Monday, December 13, 2010

Tribute to Grandmas

This blog post is a tribute to my sweet grandmother Nancy Williams. She passed away Dec. 4, 2010 in Plymouth, MA at the age of 84. This woman was literally a Saint.

For as Long as I can remember, my grandma has been the most giving person I have ever met. She has knitted thousands of hats for babies in the local hospitals, knitted many sweaters for the cold children in Afghanistan, and been a friend to countless old widows who needed a friend. When my mom was young, my grandma taught herself how to read braille and bought a braille machine (looks like a type writer). Every night after dinner, she would translate books to braille and then send the transcripts to libraries all over the country.

Not only was she extremely selfless, but she was so thrifty and creative! My grandparents used to drive in their motor-home from Plymouth to San Diego every other summer to come visit my family. One summer, they were passing through the agricultural check point coming into California. The man asked if they had any fruits or vegetables. My grandpa told him that they had a bag of apples. The man told them they had to give them up, but my grandma refused to waste perfectly good apples! So instead.. my grandpa put the motor-home in reverse and parked on the side of the road while my grandma made the apples into applesauce. When they passed through the check point, they told the man all they had was applesauce, and he let them through without hesitation. She is truly an inspiration.

At her tallest, she was only 4 foot 11 inches and probably only weighed about 80 lbs. But she showed more strength and resilience than most.

My grandmas funeral was held at, The Second Church of Plymouth, the church my grandma attended faithfully for many many years. Both my mom and uncle gave beautiful memories of their mother. Here is a quote from my uncle Craig; it pretty much sums it up:

"Let's imagine a passer-by out on the sidewalk, a person who doesn't know that we've gathered to honor the memory of a tiny old lady, a lady whose name is almost unknown outside of her family and circle of friends. The passer-by notices the large number of people gathered around the church. Through the windows he can see that the building is full. He says, 'Wow! a crowd like that must have come together to honor a great and powerful person!' And you know what? He's right... because the power to do good in the world has nothing to do with physical size and strength, and mom achieved greatness through countless acts of kindness that serves as an inspiration to us all."

Reflecting on my grandma’s life makes me realize how much more I could be doing. She dedicated her entire life to serving others and never thought twice when the opportunity arose to show love toward others. I'm grateful to have had two wonderful grandmothers that have been such great examples to me. Unfortunately, both of them have passed away within the past couple months, but I'm grateful to have had them in my life for so long.


This picture was taken just a couple weeks ago. It is a picture of my grandma standing in front of a loaf of bread, a pound of butter, a bag of flour, dozen eggs and a couple other things. With all of her coupons and rewards card, the grocery store ended up owing her 17 cents! The manager told her he couldn't give her 17 cents and so she said, " oh that's fine. The free food is enough." She walked out of the store with a bag of free groceries. (and yes, she knitted that sweater). My grandma rocks.


My Uncle Kevin, mom, grandpa and Uncle Craig.


The family with my grandpa! (I dyed my hair dark)


All my grandmas grandchildren were able to make it to her funeral, except for one, my brother Steven who is currently deployed.


The whole Williams gang.

Side note: I have always been able to knit. I don't actually remember being taught. I always assumed it was my mom because she is the one who taught me how to sew and garden. But I knit back-handed (backwards) and my mom doesn't. I always thought it was weird. Well I found out this weekend that it was my grandma who taught me how, and she also knits back handed! I better start putting those skills to use. After all, there are still babies who need hats and children who need sweaters.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

The Pace Visit

Well Boyd and I have had a very Eventful month. So I thought I would start at the beginning. Early this month we had the Pace clan come and visit!! It was so much fun. My mom and dad caravan-ed with my brother and his family from southern California. We started off the family weekend by going to an apple picking orchard by Zion National park. (Photos courtesy of Annie, thanks!!)

I love this little family! Tom, Annie, Darcy & Kayla.
My mom and dad.
My Nieces were so good about helping me fill my bag up with apples!
Boyd and I currently live across the street from the Sand Hollow Reservoir. It is such a fun place to go swimming and play in the sand.

We also went to the Dinosaur Museum, I have been wanting to go ever since Boyd and I moved to St. George. The girls were a little disappointed that there were not actual dinosaurs, but it was still pretty interesting.
We also drove through Zion National Park. Earlier that day, I got bit by what I now believe to be a black widow spider, yes a black widow. My leg swelled up and bruised, but of course I was not going to go to the doctor. I would take some Benadryl and press forward through the day. Unfortunatly, the medicine made me sleepy, and I slept most of the way through Zion. But from what I saw from the pictures it was beautiful!

As some of you might know, I am the youngest in my family. My siblings aren't that much older than me, but growing up we were always in different stages in life. I have always had a very close bond with my family, But I am grateful for this time in our lives where life has evened out our age differences. It is no longer a "my older sibling" type of relationship, but a real and sincere loving friendship. Love you Paces, hope to see you very soon.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Real Salt Lake

I think I have mentioned in previous posts that Boyd and I love sports. We have made it a goal to see at least one game (in person) of every professional sport. So far we have crossed off the list: football, baseball, basketball.. and most recently soccer! we went up to Salt Lake to see their professional soccer team. Our friends Robby and Jessica came with us and we had so much fun! The stadium and the crowd were amazing. Unfortunately, Salt Lake tied.. but an exciting game it was.

Stadium Arcadium...



These guys played the drums throughout the entire game. They had fog machines, confetti and drums... perfect recipe for an awesome cheering section.
We also had the opportunity to visit Boyd's grandma and grandpa. We love them so much.

Next up: Hockey!

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Guadalajara, Mexico 2010

This last week Boyd and I went to Guadalajara Mexico with my family! My dad teaches at a Univeristy in mexico for the summer. This is the second time Boyd, me and my mom were able to visit him and this time, my lovely sister was able to go. We were there for 8 days and had an absolute blast. We spent the vacation eating, relaxing, enjoying the beautiful weather and sight seeing.

Boyd me and Kim at this awesome restaurant, Adobe. It was a giant furniture store and a restaurant.

It is amazing how beautiful it is there. The trees are so mature and everything was so green! partly because it was rainy season.

We went to the movie theatre, and the only movie playing in English was Toy Story 3 in the VIP theatre. Turns out, the VIP theater was a little more expensive, but... we sat in lazy boy chairs and had waiters! They had Delicious chocolate cake.

Talaquepaque..

This is the Glorita, On sundays everyone comes here and brings puppies, crafts, and food and walk around this little park.
Famous painting by Orosco. (not sure about the spelling).


It would all of the sudden start to pour, then it would clear up. My mom didnt have an umbrella, so she was struggling with this pancho.

After Mass, the catholic church would sell these divine churros. They cost like 20 cents, 20 cents of heaven.

We went to this orphanage that houses about 200 children. My dad's students put on a party for all these sweet children. They brought three different pinatas, one was a life sized clown. While I was freaked out by it, the children seemed to rather enjoy it.
These two ones are brother and sister, my sister almost took them home.
This little guy is Bruno. He is one year old, and the most adorable child. Turns out, he didn't fit into my purse. Oh don't think I didn't try! All the kids wore red shorts and white shirts. They didnt have shorts to fit the little ones, so they would just waddle around in giant pants.



They had a music program, so the kids played us a couple tunes.

We ate at a lot of different delicious restaurants. One of my favs, La O.

We ate on a porch of a mansion.
The gang. . .
Universidad de Iteso.



Iteso..



Thanks everyone, we had a blast. . . . Love you!!!

Monday, July 5, 2010

July 4, 2010

Signs of a successful Fourth of July Weekend:

  • Trash bags full of used paper goods.
  • A Throbbing headache from all the sugar and soda.
  • More hot dogs than you know what to do with.
  • A Wicked Sun burn
  • Eye damage from standing way too close to your husband setting off his own fireworks.
By those standards, Boyd and I had a VERY successful Fourth of July! Hope you did too.




Wednesday, June 9, 2010

The "haps"

The month of May was quite exciting! To name a couple things, I had my 23rd birthday! Which was awesome thanks to boyd's stellar birthday planning abilities. A couple days after my birthday, I offically graduated! I actually graduated in december, but I walked in the ceremony in May. In my book, it isn't official until you toss your hat. My wonderful parents came up to see me graduate. It was a really special day. Thanks Boyd, Mom and Dad!

(I did not photo shop this photo at all. My husbands eyes are just that beautiful! I have coped with the fact that he out-shines me in every photo with those baby blues)

The parental units, me and Boyd.

The next exciting thing, we moved! We moved into a house at the Golf course we work at. The house belongs to a wonderful family, and they are so kind to let us live in their basement. We absolutlely love it out here. It is so beautiful, and there are so many fun things to do. We have more space than we need in this place, and we are just having so much fun. We are absolutely being spoiled, and cant imagine we will ever live in another place that is as nice as this one.

(Boyd, me and some friends on the golf course. The house we moved in to is the one in the background).
We love southern Utah, and are so grateful to be here.

The Basement has a full kitchen, two bathrooms, a couple bedrooms and.... washer dryer hookups!! Its the best. The ceilings are freakishly tall. I would post more pictures but it will reveal that I am not the best house keeper :)
Again, thanks Brackens! I hope you know we are staying forever.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

An occasion worth celebrating.

This month, Boyd has been cancer free for 6 years. Congratulations Boyd, I love you!


Take that cancer.