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| late 1989 |
31 January 1995
Tell about your grandchildren - how many? Names? how you feel about being a grandparent? etc?
This is going to take a while and many pages because we have 25 grandchildren and there are many things I’d like to mention about each one - so I may not be able to do a question a day for a while. I’ll just write on this until I finish, for being a grandparent to our particular grandchildren is one of the choicest experiences of my lifetime. No wonder the scriptures talk so much about posterity. When I look at them and feel their spirits, I don’t mind dying. They are the kind of people who will change this old world for the better.
#1 JC and I traveled to Provo, Utah in August of 1979 to be with Grace when she gave birth to our 1st grandson. The baby did not come & did not come. I found out Grace had one last paper to complete before graduation Aug. 18 so we spent the last week we were there completing that paper on “Yeast”. We attended her graduation on Aug 18 (also her wedding anniversary) & headed back to SC for I had to begin school on Aug. 21 (teaching at CMS - my 1st year there). On Aug 20, we (top margin: Nathan loves computers & their games & is an expert at his age.) drove in and were coming into the house when the phone started ringing. It was Doug calling to let us know that Nathaniel Douglas had been born that day and weighed 7 lbs 19 ½ oz. I was overjoyed but so frustrated we were not there to show Grace our joy and our thankfulness for her. Nathan will be 16 this year and has been a source of great joy & blessings to us.
#2 Judd Ivey was born on 17 Apr. 1980 weighing 7 lbs 13 ½ oz. There was no way we could go at that time (during the school year) So I immediately started planning to go as soon as school was out in June. Lois got her drivers permit at age 15 and went along to help drive. Our niece, Brenda Connell also went with us. We stopped off in Hot Springs, AR and picked up Donna’s Mom: Bertha Satterwhite. What a trip. We were driving an Oldsmobile that had been converted to a diesel engine. We had a time going up those Mts in UT & New Mexico, but it was worth it to see that precious little red-headed boy of Bob’s & Donna’s. We had a very eventful trip back pulling Doug’s & Grace’s belongings in home-made trailer to N. Aug., SC. Another story.
(In Margin: Donna & Bob came to stay w/ us when Judd was about 6 mos until Nov. of 1980 when Bob got his USAF orders to Albuquerque, N.M.)
#3 and #4 Ellen Renee & Laura Kathleen , identical twin girls born on 23 May 1981, @ 5lbs 2 ½ oz and 5 lbs 10 oz respectively gave us a wonderful thrill. Grace did not know until about 2 weeks before their birth she was going to have twins tho’ I’d suggested to her when she was 3 months she looked 6 mos and was maybe going to have twins. Her doctor said ¬– No she felt only one heartbeat. Doug’s mother came and helped her out her 1st week home as she’d had a “C” section and was nursing the two babies. I went down the second week as soon as school was out and stayed a month. JC gave Grace diaper service and that was a lifesaver. I slept on a pallet in the room with the twins and carried them in to their mother for nursing after I changed the baby. I’d bring that one back, and the other one had to be cared for. In a few days I realized Grace was going to have to be fed 5 times a day to meet the demands of 2 babies so I began feeding her 3 meals a day and 2 heavy snacks – one about midnight. I’ll never forget how these little babies would reach around and be touching no matter how I laid them in the crib. They are beautiful 13 yr olds now. (margin: Laura and Ellen sing in the ward choir and both also play the piano. Ellen practices abt 3 hrs a day)
#5 Joe and Kerry had their first son Joseph Benjamin 20 Feb. 1982 weighing in at 8 lbs. At the time they were staying here with us, for Joe was getting ready to go to college. Ben was such a good little baby and we so enjoyed having him close and seeing him change and grow. You could almost see him getting bigger from day to day as Kerry nursed him He would smile and coo and laugh. Soon he was turning over both ways, and you couldn’t leave him on a bed or couch.
Now, at age 12, he is playing football and wrestling in L-E Middle Sch. Wrestling. He is a strong spirit and close to his parents and brothers and sister.
#6 Bob and Donna, on 21 March 1982, (JC’s b’day) had Rachelle Marie in Albuquerque, N.M. weighing 7 lbs. Bob was in the USAF and was also attending graduate school at U.N.M. at Albuquerque in Physics. Rachelle had a beautiful little face and dark hair. We didn’t get to see her until summer. Bob was worried about one of her eyes that turned in. They had it operated on later, and it has been fine. She wore a patch first. That didn’t help much. She is now a brilliant 12 yr old.
#7 Rebecca Lynn (Becky) was born 7 March 1983 (weighing 8 lbs.) in Baltimore, MD. In a short period of time, she was full of dimples – in her cheeks, in her elbows and knees. She was roly-poly and just precious with her blond hair. We didn’t get to see her until summer either. Teaching school doesn’t allow grandparents time off to visit their precious little ones. But, oh, how we enjoyed her tricks when we did see her. She is now a slender, dimple cheeked blond who is very pleasant, deeply loved by animals, (Lucky-Ducky or duck, (in between lines: a duck) thought she was his mama), admired by her family, second-mama to Rachel, and super intelligent. Loves horses.
#8 Christopher Charles 8 lbs 2 ½ oz. 20 ½ ″ long was born 10 June 1982, Foy and Sherri’s first child. Since they were living on-campus @ USC we got a chance to visit him right away and saw him grow and develop from the be- ginning. They brought him over when he was 5 or 6 months old for us to baby-sit one night so they could go out (I think for Foy’s b’day Nov 11). Anyway, I was down in the floor playing peek-a-boo w/ him. He laughed so hard that I got started. I could hardly sit up I laughed so hard at this happy, bright-eyed, intelligent little boy. JC started laughing in his deep ho-ho style and that made me laugh until tears came from my eyes-I’ll never forget this sweet experience. Chris still is such a wonderful boy, now nearly ready to receive the priesthood in June. (in margin: Chris is taking piano lessons and doing well.)
#9 Juli Elizabeth, Bob and Donna’s 2nd dau. was born 4 July 1983, red-headed 8 lbs and 20″ long out in Albuquerque, New Mex. We went out and were there for her blessing for which Donna had a beautifully made blessing dress. Long and ornate. She has been a precious granddaughter, and we’ve only gotten to see him about once a year since her birth. One summer she, Judd and Rachelle spent a month w/ us and I remember this with such joy. She dances and sings beautifully and is coming into her own as a good student and this year.
#10 Only one grandchild came in 1984: Naomi Lynn, born Apr 5, 1984 to Joe and Kerry. She weighed 7 lbs 5 oz. and was 21 ½ ″ long. She was born in Columbia so we saw her fairly often. She had curly dark hair, a beaming smile, and was a loving, cuddly little bundle of life. Since her dad was in school and her mom constantly trying to juggle all her responsibilities and help earn money too, Naomi, Ben and Kerry were inseparable. I almost thought of them as one person. Naomi hard lots of breathing problems and Kerry worried so about her (I know Joe did too but it was such a hectic time for him much had to be left to Kerry.) But Naomi has come through to being a tall, healthy athletic girl who just loves horses, horseback riding, jumping on the trampoline, etc. She also helps so much with her little brothers!
#11 On 31 Jan 1985, Heidi Nicole was born to Grace and Doug in Virginia. She was 7 lbs 5 oz and 20 ″ long. She was a gorgeous baby, looked a lot like Grace as a baby. The four other children in her family played with her like a doll. She came here tough and durable. She was like a Timex “take a lickin’ and keep on tickin.” Not that anyone hurt her. They just loved her hard. She reminds me of myself. Tough, stubborn, happy, intelligent, hard working (if she can’t figure a way to get out of it), loves to read, hear stories, tell stories, be involved, and loves to be off to herself at times. Plus, she loves horseback riding which I never did. She’s an asset to her family and seems to be unafraid.
#12 Our other 1985 baby came to Foy and Sherri 28 April 1985 in Columbia (where Foy was in school at USC) Robin Lynn weighed 7 lbs 2 oz and was 21 ″ long. Sherri was able to take off from her teaching job at Blaney Elem the last weeks of school so it was a double blessing for Robin to be born at that particular time. We got to see her often. She rarely slept through the night (Like her Daddy before her) and was a challenge to keep up with. She was such a cute, precious little girl whom everyone seemed to love. She works hard in school, acts like a momma to her little sisters and makes her parents proud of her. She’ll soon be 10 years old. She is taking piano lessons and is doing so well.
#13 Catherine (“Katie”) Annette, born 23 Dec 1986, in Virginia, weighed 8 lbs 8 ½ oz. and was 20 ¾″ long and was our only grand-child born in 1986. We were there – arriving that day. Grace went off to her Dr’s appt. and didn’t come back. We finally got a call saying she had to go on to the hospital. She was home the next day. I couldn’t believe it! Katie was accepted as a special Christmas gift from Heavenly Father by her family. On Christmas day, Doug’s sister’s children were also there and I remember Grace (in between lines: and Katie) and all those children all over the couch. What a gathering! Katie has a mind of her own that hears what she wants to hear. She learns by doing and is always working out some problem in her mind by using blocks, “ponies”, “cars”, imagination and time. She reads and enjoys many kinds of books including the scriptures. I see her as a leader in her lifetime. She already plays the piano w/ a little instruction from her older sisters.
#14 Luke Aaron born Sept. 30, 1987 weighing 5 lbs 10 oz and 18″ long is the only gchild born in 1987 to Jean and Bob in Colorado Springs. Jean lost over half her blood volume delivering him and could have lost her life if she hadn’t been in a civilian hospital. The doctors said they were going to have to give her a hysterectomy and were prepping her for it to stop the bleeding. Bob said he suddenly “knew” the bleeding would stop and it did w/out the operation. Luke is our only grandchild not born under the covenant. JC went out when he was small as both of us could not go. He was a beautiful little red headed boy. Bob always cared for him at night and when Jean was away flying. Jean is a good mother and adores Luke, however she still makes him mind and teaches him all he can learn. We have seen him very little in his lifetime. We were there in 1993 for his 6th b’day, got to see him play soccer and score some goals a fine sturdy intelligent little boy who lives with his mom in a big house in Colorado. We took him to the zoo and relished our time w/ him.
#15 Alyssa Marie was born to Karen and Sterling 28 Feb. 1989 weighing 7 lbs 2 oz and 20″ long in Camden, SC. Her mom had been so sick during the 1st months of the pregnancy, I prayed constantly for her. She lost 13 lbs in 2 weeks one time and had to be hospitalized. But she did well and delivered by “C” section this beautiful little girl who, to me, looked just like her g’daddy JC from the beginning. No baby was ever loved more by her mom and dad than this one. Sterling was as worn out (almost) as Karen as he was “coaching” hard. Alyssa is so smart Here at age 5 she can already read, talks like a grown-up using a phenomenal vocab-., is so loved by all her cousins who look so forward to every trip to the South from OR. where she lives now while her dad is in Chiropractic school. She was chosen by Aunt Lisa to care for her “train” to her dress at her wedding Dec 29, 1995. Lisa’s g’ma had suggested Alyssa because she was incredibly still waiting in the temple for the adults to return from the wedding – even tho’ all the other children were well-behaved, g’ma though Alyssa exemplary. None of the girl cousins were jealous because they were so proud of Alyssa.
#16 Hannah Elizabeth was born 12 May 1989 and weighed 8 lbs 9 oz and was 20″ long. Grace and Doug couldn’t decide on a name un-til after she was born. She was a beautiful, dark-haired baby with lovely eyes. Doug said, “She looks like a Hannah to me”. JC and I went over to visit and got to hold her soon after her birth. She has a powerful spirit. As we watch her grow, we see that she is very independent, has her own ideas and opinions. She is struggling to gain control of her body and temper. I see a lot of progress. By the time she was 4, there wasn’t a wall or book or writing space that didn’t have her name written on it in her unique handwriting. Her mind is very creative. She and Katie together will probably write books someday. She is still dark-haired and has beautiful eyes.
#17 Campbell Talbert was born to Joe and Kerry 14 June 1990 and weighed 8 lbs 9 oz and was 21″ what a fine little boy! Before our mission in 1991, Campbell could already throw a ball like a big guy. If you said “ball,” you got it right in the face! He was very accurate! Even JC would duck. He loved to be held and rocked, and I loved to hold him and watch him drift off peacefully to sleep. I probably missed him more than anyone else while we were on our mission to the Germany Munich Mission. Donna Goff loved him too. She wrote me of taking him for a walk back of the church where some city kids were playing soccer. Before she could realize what he was doing, he ran out onto the field and to the amazement of those big kids, this 2 year old kicked that ball flying down the field!
His dad is always telling tales of what he’s said or done. One Sun. morning after Joe was ready to go to church, he picked up Campbell to give him a hug and C sniffed his cologne and said, “Daddy, I love your pollution.”
Campbell travels a foot above the floor most of the time running, leaping, doing karate twirls, chops, turns, etc. He loves the idea that he is very strong and can do so many things (like his Daddy when he was a little boy). Multi-talented and loving.
#18 Sharon Ashley was born 2 Oct 1990 to Foy and Sherri over in Columbia while they were still at Carolina Gardens at USC. She weighed 7lbs 6oz. and was 19“ long. Now she is a tall child. She is so intelligent and has been talking a long time... so close to her mother. She loved her crib more than any baby I’ve ever seen. When she got tired or sleepy after she was big enough, she’d go climb in her crib, pull her blanket up and wiggle in and go to sleep or just rest. She loved to sleep on her daddy’s chest when she was a little baby. Sherri was still teaching so had to get her up and take her to day-care every school morning. There, Sharon loved old Sis. Fish who came and helped out by rocking the babies and just holding them.
Now, Sharon loves books, playing w/ her friend Patrick, watching her “videos” (Disney characters). She likes rice, grits, beans, and other Southern soul food. Quite a g’dau
#19 William Ivey “Will” was born 24 Feb 1992 and was a whopping 9lbs 8 oz and 22 1/4“ long and Kerry had to have a “C” section. He came while we were in Augsburg, Germany and was late. We didn’t get to see him until June of ‘93 so missed a lot of his babyhood. But he filled in the gap for me for he was about the age Campbell was when we left in ‘91. I enjoyed rocking and holding Will because he was a snuggly little boy also. Lois said he taught her to love holding little babies because he was so sweet. Now he moves so fast, he skims just above the ground. He also has a creative mind, getting into more stuff in an hour than his Mom can straighten out in a day. He talks well, speaking his words plainly, asking question about everything, giving opinions freely. His feelings are tender and close to the surface. I have unintentionally hurt his feelings several times and have grieved about it.
#20 One day after Will was delivered by “C” section, Rachel Marie was born to Grace and Doug. She weighed 8 lbs 9 oz and was 21 inches long -- She is their 7th daughter. She is a beautiful, precious little girl who is strongly finding her place and developing her personality in that large family. (I feel a great kinship with her as I am also the 8th child in my family) Seeing Grace’s love enjoyment and understanding of Rachel has helped me feel the love my mother must have had for me. I always doubted deep in my mind because she was so devoted to my younger sister. (Rachel is coping with this also as she has a younger brother.) Rachel has a sweet, gentle face, with a little voice (until she gets upset). She is well-loved by the Nursery leaders at church... Sis Barton and Sis Hilton... she is quiet and usually very cooperative. She doesn’t talk much there, but she can talk very well. Her sentences are well-formed, simple, direct comments. She speaks plainly and I feel deeply attached to her and do so enjoy her twinkly eyes and mischevous smile. I also enjoy how seriously she works at getting attention in Sacrament mtg and how kindly her parents give her the attention she needs yet keep bringing her back into the service.
#21 Jessica Erin was born to Sherri and Foy 25 July 1993 weighing in at 7 lbs 5 oz and was 21 inches long. JC and I had gone up when Foy let us know Sherri was in labor. We went on up and relieved the babysitter and were able to see Jessica not long after her birth. She, too, was beautiful. It was so good to hold her close and be aware of this powerful spirit joining our family here on earth. She was our first grandchild born after our mission. This past weekend, we kept her (and Chris, Robin, and Sharon) so Foy and Sherri could go to Myrtle Beach for a long weekend Thurs night, Fri, Sat, and Sunday. (Foy to a medical Seminar, Sherri to shop) Jessica is 18 months old, saying many words as plainly as I. She moves non-stop until you stop her and at great speeds. We walked back and forth to Grace’s several times. She literally ran most of the way, falling flat numerous times, picking herself up, slapping her hands together to knock off the sand, and running on again. I was amazed. She wouldn’t hold my hand or Sharon’s. She got very upset when we got there and I wouldn’t let her play outside with Bear (huge dog) and Beethoven (puppy). She had no fear!
She’d wake up in the night but after a hug, she’d say nite-nite and fall back in the playpen to sleep. She’d climb out of that and hit the floor in the mornings. She calls all liquids “juice” - rain, milk, water, and juice. She says “Daddee” so sweetly it grips your heart. We loved having her and the others here.
#22 Chelsea Marie actually should have been #21 because we got her “readymade” when Lois married Rick Moss 2 July 1993. She was born 20 Jan 1989. Lois loves her very much & Chelsea loves Lois. They have a lot of fun together. Chelsea looks so very much like her daddy. She has a precious personality, infectious laugh & sweet smile. We don’t get to see her much - May/June & December usually.
#23 Zachary Nolan was born to Kerry & Joe 7 Sept 1993. He weighed 8 lbs 2 oz and was 21 inches long. He had such big eyes and was very alert from the beginning. Coming as he did as the 4th son and the third in a row after Campbell & Will, Zack had to be strong! He is a beautiful little boy; tough yet tender hearted and loving. He and his Mom have a special bond. I’ve enjoyed watching him grow & develop. At Kerry’s & Joe’s the other day, Jessica was there with me visiting. She got in one of Zack & Will’s cars that you drive by propelling with your feet. Zack jumped out of his & ran over to push Jessica. He pushed her in that car all over the yard. The he started out toward the trampoline and looked back to see if Jessica was following. She wasn’t coming fast enough to suit him. He took off running back, got her by the hand & they toddled on out to the trampoline. It was a sweet “picture” my eyes snapped of these 18-month old grandchildren. Just a few months ago they were driving each other crazy. When one would pick up a toy the other would try to get it back, scream & scream if they couldn’t. Now: best friends.
#24 Seth Daniel was born 9 Aug 1994 at 8 lbs 10 oz and 21” long to Grace and Doug. He’ll always be special in my life for I will never forget the events that transpired at our house the day he was born. His older brother & 7 sisters were staying here - Lois & Donna G. were keeping them while JC & I did our Tues. work at the Bishops Storehouse. We came by the hospital to see Grace & they told us it’d be a while before she had the baby. We came on home & I started supper for the troops. The phone call came telling us the baby was a boy. When the girls heard it, they started running & jumping thru the house saying “It’s a BOY, It’s A boy, IT’s a boy! It’s A BOY! Doesn’t that sound good? BOY! BOY! BOY!” This went on ad infinitum. But Nathan, the big brother, simply said, “AT LAST”. I took all the children up to see Grace & the baby after supper. People up there at the hosp. couldn’t believe Grace & Doug who look so young could have all those children from age 15 down. The children were amazed at Seth - His head was 15” around - biggest head we ever saw. Nathan said he had to be a genius w/ a head that big … said his brain would be huge
Seth is now 6 mos, crawling, saying Mom, Dadee, & is precious with a very sweet smile. His family thinks he is the best thing since the baby Jesus (and he played that part also at Christmas - Ben, Nathan, & Chris played the 3 wise men. They brought gifts of (Ben) a cap, (Nathan) a teddy bear and (Chris) a little airplane.)
#25 Elizabeth Annette was born 14 Sept 1994, the first child of Lois & Rick Moss. I was able to be with Lois & Rick and assist in the birthing process. Elizabeth weighed 8 lbs 5 oz and was 21” long. She has red hair and blue eyes and also had a “genius” size head - 14”. JC & Dick, the granddads, waited in the waiting room. Dixie & I the grandmoms, worked in the birthing room. It was a wonderful experience. I’d been present at other births but Elizabeth was the first of our g’children I saw born. I will never forget the spiritual feelings that I felt as Elizabeth joined us here on earth. Dick was holder her later that day she seemed to be looking directly into his eyes. I got the distinct impression she & he knew each other well in the pre-mortal world and wote my feelings on this to Lois & Rick.
I was able to go over and spend a week with Lois & Eliz. after they came home from the hospital. It was a sweet time. As I helped do the little tasks to help out, my heart and soul expanded thanking my Heavenly Father for his great love for JC & me and our children, for hearing and answering our prayers that Lois’s true companion would appear and marry her and share her life, give her children, love and cherish her as she deserved. (This we did on our mission). Seeing Rick and getting to know him so much more intimately as he fearlessly helped Lois have Eliz. there in the birthing room & seeing how marvellously perfect Eliz. came into this world was such a direct answer to prayer that I was overwhelmed with my gratitude for these blessings. Elizabeth is now 6 months old (or will be tomorrow). She is such a smiling, bright-eyed happy little girl. Her grandmom Dixie dresses her like a princess/queen! (she also does the same for Lois who adores Dixie and is amazed she has such good taste in clothes for her as well as Eliz.) Eliz. is crawling and cutting teeth. One of my great happinesses is to see Eliz. and Seth playing here together on my living room floor. They are both so beautiful and happy.
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| c. 1993 or 94 |
