Love You Dad!

Yesterday we had the funeral for our wonderful and loving father. Somehow I got volunteered to accompany the grandchildren and great-grandchild on the piano while they sang Families Can Be Together Forever. It actually happened with my sister-in-law, Beverly, volunteering to accompany them on the violin and then the Bishop asking her if she would like someone to accompany her on the piano. Of course, she volunteered me. I have only played in public 3 times in the last 18 years (needless to say I have never accompanied to singing before yesterday). I am grateful that I did this very hard thing in my life for Dad. I messed up but I’m still alive to tell about it. I was asked by David’s sister Terrie to accompany her and her daughter, Michelle, while they sang Daddy’s Hands at the funeral. Luckily, a great friend, Sharlene Ayoso, was able to come to the funeral and accompany them on that particular song. It sure did sound wonderful. Thanks to Shar’s wonderful piano accompaniment combined with Terrie and Michelle’s gorgeous voices! Today we buried our loving father and mentor. We decided to get a picture of all 15 kids with Mom while at the cemetery. The picture of Mom with all 15 kids goes oldest to youngest starting of course with the Matriarch of the the family Mom , Karen, Terrie, Patricia, Myrna, Richard, Shelly, David (my hubby!!), Diana, Robert, Steven, Deborah, Rebecca, Darrell, William, and Caroline. Then we got a picture of the spouses that were there with mom and the kids. I got captured talking to Jaclyn (one of the many wonderful nieces) holding on of her little ones! Dad we sure are going to miss you – but GOD BE WITH YOU TILL WE MEET AGAIN! We love you so much Dad.

Thanks Andrea!

After being at the church from 4:00 p.m. on Thursday night till after 8:00 p.m. for Dad’s viewing.  Then being at the church from 11:45 a.m. today till after 5:00 p.m. for Dad’s funeral, I received a text while visiting with family and friends after the funeral from a wonderful friend asking me if I would like to go to dinner.  My husband told me to go ahead and go.  I didn’t want to leave him alone.  Luckily his good friend was up from Richfield for the funeral and then a niece’s birthday party the next day, and so Eric readily agreed to keep David company while I went out.  Andrea seemed to know that I had been under a lot of stress and was there to let me cry on her shoulder.  I really appreciate her friendship.  Thank you so much Andrea for the fun night out.  It was greatly appreciated.  It has been a very long week.  It has been great to have a friend like her there to talk to and help me through it all.

Our Loving Dad!

Unfortunately our wishes and prayers that David’s dad would continue healing and gaining strength on his return home from the hospital almost a month ago didn’t come around. His father passed away this morning. We sure miss him, but we are so grateful to know of the Plan of Salvation and that we will be together again. We are also grateful that he is free to walk and be with loved ones that have passed previously. We love you dad and are going to miss you.  Just a note on the obituary.  When the mortuary retyped what David and I had submitted for the obituary they omitted some VERY important information, which is 3 children.  After David (Sondra) Powell, it should read Diana (Mark) Bennett, Robert (Ann Marie) Powell, Steven (Jennifer) Powell.  Then after Deborah Clark, it should be Rebecca (Matthew) Guymon, and then Darrell (Marquel) Powell.  I feel for the children that were omitted.  We are truly grateful for each and every one of the siblings!!!  We love you!

Arthur LaVerle Powell
Arthur LaVerle Powell 1937 ~ 2008 Our loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend and mentor Arthur LaVerle Powell, 70, passed away on Monday, March 17, 2008. He was born May 13, 1937 in LaPointe, Utah to Samuel Arthur and Alda Wilson Powell. He was the oldest of five children. He married Carol Ruby Sorenson on July 22, 1959 for time and all eternity in the Manti Temple. Together they have fifteen children. Arthur graduated from Granite High School. He served a LDS Mission to the New England States Mission. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in numerous callings throughout his lifetime. He worked at Union Pacific, Geneva Steel, was a volunteer Firefighter in North Salt Lake and retired from UTA. He enjoyed the outdoors, taking his children camping, and spending time with his family. He enjoyed going fishing with his father and sons. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Carol Ruby. Children: Karen Westover, Terrie (Robert) Mitchell, Patricia (Alex) Bury, Myrna (Sergio) Marticorena, Richard (Rena) Powell, Shelly (Marc) Gappmayer, David (Sondra) Powell, Deborah Clark, Darrell (Marquel) Powell, Rebecca (Matthew) Guymon, William (Beverly) Powell, and Caroline (Carl) Mazyck. He also has 52 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 21, 2008 at 2:00 pm at the Orem 4th Ward located at 50 So. 800 E., Orem. Family and friends may call on Thursday, March 20, 2008 from 6-8 pm or 1 hour prior to services at the Church. Interment will be at the Lakeview Memorial Cemetery, Bountiful, Utah, 1640 East Lakeview Drive.

Who saw a Who?

We took the kids with my brother, his wife, their 3 children, and my mom and dad and went to see .

It was an okay show. The kids really enjoyed it. My parents were indifferent. My husband and brother thought it was okay. It held most of the kids attention.

Mini Vacation

We decided to make a mini vacation in Salt Lake out of a weekend of family gatherings. March 1st we had a baptism to attend in West Valley (at 4 in the afternoon go figure that one). On the way to from the hotel to the baptism it started to snow. There were 3 inches of snow on the van when we got out of the hour long baptism. Then we had a baby blessing on March 2nd out in Magna. So we decided it would be easier on us (not having to listen to kids cry about being in the car so much) to spend the night up in Salt Lake. We found a hotel with an indoor swimming pool. Needless to say the pictures didn’t turn out that well because of the action going on in the pool (thank goodness cause I’m so fat I really didn’t want to be in them). Kids sure had fun. David’s sister, Shelly, and her two daughters spent the night with us as well. His other sister, Patty, ended up spending the night and bunking with Shelly. David’s nephew, Kevin, and his 2 girls came and went swimming with us.