Devin

The Progression of Love for my Bro:

Phase 1: The Start
-I vaguely remember Devin’s birth - everyone was so hyper because he was a boy. It was like we won the lottery. I was just excited to have another playmate to dress up and tease.

Phase 2: The Spark of His Personality
-Playing together in the backyard. I would sneak up behind him and he’d chase me away with the garden hose. He always had saggy diapers (pencil holder), especially when we played in the irrigation.
-He overdosed on Grandma’s sleeping pills.
-He was starstruck by Fyfel’s song, “Somewhere out there”.
-He always put on his boots, hat, and saddled up the armchair of the couch just to ride around while he watched “Man From Snowy River”.

Phase 3: The Blossoming of our Friendship
-I think Devin and I became more like friends when we moved to Florida.
-He and I went deep sea fishing with Dad and some guys from the ward.
-In the summer nights, he and I would sneak outside and spy on the neighbor geek, Ryan. I remember hiding in the grass with the binoculars and giggling.

Phase 4: The Expansion of our Friendship
-After my mission while I was at home in Chile, I think my relationship with Devin grew another huge leap. I have some fun memories with Devin from that time.
-You had me at Hello, Night at the Roxbury, guitar lessons, running through Provedencia with his weird-looking basketball shoes on.
-We saw Jumbo’s Elephant at the market and Devin found out it was his friend…the kid inside kept talking like the Elephant.
-We invited all Devin’s friends over for a dance party and dressed up.
-We jumped on the tramp and practiced our back flip routines for hours.
-We rode the bus to his school and got in trouble with Seabass for sitting in his seat in the back of the bus.
-We went on bike rides through Providencia and Devin taught me how to pop a wheelie. He was very patient and a good coach.
-Our parents were trying to buy a house in the USA. One Sunday Devin and I decided to build a cardboard replica of the house to see the layout. Jim’n’Jim’s Construction was born that day.
-We’d play on the piano and interpret the music.
-He and I got to go with Mom and Dad to Easter Island. We played cards by our room, met “Don”, another tourist who we kept bumping into. Devin found a huge abandoned coconut the first day at one of the beaches so he carried it around like a pet for the entire day, and just when he wasn’t looking, Dad gave it away to two stranger children.
-We talked out on the porch, went to movies, and had sleepovers in Candra’s room.
-One Sunday he noticed there weren’t enough deacons to pass the sacrament and he turned to me lifting his hands toward my head, “Uh-oh, you know what this means”.
-In Idaho, I somehow weaseled my way into the boys camping outing. Devin and I found a poisonous caterpillar and we named it Richard – later in the dark tent, Devin yelled, “RICHARD!” Betrayed by our pet!

Phase 5: The Cherry on Top
- Almost 3 years ago, Devin opened his mission call and got sent to the same amazing Mission that I was sent to a few years ago! What a cool thing to share such an amazing place!

Phase 6: The NOW!!
From all the memories and experiences we’ve been through from all our years both, together and apart have made my appreciation and love for this brother more real and cherished. He is a huge part of who I am and how I view life everyday. I am so lucky to have him for a brother and a friend. I have learned a lot from knowing him. I can not go with out smiling when I think of him. This ‘ole guy makes my life much more fun and he truly has a gift of making life so enjoyable and lightening everyone up. I’m so grateful that God put us together in the same family – now we will always be together no matter what. How’d I get so lucky? Devin, you really are incredible and to know you is a huge gift for everyone. Happy Birthday and I could go on and on about you all day.

Tantelizing Tantelloneous Tantelly

To know this lady is to absolute love her! I’ve grown up with this silly, giggly girl all my life. She’s my big sister and my loyal friend. She’s always been a part of me – who I am, and who I want to be. She’s a reminder of where I want to be after this life. She’s an anchor to what matters most to me. She’s a reflection of compassion, love, inspiration, laughter, loyalty, patience, longsuffering, and true joy. Ah, I am so grateful to have this beautiful and amazing girl in my world!

Chantel was brought to this earth with a very specific trial. Did she know before she came that she’d live in a body that would make it very difficult to express her feelings? Did she know that being able to communicate would be extremely challenging? Did she know that for many years doctors, and even her own family would not know what was wrong with her? Did she know any of this before accepting her “temple”?

To think that God might have sent her to any of the other trillions of families out there, but how blessed we are to have her in ours. To think that some other Mother and Father would be hers, but she came to two of the most loving and patient people possible. To think that she was the oldest, and right away knowing she had some complicated challenges ahead these parents brought 7 more children to their lives. I thank Heavenly Father for the gift of being sent to this family, where we would grow and be lead by our big sister. Many have called her a burden, but she is one of the greatest gifts God could have bestowed on this family.

As I flip through my memories of growing up with Chantel. I remember many times where I wondered what was going on inside of her. Did she know I existed? Did she know I was her little sister? Did she know and feel bad that there were times I was embarrassed by her? We talked to her and laughed with her and she seemed to have those expressive eyes that spoke to us. But until that day almost 13 years ago, when we all rushed into the kitchen where Chantel, nearly 22 then, could communicate through that little keyboard, ironically called “the communicator”. It was a huge breakthrough for our family, because before that point, we knew our sister and daughter could talk, but for her to patiently spell out actual words was revolutionary for us and must have been leaps of liberation for her.

I remember way before that some funny memories…

- We couldn’t really collect stuffed animals or we’d find them chewed on by Chantel. Mom would just stuff them in the washer, but they were never soft like they should be.
- Chantel loves animals and we loved her birthday because we always went to the zoo for her special day.
- In Arizona, the girl’s dorm was next to the pantry. Chantel would sneak a bag of chips and we’d find a chip trail from the pantry to our beds! Ah, this Chip-Tornado lasted for years!! It used to rampage in Idaho too, from the front closet all the way down the hall!
- Specialist always had “bright” new ideas about how to help Chantel. One day they set up a funny contraption in the girl’s dorm (that was my room). They hooked her up to some funny looking boots, then tipped her upside down on this teeter-tooter looking thing. We’d have our friends over and play on it.
- Remember putting the Christmas tree on a table in AZ? Why did we do that again? Something to do with Chantel.
- Remember being very astute to shut the gate to the spa, shut the gate to the yard, put the chairs or that board (in ID) up in the kitchen, or you’d be sorry.
- Remember when she got lost in the neighborhood in Michigan and Aaron found her in a police car.
- Remember singing K-K-K-Katy…what time is “at the moonshine” anyway?
- Remember her biting her wrists, or one time biting and breaking into a dinner plate, and once, Candra’s finger.
- Remember her body brace she wore daily to improve her scoliosis.
- Remember rubber hamburgers.
- Remember “Mokum”.
- I tried to teach Chantel the piano in Michigan. I just knew that she’d miraculously become the next Beethoven phenomenon.
- Remember going to see her win at the “Special Olympics” a couple times.
- Remember our family sitting in 2 rows in Church. That was to protect any body from getting smacked or grabbed in the head by Chantel. Remember her sobbing, saliva strings and all, in Sacrament meeting. Remember her random stands or loud yawns during boring talks or testimonies. What an honest gal.
- Remember “watching” her on the T.
- Remember her saying “NO” to the Bishop in Florida about getting baptized.
- I remember taking her for walks in Florida.
- I remember she always brought home bowling trophies.
- Remember (I hope she doesn’t) when I left her in the tub, while babysitting the Allowitz kids, and Kit found her in cold water an hour later.
- Remember in Chile, we all came home one night. I heard scratching at the front door, and upon opening it, Chantel stood with earnest eyes outside waiting to come in.
- Remember when she jumped in bed with Heber.

I love…
- her smile.
- her perfectly even teeth.
- her bright eyes.
- her giggle, bursting laughs, sighs, hisses, belly laughs, cat meows, and seal cackles.
- her HUGE yawns.
- when she tries to get food that’s stuck on her back teeth.
- her I love the way she pounces on the couch or bed, especially when you are already sitting down.
- how, in the car or at the table, she doesn’t even need to look at you, she’ll just grab or point or peck at you from the side to tell you to SHARE!
- how she itches her nose.
- the way she thinks she’s a cat and adores her kitty photos.
- how Dad called her Booger Jones, Devin called her Gary, and we all call her Telly. I like Tantelloneous.
- watching her with Grandma, Dad, and our angelic Mother, and with strangers.

She brings light to those around her. Ah, I love everything about this lady. I want everyone to know her. She brings so much good into the world and mine would not be the same without her. I love this girl!

Candra

ODE’ To Candy:

I spy with my little eye someone I absolutely adore and LOVE to be around. This gal is completely lovable, spiritually tender, super duper funny, and breathtakingly beautiful. She’s my sweet saucy sista and I call her Candy.

- The first time I remember Candra in my mind was when I was in Kindergarten. Dad brought us to the hospital to meet the new little gem of our family. I didn’t see her anywhere, until Dad cupped his hands and began to slowly open them, to my utter disappointment NO BABY inside! Cruel trick. What a relief to find the real baby was with the Nurse.
- I remember bringing her to Show-and-tell and being a proud big sis.
- Mom let me help change her clothe diapers.
- I remember her loud-baby-belly laugh.
- I remember teaching her and Katie Slade school in the barn and grading her papers. No child left behind!
- Once on vacation in Utah we were on a picnic in the Provo Canyon. Candra had crimped hair and a red tank top, white shorts with little colorful hearts, and white sandals. She looked so cute! Chalonn and I would hold her hands and swing her in the grass. Then we found dandelion seedlings to blowing the wind as we danced singing, “It’s snowing!”
- I remember when she was finally old enough to come sleep with us in the “Girls Dorm” in the west wing part of our AZ house. Trundle bed heaven! We would giggle at night.
- I remember training her to be a gymnast on our trampoline as well as on the bars at the Bentens. We called ourselves “The Puppy Princesses” or something and
- held a Gymnastics Recital with flyers that no one showed up to.
- The 4 girls and Devin would set up library, store, or church in the Dorm and after setting up, we’d play for a few minutes and then get bored and not want to clean up. Remember that toy closet? What a mess!
- I remember I directed a play of the “Frog Prince” – with Candra as the princess.
- When we moved to Michigan we would spend hours downstairs in the basement setting up a Barbie Universe. I eventually felt like I was growing out of playing Barbies, but I would tell Candra and Chenae that I was just helping them “set up”.
- We put together a cabbage patch doll slumber party in Chantel’s pink room in Michigan. Remember all of us had crushes on the Hammond boys? – There was one for each age.
- I remember playing with Candra and her little Yugoslavian friend, Yola.
- I always wanted to make things for Candra cause she would always graciously play and make believe with me. I remember making her a cardboard dollhouse, and a camera, paper cake & crowns, and a table out of buckets and a tree stump.
- I remember seeing her on the playground and feeling protective of her at Lincoln Elementary especially from nasty kissy-face Buddy McPherson.
- I remember presenting her to the Young Womens’ Organization once she became a Beehive when I was a Laurel in Rexburg.
- Remember Creshel’s wedding, Grandma’s funeral, Aaron’s farewell, Bear Lake, my car accident, Smokey and Chaboo, Palmer’s Candy Store, the summer we repainted the kitchen (twice) and built the deck, walking down to the college, Spud Harvest, Becky Hansen, ski school, ah – good times!
- On road trips, Candra was known as the Pillow Princess. Somehow she was always found cuddling and tucked into 4 -5 pillows!
- I have so many memories with this girl, but I really remember seeing her in a new light when we moved to Florida. It was there, that she became more of my friend, instead of just a cute little sister. I remember seeing her personality come out. I remember feeling more connected to her.
- We had fun together playing in the pool, dancing in the living room, and watching Lion King over and over. One day Dad told Chenae and I that he was going to take us to the Keys with him and that we were going to kidnap Candra from school and take her with us. It was so fun to see her face as she discovered what we were doing. Remember Dad’s green little Dinosaur-head CES car? The Keys were dreamy with just the 3 girls and Dad.
- We had fun in those days being in mutual and Young Womens, singing YW songs that made Mom proud, going to sticky, hot Girls’ Camp and Temple trips together, making fun of the same people (Callus Carleton) and dancing to the Macarena Latin-style. We made home videos (about Speedo-wearing neighbors) and Mother’s Day breakfasts, rode bikes around the neighborhood, jumped on the tramp in the rain, built sand castles, and walked the Sawgrass Mall (shaped like an Alligator). Those were fun days in Florida. I remember Chantel almost bit off Candra’s finger in that house. And it became ‘okay’ for Candra to borrow my clothes – too bad I couldn’t fit into hers! When I went to Germany for a few months, I think Candra moved out of the room with Devin into my bed.
- The summer I graduated and went to Ricks, the family followed. Rosemay came to live in Candra and Chenae’s room. Candra began high school and to become more and more grown up! I think her and Chenae had fun at Madison together. We had fun being aunts to the little Allowitz 2 and Taylor was just a baby.
- In Chile, I view my relationship with Candra to have grown another leap, because we got to experience some of the same changes. Both of us in the same foreign land. It was fun to experience that with her. After my mission, I got to share a room with her for a while. I got to see how cute she was and how fun and more like a friend she had become. She made my transition back into ‘real’ life so fun – like a companion! We had synchronized bed dances in that Chilean suite. We danced and sang and listened to “Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites” the book at night.
- It was fun to be in America at the SLC Airport the second Candra returned to US soil. She had just graduated and was ready to begin school at BYUI. What a gal – made it all the way from Chile all alone, but her stomach didn’t. It was fun to help her get situated in her dorm and ready to start school. We got to see her everso often as she was in Idaho, and Chalonn and I in Utah. I remember coming to her dorm and enjoying being with her whenever we could. I loved my sister! It was huge to have Candra around at this point during my life, because our other sister, Chalonn was so distracted and busy with dating her future husband. I felt sort of abandoned until Candra would come around from Idaho and it felt like I was “home” with her. We had fun times with beautiful fall and Thanksgiving in Grace.
- Mom and Dad returned. We got to be all together again! Candra was growing up more and more. So fun, sweet, sophisticated. She seemed to have four great years at school. Chenae got married.
- Candra and I took a trip in May 2003 to California. I needed to take a test for school out there, so Candra accompanied me in the little blue Corolla. We made music for the trip and listened to Les Mes (we went to see it together in SLC a month before hand). That trip we stayed with Quinn’s family. Her mom made us sandwiches with sliced red onions. We hiked down to the beach. Quinn said, “Chelise is my only friend.” And Candra said, “Like in the whole world?” We visited Pepperdine University and the Las Vegas Strip. That was the summer before the lion betrayed Master…. We drive back to Utah in a caravan with Ken and Ken in their corvette.
- Candra and I had another trip in 2004 together in Cali. Her and Linda came out to visit me!! We went to Price is Right, visited Hollywood, spent time at the beach, and sitting in Britney Patterson’s pool.
- Our 3rd annual trip was now on a Cruise in 2005. She, Linda, and Brynne barely got their car out here. Brynne cried. Tiffany went too. We danced the night away with Tina and pigged out on at the chocolate buffet. It was fun to kayak in San Diego, drive the run-away golf cart in Catalina, and shop for Tina’s braids and fine jewelry in Ensenada. Candra was so fun to be with!
- Our 4th annual trip, in 2006, was to NYC baby! We trekked through the streets of Manhattan. Crazy taxi rides, “History! Please know the facts!” at Ground Zero, double decker tour buses, nasty red pastrami sandwiches, random strangers asking to pay for our dinner, almost winning tix to Wicked, getting lost in Central Park, running a 5K down Times Square, our favorite walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and roaming the charming neighborhoods on the other side, getting pizza, H & M shopping, the tulips in Rockefeller Plaza, dancing with Quinn in her little studio apartment, watching a scary movie and Quinn not letting us watch something to “unscare” us, clogging the toilet and having to go to the basement bathroom in the laundry room,
- Staying at Candra’s apartment in Provo, being the stay-at-home-sister, when I got back from Taiwan. Candra lovingly pulled her mattress off the cinderblock frame so that we could spoon comfortablely on the floor. It was a nightly ritual…and sometimes, instead of falling asleep toYanni, we would put a chick-flick in the laptop. We watched the Office and got in the hot-tub with her roomies. We ate yummy salads and I would sometimes meet her for lunch at her work park. We snow shoed with M & C, and went to Yoga with Rochelle. Awe! I love this girl!!!

I have been so privileged to share so many cherished experiences, talks, memories, and laughs with this girl! She is one amazing person and I most certainly love and look up to her.

Karlena

“Auntie K”
You’ve Gotta Have One of These:

I have some favorites. Favorite jeans, a favorite plate, a favorite ice cream flavor, etc. But when I say I have a favorite Aunt, I don’t mean that I love her above the other Aunts, but I mean that she’s just ONE of my favorite people, and she just happens to be my Aunt. So just like my parents tell me that I am their favorite, they also suggest that I keep that on the down-low. “Don’t tell the others,” they say. Not because they don’t want the others to feel bad, but more so, I believe, because they tell the others the same thing they tell me. I know the truth though, and I’ll confidently keep it to myself.

Back to the favorite Aunt thing…I have been thinking about some of these “favorites” in my life lately, and I want to express my gratitude in some small way.

TOP SIX reasons why I love this Lady:

1. My Memories Of Her From Childhood. I remember little things about her when I was growing up. She’s my mom’s twin, so I always recall thinking they looked and acted so similar. I loved when she came to visit. I always thought she was beautiful and stylish. I remember her laugh and the way she made my mom glow. Her children were always such characters and made their visits to see us so eventful and unforgettable. We still talk about stories from their stays.

2. Her Bond With Her Sister, My Mother. One thing that I love about this Aunt is that she truly is one of my mothers most tender and loyal-hearted friends. I love to hear stories about the two of them growing up and even now I love to hear my mom talk about her sister. They are two of a kind and so fun to be with. I feel a dear link and close friendship to my mom and I believe she feels it for me, but I know that no one could ever replace the sweet and unique friendship with her sister. It is something I, too, feel with my sisters. I love that about Karlena.

3. The Way We Bonded. I’ve been so incredibly blessed to be able to spend more in-depth time with my Aunt. When I was in high school, I felt strongly inclined to finish my schooling a little early and earned enough money so that I could go stay with and travel to see my Aunt and Family in Germany. This was a priceless experience! My very first trip away from home – with out my parents. But who better to take me in than this wonderful lady (and I’ll give my Uncle John a little credit). I felt so at “home” with the Gonzos.

It was there, in fact, I think that very night that I arrived, that my relationship with my Auntie would change forever. I recall feeling a bit emotional upon my entrance to the country. Karlena welcomed me and sat on the bed in that dim-lit room with the vaulted ceiling. I had never had my own room; Jeff loaned it to me for my 3 month stay – thank you, Jeff! Karlena and I spent lots of time together in those months. I remember helping her clean the house as we danced to Venezia music. We would run errands, watch old movies, and take walks. I remember each day when the kids would come home, it was hectic and crazy getting them to do their homework, playing outside, and getting dinner ready. It was so fun to be with them. We went on fun ski trips with the Ward to Garmish. Kimberly was quite the character on that trip. It was fun to be an older cousin and playful with them. Karlena and I took some day trips to Heidelberg (one of my favorites), Strasbourg, Michel Stat for Oster Markt, Rotenburg, and Paris. We went on trips with the Jensens and to Italy for Spring Break. It was in Italy that Jeff, complained in the car, “Dad, why did ya bring us here! This is the stupidest vacation you’ve ever brought us on.” And only a few hours later we heard pounding from the hotel shower where we found Jeff pounding the bathmat to the tile wall – having the time of his life. That same trip we went to the Italian coast. Not planning to get wet, we all just played in the sand, but kids will be kids, and eventually one by one the little kids soaked their clothes. I was so impressed with Karlena and John for their patience in allowing such a mess of kids play like that. At the Neushwanstein Castle I recall laughing with my cousins about the Asian tourist saying, “Wash da dishes hee-hee-hee”. Silly memories. My mom came out toward the final weeks of my stay and I just adored watching the two of them! Of coarse, I already had a sweet love for my mother, but to see her and my Auntie that I had grown much closer to in those months was priceless. What fun we had together! Traveling to Holland, Switzerland, Dachau, and Bavaria. It was a highlight of my life to be with them there for a short time.

4. I Love To Talk With Her. She takes her stand and tells you what’s right. She’s sorta reminds me of a “Dr. Laura” figure – in a good way. She’s very wise and bold about standing for truth and doing the right thing. I’ve always loved to talk with her and get her view on important things.

5. Her Sense of Humor. She’s funny! She definitely needs to have a sense of humor because she lives with John twenty-four seven. I love laughing with her.

6. The Way She Loves And Supports Family. It’s one of the single most important things to her. And I’ll tell you how I’m absolutely sure how she feels about family.

■ She has made it a point to travel around the world, wherever and whenever she can possibly get away to be in and see the lives of her family. She traveled all the way to Chile to see ME! Okay, so it wasn’t about me, but more about her sister and her FAMILY that was there. It was so fun to travel around Santiago with
this spunky and fun lady.

■ This woman seems to make it to all her nieces and nephews weddings. She’s not just a guest at these events though, she’s helpful and ready to serve and be in the “thick” of it all. I will never forget having her at my wedding. The day before I got married, I was a mess! We had tables and chairs and lights and flowers to set up for the reception. I will never forget tying silly bows to chairs while Karlena held the ribbon and tied – or vice versa. She visited with me and between her and my mom, it truly helped calm me and bring peace and reality to my big day. I am so grateful that she shared that time with me. I know she loves me and that I’m one of her favorite, but I am convinced that she does it and goes to great lengths because she loves family.

■ She, like my mom, could sit in a room with family and visit, laugh, and cry for days. She seems to love those connections and cherish those sweet moments, relive memories, and constantly make new ones.

This lady has affected my life greatly by her example and nature. You’ve gotta have one of these kind of people in your life. If you don’t, be ONE to someone else. Thank you Auntie! I love you!

My Momma

MY MOM IS…
THE MOST LOVELY WOMAN IN THE WORLD!

…A HUGGABLE NURTURER.
From my earliest memory, I can feel her loving arms around me. I recall her gentle embrace as I sat on her lap or hugged her leg. I remember her making it – life that is - all better. There she is, each time I think of my mother, I think of a true nurturer. I could always feel the soothing touch of my mother with any concern I had. Her arms would encircle me with much affection. I could go to her with an ear ache, and not only leave comforted with a bandaide over my ear, but also having felt healed by her gentle love. I remember her brushing my hair and untangling those crazy snarls almost every morning. I remember falling on my bike at Brown’s house. Mom scrubbed the gravel from my knees and told me her nursing stories. Once I grew and our size began to match, I could easily fit my arms around her in a warm hug and rock with my head on her shoulder. I remember doing that into my teens and even when I get to see her now. I loved her hugs and the way she brought me peace. This was the perfect way for me to be loved by her. If I truly reach back to the deepest and most vague memory of my mother in my mind, I think of her holding my hand through the crib as I calmly fell asleep. More of this memory comes from her telling me about the memory as I’ve grown older. She says I wouldn’t fall asleep unless she was there with me. Each time she thought I was fast asleep she’d slowly crawl out of the room. What a patient mom!

…A FAMILY FANATIC.
My Mom loved her Mom. I remember them laughing together and making jams and salsa together. I loved watching how Mom loved her siblings. She lit up around them. She loves her sisters (in-laws included). It really reflected how important her family was to her. I still see that.
…A CONFIDENCE LIFTER.
I remember mom helping give my first talk from the pulpit at Church when our family was speaking in Sacrament Meeting…all I remember is it was something about birds…(then I found it)…

“You have to believe in happiness,
Or happiness never comes.
That is the reason a bird can sing
On the darkest days, he believes in spring.”

In Florida she helped with my New Beginnings Project. She made it seem like it was all my idea, but it was her behind all my successes.

…AN EXCELLENT COOK.
The kitchen always smelled like fresh bread or at dinner it smelled like yummy beef or chicken. I loved dinner time and Mom always praised me for being willing to try anything. She and Dad called me the “conesuier”. I took great pride in this. I always looked forward to dinner time together with the family and Mom’s food. One day after school I went to Callie Slade’s house to play. Her mom took us in the station wagon on some errands. It began to get late and although I couldn’t tell time, I knew that it was running past 6. Mom was strict about us being home by this time. I felt sick to my stomach but didn’t say anything. Callie’s Mom took us to DQ for ice cream, but I felt so sick with guilt that I was late for Mom’s dinner that I passed up getting an ice cream cone. Once we finally returned, I jumped out of the car and ran home. I knew I’d be in big trouble. I opened the door and walked in knowing I was about to get it from my worried Mother. As I began to plead my apologies, Mom said, “Oh, that’s okay, Sister Slade called me and told me she was taking you out.”

…A FUNNY GAL.
I love to see my mom laugh and sometimes she really surprised me with her silliness, humor, and whit. On her mission in Chile she seemed to really radiate fun and humor.
She let us laugh a lot as kids and get super silly as teenagers. She’d watch us and laugh.

…A KID AT HEART.
I remember when all the older kids went off to school and I got to stay with mom and the baby. It was nice to have some alone time with her. I loved to watch the cartoons, Pink Panther, Mighty Mouse, Rocky and Bullwinkle, and Tom & Jerry. I remember watching Sound of Music and feeling romanicified by Captain Von Trapp. Once while Mary Poppins was playing I caught mom singing along in the pantry. I think it was “Feed the birds” – it made me realize she was once like me – a child! She helped us make believe. Before I was school age, Jason Chizler would come over and play. I remember we tried to set up boobie traps for the neighbor’s cat. One time I mentioned to Jason that I didn’t know if Santa was real. He marched into the house and told my mom what I said, Mom, looked down at me and reassured Santa was watching me. A few years later, as Mom brushed my hair before school one morning, I asked her what shopping she had to do. She replied with a wink, “Chelise, don’t ask those kind of questions around Christmas time”. It was then, with out saying anything more that I got it. Mom let Chalonn and I play all day out in the barn when we got chicken pox. She finally gave us Barbies for Christmas, but said, “I’ll take them away if I ever find them with out clothes on.” I think she secretly loves playing dress up. The first time I noticed how fun this was with her was at our YW fashion show. She and I couldn’t get enough! Mom made my 7th and 11th birthday parties so fun. Cowboy and Here’s Your Life Themes. I told her, “It was funner than a waterslide!” And we always decorated for the appropriate seasons even though she despised Halloween. I loved how Mom decorated the house. She taught us how to keep things in control in “The Nice” room.


…A RISK TAKER.
She let Chalonn and I perm her hair when I was 12!

…AN ENRICHER.
Mom always encourages our learning and helped with my homework. I remember Mom loved to read. She took us to the library weekly in the summers. We had quiet time after lunch where mom got to go alone to her bedroom and we had to read or stay quiet during that time. One of the sweetest things she ever did was when I was in a read-a-thon in the 4th grade. I had to read 16 books in order to qualify for my teacher taking me out to lunch. Mom helped call others in the class to locate the books, and was up late with me reading the books till the very last minute. She took us to museums and the library in the summer time.

…A MOTHER-BEAR.
She will get in your face if you mess with her young. I remember in Florida when my High school Teachers was shifting me around in some of my classes. Mom got in the office right away with records and her personal “files” and was ready to get in their face if she needed to. Also, when she was picking me up from my mission, Chalonn said she never saw Mom drive so fast and defensive, “Get out of my way, I’m goin to get my Baby back!”

…A FRIEND.
My Mom was always so loving and kind to us. I remember coming home to her after school everyday. Either she was in the kitchen or reading on her bed. I loved relaying all the things that happened at school. She was always there to receive me after dates or parties. She made it a point to have individual time with us. I loved it when she took Chalonn and I to the model homes and boutiques. But the point where I feel like my Mom and I really became friends was when we moved to Florida. We seemed to connect like sisters or BFF’s more in those years than ever. Maybe I grew up a little and saw this amazing woman I had at my feet loving me at every moment. She surprised me and took me to the Nutcracker one day. She worked for me one time when I couldn’t earn 50 bucks to work as a caterer…how was that fair? She rubbed my back and tucked Chenae and I in every night (yes, we were teenagers that still needed our Mommy to tuck us in). She woke us up for seminary every morning (and sometime climbed in bed to sleep a few more minutes). She let Chenae and I hog the best seats in the suburban where we could sleep while the kids we picked up were scrunched in the uncomfy seats. She didn’t get too mad at me for leaving the chocolate ice cream out on the deep freezer once in the garage. She shared a spoonful of that ice cream with me almost every night after dinner. She let me cry when I got frustrated. We loved to garage sale together and check out the Swap meets.

…THE MOST LOVELY WOMAN IN THE WORLD!
I can’t stand it! I feel like I want to burst when I think about how tender and wonderful this woman is! I truly have a gem of a mother. I always wonder what it would be like to know her in high school or if we were the same age. Would we be friends? Would I get to know her as the close friend I know her to be now? I am so grateful it is the way it is now. She is my mom and I am her daughter. We get to be close friends as well as live with the cherished memories and bonds of a mother and daughter. What tender feelings I have for this lady!!