaching Latin names like “haliaetus lucocephalus” – bald eagle
• Whisker rubs
• Dad teaching me how to do multiplication
• “Bekka-lekka-hi, Bekka hiney-ho” – like the genie from Pewee’s Playhouse
• Going up to Red Butte Gardens by U of U and taking pictures & walking through it
• Dad always vacuuming
• Kid’s Klassics – the book thing Dad tried to start
• His collection of magazines & junk piled in the garage
• My Washington postcards collection
• Dad’s cute real smile – it was like pulling teeth to get him to do it though – not a fan of photos too much
• His special patterned scrubs
• Walking laps around Horse Heaven Hills Park
• Cheering right next to the finish line at home and away (regionals in Richland, Pasco Invite, 1998 districts in Yakima) track meets & I could hear him & was embarrassed because I was majorly self-conscious when I ran