Grandma and Grandpa Miller

I just wanted to also talk about Grandpa and Grandma Miller.
I always rememeber Grandpa letting us ride Trigger and Smoky, also being so paient, teaching us how to groom, saddle, bridle, him, and letting us go horseback ridding, even letting me do it on my own. Also, since I wasn;t scared I would love to ride, feed them carrots, apples, and even go out their if was day or night- even late at night- remeber.
Grandma woudl teach us life skills, like being kind, friendly, housework, always fun to be around. I am so glad we are families forever!
Thank alll of our Aunts, Uncles, Counsins, for all the fun we have, both Johnson and Miller, it is so fun to be with both.
I wanted to thank all of you, my dear parents, and brothers and sisters, brother in laws and our nieces, I love you all forever, and I am so happy to know we are family forever, we are so close that we talk to each other alot, and I am so glad to have the chance to see you all in Utah even though we will miss Grandpa and Grandma Johnson, to see you in June/July, and in France and Switzerland.
Love all of you,
love always,
Mels

Our dear Grandpa Johnson joins our dear Grandma Johnson

Hey everyone,

I am so sad as many of us our in our time of grief for our loss of dear Grandpa Johnson last Sunday. I am so glad to know how much help Grandpa was getting, sorry I wasn't there. I am having trouble sleeping because I miss you all so much. It has personally been so hard for me, and I am sure for all of us. I will miss Grandpa and Grandma Johnson a lot, now they are together, like dad said it was time to let him go. I have been crying becasue I miss them a lot, and I have been thinking of the memeriores I have of both Grandpa and Grandma Johnson, and how much I will miss them both. Dad was right that Grandpa always like to tease us about different things. Grandma always wanted to know waht we were doing in our lives, always made us feel welcome/grandpa too, taught us how to be kind/friendly towards others/loving, Grandpa I remember loved to talk about horses- Arabians/ tell stories about horses/ let us ride his wonderful horses/ taught me how to saddle/briddle/groom horses and i have to add Grandpa Miller did too. Grandpa Johnson used to call me Nurse Nancy/Melize-sorry Grandpa that Nurse Nancy couldn't make it! Goodbye to both of them. I am so glad to knwo that we can see them again in heaven, families are forever, taht we are all so close, our family and that we have wonderful grandparents/aunts/uncles/cousins on both Johnson and Miller side. One song taht I have been thinking of is teh "we can be together forever some day by Micheal Miclean": "Well it's hard to say goodbye and let go and it harder to see the end. But the memeriores we have made will never happen again. and it harder for time to ever ease.. but we can be together forever some day we can be togetehr forever someday!" I like the words because they help ytiouto know we can be togther forever some day, family is always there for each otehr, Thank you so much for all of waht you all do for me. I love you all so much!

I will see you all in Utah, this Weds.-Sunday, I am excited but I am really sad that grandpa died. Good luck with everything,

love always adn forever you sister/daughter-

Mels

John and Joyce

I love these two people. Tonight while I met with a couple who will be having their first baby in a few weeks, John took Joyce to the laundromat and did both our laundry and watched our baby. I came back from the meeting very excited to be the doula for this couple and drove up to the laundromat (the one with the twenty cent popcorn) just as the darkest part of twilight was settling in the sky. In the orange lights and hum of the laundromat sat my John and Joyce. I felt so happy.

A Happy Heart!

PS Love MOM

A Happy Heart!

Late last fall I had a couple of bags of bulbs that I planted late one rainy afternoon. I thought they were red and yellow tulips. So as the winter rains gradually started warming up, I anxiously watched as the little green shoots poked up through the soil. Spring came late this year and so as the green gradually grew taller and then heads formed at the heads, we were excited to see the color emerge. To my amazement one bunch bloomed as white and yellow daffodils! The other bunches started orange red and gradually turned deep orange and yellow. We were surprised by the depth of the color and the size of the heads. It is a crazy thing how much wonder and joy watching and waiting and then seeing the color come can bring. Growing a garden is a little like having children perhaps a bit time-lapsed and maybe a little less work! We wait expectantly and then a miracle occurs and over time and with nourishing and great care unique, beautiful souls emerge bring so much joy and love into the world. There is a lady in Enumclaw whose garden is pictured above who felt especially blessed recently by the gifts her children sent her via the family blog. So much so, that she wept tears of gratitude and printed the blog to put in her journal. You are all so dear to me and continue to bring me much wonder, joy and love. I will cherish your recollections, kind wishes, and perspectives always. It is continually a blessing to be a part of your lives and watch you as you emerge. Thank you for a gift from the heart. I love you so. Je t'ame!

Rosie

We are so lucky to have someone like Mom. I don't think we'll find anyone who devoted themselves to us as selflessly as Mom has for all of us. I was indulging in reminiscence with some friends earlier this week and we came to the conclusion of how terribly we treated our parents while we lived at home, whether it was staying out too late, or forcing our parents to give us a better reason than "I would rather you not do that," and in spite of our hormonal angst and annoyance, how devoted and long suffering our mothers had constantly been. I love you Mom, and I'm so glad to have you for a mother. You really have always been so much kinder to me (and i don't think I'm overstepping my bounds by saying all of us chilrenz) than I deserve. Thanks and happy mother's day

ROSE

Rose-wanted to tell you how grateful I am for you today. I have been thinking of you all day. I have always admired how you treat people- you treat everyone like they are gold- all the Judys, the Pat meehans, the Vicky Chins, everyone is drawn to you because you are truly kind and always find value in every person, especially people who don’t get that from many other people. You exemplify a democratic love of everyone. I don’t know anyone with a kinder nature than you, and it inspires me to try and be nicer to the people around me.

You are such a great teacher, Mom, I love being your kid because you are always up for projects-from carved apples shrunken in the oven to look like witches’ heads to annual hoot owl cookie baking, to late night school assignments on making a rat trap power a car. I remember you teaching me about how to fluff up the flour before you measure it, and once it was in the measuring cup to gently mix up the flour on top of the cup with the back of a knife and slide it off, pour it into the mixer in the middle so it make a little Hershey kiss of flour on the swirling Bosch center.

You always give so freely of your time. As a child, I never realized how much you made yourself available for us. I remember lots of times standing talking with you while you were getting ready, putting your makeup on, crimping your eyelashes with that metal flattened-scissor looking thing, or removing it at night with toilet paper and Vaseline. You never even got to go to the bathroom alone! You were always so open and willing to sign off Webelos stars while I told you about the safety basics of swimming, or bear the noise of me singing you songs from the Little Mermaid or just listen to some stupid story about what Jesse and Jacob said at the bus stop. Mom, you are endlessly giving of yourself, supportive of me, and just so facilitating in every way-all the rides to and from FPS or soccer, or skiing, or the choir concerts, the early morning runs in Minnesota, those times when I’m sure you could have used some peace and quiet, you are always open to company and listening and talking. I know I took that for granted and it’s only when I’ve gotten older that I’ve understood that the kind of love and support you give is not a given for a lot of people. Lots of people don’t have someone who is so consistently on their side. I’m so grateful for that now.

I also want to say thank you for everything I never even thought to thank you for- all the lasagnas you baked, the socks you matched, the forms you filled out, and the nice prayers you said for me-please know how much these things mean to me, mom-I love you so much and feel so lucky and proud to be your son. I am so glad we were able to spend time together last month, I love getting to you know more as I get older, and although I don’t see you very often, I daily think of you and how you would respond to situations to help me with my choices, and I often find myself falling back on the confidence you still show in me. You are the things I want to be-loving, funny, smart, and kind.

Most of all, I am so glad you let me call you Rose, even though I know it's difficult sometimes. I love you mom. Happy Mother’s Day.

Mother-in-Law

One thing I immediately noticed about Rosie is her hands. People's hands often show who they are and what they have done. Rosie's are cute little ones but you instantly see that they have handled a lot, cuddled a lot, patted a lot, taken care of a lot: her 8 kids among a lot of other things, more than one can certainly imagine. I believe her hands have not changed over the years, looking as young as Rosie looks, beautiful, gracious, wise hands. Maybe she has always taken care of them with moisturizing Neutrogena cream etc. But I believe that it rather comes from the way she has done things. I have witnessed Rosie's hands cooking, driving, playing piano, cleaning, writing, gardening, showing, holding...always with care, agility, precision and grace. Happy Mother's Day. Love, Xavier

Mom

I remember always being in the kitchen. Mom would be helping me kneed my small section of bread dough. I would then braid my small piece of dough into a wreath, and mom would then help me pick out sprinkles and together we would decorate my little piece of bread. i loved this time with mom as we giggled about my bread that would turn out green- brown as the sprinkles would melt in the oven and then come together. i loved cooking with mom. it was always fun as she let me crack eggs, or my favorite, gave me piece of cookie dough to eat. i loved flattening out the cup of flour with a knife. that was always so fun. i love the kitchen because of mom.

Another memory is going to the apple orchards. i loved looking for the prettiest apples, getting the the red wagon, or drinking the amazing apple cider. loved going to the pumpkin patch while we were at the farms. one more is the farm up the hill in wisconsin. i remember going to the farm with mom and maybe kristin. we went and petted the animals. while we were there, the little black sheep sucked on my finger. i always remember talking about that with mom, those trips we made were always so fun! Love, Rebekah

For Mom

In the first picture I am being held by my mother; in the second picture, I am holding my daughter. The immensity of that sentence feels so strong to me today as I look at Joyce and think about my feelings for her and then think about you, Mom. Joyce came into the world unexpectedly early, like my arrival into your life. She was so little and didn't have the energy to wake up enough to eat as much as her little body needed. In those days after her birth that were so full of exhaustion and unknowable joy at her existence, Mom, you woke up with me every two hours to tickle her tiny feet and enable her to stay awake as I breast-fed her. Your conversations with me in those still dark hours of feeding Joyce felt like a sacred healing space. I still hold those conversations and that time with you and my daughter close to me during all these days that you had to leave to go back to the rest of your life. In that week you spent with us, you slept with Joyce swaddled next to you between those feedings so that I could sleep. You took our piles of dirty clothes and did our laundry. You made us soup and bought us things we needed. You talked with us, but you were also able to sit in silent wonder with us as we watched Joyce's first few moments on earth. One of the most moving moments in that week for me was watching you and Sarah, bend with love over Joyce as you changed her diaper and worked to wake her up so that she could eat. I hoped that Joyce would be able to call upon the immensity of love enveloping her in her first few weeks of life expressed so powerfully by you, at times in her life when she doubts herself. When you returned home, you sent Joyce the only clothes she could wear for the first month of her life. Your phone calls and conversations since have buoyed me as I tentatively begin the process of being a mother to this beautiful little girl. I am so grateful for your continued commitment to our relationship even when I have been difficult and uneasy of soul. I have struggled intensely with many things as I've negotiated my thoughts and feelings about myself, but I have never doubted that you loved me. I feel that even more profoundly as I watch you with my daughter and see the love you feel for her. Thank you for such a powerful gift. I love you.

MOM

Mom, you have been for me forever and ever. I don't think you understand how great of an example you are to me. I really thank God every night to have you in my life, and especially to have you as my mother. Every day, every time I'm with you I am happy Mom. You make me feel so special and everything I say, you know exactly how to respond. One thing that I have loved doing with you over the years is to go skiing with you. Since fifth grade, I have always loved to go skiing with you, and remember the first time.
Mom, I just really want to thank you so much for being my mom and for always being there for me. Thanks for alwasy listening to me, and for being the best example in the world to me. I will love you always.
love, paul

Happy Mother's day!

Mom,
Remember when my hands were so small that I had to have you tie my shoes and help me ride my bike? But now I'm 11 and can do all that stuff on my own, I don't remember you getting frustrated tying my shoes or making me lunch.
Remember the good old days when Scott and Tristen would come over for for preschool? You would always be there to set up the slip-n slide or help know how to play a game? Those were the god old days. And you were always there for me. thank you for that.
And Happy Mother Day!
Andrew Johnson

MOM

If you look at the way my mom is regarding this butterfly, it is clear that she relishes it. Her gaze gives off joy and gratitude for something so small and inconsequential. The time my mom gives to take things in - to notice them is distinctive. And I think this relishing of small things is a source of her love for children, for me and for my seven siblings. With children, my mom appropriated our tempos. She savored us as we were - all of us - at all of the corresponding and intersecting moments and speeds. And I think she was able to do this because of her ability to be grateful for the smallest happenings - little movements and actions that may be inconsequential, but are not unimportant. I think many people do not have this ability.

For some, children are simply a narcissistic reflection of themselves - their desires, their hopes, their youth, their bargaining with time and death. But from my mom's gaze, there was always the clear and distinct knowledge that she was observing us, playing with us, illustrating things, for us. She was taking us in and relishing us at every turn as appreciation, as gratitude. She was entirely there with us, making the commonplace task something unequivocally worth doing - something essential. Deeming us worth it all the time. From making homemade playdough to reading bedtime stories - we experienced someone who was thankful to be our mother and grateful to be herself - a grand and singular gift. I continually harvest the benefits. I love you my mom and I wish I were nearer to let you know that.

loving Memories about Mom

Mom,
I love you so much. I remember how you always encouraged us to develop our talents, you let us do that, for example, I would always beg you and dad for a horse-not at this time and you would let me do lessons-ride and both grandpa's barns Johnson and Miller, let me play soccer, sign language, flute, babysit children, and work hard at school, teach us life skills, like: socail, cooking, sewing, laundry, etc. Thanks for always being their for us, talking to us about our problems and being so understanding about what we are going through or if we are sick or in pain, you are truly amazing, and an angel. I am so glad that we are family forever. I love you so much mom. and now I have two horses- Kay and Tuffy, and we have our Sammy, thanks, I have so much fun and it is because you support me in horses, and everyone else like art, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and I remember you would come to our games even if it was pouring or sunny and support us and cheer for us to let us knwo we were doing our best and you love us. When we were little you were so painent with us, teach us what was right from wrong, and coming with us if we need support.
I l ove how we can talkj to you anytime we need too. Thanks for everything,
I love you always and forever,
love,
Mels

Joyce's Blessing Day

John, Joyce and I have been in Texas this last weekend, where Joyce got to meet her Grandpa for the first time and where she got to meet most of her cousins. She enjoyed reading books with her Uncle Mike and her cousins Bryson, Izzy and Max.

On Sunday we blessed Joyce in the Searcy's family room. John, Mike, Donald, Dave, Tony Wright (a close friend of the family's) and Brother Fredrickson (the member of the Bishopric) all stood in a circle and held Joyce in her white, flowing dress which came in handy when Joyce started spitting up. John was able to reach down and wipe her up with the end of the dress. John gave Joyce a beautiful blessing blessed Joyce as she smiled up at him. When the blessing was done, we took some pictures all together outside.

And then in almost Johnson fashion, there was a photo shoot of Joyce in the backyard. Amie draped a blanket over a pillow and posed Joyce in various positions. Mike then proceeded to snap a myriad of pictures some of which I'll post below. The photo shoot included props like tiny purple flowers and roses which you will see below. I think the pictures speak to Joyce's personality. She is really great. I like her so bad.

Hi everyone!

hey Everyone!
I love you all so much and I can't wait to see you all so soon. Joyce looks so cute in the spring clothes and teh pictures of Margureite are so cute too. I just wanted to say thanks for all of your help, I am so glad we are family forever. I am at GRCC childcare center at work, from 7:30 am to 4 pm. It is so much fun, I get to work with infants, toddlers and pre-school children. I am having so much fun. Tuffy and Kay are doing awsome, and so is Sammy, it is fun to ride Tuffy. School is going really well for me, I am learning so much about children. Anways I have to go back to work, and the trips looked like you all had fun! I can't wait to go to Utah and France and Switzwerland too. Anyways I have to go back and help them out, becaue my break is over. I love you all so much!
Families are forever!
love always,
Mels