This Sunday I am missing my grandma's 85
th birthday party. (sniff, sniff) Oh, how I would love to be with all my cousins and aunts and uncles in my grandma's big, beautiful backyard. My awesome cousin Elizabeth has put together a book for grandma. Below are the words I wrote. I have always loved my grandma. We became close during the years I was attending the University of Utah. Her house was one of my favorite places to practice singing and piano. I lived within walking distance to her house in the Avenues. Then, for 4 months Dave, Josh, Maddie and I lived with her while we were transitioning between Grenada and Michigan. She is a remarkable person and a loving grandmother. Happy Birthday Grandma!
Dear Grandma Ann,
It is quite a daunting task to write a tribute to you grandma. Where do I start? How do I compile all the thoughts and memories in my head? There are so many things I would love to touch on. For example, your love and appreciation for classical music, your cooking would be too obvious, your beautiful gardens in front and back, your example of hard work and never ending service, the individual love you show to each of your children, grand children, and great grandchildren, and this is just the very beginning. Well grandma, I am not going to talk about any of those things.
There is one thing that I love about you more than anything else. I truly cherish you for this, especially now that I am in the midst of raising my own family. Grandma, you have given me something greater than anything money can buy; something that the majority of children in the world dream of having more than anything else. Grandma, you gave me the greatest father I could ever ask for.
There are even some things you may not know about your oldest son. Everyone talks about the wild, adventurous, and fun person my dad was, but I think he would want to be remembered for the spiritual impressions he left as well.
Do you know that through my elementary school years (the years when my mom was really sick), I remember him being awake and chipper to start each new day. He would have a healthy breakfast waiting for us three kids as he packed our lunches and helped us remember all our books and homework. Now that I have three kids to have ready for school by 8:15, I know how stressful this can be at times. But the most amazing part is that through all of the chaos, he had the goal for us to read the Book of Mormon every morning as we all sat together in the kitchen. He was reading scriptures as he flipped pancakes. As strange as I thought this was, I really enjoyed it.
Then, at night, my dad never seemed too busy or too tired to read to us. Our favorite stories that he invented were called “
Bowser and Tinker stories,” about a dog and a cat. But before he would tell us a story, we read the stories of the Old and New Testament. I love those stories and I love that he made that constant effort to show us what was most important at the beginning and close of the day.
My dad always wanted to be “in” on what was going on in my life. From early on, through my teenage years, he would come into my room and say, “What is on your mind Kristine?” I knew I
couldn’t brush him aside, because he
wasn’t going to leave until I let him know everything that was happening with my friends and school. I felt comfortable to talk to him about anything and found myself asking all kinds of questions. These late night conversations became much more than just casual talks. Over and over my dad would stress the important things in life and bear testimony of his core beliefs. I think back to those conversations and know they had a powerful effect.
My dad taught me through his example what was important to him. Being on time to church, even when it was just him, he somehow managed to keep the three of us quiet on the bench. He made us participate every time the home teachers came over. We have many wonderful memories of laughing together and spending special time as a family on Monday nights. He spoke about his mission often and also expressed his love for the temple. I know that my dad loved and had a true testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I mention this to you because I owe so much of the credit to you and Dick for your faith, hard work, and belief in raising a family unto God.
If you are ever having a bad day, just think of the son you raised! (Not to mention your 8 other children!) I believe your son did all that he could to be the greatest father for the short years he had with us. When my dad talked about you and grandpa, he did so with deep respect and admiration. He was great because you and grandpa are great. I think about our ancestors and their “greatness” more than you possibly know. Thank you for raising my father to be the man that he was. The rest of my life will continue to be shaped by those 18 years with him.
And now, being pregnant with my 4
th child, I have to defend myself in a world that looks upon a big family as a crazy and irresponsible choice to make. I have people asking me why I would possibly want this many kids and I proudly tell them all about you. I tell them that I look up to my grandma who raised a family twice as big as mine, more than perhaps anyone else. Grandma, you are an amazing blessing in my life. You are a blessing in my mother’s life. You are a blessing to David’s life, my children’s life, and a source of strength to your entire posterity.
We all love you so much. Love, Kristine
Nebeker Orme
Yesterday was Josh's last day of first grade. It has been a fabulous year! I have grown very attached to his teacher and classmates. I am very proud of Josh for all that he has accomplished this year. Tonight we had a cook out with all his class, most parents, and his teacher at Eagle Creek Park. I have realized that I am much better at planning fun activities for Maddie and her girlfriends, and I decided I needed to step it up and have a big party just for Josh. The kids had a great time and we feel blessed to know such wonderful Christian families from Josh's school. Tonight we started by all going on a little hike to a tree house that overlooks the lake. Maddie and I buried some treasures yesterday under the tree house that the boys had to dig up. Then, we went to our camp site where Dave started a big fire. We had hot dogs, smores, and tons of yummy sides. The boys had a blast playing football and baseball while Maddie jumped right in with the older girls running around being hyper. Even Tyler was in one of his "Go, go, go Tyler modes." Basically he runs from place to place, laughing the whole time, trying to keep up with all the action. It was a beautiful night in Eagle Creek Park. 
