The Ras Family

So we have some major make up work to do for our blog... We'll just start at the beginning of the year
January 2011
Grandma and Grandpa Rasmussen have lived with us since Thanksgiving. They are growing old (87 years old) and are no longer able to take care of each other. It has been good for them to be here with us.
Soon after Christmas Grandpa had some health issues that needed attention. He had to see a doctor for an infection and a dentist for some extensive work. As the weeks went on he became less stable and was unable to walk without help. He had a hard time talking. On the morning of January 11, Grandpa was unable to get out of bed, or even turn over. He was unable to talk. Garth helped him up and took him to the bathroom to get cleaned up. We brought him up to the breakfast table, hoping that he would feel better after eating. He wasn't able to sit up, feed himself, or respond with more than a "yes" or "no" response. We were concerned that he had had a stroke, so we called 9-1-1. The paramedics came, evaluated him, and transported him to the hospital.

February

Susan, Devin, Meridee, Megan, Maggie, Shaun, and Shaylin came to visit. We all had such a good time and it was sweet to be with Grandpa at that time. It was also really entertaining to see all the siblings get together... They are hillarious

Everyone came to Whitney's basketball game. They were the best cheerleaders ever.

They were very enthusiastic as you can tell.

Grandpa even got in the wheel chair for breakfast, which was a big accomplishment.

We took everyone to Hoover Dam to see the bridge...

we had a fabulous time

We're so glad that they were able to come. Everyone had such a good time, and there is always an open invitation for more visits.

(I, Whitney, especially liked convincing Megan and Shaylin to have a sleep over in my full size bed... You guys are troopers! Even if we didn't get any sleep, it was way fun)

"You have How Many Grandchildren?!?!?"

That is the response I frequently get when I talk about the darling children who call me Grandma. That statement/question is quickly followed by:

"How many kids do you have?"

The short answer: 14 Grandchildren; 7 children, 5 of them are married.

Now, I hope you don't mind a long answer. Starting at the beginning.

Once upon a time, a long time ago (33 1/2 years to be exact), Garth and Kathy fell in love and were married. This was the beginning of the

Garth and Kathy Rasmussen Family story.

Chapter 1

We were both attending BYU, Garth was studying Preprofessional Zoology in preparation for Dental School. I was majoring in Elementary Education. Nine months after we were married--I graduated from BYU. Four months later, Garth completed his degree. However, he did have a major change of career plans. During his last two semesters, he took a class for seminary teachers, and fell in love with teaching. Instead of applying for dental school, Garth applied for a full-time teaching position with the Seminary and Institute program for the church. AND HE WAS HIRED!!!! That decision has been a blessing that we have treasured and appreciated.

We had been married 14 months when our lives were forever changed and blessed with the birth of our first child, a son. Ammon Garth Rasmussen was born Oct 13, 1978.

Ammon was happy, content baby. He has always been responsible, fun, athletic and intelligent. He earned his Eagle scout award, was the tri-sport athlete and a valedictorian for Hoover High School in Fresno, California, served a mission in Puerto Rico, graduated from BYU in chemical engineering, graduated from the Ohio State University medical school, and is a Resident in Surgery in Columbus, Ohio.

Ammon was blessed to fall in love with and marry Kirsten Phillips. Kirsten is a perfect wife for Ammon. Together they have accomplished so much. They have supported and encouraged each other --both graduating from BYU, his medical training, her pregnancies and nurturing 4 children, his triathalons, her marathons, his sports, her hobbies. They put each other and their family first. They bless and teach and strengthen me.

Together, Ammon and Kirsten have given me the blessing of four beautiful grandchildren:

Ethan Andrew (9)

Brynlee Kathryn (6)

Hailey Rochelle (5)

Karli Brianne (3)

Chapter 2

Ammon was just 1 1/2 years old when he became a big brother. Rebecca Rasmussen was born on March 27, 1980. Becca was born a week early, and was very small, but she was healthy and strong. She learned to speak very early and very clearly. She didn't start with just "mama" and "dada", but with complete sentences. She loved to wear frilly dresses and have her hair curled. She has always been capable, dependable, loving and friendly.

Becca has always loved sports and music and people. She played basketball and volleyball for Hoover High School in Fresno, CA. She was in the school choir, and a special group called Encore. Two days after she graduated from high school, our family moved to Henderson, Nevada. It was a rough time for our family to make the change, but Becca did her best to help everyone feel positive about the move. Becca has always loved to be surrounded by friends. She is kind, friendly, loving, and thoughtful.

Becca was fortunate to marry "the man of her dreams," LeGrand Laing. They first met at church activities when they were young teenagers. When we moved from California, Becca thought her chance of even seeing LeGrand again was gone. But after he returned from his mission, they became reacquainted, fell in love, and were married.

LeGrand is a perfect husband for Becca. They complement each other, and support and encourage each other. LeGrand teaches Seminary in Springville, Utah, and serves as a the bishop of the ward. Together they are raising a beautiful family and are blessing their ward and community. Their example of service is a blessing to me.

Becca is a sweet mother to four more of my beautiful grandchildren.

Brayden LeGrand (9)

Adelyn Elizabeth (7)

Sophie Kathryn (6)

Kolby David (3)

Chapter 3

Two days before Ammon's 3rd birthday, we were blessed with the arrival of our 3rd child. Stewart Farr Rasmussen was born Oct 11, 1981. For 2 days we had 3 under 3. Stewart was a very easy baby. He was content, good natured, cheerful, and easy-going--lucky for me!

Stewart has maintained his pleasant disposition. He is well liked and easy to be with. He is tender and loving, compassionate and kind. He has always been a dedicated student and a hard worker. He loves sports. He played water polo, swam and wrestled in high school He played the saxaphone in junior high and sang in the high school choir. Stewart is also an artist, working with clay, and a new found love for wood work. Stewart is an Eagle Scout, served a mission in Thailand, graduated from BYU, and just recently graduated from University of Nevada School of Medicine in Reno, Nevada. He will spend his first year of residency in Reno, and then finish his Radiology residency in Tucson, Arizona.

Stewart was fortunate to meet and marry Emily Smith. What a blessing to him and our whole family! Emily is the perfect wife for Stewart! She has been so supportive of him, and he has encouraged her in her pursuits. They both graduated from BYU. They have been successful at balancing the demands of school, family, and church responsibilities. Stewart and Emily help strengthen and support our family.

Stewart and Emily have blessed us with four more of our adorable grandchildren.

Bridger Evan (5)

Angeli Noel (4)

Benjamin Merlin (2)

Genevieve Celeste (4 months)

Chapter 4

Our lives were further blessed on a cold winter afternoon with the arrival of Seth Kimball Rasmussen. He was born on January 10, 1984, right on his due date. From his first breath he has been a delight. He has a joyful, cheerful countenance and attitude. He absolutely beams when he smiles. Seth was a happy, good-natured baby. He is fun to be around.

Seth is friendly, has a wonderful sense of humor, and is a great storyteller. He learned to play the trumpet and he sang in the school choirs. He is a good student and a natural athlete. Seth played baseball, basketball, and volleyball in elementary school. In junior high he wrestled, played volleyball and baseball. In high school Seth played football, volleyball, and wrestled. His hard work and dedication to school and sports helped him earn the Scholar Athlete Award for Green Valley High School.

Everything Seth does, he does with energy and enthusiasm. He is an Eagle Scout, graduated with honors, and served a faithful mission in Brazil. Seth’s work ethic and his personality and ability to work well with others have made him a valuable employee and businessman. Seth is a UPS senior accounts manager for all of Southern Nevada.

Soon after returning from his mission, Seth started dating a beautiful girl he knew before his mission. Soon they were engaged and then married. Brandi Lyn Bullock is a perfect match for Seth. They both have energy and excitement and determination to succeed where ever they go, and in whatever they do. Their example of faith in the face of difficult challenges is a blessing to me.

Seth and Brandi have blessed us with two delightful and beautiful granddaughters:

Nicole Debra (5)

Gracie Lyn (1)

Chapter 5

Our next bundle of joy arrived on August 30, 1986. Elizabeth Rasmussen was our first child born in Fresno, California. She was welcomed by Ammon (7), Becca (6), Stewart (4), Seth (2 1/2).

Elizabeth was a content, cheerful baby. She loved the attention that her older siblings gave her, and she was patient with the constant "mothering" that she received. She has always been very kind, thoughtful, and concerned about others. She loves others and can make friends with anyone. She genuinely cares for others. She is bold in standing up for what is right and is quick to share her beliefs.

Elizabeth has always loved people, learning, and music. She played the flute in elementary school and has been singing in choirs all through school. During her junior year, Liz started voice lessons, which boosted her confidence. She began singing solos and took a lead role in the high school musical. After high school, Liz attended UNLV, graduating with a double major in music education and vocal performance. She took time out of her education to serve a mission to Milan, Italy. After her mission, Liz became reaquainted with Nathan Andersen, who had just returned from him mission to Brazil. They dated and were married last August . Nathan is a wonderful man and is a perfect husband for Liz.

After her graduation, Liz and Nathan moved to Provo, where he is now attending BYU. Liz loves teaching music at an elementary school. They are so happy, devoted to each other. I am thankful for the joy Nathan and Elizabeth bring to me.

Chapter 6

Paul Lloyd Rasmussen joined our happy family on June 4, 1989. He was a sweet, content, and happy baby. The older children loved and adored their new little brother. Paul grew up going to ball games, swim meets, wrestling matches, concerts, award ceremonies. He had a lot of great examples to help him grow and learn.

Paul has always loved to read and learn. He is a diligent, dedicated student. He has wonderful study habits. Paul has a lot of musical ability. He played the trumpet in junior high and sang in the high school choirs. He was in the school musicals each year in high school. As well as being a great student, Paul is a talented artist.

Paul graduated from Green Valley High School and attended BYU for two semesters before heading to Brasilia, Brazil to serve a two year mission. He had many wonderful experiences and was a faithful, obedient, enthusiastic missionary.

Paul returned last July and we enjoyed having him home for a few months before he headed back to BYU for school. He is majoring in construction management, with the plan of becoming an architect. Paul is a wonderful son, brother, grandson, friend, and uncle. I am blessed in countless ways because Paul is my son.

Chapter 7

To our great joy and delight, heaven had one more precious baby to bless our family. Having a baby is always fun. But having a baby when you have many willing and capable helpers is truly a pleasure. Whitney Rasmussen was born May 31, 1994 in Fresno, California. She was loved and adored by all of her brothers and sisters. She was good natured and pleasant as a baby (she never had time to fuss--someone was always there to soothe her).

Whitney has learned from watching, observing and patterning her life after her older brothers and sisters. They have been wonderful examples to her. She has learned to be loving, caring, compassionate, diligent, competitive, kind, obedient, and friendly. Whitney has always brought a ray of sunshine to our family. She has a special relationship with each of her siblings--they are her best friends.

Whitney is a great student, a natural athlete, a true friend, a fun aunt, a compassionate granddaughter, and a caring sister and daughter. You name a sport-she plays it (well almost). She sings in the high school choir, plays on the high school basketball team, plays the piano. She cares about people and it shows in the respect she gives to everyone, young and old. I learn everyday from Whitney. She is a great blessing to me.