Thinking about Dad tonight

On the way home from gymnastics tonight we listened to the CD that Dad had made for everyone. I kinda forgot I had it. We really enjoyed hearing the music and listening to Dad's voice. I just can't stop crying. I really do miss him. I feel grateful that I will always have that CD to listen to when I just want to hear his voice. Anyway, just wanted to share my feelings. Hope all is well with everyone.

Lisa

Open Invitation

We would like to invite anyone and everyone over for a BBQ on Monday evening. In celebration of Morgan's birthday and of course having the day off!!! I don't know if anyone is even going to be in town but we would love to have all of the "townies" and any "out of townies" come over!! Call me or e-mail me if you think you can make it. We will be having yummy yummies!!

Have a great Labor Day Weekend!

Jolene

Good times!

Joe, you and Sheryl did a great job. It was beautiful. And Jeremy and Shelly - I don't think Elizabeth could have been any cuter. It was great to be there and to spend a little bit more time with mom. Susan - the girls and I were thinking how weird it was to be driving to Globe without you, it just seemed like you should have been with us! It was a fun and crazy weekend. I went tubing with the YM/YW early Saturday morning. I hadn't done that since High School - it was so fun, I want to do it again with the kids as soon as Devon is able.

Speaking of Devon, he is out of the wheel chair and in a walking cast. He had his first visit to the Physical Therapist today, it was painful but helpful. I'm just wondering - do you have to be gay to be a Physical therapist? All of the kids had Dentist's appointments this afternoon - NO CAVITIES!! That means no out of pocket costs for us. It was a good day!!

Have a great week everyone!!
Jolene

The Day After

I am so glad the wedding stuff is over. Thanks so much to all who were able to make it. Additional kudos to those who were bold enough to come without being invited! I told Jaree to be careful with regards to her selecting who in the family would be invited and who not! I think the main concern was making sure we had enough food. LOL, just kidding. Seriously though, I am glad it is over. A lot of money spent on a formality but hopefully it will set them on the road to good things. Jer, thanks for your support with my last minute decision......all is well.

JoeJr

Thank you Ash...looks like we might just find our way there after all...
Also on Saturday, Tanya is having her four newly adopted children sealed to her at 10 am and there is a reception type luncheon afterwards so we are hoping to be as Jaree's wedding but if we don't show it is because so much was going on here...and we just couldn't. Thanks everyone..Suz

Directions

Hey Everyone!
I thought I might try to be of some help with the direction dilema. I scanned the map and I'm going to try to paste it on here but if it doesn't work, I went to mapquest.com and typed in the address for the "Pima LDS Stake Center 374 W. 450 South Pima, AZ" and it gave what looked like a pretty accurate map. Here's the link to the site...sorry, it's really long!

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?latlongtype=internal&addtohistory=&latitude=GL3d7sI3irk%3d&longitude=GMQgjYE28%2f93mn60vfzhvA%3d%3d&name=Church%20of%20Jesus%20Christ%20of%20Lds&country=US&address=375%20W%20450%20S&city=Pima&state=AZ&zipcode=85543&phone=928%2d485%2d9270&spurl=0&&q=Pima%20LDS%20Center&qc=%28All%29%20Places%20Of%20Worship

Also, if anyone needs help with ANYTHING (babysitting, cleaning, ect.), my job doesn't start for a few weeks so I don't really have much to do. Give me a call and I'll be happy to help out wherever I can! Last time I posted my phone number, I got a new one the next day. The new one is 480-202-1531 so that one won't be changing for a while! Love you all! Can't wait to see everyone!
Love, Ash

Ditto

I agree with Susan - we need to know where the Pima Stake Center is. Maybe Joe or Shelly or someone could scan the invite (I'm assuming it had a map) or post here the directions to the Stake Center. Alan and I are picking Mom up on the way - so she will be there. She didn't get invited either. Brian may ride with us - but he might be bringing his squeeze - in which case he will ride with Ashley and Mike. I am excited to see everyone and be together again.

Jolene

We need to know how to get to the Pima Stake Center...

Jaree's Wedding

I have heard from lots of family that they did not receive an invitation to Jaree's Wedding. When I asked Jaree she said that they sent them to everyone so I am sure it is just some sort of mailing problem. Here is the information The wedding ceremony is 6:00 P.M. Saturday, August 26. The reception will be from 7-9. They will both be at the Pima Stake Center. They are registered at Gingerbread House, Target, and Bed, Bath and Beyond. Can't wait to see everyone. Have a Great Week!!

Shelly

100th Post!!

I just noticed that we had 99 posts! I think this is a milestone!!

Really, what I was wondering.... Is Jaree getting married next weekend? I thought I heard a rumor about that but I haven't received an invite and Mom hasn't either. Is it true? I have it on my calendar for 8/26. Can anyone tell me if this is true and maybe we just weren't invited?

Jolene

Hi Everybody

Well, I didn't have kids starting to school But I have been busy. Work has been a bear lately, with all the stuff that happened this summer, I just can't seem to catch up.
Debbie's funeral was amazing, the spirit was very strong and the family did such a good job. Debbie had a lot of good friends, and the stories they had to tell, well we laughed a ton. If you knew Debbie at all you can imagine. Her kids did a little thing together called What Mom taught me, that was my favorite part, she was a good Mom.
I have been busy working on a VT convention we had last night, it was actually quite good. The RS Presidency picked this really corny skit but when it was presented it was very good. It mad you laugh, but think about visit teaching and your goals.
Lyle is still working in Holbrook, at least for another week or two...And then he will stay home for awhile. That will be good for me. We still have our nephew, Brok living with us. He eats, sleeps, and plays....Trying to get him a job...Know of any?
Well, that's it in a nutshell....Love to you all...Happy Birthday to all those I have missed...Suz

Back to School Blog

I was so looking forward to school starting - hoping that with some kind of routine that life would become a little less hectic. What was I thinking? Four days in and I feel like I have been going non stop for weeks!! Here are some pictures of the kids on their first day of school. Devon is doing fine in his wheel chair. There is a ramp up to his classroom so he hasn't had too much trouble getting around. I know he just hates to sit and watch while his friends are playing basketball during lunch. Nicole is in afternoon kindergarten. She loves it. She keeps wanting to go back so I guess that is good. She loves going in the car pool - just like the big kids. Courtney got contacts before school started and was so glad to be able to start school with no glasses. Morgan and Devon are in the same class. They are in a class of 4th, 5th and 6th graders. I think they are doing fine with that at school but at home they have been arguing like mad. I had finally had it the other afternoon and sent them to their rooms. When Alan came home, I told him what was going on - he had them come down for dinner and then announced that they would spend the rest of the evening holding hands. It was awesome! They held hands all night - they were afraid to let go. Alan told them that if they let go even for a second they would have to hold hands all day at school. It worked - they didn't argue yesterday.

Brian came over Monday night for dinner and Family Home Evening. It was great. We love when he comes over - the kids think he is the best. Ashley - e-mail me: jolene593@msn.com and lets make some plans!! We can craft anytime! We would love to have you and Mike over for dinner too!

I was trying to add some pictures from the first day of school - but I am just too impatient with this sssllllooooowwwww computer!!

I hope everyone has a great day!
Lots of love-
Jolene

Catching Up

Hey Everyone!
Sorry, I haven't been very up to date on here lately. I don't know how many of you know yet but Mike and I have just moved to Mesa so I'm really hoping we can get more involved with the family down here and see everyone more! I'm still really ignorant in the city and don't know how to get anywhere but the Fry's down the street, Wal-Mart and Ross but I'm trying to get out more and get better at finding my way places. Mike got me a map of the whole valley and makes me find where I'm going and plan out my route before I go anywhere...at first I thought he was just being hard on me but I think it's starting to pay off now and am starting to appreciate it.
I feel bad for missing everything! Happy birthday to everyone and congratulations to Aunt Lynda and Uncle Marion! That's a great accomplishment! I hope you guys had a wonderful day!
I don't really know what else to say so I think I'm gonna end it for now. I'm sure everyone's really busy with school starting up and everything but I really do want to see family down here and I don't really have everyone's phone numbers and ADDRESSES especially so if anyone has a minute or wants to come by and see us or give us a call and tell us how to get to see you, our phone number is 928-322-4536 and our address is 256 W. 2nd St. off Country Club and Main in Mesa. Hopefully we can see everyone soon if not before Jaree's wedding. We're really going to try to make it to that...we felt really special getting our own announcement so thanks for thinking of us!
Oh, as a side note, Aunt Jolene, I really want to learn to make your signs so hopefully we can get together sometime! Also, Uncle Jer, Mike says he's up for raquetball "anytime, anywhere, you will go down"...were his exact words I believe so...yeah. He's always looking for people to play raquetball with...aparently I'm not much of a challenge!
Anyway, this is getting WAY too long! Hope everyone's doing well and we get to see everyone soon!
Ashley

School, Boating & Racquetball

Hey Everyone! I'm just getting caught up on everything and read all the updates. It sounds like everyone is really doing well. Today is the first day of school for us, so the house is quiet and I am loving it!!! I'm working mostly from home, so it's nice when it's quiet.
Shelly and I bought a boat and have spent the last 3 Monday evenings on the lake. We can leave home and be on the water in 25 minutes so it's nice to have FHE out there. The boat is small and only seats 7, but we can fit our entire family on it when we have everyone. So, that the new excitement in our lives.
Joe and I spent Saturday packing up and moving a lot of stuff at Mom's house. She is slowly getting everything taken care of. Joe and I played racquetball that evening and had a great time. It seemed ridiculous to go do that after such a tiring day, but once we got going, it really felt great. Anyone wanna play with me? I like racquetball.
Gotta run... Love you all.

Jer

Oh, don't take the kids to Talladega Nights. Very PG-13. You're kids will never be 13 enough.

It's Been a While!

Hey Everyone!

I has been so long since I have had time to sit down and write that I have TONS to say....so go to the bathroom, grab a snack (if you're allowed to eat at the computer!) and I'll try to get up to date!

First of all, I missed Brian's birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIAN!) and Jaree's shower (HOPE YOU HAD FUN JAREE!) and Taylor's birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAYLOR!) and Lonny's birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY LONNY!) and I'm not sure of the days on Tanner and Alli's birthdays so HAPPY BIRTHDAY TANNER AND ALLI. I hope all of you had a great time. We need to get a family calendar together!

I missed all of you at our anniversary party. Our kids did a fantastic job of throwing us a really fun party. We had a really good dinner. Then they had a video presentation on a big TV they had set up. Bethany had taken our old photo album (and I mean OLD!!!!!) and put together a slide show (some of it was a little embarassing!) and Adam had sent a video clip. I knew he had sent something by e-mail but wasn't prepared to see him and hear his voice. It took me quite a while to get myself back together after that, but then they brought out a beautiful cake with our original wedding cake topper on it. Before we cut the cake Marion knelt down and asked me to spend the next 25 years with him and gave me my ring! It had lost a stone and he had it replaced. I didn't even notice the ring was gone for 3 weeks!!! We had a wonderful time and it was good to have both of our mothers here to help us celebrate. There were about 35 people at the party. I wish all of you could have been there.

We also had a wonderful weekend with the kids. Of course, we REALLY missed Adam. But we were all together from Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon. Going to church together and taking up a whole pew again was really nice.

Tuesday we took off to visit with Bethany at her house in Las Cruces and then we went on to Carlsbad to see Saralyn's new home. It is so pretty. We had a really good time there, too. We got home late Thursday night because Tyler had to go back to school (on his birthday! what kind of present is that???) The girls start Monday. Hard to believe Amanda is in high school. She is a little nervous but her locker is right next to Jalenna's (not sure Jalenna is happy about that!!!) so she can (and will) help her out. It is nice to see sisters as close together as they are be good friends. And the bonus....with Amanda's locker right next to hers and the school splitting lunches (Freshmen and Sophomores have A lunch and Juniors and Seniors have B lunch) we are hoping for a crimp in Jalenna's love life!!!! What an evil mother I am!!! Bwa Ha Ha!!!!

So school is in full swing again Monday and I am sure not ready for summer to be over. Seems like it went so fast this year and I didn't get to spend much time with my kids. I will get to spend a lot of time with Amanda this year at school, but Jalenna quit band and I sure will miss her. Tyler has decided not to play soccer this year. It was a really hard decision, but he couldn't do soccer and be in the rhythm and dance program or the bike club or the Ballet Folklorico group he has been in or take the drum set lessons he is going to start next week because his practices would be at the same time. He loves soccer and is really good at it. Sometimes life's choices are very difficult. I hope he made the right decision. It will be nice not to have to take him to practice in Silver everyday. They don't have soccer out here. But I will miss watching him play.

Well I'm sure I have bored you to death. I miss all of you and hope to see you soon. My best friend's daughter is getting married Friday in the Mesa Temple so we will be down for the day. The wedding is at 9:30 and there is a luncheon afterwards then we will need to jet home. So I will think of all of you while I am there and wish I could get to see you. We'll try to make it down soon. You are ALWAYS welcome here!

Love you all,
Lynda

Happy Wednesday!

I don't really have anything important to post here - I just wanted to say hi to everyone. I am eagerly waiting for Monday when school starts. All of the neighbor kids started today with the Gilbert Schools. I am jealous of all of my friends from my area who were childless today. I took the kids to the mall for a little bit but Devon really hated it. People made comments and kids stared and he hated it. We didn't stay long, it reall is hard to get a wheelchair around in some stores, they put the clothing racks so close together that we were struggling. We are getting a little taste of what a truly disabled person must go through.

We are doing a back to school night for mutual tonight - the kids will get a schedule and rotate through 10 minute classes. I am teaching "seminary". I haven't planned what I am doing yet. I guess I will get busy and stop leaving boring posts.

Big hugs!
Jolene

Birthday Wishes & Grandma

Thanks for the birthday wishes for Lonny. We had Mom over for dinner to celebrate Lonny's birthday. We had family home evening together and just hung out. We went outside to watch the kids play basketball. Mom & I sat in those cheap plastic chairs in the grass. I was feeling a little wobbly and when I turned to look at mom, she was falling back in slow motion, out of the chair, into the grass. She was laughing so hard she could hardly get up. The kids thought it was so funny they kept saying "look, I'm grandma" and falling out of the chair. Grandma is just like a big kid. I just thought I would share that. I guess you had to have been there but it was quite funny. I am sure the kids won't forget that! Mom was headed back to Globe today to get more things done. Anyway, we sure enjoyed her company!

Lisa

Weekend News

Lonny's Birthday.............WHO CARES! Taylor's Birthday...........WHO CARES! Brian's Birthday........WHO CARES! Alli's Birthday.................NOW THERE'S SOMETHING TO CARE ABOUT!! LOL
Spent the weekend upta Eager with brother Don. Very enjoyable. Met Brian in Globe on Friday evening, had crab legs at the casino then made it to Eager about 10 p.m. Had a very relaxing time, came home Monday afternoon. Rained everyday! Awesome.
Glad to hear the old goat and wife made it back from Oregon.
Love you all and am enjoying reading all the updates.

JoeJr

Jolene...mines bigger.....

Happy Birthday!!!! LONNY

Just wanted to add my note as well, I do hope you get to do something fantastic today. You are a wonderful brother and I don't know what I would do with out you...thanks for being there for me through all these low many years...Love you tons...Suz

Happy Birthday Lonny!!

I hope you have a great Day!!

Susan - I am so sorry to hear about Debbie. She has suffered for so long. Please tell Lyle and Granny and everyone that we are thinking about them. I know this will be a crazy week for you - If you need anything call me.

Jolene

Update on Debbie

Lyle's sister Debbie passed away Saturday, August 5th. Her husband,Papa, and brothers who could gave her a blessing and she left us. It was one of the more spiritual experiences of my life. She left us so peacefully. She had been suffering in such pain for so long.
It has given me a chance to grieve for Dad, and Debbie at the same time, their experience were so similar, yet different. It also made me appreciate Debbie's courage, and her insight into the needs of her family. She was a goof ball, but always had her heart in the right place. She was a pretty amazing fighter...she trully fought the good fight and won. She was able to accomplish pretty much everything she wanted and needed to do before she left us.
Anyway, the funeral is Friday, and we are going back on Thursday. I love you all...Suz

Oregon Trip

Just wanted to let you all know that my parents and grandma left this morning to head back. They will be back sometime on Sunday. Joy

Me again

Well, just so you know. Lyle's Sister Debbie is under hospice care and they let us know today that she has about a week, so Lyle and I are going over tomorrow and will be gone all week end. Sorry we have to miss everything. Just a little numb right now....just wanted you to know..Suz

not much new

Hi everybody-
Would anyone like me to post Amron's letters here, I never thought to do that until today..

Lyle is working in Holbrook during the week, and I have read almost all the novels Mom gave me. I think I got 8 little LDS romance novels from her, and couple of LDS books, like from the bookstore. I can't sleep much when he's gone.
I got to visit with the Ridd girls while Alan and Jolene were at the hospital with Devon...that was very enjoyable for me,it was actually the highlight of my week... I love being an Aunt.
Devon you remind me of your cousin Amron...smart kid, but sometimes......
Let me know when we are going to help Mom...
That's all for me...Suz

Ridd Family Update

It has been a while since I have posted anything here - and I have a lot to report. Last week on Thursday morning I left for Girl's Camp at Camp Lo-MIA. I love Camp Lo- Mia. It is where I went to camp as a Young Woman and I was able to go there 3 or 4 times with the Mesa Stake on the Stake Staff. It is wonderful to have a Girl's Camp experience at a place that is dedicated to the Lord. There is a spirit there that you don't experience when you are having camp in the middle of a horse pasture (last two years). I had some amazing experiences and it was different but great to be gone over a Sunday and have Sacrament meeting outdoors. I didn't get much sleep as is normal at camp - maybe 2 or 3 hours each night. I was really looking forward to getting home and sleeping in my own bed. But... that was not to be....

As I was driving home from camp Monday morning, Alan called to tell me that he was in the hospital with Devon. While Alan was home teaching on Sunday, Devon decided to see how far he could jump down the stairs (we have 14). He put pillows at the bottom of the stairs and started jumping, getting higher each time. He ended at the 12th step, landed it twice but tried a third time and broke his leg/ankle in three places. He blew out both sides of his ankle, and broke the tibia which is the calf bone that is behind the fibula which is the schin. I think. He fractured the growth plate there. Alan took him to the ER at Banner Baywood (the old Valley Lutheran)- they had a terrible, painful experience as the tried to set it temporarily then they put him in an ambulance and moved him to Banner Mesa (the old Mesa Lutheran). He spent Sunday night there and saw a podiatrist Monday morning. I got there just in time to ride with him in the ambulance as they transferred him to Banner Desert (the old Desert Samaritan). They have a wonderful pediatric hospital there and we finally got hooked up with a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon. He had surgery to re-set it again on Tuesday. The surgeon was able to do it without pins, plates or screws. We feel like that is really blessing. He will be in a wheel chair for 3 - 4 weeks and then on crutches for another 3-4 weeks.

We came home this afternoon and are trying to adjust to the changes. He will need help with everything, going to the bathroom, bathing etc... He will start school with the wheel chair - and is not looking forward to that. I, however, am looking forward to a good night's rest. After 4 nights in a cabin with young women and 2 nights sleeping in a chair at the hospital, I am exhausted. Tomorrow we will go to the surgeon's office for another x-ray and a new cast, a harder more permanent one. We were supposed to leave on vacation tomorrow for 12 days but have had to cancel those plans. We are all disappointed, but thankful that it wasn't any worse than it is. With what he was doing, we are lucky he didn't break his neck and end up in a wheel chair for the rest of his life.

Anyway, that long story is what is going on with us. Joy, will you please tell Grandma what is going on. When do they plan on being home? Jeremy, thank you for sharing that letter from Phil. Dad sure loved him and talked about him a lot. Please share any others that you receive. Joe, Lynda and your families, we were going to miss the anniversary, and the shower because we were going to be out of town, now, I will have to miss them because of Devon's leg. I wish I could be with you. Lonny, you can't even imagine how much your visit meant to Devon, he thinks you are so cool for thinking about him like that.

My love to all of you.

Jolene

Trip to Oregon

Just thought I would let you all know that my parents, grandma and Ora left Livermore today and are headed my way. My mom called me from Sacramento late this morning and let me know that they should be at my house early in the afternoon tomorrow. It sounds like they had a wonderful visit in Livermore.

It was wonderful to see you all and I hope you are all doing well. I was wondering if anyone has a detailed list with everyone's information on it....Addresses, phone numbers, email, etc. I do not have any of this on many of you and would really love to have it so that I can keep in better contact with everyone.

Joy