The Pinelli family Christmas

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. So here is our family's Christmas celebration in pictures!

Rachel's Christmas Present

I have been looking for something like this for over a year and a half. Unfortunately, they're expensive, so I've been keeping my eye on Craig's List. Finally, serendipitously, a friend posted that she was getting rid of some things as she prepared to move this summer, and was selling this for the same price she bought it for at a yard sale - $30. New it costs $350, so I was ecstatic to make this find, and it became Rachel's "Santa" present this year (with the stipulation that she share with Gabi when Gabi is a little bigger).

Yesterday was very wet, and besides we spent the whole day at Jeff's parents' house, so this afternoon Jeff took Rachel outside to play with her new present. Do you think she liked it?

Matching Pajamas (the sequel)

Yay! More matching pajamas for Rachel and Gabi. These are courtesy of Grandma Gosnell. Aren't they too cute?!


On Christmas Eve we went caroling at a hospital. In front of the hospital was a life-sized nativity scene. It was a little cold/windy, but I couldn't resist the temptation to take a picture of Rachel and Gabi in the nativity scene.


We had a wonderful day. The girls had so much fun! (I can't wait until next Christmas.)

The Children Were Nestled All Snug In Their Beds

A very dear friend of mine came over yesterday and gave Rachel and Gabi a Christmas present of matching pajamas. I never thought I would be the kind of person who wanted my girls to match, but it turns out that I am that kind of person after all.

So here are Rachel and Gabi in their "partridge in a pear tree" pajamas.

The Nativity, and then some

For FHE last night we read the Christmas story out of Luke 2. To make it even more exciting we decided to dress the part. Here is the cast:

Jeff played the role of Joseph
Noelle played the role of Mary
Gabi played the role of baby Jesus
Rachel played the role of the Shepherd

Rachel was slightly less than enthusiastic about dressing up and cooperating as a whole, but that didn't stop us from at least getting a picture. It isn't the best picture of all time, but at least Rachel and Gabi are cute.


Rachel got rid of her costume as fast as she could, and then was just wearing her pants. She made me laugh when she started doing this.


I remember from my childhood Kelly doing the same thing, to be funny. What I wouldn't give to see that picture!

Soon enough Rachel's pants were off too. So then Gabi and Rachel were wearing matching outfits (diapers only). Rachel wanted to give Gabi a hug, and Jeff captured these sweet pictures.

Merry Christmas from the Fieldings

Not to be outdone by the Gosnells.....

Merry Christmas from the Gosnells

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Request

Since we can't all be together for Christmas, I would like to make a request that everyone post a few pictures here on this blog of your Christmas this year.

I promise I'll do it. Will you?

Medical Update

When we saw Ted’s new surgeon on the 10th, the surgeon did not think that the hole in Ted’s heart was the cause of his mini-strokes because he felt that if the hole was causing any problems, that the problems would have occurred at a much younger age. The surgeon ordered a cat scan of Ted’s carotids. If they do not look all right, then he will want them repaired. If they do look all right, then the surgeon will reconsider closing the hole, but primarily he wants to check the stents above Ted’s heart that were inserted when he had a heart attack in January, 1999. His next appointment with the surgeon is December 15.

Today we had the cat scan of Ted’s carotids, saw Ted’s dermatologist and saw Harriet’s surgeon. The surgeon did not have good news. The lump in her left breast is very large, golf ball size, the removal of which would take up to 80% of her breast. Therefore, mastectomy is the surgery of choice. No reconstructive surgery will be done. Some of Harriet’s lymph nodes showed up on the MRI. The surgeon explained that if they show up on an MRI they are almost always cancerous. A lymph node biopsy will be done on the 17th. Another test which is better not thought about may be needed to determine the extent of the spread of the cancer. The surgeon expects to remove about two-thirds of the lymph nodes under the left arm. The surgery is planned for December 1. Probably chemo will follow – 4 weeks on, 3 weeks off, for 18 weeks total. Radiation ?? The most common places for the cancer to spread is to the lungs and liver, and the good news is that it has NOT spread there.

Sweet Adelines

In case you wonder what we look like in our "fancy faces" (Noelle especially), here is a picture from last night.

Sweet Adelines

Since the ladies will be too busy preparing for their family performance and their chorus' performance on Saturday, I thought I'd share the good news. Both Noelle's chorus, "Pride of Kentucky", and Faline's and Malauna's chorus, "Mountain Jubilee", are in the top 10 finalists to perform for the championship on Saturday. As it turns out, POKY will be performing first (they really wanted to perform last) and Mtn Jubilee will be performing last. I'm not sure what the times are, but if you wish to watch or listen, here is the link: http://www.sweetadelinesintl.org/webcast.cfm

After Thanksgiving Bateman Get Together

The Saturday after Thanksgiving (November 28th) is fast approaching and we are planning for the After Thanksgiving Bateman Get Together. We will probably meet at Brennan and Tammy’s home again at about 12:30 pm. Soup and bread and dessert will be our main fare. Please bring one of these items to share. We will provide a salad and drinks. Also, please let us know whether or not you are able to attend. Please try to be with us. We do not get to see each other often enough and this will be a good chance to visit with one another. With love, Dad, (Uncle) Ted and Harriet

This and That....

Well, Ted's appintment for a consultation with a heart doctor is November 10 to discuss having the hole in his heart closed. It is done by threading an umbrella-type apperatus through the artery that passes by the groin area into the heart and opening up the upbrella. It will adhere to the heart like velcro and plug up the opening. That will prevent any buildup on the edges of the hole that presumabely are letting loose and causing the TIAs.

Just to keep things interesting, Harriet has been diagnosed with breast cancer. But we have it on good authority that it is not. A biopsy will be done on Tuesday to make a final determination. We feel that alternative methods of treatment will be best here. Nothing is written in stone, though.

We will keep you informed of events as they occur. We would appreciate all of your prayers.

Sweet Adelines

When I was in Utah about 2½ years ago, Faline introduced me to Barbershop singing. I went to her rehearsal for her chorus, then when I returned to Kentucky I joined the local chorus. Both Faline's and my chorus qualified to compete in the international competition in Nashville which is this weekend, so we will be able to see each other. Malauna is also competing with Faline's chorus, so it will be like a little Family Reunion.

Anyway, if you are able, you can watch us compete on the webcast. It is free. It is also live, so you have to be able to tune in when we are on stage. Coincidentally Faline competes just about 30 minutes before I do, so it shouldn't be too difficult to catch us both. Her chorus is on stage at approximately 3:30 Central Time, and mine is on at approximately 3:56 Central Time. (We are in Nashville, TN.)

You can click this link to go to the live webcast. Root for us!

--> LINK

Speaking at the Lakeland Florida Tea Party

While millions of Americans converged on the nation's capital, I and a couple thousand brave souls ventured out into the rain to protest our current administrations policies and the lack of representation by our elected representatives. I thought you might enjoy my speech I gave there.

Recent Disney Trip and Advice

While we're on the topic of Disney, Suzanne, Makela, and I just got back from DisneyWorld in Orlando. I thought I'd mention some things that might make your planning easier. First, there are four parks. Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, and Universal Studios. Each has cool stuff to see. The problem is that generally your ticket only allows you into one park--you choose. So let me tell you prices so you have something to plan for (we were able to get into all four parks for free because of a special arrangement made for my political activities down there).

Entrance into a single park costs $79 per person for a one day pass. I'm certain each of you will be able to find a place to buy discount passes. If you decide you want to go into more than one park, it costs an additional $52 for the multi park add-on. We decided that the best way to do this was to pick one park that you want to spend the most time in, and not buy the add-on for that day, and then the next day you make time for two parks of your choosing and pay the add-on for one day.

Keep in mind that this will be in August and not only will it be blazingly hot, but the lines will not be short. Bring lots of water and dress cool (and have sunscreen!). Just my two cents.

Disney Dining Plans

We have been asked many questions about the Disney Dining Plan. Tony and I have used it numerous times with our family, and there is a variety of healthy choices all around Disneyworld. We highly recommend it, both for the healthy choices, as well as the fact that we feel the prices are reasonable. In order to make our reservations for everyone, we need to know for sure from all who are attending next year whether or not you will be using the meal plan. To be perfectly honest, it would help us with the rooming situation if everyone signed up for it. To help you make your decision more knowledgeably, here are the two best options - the Disney QuickService Plan, and the Disney Meal Plan. For your information, here is the grocery list for Saratoga Springs and Spa as well(for comparison shopping and food planning). If we have not heard from you about it yet, please call us or e-mail us with your answer as soon as possible. We need to know by September 13. Thank you!

Disney Reunion 2010 T-shirts

We have designed a t-shirt for the reunion in August 2010. Thanks Jessica for the idea of putting the Disney font on the shirt!

Make custom t-shirts at CustomInk.com

Gabi's blessing

Yesterday was Gabi's blessing. We were very happy the Dad, Harriet, Ladawn, Wayne, Rhett and Chelsea were able to be here, and Dad and Wayne were able to stand in the circle for the blessing. Afterward we took pictures in front of the temple.


We took more pictures that afternoon of the girls.

The Ithaca Ward

We are spending this week in Ithaca so that Tony can teach at the ASTA (American String Teachers Association) camp, and Nicholas can attend it. We got here yesterday because Tony had meetings, but the campers didn't start until this afternoon.
We went to church this morning at the Ithaca Ward, and I enjoyed catching up with the few people who are still there. I took a few pictures. I don't remember names of everyone, but they all remembered someone in the Bateman family.

I was looking forward to seeing the Ballantynes, and was surprised(but not too much) to find out that they are serving a mission in Scotland. I saw Brother Fairbanks, Diane Moore, Patti Wallace, and a few other people whose names I don't recall. They said to please say hello to the family, and they send their love!

Fun picture to share

I had to post this picture of Rachel because it is too funny. I bought Rachel a baby doll stroller and some dress up shoes. She has been introduced to both at other people's houses, so I knew she would love them. Anyway, this picture made me laugh.


Close up on the shoes.


If that doesn't make you laugh you may have broken your funny bone.

Musings and Memories - East Shore Drive

Glen Earl left for Vietnam in September 1971. At the time he was stationed in Fort Benning Georgia. He had 30-days leave. I think we came for a visit to New York on our way to Utah just before he left, and just as/ or just after the family moved in to the east shore drive house. I remember the black painted room, and the naughty writing that showed up only with the blue lights. We were on our way to get me settled in Logan before he left, and for the next six months there, Lamona lived with me, Milaka, and Cortney. That was when she met Ralph.

In 1975 (was that the year of the flooding?? or the year after??), Teddie married at the beginning of the summer, and Gayla married at the end of the summer, both in the Washington Temple. Glen Earl and I decided that, in order for me to help with and go to both weddings, I would stay with the family for the summer along with 4 kids--Milaka, Cortney, Shanda, and Keturah was the baby--and he would continue working in Denver. We met you-all in Washington for Teddie's wedding. It was on that trip home from DC that Cortney was (accidentally) left at a rest area/gas station in southern Pennsylvania for 8 hours. (((Side story: He was riding in Grandma and Grandpa's van, fell asleep...when the car was stopped at a gas station, he woke up, got out, found the bathroom, and came out just as the van was heading down the on-ramp to the thruway.)))

It was in the fall of 1976 that we moved our family to New York. We lived with the family for about 6 weeks (just longer than Mom and I could be civil to each other) in the east shore drive house--we lived there at least until after Thanksgiving (there is a turkey story in there somewhere)--then we moved to the projects in Ithaca. Malauna was born there in April 1977. I think it was 1978 when we moved up to Aurora. Conan was born there in 1980. We moved to Poplar Ridge when he was just a few weeks old. It was in September of 1980 that I took Conan on a Greyhound Bus to Provo to pick up a car from Monte for Dad, and we (Kelly? and me and babe) drove back to NY on the southern route through Mesa. We stayed with Teddie overnight. We moved to Utah in September 1981.

That's what I remember...
faline

And the First Shall be Last

Happy Birthday, Faline.

It is not on purpose that I started this year-long round of birthday greetings with Monte, the first-born son, and am ending it with you, the first of us to be born. It just happened that way. On the other hand, since there is a purpose under heaven for everything, I'm sure that this birthday greeting order is not merely a coincidence, but timely.

I have quite a lot to thank you for, actually. I never told you, did I (?) that I was always glad that you came along first, grateful to you for doing the work of breaking Mom and Dad into parenthood, believing that you created a sort of buffer zone between our mother and me. If it were not for you being my just older sister, always requiring my company, I would never have taken the opportunity to learn by my own experiences--that you led or dragged me into--to learn good from evil. I would never, of my own volition, have wandered through that bull pasture in Logan, gone wading in the silage at the farm in Merrill, touched tongues with you through that filthy screen door in the farmhouse, run away to play without telling Mom, etc., etc. (....and the list goes on). Your very constant presence made me grow from weak to strong, made me have to think for myself, and eventually fend for and stand up for myself: accomplishments I would never have aspired to without your prodding.

I remember when your vocal abilities were discovered, when we first moved to Trumansburg. I remember how proud I was to see you standing in front the curtain in the Jr. High auditorium, wearing that long slinky, shiny dress, swinging that brightly feathered shawl, singing the entree act for the high school's melodrama, sounding just like a grown-up soprano: "A Good Man is Hard to Find" and "She's Only a Bird in a Gilded Cage". Who would have thought that with those two songs you would be foretelling my future?

You were always there for me, even after we both left home, sometimes when I wanted you, and sometimes when I didn't. You stood ever ready to advise me about nursing my firstborn baby. And you were there to tell me everything I needed to know, via that big box of books, about having babies at home when I became pregnant with Gary, and the only doctor I will ever trust had quit the business of obstetrics. And I am thankful for the times you helped me through crises with Shanna, helping me find words to say what needed to be said to avert a catastrophe, that I would not have otherwise thought of saying.

You facilitated my prodigiously early entrance into the Advanced School of Hard Knocks, before I was capable of the thought required for making an application. Within its hallowed halls I met my First Love, Redeemer, Friend, Savior, God and King who is everything to me. With Him I have found faith I did not think possible, strength I did not know I had, and depths of understanding I did not know existed. With Him I am no longer afraid of my own shadow, or of anybody else's, for that matter. By Him I have learned wisdom that I would not trade for all the gold in China, or all the friends in the world. To you, ultimately, goes the credit for all of this. I am a better person today for having been your just younger sister. My sincere thanks go to you. I hope that this, your day, is as blessed as you have wished for every one of my days to be.

Disney Update

In order to help you make a more informed decision about the 2010 Disney family reunion, we are posting more details for you. If you are interested in finding out the details of the Disney Dining plan, click here. To find out more details, you can refer to the previous posting about it. We have also sent more details in the mail. We are doing everything we can to make this reunion as affordable as possible for everyone.

There will be additional details as I think of them, so check the blog often in the next month!

Love,
Luella

P.S. By the way, I also discovered that there is a Quick Service Dining plan available for $29.99 per day for ages 10+, and $8.99 per day for ages 3-9. It includes 2 quick-service meals per day, 2 snacks, and one free refillable cup from the resort for the length of your stay. Just food for thought... : )

Happy Father's Day!

Disney Reunion

Dear Family,

After speaking with Dad, we realized that you need more information about Disney, so here are the updates:

We will provide one 4-person studio room for each of my siblings. If you require more space than we can offer, additional rooms can be purchased.

The 4-person studios have:

• a queen-size bed and double-size sleeper sofa
• a balcony or porch, cable television, high-speed Internet
• small kitchenette with a microwave, a toaster, and a small sink
• bathroom has a shower, sink, a blow-dryer, and a toiletry and towel pack.
• The dates will tentatively be Monday, August 16 - 18, 2010
• You are responsible for food. The Disney Dining Plan is a good option. However, there are cooking facilities in the studios(a microwave, a toaster, etc.), with a small convenience store on the Resort grounds where you can also buy food.
  
  Disney Dining Plan Pricing: $39.99 per night, per Guest ages 10+
  $10.99 per night, per Guest ages 3-9
• The Disney Dining Plan includes 2 meals at numerous restaurants throughout DisneyWorld plus one snack per day. We have found that if we are going to go out to dinner, the Disney Dining Plan is the cheapest way to go!
• You are also responsible for transportation. If you choose to drive, we'll see you when you get there! If you choose to fly, there is a complimentary(free) coach bus service at the Orlando airport that will bring you to the resort. You will need to notify the resort of your travel plans so they can reserve a spot for you on the coach bus(i.e. flight number, and airline)
  
• There is no park ticket required to attend this reunion.

There are many free sections of Disney World, such as Downtown Disney, for us to enjoy. You are more than welcome to purchase park tickets and spend a day at any of the Disney parks. We have no plans to require that we all stick together the entire time. However, if you choose to purchase tickets for the parks, the starting price for one person 10+ is $75 per day, and for children ages 3-9(infants 0-2 are free), the price is $63 per day.

• The resort we will stay in offers lots of free activities as well. If we stay at the Saratoga Springs and Spa resort, the activities they offer are:
• The High Rock Spring Pool(with a really cool slide!)
  
• A spa(if you want a massage – not free)
• A community hall – with crafts, board games, etc.
• Playgrounds
• Lots of walking paths
• DVD rentals(I believe also free)
• Tennis, basketball, and shuffleboard courts(balls and rackets available at the rental shop
• Recreation rentals(also not free, but we think reasonably priced)
• Bicycles
• Four-person bikes
• Free life-vests for children
• Free noodles
  Please let us know by the end of July of your plans – whether you will or will not attend. Please seriously consider making this reunion a part of your plans. We have not seen so many of you in such a long time, and it would be wonderful to bring as many of us together as possible. There are some who have notified us, but we are still waiting for others. If we don't hear from you, we will be calling you… We need to place reservations by a specific date to guarantee the number of rooms we want.
  I would love to have as many of my siblings attend as possible. We love you!
  Love,
  Luella, Tony, Nicholas, and Michael
  

Gabi's blessing

We have decided to have Gabi's blessing on August 2. That is the first fast Sunday in August. (Is that obvious? Should I have figured you would know that?) Anyway, I know that you all live far away, and are busy with your own lives, but I still wanted to make sure that you are invited to come to Kentucky if it is possible, to share that day with us.

Gabi is doing well, and so is the rest of the family. Rachel seems to be adjusting well to her little sister. I don't know if it is jealousy or not, but she does seem to be a little more clingy and whiny, and more prone to temper tantrums, but it isn't too bad. She is only kind and sweet to Gabi (mostly), giving her hugs and cuddles and kisses (and the occasional poke in the eye).

So in the fog of the past few weeks, I accidentally put my phone through the washer. Big mistake. Unfortunately the result is that I lost all of the information and data that was stored in that phone. I would appreciate it if you would give me your phone number again. You can either call me (502.550.8479), and I will save the number you call me from, or you can send me an e-mail with your phone number (noelle.gosnell@gmail.com), or you can leave your phone number in the comment section of this post. Thank you.

Family Stories

I wrote down a story that Grandpa told me over Memorial Day weekend. You can check it out here on my blog.

To all my Children and Grandchildren

To all my Children and Grandchildren,

For several weeks I have been composing a letter in my mind and now I’m ready to put it down in writing.
When I was in my late fifties and still working for Cornell University, all employees were given a questionnaire asking for our health status and health and safety practices. Our answers were compared to long term statistics and from that they were able to give us an estimate as to how long we might expect to live. The estimate for me was 83 years. I have now reached that milestone and am looking forward to many more years. Of course, none of us have a mileage warranty so we just do the best we can for as long as we can. I seem to have lost at least 3rd and 4th gear, maybe even 2nd because I’m a lot slower than I would like to be.
I don’t think stents were used at the time of that prediction and I now have two in my heart and one in my abdominal aorta which I believe have definitely extended my life. I also believe that my remarriage to Harriet has extended my life. She has been a loving and devoted companion and has brought much joy and fulfillment into my life. I really believe that had I remained a lonely widower, I would have withered up and died before now.
I was recently made aware that I had unknowingly and unintentionally caused hurt and resentment to one of my children. I have apologized and believe I have been forgiven. This made me wonder if there are other hurts and resentments out there that I should know about and make amends for. I am sorry for any hurt that I may have caused any of you. I’m probably not too different in wishing I could have the opportunity to start all over as a father with the additional knowledge and wisdom that I have gained..
All of you have been born in the New and Everlasting covenant of Marriage and therefore have the option of being members of an Eternal family. I don’t believe it is automatic but depends on desire and living for. The same attitudes we have here will rise with us in the Resurrection. For that reason I would like to iron out any problems that I can before I am called home. I can assure you all that I love each of you and want to spend Eternity with you.
With much Love, Dad and Grandpa
PS: We will be traveling to New York June 18 to June 24, which is over Father’s Day. In case any of you would like to contact us during that time, our cell phone number is 801-549-8201.

Happy Memorial Day!

Today is the day we recognize all those who have fought for our country. I always knew Dad was in World War II, and until a year or so ago, all I knew was that he was part of the Occupation Army in Japan.

I'd like to share a part of his life history for those of you who may not have read it. I found it very interesting, and I admire my father even more for his testimony and his example for me.

In his own words - "I was drafted into the Army in August 1944. I received my physical examination at Boise, Idaho, and inducted into the Army at Fort Douglas, near Salt Lake City, Utah. After a short period for clothing issue and orientation, I was sent to Camp Roberts, California, for Infantry Basic Training. This was located out in the desert midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles near a town named El Paso de Robles. It was just at the end of the hot summer season so it was a very forbidding place at first but at least the nights were cool. The training period was for 17 weeks but ours was cut to 15 because the Germans were breaking through our lines of defense in Belgium(known as the Belgiun Bulge) and replacements were urgently needed. Fortunately for me, I had been encouraged by my platoon commander, Lt. Edwards, to apply for Officers Candidate School while awaiting acceptance at O.C.S. It was only a very short time until we began getting reports that certain of our group had been killed in battle. I feel very fortunate that I was spared that ordeal."

So are we, Dad. Thank you for being a wonderful example for us and for serving our country. I love you!

I'd love to hear some of Kelly's experiences, too. I know he has served in Iraq, but I'm not sure how much he's allowed to share about it. I love you Kelly!

Gabi is Home

I woke up late this morning, 8:15. Church starts at 9:00. So I knew I was going to be late. It was my first Sunday back, so I guess it is okay to phase back in a little at a time. (Just kidding - I'll be better.) Anyway I got a phone call at about 9:00 from the charge nurse in the nursery at the hospital. She said that while we had planned on bringing Gabi home tomorrow, she felt that Gabi was doing so well it was okay for her to come home today. Yay! So after church we put Rachel down for a nap and I went to the hospital for the last time (more or less), and brought our new baby home. They gave me all kinds of instructions, and sent us on our way.

Rachel was awake by the time we got home (thanks a lot Scout), and she seems to like Gabi a lot. She wanted to hold her and kiss her. Gabi had the foresight to pave the way by bringing Rachel a present from the hospital. Gabi gave Rachel her own little baby doll.

Baby Gaby (or maybe I'll spell it Gabi)

Gaby is doing well. She is in the Critical Care Nursery (CCN). She was in the NICU until Monday night, but since the NICU was getting rather crowded, and Gaby was the most stable baby there, she was moved to the CCN. She has jaundice, so she is receiving photo therapy. That means she lies on an ultraviolet light blanket. Jaundice is caused from an excess of bilirubin, which is a byproduct of the breakdown of red blood cells. It is the job of the liver to break down bilirubin, and Gaby's liver is a little too immature to do it on its own, so the light helps. Good eating and good pooping are important too. I can tell you from personal experience that she is pooping pretty well. During my two visits yesterday she pooped three times. I changed two of them. They were my first diaper changes for Gaby. Very memorable.

Here are some pictures of Gaby. I promise she does open her eyes sometimes.


They told me yesterday that Gaby's weight is starting back up. She got down to 5 lbs. even, but yesterday she gained a little over an ounce. Also her bilirubin count is starting to go down. It had gotten to 15, but yesterday it was down to 14.3. An acceptable amount is based on her size, but 15 was really high. So we are definitely moving in the right direction. I still don't know when she will be able to come home, but based on the hints I've gotten I think it will be 1 to 2 weeks more.

Big News

Well, It's over. I had my baby today at 3:19 p.m. She weighed in at 5 lbs 4.4 oz. and is 19½ inches long. She has a pretty nice head of hair too. She went to the NICU, but otherwise she is pretty healthy. Her lungs are in great shape. She was born at 34 weeks 4 days, so the NICU is definitely a precaution to make sure everything is okay.

Before
Baby Gaby high fiving the world (in all of her naked glory).

Mommy is a bit of a basket case, but Daddy is sure proud.

Gaby is giving you a wink. I think she knows something.

Oh, I Had Such a Pretty Dream Mama

I want to wish all of my sisters, sisters-in-law, nieces, nieces-in-law, and Harriet all a wonderful Mother's Day. I put together a tribute to the source of all of our musical inspiration - Georgie Gay Bateman - for all of you to enjoy. We used to sing this song to her every Mother's Day. The singers are all of her daughters who were at her funeral. I hope you enjoy this tribute to our mother. Oh, and you may want to have a box of tissues nearby.

"SORRY MOM"

We are giving talks in church tomorrow and Brennan wrote this poem to his mom that I thought I would share. I thought it was so cute. hope you enjoy.
I am wishing everyone a happy Mothers Day! Love, Tammy



"Sorry Mom”

Mom, I know that you think I’ve turned out all right.
But I know that I was the cause of many a sleepness night.
I gave you grey hair and deepened your worry lines.
If I could do it over again, I would be much more kind.

I pulled a lot of stunts and put my life on the line
Just to prove I was tough or out of my mind!
The cuts and scraps came in the tens and twenty’s
You were always there to give me comfort aplenty.

The constant teasing must have gotten very old.
My poor sisters were my favorite targets; truth be told.
I know that I should have treated them much better.
The fact is, I was not a very good example setter.

My feats of driving gained me great renoun
Of couse, as I was only 12, I couldn’t drive around town.
The church parking lot was where I learned to spin the tire
While you, meanwhile, were practicing with the ward choir!

I’m sorry Mom for all the heartache and pain
I hope leasons learned won’t need to be learned again.
You taught me so much about faith , hope and love
About Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father above.

I know it is their love that helped you to endure.
It strengthed you; it calmed you; it made you pure.
I will love you forever and.treasure the gifts given
I will be the son now that you knew I could be then.

-Brennan Bateman

The Birthday Train

Oh m'gosh, how could I almost forget?! Thanks for the gentle reminder, Holly. I was so distracted by the fact that school is out and I can now get on top of the mess that has accumulated around here, that this blog (that I have been thinking about posting for days now) almost went by the board. It's a good thing that school is out, actually, and just in time, so that I have time to do justice to the memories I have of Dad, Gayla, Holly and Luella, even though I am getting this off much later than I had intended.

Maybe Dad remembers when the first birthday train cake was made, and by whom. I remember that it was an ingenious creation, decorated with gumdrops and Oreo cookies (for wheels), among other things, and that it was made in a year in which Mother's day fell on May 9th, so in that year there were a total of 5 cars, including one for Mom. It so inspired Mom that it became a May 9th institution thereafter.

The Engine: The thing that is most significant to me about Dad is his creative ingenuity. If he can dream it up, he can build it. My most memorable Christmas is the one for which he built for us four "chairs", painted red, yellow and blue (if my memory serves me correctly) that could be turned on end to form a table. He was often in his workshop playing Santa, and we had no idea what he was doing all that time, or where the toys he made of wood came from. We thought Santa brought them. To this day he derives satisfaction from building things for people, it doesn't matter who. If someone else can dream something up, he can build that, too.

The other, most notable thing (to me) about Dad is his ability to pack a car, family included, for a trip. Not only could he pack a car with style and grace, he could do it in record time. If packing a car for a trip were an Olympic event he would drive off with the gold medal tied to his bumper. Woe unto the person who was not ready, and whose suitcase was not ready, to be loaded into the car when Dad was ready to load it! They were in danger of having to depart minus whatever was not packed when it was time to go. Many times did we hear Mom exclaim, just prior to the fixed (in Dad's mind) moment of departure, "TED! I'm not ready yet!"

The first of Dad's most notable packing accomplishments was an inspired achievement. It took place in the summer of 1971 when he loaded us and Diane Mix, plus two cellos (Mom's addendum, of course) plus enough of our stuff to last us for two weeks (whatever did not fit inside the car or in the trunk was tied to the bumpers) into two VW bugs. After each trunk was packed to the brim, the back of the back seats were laid down so that not less than four of us (in one car) and five of us (in the other car) could scoot all the way to the point where our heads could be bowed by the back window and our hips could be scrunched together. From there we could stretch out our legs and rest our feet on the stuff that occupied the space from floor to "seat" level. Then one cello (per car) was placed across our legs/laps. Then Mom (in one car), and one big kid (in the other car [I don't remember who got this privilege. I know it wasn't me]) sat in the passenger seat of each car with Rachelle and Noelle respectively, on their laps. In this manner we proceeded on our journey of 50 miles to Palmyra, New York and the Hill Cumorah Pageant to be participants. It just so happened that in that particular summer a reporter from the Ensign observed our grand entrance into wherever we first entered upon our arrival. He wrote of us, and I quote, "Coming down in two Volkswagons loaded with fifteen people, fourteen suitcases and a hundred dresses, they were the epitome of the always-laughed-at hardships genre." (I was disappointed that he failed to mention the luggage tied to the bumpers.)

This particular packing feat could not be repeated, try as Dad might, when it was time to go home after the two weeks were over, probably because enough members of the Ithaca ward came to the Sunday morning meeting to accomodate our collective need to get ourselves and our stuff, and the cellos, back to where we came from. I wonder if the reporter was around, watching to see if Dad could do it again.

The other most memorable of Dad's packing achievements was accomplished shortly thereafter when we were slated for a trip to Logan, Utah for Ralph's and Lamona's wedding. Thank heaven we had a van by then or we would never have been able to fit fifteen people (some of whom had grown slightly), two dogs (not cellos this time), violins innumerable (this time), plus all our stuff. I remember sitting anywhere but on a seat for the duration of that trip.

So the moral of these stories is (are?): You might be able get to heaven in Daddy's car, but only if he packs it! You might even be able to take it all with you when you go, but only if you're fast enough! Happy Birthday Dad!

The first car: They say that the perfect spacing for siblings is three years apart, and that children get along better with the sibling that comes after the one right next to them. That must be why of all my sisters, I felt the closest to Gayla growing up. I was protective for one thing. I tried to protect Lamona, but she was too fiercely independent to humor me. With Gayla it was another matter. She was more than happy to humor me, sometimes on occasions when I would rather not have been humored.

We three--Lamona, Gayla and I, all worked at the Cayuga Inn washing dishes. We took turns, one of us working at a time, and many times, at least for me, getting there and going home was an adventure. On one particular dark, dark night, very, very late, I was assigned to go pick Gayla up after work, in one of our little old beat up VW bugs. I arrived without incident but on the way home we had a flat tire. It just so happened that the flat occurred straight across the long and lonely road from a bar. What else could we do but venture forth into the darkness and plead for assistance from whoever was in there, in whatever shape they were in? As we approached the entrance, I, being shy, whispered to Gayla, "You go ahead. I'm right behind you," to which Gayla whispered back in no uncertain terms, "I'm not opening that door! You open it!"

What else could I do? I opened it and poked my head in, and all eyes, sober and otherwise, were upon me. I had no choice but to speak up, "Can somebody help us with a flat tire?" Turns out we had nothing to be afraid of. There was a mad rush, the charge being led by a manly looking lady who must have been able to hold her liquor, who manned very efficiently the changing of the tire. We were on our way in no time, thankful for helpful people in bars, and home before Mom had a chance to wake up and worry, wondering where we were.

Though it might have been said of others of us Bateman girls, I don't believe it could be said of Gayla that she ever flirted with the missionaries. But by the same token, the same could not be said of the missionaries when it came to Gayla. One summer day while at the Pageant, during lunchtime at the Hill, Elder Ross called out to her as she was walking by saying, "Hi-i, Gayla," and Gayla, who was stringent about obeying the mission rules imposed upon us during the Pageant, called back, "That's Sister Bateman to you!"

Gayla had it all: beauty, talent, intelligence and a sense of humor. Terry Williams, a Cornell grad student, used to come out to the Trumansburg house just to play Scrabble with us. His strategy for winning was to place a nonsense word on the board and when we protested, would put it in a sentence and make it sound as if it made perfect sense. He was so entertaining we let him get away with it, and so he won every game. Gayla, perhaps intent on winning a game once in awhile, took Terry's strategy and did him one better. She would look up unheard-of words in the dictionary, learn their meaning, then go around the house making conversation with whoever was around, deliberately using her new unheard of word. If she didn't win the next Scrabble game, she at least won the contest for best entertainment.

I wish she were here so I could tell her how much I miss her, and wish her a happy birthday.

The next car: Lamona's fierce independence was nothing next to Holly's. Even though she was a late walker, she had her ways of getting wherever she wanted to go. Before walking she didn't crawl. She scooted. I remember the cute little print-line she left on the kitchen floor as she made her way across it after we had come home from swimming--a heart shape here and a heart shape there... all in a row, rhythmically placed. When she did finally walk she was probably the first baby ever to count cadence to her first steps--perfectly inflected if not perfectly pronounced: "Hup! hoo! hee! hor! Hup! hoo! hee! hor!..."

For all her fierce independence, Holly would repeat anything we told her to say. We would surround her and let her mediate our arguments, even. One of us would say, "Holly, say (a word)", and Holly would say it. Then another of us would say, "Holly, say (a different word)," and Holly would say it. For a joke, Lamona took advantage of the fact that Holly could not pronounce her J's. She would say them like D's instead. So Lamona said, "Holly, say jam it!" and Holly obligingly said, "Dam it!"

Holly would make an exception to being fiercely independent when she was sick. In these instances she would be theatrical, milking everyone in her vicinity for all we were worth. I remember one occasion when she had a slight fever. She really didn't feel well, and to make sure I fully fathomed how well she didn't feel, she spoke weakly, slowly, in the most pathetics tones, and with profound expression, "Teddie..." (her voice trailed off and she breathed heavily before making another valiant attempt to finish), "Would you get me a drink of water?" (More trailing off of her voice, more labored breathing...) Not being able to endure a repetition of this performance, I got her a drink of water.

I hope you are feeling well today, Holly, and that you are having a great birthday!

The caboose: Luella was born on Dad's fortieth birthday, and since life begins at forty, Mom had the ingenious idea of having a baby shower--for Dad. Not very many people came, but enough to make it fun and funny. (I'm not even sure if Mom and Luella were home from the hospital yet.) The missionaries came bearing pink bubble gum cigars, and we all played games, which included bottle feeding and diaper changing contests using our dolls. And then we had refreshments--always the missionaries' main reason for coming--homemade bread and jam, probably.

Luella would have been a late walker like Holly if we her mother and older sisters had permitted it. But we were getting short on people willing to carry her, what with the novelty of endlessly carrying babies around having worn off (of me, for one). And so, when Luella was fourteen months old, we made her learn to walk. It was in the summer and while we were at Pageant, in the Sacred Grove, to be exact, although the atmosphere was anything but sacred, thanks to Luella's resounding resistance to this learning activiy. She did not want to walk and was mad that we were making her do it, and was making no bones about letting us know she was mad that we were making her do it. With Mom on one end of the quilt we had spread, and me on the other, she loudly cried all the way across as she left the security of Mom's arms, and loudly cried all the way back as she left the security of mine. This scene was repeated a number of times until we heartless ones were assured that she could sure enough walk. I believe she had quit crying about being able to walk by the time Pageant was over.

In spite of my heartlessness in helping to make her walk, Luella loves me. I know this because of the concern for me that she expressed after Faline had gone off to college, got engaged and got married the following summer, then I went off to college, then came home, then Lamona went off to college, got engaged and got married the following summer, and in the meantime I kept going off to college, coming home and going back to college. Finally Gayla went off to college and we both came home together for Christmas, with neither of us showing any indication of having gotten engaged. Luella was concerned for both of us and so she said to Gayla, "Gayla, you better hurry up and get married. We don't want you to end up an old maid, like Teddie!" All I can say to her now in response to this is, "Oh well!"

I am having a great day, Luella, "old maidenhood" notwithstanding, and I hope you are too. Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to us!

I never regretted sharing a birthday with my Dad and 2 sisters. I always thought we were lucky because Mom always made us a special train cake. Dad's was the engine, Luella's was the caboose and Gayla and I had 2 cars in between. I also enjoyed the link my birthday gave me to those who share it with me. I always miss Gayla on May 9th. I wish I could include her in my round of Happy Birthday telephone calls. I think that is why I've usually gotten beat to the punch by Dad and Luella, because I am reluctant to face the reminder of Gayla's absence. I remember our picture in the paper and as a child, wondering why having a birthday was so notable. It never occurred to me that such a thing was out of the ordinary.

I've often wondered since then how, out of 12 months in the year, Mom managed to hit the May 9th mark (which happened to be her sweetheart's birthday) 3 times out of 12. Maybe trying to give Dad an extra special birthday present? Or herself an extra special Mother's Day present? Or maybe we all just liked the month of May to be born in and thought, "Heck, as long as we're going to be born in May, why not make it the 9th?" Besides, the 9th day of every month was always celebrated by Mom and Dad as the anniversary of their first date. And, wow! I'm the 9th child. Oh the numerology!

I love Luella's little face in this picture. Such a beautiful Mona Lisa smile.

So now I'm planning to be the first to wish Dad, Gayla and Luella a happy, healthy birthday. I've loved sharing it with you.

My Stepdaughter Danielle is Getting Married

Not much notice I know, but my step-daughter Danielle Dawson is getting married on Saturday May 16th at 11:00 with a reception immediately following at 12 or 12:30pm. If you want to see how to put together a wedding for $200 (that's all Danielle's dad was willing to donate to the cause), this would be an instructive event for us Bateman cheapskates! On the other hand, some of you may want to come just to share in the celebration. All are welcome. Please RSVP. I did put this up on Facebook (although some of you probably asked yourself, "who is Danielle Dawson and why am I being invited to her wedding?"), so please go ahead and RSVP there if you are planning on coming.

Annual Memorial Day Bateman Family GetTogether

The time has come to plan for the Annual Memorial Day Bateman Family Get Together. The date is May 25 at 224 N 2000 W, West Point, Utah. We will plan to eat about 12:30. As usual, we will provide the dinnerware, meat, bread and drinks. Please bring a dish of any kind to share. If you can, let us know how many from your family will be coming. 801-825-5602 twhmbateman@Q.com

Happy Birthday Rachelle!

Thank you Teddie for your wonderful stories. Rachelle, Noelle, and I were the only children at home for quite some time, so we have quite a few memories together!

Memories I have of Rachelle:

• The morning she was born, I remember Dad coming in to our bedroom(I don't remember how many of us shared a room, but I remember it being quite crowded) and asking us if we wanted a little sister named Melody or Rachelle. You guessed what our vote was!
• I remember her following us around, wanting to play with us at our games of Cowboys and Indians, Lamanites and Nephites, or just wading in the stream.
• I remember the year that Gayla died, that my Trigonometry teacher died, too, as well as Rachelle's Social Studies teacher. It was really rough on her, and I wish I had been there more to try to help her through the pain she was experiencing.
• I remember staying up late late late into the night, just talking. I'll always cherish those late-night conversations!
• I remember Rachelle coming to spend numerous weekends with me at Ithaca College. I loved those visits!
• I am so glad to have Rachelle in our family. I love you, Rachelle!

Happy Birthday Rachelle! So glad you came along...

I remember when Mom was first pregnant with Rachelle. A bunch of us waited in the car for her during her first prenatal check-up. I don't know if this was a new doctor, of if he'd already delivered prior babies of Mom's. Whatever he was, he wasn't keen on the idea of "too many" children. When he understood that Mom already had eleven living children, he suggested she abort this one. Mom unhesitatingly replied, "I wish you doctors would quit playing God," and came out to the car exclaiming about the unmitigated gall of that doctor.

I also remember waiting for her in the car during her next doctor's appointment, which didn't last very long. This time she came out of the office chuckling that the doctor had refused to see her. It's probably a good thing for Rachelle (and the rest of us, because what would we do without her?) that he did.

She was born a month before I got back from my first year at the U. The first time I held her I couldn't help noticing something different about her, something I had never seen in the face of a baby before. It was like the look of an angel. I am not so naive as to believe that she has always acted like one, but I do believe she means to try, and she gets closer every day to actually being one, in my opinion.

With Rachelle Mom developed a new passion for breastfeeding (to replace the old passion she'd had of making us healthy by "sneaking" brewer's yeast into our orange juice before we came down for breakfast). She determined that she would nurse Rachelle until she (Rachelle) weaned herself. With this, Rachelle happily nursed and nursed, and grew and grew, and as she grew she became more and more conversant until finally she was able to say the words that would procure her feast, "Mama, tee-tee!" This brief, one-sided dialogue most often took place during Sunday School or Sacrament meeting when all was quiet (except for Rachelle). It probably happened most frequently in church because this was likely when her request was granted in the most timely manner, to shut her up.

For breakfast every morning, without fail, we had two beverages: milk and orange juice. Two glasses were placed at each setting for this purpose. And every morning at breakfast, Mom would, without fail, breastfeed Rachelle. Observing this one morning, and in a prodigious attempt to put one and one together, three-year-old Noelle innocently inquired of Mom as she was switching sides with the baby, "Why do you have two of 'em? Is one for milk and one for orange juice?"

Rachelle was a child of few words, as I remember, probably to save energy, being that it was a great effort to be heard above the din of life at our house, what with being the youngest of twelve. But she could speak up without hesitation when it became important enough to do so, such as the time we were going to go swimming and she, after looking and looking around without saying anything to anybody, announced, expressively, with her little hands upraised in a helpless gesture, "I can't find my baby toop (bathing suit)!" She could also be effectively communicated with if approached in just the right way (something I believe Mike has learned to do very well by now, and my God bless him for it). Something important was missing--I don't remember what it was, only that everyone had looked and looked for it in vain. Rachelle, I noticed, was not joining in the hunt, but was just standing around with a knowing look. I approached her and asked if she knew where the thing was. Without saying a word, she took my hand and led me right to it.

With abject apologies beforehand to Luella and Noelle (I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me), I have to confess that after their births I wished Mom would quit having babies, they were so much work and I felt that I ended up with more than my share of the load, but I was being maladjusted and lazy. If I had the chance to go back and think again, I would never have made such a wish. Babies are worth the work, and the work well-done makes them worth their weight in gold. I am so glad I never vocalized my wish to Mom, and so glad she told that doctor what was what. Rachelle, as it turns out, has become my very best friend, the distance in years between us notwithstanding. I'm so glad she came along.

Happy Birthday Louisa

Well since this blog has devolved into pretty much a birthday blog, I might as well join rather than fight the trend. So today, in memory of Louisa, I celebrate her birthday by posting some pictures and memories of her. The top picture is our engagement picture for our wedding announcement. I was fortunate to meet her. I went to California to sell insulation with Kelly and Brennan along with 10 other guys. We all went to church in her ward. She was sitting up on the stand and saw us walk in and knew as soon as she saw me that we would be married. It took a little bit longer for me to figure that out.



Louisa had an amazing voice. When I watch a video of her singing, it triggers the tears very quickly and there's not much I can do to stop the flow...



She was a devoted wife and mother and she loved all her children dearly. Before she passed on, she made sure to tell me to remarry so the kids could have a good mother to care for them. And she specified the criteria her surrogate had to fulfill, and one of those was simply "No cheerleader types--if you marry one of those, I WILL come back and haunt you!"



With her dark hair and light complexion she looked like Snow White. Here's photographic proof that the squirrels and birds came to do her bidding (although I'll admit they never showed up to help her clean the house).



This is one of my favorite family pictures. I miss you Sweetheart and I look forward to the day when we can be reunited!

One late addition--Louisa's sister wrote on her blog about Louisa as well. Click here to read what she wrote.

Happy Birthday Mom!

My mother wanted her children to be the artists/musicians/dancers that she always wanted to be. She did everything she could to get us music and dancing lessons. I never appreciated her sacrifices until I had children of my own and realized the time it takes to bring children to their lessons and pay for them, too. I know Mom bartered a lot of those lessons, but that was still a sacrifice!

I love to sing, and I will never forget all of those early mornings when we got up as a family and sang "The Lord Bless You and Keep You", "Consider Yourself", "Do Re Mi", and I don't know how many other songs. The year Mom died, I taught my students a song from Sesame Street. The name of it is "One Small Voice", and the gist of the words goes like this: "One small voice can teach the world a song. Just one small voice, and the world will feel the song. If you feel the music, and if you believe the words, sing, and you'll be heard." I believe that these words sum up my mother's desire to teach all of her children to sing, and thus teach us to share those songs and words to others.

For those of you who don't know or don't remember, I teach K-2 general music. A few years ago, my principal asked that our school have a dance festival at the end of the school year. After volunteering to help the children learn the dances(I later made a note to myself - never volunteer for anything!), I helped to make the dance festival a huge success. Since then, (somehow) I have been in charge of the dance festival every year. I like to think that it is Mom's payback to me for stopping my dancing lessons so many years ago!

Today would be Mom's 80th birthday. She was a wonderful woman, and I hope that her memory lives on in all of our music!

Happy Birthday Georgie Gay!

I remember thinking as a child that I must marry someone whose birthday is on the 15th because my grandparents had birthdays on the 9th and my parents had birthdays on the 29th.

I remember a time when Grandma flew to Utah for a visit, our family met her at the airport and the children sang a song for her. I burst into tears. I was so happy to see her!

I remember driving into Aurora to buy something at the hardware store and when we parked, she couldn't remember how to take the keys out of the ignition, so we just left them in the car.

I remember seeing Grandma and Grandpa do the two step at their 50th wedding anniversary, thinking how cool it was that they dance together.

What do you remember?

Here's a thought...

Let's use this blog to let one another know what's going on each other's lives and then be supportive of one another in both our successes and [temporary] failures and defeats. I loved that Dad and Harriet let us know about his upcoming cateract (sp?) surgery and then again afterwards the report of its success. I love you guys. You're my family I want to know what's going on with you especially if there's a way I can help. What say you all?

Love,
Monte

Cataractless at Last!

Today Ted had his last cataract removed. It was a little later in the day so it was easier in a way, but he could not eat or drink (except for a tablespoon of water with his blood pressure pills) until we got home at almost 4 o'clock. He is doing very well. No complications.

We had a wonderful visit with Kelly and Chel Tuesday through Thursday. He took us to Mandalay to the Acquarium. It was fascinating. Also fascinating was the buffet that he took us to later.

I have triet to attach as many pictures as I could of all of the above events.

We love you. Dad and Harriet