Life lessons and a football

So I was innocently folding the laundry the other day when tears started to flow and I began to cry, ya know the nose sniffing, can't see through your eyelashes kind of  cry.  The reason?  Rudy.  Yep, the football movie.  There are a few movies that always make me cry no matter how many times I watch them and Rudy is one of them.  And quite frankly I like watching them alone without the weird looks from my kids so I can cry without judgement.  I noticed this morning a midst my tears that there are a plethora of life lessons in that Hollywood format.  Lessons that I think are important enough to intertwine into my own life.

1. Have a dream - Rudy always wanted to play football, in particular Notre Dame Football, he talked about it, thought about it, dreamed about it.  
2. Take a chance, - Rudy left a secure job, a girlfriend, and his family behind to pursue that dream.
3. Prepare continually - The entire time he is attending the Jr. College he is preparing physically for the dream and goal he has,  he doesn't wait until he achieved the first part of his goal.
4. Find the blessings a midst the trials - Every time he applies to Notre Dame and gets rejected he gets more and more frustrated, but he is reminded that even if he doesn't make the team he has received a wonderful education.
5. Know why you are doing something - He is mocked and put down by the other football players for his 100% effort, but he doesn't let it stop him because he understands why he is doing it.
6. Understand and accept who you are - At the end of his Junior year when he visits the coach he says, "I have come to understand that I will always be on the prep team."  He makes adjustments to his goal, he knows he will never be the star player, but doesn't quit when he comes to that realization.
7. Ask for help - In that same scene with the coach, he simply asks to play, he wasn't going to be able to make it with out help.
8. FINISH - The final practice of the year, he quits.  He is done and feels like there is nothing left of his dream.  He is once again reminded by people around him that can see the bigger picture that it was the journey that transformed him, and he returns to practice and finishes.

The thing is that at end of the movie, during the game, nothing fantastic really happens.  He didn't win the game for them.  He did make a great play, but it didn't change the outcome of the game.  Yet he was carried off the field not for what he did on the field but for what he did off.  They acknowledged his journey, what he had become and what he had given them in the process.

I don't think that your dream has to be big, and the chance you take could be as small as facing your fear of looking foolish, or giving up a little of your time to work at something.  Understanding who you are comes with accepting limitations and sometimes adjusting the end goal.  Ultimately the thing I love and learned the most from my morning was it truly is about the change the happens on the way to the end that means more than anything else.   I am finding that so much time in life is wasted in the dream phase, time wasted in the thinking, and talking stage, without ever doing something about it.  For me it has been really hard trying to figure out what my dreams are, that is where I have wasted a great deal of time, believing that I don't have any dreams.  But I do, I have dreams.  I just need to be more intentional with my dreams and goals.  I need to focus on the change that is happening in the now more than the end result.  I need to be the catalyst for my children, and help them realize all these own things for their own journey.  Can you imagine the power that could be opened up?  Thanks Rudy.

Nancy Arilla Herring

Nancy Arilla Herring

• Born March 4, 1848 in Winter Quarters, Pottawattamie, Iowa
• Died March 22,1897 in Gunnison, Utah
• crossed the plains to Salt Lake City in the Robert Wimmer Company at the age of 4

Life Sketch of the Life of Nancy A. Herring Wasden

Nancy Arilla Herring Wasden was the daughter of Isaac Herring and Harriet L. Adams Herring.  She was born in Pottawattamie County, Iowa March 4, 1848.

In the summer of the 1852 she with her parents and three brothers arrived in Salt Lake City.

The family came across the plains with a hand cart company and suffered the hardships incident to that mode of traveling.  The family first settled in Big Cottonwood, Slat Lake County, where another daughter was born to those pioneer parents.  Soon after they moved to Manti, where they made their home.  Other children were born in all 5 sons and 4 daughters

My mother was educated in the primitive schools of that time, but her greatest education was acquired in domestic arts, which she learned from her mother.  She learned to card the wool, spin yarn, and weave cloth, which was valuable knowledge and helped her in a splendid way to provide clothing for her large family when she became a wife and mother.

She has often related to her children, how in the early pioneer days they were forced to gather segos and other roots to sustain life.  When the crops were gathered women and children would go into the fields to glean, and as a small child my mother would carry home her gleanings of wheat heads, empty them on a canvas, and bear out the kernels of wheat with a large stick; the wheat being sold at the stores to purchase necessities for family use.

She learned the art of coloring with rabbit brush, the bark of walnut trees, and various colorings to brighten the home made cloth, carpet rags, etc.

On the 22^nd day of May 1864, she became the wife of John Brooks Wasden, from which union thirteen children were born.

Mother was an expert seamstress and often went out to sew by the day as also she did dress making in her home. 

When her fourth child was six months old, father’s second wife died leaving an infant son, Mother took this child and reared him as her own, and the love and devotion she received from this son as he grew to manhood was ample proof that her work had been well done.

Mother never neglected her home or her family.  It was her shrine, to which all her best life and efforts were devoted.

She passed the barriers of this life March 22, 1897, at Gunnison, Utah.

There was a death notice published in the Manti Messenger, Saturday 3 April 1897:

“A gloom spread over our town on March 22, at the death of Mrs. Aurilla Wasden, one of our most highly respected and much loved citizens. Her faithfulness as a mother is well known. She leaves eight children, her husband and many relatives and friends to mourn her departure.” 

She was the mother of five sons and eight daughters: Alice Arilla, John Thomas, Mary Lucinda, Alta Arvilla, Margret Ellen, Anna Sophia, Rosella May, Willard Washington, Isaac Ransom, Fredrick Orson, Nancy Caroline, Joseph F., Olive Mayble, and her adopted son, James Brooks.

Winter Wedding cake

I started this year putting together this little baby.  My nephew got married the end of December and had his open house here the first part of January.  We had a great time visiting and seeing family.  Weddings are always so much fun to get together.

I want to play around with fantasy flowers again.  I love the simplicity of them.

Wilhelmina Margaretha Vanderwel

Wilhelmina Margaretha Vanderwel

• born September 5, 1893
• died June 27, 1974
• came to America in 1900 at the age of 6
• taught school as a profession before and after her marriage
• was talented in the arts, music, story telling, drawing

Wilhelmina Vanderwel Nelson was born September 5, 1893 in the city of Charlois, Holland, a third daughter – fifth and last child of Jan and Neeltje Barendregt Vanderwel.  They named her Wilhelmina Margaretha Vanderwell, the namesake of her two grandmothers.  She often joked about her long name and how she couldn’t write it all in the short spaces given for names on various forms.  And so for convenience sake she shortened her name to Wilma. 

In Holland the people in those days were fond of cheese sliced very thin.  Wilma’s parents owned and operated a small cheese market in Charlois.  They were very successful as her mother was well known for being able to slice the thinnest, most perfect slices of cheese in that area.

The Mormon Missionaries found their home and taught the Gospel to them.  They believed and became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  They then planned and saved until by selling their business they were able to go by ship to America.

They made their first home in Ogden, Utah.  Her father bought a ten acre farm.  Also her father and older brother worked on the railroad.  Wilma was six years old when they arrived.  Teachers and friends helped them to learn the English language.  She and her sister played with the other children around them learning their games and customs.  In this new county there were vegetables and fruit that they were not accustomed to and thought were poisonous.  But they soon learned that tomatoes and rhubarb were good to eat.  She and her sister showed the other children how to knot black stockings while jumping rope.

After a few years in Ogden her family moved to Minidoka, Idaho and homesteaded some land.  She helped with grubbing sagebrush and clearing the land for cultivation.  One of her chores was to tend the cows and bring them home though the tall sagebrush.  While tending the cows she would med the socks and do knitting.

She attended grade schools at Minidoka and then continued her education at the Albion State Normal School there in Southern Idaho.  When she received her teaching certificate she went to Garfield, Idaho to teach school where she taught two years.  Her work there was very good and she was asked to teach in Rigby.   She spent the next eight years teaching school in Rigby.  She kept going to summer school at Albion until she was able to earn her Life Teaching Certificate.  While in Rigby, she worked as a Counselor in the Y.M.M.I.A. and she was also a Sunday school teacher. 

She was offered a teaching job in Rexburg in the year 1921.  She accepted this position for the next three years.  While working in Rexburg she met Andrew A. Nelson.  They were married May 23, 1924 in the Salt Lake Temple in Utah.  Eleven children were born – six sons and five daughters: Arlene, Lois, Kwenden, Merla, Marvin, Dwain, Zyrl, David, Nylin, Coral, and NellJean.

The family lived on a forty acre farm in Burton, Idaho, until 1937 when they moved to the city of Rexburg.  During the following years she taught school at Herbert Hawthorne and Clementsville.  She also was the Cultural refinement instructor in the Relief Society and the sisters used to often comment on how much they enjoyed her lessons.

She taught her children the Gospel and correct ways of living.  She never left her children with a baby sitter.  Thought she remembered the Dutch language very well she could speak English correctly without any accent of her native tongue; she had a great appreciation for music, are and literature.  She frequently recited the many poems she had learned as a girl and she often sang the songs she had learned, these poems and songs became a part of her children’s education.  She was very firm about speaking English well and correctly using only the right form of speech.  She strongly disapproved of using slang.  Before she was married she bought a beautiful mahogany upright piano of which she was very proud and treasured very much.  She encouraged her daughters to learn to play the piano.  She often sat and played her favorite music on this splendid piano.

She was very artistic and created beautiful bulletin boards at the schools in which she taught.  She could draw and paint well and create very fascinating stories for the children.  She would tell these stories to her own children while there were snapping beans and shelling peas.  She taught her children how to cook, sew and clean house, to work hard and complete whatever was started before starting on something else.  She was always loyal to her husband a respected and supported him.  As one observes her posterity some of these qualities are yet reflected in their conduct which is a compliment to her good example.  She passed away June 27, 1974.

(Prepared by a son, Nylin B. Nelson – June 1983)

Notice the phrase, Catch the Sunshine, on her headstone.  I asked Uncle Nylin the significance of that, he told me that it was the name of her favorite song that she would play often on the piano.  I did a little research and found the book that it was in, below is a copy of the song.

Jan Vanderwel

Jan Vanderwel

• born August 11, 1863 in Charlois, Holland
• died March 8, 1921 in Newfort Rickey, Pasco, Florida
• came to America in 1900
• business owner selling primarily cheese

Jan Vanderwel was born August 11, 1863 in Charlois, Holland to Arij (or Ary) Vanderwell and Margaretha Krudenier.  There is very little information about his early years. He married Neeltje Barendregt  May 7, 1885.  They were the parents to 5 children, two who died very young and three who lived to adulthood.  Ari was born in 1889, Helena was born in 1890 and Wilhelmina was born in 1893.  They owned and operated a small cheese market and were quite successful.  The missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints found and taught the family, they joined the church. They saved and sold their business to earn enough money to come to America. The missionaries had jokingly told them the girls would not be allowed on the ship with their long hair.  They cut Wilhelmina's hair, the missionaries were devastated when they saw what they had done and let them know it was a joke before they cut Helena's.  They gave the girls porcelain dolls to express their apologies.   They sailed on the U.S.S. New England and arrived in August of 1900.  They made their home in Ogden, Utah where they owned a 10 acre farm.  They “Amercanized” many of their names in the family, Jan became known as John, Neeltje became known as Nellie, Ari changed his name to Harry, Helena kept her name the same and Wihelmina used the name Wilma.  Jan and his son Ari worked on the railroad.  They traveled to Salt Lake City in 1903 and were sealed together in the Salt Lake Temple.  They moved to Idaho and in 1910 they became naturalized citizens of the United States.  In 1912 Jan and Neeltje prepared to return to Holland.  They left in March.  In July they received word the their daughter Helena was having difficulty after delivering her first child.  Neeltje returned home and arrived in early August, but Helena had passed away eight days after giving birth.  The details of the following events* of Jan and Neeltje's life are unclear.  Something happened to the relationship between Jan and Neeltje and they split up.  He completed a passport form in 1919 with intentions to return to Holland to begin a business selling butter, eggs and soap.  On this passport form he is decribed as being 5’6” tall, with black hair and brown eyes.  There has not been record found that shows him actually leaving America.  In 1921 he passed away on March 8, in Newfort Rickey, Pasco, Florida.

*I wanted to share a story that has been shared among the family but there is little proof to back many of the key details of the story.   -  The story goes that Ari, Jan and Neeltje’s oldest son, was interested in serving a mission.  Jan felt that he and Neeltje should go instead, that was the reason they returned to Holland in 1912.  When Neeltje returned to take care of Helena, Jan stayed and reconnected with a lady that he had known previously and then decided to stay in Holland with her.  Nylin Nelson, a grandson, commented that Wilhelmina never discussed her father and the things that transpired because it was very hurtful.  The details are few and it is difficult to know all the circumstances.  I have found ship passenger lists that indicate that Neeltje returned to America alone in 1912 and Jan returned in 1914.  Then they both are listed returning once again to America in 1915, on this passenger list they are traveling together and Neeltje is listed as his wife. 

Jan Venderwell Family taken circa 1900.

Neeltje Barendregt

Neeltje Barendregt

• Born 9 Sept 1861 Charlois, Rotterdam, Holland
• Died 11 June 1929 Rigby, Idaho
• Came to America in 1900

Neeltje Barendregt was born in Charlois, Rotterdam, Holland 9 September 1861 to Leendert Barendregt and Willempje Vanderwell.  There is very little information about her early years.  She married Jan Vanderwel 7 May 1885.  They were the parents to 5 children, two who died very young and three who lived to adulthood.  Ari was born in 1889, Helena was born in 1890 and Wilhelmina was born in 1893.  They owned and operated a small cheese market and were quite successful.  She was well known for her ability to slice the thinnest and most perfect slices of cheese.  The missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints found and taught the family, they joined the church. They saved and sold their business to earn enough money to come to America. The missionaries had jokingly told them the girls would not be allowed on the ship with their long hair.  They cut Wilhelmina's hair, the missionaries were devastated when they saw what they had done and let them know it was a joke before they cut Helena's.  They gave the girls porcelain dolls to express their apologies.   They sailed on the U.S.S. New England and arrived in August of 1900.  They made their home in Ogden, Utah where they owned a 10 acre farm.  Jan and her son Ari worked on the railroad.  They traveled to Salt Lake City in 1903 and were sealed together in the Salt Lake Temple.  They moved to Idaho and in 1910 they became naturalized citizens of the United States.  In 1912 Jan and Neeltje prepared to return to Holland.  They left in March.  In July they received word the their daughter Helena was having difficulty after delivering her first child.  Neeltje returned home and arrived in early August, but Helena had passed away eight days after giving birth.  The details of the following events of Neeltje's life are unclear.  Something happened to the relationship between Jan and Neeltje and they split up.  She however moved to Rigby, Idaho.  She lived in a little white house with a beautiful flower garden.  She would make lemonade and dinners of baked potatoes and soft boiled eggs for her granddaughter when she would visit on Sundays.  She passed away in Rigby on the 11th of June 1929.

    

This picture was taken around the time that they came
to America,  you can see Wilhelmina's
short hair, she is sitting in the front.

Happy New Year 2013

So my kids woke up to this tree on the 31st, thanks to the girls over at Our Best Bites.  I'm so glad they shared the idea because I think our little family had  the best New Years Eve we have ever had.  The tree was decorated with a few things from the dollar store, but seriously I loved it, I wished that it had been up sooner so I could have enjoyed it a little longer, maybe next year.

I also purchased the pop it confetti party thingys, my kids were itching to use those all day long.

We started our evening with sushi and other yummy things from our favorite restaurant Pineapple Grill.  I decided that is the way to go, letting someone else make all the food for the night.  We invited Crystal and Norm over for dinner.  Super low key and SO enjoyable.

Cambelle's Christmas present was brought out and we did a little karaoke, J.T. Cambelle, and Norm all took the mike, Crystal and I sang in the background and Troy......

he was just happy to be there.

We had to pull out Just Dance 4 for the comic relief, I think Troy likes it, look at that smile.

After Crystal and Norm left we played some of our favorite games, Ticket to Ride and Bananagram.  I had the word executive, personally I think that should have won the game right there.

Sara went to her first party/dance and we missed her.

We started our "official" party, the loud stuff about 11:45 p.m.  We popped the balloons from the tree first, it took a little bit for them to realize there was money inside, at that point Cambelle said, "I didn't know that it would be this much fun."

Then their itchy fingers were relieved, the pop it were a huge success.

A visual of the huge success.

About 5 minutes before midnight we donned our New Year attire and started making a lot of noise.

This is one of the reasons I love Troy.  He is really a good sport.

We got ready for our New Years toast with sparkling apple juice, everyone agreed Sprite would have tasted better.

This is us making our own cha-ching sound.

We counted down and watched the ball drop.

In Italy it means good luck if the first person you talk to is someone of the opposite sex.  So I wished my cute husband a Happy New Year and got a pretty good response, I am hoping for a great year.