Clara's Peanut # 3

Just because I said I would post the picture here it is! :-D

Well, I had an ultrasound today and our due date is about what i expected. I'm 9 weeks along and due the 24th of November(according to the lady who did the ultrasound...doc. may say something different). Since I'm having a c-section that baby will be delivered the week before our due date! Everything is looking good and healthy!

We're excited to bring a new little Asvitt Bollschweiler into the world!

The babys head is on the left.

April Newsletter - Dennis

Good day my dear family,
          It sounds like everyone is fine and simple marvelous. Sorry this is late but on Sunday night Merrilyn and I was entertaining a niece. Shelly came to spend a day with us. Between her travels all over the world we are occasionally are bless with a visit. It was good to see her. I'm beginning to like to be last with this writing stuff. It is great to fell of the spirit of everyone. I am touched by the words that was said. No all I have to do is to live up to these great words. Wow what knowledge in this family. I'm jealous.
         I believe that every thing, every person has a purpose. I recently received this story:

The man slowly looked up. This was a woman clearly
accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life. His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before. "Go away. Leave me alone," he growled. To his amazement, the woman stayed standing. She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows. 

"Are you hungry?" she asked. 

Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm.
"What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to
leave me alone." 

Just then a policeman came up. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked. 

"No problem here, officer," the woman answered.
"I'm just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?"

The officer scratched his head. "That's old Jack. He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?" 

"See that cafeteria over there?" she asked.
"I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile." 

"Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted. "I don't want to go in there!" Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up. "Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything." 

"This is a good deal for you, Jack," the officer answered. "Don't blow it." 

Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived. 

The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table. "What's going on here, officer?" he asked. "What is all this, is this man in trouble?" 

"This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered. 

"Not in here!" the manager replied angrily.
"Having a person like that here is bad for business."

Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady. I told you so. Now, if you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place." 

The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled.
"Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?" 

"Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms." 

"And do you make a goodly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?" 

"What business is that of yours?" 

"I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company." 

"Oh." said the manager. 

The woman smiled again. "I thought that might make a difference."

She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a laugh. 

"Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?"

"No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied.  "I'm on duty." 

"Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?"

"Yes, ma'am. That would be very nice." The cafeteria manager turned on his heel. "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer." 

The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put
him in his place," he said. 

"That was not my intent. Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this." 

She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently. "Jack, do you remember me?"

Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes.

"I think so. I mean you do look familiar." 

"I'm a little older perhaps," she said.
"Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry."

"Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly. He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry. 

"I was just out of college," the woman began.
"I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything.  Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat." 

Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you
could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy." 

"I know," the woman continued. "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble. Then, when I looked over and saw you put the price of my food in the cash register, I knew then everything would be all right." 

"So you started your own business?" Old Jack said. 

"I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up.
Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God,
prospered." 

She opened her purse and pulled out a business card.
"When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons.  He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office." She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet. If you ever need anything, my door is always open to you." 

There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I ever thank you?" he asked. 

"Don't thank me," the woman answered. "To God goes the glory. He led me to you." 

Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at
the entrance before going their separate ways. 

"Thank you for all your help, officer," she said. 

"On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered.
"Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something I'll never forget. And thank you for the coffee." 

"Have a Wonderful Day. May God bless you always, and don't forget that when you 'cast your bread upon the waters,' you never know how it will be returned to you."
-- Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.

Well enough said. I love you all so very much. Merrilyn is at work so she will get you caught up on the family stuff.
Love always
Dennis
xoxoxo

April Newsletter - Sandra

Dear family

 

Our lesson in Relief society this past week was on the Holy Ghost. I am just so grateful for the companionship of the Holy Ghost. The peace and strength that we are all able to have is a great blessing. I was thinking about the fact that the Holy Ghost was given to us so that we could all gain a testimony, to provide us with peace and not be left alone in a world where sometimes we feel so very alone. My scripture comes from John chapter 14:

16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another ^aComforter, that he may ^babide with you for ever;

  17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

  18 I will not leave you ^acomfortless: I will ^bcome to you.

  26 But the ^aComforter, which is the ^bHoly Ghost, whom the Father will send in my ^cname, he shall ^dteach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Without the Holy Ghost we could not have a testimony for he testifies to us. It is through the spirit that the truth is revealed. I have had the spirit direct me and because of the promptings that I received have had protection. It is truly an amazing thing when we can go through life knowing that our Heavenly Father loves us so much that he sent his son to atone for us and has given us the Holy Ghost as a constant companion while he can not be with us personally.

In other news. Nothing much has changed. I can't remember if last month Mark had his license but he does and we were in hopes that this would motivate him to do some other things. So far it has not but his Uncle Fred from Florida told him a year ago that if he got his GED that he would give 200 dollars. Well he has not done that but this past week he received from his uncle Fred 200 dollars with a note saying there were no excuses now and so I hope that he will in good faith of his uncle go and take care of this. Then maybe a job will happen. Just exercise your faith in behalf of him and pray for him as I do everyday. One day it will happen, I hope. The rest of us such as Brad, Mackenzie and myself are counting the days for summer break to begin. The last quarter is always the hardest. It seems to drag on forever and the kids are just done with school. I am done because I feel like I have written ,or at least helped and stayed up late into the morning hours, more papers this year then I ever had in all my years of school. I must say that I have done pretty good. Brad and I have gotten all A's and B's on our papers. We are also looking forward to no more early morning seminary. This must be the biggest sacrifice a teenager has to make. I believe it is a pretty big sacrifice on the mom also, at least this mom who gets up faithfully everyday to make breakfast for the one going. I never did this with the girls. They didn't struggle to go to seminary and Brad does and so I am trying to support and help him to go. It is hard. I am getting ready to make my first wedding cake. I don't know how much to charge but it seems from all the  research I have done that it should be around 200 dollars and this seems like a great deal for the couple. Amazingly cakes can cost anywhere from 150 from walmart to 800 or more. I am a little nervous but I am sure it will turn out. I first must prepare relief society lesson and that stresses me out. All in the name of serving. Grant continues to fly and work toward his pilots license. He says if he makes it to the reunion next year he is looking to see if there is an airport close by and renting a plane and going flying while we are in Montana. We shall see if he gets his license by then, but he says if he doesn't have by the end of this summer then it won't ever happen. No more dragging it out. I went up in the plane he flies with his brother last week. It was nice and I got to control the plane for a moment although I must admit I don't find the excitement in it that Grant does. i will be happy just being the passenger. I decided that I just might try taking up golf for my hobby. So look out boys I just might show up next year and beat all of you! Til next time. Love to you all.

 

Sandra

April - Steve

Dear Family,

 

 Being in the bishopric (as many of you will testify to) I get the opportunity to witness and be a part of (unfortunately) the pettiness of the ward members. Today in Sunday school I watched the teacher and one of the class mates argue over how many generations can come to be over a period of 400 years ( who cares? And so what?). This lasted only for about a couple of minutes before they moved on but it got me thinking of and reminded me of  several scriptures verses recorded in 3^rd Nephi. Before Christ visited the Nephites and before all of the destruction occurred it is recorded in chapter 8 that “ the people began to look with great earnestness for the sign which had been given by the prophet Samuel, the lamanite for the time that there should be darkness for the space of 3 days over the face of the land. And there began to be GREAT DISPUTATIONS AMONG THE PEOPLE, notwithstanding so many signs  had been given.”  Chapter 11 tells of his coming to the people and the point that I am trying to make is that after everyone present came forth to feel the prints in his hand and side he then called Nephi and others to come forward in which he gave them the authority to baptize and after he explained how this was to be done the first thing he said to them was, “AND THERE SHALL BE NO DISPUTATIONS AMONG YOU,  as there have hitherto been, neither shall there be disputations among you concerning the points of my doctrine, as there have hitherto been. For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another. Behold this is not my doctrine…”. Then I thought what does it mean to be one with God. Do we as members of his church have to think, act, and do everything exactly the same, to think the same things and be exactly alike? Everyone one of us is a distinct individual. To be one in Christ is to be one in his doctrine and remembering that it is only through him that we come to the Father. Each of us has our own personalities and talents and gifts, and it is through these personalities and talents and gifts that makes a ward a success. I remember Moroni in the 10^th chapter explaining that everyone has certain talents and gifts of the spirit, he said, “ I exhort you…that ye deny not the gifts of God, for they are many…for behold to one is given by the spirit of God, that he may teach the word of wisdom and to another that he may teach the word of knowledge by the same spirit. And to another…great faith…to another the gifts of healing…to another that he may work mighty miracles…to another that he may prophesy…to another the beholding  of angles…to another to speak in tongues…and to another the interpretation of languages…And all these gifts come by the spirit of Christ; and they come unto every man severally. According as he will. And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that every good gift cometh of Christ.”  This is why were all different, to help one another grow and to be one in Christ.

 

 Upcoming news, Christopher will be sustained and ordained an elder on June 13^th. This is hereby your official invitation to come to my home and share in this occasion. Any family member is welcome to attend so if you desire to come I would love to have you. I am very grateful to have a son such as he is, he is truly becoming a man of maturity and responsibility. I couldn’t be happier with him at this time. He turns 19 this month and it will be interesting to see what he does with his life. I am truly excited to have in my home someone that can help me give blessings and such.

 

 I also extend an invitation to anyone who would like to join me in Yellowstone park on May 15^th through the 20^th. Diane and I will there in Madison camp ground on the west entrance. It would be fun to have you experience the luke warm days (average day temp. is around 65) and the cold nights (average temp. is around 37) with us. Because of this my next month’s news letter may be a week late. Mom, Dad if you are coming you need to let me know by Tuesday because I need to make reservations. I am willing, for you two, to change plans and stay in a cabin at a KOA camp ground if you prefer that over a tent in the camp ground. I don’t want you sick. All you need to bring is yourselves and personal items, bedding and such, and I will have everything else. Come when you can and stay as long as you want.

 

 On the lighter side Allen you forgot to mention the nuclear wedgies that we would give when we would try to pull your undies up over your head. I have to admit that we sure played rough with you at times and am surprised we never hurt you badly. You always took it with a smile and  I am proud to call you my brother. I to have a hard time dealing with others children and like you I love mine with all my heart. I will admit that the only other children that I will express love to are the children of my child. Grand kids are the neatest things to hold and to love.

 

 I can’t tell you Sandra just how much you mean to me. I have always admired your dedication to the church and the love and patients that you have for your kids and others. Mom is the most charitable person I know but I would place you right there with her because of you kindness and soft heartedness. I can’t tell you how proud I am to call you sister. Grant and your kids are very lucky to have you.

Dennis, my elder brother when I look at you I see courage and hope. I see that despite of whatever may happen having a true faith and determination in doing good you can overcome anything in life and become what a true man is to become. You remind me captain Moroni as described in Alma chapter 48 by Mormon where he says that Moroni was, “ a man of perfect understanding…a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom…a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God for the many privlidges and blessing which he has bestowed…a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people…a man who was firm in the faith of Christ…yea verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni…the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.” I really believe Dennis that you are a man of God. I hope to see you in May when I come down for a visit if I can get the time I need.

 

Got to go family members, know that I love you all and think of you often. I can’t tell you how lucky I am to have a family such as yourselves. I can’t begin to express what my heart feels when I think of you Mom, and Dad, the best parents that any child could have. Till next month. Steve

Clara - April Update

This month as been a wonderful month so far. Today in church the entire sacrament meeting (besides the blessing and passing of course) the Choir sang a Cantata that described the Saviors life from the story of his birth to him returning to the heavens, and how like those of old we are waiting for the Savior to come to earth. It was the most powerful spiritual experience I have ever had in Sacrament meeting and it's because of the music. The spirit speaks more loudly to me...or I am more able to feel and hear it, more in tune to it, when it comes through music. At one point I was crying and both my girls grabbed their blankets and wiped my face and said, "Ok mommy. You ok mommy." It was a precious experience.

My birthday was on the 7th and K.C. surprised me with a Trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

And I just have to share these two pictures of my girls. Zelda loves the camera, and this was the first time I've ever been able to get Gretas, or at least part of it, smile on camera!

In other news...I have my first ultra-sound on Wednesday to determine how far along I actually am. At most we're 12 weeks pregnant at least 8-9 weeks. I'm feeling pretty good except for the fact in 2 months I now weigh as much as I did the day they delivered Greta. Which is kind of a bummer. I'm hoping since I've been eating a LOT better and more exercise and walking I may stay this weight for a few more months lol. Instead of losing weight I'm hoping to just gain baby lol. I know it's most likely not going to happen but one can wish right? Other than that I'm feeling great. No morning sickness. I'm not over tired or depressed, or sick. Foods don't really make me sick and no pain. I feel really good. We'll just see what 3rd trimester brings. Usually lots of heart burn and hip pain. I'll post the ultra-sound pictures later this week if they give me some to bring home.

Zelda and Greta are talking up a storm. Zelda has a TON of words, but very few of those see can say completely. While Greta, has a few words and says them better than Zelda does. It kind of baffels me but they are both very healthy happy girls, and I cannot imagine my life with out them. I love them so much. Zelda is almost potty trained too. She goes...as long as I remember to tell her, but she holds #2 and so now she's so constipated....I don't know what to do there lol She refuses to do it in the potty...She's only 2 1/2 so we've got time. As long as she's potty trained by Jan. before she heads to Sunbeams we'll be ok. I prefer it to be before # 3 arrives, but we'll see. Practice makes perfect right? Any ideas or advice on the subject is very welcome! lol

K.C. is loving his job. He likes that he gets to take the bad guys off the street. Recently, he had his first fatal though. I know it effected him a bit, but I don't think it has as much as it would have had it been an "innocent" person killed. In fact everyone but the drunk driver "walked" away or out of the hospital a few hours later. It's sad to see a life lost, but I think he would have taken it harder had it been reversed. He loves playing with the girls. There's nothing quite close to warming my heart that watching him play with the girls and hear everyones giggles. I am so lucky that I found someone who is a wonderful husband, daddy, and my best friend. I thank Heavenly Father every day for the huge blessing in my life that K.C. is.

Well, thats all for us. Sorry it's so long....I don't get to talk "adult" very often. I love you my family and I am truly blessed to have you apart of my life!

April - Allen

Dear Family

God did not send us to this Earth to be alone.  Our relationship and love for God will deepen when our prayers become more earnest, sincere, and filled with faith.  We need to remember and fully believe that we are talking directly to God our Father in Heaven.

Heaven may seem distant at times, but in Jeremiah chap 29 vers 13 the scripture to me offers hope: “Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”

Our Father in Heaven has given us, much more than we can comprehend. Our Father in Heaven watches over us, fills our hearts with joy, can help brighten our darkest moments with peace, he has given us so much truths,  can help us through times of distress, I know that he is happen when we are happy, and he does answers our prayers.

He offers the promise that all of his children can have Eternal Life and has provided a way for us to progress in knowledge and his glory, and all we must do to get this wonderful blessing is Seek after him every day of our lives.

It’s hard to believe that another month has gone by since our last letter.  Not much has happened since last time.  Tess is learning more words, the other day Tammi was teaching her Good Afternoon, but what came out of her mouth “Good over the Moon”  I have to tell you I just love my kids.  Tammi gave a testimony a few month ago and told everyone that when we were first married she wondered what type of father I would be.  Because I have never responded well to other peoples younger children.  She told everyone from the pulpit that I hate kids.  I to this day have not been able to live that down.  People in my ward still come up and give me a hard time.  I do love kids, well at least my own kids J 

Gabe is getting more and more into sports.  He enjoys watching them on TV, and it doesn’t matter what type of sport it is.  The other day I found him watch college wrestling on TV.  I was never into sports like that.  We were watching the Jazz the other night, Gabe does not like the Jazz and he was giving me a hard time when they were getting a licking.  I remember he would bust out in a belly laugh when they showed that the bench had only muster up 2 points for the Jazz and the other team was well in the 20s.  I reminded him about payback.

Dylan, Tanner, and Brynn are all doing well also.  Dylan and Tanner are competing with each other, if there is every a fight in the house it will always involve Tanner and Dylan.  Dylan reminds me of myself, even though I knew I would be thrown across the room by Steven or Brad I would not let up.  I always ended up with a ripped shirt and a torn belt loop.  Dylan may not end up with a ripped shirt, but she is always the one crying (it must be all the hormones that she has running through her body)  I told Tammi that she needs to have a talk to her about what is going on with her body.

April - MOM and DAD

Hello my dear guys and gals,
    I just about forgot to get this in...and I am wondering how many others will forget seeings as how you did not
get a reminder.....hummmmm. This month has gone by so very fast...I need it to slow down so that I can catch my breath, sleep, and working times...
    I will start off by giving my thought for this month...as I give it, remember that it is something that I need to do in order to make myself a better, stronger daughter of our Father in heaven...maybe you will give some thought to these quotes too!

"The ability to turn everything into something good appears to be a 'godly characteristic'. Our Heavenly Father always seems able to do this. Everything, no matter how dire, becomes a victory to the Lord. Joseph,(in the bible) although a slave and wholly undeserving of his fate, nevertheless remained faithful to the Lord and continued to live the commandments and made something very good of his degrading circumstances. People like this cannot be defeated" Elder Hartman Rector Jr.

"We, like Israel of old, must rivet our eyes and minds upon Christ if we hope to gain eternal life. Our 'looks' must not be allowed to wander across the way or to become fixed upon the perishable things of the world. The 'eye' must be trained to look upward. We must look to God and Live!" Elder Carlos E. Asay

We were not promised that life would be easy. It is true that we do not like those things that come into our lives that are hardships... either with jobs, family members, age, etc. But each of us can grow stronger in faith and testimony and in our relationship with the Lord if we will just follow the commandments and keep the covenants we have made with Him. We will be able to not only become stronger in faith but most often we grow because of the experience and then it seems that we can help others along the way when they run into similar troubles. I know that this has happened to me in the past and I hope that no matter what comes my way that I will still be able to keep the gospel teachings strong in my heart and that by learning and growing I can help not only myself but others who may need a loving arm put around them as they go through their trials.
Let's do it kids...stay strong in righteous living...it pays off in the end.

Okay, just to let you know that I am on a countdown to life on the road or no life on the road...let me explain...I have to take the Utah drivers test as my Washington drivers license is fast going into expiration...the sadness of it all...I dislike tests and I do not have anyone in Washington that I use as an address to renew up there so I have to break down and get myself legal on the roads here in Utah...I have been reading the hand book and it is so very boring that I am having a hard time getting through it. It does not have murder, mystery, mayhem in it. Far from being exciting or even romantic. This is my trial and tribulation this next few weeks. WE shall see how I come out. They will probably throw me out of the testing area when they see me coming. What is more, they do not give senior discounts...what a nervey bunch of people. Oh, I have finished 4 quilts and I have 30 some odd miles to go in swimming and I will have my 150 mile card. Life is so good with some things.

Dad and I have been doing some work outdoors as the weather is getting so wonderful to work outside in. I love the spring. Also, as most of you know, I do like working the yard as a way of therapy and just getting fresh air and I love the beauty of the yard when it is all cleaned up.  Of course dad has to get in his weekly golf game each week. It is good for him. We both have different months that we want to resign from the temple and at this time, we do not have a date on closing down for the work they plan on doing to it. They told us a week ago that it will be at least a year from now, possibly a bit longer. More like the  fall of next year...but no one can say for sure yet.

We need to wish A Very Happy Birthday to Clara, Christopher, and Steve this month. Hope that you all had or will have a bright happy day...well make that a month...okay, make that a full year of happiness and joy. Good things happening to you all.
Also, I would guess that the next newsletter will be due May, Sunday the 16th. Circle it on your calendars. Lots of love to all of you and please, each of you write a bit about whats going on in your lives this month. I love hearing from all of you. Remember that all of you are in our prayers and in our hearts daily.....also, remember who you are and what you are and act accordingly. You will be blessed.................Love to all   Mom/grandma and Dad/grandpa xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo