Anne

This post is a tribute to my friend Anne that passed away on Saturday.

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I met Anne about 10 years ago when we moved to Cleveland. Her husband attended dental school with Ganon. We were in the same church branch for four years. I feel like the four years I spent in Cleveland were a gift from my Heavenly Father, because it was there that I met some of the best people I have ever known...people that I think about often and try to emulate. Anne was one of those people. She was the kindest, humblest, strongest, best sort of person. She was close to my age, we both have 3 girls, we were both school teachers, we both loved to read. But Anne got cancer. I know now that she is not suffering any more, and for that I am glad. But she will be so missed. She was a good friend to so many people and an example to all who knew her. I will not forget Anne, and hope to be more like her throughout my life. I will really miss reading her blog, she had a lot of inspiration to give.

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Here are a few of my favorite quotes from her:

"There are so many good things and good people in this world. There’s so much to be grateful for and so many opportunities to step outside ourselves to lift somebody else. I’m grateful for friends and strangers and a loving Father in Heaven who has let me experience these acts of goodness. It makes everything okay . . . and worth it."

"We know that we have been blessed beyond measure to have the time we’ve had this last year. We know more than anything that we are in God’s hands, and he knows much more about this that we do. How grateful I am to have a testimony of the atonement of Jesus Christ, that he knows how I feel, and that because of His sacrifice, and the promises I made in God’s holy temple that I will live again and that I will be with my family for eternity."

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I know that most of you didn't know Anne. But I just wanted to acknowledge her passing because she meant something to me. I feel like my perspective is renewed. When I see someone else's time cut short like this, I feel like I need to make better use of my own. I am grateful that Anne's family knows what I know---that the gospel is true and families are forever. I take comfort knowing her children are learning the same theme as we are this year in Primary, "My Eternal Family." I am truly, truly grateful to have that knowledge. I am so grateful for friends like Anne that lift me up and help me become someone better.

Private

I will be switching my blog to private soon. I feel forced to do it since I post so much about the kids. Please email me at somerowans@hotmail.com or leave your email as a comment to this post if you would like to be on my viewer list. Thanks!

First Day of School

Madison and Laura started school today. I am always a little heartbroken when summer ends, but the kids seemed ready for the change. Madison is in 4th grade now, that seems really big. Laura started 2nd grade. I think it will be a great year!

I scream, you scream...

...we all scream for ice cream!

Do you ever see, hear, or taste something that totally takes you back to your childhood?

We have been in Merced for over 5 years. Yesterday I went into our local Rite Aid for the first time. Inside I discovered they had a Thrifty Ice Cream counter. All this time I have been missing out! When I was a kid, Thrifty was the place we went to get ice cream. It costs a dollar now (it used to be like 25 cents), but the kids and I all got a scoop. I was so happy to see they still have my favorite: Chocolate Malted Crunch. And they also still have that unique square-ish ice cream scoop that makes it flat on top. Totally took me back to summertime circa 1985. Ahhhh, nostalgia.

Utah

We're back from a week in Utah. It was a fun week with lots of family. The kids had a blast and made lots of good memories. We did spend a lot of time in the car and I discovered there are a LOT of people in Salt Lake Valley. Seriously, where are all those cars going? And there are also a LOT of stores, restaurants, etc. It's just overwhelming. I don't have the best sense of direction and was lost on more than one occasion, but fortunately I usually had my sidekick brother Tyler and his trusty iPhone GPS to bail me out. Thanks Ty. Eventually, we always made it to where we were headed.

Our first full day there we met Grant & Hayley in Park City. They showed us around Olympic Park and we rode the Alpine Coaster and Alpine Slide. The kids loved it. Little Camille is much braver than I am. She rode with Tyler and was yelling "Go faster!!!" and laughing the whole time. I rode with Madison and she had different feelings about it. It was literally an emotional roller coaster. She was yelling "OK, I think I like this...wait! I think we're going too fast!...OK this is fun...no! I want to get off now!" In the end she said she felt scared but felt like she wanted to ride it again... pretty much what roller coasters are all about, right? Here is a picture of Laura with her Uncle Grant. Fun day.

The next day we went to Temple Square, Church History Museum, Gateway Mall and the Discovery Museum. When we first saw the temple, my Mom told my kids that's where she got married---to which Camille responded, "When you get married is when you get a baby. Except for us, we just got ours at the doctor." My brother Jared and his cute family met us at the Discovery Museum. Once again, fun day.

The rest of the week was spent visiting with Aunts/Uncles/cousins on both sides of the family. On Friday we headed out to Tooele (two-IH-la) for the Kroff Reunion. My Dad comes from a great family. I lived in Tooele until I was 7, when we migrated to California. But I still have lots of great memories of that city and family in those early years. The family met together in Ophir (some camped, we did not). We had dinner and games. The kids played. It hailed (what!?!). It was way colder than I anticipated and dressed for, but lots of fun.

Saturday the family once again met together, but this time at my Grandparents' home in Tooele. My grandparents are not with us anymore, but the home has stayed in the family and I'm glad. Lots of good memories...when I'm there I think of apricots, homemade root beer, Easter egg hunts, Sunday evening visits, and sitting on the porch swing.

I'm really glad the kids and I were able to make the trip this year. It seems life gets so busy and scheduled it's not always possible...but it's always great to be with family and remember how we're all connected.

Cousins...

Andrew is such a happy little guy...

A rare photo op with me and all 4 of my handsome brothers...we were standing on a slope--my brother Tyler (on the end) is really quite a bit taller than me.

The only thing missing from our trip was Ganon. He stayed home to work. You know how they say "Absence makes the heart grow fonder"...it's totally true. I missed him every day. Being on my own with the kids for a week, it realize how much I rely on him. We're glad to be home all together again.

Bruges Waffles

If you're in the Salt Lake area and you're looking for a sweet treat,

this is the place.

Bruges Waffles on 300 South right across from Pioneer Park. My brother took us there on our recent visit, and I'm craving to go back. The secret ingredient is small chunks of sugar laced throughout the batter. So good. While you're there say hello to the owner, Pierre. He's straight from Bruges, Belgium (waffle capital of the world) and he knows what he's doing. There are two kinds of waffles--be sure to get the one with the sugar chunks, just ask. We went for breakfast, but these waffles also fit into the dessert category. No syrup needed.