Mom Barry and St George

My dear mother-in-law successfully fulfilled her mission on earth March 12, 2013. She was a joy to me from the time I first met her at the age of 18. Even in my inexperience as a young wife and mother, I never felt judged by her. I miss her laughter and her ever-present smile. I loved how she excitedly told me about her HSN purchases. She loved doing what she could for others, for example, she did indexing, even getting a smartphone so she could work on it at dialysis. She had an unshakable testimony of the gospel. She read her little blue Book of Mormon at dialysis for two of the four hours that she was having treatment. She could have read it on her phone, but she wanted to be able to testify of it if any one asked her about it. I hope I can run as great of race as she did! On Saturday, just three days before Mom graduated, I was knitting scarves at her home. I got this black one finished and was showing her when she took it from me and wrapped it around her neck! Looks lovely on her!

Mom had so much fun with jewelry that each of her female family members got to choose a piece to have and to wear to the funeral. This is just some of the rings we got to choose from!

The Wes and LaBelle children and spouses. If you look very closely you will see that Marilyn is holding up her husband Jim on her phone so that he could be 'with' us. He is mission president for the Jacksonville, Florida mission and was not able to leave for his mother's funeral. But through the miracle of technology, he was 'there' and even gave his talk over the computer! We could all see him on the big screen!
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Below-From mom and dad's four children have come 26 grand children and 58 great grand children

All of our family made the sacrifice to get to the funeral. In Greg's words, "It was definitely worth it!" He drove Brooklynn and his two little ones up and was in Utah less than 24 hours before driving all night back to AZ.  (Top-Greg and cousin David-the eldest of the Barry grand children. Middle-23 of the 26 grand children, Left-Brian, Scottee, Charlee, Jaxson and Oaklee, Right-Greg and cousin Andrea Ault Oveson)

Adam and Anya got to fly up thanks to Anya's mom giving them her frequent flyer miles and watching John and Ella!

Rich, Treslee, Nina, Wesley, Millie, Elle

 Mindy flew up and drove back with John and I. It has been 30 years since she shared a bedroom with us! (We stayed in a hotel in Kanab on the way home!)

Devin, Allison, Taylor, Sam and Mollie

Brooklynn, Adam , Anya and Allison

I don't know what were laughing at, but what a jolly bunch we are!

Here is Jim and Marilyn's youngest son, Matt who is 6'5"! I guess he is about 4'10" kneeling!!!

 

 

ST GEORGE!!!
While John stayed in Utah county doing all the executor things...I guiltily went to St George for the annual Red Hot get-together. What a blast that was!

On the way to St George I taught Denise and Connie how to finger knit a scarf. Denise looks quite fabulous in hers!

Connie made us egg 'mcmuffins' for breakfast. DELICIOUS and HEALTHY!

We ate lunch one day at "The Painted Pony". Notice our scarves!

Denise was shopping for a new dining room set so we went to three different furniture stores. One of the stores was having a big 70's sale. All the workers were dressed to the nines in 70's attire. What fun!

MINDY"S BIRTHDAY!
Mindy 'celebrated' her 31st birthday on Monday, March 25th. We made cupcakes and Carter took a turn blowing out the candle.