What are you frightened of?

I don't think there is much that I am frightened of. I find peace from my testimony of the plan of salvation and the counsel of prophets that if we are prepared we need not fear. Sometimes things worry me; however, I don't usually find myself becoming frightened of them. Some things that worry me are:

*The unknown...it is hard for me to handle situations when I do not know all the details surrounding circumstances and am not sure what the outcome will be. It is sometimes difficult for me to be at peace with knowing things will happen in the Lord's timeframe so I don't have to have all details at all times.

*Situations our children will be faced with. We try hard to help them develop a sure foundation rooted in the Savior. There is such evil in the world that is sometimes subtle. It worries me what they will be exposed to and if they will have the strength to withstand it.

I know I can have peace when I rely on the merits of the Atonement. This is often easy to forget as I try to handle it all on my own. I never find true peace until I humble myself and partake of the redeeming power of the Atonement.

What are some places you went with your mother?

I remember spending lots of time with my mom while I was growing up. Often, it was simple things and everyday places. I enjoyed going to the grocery store with her. Sometimes we would both go in and sometimes she would drop me off and let me run in to get what she needed. I enjoyed these times...even when she sent me in for hamburger and I spent forever trying to find hamburger and all I could find was ground beef, ground round, and ground chuck. I will never forget the look on her face when I came out and told her they didn't have any hamburger. She thought I was joking and then when she realized I was serious I think she was stunned that I didn't know what hamburger was!

I also remember going shopping to other stores with her. She used to tease us that we only wanted her to come along if she brought her wallet. This was the farthest thing from the truth. We always love to have her with us. I don't remember a lot of what we shopped for but I remember conversations we had while driving or while we walked around stores. I remember her picking me up from seminary my Senior year of High School. We had just moved to Washington and I was really having a hard time with the move. I enjoyed the hour between seminary and school starting. Mom would often pick me up and take me to get breakfast or to run an errand with her. It was a time I could talk if I felt like it or just appreciate the love she had for me and the understanding she had of the difficult time I was having.

Mom came to all my games and competitions growing up and there were a lot of them. I always appreciated her time and sacrifice to support me. I remember going with her to the church to help set up or get something ready for whatever calling she held. I always knew she had a testimony of the gospel and of serving diligently in whatever capacity she was asked to serve in. I remember going to church each week as a family and always sitting as a family. I am indeed grateful for this example of strength and testimony.

Since I have moved away from home and have a family of my own our time together is more limited. I long for the times we do share together. I enjoy the moments we have. Whether we are out shopping or just relaxing together while the kids are sleeping...I cherish the moments to learn from my mother.

I love my mother dearly. I love the time she always gives me and I have never doubted her unconditional love for me. She always found time for us in her busy schedule of life and I never felt like anything or anyone came before her family. I hope to emulate this and have our children feel the same.

Describe your yard as a child. Did you help with yard work? What are your memories?

Front Yard

I grew up on a quiet neighborhood street in Suisun, California. We lived on Coot Lane. Our front yard had planter boxes under the front window and some bushes on the walkway next to the front door. The front side yard had 2 tall and big trees. We would try to hide underneath them and played a lot of fun games there. I was also given a basketball hoop for Christmas one year. Grandpa Powell helped Dad set up the hoop so I could play. I remember playing on the driveway for hours. I actually killed a little patch of grass next to the driveway from practicing free throw shots. The backyard was large. It had some planter boxes along the perimeter. There was a big palm tree in the backyard as well. I remember one Christmas vacation (the same one that I got the basketball hoop) when it snowed. It looked so funny to see snow on the palm tree. Alanna, Brandon, and I would play football in the backyard complete with stuffing towels in our shirts and pants for pads. It was great fun. We also played baseball often in the front and back yards.

Back Yard

It was one of my jobs to mow the lawn each week. Kim and I would rotate responsibility for the front and back yard. I HATED mowing the lawn. I am not sure why because now, as an adult, I absolutely love mowing and edging our lawn. I do the majority of the yard work now. But, as a kid, I hated it. I knew I had to do it and I would try anything to get out of it. One week I convinced my mom that I would iron clothes for an hour if she would mow the lawn for me. I was amazed that she agreed and secretly thought I had pulled one over on her. That feeling didn't last long. I hadn't been ironing for 10 minutes when Mom came into the house already having finished mowing the lawn. I was not too happy for the next 50 minutes as I had to finish ironing clothes. I am grateful I was taught the importance of working hard and doing my part to help the family. It must have paid off to some extent because I love doing the yard work now!

Front Yard

List each of your Aunts and Uncles and tell one thing about each of them.

DAD'S SIDE:

Uncle Curt & Aunt Suzanne: I remember going to their wedding when I was probably about 10 years old (give or take a couple years). I also remember playing cards with them when we would go camping together. Curt taught me how to do the bridge when I shuffled cards. Suzanne was diagnosed with breast cancer and has bravely fought this battle. We always lived far from them so we didn't see them very often but we enjoyed visiting with them when we did see them.

Aunt Vicki & Uncle Chuck: Again, we didn't see them very often but I remember going to their ranch sometimes and riding horses and playing in the streams. Since I have had children, Vicki has been very kind to them and very interested in what they are doing.

MOM'S SIDE:

Uncle Wally: Uncle Wally is always good for a big hug and kind smile. He is kindhearted and so gentle and giving. I remember visiting him a lot when I was at BYU and would come to Cache Valley for the weekend. He is always concerned and interested in my life. He has such a special love for others that emanates from him.

Aunt Moe & Uncle Theron: Again, we didn't see each other very often but I remember getting to know them more when I was at BYU. Their daughter, Lisa, lived nearby when I was at college so she would invite me for dinner or other family functions. This gave me the opportunity to get to know them more. Theron works hard on the farm but he is a quiet man that will ask questions about you and listen intently to your responses. Moe loves to do crafty things. They are always welcoming to anyone that comes into their home.

Aunt Karen & Uncle Scott: Of all my aunts, Karen is the one I know the best. I remember her visiting us when we were younger kids. She is my mom's twin and they would try to trick us kids but we always knew who our mom was! She is like a second grandma to our children. Scott is a quiet man too but he also makes you feel very at ease and comfortable by being sincerely interested in your life. I admire them both for their strength and resilience in the trials they have encountered.

Uncle Craig & Aunt Sue: Uncle Craig is a tease. He is always smiling and you never quite know what he has up his sleeve. I remember one weekend when I was taking the bus from Provo to Ogden so I could visit my grandparents for Thanksgiving. They were going to pick me up in Ogden and bring me the rest of the way to Smithfield. Well, the bus was late and I ended up having to wait on the bus corner for quite a while until Craig came to my rescue. I was sure glad to see him but he sure gave me grief becasue I was in sandals (no socks), a T-shirt (no jacket), and jeans. I was so cold but unprepared because I didn't know the weather could get that bad. They still tease me about that!

Tell about an embarrasing moment.

This was difficult for me because I know I have had embarrassing moments but I must suppress them or try to forget about them. I really couldn't think of many. Joel helped me remember one. We had only been married for a short time when we went to Logan to visit some of Joel's mission companions. We went for a drive up the canyon and stopped for pizza afterwards. Joel and I were in the back seat of the car and a couple of his companions were in the front seat. I had some gas and was trying really hard to keep it under control; however, a silent one snuck out. It may have been silent but it was potent. I was so embarrassed as the guys noticed it and started asking, "Man...who was that?" I thought I was going to die. My loving husband proved his unconditional love as he took the blame for it. I was so grateful to him when he did that. The worse part was it happened a couple more times that evening. Fortunately, Joel saved me each time. Although it was an embarrassing time, it was also a day I learned a new reason I loved my husband!

Tell about a favorite vacation from your childhood.

When I think of vacations we went on as children I remember a lot of camping. Sometimes we would travel far for the camping trips and sometimes we would camp closer to home. I loved being outdoors with the family enjoying the time together. I enjoyed going to state or national parks and participating in the Junior Ranger programs. I remember one time when we were camping a racoon was determined to get the glass jar of dogfood in the middle of the night. I remember being scared but still curious and wanting to watch the whole thing...from the safety of the tent of course! I loved cooking and eating while camping. Food just always tasted better while we were camping. I also enjoyed playing games at the picnic tables and by the light of lanterns at night.

I also remember vacations to Utah to visit Grandma and Grandpa. I remember the long car rides through Nevada and mom saying they just needed to blow Nevada off the map and the drive would be so much better! Then, there was the infamous stop at the reststop in the Salt Flats...remember that one, Alanna! I remember trying to keep us entertained on the long drives. We didn't have movies to watch on the way like our kids do now. We would try to get truckers to honk. We would stick pretzels in our nose and ears and mouth and make faces at other cars as they drove by. We would make up silly songs. I remember stopping for lunch in Lovelock, Nevada and eating on that grassy slope next to the RR tracks. Lovelock was spelled out in rocks in the grass.

The times I remember most are not so much where we went but the time we spent together while we were going and being there. I think that is something I want to be sure to pass on to our children. The destination is not the important part...it is the time spent together without lots of other distractions that really matters.

How many brothers and sisters do you have? Describe them and tell a story about you and each of them.

Jen, Alanna, Eric, Kim, Brandon

Kim: Kim is a patient and calming influence in our family. She likes to make others happy and doesn't like contention. She served a mission for the church in Mississippi and I enjoyed writing to her while she was on her mission and I was in college. I learned many things from her. She enjoys music and cross stitching and is very good at these things. Kim is very gullible so it is easy to get her to fall for things but she also will call us on things when we are trying to trick someone else. The funny thing is she doesn't realize we are trying to trick someone until she has spoiled the trick! Then we all just laugh and say, "KIM!" I remember hearing her fall up the stairs as she would call out, "I'm OK!" She is very good at serving those around her and thinks of others first.

Alanna: She is the spunky and energetic one of our bunch. She is shy and quiet until you get to know her. She helps lighten the mood and brings laughter to the room. She is very determined. When she puts her mind to something she will accomplish it. She works hard and is disciplined in all aspects of her life. We spend many hours on the phone talking since we no longer live close to each other. She is very concerned with others and wants to do all she can to help whomever is in need. I love scrapbooking with her and getting in our infamous water fights. I admire her dedication to the gospel and to consistently improving her life. It is rare that a week goes by that we have not talked a few times. I look forward to the day when we will live closer again!

Brandon: Brandon is the baby of the family and so spoiled. He claims we made him that way and we probably did contribute to it! I remember sneaking dessert up to him when he didn't eat his dinner because I didn't think it was fair that he couldn't have dessert! I left for college when he was about 10 years old. It took a long time to realize he had grown up while I was gone. The summer before he left for his mission he came to live with Joel and I. I treasure that time we spent together. He was so good with our children even if he did feed Thomas Doritos, Mt. Dew, and Ho-Ho's for breakfast when Thomas was about 2 years old! He is a great brother and uncle to our children. He is talented in photography and is always willing to share his talents with those around him.

We are so blessed to be an eternal family. I am grateful to our parents for creating a firm foundation rooted in the Savior, Jesus Christ, for our family. I love them all and treasure the times we are able to be together.