Ancestors in Wood

Dad finished this wood carving of his grand parents, John Jacob Frederick and Maria Bull Schmidt.  He took it from an old family photo his cousin has.  Born Lutheran in 1867, John was introduced to the Church around 1890.  He parted ways with his current girlfriend, who showed no interest when he decided to be baptized.  

Shortly afterward he met Maria Bull where they both lived in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.  She had also joined the Church.  Soon they were making plans to marry and decided to do it in the Salt Lake Temple.  A group of converts were coming to America, so they worked hard to earn the money to immigrate also.   You can just imagine the events at doing everything in their power working odd jobs, to save enough money which took about a year. 

Can you see them taking a train to meet the ship, sailing to America, disembarking at the Ellis Island check point and boarding another train to Salt Lake.  How their love must have grown as they sacrificed for this dream.  They were married in April shortly after arriving in Utah  on March 24, 1895. 

Goals and sacrifices make for great stories.  Read their life history some day when you get a chance.

It's Been 39 Years

This week marks thirty-nine years, January 1973, since Allan (Dad), returned from the Texas North Mission, which covered the north half of the state with its headquarters in Dallas, Texas.  Thanks to our new scanning abilities, you get to see a few of his favorite companions and his official mission photo.   His mission president was Carlos Asay.  It was a good mission with time spent in Fink, Texarkana, Plainview, and Denton, Texas. 

We returned to visit the Dallas area in January of 1981.  It was during the time that both Alicia and Breann came down with the chicken pox.  Both Grandma's Schmidt and Crane helped hold down the fort and weather the illness until we returned a week later.  Several replacement trusses had to be delivered to a church being built in Fort Worth that had some damaged from a storm.  Dad volunteered for the job, with the intent to see his old stomping ground.  While there we were able to visit with several of the families he met and/or baptized. 

 His parents drove down upon his release to pick him up.  Uncle Paul and Aunt Evelyn went along, too.  The only one in his family to have his parents get him.  This started a tradition to follow in their footsteps.   On their return they stopped to see Carlsbad Caverns. 

We both agree that  is was a wonderful decision to serve a mission. 

A Picky Perfect Pillow Lover

Breann made me new pillows for Christmas. The fabric is brown and blue, matches the house perfectly and I love them. She chose pillow forms soft and lite, that bounce back to their original shape. That is something she hated about my motley assortment. The new comers gave our twenty year old couch an upgrade. These new addition look so sharp and classy, and are better than any store bought ones.

I am a pillow hog and seldom sit without using some of the twenty plus we have. If anyone asks to use one, there may not be enough for them. I sleep with no less than three and sometimes even more. But it isn't just any pillow, they have to curve around my neck and fluff up, but not too high.

Life would be a hardship without them. I've decided to make matching curtains and can't wait to begin. Thanks, Breann for bringing style to our home.

A Visit to The Chocolate

We finally did it. All those here for Christmas took the leap and visited Grandma & Pa's old home which is now called 'The Chocolate'. After ordering mouth-watering treats we checked out almost every single room. Bright colors, comfy couches and appealing art work met us at every turn.

With a twist of the arm and a knock on the head,
Everyone knew to smile or they would dread
The wrath of this lady before they were fed.
So we munched, bunched and crunched, even Jed.
While pictures were taken and then we all fled.

The kitchen is off limits where all the baking and prep work is done. Not much different than twenty years ago, when stepping in the door the tantilizing aroma of chocolate chip cookies, bread or pie called to us and we answered.

Check Out Our Christmas Lights

You won't recognize the place. Now that you can see, that is.

It all started when our renters complained about their livingroom lights not working. Rather than buy them new ones, we gave them ours. Then our diningroom light only had one bulb that worked and they weren't burned out. You could say we were in the dark.

After checking out several places we found and ordered matching lights. Dad got busy installing twelve new light fixtures we bought for Christmas. You could say, it has taken twenty years off how the house looks. Like dominoes ready to fall, now the ceiling needs to be painted. What next? We don't dare look further or think about it.

Great gains in our computer were made by our son-in-law, Jed. He likes to upgrade and improve it when visiting. Perhaps he was tired of seeing the family photo wallpaper I put on it, so we now have these beautiful photos of national sites.

It took us awhile to figure out the new programs, or shall I say find them then go from there. We are getting used to the little twanging beeper that pops up when you want to leave a site. It asks, 'Are you sure?' Worse than a mother.

Thank you, Jed, for keeping us on the cutting edge. At least it feels like it.

A Thankful Thanksgiving

It's a good day to look back at the things enjoyed over the year and be thankful for all of our blessings. The times we spent together, the places we visited, the special events that took place, the accomplishments we made and the growth we experienced. Take it month by month or each event as it unfolded can be shared and revisited in our mind.

It is easy to wallow in our trials. We had some, sure, but how much more joy and happiness was in and around each day. Think about your own 2011. As you recall your experiences individually, more will flood your mind and bring you to tears remembering the special year you have had.

What a thankful Thanksgiving it will be.