Samuel Call Chandler 1919 - 2012

Miss you already, Dad, but I keep imagining all the fun your having in Heaven with your family.  I know that everything is just fine.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HILLARY

I just happened upon this picture and absolutely love it. Two of my favorite people in the world at one of my favorite places in the world.

In honor of Hillary's birthday I think it is time for a Hillary story.  She has always been a shining star in our lives.  I think if we had encouraged it or had the means, she could have been one of those famous child actors (though I would never wish that for any of my children).  But she found ways to display her talents.  When she was 2 & 1/2 years old we took an impromptu day trip, crashing our friend's family reunion at a campground.  We enjoyed the scenery and stayed just long enough to say hello to old friends.  While there Hillary went off by herself, a few feet away from me, and found a little campfire stage.  She started singing, and dancing, and singing louder - songs that she was making up herself: "I love my Mommy.  She would not let me have a cookie, she would not let me have a cookie, but I love her!  I love her!" Gradually people noticed her and started gathering around.  She noticed them, I'm sure, but did not acknowledge them.  She just kept performing.  Pretty soon there was a huge group at the campfire watching her, and she just kept right on going.  My description of this does not do it justice.  Remind me to show the tape to Andrew the next time they are home.  Anyway, she kept up this hobby of hers - doing American Girl plays in our backyard, school plays, and winning high school Drama Competitions.  

As I said, maybe her talent could have taken her far.  But it was not wasted.  We have all enjoyed it throughout the years, and I know that she is having a wonderful, happy life in the path that she has chosen.  I thank God everyday for giving the world Hillary. 

Thanks Cousin Joy!

I saw this on Reggie's cousin's facebook and decided to steal it for our blog.  I will be looking at this everyday.  Thanks Cousin Joy!

Superman

We've all seen the various pictures of Superman - young, strong, in the prime of his life.  I think the real pictures of Superman, however, are the ones we don't see - aged, weakened, living longer than he ever expected or wanted, but accepting it all with grace and honor.  Four years ago we threw our Dad a Superman birthday party, explaining to him why he was the ultimate Superman.  I think all of his family are a little more resolute to be patient and strong in our times of sickness and injury after watching him.  And don't let me get started on my Mom.  Superman couldn't be so without a Ruth.  And neither could be anything without their faith.  Love you Mom and Dad.

Father's Day Weekend

Comfort

Every once in a while I feel like I haven't had enough trials.  When my loved ones are going through something that I have gone through I've been able to know exactly what to say, promise them it will be better, etc.  But when they are going through things I haven't gone through I sometimes wish that I had had that trial in my life, so that I could be more helpful.  This made me think about the Savior.  During the Atonement - the Garden of Gethsemane and the Cross - He went through every emotion, every trial, every hardship everyone of us have ever or will ever have.  He personally knows how we feel, and he is therefore the best one to comfort us and get us through. I'm so grateful for that.

dolphins

As we were driving around running errands today I saw, out of the corner of my eye, some action going on in the ocean.  We hurried and pulled over and excitedly watched a school of dolphins leaping out of the water, over and over again.  It was great!  From now on, though, we are keeping the binoculars in the car.  And a camera with a really good zoom. 

saving the couch

My sister came for a visit, as she does every summer.  The last couple of summers have been more like working vacations for her since she was so helpful with the weddings, not to mention she was in the middle of homework for her Masters Degree.  This visit was more laid back - no weddings and she has graduated (Congratulations!).  This has meant longer visits with my parents, time to play card games, etc.  But while we were watching movies she put herself to work again by stitching up our couch.  I had put a huge rip in it last Christmas and hadn't even tried to fix it.  I figured it was a gonner.  But she got it started and I realized how easy it was, and how ridiculous it was that I was ready to let it go. She didn't have time to finish it but I just did, and I'm really happy with it.

So thanks for everything Marianne - the fun, the comfort, the help, the adventures, and the misadventures throughout the years (of which I'm not telling Reggie about our most recent one in the city).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LESTER!

Today is our son-in-law's birthday, and I think that calls for a story! Lester has been a part of our lives for a while now. A few months before he left on his mission Lester bought 4 tickets to the Brad Paisley concert at the Shoreline Amphitheatre, and invited Reggie and I to double date with him and Julia. Now is that a nice kid or what! We were happy to go. We went early enough to get settled on the lawn, hear the opening acts, including newcomer Taylor Swift, and have a nice time. Then it started getting dark, more crowded, and closer to the main event. The crowd had become alot louder, very drunk, and just gross. (If any of you reading this like to get sloppy drunk and "friendly" with strangers at concerts, then no offense intended.) Anyway, the 4 of us were feeling uncomfortable but what could we do, right? Well, to Reggie and Lester and Julia's disbelief I decided to go talk to someone about it. A few minutes later w

e were all pleasantly shocked that an usher was taking us to some really great seats - off the lawn, and closer to the stage. We ended up right next to the control box thingy, in the middle, where they had the list of songs that Brad Paisley was going to do. It was great. During "The World" song I looked over at Julia and Lester. They were tastefully hugging each other, singing along, with the biggest smiles on their faces. I remember thinking again what a great guy this Lester was and how nice it would be if things worked out for them in a couple of years.  We are all so happy that he is a permanent part of our family now.

So Happy Birthday Lester!  Thanks for all the fun!  (p.s. This video is like the concert we went to.)

Brad Paisley - When I Get Where I'm Going

A story, just because

Hillary has a family history assignment for one of her classes and needs pictures of her parents, in-laws, grandparents and grandparent-in laws as they were dating and marrying.  This is one of the pictures I have sent her, which brings back alot of memories.  Since I didn't "blog" about it in 1982, I want to now.

When Reggie and I were dating he came on a road trip with my family and I to Utah and Idaho.  It gave him the opportunity to see some church history at Temple Square, and even though it was April, some snow in Idaho.  My Mom told my grandmother that I was bringing a friend with us.  She didn't tell her it was a boy.  When we arrived at my grandparents in Pocatello, Idaho, I don't think I've ever seen anyone so surprised.  Reggie just wasn't what she had expected.  Well, even back then Reggie had his same friendly personality.  Within a day he had won my grandparents over.  And after he worked long and hard to make this snowman in their backyard, my grandmother was scolding me: "Now Nancy, don't you knock that snowman down that Reggie worked so hard on!".
Everyone had their turn taking pictures with the snowman.  From then on my grandparents loved him and supported us in our relationship.

Always loved that Cookie Monster!

off to Girl's Camp!

I am going to miss her so much - and not just because she is leaving me outnumbered with the boys in the family, but because she brightens my day!  But I know that she is going to have a great time.  I drove her and a couple of girls up to camp and saw a little bit of the work that goes into the week.  A big thanks to all of the adults that are up there making things possible!

And on a side note, when we ended up at U.C. Santa Cruz I knew I had taken a wrong turn somewhere.  Thank goodness the cell phone had reception long enough to call Reggie.  He got us turned around the right way.  Once I dropped them off and was heading home alone, I realized why I like driving in Nevada better than the trees of California.  The woods/forest/mountains are beautiful, but after a while of winding up and down them, everything starts to look the same.  Even when I'm not lost I worry that I am.  When I saw the sky off in the distance I was relieved, knowing that the highway was in that direction.  I guess I get claustrophobic.  In Nevada you just drive and drive with everything laid out in front of you.  I love it.  But I guess camping among the trees is better than camping among the sagebrush. 

So have fun Samantha! We love you!

Off the lot

We just watched some wonderful extras about Disney's The Little Mermaid.  In the early 80s they were actually considering getting out of the animation business at Disney; just working on television, live action movies, etc.  They moved the animation department off the Disney lot in Burbank to a warehouse in Glendale.  They hadn't done a full animated musical or a Fairy Tale in decades.  Many of the animators who had worked on the early Disney movies had retired.  The new animators hoped this was not the end.  They brought in some more people - idea people, music people, etc.  Needless to say, it was a hit.  They stayed in the animation business and a new Golden Age for Disney had begun. 

In my opinion, what really makes The Little Mermaid a hit is the music.  When Julia was a toddler and Hillary an infant I heard people talking about this new great Disney movie.  I didn't care.  I didn't need to raise my children on Disney.  One day my sister-in law had the Little Mermaid video on for her daughter when we were at their house.  My ears perked up when I heard "Under The Sea".  I was hooked!  And, as you can see, I have raised my children on Disney.  The plot, the artwork, etc. of each movie is fine, but when you add the music it is magical!

If I ever had another son . . . . .

This week we've been watching alot of "The Andy Griffith Show" in honor of his passing.  It has always been one of our favorites - second only to Lucy.  In doing so I have noticed so many interesting, good-old southern names.  If we had another son I would want to name him "Jubel" or "Raif" or "Opie" or "Brisco".  Reggie says no way.  Lucky for him I'm too old to argue the point.  But, maybe a grandchild, huh?  No?  Oh well. 

Anyway, thanks Andy Griffith and the powers-that-be-that put on such a good family show.  Those have become quite rare, so it's nice to have these re-runs just for that.

p.s. One more comment about I Love Lucy.  Luke wants to learn another language.  He is thinking french, but I suggested that spanish might be more useful.  He agreed, because then we could translate what Ricky is saying when he's mad at Lucy. 

Tropical Storm Debbie and a Santa Claus Convention

Two days after we got home from our vacation Reggie left for a business trip to Florida and then Chicago.  While in Florida a tropical storm hit and he sent us pictures of the water rising uncomfortably close to the balcony of his hotel room.  I'm glad they didn't have to evacuate.  Then at the hotel in Chicago there was a Santa Claus convention. More than a hundred "jolly" guys in red shirts with authentic white hair, long white beards, and padding.  Talk about Christmas in July!  He's happy to finally be home and not living out of a suit case.  We're happy too.

Happy June Andrew and Hillary!

Well, June has come and gone and I forgot to wish our son-in-law Andrew a happy birthday and Andrew and Hillary a happy first anniversary.  We are so blessed to have Andrew a part of our family.  He is a great brother-in-law: jokes around with Luke and takes time to talk to Samantha on the phone; a great son-in-law: keeps up with Reggie's sense of humor; and most of all he treats our daughter well.  How did they know that if I had been a matchmaker and had met every boy at that college, I would have picked Andrew for our Hillary?  We all lucked out.

Here's wishing them love and happiness for all of their anniversaries!

Church

I haven't been to church the last 2 weeks and I've missed it.  The first Sunday we were traveling to L.A. and last Sunday I wasn't feeling well.  Here are the reasons I love going to Church:

1.  I love learning more about the scriptures - not just reading them but studying them and hearing other people's comments on them.

2.  I love the music. Singing hymns witht the congregation and I occasionally get to accompany on the piano.

3.  I love hearing over and over again that I am a Child of God and that he loves me.

4.  Even though we all, at times, fight our eyelids to stay open, even falling asleep in such a peaceful place is worth going.

5.  I could go on and on and on.

Reasons I hate going to church:

1.  High-heels.  I think it's good to get dressed in my "Sunday Best" to go to church, but I'm afraid high-heels and I are just not going to be friends.  Over a decade ago we had a "falling out".  I've tried for the last couple of years to renew our friendship but it's just not working.  Oh well, I guess it's time for a shoe shopping spree!