DORIS’ HISTORY 2004
JANUARY
As always, I sadly put away my precious Christmas treasures - 30 boxes - for another year. I always wonder if it’s my last one. Now I have a long list of things to make, which the children have requested. I continued to be a Relief Society teacher and Visiting Teacher Supervisor.
On January 9th, Kristen, Jerda, Kaleb, Laney, McKay, Nick and Maureen and I went to Utah for the weekend. We all attended a home show, with Carolyn and Phyllis too. A lovely weekend with al l my daughters.
I went every Friday to help Kristen do housework for Millers, and on Wednesdays for a lady with cancer. Maureen and I attended the temple twice in January.
FEBRUARY
I was honored to be invited to say the benediction at Stake Conference.
A DAY IN THE LIFE -
On snowy cold day, I:
Read in the Book of Mormon
Wrote in my journal
Read the Ensign
Made a bootie
Crocheted 20 rows on a leper bandage
And one row on a doilie
& 14 rows on a baby shawl.
I crocheted an angel (to make 70 for Christmas)
Crocheted a sachet for Phyllis,
Began a Christmas Afghan for Kristen
Knitted on a dish cloth
Made a batch of candy
Read some in a novel
Washed dishes
& Helped McKay with sewing.
(Then I just laid around the rest of the day. Ha.)
On the 14th we had our Winter Family Reunion at Island Park. We’d reserved a huge room with many beds at Sawtell Mt. Resort. We played games, snow mobile, snow shoed. We had a Valentine party. The highlight was a testimony meeting. The men did a presentation of Gospel thoughts. The children praised Maurice and me lovingly.
On February 16th, on her way to Idaho Falls, Kristen was hit by a car (he going through a stop sign). Her car rolled over and landed upside down with her hanging from the seat belt. Jim went and took her to the hospital just for a checkup. She was stiff and sore for days. It was necessary to get a new car.
Dale let me know he was to go to Florida to receive a prestigious award. He has many, but is secret about them - doesn’t want to “show-off”.
I gave the Heber J. Grant lesson in R. S. And had Laney play “We Thank The Oh God for a Prophet” to make the point of persistence, as we learned from President Grant. After being DUP Captain for six years, I was now made the Lesson Leader. I liked that. Kristen and Jim found a nice car for me at such a bargain, I did buy it. (I’m 80 and buying a car!) The Stake R. S. President, Donna Price spoke in our R. S. Meeting and talked of how she loved and admired me. (Don’t we all need that sometime?) Bishop Hanson came to visit me. We are sad to learn that kirk is assigned to go to Iraq in June.
MARCH
Kristen becomes very sick at times which worries me a lot. I’m so grateful that Jim is so good to her. McKay was baptized. She looked beautiful in her new white dress Maureen had made for her.
On March 10th, after Jim came from work at midnight, we all left for North Dakota, arriving at Carl’s to then attend Chris and Liza’s wedding reception. We helped Laree decorate the hall and prepare refreshments. It was a fun, lovely reception, and good to see Chris and Liza so happy. Church was canceled the next day because of weather. We enjoyed the day then at 8:30 PM began our long journey home.
Dale called to say he was going to Holland and Denmark. My good friend, Cheryl Cutler, who was my counselor in MIA, came to visit and brought me flowers.
APRIL
Kris and Jim & Von and Carolyn did the Malad Hand-Off so I could visit there for a few days. We sent to Red Butte Garden. I was pleased and proud to see Carolyn conduct R.S. and how the sisters think so much of her. We all went to the Church Museum, saw Boyd Packer’s art exhibit. I stayed at Phyllis’ part of the time, went to a fun restaurant and watched Sister Hinkley’s funeral on T.V. Rickell brought me home. In April I also went with Jerda for the blessing of Damian and Brecken’s new baby, Breegan.
After being a R. S. Teacher for many years, I was released, feeling someone younger should do it now. I hoped I had been effective at it. (Note from CJC: If the lesson I attended was any indication, she was extremely effective.)
I attended Laney & Mckay’s dance recited - cute in their costumes and good dancers. I tried to work in the yard each day for a while.
MAY
May started with our annual Make-It-Take-It. We always have fun.
For our DUP Company Jubilee, we went out to North Bingham Park. From my family was Carolyn, Mary, Jude, Jady, Jerda, Kaleb, Phyllis, Kristen and me. The next day Maureen, Kristen, Carolyn and I organized our Family History Books. Josh, who has just received his Mission Call to Brazil came for the evening. I’m pleased for that. I received lovely gifts and money from each of the children for Mother’s Day.
I spent many days in the yard, raking, weeding. I bought a nice table and chairs set for the patio. Maureen and I went to the temple twice in May. Kristen continues to have pain. I finished 70 crocheted angels and 36 covered bridges for the little villages I make at Christmas.
JUNE
I had a lovely trip to Dale’s in Maryland. Carolyn and Von lovingly got me on the plane and Dale met me in Baltimore and we went right to Kristie’s award night where she received a sports award. :I went with LeAnn to Mark’s field trip. We attended Kristie’s Seminary Graduation, where she played a violin solo (Dale’s favorite, “If You Could Hie to Kolob”. We went to Wash. DC to see the World War II memorial - beautiful! As Pres. Reagan had died, we were able to be with the throng to see his coffin pass in parade. Among thousands, we became acquainted with a friendly Canadian lady, shared her umbrella in the hot sun. We attended Kristie’s High School Graduation. We were able to see & hear the cicadas that appear only every seventeen years!
After returning home, all of us here went to the famous “13-Mile Cave” west of Idaho Falls. I went back with Carolyn to Sandy for a few days along with Laney and Mckay. Jerda and Kirk, being in Sandy brought us home. We were concerned at Kirk’s having to go to Iraq. Fred and Mary came and I went with them to Star Valley to visit Fred’s grandmother Delsa, my good friend now.
JULY
We were all saddened to see Kirk leave on the plan to go to Texas, then Iraq. We see constant news reports of the war. On July 4th, I was with Phyllis, Kristen, and Nelsons to view the spectacular fire works in Idaho Falls - the Best in the West. Occasionally I walked out in the field, feeling melancholy, being reminded of Maurice and me walking that path together. Maureen returned from her tip to Shayne’s in Iowa, where they attended the Nauvoo Temple where Josh received his endowment. I was able to go to Sandy for an enjoyable few days. Kritsten hosted a memorable reunion with old friends. I could hear them laughing till alte in the night.
AUGUST
August was a month of activities and reunions. We held our family reunion at Medora in North Dakota where we met Carl’s and Dale’s families. I want to list all who were there: Carolyn, Von, Mary, Fred, Kanda, Andrew, John, Jude, Jady, Maureen, Carl, Laree, Janie, Savanna, Alexia, Jaxon, Dale, LeAnn, Mathew, Nathan, Rickell, Jerda, Kaleb, Kristen, Laney, McKay, Michael, Marisa, Reece and Maya. We saw Teddy Roosevelt’s home, some of the foundation, back in the woods. We saw the area of the Battle of the Big Horn, Custer’s Battlefield. We slept at motels. One of the highlights was seeing Carl present Dale an old Custer book that he’d had and loved as a boy. Carl had had it bound and renewed. Then Maureen surprised Carl with the same book she’d found.
At home, Maureen and Dale and I drove over to Salmon to Lewis and Clark and Sacajewea historical places, and to Meadow Lake, where Maurice had taken us for outings. We also went to see the beautiful gardens at Rexburg.
DEREK & MISTY
In Sandy, it was time for Derek’s wedding. We all helped with food, gardening, and sewing many beads on Misty’s wedding dress. I was excited to see my Aunt Evelyn, who turned out to be my Uncle Robin’s wife; so my Aunt is Misty’s Grandmother. We had fun visiting, The wedding was lovely, the yard beautiful.
SAWK (Sarah Adelaide Wrigley Kirkham)
Misty’s Aunt told me of a dream she’d had. Here brother was killed in an accident a few years before. He came to her in the dream and assured her he was alright - he’d met Sadie Kirkham. The Aunt had never heard the name and asked her mother “who is Sadie Kirkham?”. What a lovely experience.
On August 15th we attended Sacrament meeting in Wapello to hear Josh’s pre-mission talk prior to his going to Brazil. I was pleased to have two missionary grandsons, Allen and Josh. Now David came to stay with me, as he has a job at Lynn Bradshaw’s business in Idaho Falls. Little black dog “Chimmy” and funny Basset Hound “Slobber” with the funny long ears and sad eyes came which gave us many laughs. I was happy to be assigned as Kristen’s Visiting teacher partner.
SEPTEMBER
News of the hurricane Frances caused us to be concerned about Heather’s family in Florida. They were blessed to be alright, but lost part of their landscaping business. Nick was ordained a deacon. On Labor Day, Bryan and Maureen took me for a ride over to Kilgore, where we had lunch in the little store, grocery, library, pool hall, bar. We attended all Nick’s football games, Jim being the coach, and Nick loving it.
This Spud Day, the family had created a float for Gaird to ask Jenny to marry him. It was fun to watch as she was surprised and got up on the float with him. The boys of the families also joined in the tug-o-war over the mashed potato pond. Later we saw it on TV. Kristie had come down from BYU-I with Maureen.
Kristen had surgery to relieve her of severe pain and we hoped for relief. Maureen and I went for a ride down to the hills around Pocatello, while the Fall Colors were so beautiful. We had a picnic in a park at Inkom. I helped Kristen when she’d let me. Laney: “Grandma, this is your lucky day. Mom says you can do the dishes for her.”
OCTOBER
Walt and Leona came for a visit - always good friends. Kirk was able to come home for Rick’s Mother’s (Dorothy) funeral. I sang with the ladies at the funeral. It was fun to see Kirk with little Kaleb. David was still with us and one day injured his hand quite badly at work. Our minds were turned to the Presidential Election and our hopes that President Bush would win. He did. In the news, war in Iraq, Mt. St. Helen erupting, fires in California. We are so blessed to live in this safe place and to know we belong to God’s Church. All the children here dame for a dinner planned for my 81st birthday. I got calls and gifts from many.
Rickell invited me to go to Sandy and I could spend fun time with Phyllis and Carolyn’s families. Rickell took me to work with her, the “Walk About” where she works with youth up in the hills. We had multiple car trouble, but laughed about it after getting home safely. I got a call from Carl regarding his problems with his knee. He finally went for treatment at Mayo Clinic.
NOVEMBER
Kristen and I were assigned to Sister Betzer for VT. Her family lives in the old Second Ward Chapel, where Maurice was the Bishop. We laughed to realize Maurice’s Bishop’s Office is now their bathroom. They are doing wonders to redecorate the old building They have 16 children, 11 adopted, some severely handicapped. I took 20 knitted stocking caps, and several leper bandages - which I worked on each day- to Desert Industries for humanitarian service. Maureen and I went up twice each month to the temple.
On the 17th I flew to N. D. To be with Carl and Laree. Carl was to have knee surgery at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Laree and I stayed in a hotel, but spent much time with Carl. Coming Thanksgiving and Christmas was evident everywhere by beautiful decorations. Carl’s surgery was a success, and Laree and I ate Thanksgiving dinner in the hospital cafeteria. I helped Laree a little with decorations for their Ward Christmas party - she made it lovely. I was also able to spend happy moments with Chris, Liza and Janie’s family.
DECEMBER
I was invited to go to Star Valley to Delsa’s (Kristen’s grandmother-in-law) family reunion. At our Sacrament meeting, Kristen gave a very good talk on the proper was to bear testimonies. Carolyn came for a couple of days. We made chocolates with the ladies and David, and rode to Idaho Falls to see the beautifully decorated homes. We had our family Christmas party at Maureen’s. Christmas came, bitter—sweet. I missed Maurice and our little children. Our Christmases were always wonderful. Maurice helped much to make it so. Michael, Marisa, Reece and Maya came, then Maureen and Bryan. We had a wonderful afternoon and evening - dinner, a video of the nativity, and the children portraying the birth - in costume (David-Joseph, McKay-Mary). I got calls from all the children away from here.
We had many here for New Years Ever. Mark, Valerie, Robert, Eric, Valeen, Tony and husband and 5 children, Fred, Mary, Jude, Jady, Bryan, Maureen, Phyllis, Rick, Jerda, Kaleb, Rickell, David and friend and all of Kristen’s family and me. We ate lots and played games.
Yearly Synopsis
I had 100% Visiting Teaching.
Read the Book of Mormon.
Was DUP Lesson leader.
Sold many items at Mormon Handicraft.
Visiting Teacher Supervisor.
Was treated royally and lovingly by my family.
Missed my sweetheart; so blessed to know if I live well, we’ll be together again.
NOTE-Added by CJC)
Made at least 70 angels
Made at least 40 village pieces
Made about a bootie a day
Hand worked anything anyone asked her to make, and much more.
Made hats and leper bandages for Humanitarian effort.
Spent quality time with all her children, making them feel loved and worthwhile
Spent quality time with her grandchildren, making them feel each was the favorite.
Spent quality time getting acquainted with her great-grandchildren
And so much more that can’t be counted.
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