Doing the CAN CAN!

Last Night the Keechler came over for FHE.  We talked a bit about the importance of emergency preparedness and food storage, then everybody helped make canned 72 hour kits.

The cousins all helped each other get their cans packed just right.

Cutie-Pie Morgan is ready to seal up her can.

So many helpers and only one canner!

When the 72 hour kits were done, we dry packed 65 cans of rice, sugar, popcorn, kamut, and spelt.  Nathan and Alex were big helpers!  It definitely was a group effort, and so satisfying to be  done.

So what else do you do with a bunch of empty grain bags?  A sack race!

And they're off!
Dylan made a great showing, despite his recent injuries.

Luke finally got the hang of it about 5 minutes after the race began, and ended.  He figured out how to work the tongue for added speed.

We teach our children to "waste not, want not," so for dessert Luke and Caleb just licked the extra sugar that had spilled on the table during canning.  EW!

Thanks Keechlers!  We had a fun and productive time doing the can can with you!

A Tribute

Here is a copy of the words Dennis spoke at his Dad's funeral:

This is not a time of sadness, but a time of thanksgiving that we have had the benefit and blessing of having Fred, my Dad, in our lives. The association and time we have had with him, the things we have learned from him, the love we have felt for him, and the knowledge that he has gone to a better place will make this transition in the Plan of Salvation bearable.  

We have received so many blessings, so many teachings from our Dad and Grandpa.  How grateful we are to our Heavenly Father for the experience to have been part of his life. Dad was a natural born coach, and he always took every opportunity he could to coach all of our sports teams when we were kids.  It was his way of spending time with us and sharing his knowledge with us.  He taught us to play fair, be good sports, and never let our team down.

In Doctrine and  Covenants 93:40 it says "But I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth."  This is what he has done.

We realize that God lives, and as our father, God loves us just as Fred loved us.  Our father has now passed on, and we realize that as a special spirit, he had no need to remain longer in this life.  We realize that our father is needed in another place.  It was a blessing to have his as our friend, father, grandfather, and husband.  We have not lost him: we will be able to see him again.  We should remember fondly the time we have spent with him and cherish all those wonderful memories and experiences we have shared with him.  He taught us what it meant to be pure and clean before God, and he was an example for all of us.  We need to place our lives in proper perspective in order to be worthy to see him again.  Because of him, we need to think more about life beyond the veil, keeping ourselves worthy, so our family can be united eternally.  This is what he would want us to do.

Small things make a happy home.  I always saw my father express his love for his wife, our Mom.  I never remember them getting into any argument or belittling each other in front of us kids.  I know my Father loved my Mother.  This is the type of husband and father, that I want to be.  May we all be like Fred and show our love and devotion to our wives.  This is my prayer.

As many of you know, Fred married my mom when I was very small.  I couldn't wait until I was 18 and could be officially adopted by him, take his last name as my own, and be sealed to him.  But he always loved me and never treated me  any different than his other children.  He spanked me just as hard as he did everyone else, and for that I will always be grateful.  I learned how to be a devoted father from him.  I love you Dad.

Saying Farewell

Last Monday, friends and family gathered to bid farewell to Dennis' dad, Fred VanBuskirk, who passed away on Dec. 4.

It was such a beautiful funeral, and grandpa was honored in such a nice way.  All the sons and sons-in-law, wore Fred's favorite ties with his favorite sports teams and his very favorite - red, white, and blue American theme.  My whole family tried to dress Americana, in honor of Grandpa, who loved this country so much.

It was so good to see so many friends and family who loved him and came to show their respects and love for our family.  We really enjoyed visiting with everyone.  It is such a shame that it takes a funeral to get so many people we love together in one place.

Dennis' Mom, Teresa looked absolutely beautiful, even in her mourning.  It helped to be surrounded by people who love her.  Here she is with some of the 26 grandchildren around the coffin.

Dennis had to speak at the funeral, then he also dedicated the grave site.  He did a beautiful job, and invited the spirit so beautifully.  I was really proud of him.  His dad was proud of him too, I'm sure.

Shirley, Mike, and Bishop Caress also spoke and all did a really great job.  They even had a few of the grandchildren come up and share a special memory about grandpa.  Alex had worked and prepared what he was going to say about how Grandpa always hid dollar coins in Easter eggs for the grandkids to find, but when the moment came, he was crying too much, and couldn't bring himself to get up there.  I know Grandpa understands.  Dylan, bless his heart, with Dennis' help, managed to get off his wheelchair, and up to the pulpit, where he said his favorite memory about how Grandpa used to dress up like Santa Claus for the grandkids.  It was a sweet moment for everyone.  The spirit was so strong at the funeral.

All of his 8 children, except Dawn, who is in Ohio, were there.  Chip, Shirley, Chris, Jeni, Dennis, Tami, and Gene.

I loved my father-in-law, and I know he loved me and was always proud of me and Dennis and our children.  His wife and family were everything to him.  

Dad had very bad feet for a very long time, and it was extremely painful if anyone stepped on his feet.  So before we came over, Dad would make his way to the kitchen table, where his feet could be tucked safely under the table before we arrived with our 16 busy feet.  That's how I will always remember him, sitting at the kitchen table where the veggie tray usually was.  It always seemed to me like grandpa was guarding the veggie tray.  I liked to join him at the kitchen table for good conversation, and a shot at the veggie tray.  I'll miss him.  Who is going to guard the veggie tray now?

We love you Dad and Grandpa.  We miss you.

Alex' Birthday: an Series of Unfortunate Events

Poor Alex.

Today was his birthday.  He turned 13.  He is now a teenager.  Officially.  (OK, Obviously I am way too young to be the mother of a teenager!  Don't you agree?  It is some weird time warp thing.  Can't explain it.)

So becoming a teenager is kind of a big deal right?  (I remember my dad used to torture us.  When we turned 13, 14, 15, etc. he would always say, "So, you're finally a pre-teen!"  Drove us crazy.  Apparently he had a problem dealing with the fact that his little girls weren't so little anymore too. He still does, I think.)

Today was a big day -  but not for Alex.

Dennis' dad died this morning.  

Grandpa V. had been slowly dying for a long time, but he took his last breath this morning.  He was only 65.

We are all grieving.

Birthdays and death days should never be the same day.

Never mind that of all the birthdays, Alex is the most often neglected because it falls during the holiday season, so even in a good year, mom is a bit too busy to usually give him the kind of party I can give his brothers at other times of the year.

Never mind that our family life is kind up turned up on its end with Dylan sick.  

Then, Grandpa dies on top of all that.

Dennis was with his family until late.  I was away at Loma Linda for doctors' appointments much of the day, then at home I was rushing around trying to put out fires and get everybody to do what needed to be done.

Alex was neglected.

He even had to make his own birthday cake.

I tried, though.  I really did.  His only request was homemade pizza, and I made him his pizza, but it didn't get on the table until very late, almost 9, like an afterthought, and nobody was in much of a celebratory mood.

He opened his few presents.  (I haven't had much of an opportunity to go out shopping, as of late.)

He did get some very cool night vision goggles.  Wonder what he will do with those?  

And he also won the birthday drawing on the radio, which was very cool, but nobody heard his name on the radio or had a chance to go pick up his prize - a free birthday cake.

Good old Al, he never complained.  He was sad about grandpa too.  He said he understood.  But I was sad for him.  I believe birthdays should be a really big deal, especially monumental ones, like becoming a teenager.  I tried to make it as special as I was able, but it just wasn't in the cards for him today.

Today I had to be several people at once: On top of the bus driver, house cleaner, disciplinarian, etc. that I have to do everyday, I also had to be the doting nurse to a sick kid, the supportive wife to a grieving husband, and try to be the happy party planner  for the birthday boy.  I didn't handle it all very well.  Alex got the short straw today.

I'm so sorry, Dennis and family!  I love you all, and I pray for Mom and all of you!

Happy Birthday, Big Al!  

I'm throwing you a big party in my heart, OK?

Kimmie's Baptism

Last Sunday we drove to LA to attend the baptism of Dennis' cousin Kym. She is such a wonderful gal, and brings so much love and fun to the family. We were all so excited when she decided to get baptized. I have never been to a baptism like hers. The spirit was really strong and love was in abundance! There were about 120 people in attendance and it pretty much filled the chapel. I think there were fewer people in sacrament meeting earlier that day. A big chunk of the crowd was Dennis' family who had come from all over to be there for Kym's special day, and to show her their support and love. She must feel pretty special about that. It was practically a family reunion. We got to visit loved ones we haven't seen for years! Happily, the members there were kind enough to feed all of us, and we had time to visit and catch up. Kimmie, freshly baptized, with Grandpa and Grandma Webster.

Caleb and cousin Morgan forget its the sabbath for a few moments on the church lawn.
Grandma Webster squeezes Dylan and Nate! Did you notice Mikey poking his head into the shot? Dennis and his uncle, and good buddy, Jeffery!

Luke and flowers.

Congratulations Kimmie! We're so glad we came and we'll be there for your temple wedding, baby blessings, kids' baptisms, missionary farewells, etc. We are so happy for you and your decision!