My dear Jeffrey

Dear Son:
As I write this I look at your pictures with me and I'm so thankful that we did take pictures together along your life's journey.  Tears fill my eyes as I write this.  I miss you so much that it hurts.  It has been a year since you left us to journey on to a completely new adventure.  One that I know you are happy experiencing and I have to admit that I'm a bit jealous.  I wish you could write us and share what you are doing, who you are meeting and how you are.

Annie text me on Thursday and said she was thinking about you that morning.  She had lots of tears.  She knew if she called me we would both be a mess so the text was the best.  She didn't think she could make it through any kind of conversation.  She asked how I was and then said that she had looked through some pictures and there were so many special childhood memories.  She complimented me on being an amazing mother (which I don't deserve but it made me happy inside).  She then said that she wondered what it was like in Heaven for you.  What was the process when you got there.  Did you see Grandma Ross and get a hug and then maybe a smack from her for your not so good choices as an adult.  She wondered if you met your birth mom and how that went.  Can you send some messages and inspiration to your wife and kids and to all of us as a family. 

I wondered the same things and I sure don't have the answers for myself or for Lynda Ann.  I know of only one person who died and came back and He didn't tell us about that.  So, I can only imagine what it must be like and I have to believe that it is a warm and simple transition from this life to the next. 

We had stake conference this morning and the visiting General Authority talked about you!  Well not you specifically but for me it was just about you.  He lost a son as well and he said that he had to go to his own Garden of Gethsemane to find the peace and assurance to go on.  He bore his testimony that Christ is the Savior of the World, that He is the Son of God and that he is aware of every tear we shed and every moment of sadness we feel.  He suffered it all for us. 

I too believe that with all my heart.  It helps me get through these moments of deep sadness when I let myself go back in time to that little chubby, tiny baby that was placed in my arms so long ago and depended on me for love and care.  You can tell your birth mom 'hello' from me and 'thank you'. 

Please know that not one day goes by that I don't think about you and wonder how you are doing and what you are doing.  When I go to the temple, I want you to be there with me.  I want you to touch my heart and I want to feel those strong arms around me giving me that bear hug that you were always so good at.  I want to hear you whisper that you love me.  I know you do, I just want to hear it again.

I can't go on.  Tears won't allow me to write anymore.  So I'll bring this to an end.  Please tell Grandma Ross and Annette that I said "hi" and that I love them.  Be happy!

I love you,

Mom

Hayley's first dance

Do you remember the first dance you went to?  I do.  We had a dance every Thursday at Central Jr. High.  They were during the lunch hour and you had to sit out on the front steps of the school waiting and hoping that one of the boys would invite you into the dance.  Most of the time the boys who invited me in to the gym were not the ones that I dreamed of inviting me in.  However, I always went and had a good time.  You also need to remember, that the girls were always dressed up.  We were not allowed to wear pants or jeans to school.  Always dresses or skirts.  So, back to Hayley.  This was her first dance in junior high.  She got a new dress and thanks to Abby a new hair do and off she went.  Hayley, you look absolutely darling!  Abby should do your hair every day.  Beautiful job Abby and beautiful girl, Hayley!!!

Utah Snow and California Rain

The weather this January has been high in snow for the mountains and a lot on the valley floors.  I sent a picture or two to Tucker showing him all the snow that has fallen in the past couple weeks.  I got a picture back from Tucker showing us the amount of rain they are getting in Fresno.  He said this was looking out the front of his "boat car" as he called it, while he was going to pick up the girls from school.

Mt Olympus

I've said before that I love Mt. Olympus.  Besides the fact that I hiked it, it is a gorgeous mountain in every season.  Winter is no exception.  After our huge snow storm on Saturday morning the skies cleared and the sun came out.  I was coming home from the grocery store and was at the stop light and glanced up at Mt. Olympus like I always do.  I grabbed my camera and had to take a picture of this gorgeous mountain in the winter after a snow storm.

How can you look at that mountain and doubt there is a God in the Heavens. 

Abraham Lincoln

Neal has been making neckerchief slides for scouts who achieve their eagle and some be as made and given to the kids or grandkids.  He just finished Abraham Lincoln today to be given to at an Eagle Scout Ceremony for a young man in our stake.  I asked him if he had kept a list of all the slides he has made over the years and why would I ask.  Of course he has.  I took a picture of his lists, but they are very hard to read.  I'm going to have to take the list and type them up.  But for now, his written one will have to do.  This slide is #118.

What a snowstorm!

We could be singing "Here Comes Suzie Snowflake.  Look at her tumbling down.  Tap tap tapping on the window pain to tell you she's in town . . . . "
Goodness, we woke up two quite a snowstorm.  Neal and I went out about 10:00 to shovel the driveway and ended up shoveling it 3 times before we were done.  We would get it done and turn around and it would be covered again.  My word.  As I'm writing this now and I look out the window, the snow has stopped and it is a winter wonderland out there.

The snow was at least 6 inches deep and still coming down fast.

 The picture below gives you an idea of just how much snow fell.  Notice the snow is to the top of Neal's boot.

 Just coming in.  We were going to go to the gym this morning but decided that shoveling the driveway 3 times was a better workout than the gym!

Warm and cozy

I had a few minutes on Saturday to settle into my favorite reading place and pull my brand new crocheted blanked over me so that I would be warm and cozy while I gently rocked in my rocking chair.  Isn't like just grand!  This was my Christmas present from Lynda Ann and I love snuggling under it.  Thanks Annie!  I feel the love that went into making it every time I get the chance to snuggle under it.

A day with Neal!

Monday was a holiday for Neal and for me.  We decided that it would be fun to drive up to Park City to the outlets and then grab a bite to eat.  Of course, he went in Tommy Bahama and I went in Talbots.  He bought a couple golf hats and I bought a sweater and a couple necklaces.  From there we went across the way to Under Armor and he bought some workout pants and I bought a sweatshirt.  We then drove around the whole place looking for a Polo but found they don't have one.  So we headed over to the Loco Lizard for some good Mexican Food.  I ordered a taco salad and Neal ordered some soup.  When I got the salad I couldn't believe how big it was.  Pictures of me and Neal.

 Actually, Neal helped me finish the salad.  There was absolutely no way I could down that thing and you know that Neal can't stand to waste any food. 

There is more to the story.  So as we were leaving the restaurant, Neal stopped at a table full of people and said, "Your food looks delicious!"  Of course, I just kept walking.  Embarrassed as usual!  The girl at the table said, "I know Jamie!"  She recognized us when we walked in and had told her husband that she was sure we were Tucker's parents.  I apparently had my phone in hand and he could see the back cover said BYU.  He told his wife it couldn't be Tuckers parents because the lady had a BYU phone.  We laughed and laughed.  I took a picture and sent it to Jamie.  This is the picture of Neal and Katie.  She and Jamie have been friends for over 30 years! 

Somehow it never fails that Neal runs into someone he knows or we know on every outing we go on. 

Angels amont us?

I just had to post this cartoon.  This was sent to me from a friend that I've worked with for years.  I laughed so hard.  Neal got a kick out of it and said, "Wouldn't that be fun if we could really do that."  I told him it was all too real.  How many times have you thought someone was standing by you or just walked by you and felt a presence for a split moment in your home, etc.  Yup, they are all around us!  However, I don't think those angels are there to scare us, they are there to help us :-)

Sorry about that 'S' word.  **tee hee**

Thanks to Emmi!

Yes, thanks to Emmi we finally got the last Christmas box put away for the year.  This dang box has been sitting in our kitchen since New Years because Neal and I are not strong enough to get it up in the loft of the garage.  Emmi was on her way back to BYU and she agreed to stop by and help Neal put it away.  Thank you Emmi.  Unfinished projects just about drive me nuts, especially when they are sitting in my front room along with the ladder.  I've tried to talk Neal into a Christmas tree that we could handle but haven't won him over yet on the idea.  Good thing we have family who will help us with the giant Christmas Tree!

Another set of salt and pepper shakers!

Seriously, I don't know what my fascination is with salt and pepper shakers but I'm on a roll right now!  Neal and I went to Macy's the other night to check out their sale because they are closing their store.  Of course we started in the china section of the store.  Neal loves to look at dishes.  While he was checking out the different styles and patterns, I wandered over to a clearance table and there was a set of Lenox salt and pepper shakers.  We noticed that their prices were only about 10 or 20% discounted which is not a sale!  But if you happened to find something on a clearance table or rack you were getting a really good deal.  That is where I saw these doves.  By the time they took all the mark downs and the 40% off the lowest price they only cost me $18.00!!!  They were originally $60.00.  Not a bad deal.  I have them displayed in the china cabinet with Annette's dishes. 

Date night

Neal and I don't make it a point to go out every week on a certain date.  We try to always do fun things together but are a little more random about what we do and when we go.  I had been listening to the movie talk show on KSL radio while running errands and they were raving about Hidden Figures.  When I got home I mentioned it to Neal and he said, "Let's go."  We had some dinner and headed to the theater.  The movie is based on a true incident that happened when the US was competing with Russia in the space program.  Amazing story and gives us all a bitter reminder of the horrible way the African American race was treated.  I still remember when living in Seattle, that the busses, schools, drinking fountains, bathrooms, etc. were all labeled and separated.  Sad history in our nation.  Anyway, the movie is a must see!  We ran into Dave and Linda Knight at the movie and after we went to Baskin Robins and had ice cream.  Yes, in January we were after ice cream and the funny thing is that everyone is Salt Lake had the same idea.  The place was non-stop busy.  People coming and going continually.

Taylor gets her driver's license

Maren is exactly right when she says "Where does time go?"  When we were in California at the beach house I remember sitting and looking at the grandchildren and realizing that we are almost completely in the tween, teen and adult ages with them.  The gatherings become a very different dynamic.  There is absolutely no arguing or disagreements.  They all just group together and visit and seem to enjoy being with each other and catching up on lives.  I miss the babies but think I enjoy this season of my life the best so far. 

Congrats Taylor.  Be safe and careful and use good judgement when you are out behind the wheel.  We love you and don't want to get a phone call that you have been hurt in an accident.

Mallory Sue Gertson gets accepted at BYU Idaho

I just got a notice from Mallory that she just received this email from BYU Idaho that she has been accepted to attend college there after her mission.  Another granddaughter enters a Y University.  So proud of you Mallory and love you tons!!!

Susan's miracle story

I ask Susan to write her story so I could get all the details.  This is an incredible true story that I want to record and share with everyone.  I've already used it in a lesson and if I have a chance I'll use it in a talk.  Here is her story:

"Several days before Christmas we had an unusually rainy couple of days.  I woke up in the middle of the night, and my nightgown was wet.  I realized that my roof was leaking right over the middle of my bed.  I got a bucket and laid curled around it, listening to the drip, drip, drip about a drip every second and a half, into that bucket for the remaining five hours until morning.  I emptied the bucket and left it sitting in the middle of my bed to catch the drips throughout the day. 

I came to work and went across the hall to the building department of our county, and asked the two building inspectors there if they knew of a good plumbing contractor I could call to fix my leaking roof.  There was one advertised in town, and I asked them if that contractor was any good.  In unison, they both said, 'No'.  The one building inspector has built a couple of rental homes with his brother, who is a deputy sheriff.  Inspector Quinn told me he would have his brother, Corey, go over and look at my roof, and if it needed repair, he and his brother would fix it for me.  The news was not good.  Corey had climbed up and looked and reported that the shingles were in a sorry state and the east side of the roof needed replacing right away.  Quinn told me that if I would pay for the materials, he and Corey would replace that side of my roof for me, and they would not charge me any labor to do it.

I was teary, but very grateful that he had offered, since I have one salary, and money was tight.

He called me later that afternoon and had me come to his office and pick out the shingle color I preferred, and said he would get the materials ordered that day.

Of course we had a spat of bad weather during the next two weeks, and they had to find a time when they would both have the day off to work on it.  I woke up on the Saturday morning of New Year's Eve to the sound of shoveling on my roof and could see snow flyling past my window.  Those two men were up shoveling off the accumulated snow so they could work on my roof the following Monday, which was a holiday from work for them.

Bright and early January 2nd, they were both on my roof, pounding and roofing to beat the band.  They finished the roof that day, and nary a drip from that time forward.  Every time it has rained or snowed since that date until now (and there were many, many rainy and snowy days) I stayed warm and dry thanks to those two angels.

I arrived home tired about a week later from work, and on my porch was a quart jar with a note inside, and a paperback book called The Christmas Jar.  The note said that the money inside the jar had gone to Quinn to help pay for my roof. l cried right then and there, because I had been so worried about how I was going to pay for the materials, which Quinn had told me would be approximately a thousand dollars.  I asked Quinn the next day who my anonymous benefactor was, and he refused to tell me, saying that someone loved me and wanted to help me out and had paid two hundred dollars to him in my behalf.

Yesterday, January 10th, Quinn called and asked me to come to his office.  When I got there, he presented me with a bill for a grand total of $147.00 for roofing materials.  I said, 'There is no way it only cost $147.00 for all those shingles and materials you used on my roof.'  He informed me that the actual cost of the materials was about $800.00, and that people had donated $650.00 to him for my roof.  Of course, I cried, because throughout this whole process so many blessings had come my way and my emotions were running high.  I told him I would get the money to him that day and his invoice would be paid.  I wrote a check and a heartfelt note, thanking him for all he had done for me, and put it in an envelope.  About 30 minutes later, he called to let me know that I did not owe him any money, because in the meantime more donations had come in and the bill was satisfied. 

Of course, for the hundredth time, I cried.  During this busy and frantic holiday season, especially after Christmas when funds are scarce, people had dug deep and generously in my behalf.  I was touched and overwhelmed and amazed.  Every day since Januray 2nd whenever it has rained or snowed, I am grateful for those two men who gave up their holiday to help me out, and those loving souls who had paid for it all.

And that is not the end of my story.  I had told my aunt about the donations, and that all I had left to pay was $147.00.  When I emailed her to tell her that it, too, had been paid, she replied, "You've got to be kiding me!  Dang it!  I went to the credit union and withdrew $150.00 so I could make your last payment for you!"  So you can see that Heavenly Father truly cares and sends his angels to minister in his behalf.  I've found through this experience that it is so much easier to be the giver than the receiver, but those dear people who came to my aid will forever be in my prayers for their thoughtfulness and overwhelming generosity in my time of need."

The end . . .

I would add here how grateful I am for all those quiet angels who came to Susan's aid when she most needed it and didn't expect it. 

Relief Society Lesson

Tonight was my first lesson for the year 2017 at the MBK Retirement Center.  We are studying the life of Gordon B.Hinckley.  My first lesson covered two chapters.  The first was the restoration of the Gospel and the second was an Ensign to the World.  Nearly impossible to give those two lessons in a 15 minute time frame.  I had to do some serious editing and cutting to get in the most important information of the lessons.  It went well and I felt like they enjoyed it.  These are the hands out that I had for them this month.  The snowman was because of January and all the snow we've had so far.  The little saying was to remind them that we can all be a light or ensign to the world. 

Nice to be blogging again!

It is so nice to be blogging again.  Thanks to Jamie, I have a new lap top and she got it all set up for me.  I've missed being able to enter pictures and what has been going on in the lives of Neal and I and our family.  Jamie also found some coupons so that I could get my blog made into a book for 2015 and 2016.  Thank you Jamie for all your help.  Best Christmas present ever to have you get me all set up and able to continue the Neal and Jeannine Maxfield family story.  Love this picture that Jamie sent me.

I just found these three pictures.  I don't think I ever blogged them and I love them!  This was from our summer camp out in 2015. 

 Wish I knew what Tucker and I were talking about.  I love this son of mine.

Christmas is officially put away

It is exciting to get all the Christmas decorations out and as I pull them out of their packing boxes to see what as been packed away for a year.  It is like meeting an old friend.  Then when the New Year sets in, it is equally exciting for me to get all the extra decorations packed neatly away for another year.  I like my home clean and uncluttered.  Even though I love the decorations, I some times feel like there is clutter everywhere I look.  This year we took down the decoration on Monday after New Year's Day.  But because we had three areas on our pre-lit tree we decided to tackle the job of finding out what the problem was.  It took us until today to finally get all the limbs on the tree lit by replacing almost each and every bulb.  What a project.  There are still 5 limbs toward the bottom of the tree that we just couldn't seem to figure out what was wrong.  But, I couldn't stand the mess in the front room any longer, so we gave up and put the tree away.  We will have to tackle the problem next year when we bring out the tree again.  We counted the replaced lights and the total was 381!  Here is a picture of all the old black worn out bulbs.  You have to remember that this tree is 14 years old and we've never replaced any lights.  It was time. 

Notice my table was completely covered with the tree decorations that go in with the tree so they had to sit out on my table for as long as we had the tree up.  The bottom part of the tree has the limbs that we just can't seem to get fixed.  Maybe next year!  We might need some help from Modern Display. 

 Ahhhh!  I feel so much better with my front room back to normal.  Clean and incredibly uncluttered!  Just makes me feel good all over :-)  Nice to have my piano bench officially covered with the needlepoint that Lila Mae did for me.