New Calling

What could be as good as working with 20 plus teenage girls? How about ten -- nine and ten year old girls in Primary? But I have to admit I'm a bit selfish. I wish I had them for Activity Days and that I taught every Sunday. I'm so excited to get to know them and fill my life with again with girls and giggles.

Draper Utah Temple Openhouse Assignments

Our turn to help with the temple openhouse is over and done. It was a remarkable opportunity. David spent his two shifts directing traffic into one of the four stake centers used for the starting point of the tour. Gratefully the weather held. It was cold and windy part of the time but it never rained or snowed on him. My first shift was to help in the reception area with the food (cookies and water). I was on the early shift -- starting at 7:00 a.m. Tours began at 8:30 a.m. We stocked shelves and filled trays and then sat on the stage, behind the curtain, for most of the rest of three hours. There wasn't alot of cookie traffic that early in the morning. My second shift was what I affectionately call, "Tour Guide Barbie." I rode on a bus that took 55 people to the temple. During the six minute ride I read a prepared script about temple work and the new temple. It took about 25-30 minutes for a round trip from stake center to temple and back. I probably did eight trips. It was much more interactive and interesting. I did learn not to wear a broomstick skirt on windy days.
After bus and parking lot duty we spent a couple more hours inside the temple helping visitors enter and leave the sealing rooms. I loved watching their faces as they came out.


Our very very favorite assignment was being Sealing Room Hosts. David and I did this together. We had about three minutes per group to explain the purpose for sealing rooms in the temples. David spoke of the sealing power given to Peter by the Savior. I followed by sharing what being sealed to my sweetheart and my family meant to us. We then invited them to look in the mirrors for a glimpse of eternity. We figured we were able to share our feelings about eternal families to over 800 people. I love the temple! I get to be with my family forever!

This is what I got for Valentines....

David and I planned "no gifts" for Valentines this year. Instead we wanted crab and seafood for dinner--preferably at Market Street Grill. We knew we had to go early to beat the Valentine rush so we planned for an early dinner. As we were walking out the door, Talya called and informed us that she was at the hospital being checked. So we modified our plans. We decided upon McGrath's in case we had to make a quick departure. It was good we changed plans. If the waiter had been on top of things we probably would have had time to eat. Instead we changed our order to takeout of clam chowder and crab and artichoke appetizer and we ate on the road to Ogden. We weren't too disappointed because we knew that Ogden Regional's famous cheese fries were waiting.

We arrived at the hospital around 6:30 p.m. and watched Tessa Marjorie enter the world at 8:38 p.m. She was a bit stubborn about turning and making things easier but in the last push she flew out and just about slipped through the midwife's hands. Talya used hypnobirthing again and did a fabulous job! I am so amazed at how easily she has babies. But considering how hard her pregnancies are, she deserves an easy childbirth. Tessa was 6 pounds 4 ounces and 19 inches long.

Grandchild #9 - Camille Mae Hansen

Clayton and Jenny welcomed Millie Mae into their family on Friday, January 23rd at 9:52 a.m. She weighed 8 pounds 4 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. Everyone's question is -- "Where was Jen hiding her?" And the answer is -- "I don't know." She is a beautiful baby and very much loved by her parents and grandparents. We are so excited to have another blessing from heaven in our family.

Clayton has a new subject for his love of photography. Looks like Millie doesn't mind be photographed. Isn't she beautiful? She's a week old in these photos.

I Love to See the Temple

We just returned from doing a session in the Jordan River Temple. It's a good place to be when I can't go to Young Women's anymore. There has been a lot of emphasis on the temple in our ward the past few weeks - much of it about the Draper Temple since we will be in its district. We had a wonderful Stake Conference centered on the temple and eternal families last weekend. David and I attended the Open House a couple of weeks ago and then I went again with some of "my girls." We both have attended training sessions for helping out at the Open House. But the best was a phone call Sunday night from President Jensen. He asked us if we would be Sealing Room Hosts. We are excited to be able to share our testimonies of temples and eternal families with those attending the Open House. We are honored and humbled to be considered for such an incredible opportunity.

I have thought a lot about temples and eternity lately. If I wasn't already a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I would join the minute I heard this doctrine. I love my husband and my family so much that the thought of not being with them forever is more than I can bear. And if families are forever, then I know that friends are forever also. What incredible doctrine! It makes sense and offers comfort and peace. I am grateful to have the knowledge of eternity and the blessings of the temple in my life. I love to see the temple!

It's over....

The greatest period of time in my life of church service is over. I was released as the Young Women President on January 11th. There is a hole in my heart that will never be filled. It is selfish of me, I know, but I loved loved loved hanging out with the girls twice a week. How can you not love being with them?!? They are the chosen generation. What a privilege and an honor it was to be in their midst. Besides being with the girls, I got to rub shoulders with some incredible women! many of them I didn't know until we worked together. I will be forever grateful for their examples and their testimonies.

I started out back in February 2002 serving as Mia Maid counselor to Judy Saunders, then to Susie Steenblik. In August 2004 I served as Laurel advisor to Linda Hustedt. In June 2006 I was called to be the YW President. I was honored and thrilled with the call but I knew that when I was released the chances of staying in the YW program were pretty much non-existent. And I was right. I hope someday I can serve the girls again and not be considered "too old" to be with them.

I learned so many incredible lessons through the years from "my girls." Some of them are --
1- Don't be afraid
2- Be a friend
3- Learn all you can
4- Try new things
5- Be enthusiastic
6- Give it your all
7- Ask questions
8- Get involved
9- Share your talents
10- Don't waste time
11- Jump in with both feet
12- Live life to the fullest
13- Express appreciation
14- Have fun
15- Smile
16- But most of all, I learned how much Heavenly Father loves His daughters and with the Savior's help I can do what is required of me.

Candy Canes and Granddaughters

I'm glad the background of my blog looks similar to a candy cane. It is so appropriate for this story.... Friday night Matt was visiting my house with Shae (6), Audrey (4) and Eliza (18 months). Lindsay was with her family participating in a service project. After checking out all of my Christmas decorations, Shae spotted some regular size candy canes in my kitchen. She pointed them out and talked about them. I knew she was dying to have one of her own, so I asked her, "What do you think your mommy would say if I gave you a whole big candy cane?" (At this time of year I don't want to be too responsible for providing a sugar overload.) Shae hestitated and hummed and hawed, but Audrey immediately spoke up and said, "Mommy's not here." I couldn't stop laughing! She was right but Daddy was there and he heard her. We compromised and smashed the candy canes into small pieces. Sprinkled them onto vanilla ice cream with chocolate topping. It's a holiday story I won't forget!

WHAT I AM -- I've been tagged again

Because more than two hours of continuous sleep is non-existent since my foot problems, I thought I would answer this tag from Carly rather than lay in bed being frustrated that I was awake...again!

I AM
a daughter of God
a wife
a mother
a grandma
a professional volunteer

I BELIEVE IN
my Savior Jesus Christ
and His Atonement
the strength of my husband
the power of prayer
the power of positive thinking

I AM GRATEFUL FOR
family
my amazing husband
computers
freedom
Cherry Coke Zero

I AM OVERJOYED BY
my grandchildren
more than two hours of continuous sleep
phone calls and art work from grandchildren
family photos
great deals

I AM INSPIRED BY
the Book of Mormon
my husband
my children
my grandchildren
uplifting music -- especially Christmas music
the life story of Emma Smith

SOMEDAY I WISH TO
sleep all night long
see the whales
not have to worry about retirement money
serve a humanitarian mission providing water
bike around Kuaui

Wow! Eight grandchildren and three more on the way!

I never imagined that I would have so many grandchildren so fast. Years ago, David and I predicted that we would have 15 grandchildren. If my children keep it up we will easily pass that number. It's amazing how love doesn't divide -- it multiplies. I can hardly wait for the birth of each of them. We have the four older kids -- Eric, Shae, Tyler and Audrey; the three toddlers -- Rylee, Eliza and Keagan; and by June we will have the four babies -- Dax, Camille, baby girl Matheson and baby Lindberg.

I was just listening to my very favorite Christmas song -- "Heavenly Choirs"...must have had children singing along when they came to the earth...." and thought of my beautiful grandchildren. Being around them is like being in heaven for me. I love each one of them so very much!


This picture was taken the end of October when everyone was home for Sunday dinner. Again, it reminded me that together is truly the best place to be!

Tag -- You are it!

I've been tagged before, but I have never taken the time to respond. This time I will because it's a tag about my husband -- the man of my dreams. I would love to tag anyone else that wants to brag about their guy. Here's a picture of him supporting me at Girls Camp.



* Where we met – At his missionary homecoming from Guatemala / El Salvador.
* How long we dated before we got hitched – Four days. Not recommended but it worked for us.
* How long have we been married – 32 amazing years in December!
* What's my favorite feature about him – His hands and arms – the way his hugs make me feel secure and loved.
* What's my favorite quality about him – The strength of his integrity and the way he supports me in anything I want to do.
* What's his nickname for me – Cookiehead (not sure why...haven’t heard it in a while)
* His favorite color – Green (check out the color of his boat)
* His favorite food – Steak and potatoes, popcorn, ice cream, Dr. Pepper
* His favorite sport – Snowmobiling, motorcycling, boating
* Who said the L word first -- He did
* First kiss when and where – Day #3 of dating - in a church parking lot after lightning hit a power pole 30 feet away from us. Yes, I saw “fireworks.”
* Favorite couple thing to do – cuddle and...
* How many kids – 5 and soon to be 11 grandchildren
* His hidden talent – He loves to play with babies and little kids
* His age – 53
* His favorite music – Simon and Garfunkel
* What I admire most about him – I fell in love with his testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love his determination and his integrity.
* His favorite pastimes – Spending time at the cabin, watching sci-fi movies
* Will he read this – If I tell him I have updated my blog. I love you beyond words David!

My Grandkids on Halloween

Since I couldn't hang out with any of my grandkids on Halloween, I asked all the mommies to send me some photos for my memories. By the time David gets off work and we get to anyone's house, trick or treating has started. The kids aren't too interested in Pama and Papa anyway. They just want the candy! The Matheson kids were straight out of Star Wars -- Eric was a Luke Skywalker, Tyler was Yoda and Rylee was Princess Leia complete with a cinnabon wig. Talya and Ryan were Army guys. Dax went as a "little monster." Looks like he was one occasionally on Halloween night. Don't blame him one bit. On the Hansen side Shae was a "red witch," Audrey was a cowgirl and Eliza was a lady bug and a giraffe. Can you guess who Matt and Lindsay were? Too bad the costumes didn't sway the vote. Keagan went as a pumpkin. Erica wore a costume that made an announcement. If you don't get it, look for Keagan's message in the teal colored shirt....

David and I spent Halloween at a movie and dinner. We went to Su Casa and saw "Forever Strong." I highly recommend the movie (and the restaurant)!

Sacrament Meeting Program

Sunday, October 26, was the annual Young Women's Sacrament Meeting program. It was wonderful as always. I introduced the program by sharing some of the highlights of our year. The topic was this year's theme found in Mosiah 5:15 "Be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works...." Some of the girls shared what the theme meant to them. Others talked about how Personal Progress helps them be steadfast and immovable. The rest talked about our reading the Book of Mormon challenge. After the passing of President Hinckley, many church members choose to honor him by reading The Book of Mormon in 97 days – a day for each year that he lived. As a YW group we took on this challenge but lengthened it another 80 days to represent the life of our newest prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. That meant we had 177 days or three pages a day to complete it. On Easter Sunday, all the girls received a pocket-size Book of Mormon along with a red pencil and highlighter. With the red pencil we marked every reference to our Savior, Jesus Christ. With the highlighter, we marked the words that He spoke. I can’t begin to tell you how this has changed my life. I’ve read the Book of Mormon 30 plus times never fully realizing the how often the Savior is spoken of until I took on this challenge.
I have watched the girls that have made reading The Book of Mormon part of their lives become stronger and more steadfast. I have watched them have the strength to fight off temptation and withstand the adversary. Their countenances have changed. Their attitude towards life is different. I can always tell when they have made The Book of Mormon a part of their lives. A few of the girls completed the challenge on time, many of the rest have promised to complete it by Thanksgiving. Mostly, I hope they are reading from it each and every day. I've started reading it again with the finish of goal of April 2009 General Conference. This time I am focusing on the blessings promised to the house of Israel and counsel given about prayer. I like reading with a specific purpose.

YW Fall Camp 2008

For most of the past six years, I have taken the young women to our cabin for an overnighter. First, we stop in Park City to ride the Alpine Slide. Then onto the cabin. We usually have dinner, work on a service project, eat, talk, play, and eat some more. Some of us actually get some sleep. We are home by noon on Saturday. Unfortunately, this year, I had to sit with my foot elevated and not do some of the activities, but we did see a moose. The scenery photos are views from the front porch of the cabin. Even though our numbers have dwindled over the years, we have a fabulous time. I love "my girls!"

Grandchild #8 -- Daxson Michael Allred

Five days after my surgery, on September 1st Labor Day, baby Dax decided to make his entry into the world at 8:13 p.m. He was 7 lbs. 9 oz. and 19.5 inches long. It was a long hard day for Carly. Dax was posterior and did not want to turn. He would almost be out and then slip back up and flip in the wrong position over and over. His heart rate slowed down at the end and scared us but two big hard long pushes later he finally came out. I'm so proud of Carly! She used Hyponobirthing to bring him into the world without any drugs. Talya was her doula and was fantastic. Dax is a now two months old and as cute as can be! The other day while I was talking with Carly he was screaming at the top of his lungs for no apparent reason. She put the phone near his ear so I could talk to him. As soon as he heard my voice he quieted down and let me talk to him for a bit. What a way to steal Pama's heart. He doesn't look at all like a Simonsen/Hansen. He is a total Allred. He looks like a little man - not a baby - with his furrowed forehead. Carly and Robbie are great parents full of a tremendous amount of love for their little boy.

Foot Surgery

I have a few moments of downtime so I thought it would best be used by updating my blog and explain the reason for being absent from the blog world for so long. It all started back on July 17th when I had a cortisone shot in my foot. I had been diagnosed with a neuroma (inflamed nerves in the foot) a few weeks earlier. It wasn't getting better so I had the option of the shot or possible surgery. I did not want surgery. I decided to give the shot a try since we were leaving for our annual Lake Powell trip in about ten days. Well, the shot was wonderful. It worked just like it was supposed to until July 31st. That is the day I stepped from the houseboat to the ski boat and felt a pop in my foot. As soon as I was home and able to make an appointment with Dr. Morgan I went in for another x-ray. Nothing looked wrong. We decided the shot had run its course and the neuroma was back. It was too soon for another shot so I learned how to tape it and went on my way. The problem was that it got worse and worse. On Saturday, August 23rd I hurriedly walked across the freeway (to check on the passengers in a car that had just rolled three times right in front of us) and my foot totally went out. The pain was awful. I lived with it until Monday when a new x-ray showed a very dislocated toe. At this point surgery was called for to fix the toe and remove the neuroma. It took place August 27th. They sewed the torn ligaments back into place and put a 3.5 inch pin in my toe to hold it in place. It has now been two months. The pin is gone but the toe is still sore and swollen. I just had a follow-up appointment and it will be another four months before I "go a day without thinking about the pain in my foot." I can't walk up hills, wear any type of heel or my red or black cowboy boots. I have one pair of shoes to wear that are a whole size bigger than normal to get on my swollen foot. I stood in line for an hour tonight to vote early and my foot is screaming at me. It is much better than it was, but not it is not where I want it to be. Obviously the surgery was a much bigger deal than I thought it was. My theory on what happened was the cortisone shot weakened my ligaments which eventually tore and my toe slipped out of place. I will never have another cortisone shot again. The x-rays are very revealing. Skip viewing them if you are queasy.

Recovery has slowed down my participation in optional activities (like blogging) so that I can keep up with required activities (like being a grandma and wife, YW leader and Festival Board Member).