One of my most precious memories of sweet Mom was her ever loving patience and encouragement for her children. I remember one summer day in Montana when I was bored and wanting to do something. Being a mother now and understanding the patience level summertime expects of a mother even makes Mom more patient in my eyes. She was at the kitchen sink doing dishes, and encouraged me to go pick some of the Raspberries behind our carriage house--- and create! That sparked such grand imaginings of what I could make. It was just the thing I needed to bust my boredom. In the end it wasn't a masterpiece. Just some smooshed up raspberries with brown sugar. However, Mom made me feel like the greatest Chef! You have such a genuine way of making people see themselves for who they really are. I love you each and every day for that gift. Thanks Mom!
Wendy
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
The Temple - A Place I Want To Be
One of my most influential and faith building moments was the night I spent at the Mesa temple with my sweet Papa! I must have been around 5 or 6 and can so clearly feel, hear and smell the beautiful grounds of the temple. I remember it being a hot Sunday evening. Walking hand in hand with you Papa was such a comforting and peaceful experience. We looked and enjoyed each beautiful flower. I can still smell the sweet fragrances and see their beautiful patterns and colors. We looked at the temple itself, and you pointed out the significance of the symbolic shapes and details. We noticed a door with no handle on it representing our need to knock and seek answers. I remember the beauty of the spirit that day. I know it was my first real taste of the glorious feelings of the spirit. In my head was the tune and lyrics of "I love to see the temple". The is still one of my favorite hymns to this day. For me this memory has caused such stabilizing and nurturing spiritual strength. I love the forethought that was taken by my loving Father to help his little girl have a wonderful experience with the temple. It is the source of truth, light, peace and love! Thanks dear Papa for your love and testimony. You are Cherished!
Wendy
Wendy
Monday, December 17, 2012
Christmas time - Sarah
Mom is the queen of Christmas time. She always made it so magical and fun. I loved that it was mom out there with us hanging the lights on the house or in the bushes. I know Dad did it too, but to have a mom willing to be out there (and be the one spurring it on) was awesome. And then all of the wonderful traditions we all have because of their desire to bring magic into our home. The chandalier presents (hello, so cool!) - The hold out (best idea ever! and one of the most special, spacific Christmas memories I have)- The not seeing the tree till we hear the music (my kids LOVE this one). I just love that we have so many wonderful Christmas memories to look back on and enjoy. I love my childhood memories. And I still have never found a posole to match moms!
The love of good food - Sarah
I have this memory that I love, it might not have happened quite this way, but this is how I remember it. I remember that Dad would sometimes work late (often :) and mom would make us dinner and then feed him when he got home. There were a few times I remember she would get him pizza hut pizza. I thought the smell of it was divine. I remember sitting at dad feet on the edge of his chair while he ate and we all watched a show. I loved those times when we were all in the living room watching something and dad had his dinner on his TV tray. This particular time I remember they said we could each have half a slice of pizza. I can still remember it tasting SO good. Here it was, their little treat and they were willing to share half of it with us. I know this is kind of a simple memory but I love it.
A lot of my good memories revolve around food. I don't know why :) Some of my best memories are the few times that Dad would take me out to Subway. It was such a treat to get to be alone with Dad and a good Sandwich and great conversation. There was one time Dad picked me up from work one day when I was really down. (Dad somehow always knew when we were down) He took me out to eat at KFC and it was perfect. I think the food always tasted so good because the moment was so special, not the food. Then there were the few dates I got to go on with Mom and Dad together to the Chinese place there in Alamo. These are among my most favorite of memories. Being one on one with them was super special but getting to be with both is like a dream come true. I am so thankful they took the time to be great parents.
A lot of my good memories revolve around food. I don't know why :) Some of my best memories are the few times that Dad would take me out to Subway. It was such a treat to get to be alone with Dad and a good Sandwich and great conversation. There was one time Dad picked me up from work one day when I was really down. (Dad somehow always knew when we were down) He took me out to eat at KFC and it was perfect. I think the food always tasted so good because the moment was so special, not the food. Then there were the few dates I got to go on with Mom and Dad together to the Chinese place there in Alamo. These are among my most favorite of memories. Being one on one with them was super special but getting to be with both is like a dream come true. I am so thankful they took the time to be great parents.
I love Grandma and Grandpa - Ben
Grandma and Granpa, I love you guys because you guys always make it to our celebrations and our birthdays and things like that. I remember that you stayed with us for Christmas and you made it so much more fun and you made it a lot more about Jesus Christ. And I really liked that. I remember playing chinese checkers with you guys on Thanksgiving when you gave us the board game set. It was so much fun. I love Grandma and Grandpa.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Amazing Influences- Josh
Hey Grandma and Grandpa, I just wanted to know how much I love you guys. When you sent that letter for my birthday I want to let you guys know, I shed a little tear. Now I want you to know I have only shed a tear a couple of times in the past, mostly when I get a greater understanding of the gospel. But you have showed me awesome things besides very inspirational birthday card you have also been awesome encouragement when you found out that I could draw, you encouraged me to pursue it more, which has led to so many opportunities. Now I help work on commercials, I make comics for the school newspaper, I am messing around with 3d animation, and I even made the animations in a short little video game made in a week (which was hard work) with my friends. I attribute this all to you guys, looking at every Lego creation I showed you and accepting every not so good looking drawings, that has pushed me to get better because you guys recognized I had the talent for it. I love you guys very much and I don't think that I would be anywhere close to the place I am in without your guys's love and encouragement. Thank you very much I love you guys!
Josh Velasquez.
Josh Velasquez.
Omaha- Porter
Grandma and Grandpa,
I remember when you came to our house several times in Omaha. I remember when you guys would wake up early and take a walk to the park. Me being young had a hard time waking up early, but I was dedicated to wake up just to walk with you guys, Mari, Nick, and Josh.While we would walk it would be misty (like an Oregon day) and grey sometimes. When we walked to the park there was oaks and maples towering to the sky (at least for a six year old). Some squirrels would run up and down trees, some being brown, grey, and black.
After we came back we would eat breakfast like a bowl of cereal, or some eggs and toast. After breakfast we would give you guys some "grown up talk" with my mom and my dad till about an hour before lunch. During that hour before lunch we would go get our swimming suits on and go in the back yard on the trampoline. Grandpa would come out as slowly as he could to mess with us. He would get a camping chair and sit on the porch with a hose and spray us while we jumped to avoid the water (even though we were trying to get wet). We would do that until our mom came and spoiled our fun and told us lunch was ready. We would go up stairs and change into our dry clothes to have lunch.
We would let you guys have time to take a nap and the boys would quietly play some games since we weren't tired at all or pick the ripe tomatoes. When both of you woke up mom started making dinner. We would smell fresh bread in the oven with different types of spices on the stove. When we sat down in the middle of the table we saw the "golden corn" and butter right next to all the corn. That is the first thing Grandpa and I would get. The corn was so sweet almost as sweet as your love for me. When you guys would leave for the airport I would actually wish you didn't. Thank you for letting me have precious memories I'll never forget. Thank you the best grandparents ever!
I remember when you came to our house several times in Omaha. I remember when you guys would wake up early and take a walk to the park. Me being young had a hard time waking up early, but I was dedicated to wake up just to walk with you guys, Mari, Nick, and Josh.While we would walk it would be misty (like an Oregon day) and grey sometimes. When we walked to the park there was oaks and maples towering to the sky (at least for a six year old). Some squirrels would run up and down trees, some being brown, grey, and black.
After we came back we would eat breakfast like a bowl of cereal, or some eggs and toast. After breakfast we would give you guys some "grown up talk" with my mom and my dad till about an hour before lunch. During that hour before lunch we would go get our swimming suits on and go in the back yard on the trampoline. Grandpa would come out as slowly as he could to mess with us. He would get a camping chair and sit on the porch with a hose and spray us while we jumped to avoid the water (even though we were trying to get wet). We would do that until our mom came and spoiled our fun and told us lunch was ready. We would go up stairs and change into our dry clothes to have lunch.
We would let you guys have time to take a nap and the boys would quietly play some games since we weren't tired at all or pick the ripe tomatoes. When both of you woke up mom started making dinner. We would smell fresh bread in the oven with different types of spices on the stove. When we sat down in the middle of the table we saw the "golden corn" and butter right next to all the corn. That is the first thing Grandpa and I would get. The corn was so sweet almost as sweet as your love for me. When you guys would leave for the airport I would actually wish you didn't. Thank you for letting me have precious memories I'll never forget. Thank you the best grandparents ever!
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