June 28, 2008 by Marlene.

So you know already about how our family life has been kinda depressing lately. For me, it’s weird because my initial reaction is to separate myself from what’s happening so that I don’t have emotional ties with it. Only when I see the other people suffering do I start to take down my emotional wall. Plus, who can keep a happy face when all your little cousins are sobbing? God must seriously need our family members because if there’s not a good reason for all this then I am going to be very very angry. For right now I’m just going with the flow and trusting that there’s more to it than I know.
Other than all the people dying and wondering who is going to be next, I’m good. I’m back in good ol Humid Connecticut. My hair still hasn’t quite adjusted so it’s still a bit poofy. In fact, I don’t know if it ever will adjust, but hey at least my hair curls much more easily. I think the most exciting thing about coming to Connecticut was that it was GREEN!!! Oh how I missed the vegetation and the trees and the shade that comes from the trees. It was so sad to see all the perfectly manicured lawns that were kept alive by sprinklers and all the trees that were put in with a purpose. Now I’m back with my wild forests and trees growing like weeds.

Ok- sidenote. In utah my ward was having this big bonfire shoopdelah and I look at the firewood that’s available and it’s all store bought. Like split logs, wrapped in plastic, plus some extra stuff from construction or whatever. I find it hilarious that they have to buy wood when we build firepits to simply get rid of all the wood that we have!
I’m so excited to be able to use the firepit again. I loooove campfires and the smell(I still think they should have a candle or cologne that smells like a campfire. I wouldn’t be able to resist getting all of it) so it’s great to sit and either cook over the fire with the dutch oven(the young women came over for an activity) or just sit and watch the flames dance.
I started working again at Dairy Queen. I’m so glad to be able to fall right back into a job when I got back and start making money…except I don’t get paid until the next term thingy…urg. I like to think that I work hard. Actually today I worked from 6-11 ish with no break. I had a chance but I declined because break would be pointless since I didn’t really have anything to do and there was ice cream to make. The only problem is that I find myself covered in all sorts of sugary goodness. I’m glad that I have designated work clothes because they are getting quite trashed, unless chocolate and cotton candy flavored goop and caramel comes out. I like it. I’m starting to get to know my coworkers a little more, between mad rushes that is. It’s fun to see the new employees and remembering what I was like at that time. I worked pretty closely with one and I liked helping them out and directing them especially when they look intimidated or unsure of something.

OK. It’s really hot and sticky here. That is all I have to say.

~Marlene

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June 26, 2008 by Melanee.

I was jolted out of bed at 5:45 this morning from the phone ringing. My sister, Litzy, was very emotional trying to describe that her youngest, 2 year old Joshua, has just been LIfe-Starred to Children’s Medical Center. His heart had stopped. He was revived and helicoptered for further treatment. I was in the emergancy room by 7 am to assist with Litzy’s three other chldren and help in any other way. My parents and Litzy’s good friends were there already.
All medical treatment known to man was used unsuccessfully. Joshua is now in good hands with my husband, Kev and the Lord.
I told the kids that Uncle Kevin is taking him camping this weekend. You should have seen the children starting to smile. One asked if they camp in heaven. Kev had a cousin campout once a year with all our nieces and nephews. This was a tradition Kev started on his own.
I am seeking understanding for a very difficult experience for all concerned. My soul felt the Lord needed him and I was at peace.
The children understand what has happened. Five year old Adam wanted to give the blessing on the food for dinner because he said he “gives the best prayers ever” — “Bless the food, bless that we will be good and careful, and Joshua is with Jesus now, When Mommy, Daddy, Emma, Ben, and Adam die we will be all come down and be together again.” (I am not giving the prayer justice, more was said that I cannot recall, you would have had to be there—It was very sweet, full of understanding and very profound)
My prayers are for my sister’s family that they will be comforted in their loss.

(My apologies for having to read such trying situations this past year. My joys have come with many sorrows. This has been my life for a little over a year. I am now understanding why my husband had to pave the way for everyone)

June 27, 2008
The autopsy’s results found that Joshua had Addison’s Disease. Litzy was in the process of getting him to an endocronologist. She is one great mother and my prayers of comfort are with her and her family right now.

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June 22, 2008 by Melanee.

My mother-in-law’s funeral Monday night was fitting for who she was. The chapel was filled with friends and family. The foyer had two display tables of family pictures, albums, and recipe books. (She was an excellent cook.)
The viewing was unique in that we displayed all the quilts she made each grandchild around the room. Each received a quilt of the wedding ring pattern when they got married. Each grandchild that went to college got a quilt for their bed. Each grandchild received a crocheted blanket or flannel blanket with a crocheted edge when they were born. (The flannel blanket with a crocheted edge is Anya’s “banky”) Other projects were displayed for her daughters, friends and grandchildren as they grew. The room was just beautiful with all her handwork displayed around her.
Lindsey spoke at the funeral on behalf of the grandchildren, then all the grandchildren sang “Families Can Be Together Forever” My mother-in-law’s dear friend, Norma, spoke about their friendship being instrumental for her conversion to the church. Tami, (my sister-in-law) who spoke at Kev’s funeral, told humorous and touching stories of her Mom. Tami’s husband, Duane, spoke eloquently on a spiritual level that comforted us. Then the Bishop had some closing remarks.
A special number was performed by four granddaughters, Hannah, Jordon, Mallory, and Marlene. They sung, “The Lord is my Shepard” There voices were like angels. My mother-in-law was probably so surprised (or not surprised) that her granddaughters could blend their voices as they did. They sang their last verse a capella and what a gorgeous sound they made.

I came away from the service very comforted and uplifted. I know my mother-in-law was pleased and probably surprised at the extent that the family went to really show who she was–a very devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.

(As for some projects she was in the process of making was Marlene’s college quilt. She had the top almost complete so I just finished the edge while I was there, then brought it home so I could put the backing on and quilt it. I also got baby Kevin’s quilt that she was almost done with. I will finish that one too. Whenever I came to visit she would have a sewing project for me to do or I would help her quilt someone’s college quilt. I enjoyed that. I also received some towels to make baby towels with hoods which she always made as gifts for more future great grand children)

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June 18, 2008 by Ashley.

Lydia is growing and developing exponentially. Pat and I thought we’d have a tiny baby for at least a while, but every day Pat and I ask each other if she hasn’t doubled in size. She’s awake so much more and just absorbing the world around her. And the funniest thing she’s started doing is where when she takes a nap we put her on her stomach on the couch. When she starts to wake up she starts grunting and trying to push her head up and moving her feet back and forth (it looks like that spiderman crawl). The result is that she “scooches” like, 6 to 12 inches across the couch. She’s not supposed to start crawling yet!! Every day she practices holding up her own head which is just too fast for me!

Another thing that’s really funny is that she has a really sensitive nervous system, which means she gets startled, like, ALL the time. So now we do everything slowly around her and talk her through it, like, “I’m gonna pick you up now and change your diaper….” It’s still funny though when she still gets scared and whips her arms out straight to the side like she’s trying to catch herself from falling.

Oh, and by the way thanks to Pat, you can now email Lydia at lydia.crummett@gmail.com (yep, just the first sign that her dad is a computer engineer. She doesn’t even have a birth certificate yet, but she does have an email account)

Lydia’s “skeptical” look that we see A LOT. Fortunately we see smiles a lot more often too.

Her feet just fold up all bow-legged. It’s how she was in the womb, which answers a lot of questions for me when I thought she had, like, 4 feet because of the weird angles her feet were at.

Pat loves that she can just fold up into a tiny package

I discovered the “moving action” button on my camera and was able to miraculously get a semi-smile out of a newborn. And another classic Lydia face.

Check out Lydia (scroll down to previous post for our better family portrait)

Grandma giving Lydia behavior instructions and she’s listening so attentively! It was great having my Mom here, but unfortunately she had to unexpectedly leave early to be with Grandma Webster who passed away a few days ago (for my friends who are reading this, my grandma was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer – what my dad died from last summer- about a month ago). It’s unfortunate to have such a tragic event accompany Lydia’s birth.

I like this picture of Grandma and Lydia

Sleeping baby

Pat’s new position for Lydia (she’s been finicky about her body positions lately)

With family not around to see Lydia, I wanted you all to get a chance to see her live. It gives you a better image than just pictures can.
CHECK IT OUT. CLICK HERE –>dscn1665.MOV
Lydia’s first day of church (wearing the dress Grandma got for her)

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June 13, 2008 by Melanee.

How do I write words that adequately honor my mother-in-law?
Mary Webster passed away yesterday (Thursday) from a short battle of pancreatic cancer. She was with us for one month from diagnosis.
Kev and Doug have welcomed her in their arms and we again will not be able to fill the huge hole that was left in our lives. An honor was given to me to be the only one there as she left. She left quietly and quickly. Calls were made immediately and we all gathered to mourn over the loss of a wonderful mother, wife, and mother-in-law.
My three sisters-in-law, Tami, Kristy, and Alison and I stayed with her in 24 shifts from Friday to Thursday. Hospice was wonderful with their care and concern for her. Church members kept meals coming every night, visits made, etc. There was a huge out pouring of love and service to our family. Her dear friend Norma visited everyday.
More family is gathering starting tomorrow to come to the funeral on Monday. Marlene and Mallory will be with me for support. Ashley and Leah wish they could, but traveling with children would make it too hard. I am happy to be with my father-in-law on Father’s day with lots of family around.
My hope is the Lord will give us a rest, but we will continue if it is not His plan.
My mother-in-law was very loving to her family and was so generous in nature to Kev and I. She loved me and I loved her dearly. She raised a wonderful son for me. As I was looking at the family pictures hung on the walls of their home, I came across a framed poem I had purchased for her many years ago as a gift.

To My Other Mother

You are the other mother I received
The day I wed your son,
And I just want to thank you, Mom
For the loving things you’ve done.
You’ve given me a gracious man
With whom I share my life
You are his lovely mother-
And I, his lucky wife!
You used to pat his little head
And now I hold his hand.
You raised in love a little boy
And then gave me the man.

My life has been so richly blessed to marry into this family. My sisters-in-law, my father-in-law, and my mother-in-law have been so loving and supportive. My hope is I have done the same for them. I will miss you Mom. (your strawberry jam, quilt making, recipe sharing, food storage information, long phone conversations to give you the details about your grandchildren and son, showing me how to make buttermilk biscuits, fried chicken, and gravy for Kev and so much more)

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June 7, 2008 by Melanee.

My stay has been shortened with Ashley, Pat, and Lydia to be with my mother-in-law. The family is gathering due to her sudden hospitalization from complications of advanced pancreatic cancer. My joys are many and my sorrows are many. The Webster family is going through a great refining. I look to the Lord for solace at the time for my mother-in-law and father-in-law and our family.

Lydia received a package from her great-grandma Webster yesterday. She sent a pink crocheted blanket and two bath towels she made for Lydia. We will cherish them because they came from her with great love.

Three generations with Grandma Webster’s gift

One little happy family

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June 3, 2008 by Melanee.

Okay, I am in grandma heaven right now. Not only did I get a dose of Anya and Kevin for four days-I am sitting next to a sleeping Lydia. Ohhh!!! I am loving this. I flew to Colorado yesterday and here I am with Ashley and Pat. Lydia looks just like Pat. She is so beautiful.
Being a grandma is so different from being a mother. All you have to do is love and play and help, but the responsibility of the child is at a different level. Kev and my generations are continueing and ready to help the world with the talents they have been given.

What really stinks right now is I contracted a cold just before I left and I have’t been able to really hold and cuddle Lydia yet. I don’t want to chance it. But I know my cold will clear up and then I can hold her all I can. So, I have been cleaning and baking banana muffins for Ashley so far.
Leah sent Anya’s baby clothes for Lydia. I filled two huge suitcases. I had to pay $25 for the third suitcase, but is was worth it because it would have cost more to mail. So, Ashley and I will be organizing all the clothes and getting Lydia’s room ready.
Ashley, Lydia, and I are going baby shopping today. She needs a mattress for the crib, a swing, a baby monitor, and the little things like desitin, baby wash, etc. This will be so much fun.

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