marlies mathews

Hello everyone!

I agree with Deb – we do not talk enough!  I love you all so much.

Not much happening in Vegas.  I recently got back into my graduate program.  It is interesting and I am actually enjoying a lot of the things we are working on.  Classes this month are Leadership and Statistics.  I will bet you can guess which one I like J (hint – it isn’t statistics)

I am headed to New Mexico next week to spend my Birthday with Becky.  We are going to the hot air balloon show!  I am super excited to see her, Adam and little Elizabeth.  We are also going to hit up my New Mexico quarter.  Becky found a friend who is going to take us on a tour of a pueblo that their sun symbol is named after.

I just bought my tickets to Hawaii with Melissa for Christmas!  We are going to be there December 17 – 25^th.  We are going to the main island of Hawaii and spending the entire week there.  We thought about island hopping but honestly decided that we would rather spend money on fun activities on that island than trying to rush another island.  It should be super fun!!!

I will send pictures out!  I havn’t had a visitor in almost two weeks – getting lonely so you are all invited J

Marlies

bill and rosi mathews

Hello Family

Loved reading Deb and Becky's letters.  I know you two are super busy.  Thanks for taking the time to update us on your lives.  

Fall is gorgeous here in Utah Valley.  Tomatoes growing in our backyard that are the envy of the grocery store.  We have had blackberries as large as my big toe for the last many months... and not just a few.  Delicious.  Emma is the award winning "Berry Picker".  She can find a handful more even after Grandma has picked "all" of the ripe ones.

Kael and Kole are here with us for a few days...  along with Daddy Ben.  We are having such a great visit.  Yesterday we went to the pumpkin maze.  EJ went with us last year.  It is such a fun place and FREE.  It is worth a drive to Springville just to to take the kids there.  Petting Zoo, corn crib, slides, corn and baled hay maze, pyramid to climb and more.  Plus pumpkins everywhere!!!  I wish it would still be around in November when Tim and family comes for Thanksgiving. (By the way, you are all invited!!)  Elle and Liam would love the Maze.

Along with the visit, Dad and I have had six doctor appointments this week.  I think that is a record for us.  I had an MRI on my brain on Tuesday.  Results: my brain is fine.  I just have to learn to regulate my meds so that I am not dizzy and so that I don't dilute their potency by taking them at the wrong time of the day.  The pain in my face is less.  I had had a really bad weekend last week and that was what prompted me to go back to the doc and try to figure things out.  Dad's appt. were mostly check ups and then a trip to the dermatologist.  He has some battle scars from that visit

We are looking forward to the BYU vs Utah State football game tonight.  I love both schools so "Go Cougs and Aggies."

  

We are also looking forward to General Conference which begins tomorrow morning.  It will be a very pleasant weekend. Wish you were here!

Much love to you all.

Mom

adam and becky frus

Wow Deb,

that house looks so wonderful.  I love that it is in a cul-de-sac and has a huge fenced in backyard.  I am so glad that you found something that you will be comfortable with.  Believe me, I understand when you don't feel safe in your own house.   Your move is right around the corner too.  I wish I could be there to help...

As for me and mine.

We are doing really well here in ABQ.  We moved in August.  The house is smaller, but the workshop and property are larger and more technologically updated (meaning that both Adam and myself are happier). So the house is easier to clean and Adam can stand up straight in his workshop.

The fall is going really good.  Since the start of the semester we have been non-stop busy.  I have been very motivated this year.  I have given many talks and seminars on my research and feel that I am moving in the right direction.  Not surprisingly, the PhD has been quite a challenge.  I have and am learning so many new things, I am amazed by what I have done, but also a bit overwhelmed by all that still needs to be done.  This is one of those things that I will never stop needing to learn (kind of exciting).

Adam is really getting involved with several different communities here in ABQ.  The art community has opened its arms, since the beginning.  Adam has an art show this weekend (the 8th best Arts and Crafts Show in the nation).  He finished helping install a public art piece this week for another artist.  He is volunteering 2 days a week at the New Mexico Museum of Arts and Science as well as still involved in the ABQ Mineral Club and mineral collecting.  Very busy

Elizabeth is really growing up.  I can't believe how big she is.  Her language is robust and she is quite athletic.  She started preschool 2 full days a week.  I am not sure she loves being there all day and she usually comes home with a bump or scrape, but I do think it is good for her to be around so many kids.  We are working on her letters and she is getting closer and  closer to recognizing all of the letters in her name (and it is a long name).

Last Feb we also made some major adjustments to our family by significantly changing our diet.  We cut out wheat and refined sugars and it really has made a difference.  Adam and I both have lost a good deal of weight (don't ask me how Adam could, but he did).  We are sleeping better and exercising more.  We have really been enjoying eating fresh local veggies and meats.  

We are sure looking forward to seeing Marlies next week.  She is coming to visit for her birthday and we will also get to participate in Balloon Fiesta, which should be AMAZING.  We will be going out into the field to get some of my research done as well as visiting some of the Pueblos.  EJ is so excited she keeps talking about Lies and when is she going to be here?

Anyway, this is my update.  Love to all of you!!

becky, adam, EJ

nick and deb sorensen

Hello Family!

We stopped writing to each other and I hate that. I never hear about you, unless its from Mom. I'd love it if we could keep something going so I know how you all are. I miss you guys and love you and want to know...well, anything would be nice.

So, I'll start:

We are moving to Katy, Texas on October 15th-ish. They pack us on the 13th and 14th and then take our cars on the 15th. I went down last week to look at houses for rent. It was a rough time, to be honest. I had all these 'great' houses picked out and then when I went and saw them, I would see the neighborhood they were in and know I wouldn't feel safe there with four kids and a husband that travels...so we drove right on past. We finally found this one and a few others, but WHOOOSH! It's a bit expensive to rent down there. Not as expensive to buy, but holy moly! So, this is our house, if you're interested. Thanks to Jill, I was able to make getting a top school a priority. 

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3043-Fresco-Wells-Dr-Katy-TX-77449/28537555_zpid/

Claire is in first grade and loves her teacher so much that she calls me Mrs Pate on occasion. She is quite a little athlete and I hope to put her in gymnastics when we get down to Texas. She loves to color, be the center of attention and mother everyone. She's a great helper and a good listener.

Matthew aka Bruiser is in preschool and is exactly what you would expect. He's a rough and tumble kid who loves his big sister so much that he's been known to cry when she goes off to school without him. He LOVES legos and Star Wars (probably thanks to Marlies). He was so proud of himself today when he folded a blanket all by himself. Pretty awesome kid. We take 2-3 walks a day because of his silly hip problems. He gets tuckered out and tries to sit in Zoey's seat. He's a big tease.

Monser, I mean Zoey, is so full of personality. When I hear mothers describe their children this way I laugh cause I really think they are just saying that the kid has some loud and abrasive issues. At least that's what I mean when I say it. She squaks to get her way, is not opposed to bite or hit. Yet you can't help but love her. She isn't really into talking much but she makes noises for excuse me, thank you, and bless you. She uses her signs pretty well and for that I'm grateful cause the squaking is a little grating. She likes to be in charge almost as much as Claire.

Thomas aka Tom Tom aka The Tank is a huge smiler and he now giggles and rolls over. At 2 months he has all of us watching his every move cause you just want to snuggle with him. Even Zoey is gentle with him. She's better to him than to her other 2 siblings. 

We are blessed. 

We love you.

bill and rosi mathews

Take a look at an advertising video that we made for a R.S. meeting.  It was silly but fun.

The evening of the auction 28 ladies attended and during the evening the sisters bid and spent almost 7000 "points". (points were used to purchase services from the sisters in our ward... points were transferred into canned goods. The canned food will go to the needy in our community).  I purchased genealogical hours for almost $100 in cash (money used to purchase canned goods used for my 750 points.)  Marlies attended.  She was a hoot and really contributed to the "fun" of the evening.  Her bright personality led others to get involved and raise the bids much higher.

I am busy...  did I ever have time to work at MVHS.  A bit sad as I will miss the students and the great music.

We got back from Colorado (had a great time) last week.  Wow, we saw amazing country, ate wonderful food and loved being with Adam, Becky, Elizabeth, Emma and Marliesi.  The train ride and drive through the Rocky Mountains of Colorado made me love our great country even more.  The visit to La Veta, Colorado was a high point for me.  Seeing where your great great grand parents lived and feeling the spirit in that quaint little railroad village is very satisfying and renewing.  I loved it. Deb and Nick have a beautiful new home in Johnstown, Colorado.  They are in a great neighborhood with lots of great folks and amenities  Nick worked 127 hours the week that we arrived.  I am hopeful that that pace will soon stop.  He has lost about 20 lbs and is very tired.  We only saw him for a few moments. Baby Zoey is thriving.  I leave for RI early tomorrow morning.  I am very excited to see all of the Tim Mathews' family but especially to meet little Carson.  I hope that you all got a picture of Liam and Carson taking a nap.  A priceless picture.  My knees are not so good but Jill said that it would be okay for a lame person to come.   She said "we will just relax and be with the kids."  Sounds good to me.

Marlies will be here with Dad.  She has become an important part of our family here at home. She has been here sinceJuly 5th convalescing.  Her arm is doing better.  she rarely complains but sometimes we see her wince a bit.  We have been doing some interior decorating.  That has been fun.  (Which we also spent time doing at Deb's house.  Hope you are enjoying yours, Deb)  She will go home about Aug. 29th.  She will take a portion of our heart with her.

Luke's family has been laying a new floor in their living room/kitchen/family room.  It is very beautiful wood.  They are very ambitious to do all of the work themselves.  

We have not had a chance to see the Ben Mathews family.  But they seem to be doing well.  Tyler had a great visit there.

love    Momma Rosi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=my_NYf9K9xM

Photo Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Photo books are the perfect gift for any occasion.

bill's testimony

May 5, 2013

Sunday, Fast and Testimony Day

So today Big Bill bore his testimony.  It was a very special thing.  He rarely chooses to speak out in public but today he was motivated to do so.

After "lumbering" up to the podium.  He looked us in the eye and began.

He started by saying that on Facebook he had read an article about a young, down syndrome girl who attends Springville High School.  (Immediately the three teen- agers in front of me were caught.  This ole guy reads facebook(?) AND we know this girl.)  He went on to say that she was recently named the Homecoming Queen and that she was a cheerleader.  He was impressed with the way that the other students treated her.  But most interesting to him was when the girl's father was interviewed, he was asked if it was hard to have a girl with special needs.  The Father's reply was "No, all of my children have special needs, her's is just more obvious because it is physical."

Bill:  "All of us have special needs.  Even in our audience today all of us have special needs.  When we lived in Reno I attended a seminar for new seminary teachers.  The teacher encouraged us to share ourselves with others.  He reminded the students that even a "smile" was a way to share ourselves.  So the next day I was at the LDS Institute where students often assembled during a break in their university classes.  I had noticed a girl who sat with a book over her face all of the time.  (Bill put his hands in the shape of a book and held them up over his face.)  I decided that I would smile at her.  She brought the book down and I smiled.  She immediately covered her face.  (Bill returned his hands in front of his face.)  The next day, I repeated the action and this time, she smiled back.  As the days pasted I continued to reach out to this girl.  Finally one day I walked to where she sat and asked her if she would like to play ping pong with me.  (Now Big Bill had won the San Francisco ping pong tournament.  He was GOOD!)  She reluctanly agreed and although she was not a good player we played.  Eventually we played as a team in the Institute Ping Pong tournament and we WON."

Bill:  I don't even remember her name (of course, that is not uncommon as I can't remember a lot of things) and I don't know if she is active in the church.  But I do know that by smiling at others and reaching out we can help others who have special needs.  

By this time, Rosi Mathews was weeping...  along with others.  Many people were touched.  It felt good to rest my head against his chest when he returned to his seat.