Are you kidding me?

 So, apparently all I needed to do was type in the way I wanted my Blogger title to appear after this update Google made years ago and then I would finally be able to publish a new post--are you kidding me??  I cannot believe that is all it took. I am finally able to see the new Blogger interface, so I can update and edit things.  This should be fun to figure out.  I like the 2007 version better when I started this blog over 15 years ago.  WOW!!  It is good to be back.  Even though things on Blogger are different these days, I hope to make regular updated posts. 

Happy Valentine's Day

Wow!!  It took me a while to design and create our Christmas card, and then life happened. Uggh... So here is our Happy Valentine's Day card for your enjoyment!!

New Year's Getaway

We were provided the opportunity to stay in our friend's cabin during the New Year.  It was the perfect time for us to rest and recover from Eric's final chemo treatment.  We had a blast playing in the snow and spending time together.  I love our family time!

2018 Christmas Letter

Hello Family and Friends!  We hope the new year finds you happy and healthy!  We had a memorable 2018 and hope you did as well.  Here are a few updates that we didn’t want you to miss.

Eric was diagnosed with Stage 3 Colon Cancer in the Spring of this year. He had surgery in May and started his chemotherapy treatments in July.  His last treatment was on December 26th.  He had a few complications along the way, but we learned that with cancer, anything can and will happen!  We are so blessed that his recent scans and blood work have come back clear.  He has many follow ups in the years to come, until he is considered “cancer free”.  He continues working for the Department of Defense and recently was made Branch Head over his division.  He continues to serve as the Stake Clerk in our local Stake. 
  
Jacob is turning 16 years old this month and is a sophomore in High School.  He is working on finishing his last few merit badges and is making progress towards earning his Eagle.  He had the opportunity to attend EFY last summer in Provo, Utah and a 50 miler in the Southern Sierras.  Jacob is looking forward to getting his driver’s license and driving this summer!

Trevor is turning 13 years old next month and is in the seventh grade.  He was ordained to the priesthood last year and serves in his Deacon’s quorum.  He continues to enjoy scouting and attended Boy Scout camp in Utah last summer.  He plays the Euphonium in the middle school concert band.  Trevor continues to excel in school and all things Fortnite.  

Chloe is 9 and in the third grade.  She is learning to play the piano and loves gymnastics.  She enjoys activity days with her church class and being of service to others.  Our dog Izzy is her constant companion and friend.  They truly have a beautiful relationship.  She is currently involved in our local music society’s production of Alice in Wonderland Jr musical. 

As for myself, I am continuing to teach second grade and serve as the Stake Young Women’s Secretary.  In my spare time, I continue to read and am working towards my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. 

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers on our family’s behalf this past year.  We have felt your love and the strength it has given us to carry on. 
Much Love, The Williams

Memories of my Grandma

My written memories were not read at the funeral services, so I thought I would post them here...

The past several days I have been working on the slideshow of Grandma’s life.  As I worked with my Mother and other family members on gathering images, many memories of Grandma came to light.  I learned many things from her once again in the process of viewing her beautiful life, with these precious images. Here are five things that I learned from Grandma this past week.

First and foremost, I learned that you must be present. Grandma was always there.  It didn’t matter what was going on, if you called her, she came.  I remember Grandma and Grandpa driving with us to Lake Isabella for one of my basketball tournaments in Junior High. She attended countless recitals, parades, graduations, baptisms, christenings, court of honors, weddings, and many church services that held importance to our family.  My goal is to be more present in my extended family’s life, whenever possible.  

The second thing I learned, was to be in front of the camera every once in while.  Her hair was many colors, her fashion told the time, and she always smiled.  At the end of the day, all that matters to your loved ones is that you were there.  We are so blessed that she took so many pictures and was willing to be in so many. I will try to follow her example and get in front of the camera more often.

Third, I learned from viewing the photos of Grandma was to share your talents.  She was a woman of many talents.  She sewed, crocheted, and quilted many beautiful things for all of her family.  She even developed other talents later in life.  I remember taking her to scrapbooking crop nights with me and helping her work on Grandpa’s scrapbook.  I will cherish those memories we spent together scrapbooking and work on developing and sharing my talents with others.

Fourth, grandma loved to travel.  She took her grandchildren everywhere she could--the beach, Yosemite, San Francisco, Disneyland, and more.  I learned from Grandma that I need to go out and explore this beautiful world, and to take a walk more often--and maybe even buy a motorhome!

Last, and perhaps the most telling in all of the photos was her selfless love she had for her family.  She served us all in many ways.  I remember the time Grandma and Grandpa drove to Provo, Utah during my first winter at BYU, just to take me shopping.  She knew I was homesick and wanted to make sure I had enough warm clothing to survive.  She was generous to a fault.  We can all learn from her example of selfless love.

Grandma Beylik was and will forever be, the quintessential Grandma! My life and my family’s life has been richly blessed from having her as our Grandma.  I am grateful for my knowledge of my Savior and his Plan of Happiness.  I know she is on the other side reunited with Grandpa and all of her loved ones who have gone before. Thank you Grandma for your beautiful life and all the wonderful memories.

Rolling Right Along

We have been busy with the start of school.  Everyone has settled into the routines and their new schools.  I don't think I will ever get used to early morning seminary.  I counted the years and I will be driving to early morning seminary for the next 10 years, with breaks in between when my boys start driving themselves--now there is a scary thought for you.  We are surviving and rolling right along.  Here are the kids' school pictures and a few updates...

Chloe-2nd Grade

She is loving school and being with her friends.  She is getting very creative with her fashion and accessorizing.  She loves watching Mako Mermaids and enjoys playing with her dolls and toys all over the living room. 

Trevor-6th Grade

Trevor is loving Middle School, in his words, "Middle School is awesome!"  I am so glad he has a great group of friends, and is enjoying school. He just got an iPod and is loving it--excuse all his iMessages to family members. He is excited for the Flag Football season to start up!

Jacob-9th Grade

Jacob is enjoying the start of High School and his busy schedule not so much.  He has been having fun playing on the Freshman Football team.  It is going to definitely be a ride as we navigate the High School years with our oldest.  He is off to a great start.

As for myself and Eric we are kept busy with work, church, and family.  Eric continues to travel frequently and is keeping busy with his church responsibilities.  I am in my 12th year of teaching and still working to find the balance between work and home. I am now serving as the secretary in the Stake Young Women's organization at church. Dang, this felt like a Christmas letter update. I suppose I need to start planning our fall family photo. 

Giving It Your Best

My Sunday morning started pretty normally.  Then, 8:00 am struck and the kids started to get ready. Trevor couldn't find his white shirt, which I need to email the 4th of July pageant about, and Jacob couldn't find a single pair of shoes, except for his football cleats and slides to wear.  We looked everywhere for these articles of clothing, but no success.

We frantically looked for a shirt from Eric's older stack, nothing would fit Trevor.  We recently cleaned out his closet and so he had no shirts that fit previously.  Luckily, we found a light pin striped shirt that fit from his brother's side of the closet. One problem solved, one to go.  Jacob continued his search until the last minute.  I was even ready before him!  He settled on an old pair of slides and black church socks.  On the way to church he colored in the Nike swoosh with a sharpie and I just laughed to myself. When we arrived, he opted to only wear his black socks.  Yes folks, he wore just his dark socks to church.  But hey, we were on time!!

As I sat in church enjoying the service, in between settling quarrels and quieting children, the thought struck me how well put together we all seem while at church.  We put on our Sunday best each and every week to worship.  We honor him by doing our very best.  That is all that is asked of us. The only question that remains is, did we truly give it our best?

Jacob fulfilled his priesthood duties and was set apart as the 1st counselor in his teacher's quorum while rocking his socks, so yes, I think we gave it our best today.