Labor of Love from Friends

How do I even begin to express what I am feeling? When our friends found out we were going to move (about a year ago), this project was begun. Ellen Sorenson was the instigator and finisher. She planned out this friendship quilt and handed the plain fabric to friends. They were to combine it with a piece of their own fabric and make a windmill block. They signed their own block and returned it to Ellen who put them all together to form this beautiful creation! Then she mailed it to Claudia Fisher in Utah who machine quilted it!! Claudia mailed it back and Ellen put the edging on and bound it. The prairie points are made from leftover parts of the blocks! It is a masterpiece!
A party at the Elaine and Mark Quinn's home on Friday night was when this was presented to us. Carol and Mike Broadbent are also moving and the party was for both them and us. All the "oldies" were invited and there was a large group of people we have known and loved for 38 years. Blocks had even been sent in the mail to some who have moved (and they were returned - which is a miracle!). When the package was opened and this quilt was revealed, I admit to being speechless and tearful. I KNOW what goes into making such a gift and can't even imagine the hours that were spent. We didn't know anything about this even though manilla envelopes were being passed to Ellen each week at church for months.
Now Ellen is going the extra mile AGAIN and hosting a get-together tonight for those who weren't invited on Friday so that they say goobye to us and also see the finished quilt. This is being a true friend. What more can we say than thanks and we will never forget this - how can we with such a keepsake to always remind us of those we will love and cherish forever. As we leave this part of our lives and go on to the next, we thank our Heavenly Father for the time we had here and the people who are so dear. Thank you to ALL involved for your efforts in our behalf. We love you!

I Am Loved!

Yesterday was my final Humanitarian Aid day (Boohoo!). Everyone in our little group was so gracious and kind. I have loved working with these sweet sisters in a great cause. Kathy Nycz made me this cake. Look closely and you can see small spools of thread, buttons, pieces of a tape measure, scissors, etc. in the frosting! It was a labor of love and also it was delicious! There was a chocolate layer and a cherry nut layer. We all enjoyed it at our monthly birthday luncheon. It was Kathy's 50th birthday this month so this was her birthday cake also!

And look at the wall hanging that Ann Winward made me for my new sewing room! Around the edges you can see sayings such as -"Quilting is my Cup of Tea", "What can't be cured must be endured!", Wow I Still Have Points!" , "I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours", Celebrate Quilting Friendships", and Quilter's Haven is a Quilter's Heaven". In the middle was a block with the names of these dear friends written on it. I will treasure it forever. I am thankful for such friends and know we will work together in heaven (on quilts or robes or something that has to be sewn)!

A New Life for Us

It only took 10 months, but our house is sold! We learned a lot of patience in the process. We learned to leave at a moment's notice so people could come through. We learned not to be too disappointed when contracts fell. We learned that we still had a lot to do here in Naperville. We learned that we had a lot to learn at the temple. We will miss our time at the temple and the wonderful people there. Next week will be our last shift to coordinate. But now, it looks like we are really going to be moving! On February 22nd, the van will come and load up our things and then we will be off to our new home. Our new address is 530 N. 80 W. Lindon, UT 84042. We look forward to being closer to our children and grandchildren and siblings and my parents. We have lived here for 38 years and been away for nearly 43 years.

Rulon has started to box up his books - and he got rid of many of them!!

No, we are not going into the egg business - these boxes are from the storehouse and are perfect moving boxes. Thanks, Diane and Ross Carn (missionaries serving at the storehouse who saved these for us)!

We submitted our mission papers yesterday. Now we just need a few more medical tests which will be done this week and our interview with Pres. Peterson. As you can see, we have been very busy! And these next two weeks will be filled. Mark will come out on the 20th to drive one of our cars back. Rulon and I hope the weather will cooperate and we will be able to go to Nauvoo, Lincoln, Winter Quarters, etc. on the way. Then we hope to beat the moving truck and be there when it arrives on March 1st. We will miss our home and friends here. This has been a marvelous place for us to live and rear our family. We will always love Naperville!

A Temple for Payson!

On Monday, January 25, 2010, it was announced that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would build its 152nd temple - in Payson, Utah! Imagine my surprise to read about this on facebook! My niece, Cindy, wrote about it and I just couldn't believe it! I looked it up on the Deseret News site and there it was ! It has got to be true if it is in print, right?? The new temple will be built west of town near the freeway entrance.
I was born and raised in Payson and never even dreamed of such a thing as this. After all, we were just a small little country town. Temples were built in places like Salt Lake, Ogden, St. George and Provo. Of course, since then other temples have been built in Utah. Still, I thought that since Payson was so close to Provo, there wouldn't be a need for another one. But the Provo Temple is one of the busiest and the Payson Temple will ease the congestion there. It will serve those faithful saints who travelled to Manti for so many years before the temple was built in Provo.
My parents worked in the Provo Temple for 20 years. Now they will have a temple just a few miles away. How I hope that they will be able to see it built. My great grandfather, William Smith Tanner, was one of the first settlers in Payson. My grandfather, Kenneth J. Tanner, lived out his life there also. My father was born in Payson and has lived there for 93 years. My mother was born in Spanish Fork but has lived in Payson all her married life (68 years). What a thrill it is to know that their efforts have been rewarded with a temple.
May this temple unite many families for time and eternity and be a blessing in this area. I look forward to the time when I can enter the Payson, Utah Temple!

A Bears' Fan in St. George?

Chandler loves the Chicago Bears! Here are the valance and the curtain for his new Bears' room! This is actually the curtain that goes on the closet opening.

These are the pillow shams.

Here is the orange dust ruffle (well, not a ruffle - skirt?). Anyway, it hides the box springs.

This is the bedspread - queen sized! But you only see a portion of it here.

I bought all the fabric JoAnn had in stock and it was all in pieces. I figure I bought 15 yards of the blue and 4 of the orange. This is what was left!!!

Here are some bags to hang in the closet to hold socks, underwear, etc.

And myGoodwill find - a new Bears jacket!

And this is to hang on one of the walls.

And a KMart pillow to complete the look.

Here is the package I sent today. Hope he loves it all! I love you, Chandler!

A Little Help for Haiti

Pam Caine in our ward served a mission in the Dominican Republic in the early 90's. She has a great love for the people on that island and felt inspired to do something to help. She sent out a letter to her neighbors and friends inviting them to make hygiene kits to donate to the relief effort. She also asked the ward to help. Here is the result of my efforts yesterday - thanks to Dollar Tree. I found all items there and made 6 kits for about $35.

Here is a list if you want to help.
1 tube toothpaste (no pumps) about 6-8 oz
2 non-breakable combs with no sharp points
4 toothbrushes (wrapped)
2 bars soap
2 handtowels (about 15 x 25") no dishtowels
Put all items in a 1 gallon zip lock bag

Donate to the Church Humanitarian service - check with your ward to see where you can take the kits.

You can also donate money on a site that is on the Church website. Or just add extra on the donation slip when you pay your tithing and fast offerings.

We are so blessed and everyone wants to help those unfortunate people. Thanks to so many in the Church and other organizations who are giving relief. It felt good to be able to help too.

Christmas Collage 2009

Litle Miss Riss and Tanna and Braydon playing with the ball toy at Kim and Steve's New Year party.
Shining Samantha - always has a smile.

Ty - a Cubs fan!

And Braydon, too - can you guess who gave them the sweatshirts?

Tanna and her new haircut - a result of her escapade with the scissors.

What a fun toy!

Steve feeding an unhappy Eden.

Natalia in a dressup at Kim's house.

Jill and Dave - best seats in the house!

Natalia models her snow wear.

Ty and two of his wrestling belts - a great present.

Sloane and her new bedroom outfit - a real princess!

Sloane and Zacia - Krissy babysits her and Sloane and Holden help.

Chandler sitting on newly reupolstered couch.

Harrison and a Christmas present that we got to see him open.

And who is this MAN??? Tevin is all grown-up!

Chris, Krissy, Holden and Sloane ready for church in St. George.

Steve and Dustin - the party was getting dull, I guess!

Kelsey and Sandra came to visit. Where did that little girl go?

Dave - the party was too much for the guys, I guess.

Fun for everyone, including Grandpa!

Jill reads a story to everyone. Still the teacher!

Steve and Ella Barbara - my namesake.

Grandpa and Dustin preparing the meal for everyone - thank you!

Cute little Braydon - probably getting ready to do a summersault on the couch.

Kim and Eden, our littlest grandchild.

Grandpa gets a turn with Eden.

She's almost walking!

Can't resist her!

Grandpa and Emily and Ella playing "Toll or Troll" - a game Grandpa made up with them.

Mark and Kellie's new home in Green River - on Illinois Court!

Grandpa and Grandma and the Gibson Girls.

Karlis is not a happy camper for these early morning pictures!

Mark Kellie and girls in front of their new fireplace!

All in all, a wonderful vacation - looks like we don't have pictures of Dan and Paige though and we spent a lot of time with them. And where was Lynn hiding??

We were able to put money down on a home there in Lindon. Dan is our realtor and we are working out the details now!! Our home here hasn't sold but we have hope that it will all work out. More details will come as we figure all of this out!