Mom's Funeral

Mom's Funeral was just as she would have wanted it- Simple, lots of family and lots of music.

Thanks to Shiela for taking the pictures.

Mom's Program and Mindy's Talk

I have told my Mother a hundred times that I wouldn't speak at her funeral. I love you very much I said, but I just can't do it. I know my Dad was there for at least a couple dozen of those discussions.

When we were discussing the funeral the first thing out of his mouth was that he thought all the children should speak. I quickly reminded him of my stance on the issue. My other siblings assured me that I could say no. I texted Christopher telling him of the request. He also said that I could say no. Then I imagined the printed program that had all my siblings name on it and then in the lower left hand corner a P.S. There are really eight children, but Mindy didn't want to speak or sing or play the organ.

So here I am willingly and gladly speaking (kicking and screaming the whole way.) But as Mom would always say, You have two options. You can do this happily with a smile or grumpily with a frown. Today I would add a third option, Heart Broken and sobbing.

As we centered around hymns for the theme of today service. I had no hesitation in what I would speak on. Lord I will Follow Thee. Hymn 220. As I was repeating the first verse in my head.

Savior may I learn to love thee, Walk the path that though hast shown, pause to help and lift another Finding strength beyond my own. Savior, may I learn to love thee, Lord I will follow thee.

The phrase Pause to help and lift another began resonating with my heart. It didnt' take me long to remember a few experiences that illustrate how my Mother would Pause and help lift another...

I don't know how many times during a family prayer I would learn news like marriage engagement, pregnancy, illness, tragedy. She would often pray for friends and family by name for specific needs. Quietly she served through her supplications to the Lord.

Not long ago, I was having one of those days and called my Mom for the upteenth time that day. I asked if She and Dad were tired of talking to me yet. She assured me that she enjoyed talking to me and then my Dad chimed in that they had just had a discussion about how much they loved and looked forward to talking to each of their children. I took comfort in this as I was bordering on stalking at this point. She often would pause what she was doing when I called and give an encouraging word.

Last Christmas, my parents became aware of a family near NorthPort whose house had burned to the ground. They had 10 children including a 2 week old baby the father had recently lost his job and their home owners insurance had lapsed. After some thought, my Mom called with an idea. She wondered if I thought that instead of giving each of her kids and grandkids money for Christmas it would be okay to give that money to this family in need. What greater gift to her posterity than an example of service.

As I was searching for some things on my Mom's computer I came across many things. After reading the minutes from a cub committee meeting in 2006, I found the folder that contained my Mom's talks. She gave 3 talks this year alone. I would like to close with some of her own thoughts:

“Giving Service is not only a requirement; it is the ultimate expression of the Light of Christ in our lives”

“Christ is our example of how to show love to our neighbors. And what was his example? It was showing love through service. 1 John 3:18 “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue but in deed and in truth”
I would like to close with this: I have cross stitched one of my favorite quotes from Joseph Smith: Happiness is the object and design of our exitences; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness and keeping all the commandments of God.

She closed one of her last talks with these words: Rejoice the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore. Mortals, give thanks and sing and triumph evermore. Life up your heart! Lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

I rejoice in the life of Marjorie Call Barnes my Mother, the Grandmother to my children and my best friend. And I rejoice in the Plan of Salvation which makes it possible for us to be together again.

Tender Mercy

On Friday, 30 of Oct, around 1:40pm, I got a call from my brother Jeff saying that they were taking my Mom by ambulance to the hospital.  He said it was serious, but didn't know how serious.
Usually Christopher is at work, but had taken the day off because we were getting the last of our furniture delivered.
Not long after the first call, my brother called back to say that they had had to stop the ambulance to perform CPR on my Mom.  At this point I knew that she was probably gone. 

I am so grateful that Christopher was there with me.  I immediately began to go into shock.  He took good care of me.  Again my brother called to say that she wasn't at the hospital yet, but she was on her way.

I looked at flight online and saw that there was a flight in 45 minutes.  If I hurried to the airport, I could get on a flight to Spokane, I would be there in an hour.  Christopher packed for me and we jumped in the car.

I made it to the Hospital as Mom was being transferred from the Emergency room to the ICU.  She was alive, but only because the marvels of modern medicine.  As I entered her room, it was very apparent that she was all ready gone.  I was able to be there as the decision was made to take her off of life support.

I know Heavenly Father blessed me to have Christopher home.  Not only was he here to comfort me, he was able to drop me off at the airport so I could make it to Washington. This was not a coincidence this was a TENDER MERCY from a loving Heavenly Father.

Marjorie Call Barnes- Obituary

Marjorie Call Barnes

Obituary

Marjorie Call Barnes (74) of Deer Lake passed away unexpectedly on 30 October 2009. She was born April 28, 1935 in Colonia Dublan, Chihuahua, Mexico, the eldest of six children born to Ara Om and Annie Romney Call. She attended high school in Appleton, Wisconsin and received a Bachelor of Science with honors degree in Bacteriology and Chemistry from Brigham Young University. She was an ASCP registered Medical Technician.

She married her eternal sweetheart Rey L. Barnes over fifty-four years ago on June 22, 1955 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. She was the beloved mother of four sons and four daughters, Melanie Bayles (Mike) Stillwater, OK; Stephanie Jenson (David) Redlands, CA; Tamra Winston (Kenneth) Spokane, WA; Bradley (Paula) Stillwater, OK; Bret (Maria) Wenatchee, WA; Jeffrey, Spokane, WA; Scott (Liza) Springville, UT; Melinda Lee (Christopher) Boise, ID; and 32 grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and five siblings: Ara Call, Donald Call, Duane Call, Julie Grow, Kate Call.

She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in numerous teaching and leadership callings. She served a Church Service Mission with her husband at the Regional LDS Employment Center in Spokane.

An avid photographer and collector of historical and genealogical photographs, she maintained a digital archive of over 50,000 pictures and contributed historical materials to several award-winning books. She enjoyed watching birds and wildlife. She traveled widely in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, Japan, and the eastern Indian Ocean. She took special joy in her African photo safari and a cruise to Alaska.

Marjorie was active in Republican politics and a long time voting judge. She volunteered in the public schools and in many charitable and service activities. She loved the water and was always delighted to share boats and the lake with her family. She never went anywhere without her camera and her cross-stitch projects.

There will be a viewing at Lauer's Funeral Home, 204 North Main in Deer Park, from 7 to 8:30pm on Wednesday, November 4th and prior to the funeral services at Riverside LDS Chapel on Highway 2 in Chattaroy on Thursday, November 5th from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. Funeral service at 1:00 pm. All who wish to attend are welcome.
Interment will be in the Woodland Cemetery, Deer Park. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to
the LDS Perpetual Education Fund – http://ldsphilanthropies.org

Student of the Month

Ethan was Student of the Month for September. He has had a great start to the year and is working really hard. I was pulling the kids out of school early to get a flu shot and he almost missed getting the certificate at the school assembly. I had no idea he was receiving such an honor, but luckily his teacher kept him in the assembly until the last possible moment. Way to go Ethan!

Preston places 6th

Preston decided this year to try tennis instead of football. He began playing tennis mid summer. He, Spencer and Ethan enjoyed playing and even got me out there a few times to hit some balls with them. He and his partner placed 6th in doubles at the 8th grade City Tournament. He had a great time playing. Way to go Preston.

Here little Piggy, Piggy

Spencer got the flu, the doctor was pretty sure it was the swine flu, but they were getting so many positives for the swine flu that they stopped testing for it. He was quarantined in the guest bedroom for a week. Christopher wore a mask to drop off his food and Spencer wore a mask most of the time too. He literally didn't come out of the bedroom for a week. He did have a TV, a laptop and some pretty good books. He still got bored and was very glad when he felt better. As far as symptoms, it was no worse for him than the flu he got in February. No one else in the family caught it from him. We were all glad when he rejoined the family.

Public Enemy #1: The GOATHEAD

If you have never encountered a goathead consider yourself lucky. Earlier this summer while vacationing, poor Adam stepped on a goathead and the thorn came off in his little foot. For days he would only walk around on his tiptoe screaming everytime we threatened to get close to the thorn.  A couple weeks later we were finally able to pull the nasty thing out. 
In the last week the goathead has taken a toll on our bikes. Casualties are as follows:
Spencer- Front tire and back tire (at different times)
Preston- Back tire
Ethan- Front tire
Mindy- Front tire
Bicycle Trailer- left tire
Spencer has had more expensive non flat tubes in his tires which seemed to protect him against the first 11 goatheads we pulled out, but it is always that 12th that puts ya over the edge. We have tried different tubes and of course slime. We are currently trying a tire liner in Spencer's front tire.   In the meantime I have put the bike rack on the back of the Suburban so that Adam and I can "come to the rescue" a little easier and much quicker.  I had been putting it on and off for each trip, but decided until we can get our goathead problem under control. I will just leave the bike rack on.

First Day of School

Spencer's First Day of 10th Grade and High School

Preston's First Day of 8th Grade

Ethan's (5th) and Jordan's(3rd) First Day

Adam's First Day alone with Sydney and Me.

Mini Vacation- Lagoon

We had a great trip to Lagoon.  We camped at the Lagoon campground so we were able to be there as soon as it opened until the very end of the day.

Sydney was a good sport the whole time

We no longer fit in 1 car on the Ferris Wheel

Spencer, Preston and Ethan rode this ride many many times. Christopher rode it this time with them.

  We rode the gondoloa across the Park while Sydney and Christopher ran ahead taking pictures of Jordan, Adam and me.

All the kids decided to come and hang out with Adam for a while.  They were all able to go on the Dragon Roller Coaster Ride.

Jordan was finally tall enough to ride the "upside" down ride.  She went on it several times with both Mom and Dad.  At first she didn't think she really liked it, but kept going on it anyway.

At Lagoon they have plenty of rides for all ages.  Adam had a fun time riding whatever he could.

Ethan was big enough to go on all the "big" rides and small enough to go on all the "little" rides.

This is the lady bug drop, it was pretty fun.  I went on it with Jordan and then Preston went on it with her too.

The Rocket is one of the CRAZY rides at Lagoon.  It shoots you high very fast.  All the boys loved it.

Mini Vacation- Cherry Hill

We had a great afternoon at Cherry Hill.  The Lazy River was very popular as well as a few waterslides.

Christopher, Adam and Jordan

Spencer

Preston and Ethan

Christopher and Adam

Mini Vacation- Box Elder Fair

The Box Elder County Fair is one of the few free admission fairs left.  We took advantage of the price and went to look at all the animals. There were some really smelly pigs, some really big cows, cool looking poultry, and fluffy bunnies. The kids had a lot of fun.

Mini Vacation- Crystal Hot Springs

Before school started, we decided our family needed a little break. We took a few days and drove to Northern Utah. On the way we had a little layover in Twin Falls because the compressor on the air conditioner decided to go out.  Our first stop was Crystal Hot Springs outside Brigham City.  The kids loved playing in the warm water and relaxing.  However, I wouldn't recommend camping there because there is a train crossing a few hundred yards from campground and trains are required to blow their horns- even at 3:00am.

Crystal Hot Springs had a small waterslide that the boys enjoyed playing on.

In the morning after breakfast, we were joined by some overly friendly ducks looking for a handout.

The Slip and Slide

Along the side of our house we have a hill that makes the perfect Slip and Slide hill. Although the grass was probably not ready for such hard play, we couldn't resist the temptation. Next year we will use it more I am sure.

Spencer

Jordan and Adam

Preston

Ethan

A visit from Grandma Lee

Grandma Lee came and visited. The kids had a fun time at the park with her. Unfortunately, Spencer couldn't make it (band camp)to the park with us. I promise Preston was at the park though. He and I were playing tennis most of the time and I have a hard time swinging the racket and taking pictures at the same time

Preston's 13th Birthday

Preston turned 13, July 21. His birthday for the last couple of years has fallen during scout camp. We have an early birthday party for him and then send him on his way. Preston had a busy summer with activities and was also taking Geometry (got a 99% and didn't do the last few assignments). He is a very smart and I will often look to him to answer my question. I know that seems backward, but welcome to my life. Happy Birthday Preston.

Planting a Garden

The kids were so excited this year to plant a garden. We were late in getting started- no yard. We weren't even sure that anything would grow in the spot we had picked out for the garden. We made a trip to the Home Depot and bought some plants that were all ready pretty mature. I am happy to report that not only did we not kill the plants, yesterday, we harvested tomatoes and ate them for dinner. We have been harvesting herbs all along, but they are in the planter and I had more confidence that they would grow.

Our ready made gardenEthan, Jordan and Adam were in charge of the planter box and herbs. Spencer and Preston digging holes for the tomatoes