THE YEAR IN REVIEW

SURVIVED THE 'RAPTURE'...See you did too!
My two oldest grand-daughters moved away from us; We really miss having Kloyie and Skyla at our family get-togethers!

Taylor performed in a recital for an 'after-school' dance class she has been in this past year;


Laila and Seth got a new outdoor gym in their backyard and this is Laila's newest trick!








Seth could swing all day...

Enjoyed having most, but not all of us together for Father's Day... ;-(


Matt and Sloane
Seth, Taylor, Weston, Laila (what a pose!)


We celebrated Sloaney's 4th Birthday and handed off birthday gifts to Skyla who turned 9!


Seth celebrated his 2nd Birthday with "BungeBob";






HALLOWEEN 2011 - GHOULS GALORE!
I acquired Grandpa Fry's old EDISON record player (and it still plays!)









Laila's FIRST dance recital - she ROCKED!

EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS....

The past week has been crazy, what with finishing [I mean starting....] Christmas shopping, having a few of the grandkids over to spend time with Grandma doing some baking and decorating, attending Christmas cantatas, and FAMILY gatherings (which are the BEST!). To begin this busy month, Kloyie and Skyla came over and decorated my Christmas tree - can I tell you what a treat it is to have someone else do that? If they don't do it, it probably wouldn't get done! Because I'm working this year, I wasn't able to get to any of the grandkids school programs; but then again, I wasn't told of any either! Maybe they just weren't involved in any...maybe the schools are being prejudiced by political agendas that would like to see all mention of CHRISTmas out of the school protocol. Taylor and Laila spent the night and I took them to see the Christmas lights at Layton City Park; then we decorated Christmas cookies for them to take home to their Mom. When my kids were little this was a huge endeavor for us to do at Christmas and Valentines Day - cutting out cookies, baking and decorating for the neighbors. The 3rd weekend, I had Weston come over to build and decorate a Christmas train engine. I mentioned that maybe we should get Uncle Curt involved on the engineering end of it - the results were AWESOME! As we were finishing up the engine, Matt, Alysa and Sloane showed up and it quickly went from the 'little engine that could' to the whole train, and a village. A large piece of cardboard was found and covered with foil - and then Mike and Connor showed up.....their contributions were of a more "natural" essence with trees, a bonfire, deer, and lotsa poop! Droppings by the outhouse and around the lone pine tree. I was thrilled to see that my adult man children were having as much (or MORE) fun than the little kids doing this. In fact, we've decided that next year it will be a family project - where we will put the finished masterpiece is unknown. I know Weston took this one home and it's sitting downstairs in Heather's family room on their ping-pong table. Merry Christmas, Santa - looks like you'll have hot chocolate and your choice of cookies, candy, and deer droppings! We all were invited into the Campbell home for their annual Christmas Family gathering. Such a spread of delicious food, warm feelings of love, interrupted only once by the crashing of a broken village piece upon the tile floor, and the Christmas program, carefully orchestrated by our 'in-house' producer, director, and most times STAR, Teri. This is a tradition that DiAnne started when her children were small; then when my kids and both of our grandkids started coming up thru the ranks, all were utilized in some way into the Nativity story. Interesting that little Seth was the Baby Jesus last year, and this year he is a toddler. How time flies! And Sloane's famous response to Santa ~ I WANT A DIAMOND! I train them young, don't I? Perfect advertising for Morgan Jewelers!

It is now a very quiet Sunday - outside is a blanket of new fallen snow! Guess I commented too soon about getting used to having a balmy Christmas with snow in the mountains and grass in the valley!

Eight is GREAT!

On Novemeber 21, 2010, Taylor turned EIGHT!
We had the priviledge of attending and sharing the experience of her baptism last Saturday.

As You Are Baptized

You have chosen to be baptized
To start your life anew,
Following in Christ*s footsteps
For you know the Gospel*s true,

When our lives are clean and spotless,
The Holy Ghost can guide;
A companion and a prompter
He*ll stay always at your side.

For your reflections of today,
I give a gift to you
Symbolic of these sacred vows,
and of the Gospel true.
So clean and white, this hanky-
Like you*ve become today;
When you vowed to follow Jesus
and your sins were washed away.

To follow in Christ*s footsteps
The commandments to obey,
To remember His atonement
and for repentance, pray.

Remember God is near you
His love for you is great
Stay near the Straight and Narrow Path
Where lasting blessing wait. By Kathy Carrico Himle

CONGRATULATIONs Taylor, on your decision to be baptized. We love you so much, and know that you will try hard to live as your Heavenly Father would want you to.

Afterthoughts on Afterlife

Three different circumstances stood out from our experience with Mom-in-law's passing in September. First was trying to explain to the little great's about her death, and what/where/how/why it all happens. Secondly, was the beautiful bouquet of roses that my family rendered in behalf of condolences. And thirdly, was the thoughtfulness of a sweet friend in taping the funeral proceedings, so that we would have it to listen to later. It was especially nice, since Fay's husband had an engagement that he had to be in Washington for that day, and was not able to hear the loving message that she gave at the funeral.

I asked Vicky later about the analogy that the Primary children are taught about the body and the spirit, and how they are two separate things. It had been so long since I was in the capacity of being in Primary, that I had forgotten it. I only wished that we had had Bishop Simmon's relate it at the funeral.

Vicky: I don't know where to specifically send you for an official rendition of the analogy. Basically it teaches like this ~ The hand represents the spirit of an eternal being. The glove represents the mortal body. At birth the spirit enters into the mortal body...hand into glove. The glove fits perfectly the hand as the body fits perfectly the spirit. Together the spirit and body constitute the soul as a glove and hand constitutes a warm and happy unit.

As the days, months, and years go by the glove becomes soiled, worn, and threadbare with use. It becomes old and maybe even a little outdated and clumsy. At the end of its usefulness it is removed from the hand and put away as Heavenly Father removes a worn-out and fatigued body from the spirit. The spirit (hand) is still the same and will go on to later receive a new glove just like the old glove used to be.

Hope that helps a little. Death is a hard transition for everyone no matter how old or how young. You are wonderful to be so sensitive to the matter and to young feelings. My well wishes go to the littlest great-grandchildren and to all.

Then I asked Leanne about the bouquet of roses, as it wasn't a bouquet of one color, but many colors and one rose bud that did not bloom. It too had significance:


The rose is called an artificial rose because they are 'hybrid'. So much so, that they are not supposed to open, thus referred to as a 'Forever Rose'. I thought that would be a good one to save and either dry it or dip it in that stuff that keeps them so they still look real. It brought to memory that they were all live roses that had been cut from their source of nourishment to make this lovely bouquet. But within a few days, they were wilting and eventually dying. The one that was bred to stay perpetually a 'bud' looked the same, and will be a reminder of everlasting life to me. Such a good reminder of our thoughts on life after death.

BUSY, BuSy, Busy.....

This is the time of year when everything becomes a fog! Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas....and if you work in retail, Christmas begins in JULY! At least that is when the orders are put in for the merch that will start arriving in September for the last 1/4 of the year!

I haven't had the where-with-all (nor the inspiration) to post much since September, but there has been so many things that have filled the days. We have enjoyed the most wonderful Indian Summer here and have celebrated Heidi and Heather's birthdays, Kloyie's and Weston's birthday, Halloween, and are now making plans for the Thanksgiving dinner. Everywhere I turn, there are posts about things to be thankful for. We were able to get the cuzzin's together for a lunch while Karen and Marlin were here, and a group of us went to see Teri's latest play 'The Coming Ice Age' ~ activities with family IS THE BEST!!

Introduction to Heaven

Dear God,

Let this serve as an introduction to Edith Lloyd Shifflett ~ a Woman of Honor who just recently passed from this mortal life, into the Kingdom of Heaven. I know she is welcomed with open arms by many loved ones who have gone on before her. I realize You know all there is to know, but these are just a few of the things we love her for.

Thoughts about Mom. . .

Mom was not a master cook, nor an immaculate housekeeper!

She was first and foremost a Daughter of her Heavenly Father, a Woman of Faith, a good Mother and Grandmother, a Friend and Proponent of Truth, and a Believer.

The things she chose to do to keep busy was gardening, canning, sewing, fellowshipping, and proclaiming her testimony and love of the Gospel – all of which she did and shared with others, hoping it would be beneficial to them.

She is the most unselfish woman I know – who never wanted anything more for herself, than she did for others. And she usually gave up her time, her talents, and good heartedness more than was required or expected. Neighbors, ward members, nieces and nephews love her; but mostly her children and grandchildren – who will miss her silly cackle, her calm, reassuring guidance, and her unwavering devotion and love for them.

May we remember all the good times – the teaching moments, working alongside her in the garden, the orchard, or the yard, and the odd meal combinations; like Spam pizza on English muffins, the unusual ‘ICE’ water, catsup on almost anything she ate, carob chocolate candy w/pumpkin seeds and raisins, her famous/infamous scrambled eggs which half the grandkids really liked, and half did not like at all!

As an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she loved the Gospel and had many loving friends in the 20th Ward that watched over her. She was one of those who always gave more than she received and was a delight to be around with her great smile and unique sense of humor. She emulated the true love of Christ in her life and through her good works. She loved serving others and never said anything negative. She has been the perfect example in every way.

Now is the time to take to heart all the counsel she has given and put it to use in our lives. This is what she would want of us – to come together as a family in love and unity. We will miss you Mom, but are so thankful for everything you have accomplished and all you have given. Love you forever….

(I offered up the idea to the kids and grandkids that they could write a little note or put a photo in with Grandma before the casket was closed. Above is the thoughts that I came up with, and then each of us signed it. Connor had a love-note that he included, and Heidi and Heather both put in pictures of their families that they just recently gave to Mom for Mother's Day. She loved displaying photos of her family, and truly adored the newest ones that we all gave her. )

Grandma, We Love You

This is a copy of the tribute that I wrote for Mom's 80th birthday, and the one that Heather read so beautifully at her funeral.

If every person to whom you have shown
some act of compassion and service
Were to try to repay you in their own kind
I fear there would not be enough
days, or hours in our lifetime.


"Inasmuch as ye do it unto the least of these; Ye do it unto Me."

If every piece of cloth you've pieced
and every stitch of thread you've sewn
were laid side by side
&
end to end
They would stretch from here to Timbuktu,
and back again.

"I know thy works, and charity, and service and faith, and they patience, and thy works;
and the last to be more than the first."

For every unkind word
that is spoken against another
You offer up a compliment, and a calm reassurance
that the World is a better place,
because we are in it.

"Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only..."

If to you, a rose was sent
for every day that you have spent
Thinking of, worrying about, or fretting over each of us
in our daily routines;
The World would be a Garden of Roses,
and you would be the Master Gardener.

If we could all the have perfect Faith
that you carry in your heart;
then your Mission as our Mother would be taught.
That because we are all God's Children,
there is nothing more important or urgent ~
than for us to do those things that will
Help us return to HIM.

Some women are born to Greatness ~
Others strive for Greatness ~

Mom, you've always done the best you could with what you had; you've always cared for others when it would've been easier to think of yourself; you've always been there for all of us when it seemed the rest of the World didn't care. We love you.

"Charity suffereth long and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things...Well done, thou good and faithful Servant..."


You watched over us by Day
&
Prayed for us each Night

There is a lesson we learn early and harmlessly, or late and traumatically -- that there are things we can break that our parents can't fix. ~ Robert Brault

Such is the recent lesson Curt learned....
It's been a summer of boo-boos - 1st Curtis and his pulverized thumb [heretofore referred to as the 'BUM THUMB'], which he smashed in a 40lb press at work; then Laila fell off her scooter without any safety gear on, and got quite a bump on her head and leg. Taylor was next to take a spill on her bike with minor abrasions; next Weston took a header and skinned his nose and forehead; and finally Sloane took a flying leap into the sofa table and split her forehead open! We should have taken a pix of all of them lined up with their various injuries! Heidi told Laila if she takes another spill like the ones she has had, "she'll be able to count to POTATO"!

I keep waiting for something exciting or fun to define the summer of 2010, and it just ain't happening! No vacations, no parties, no FUN.....the SUMMER of the SHIFFLETT DISCONTENT, I think.

Kloyie & Skyla came and stayed with us for 3 weeks right after school ended - which entailed schedules being changed to accommodate activities for them. Thanks to Heidi and Heather, they were able to spend time playing with the cousins, doing crafts, swimming, hanging out. Kloyie got her first taste of putting a jig-saw puzzle [of more than 100 large pieces] together, and felt such a wave of accomplishment when it was done. I had got a puzzle with kittens in it, because she and Skyla both have cats and love them so much. Skyla turned 8 and was baptized at the end of June.

We spent July going to parades and watching firework displays. Seth started walking...just a few steps...then about 50% of the time...now almost always, unless he really wants to get somewhere fast - then he's back on his hands and knees! He is such a joyful baby and developing such a cute personality.

Now it's August, and the kids are all getting ramped up to begin another [or NEW] school year. Laila begins Kindergarten and is very excited for that. She and Connor will be going to the same Elementary; however, Connor probably won't see much of her, since the K-kids are in a wing almost all to themselves, with separate playground even! But it gives Laila reassurance knowing that her cousin will be there, if she needs a friendly face. Taylor got her haircut recently and looks so chic. When I asked Kloyie how the first few days of school were for her she exuberantly proclaimed....'School's AWESOME'!!

Sadly, Mom-in-law, who is 87 years old, has suffered a stroke. We are waiting and watching the life ebb from her frail body. It has been 10 days without food or water [other than some ice chips that she sucks on], and the family gathered last Monday to give her a 'Release' blessing. Being the self-reliant person she has always been, she had her funeral plans all paid for and outlined for us. So it's been easy to fill in the gaps with things we think she would like, or people that we know she would like to hear from both spiritually and musically. In her youth, she was an accomplished violinist who enjoyed playing with the school orchestra, and was Lead Violinist in a couple of operettas in college. She enjoyed dramas, and was always involved with directing and making costumes for the roadshows that her church put on. She was an accomplished seamstress, and did alterations for many people up until just a few years ago. She always put others needs before her own, and you could count on her to be in the yards, the gardens, and the fruit trees at her home and all of her friends and neighbors, if there was something to be done. She never shirked hard work, and taught us all by her example what it means to 'give of yourself'. We love you, Grandma, and will miss your wisdom.

It is now 9pm, September 4th; it's only taken me 2 months to write this silly blog entry, and Mom passed from this mortal existance at 2:40pm today. It is a bittersweet experience to know that you are doing something to facilitate the passing of another person, whom you love. But I know that she is happy, being able to hear, see, and visit with all the loved ones who have gone on before.

Mom

One week ago today, Grnma-Great went out to water her yard, and then go in to get ready for Church. Today we have Hospice checking in on her daily, and we are doing all we can to keep her comfortable as we wait for her to pass. She suffered a major stroke in the same area of her brain that she had one 10 years ago; and looking at scans, the doctors could see where she has had many minor strokes. We are all coming to terms that these are the last days of her life, and are remembering all the many acts of love and kindness she has shown...not just for family, but for anyone she came in contact with. We love you.

Grnma-G loves these little greats!!

2 Very Long Months...and probably NOT worth the wait!

It's just been so crazy here in LIFE the past 2 months. Nothing monumental ~ I just haven't had the band width for any creativity! I crave that natural flow of writing down my thoughts and feelings; but down deep, I feel like I just can't organize them enough to put them on paper. Even my horoscope says it all: Geniuses of all stripes look to their dreams for guidance and inspiration, and so should you. If there's some complex conundrum weighing on your mind, now is the time to plumb the depths of your subconscious for a simple answer. You may want to keep a pen and paper by your bedside to write down any midnight inspirations. That big brain of yours is never really inactive!

We had a lovely evening celebrating Laila's and Grandma-Great's birthdays at my sister-in-laws home on Jan. 31st. It was great having everyone get together and observe Grandma watch all the young children with all their exuberance for LIFE.

Connor had a birthday party with friends from school this year, and because of sickness within the family we didn't get together as a group. Gary and I both ended up with pneumonia! Curt's birthday was next - no fanfare there either. All the family trickled in during the day of Wood's birthday with another year's worth of wishes and a piece of the YUKKIEST birthday cake from COSTCO. The cake itself was about 2in thick, with about an inch and a half of frosting that could have been rolled off the cake like carpet! I swear, that must be the way they put it on! Nasty.....

Connor was big brother, John, in the school production of Peter Pan. What a kick that was! The PTA President and volunteers initiated it - with over 175 kids from Kindergarten-6th grade participating. They had a months worth of rehearsals twice a week, furnished their own costumes, and did such a FABULOUS job. They performed 2 nights, and both shows were so totally packed that people were standing, and sitting on tables and the floor. I think Connor enjoyed it enough, he may try to do it another time. He's also very busy with his Karate and progressing towards earning his blue belt.

A few of us got together at Olive Garden to celebrate with family for the "Quarterly Birthday Cuzzin' Dinner". Then Easter was upon us. My kids and Grandma-Great got together over at Heather's for an Easter Egg hunt and my birthday.
Heidi made the most marvelous coconut cake with whipped cream frosting ~ kinda made up for that one we all choked down for Wood's birthday!



Curt and I were able to take Grandma-Great to a session of General Conference. What a phenomenal sight to see all the Saints pouring in and out of the Conference Center; the dissidents on each corner and across the street, proclaiming their thoughts and exhibiting their Christ-like behavior, by deriding the members as they walk past them {Yeah! That's the way to 'win friends and influence people'}; and to counteract those people, a group of young adults singing hymns.

Whitey gave me a most awesome birthday gift - something every Mom/Grandma loves at any time. A blanket with all my favorite people to SNUGGLE with. Thanks to all who made the last 2 months memorable.

December 25th, 2010 * 364 days until Christmas ...

December is such a busy month......sigh! I was able to see Connor get his Green Belt in Karate a week ago, and enjoyed seeing Skyla's Christmas program at school. They sang Christmas Songs from Around the World.

Congrats and Cheers to both of them! We are so proud of you.












Thanks to Heidi for helping Kloyie, Skyla and Laila decorate ornaments to put on Grandma's tree. I've decided to have them do something like this each year, and then just have a special tree with Grandchildren ornaments. They had paint, stickers, and rhinestones to decorate with.

Family, Fall, and Fishing!

OMG! Where does the time go? I just can't seem to keep on top of 'whatza happenin' in our family and lives!

First and foremost, I need to report that Gary recently went in for a PET scan which thankfully came back clear; another sigh of relief and his favorite expression....Again we are so thankful for the faith and prayers of friends and family that accomplishes much when our own test of faith seems to wane.

We've been going to watch the little girls in their soccer games - altho we have not been as faithful in getting there each week, it's always fun to see how hard they hustle up and down the field. The last game that we attended for Skyla, I noticed there was a little brunette on the opposing team, who just kept shoving and tugging at Sky, until she finally had enough, and started doing the same thing. Neither of the coaches seemed to notice - but I could tell there was a bit of a power struggle going on there. Kloyie runs until she is hyperventilating and overheating, even in the chill. Her face gets all rosy, and she looks off at the sideline, like 'when can I sit out a game?' Taylor is a tad more interested in visiting with her little friend Izzie than chasing the ball; but she comes around and hustles to help her team when they need her. Meanwhile, Weston and Laila are on the sidelines sharing snacks, fighting over the one small chair, and Weston is trying on the chair cover as a hat or using his favorite piece of cloth to whip at people, or wad up in a ball and throw in the air. I spend almost as much time at the playground with the 2 that are not playing this year, and taking pix of them learning new skills on the playground equipment. We have an 'electronic park' at the new Jr. High close to us, so I've taken Taylor and Weston over there - mainly because they have sand instead of wood chips - and Weston LOVES dirt! And baby Seth does what he does BEST - CUTE!!

After Taylor's soccer game on Saturday, Laila and I walked home. We were gonna try to visit the farmyard which has llamas, sheep, goats, turkeys, ducks, chickens, a couple of horses.....let's see, is that all? Anyway, all the animals had been moved clear to the back of the yard, so we crossed the street and stopped off at the ladies house who sells pumpkins. I couldn't resist getting this photo of her with all the fall color in the background.

By the time we reached the driveway, Curt was telling us to come into the garage to see the pigeon that was in there. Surprise - another bird experience! It was a beautiful pedigree pigeon that seemed perfectly fine to perch itself on the roof of the car for a couple of hours. Laila and Connor {who was waiting for us to get home from the game} tried feeding it some cracker crumbs - much to their dismay he was not interested and ended up making more of a mess on the roof of the car than the bird!

Matt and Curt have gone out fishing more this year. They have been up in the Uintahs, and down to a local nature park that allows fishing. They had Connor out there Saturday, while Laila and I were at the soccer game. Altho they didn't bring anything home, I did sit and watch them get nibbles. Connor said that the 'fish are really smart, Grandma. They come right up and nibble the stuff off the hook and them swim away.'

So that's pretty much what the last couple of weeks have been about - aside from what I've already posted about, and OH......I'm back working full-time. It's been kickin' my butt a little; and I'm learning that the drive into SLC can vary from about 28-30 minutes on a good day, and about an hour on others!!