Editors note: I'm sad at not yet finding important photos. 1989 was still the instamatic camera days or slides as we most often took. You never knew if your photos were going to turn out or not. You just took pictures until the roll was used up, sent it off in the mail and hoped for the best. As a result, there are so many photos that never turned out. (Also just remembering to bring a camera with you on outings was an issue. Like the sleigh ride with Coulters.)
Jan
Chris gave me a 3 day skiing lesson for Christmas. I went out to my first lesson and it just happened to be National Ski Racing Day. They decided to involve the ski school students by having us race around flag poles while they clocked us. I came in 3rd place and even got a pin! It was so exciting!
I'm helping on the beginner hill of Dollar Mt to teach kids to ski with the school phys/ed program. We divide the kids in groups and the instructor tells us what to teach them and we take our group and go.
We read scriptures each morning with Jen and Shar and have family prayer and I know a special spirit is in our home and with us always when we do these things. I really love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and all those valiant people who sacrificed so much to bring us truth and preserve it for us. I am happy to be here on Earth to show Heavenly Father that I can and will follow him always. I'm so happy to live in this last dispensation and I desire to make a difference here so they will be happy they saved me till now. I know, really know, the gospel is true. I am so thankful to know what I know and feel the spirit. I am grateful for this gospel of truth which offers us more than just a religion of Ethics but one founded on Eternal doctrines and principles, one which bears the fruits of the true gospel, that of priesthood, keys, sealing power and promise of everlasting life. We are led by living prophets who have seen God and know truth.
When we read stories based on a hero, what do heros have in common? They slay dragons and wade through fire swamps and go through all manner of trials and tribulations enduring valiantly to the end where they are crowned as heros. If we want to be a spiritual hero we must slay our dragons and endure valiantly those trials and tribulations as those who lived before us. We must leave the things of the world and go into our "wilderness" so that we may be crowned heros in a promised land.
Feb
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| Jen's 11th birthday |
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| Fun in the snow! This is at the edge of our driveway! |
Aaron asked me when Easter was going to come. I was kind-of amazed that he remembered Easter because he was only two years old last Easter. I replied that it would be awhile yet before Easter and asked him why he liked Easter. He said "because we get a chocolate Easter Bunny and stuff." I asked him how he could remember Easter so well. He said "Because that's when my very good friend died." "What?!" I asked with surprise. He repeated "Because that's when my good friend died." I tried to find out more but he lost the thought and was onto another subject. The veil must yet be think with Aaron.
Another example of the thin veil was when I asked Aaron, "Did you know that I was a little girl once?" "Yes" he said "I saw you." "You did!? When did you see me?" I asked. He answered "When you were born. And I saw daddy when he was born and I touched you." I thought of how he had accompanied Emily at her birth and it made me wonder in awe at the thought that he may have also accompanied Chris & myself! And he remembers it! Oh what amazing things come from the mouths of babes.
March
Sharilyn's 9th Birthday. (Still looking for photos) We got together with Chandlers for Sharilyn's birthday and President Chandler took us all snowmobiling.
Coulters came to visit via Amtrak - We picked them up in Shoshone at 4:20am. We have all been excited to see them.
We went on a horse drawn sleigh ride and up the quad lift on Bald Mt to see the beautiful view. Debbie & Putney even joined us in the envelope stuffing branch budget project.
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| Pretty view from our home |
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| Debbie Coulter Salmon River in Stanley Basin ID |
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| Sharilyn got a SV patch for skiing in the Kinder Cup! |
April
Emily's 5th birthday (still looking for the photos)
Emily: "I know where wood comes from!" "Where does it come from Emily?" "From trees!" "Yes, very good!" Do you know where paper comes from?" "um...hmmm...computers!!" ha ha
Aaron said (referencing the Cabbage doll she gave him) "Grandma Lady & the Tramp is so nice and wonderful and thankyou'd" ha ha. It's so cute. He calls her that because they have the two dogs named Lady and Tramp.
May
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| Heidi Weaver, Jennifer, Aaron, Brenda Weaver, Debbie, Emily, Sharilyn at SNRA near Sun Valley |
We got Emily registered for Kindergarten and she is excited to go but did express concern that the teacher won't let her play on the playground as much as she wants! ha ha
June
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| Aaron and his bink |
I got called to be Primary President.
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| Upper Cherry Creek in Moore ID |
June
Klinglers and Troniers visit
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| River Run in Ketchum |
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Four Generations |
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| Bestifa & Bestima enjoying a sunny day on the deck |
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We were at a Girl Scout awards ceremony at the Sun Valley pond. I was enjoying just relaxing doing nothing for that moment and enjoying all the surroundings. Aaron was thinking of other things. It was quiet and peaceful. Birds were flying around and singing to us. Swans gracefully glided through the pond, admiring their beautiful reflections. Lush green and colorful fragrant flowers were all around us. Aaron put his arm around my neck and pulled my ear down close to his mouth and asked "Mom, is this where Heavenly Father lives?" I was touched that a three year old would sit so patiently pondering of such spiritual things as we waited outside. I pondered the beauty & peace that must be in our Heavenly home.
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| Jen & I played flute / viola at the SV Flower Festival tea in Clara Spiegel's English garden. |
There's something so lovely about playing outside in the trees. I've always wanted to go out into the woods and play Debussy's "Syrinx" on my flute. Hearing that beautiful haunting piece echo through the trees would be so thrilling!
Our secret waterfall at Trail Creek Summit
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Aaron is my little buddy. He loves to be by me. Wherever I am he wants to be. He was in his room playing with his toys and asked "Mom will you stay here with me?" "For a little while" I said - thinking he was wanting me to stay in his room while he played. He asked me "Will you stay here forever?" I replied "Well not for EVER. Just until I'm finished cleaning." I then realized he was thinking on a deeper level as he asked "Well, will you stay here till the Kingdom comes?" Wow! I do hope I will stay here with him until the Kingdom comes. Is he thinking of the New Jerusalem? Millennium? Such awe I feel around Aaron. Oh how I wish I could know all his thoughts. The veil is still thin with Aaron.
We jumped on a "kids fly free" opportunity and took the kids to Florida! (See next page) Jennifer had girls camp the weekend before and right after she got home we took off for Rexburg. All of us and Mom, Dad & Steve, flew out of Idaho Falls. It was really fun because the kids knew we were going on a trip but we didn't tell them we were flying or where to so it was a fun surprise.
Aug - Almost everyday Aaron has been begging to go back to the place with Mr. Toads wild ride and to go on an airplane and to ride "That thing that says 'The doors are ready to close' and grandpa puts his foot in it and it makes a funny sound" (Atlanta airport monorail) ha ha ha!
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| Emily at a Sawtooth Picnic with Sasha. |
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We traded kids with Paula. She kept Jennifer and we took Dustin. The week he was with us we had a jar of minnows, a bucket with a snake in it, a jar with a caterpillar and grasshoppers. He and Sharilyn went fishing down at the river a couple times and Chris took him fishing after the company picnic. We traded back in Rexburg at the reception.
Also in Rexburg we met up with Herbert Pail (from Austria - that Chris baptized) and his friend Gunther Steiner. Gunther speaks no English. We took them (a bunch of us went) to Yellowstone and the Playmill Theater. They went with us back to Sun Valley and we visited Craters of the Moon on the way and played tour guide in SV.
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| Outings with Herbert & Gunther |
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| Gunther Steiner, Chris, Herbert Pail |
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| Emily Kindergarten |
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When Aaron says his prayers he blesses "Heavenly Father and Jesus and everyone on the whole earth and everyone up in Heaven." One time he said "Bless that Heavenly Father can come here next year."
Emily said "I wish I was a boy." Aaron responded "I wish I was a hamburger!" Ha ha! Aaron loves seeing McDonalds. Every time we drive by the golden arches he gets so excited! One time we were in another town and drove by McDonalds and he exclaimed "There's our house!!" ha ha! He called it "our house" seeral times after that. Another time we were flying on an airplane and Aaron was at a window seat. Suddenly his voice exclaimed with excitement "McDonalds!!! - Look McDonalds!!!" People around us were all chuckling at his enthusiasm.
We did a musical number of "A Child's Prayer". Lois Chandler on piano, Chris, Whitney and Sharilyn singing, Jennifer on viola and me on flute.
Oct
I feel so grateful to the Lord. It feels the heavenly windows are wide open and showering blessings and joy upon us so generously even though we feel so overwhelmingly busy. So many around us have trials we are spared of. Our trials are in different forms. It seems like the more we give to others, meaning our time, help, support, listening ear, needs, spiritual strength etc the less we seem to suffer. Our trial seems to be sacrifice of our own pleasures and time to helping and serving others and then we are blessed by the Lord and it doesn't feel like it was a trial once it is over. Seems difficult at times to be so busy doing things for others that our own needs pile up and free time is a foreign land waiting to be discovered.
Free time in this household is a foreign land waiting to be discovered. This week I finally got the laundry caught up and house cleaned and a foreign land was discovered by way of a book read during some scheduled free time! I can hardly put this book down that Sis. Naser loaned me. (The Storm Testament)
My dreams: 1. To have my song, "A Light in the Darkness" sung by the tabernacle choir. 2. To teach our children so they have a clear understanding and love for the scriptures before they are married. 3. To live healthily and go on missions with Chris someday. 4. To have a part in building up the New Jerusalem.
Chris and I hired a friend to stay with our kids and spent a wonderful few days in San Francisco. Margo (from Sawtooth) moved there a month ago. She was gone to Italy on vacation and invited us to come and stay in her apt. on which is on the top floor (5th) of a charming pink building at the top of Nob Hill. It has typical San Fran charm with ornate root top, beautiful grillwork on the door and doorknockers etc. Her living room over looks the city and Golden Gate bridge and when it's all lit up at night it is so beautiful & romantic. We went up on the roof top where you can sit and enjoy the city from a quiet peaceful distance. We could hear the clanging of the cable car bells and the brakes working hard to bring it to a stop and then keep it from rolling too fast down the steep hill.
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We were having chicken for dinner and I had fried it extra crispy. Emily stared at it and then exclaimed to everyone "Look at the bark on this chicken!!"
Aaron was noticing all the leafless trees. "Look at all those naked trees! They need to get dressed!" One time he was crying then suddenly completely stopped and said "My eyes were dripping!" We were at the table for dinner and I asked Aaron if he'd like some peas. He said "Yes! Put them right here in this parking place!"
Nov
The Iron Curtain in Berlin came down this month. This will certainly open many doors for missionary work and the need for missionaries. It's latter day prophecy fulfilled. What will the 90's hold for us all?
Grandma Pickett passed away. (Grandma Clarkes Mom) She was such a cute lady. Very talented in poetry and painting, a cute smile and friendly wave.
Aaron was full of questions, concerns and worry over Grandma Pickett's death. "Mom, if I die, I want somebody to go with me because I'm too shy to die by myself."
Thanksgiving at Klinglers
Dec
Jen and I play flute/viola often it seems. Sunday we played at the stake youth fireside and next week in sacrament meeting. I'm also playing in the Messiah again this year.
The kids are all so excited for Christmas and enjoying the spirit of the season - especially Aaron. He thrills and laughs a loud burst of excitement at everything. It's so fun!
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| Dave Santa Klingler, Jennifer, Steven Klingler, Rock Steel, (front) Camber, Sherry Steel, Emily, Aaron, Dustin Steel, Sharilyn |
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| Debbie & Brenda Weaver ready for the Hospital Christmas Party |
Christmas Day
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