A Week in Idaho

"Carry On" was the theme of Grandma's life.
She DID, and so will we!!!

Hey Elder,

It's been amazing to think that this week, our whole family has been sleeping under Idaho skies. :-) Kinda cool to think about!

We had a good trip up here, staying with N--- and company on Monday night. The kids played and played and played, and we stayed there until just before noon on Tuesday morning, so they could have more time together. It was really nice. We brought E--- with us, this time, since T--- had to work, and Bonny and E--- needed more time together.

We got to Granna's on Tuesday afternoon, and just hugged, visited and settled in. On Wednesday, I went over to Grandma's house with Granna, and just cried as I walked through the house, smelling all the old familiar smells, and thinking about Grandma and Grandpa together again.

I think Granna was really glad to have us here. She was stressing a lot about all the things she had to do, and so we tried to help her. It felt good to be here for her!

My sweet grandmother in front of a family tree quilt with photos of all her children and their spouses, and all 44 of her grandchildren.

Thursday afternoon, I was so blessed to have the privilege of helping the dress Grandma's body in her temple clothes. :'-) I was doing fine until I was helping to put Grandma's arm through her sleeve. As I held her hand, I was surprised how soft and beautiful her hands were-- they looked just the same as they always have, covered in her mother's ring, an opal (her favorite gem), and her wedding band with engagement ring. I just stopped, held her hand, and cried. It was such a sacred experience!

Thursday was Daddy's and my 22nd wedding anniversary! :-) We left all the kids, except Fiona, here at Granna's and went for a drive to Rexburg, where we lived when we were newlyweds, and where Morganne was born. A LOT has changed there! And yet, a lot of things are still the same. We had a nice dinner there, and enjoyed the drive and the fun little small town.

"The Original Eight!" My mother and five of her seven siblings
(My uncle, on the far left, is standing in for my aunt, his wife, who has already passed away.
Another aunt is in Russia, serving with her husband as a mission president.)

Friday night was the viewing, and it was such a WONDERFUL gathering!!! Soooo many of our cousins came-- almost all 44 of Grandma's grandchildren! And many of their spouses and kids, too. It was a party Grandma would have LOVED! :-D (I am attaching some pictures.)

The funeral was Saturday morning, and the place was PACKED-- mostly with family! :-) Before we all went in the chapel, we had a family prayer in the room where Grandma's casket was, given by Uncle S--. 

Most of Grandma's posterity

The funeral was everything Grandma wanted! She had it all planned out for years, and it was great to know her name was all over everything. (I'm including the program for the funeral as an attachment.) J-- made us all laugh, Aunt C-- read your letter and one from our cousin, Sister M-- T-- in her talk (It's the first time I'd heard it! Yes, I bawled!), and Uncle S-- said some wonderful words about the plan of salvation, and how important the Gospel is in our lives.

We were all doing pretty well, until the closing number, when we all stood up and sang "Carry On" together. It was a song Grandma had learned as a youth in the Church, and she had decided as a young adult, that that song would be the theme of her life. And it WAS!!! Everybody was crying, crying, crying. The Holy Spirit was so powerful, and Grandma's presence was so strong. It was AWESOME.

One thing J-- said really hit home with me. She said that both N-- and P-- had been talking to her, saying how they had been sad that Grandma's death might mean the end of our family togetherness. But then they both had the Spirit testify that it's now OUR turn to create something that wonderful in our OWN families! :-D

That has helped me sooo much! We truly will "Carry On!" 

Me with my gorgeous sisters 

G-- had to leave Saturday night, but W-- and his kids stayed until yesterday evening. It was so fun! A-- is still here, and Pa finally got back from Arizona last night, too! :-) We will go home on Wednesday or Thursday.

My brother and his kids with our parents

On Saturday evening, we got together with Granna and a few Keppners. And Daddy finally blessed our sweet Fiona. It was short and very sweet! :-) 

Russell and Fiona Temple

L. to R.: Russell's dad, Russell and Fiona, Russell's brother Karl, and brother-in-law Mark

This week, we will spend some time with the Keppners-- tonight we will have a family gathering at Grandma's. Daddy has been itching to spend some time with his Grandma/Granny Pike. She's our last Great-Grandma!

I love you, son. I hope you are doing well, and I hope that this letter doesn't distract you from the wonderful work you are doing. I know that Grandma Nielsen will be loving the missionary work she will be doing on the other side!!! :-) She is so proud of you, and so am I.

We all love you!!!

~The Mom

July in Full Swing

Just another July morning at our house!

It was actually a pretty slow and hot week for us here in AZ. Let's see...

It was the little girls' last week of swimming lessons. They have had such a great time, and it's been strange to have the house quiet in the mornings-- weird, huh? I don't think Eryn ever got her face wet, but they tried! Avalon did get brave, and went all the way under the water. I think it was a fun and exciting opportunity for them to have something that was all their own.

The little girls at swimming lessons

Lliam spent a lot of this week at S---'s house. They are really working hard to get a band going, and I'm happy to have him spending time with a good family. He's helped them with dinner and even went to an extended family gathering with them.

Lliam and his friend, S--, making dinner

There's a lady in our ward here that I actually grew up with in good, ole Ammon! We went to girls camp and school together, though I didn't know her all that well. (I was close friends with her big sister. She was in Wade's high school class.) She ended up spending some time in Idaho this summer, and actually ran into Granna and Morganne at the humanitarian center in Idaho Falls, where they and Grandma Nielsen and Aunt Colleen and Uncle Jim work as missionaries. It was awesome to have her bring me back a picture of Granna and Morganne! :-) The Humanitarian center is such a special place-- I wish we had one here in AZ! 

Granna and Morganne working hard at the Humanitarian Center

I forgot to mention that last week Daddy and I went to a 40th anniversary production of Saturday's Warrior. I cried-- okay, ugly sobbed-- during the song "Didn't we love him?". I had forgotten how emotional that part was going to be for me. There is nothing more difficult than watching a child make choices that you know will harm their spirit!

Bonny has been working all week on redecorating her room. Actually, she's been working on it for weeks, but finally got paint to finish painting it this week. We moved Grayse into Bonny's room, and Eryn down to share a room with MacKenna. So far, it's been working great!

Bonny and Grayse in their beauteous room.
(All design and work done by Bonny!)

Bonny is so excited to be planning a trip to Europe with a homeschool group next Spring. She has started saving every penny she makes, and has worked hard teaching ballet and babysitting to earn what she needs. I am VERY excited for her to go, too! Lliam says he wants to go, but is still looking for a job. We'll see-- it would be so awesome for them to both go!

Everyone is doing well and Ronan's war wound has healed. Pa came down for his (kidney transplant) surgery, but they had to postpone it, because he's had a terrible sinus infection. This morning when he called, he told me they may not operate until the 21st! So Pa's just staying with Ann and Dan, and Lliam is on hold for being his caretaker until then, it sounds like. We'll keep you updated on that.

My 92 year old Grandma Nielsen with my cousin's daughter at her baptism

Earlier last week, sweet Grandma Nielsen had a pretty bad fall in the middle of the night, and spent the night on her knees, until her hospice caregiver came the next morning. :-( So, the family has all rallied around to call her every night to check on her. She has a strong testimony of the importance of missionary work, and so she is doing what she can, even for her great-grandchildren on missions, including keeping their pictures up on her refrigerator. I have a wonderful grandma and love her VERY much!!!

And now, for some more pictures of the precious people in our family!

Fun and happy Fiona

Davy likes cereal!

I love Eryn's toothless grin!

Silly Grayse

MacKenna has a contagious smile.

Ronan tinkering, as usual.

Lovely Dierdre is really growing up!

Love, Mama Rachel

Happy Independence Day!

The view from our front yard, as a dust storm rolled in.

For now, due to the busy-ness of life, a new little baby to care for, and the chaos of summer, I will be posting my weekly letters to my missionaries here on my blog. Sometimes, a lady just has to be efficient in her life! Thanks for understanding. ~RK

This was a fun week, with lots of family time, some good food, a few tears, and even a BAPTISM! (More on that later...)

Dierdre got to go swimming with the F--- girls on Monday, and had a great time at the Me--- pool. It has water slides and a lazy river area. I'm glad she got to do something a little extra, since she's the one that helps me the most these days. :-)

We are so excited that MONSOON SEASON IS HERE! (Yay for weather!) So far, we have only had some light sprinkles, big clouds, some high wind, and a few dust storms-- but we are hoping for a few torrential rains with all that. We sure need the moisture. Last week we hovered around 111 degrees during the day, and the LOW at night was in the 90's. Welcome, Arizona summer!

Earlier in the week, K--- came over and watched "The Pirates of Penzance" with Bonny, Dierdre, Lliam, and Gavin. (And me!) We think she liked it, but she thought Maybelle sang way too much. LOL! The kids are determined to expose all our friends to our fun and crazy family culture, and I love it! :-) 

Dierdre cooking her yummy pancakes.
(Yes, that is a diaper box on my kitchen counter.
It was filled with canning jars, ready to go into storage.)

For Independence Day, Dierdre made us star-shaped, blueberry pancakes! Bonny made a strawberry syrup to go with them, and we had a wonderful, festive breakfast.

Daddy is on a diet, but he took Independence Day off, and made a yummy, big lunch for us. We had hot dogs on the grill, potato salad, chips, and my FAVORITE 5 cup salad. (You know, the fruit salad with marshmallows in it? Yum!)

A gorgeous, patriotic trifle, made by our Bonny.

Bonny made us a beautiful trifle for dessert, and we were so full, we didn't eat dinner that night! :-D

Then, we set off fireworks, of course, and especially had fun watching the big mortars in the neighborhood. We had a good time with the kids lighting ground blooms and fountains, and Daddy got the girls going with sparklers. I even read the Declaration of Independence out loud to everyone while the fireworks were going! :-)

Ooo! Awww!

All day, I had a nagging feeling that something would happen with the fireworks, but I didn't want to get worried over nothing. So I just prayed a lot that day, and then said a big prayer in my heart in the midst of the fireworks.

I came inside to feed Fiona, (And get out of the heat!) when we heard a big BOOM! Then I heard Daddy yelling, and after a brief silence, everyone came in the house, high on adrenaline. Ronan had bought a firework that was called a "California candle" that you light and then hold as a fountain of sparks pour out. Well, something must have malfunctioned, because it exploded in a blazing ball of green light, and burned right through Ronan's shirt. 

Ronan and his "war wound".

At first, he seemed fine, but as we were doctoring him up with lavender oil, the adrenaline wore off and the pain started. He was bleeding, but only topically-- thank goodness! He started to panic and cry, and so Daddy went and talked to him, and gave him a sweet, comforting priesthood blessing. I am so grateful for the righteous daddy you have and for the blessing that the priesthood is to our family!

Thanks to the blessing, Ronan was able to go to sleep, and rest through the night without problems. He is healing nicely (As you can see from the photo), and is just fine. And now he has a real "war wound," and an exciting story to tell. LOL! I feel that he was truly protected.

On Saturday, Ronan went to the baptism of his friend, A---! A--- is a fun boy who was in Ronan's homeschool class this last year, and because of the boys and leaders in our group, he decided to take the missionary lessons and get baptized! Ronan is being a missionary, too!

I want you all to know how much I love you, and how proud I am of the choice you have made to serve the Lord. You are setting a powerful, important example to your younger brothers and sisters, and I want you to know I REALLY appreciate it.

Our Fiona has learned how to SMILE!

I know that Jesus Christ lives, and that He loves each and every one of us. I know, through personal revelation, that President Monson is a living prophet, and that we have real, true, living apostles on the earth RIGHT NOW! That is so powerful and so wonderful!

The Lord loves us, and He is aware of all we are going through. I am so grateful for His amazing Atonement, and how it blesses my life every single day!

Love and hugs, 

Mama Rachel

Arizona June

{Funny Grayse Dawn}

It was a nice, low-key week around here, though it's hot, hot, HOT! (Ah, Arizona in June... *pant-pant*)

On Monday, I went to my 6 week Dr. visit, and was given a hard time about not choosing to use birth control pills. (yay.) That's just one of the effects of making the choice we have made, so I just smile and try to be polite.

Bonny still teaches ballet on Tuesday afternoons, and the girls really LOVE it! She's preparing a patriotic recital this time, and it's fun to hear the music and giggles coming from downstairs during dance classes. :-) She's now teaching 3 age groups, but really could use some more students.

Wednesdays are mutual, of course, and the girls have started volleyball season. It's Dierdre's first year doing it, and she really enjoys it! She went to an extra lesson from the stake on how to serve the volleyball, and her confidence has been growing. She wants to go play at the Ranch House park sometime, but right now, it's just too darn HOT!

On Thursday, we had an S.O.S. (Summer of Service) club meeting scheduled, but only one person showed up. (Conrad Weitzell) The big kids created the club as a way to get together with homeschool friends throughout the summer, but so far, not many have participated. We'll see what happens this week. We are planning to watch "The Ultimate Gift" together, and discuss it afterwards.

Bonny with her friends from our old ward.

This week, we found out that the S--- family, from our last ward, is moving up to Utah. And so, they had a BIG going-away party the other night, and we went! Bonny was thrilled to see her old friends! Unfortunately, Lliam's friends weren't there, but he did get to hang out with J--- a bit. I sat and talked with the D---s for most of the evening, and it was great to hear about them and their missionaries.

We spent Saturday working on the house and yard, and vegging a bit. The little kids already have cabin fever, and we're wishing we could let them outside, but alas! Too hot. I really need to find some fun activities and crafts they can do INSIDE. (Because making messes might be fun, but it makes Mama grumpy...)

Our Davy has decided to behave like a 2 year old, and is into EVERYTHING. He is following the Keppner tradition of being a busy toddler, and keeps us hopping. His favorite new thing is to take off his diaper, poopy or not (sound familiar?), and we're trying to help him change his nudist ways. :-p It's a good thing that boy is so adorable!

Our Davy, sporting a mohawk, thanks to his big sister.

Miss Fiona has just started SMILING, and has a wide, gorgeous grin. One of these days, we'll catch it on camera. We got her a baby swing this week, and she LOVES it! She has a little bit of a temper (surprise!), but the swing is helping her stop screaming when she's colicky. We are ALL enjoying the swing, as a result. :-)

(I usually am not a fan of baby swings, preferring to hold my babies most of the time. HOWEVER, Miss Fiona seems to sometimes just like to NOT be held, and so, we're going with that. It's funny how each child is different!)

Fiona, happy in her new swing.

Fiona being Gavin's "Shoulder Angel"

Have a wonderful week!

Love, Mama Rachel

Excitement and Exhaustion

Excitement! (And Exhaustion.)

Yes, there's always a lot of excitement-- and yes, even exhaustion-- around here on a constant basis.

New House

In case I haven't mentioned it, we moved to a new house in the middle of June. It is quite literally a HUGE blessing. I have friends I've known for years who have lived in this neighborhood and in the same house plan, and I still pinch myself to think that OUR FAMILY gets to live in a home as big and beautiful as this one. It even has a BASEMENT, which is rare and hard to find here in AZ. (They dig pools, but not basements... It's a mystery I've never been able to understand about this place.)

It's a six bedroom, 3 bathroom home, complete with a food storage room, a BIG basement family room, and a garage. Our back yard is small, but with so much room inside, that hasn't been an issue. There's a park down the street, lots of tree-lined biking paths, and even a couple community pools. We already know several people in the ward who are part of our homeschool group, and we hold our weekly homeschool group classes in our new house, as well as in a few other friends' homes on the same block.

Yeah, we are sacrificing more money each month to live here, but I feel so blessed! We still really miss our friends and ward family in Chandler-- that still feels like our "real" home-- but we're settling in here and are enjoying the indoor space we now have.

Birthdays

July, August, and September are full of birthdays and craziness. We've had a bit of breathing room the last few weeks before our baby turns one in the middle of October. Now I can post some birthday pictures!

Brennan is now legal!

Ronan, in his new racecar-driver suit,
 made courtesy of Morganne and Granna

My handsome husband:
We celebrated our 21st anniversary in mid-August!

Lliam has been working out, and I think he likes his new weight set!

                                 

I am now in my last year before the big 4-0!
(Playing with a 1940's hair-do)

Our Bonny got one BIG present for her 15th birthday, and she loves it!

Excitement and Exhaustion

Last, but not least, I got a BIG surprise in August. I never thought I would have the blessing of bearing a dozen beautiful, healthy children, but now it seems I get to be blessed even more...

We are now expecting a new little one-- our number 13-- sometime near the end of April. My guess is that it's another little girl, but we shall see! 

I am humbled... and tired... and excited! What a blessing it is to be a Mother in Zion!!! I am amazed at how much love and trust the Lord has given me. I obviously still have MUCH more to learn! I will do my best to be the mother my Father in Heaven wants me to be.

But first, I will probably take a much-needed nap...

Love, Mama Rachel

Catching Up!

...We took a last family trip to Idaho...

Things sure are weird around our house these days!

First of all, we are enjoying our new, BIG home, and are working to finish settling in. Part of our "settling in" includes getting used to not having our angel Morganne around. We sure are missing her peaceful presence and loving strength! I can't go into how I feel too much, or I'll start to cry! (again)

We drove up to Idaho to see our families, attend reunions, and drop our Miss Morgie off to stay with my parents as she serves the Lord as a service missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! We don't yet know what all she will be doing, since her assignments will be made through her new bishop, but we'll find out soon. So far, she's been asked to serve as a Nursery worker in my parents' ward. A perfect fit for her! :-)

Needless to say, though our lives are not the same, but we all know she's where she should be, doing what she should be doing. It's been REALLY hard for me to let her go, but she is excited for this new phase of life.

I was bawling like a baby just before this picture was taken...

We had a great time with our families It was especially nice to see family we haven't been with is a LONG time (my brother, Wade and his awesome kids, and my sweet sister Abby), and to meet the beautiful new babies in my husband's family and attend our new nephew's baby blessing. Lots of love, hugs, and visiting all around!

Adorable Aunt Abby finally got to meet our Davy!

Since our Morganne will now be reading this blog to know what we're up to, I just thought I'd add a couple new pictures and a cute video or two. Hold onto your hats! (Or stop reading now...)

Wade and Granna lighting fireworks

Libby and Wade making their handprint for the new fire pit.

RAIN! We Arizonans were in shock! (The Oregonians, not so much...)

Chillin' with uncles and cousins (See brand new baby Sophie laying on her daddy, Uncle Karl?)

Uncle Kevin and cute Ava

Grandma with a baby, chatting with Aunt Lisa, cousin MacKenzie, and Aunt Kenzie

Daddy introducing Davy (Grandpa's namesake!) to Granny Pike

We had lots of fun getting together with our dear friends, the Dye family!
(Even though the Idaho wind about blew us away...)

Soon after we got home, we decided to take the kids swimming when a dust storm came up. Almost all the other parents and kids left the pool, but we thought it was fun to swim in the wind!

Three little swimmers

A blown-down tree! (Chilean mesquites have shallow roots, because the wind wasn't that bad!)

But then, we saw lightning, and got out of the pool and went home. We've had lovely monsoon weather ever since, and are enjoying it thoroughly.

Two milestones happened yesterday to two of our kids. First of all, Lliam got his LEARNER'S PERMIT!!! (And I let him drive part of the way home. We were both terrified! LOL!)

And then, later in the evening, Grayse lost her top front tooth!

Grayse Dawn has a new hole in her head!

And just before bed, Davy showed us a new trick. See the video here: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBEqXUB0VHI

He turns 9 months old tomorrow, but he's ready to get moving! 

All is well, God is good, and we are so grateful for all our many blessings! Soon, the chaos of another school year will begin, but for now, we are just trying to adjust to our new lives. We love and miss you all!!! 

*MUAH!*

Love, Mama Rachel