Brookfield, Ohio

Last night, Valerie, Krista, and I stayed at a Fairfield Inn in Youngstown, OH.....so many times during my childhood, Dad would talk about Youngstown, Brookfield, and Warren, OH, and Sharon, PA. 

Valerie and I drove to Collar-Price Road in Brookfield and found where Dad grew up. We stood on the same ground he did, saw lightning bugs like he did, and heard birds like he did. The home had been torn down, decades ago, but the garage is there, the trees they planted still there.

We stopped by the home of Howard Curry. He and his wife knew Grandpa Tom, Grandma Sallie, Aunt Nancy, Dad, Uncle Bob, and Uncle Jerry. Mrs. Curry said, "It has been years since anyone asked about the Martins." Mr. Curry explained how to find "The Martin Place."

Dad's voice continues to echo in my mind, "When I was a boy growing up in Ohio...."

We're here, Dad, we're here.

Grammy's Family Trivia!

As part of our 4th of July celebration, we played Grammy's Family Trivia Game.  Each person secretly sent me 2 facts about himself/herself. We all learned things about each other that we didn't know.

Heidi's Facts:

1.  As a little girl, Heidi would use the name Rebecca Jane for a play/pretend name.
2. In first grade, won a special award for reading the most books of the first-graders in Yuma, AZ County.

Keely's Facts:

1. Says numbers are hard and uses a calculator for even simple math.
2. Has dyed her hair at least ten times.

Rob's Facts:

1. In high school, he used to stay up late watching Hogan's Heroes while doing calculus homework.
2.  In kindergarten, Rob and five or six friends thought Michelle, Rob's mom, had forgotten to pick them up for Rob's birthday party.  They decided to walk home....ten miles from the school.  Michelle became concerned when Rob didn't get off the school bus.  She found Rob and his friends a mile or two from school.  She was NOT happy!  By the way, she had not forgotten about the birthday party...this happened the day before Rob's birthday.

Caitlin's Facts:

1. Her best friends are her family members.
2. Her first cd was from a McDonald's Happy Meal.  The first half were songs by Britney Spears and the second half were songs by 'N Sync.

Tyler's Facts:

1.  His inspiration is Paul Sebastian.
2.  Has come up with a crazy dragon theory after reading a passage in Mosiah.

Erika's Facts:

1.  Will only brush her teeth with prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste.
2.  Has appeared in a Chinese national newspaper and in a local television spot.

Paul's Facts:

1.  Freaks out when people pop balloons around him.
2.  Had a meeting in the White House with George W. Bush (Paul was a delegate to Boys' Nation-representing Idaho).

Jessica's Facts:

1.  If she could be animal, she would choose to be a puma.
2.  One of her most favorite fragrances is that of a hotel swimming pool.

Ellie's Facts:

1.  Is THE BEST big sister.
2.  Loves to make "Garden Fairies".

Lilly's Facts:

1.  Runs with her mom several times a week (while leisurely reclining in a special jogging stroller).
2.  Loved the splash park the first time she was there (even the pop-up fountains).

Pemberly's Facts:

1.  Desperately wants to walk.
2.  Should have chosen to be born one day sooner, so her birthday would be 11-12-13.

Oh! The Places We Have Lived....in Ogden, UT!

First Snowfall~September 1984.

I moved to 629 22nd Ave Apt. #1 when I was pregnant with Jessica. This is where I lived when I brought Jessica home from the hospital. Valerie and Aaron came to live with us for about six weeks during Autumn 1986. 

During the summer of 1987, I thought about how I could stay home with Jessica.  An opportunity of becoming an apartment manager presented itself.  Little did I know how difficult it would be to manage thirty-four apartments at Osmond Heights and twelve apartments at Kamie Heights. Over Labor Day 1987, we moved into Osmond Heights at 630 23rd Ave. Apt. #29.  While I was unpacking boxes, I started to throw-up.  Yup....Tyler was on his way.  This is where we lived when I brought Tyler home from the hospital.

We moved to Camelot Apts at 2248 Madison Ave. Apt. #1 October 1988. Jessica, Tyler, and I lived here for a little over a year...December 1988-January 1990. 

THEE Original Fairy Tree! Jessica and her friend, Crystal Scott, were convinced Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather lived in this tree. It was in the yard between our apartments.

 Original Ogden Temple

Original Ogden Tabernacle

We lived within easy walking distance just up the hill from the Ogden Temple. We had every Stake Conference in the Tabernacle. I took Jessica and Tyler to the temple grounds quite often, so they could touch the temple.

New Ogden Temple and Tabernacle~due to be dedicated September 21, 2014.