Two Year Reflections

Friday was the two year anniversary of Katie's passing.  I talked to the kids after our scripture reading that morning about writing their memories of Katie in their journals.  Drew really took it to heart and asked everyone what they remember Mom really enjoying doing as part of his memories.  I have asked myself the same question.  Over the past two years I have been through most of Katie's journals.  It is very enlightening to see into her life, to see her sad and happy times, and to know that she was human.  I am very grateful that I have these growing up experiences of Katie to add to my own memories. 

Most people will remember Katie by her love of her family as well as her love of making things through sewing and crafts.  As I have gained additional insight into her life through my reading, I am going to add the memory of her love of being with people.  Katie really loved being with people.  When we were first married and living in Blackfoot, it was very hard for her because she was all alone.  Phone calls to friends and family were long distance and expensive.  She could hardly wait until I arrived home which was wonderful as a newly married couple, but she still craved more contact with others.  It was only a month after we were married that she became pregnant and experienced severe morning sickness.  This made it very difficult to took for a job.  We also did not know anyone in a large older ward.  It was at this time that Heavenly help was sent to Katie in name of Mrytle Parkinson.  It was announced in Relief Society that volunteers were needed to read to an elderly sister who had lost most of her eyesight.  Katie signed up to help and gathered up the courage to give her a call.  Mrytle and Katie became instant friends and that friendship opened up to other friendships in the ward and community. 

Once you were a friend with Katie, you were a friend for life.  She kept up with her high school, college, mission, and ward friendships as they were added.  Up until her death, she kept up with most of these friendships through phone calls, email, and Facebook.  One of the happiest times for Katie was getting together with her best friends from high school one week before she passed away.  Below is a picture of them together.

 



Because of Katie, I got to know a lot more people than I normally would have.  My life will forever be changed because of this.  Relationships in life with family and friends are all that really will matter in the end.

Life will continue on as it has the past two years.  New memories are added to the older ones.  Time helps heal the loss of Katie, but also makes my love for her grow more and more.  Someone gave a framed quote to me that sums up my thoughts.  It says, "My short walk down the pathway of life has made the journey sweet".  Katie has and contiues to make life sweet for all of us.

How I love you Katie.

Dennis

First part of July

Well, I decided I better continue on with my update from the summer now that it is almost the end of October. 

Drew turned 8 this year.  We attempted to make fire crackers for his cake.  They are not quite ready to be in the cake making book.  He enjoyed celebrating his birthday at home which is not always the case.

The second week of July was spent going to swim camp with my sister Dianne and my neices Stephanie, Christy, and Leilani and their kids. It was a lot of fun. It was the first year we got to stay and camp with someone else. Camille passed off with her final level. Alexa and Drew advanced to the next level and Mary has just begun. Taking a year off from lessons sure showed in what they remembered and were able to do. Below are some pictures from the week.

 

We went to the Harris reunion put on by my Aunt Opal and family.  She lives in Cody, Wyoming and since not many from her family were going to be there, we met near Old Faithful.  It was a wet and chilly day.  It was good to see my Aunt Opal.  She is only one of three remaining siblings of my Mom.  From the Hansen family we had Grandpa Hansen, Janeen, Dianne and Brent, John, my neice, Debbie and her husband and kids, and us.  Below are some pictures of the day.

 

 

 

 

We did have some time at home.  Jeffrey and Brandon were busy with work and the rest of us were busy freezing peas, taking care of the yard, and regular summer stuff.  

 



19th Wedding Anniversary

Today, Katie and I have been married for 19 years.  I have reflected much over the past few days about this day.  Last night I watched a DVD of our wedding day, reception, and open house that my brother John made for us a few years ago.  I showed the kids some of the DVD tonight for our abbreviated Family Home Evening.  The kids enjoyed the styles of the time and how everyone has grown up and changed over the years.  The images bring back the sweetest of memories of that happiest day of our lives.  Many in the video are no longer with us, but the love we have for them continues on.  The images in the mirrors above the alters of the temple reflect these same family members as well as other family members that have proceeded them.  I can now see a much greater view of eternity than just the two of us looking into those mirrors 19 years ago.

I am so grateful to still be married to my eternal best friend.  I love you, Katie more than ever.

Dennis 

June

June at the Hansen family is very busy.  In some ways it does not seem that summer begins until the end of the month.  I remember when I was involved in the Challenge Grant over 10 years ago that I slept in my own bed about five whole days.  The month began with me going on the the California Trip with 79 eigth graders this year.  We went from June 2nd to the 8th.  The same week Brandon and Jeffrey had Snake River Band camp.  They also had their jobs to do so they stayed put here by themselves.  My sister Karen took Camille, Alexa, Drew, and Mary during that time. 

The next week was the Porter Reunion which I was responsible for this year.  We held it at Darcee and Tom's place.  We hung out on Friday evening at their home and watched a movie before heading to our places of lodging (most stayed at Days Inn in Orem).  Saturday we met in Salt Lake at Temple Square and went through the two visitor centers.  We then checked out City Creek and then headed to Liberty Park for lunch.  After letting the children run for a little while, we headed to American Fork Canyon to see Cascade Springs.  We hiked along the trails and then headed back to Waddoups for the evening festivities.  We had dinner and then saw a slide show of Porter gatherings over the years.  Grandpa Porter closed the evening with a challenge to teach our children about the temple.  Sunday morning was Cache's address (farewell).  He entered the MTC the 27th of June, heading to the New Jersey Morristown Mission.  We stayed for all of church and then had lunch at Waddoups after church.  We all headed to our respective locations in the afternoon.  On our way home we went to the American Fork Cemetery and saw my grandparent's graves, George Heber Hansen and Maud Lowe Hansen Dixon.  It had been a few years since we were there.  I wish I had more pictures of the reunion but since I was the host my mind was on other things.

Beginning of Cascade Springs

Cascade Springs

Days Inn

Drew, Alexa, Jeffrey, Camille, Mary, and Brandon by graves.

Next week Camille had her first Girl's Camp.  She had a blast but thought she was going to freeze to death the first couple of nights.  I was able to go spend Wednesday and part of Thursday with our ward.

The final week we had the Hansen reunion in Camp Taylor up Mink Creek near Pocatello with Karen and Kirk hosting.  Just prior to our reunion there was a fire (Charlotte) that started near Mink Creek and ended up burning 66 homes and over 100 structures.  The fire closed the main road.  Friday evening we met in Inkom at the park to have dinner and allow everyone a chance to gather so we could discuss our options.  We decided to take a long (70 mile) detour around Arbon Valley to get back to the Scout Mountain area.  We only found one road block but were allow to get to the camp.  We arrived about 9:30 Friday evening.  We got the trailers set up and tents pitched.  Plans were to go into Pocatello the next day, but we stayed put and enjoyed the time together.  We had plans to go to the Mink Creek Ward on Sunday, but each family was left to go to what ever ward they chose to as they left.  While all the plans did not work out the way it had been planned we were grateful to be together.  A little more driving is nothing in comparison to those who lost their homes.

Main Cabin and cabins to the side that some of the family stayed in.

Tents and open areas of the camp

Inside the main pavilion

Jeffrey and Brandon sleeping under the stars.

Fun with Fooze ball

April and May

Here is a summary of some things we did in April and May.

New Easter Dresses

Porter Family Easter Party

Alexa's birthday cake

Grandpa Hansen, Uncle John, Grandpa Porter, Grandma Porter, and family before Jeffrey's seminary graduation.

After seminary graduation.

 

Alexa and 5th grade band

Camille and 6th grade band.

Jeffrey and Brandon in Jazz band.

Camping over Memorial Day weekend.  Better snow than cold rain any day.

Scott, Karen, and their family at Katie's grave Memorial Day.

Snake River Class of 2012

Jeffrey sporting his new diploma cover after graduation.

March

Well, to say that I have been out of the blog business would be obvious.  The spirit was willing but the body was very week not too mention busy.  I also am going to try to post some updated information from the summer and I felt I need to fill in the gap.  So here goes.

We had the high school band and Jazz band concert.  We had Grandma and Grandpa Porter, Grandpa Hansen, and Uncle Kirk and Aunt Karen come to see Jeffrey and Brandon perform.

We had a Porter family video party at David and Juliannas house which I actually think was in February.

We got together with Grandpa Hansen, Uncle John, and Scott and Karen and family.  Uncle John gave Camille and Emily a private volleyball lesson (they were able to go to his volleyball camp the end of  May)

Mary learned to swing all on her own and she also learned to ride a bike without ever having training wheels on.

February

It is hard to believe that the month of February has past.  I am sure that Katie would have had several posts written for the month.  It is not that nothing didn't happen last month, but I did not feel like writing much.  I suppose we all have those times.  I will do a break down of what we have been up to.

We ended January with Jeffrey and Brandon being involved with band.  They played for the boys' and girls' basketball teams during their district tournaments on several different nights.  Both teams qualified for state but they did not go with the girls.  They did get to go play for the boys this last week, leaving on Thursday.  The boys won their first two games and so they got to play for the state championship.  They ended up losing to Fruitland.  Jeffrey has gone to state the last four years to play and this was the first for Brandon.  They did get to play in the Idaho Center in Nampa which was fun.  They got back late last night.  They are now getting ready for the high school band concert this week. 

The kids continue to take piano lessons and at times it is a fight for practice times for some more than others.  It is hard to help Brandon remember to practice piano before drums.  Camille on the other hand is playing anytime she can and when she is not playing the piano, she is reading a book.  Alexa is doing well also in practicing.  Jeffrey is trying to prepare for the Crawford cup.  Now with pep band over, it should free up more time for that.

Our other activities include Jeffrey starting track this past week, the scout banquet where they had the offical and unoffical pine wood derby (I forgot my camera to get pictures of the unoffical races), young men basketball which is almost over, and other mutual activities which some had to be missed because of pep band. 

Everyone is surviving school.  We are 2/3 done for the year.  Jeffrey and Brandon have finals this week.  Camille, Alexa, and Drew are all doing well.  Drew is pretty good at doing his work as long as there are not too many distractions until I can help him.  Mary is enjoying daycare and pre-school.  It is hard to believe that she will be in kindergarten next year. 

This past month we were able to go spend some time during President's Day weekend with Grandpa Hansen and Uncle John.  We also got together at David and Julianna's with Grandpa and Grandma Porter and Joseph and Kelsie for a video party.

As for me, I continue to survive.  It has been a harder school year with trimesters.  I like trimesters, but we tend to have kids moving from one class or teacher to another.  Sometimes that can be good and other times it can be bad with certain combinations of kids.  The 2nd trimester which just finished a week ago was a hard one.  I had some bad combinations of kids and that led to more discipline problems and laziness.  I had several kids fail and now will have to make up the credit on their own before they can go onto high school.  I am glad that we are finally able to hold them accountable, but still hate to see them fail because they do not care.  I wish our state legislators could come and just see what these kids do and do not do week after week before they change laws based upon a business model of performance.  I am glad for a new trimester and new combination of kids.  The 3rd trimester changes have been much better this time for kid combinations, and I hope that continues to be so. 

We look forward to more spring like weather.  We can't complain about this past winter unless it is a lack of snow.  We had a little storm go through Wednesday and I finally got out some of the winter clothes.  The snow is mostly gone again.

My mind has hit a blank spot, so it must be time to quit.  Hopefully I will have more to report on soon.

End of January

I suppose that I should end January with an updated post since I started the month with the same thing for December. This month has gone by week after week with the same things.  Jeffrey and Brandon have been busy with jazz band, pep band, and drumline practice.  They have already had the girls and boys last home games.  Jeffrey and the other seniors were honored during halftime of the boys' game for their contribution to the spirit of the games.  They really sound good.  The video I took of them is a little too long to post to show them off.  Here are a few pictures from the last home game.

The big event for the family was celebrating Brandon's 15th birthday.  All that he wanted was another cymbal to add to his drum set.  He added some at Christmas also.  We did surprise him with a few little gifts.  The day after his birthday, he was supposed to go practice with some people and so we hauled up his drum set.  They never did show up and so he made lemonade out of the lemons and set up his drum outside and put on a show for our passerbys.  Here are a few pictures of him and his drums.

Camille has been playing volleyball this month for young women but I did not get any pictures of her and if I did, she may not have talked to me for a few years had I shown them.

The rest of the month has just been life and day to day living.  We have a pretty good routine down each week and I am not complaining about that.  What I am missing the most from life is Katie.  While some things have been easier to adjust to in the year since she has been gone, what I miss the most is the daily interaction with her.  I still have talks with her about the kids and how life is going, but it is a pretty onesided conversation.  I know that she would love to be here with us and I am sure she is as much as she is allowed.  I just have to remind myself we are not alone and that she is pulling for us.  I just finished reading a book I saw and bought in Deseret Book a couple of weeks ago called Sunset.  It is written by S. Michael Wilcox.  He talks about his experience with losing his wife to brain cancer in 2010.  His words express almost exactly what I feel and have felt with the loss of Katie.  I am grateful to have read it and plan to read it again soon.

Well, despite this daily challenge I face, we are doing well.  Life continues on.