Monday, January 30, 2012

Skiing, take 2

Sabrina and Zane went skiing again on Saturday. Getting on boots, fine. Getting on skis, fine. Letting go of Mom with skis on feet: major trama. PLUS, mean ol' Daddy wanted her to hang onto ski poles, instead of him holding onto her for the duration. However, she came down the bunny hill saying, "I am so brave!" Just what I wanted for you, darling.

Zane again took Sabrina on the real ski lift, which again was hardest on Mommy, I think. However, everyone made it down safely and the new method of Sabrina holding onto ski poles was successful. Zane even had enough energy to take a "real" run down the mountain, i.e. without Sabrina! Last time he collapsed at my feet (a not uncommon occurrence)and, since he was sans poles, I had to pull him back up.

While the skiing lesson was going on, Sasha was brave enough to walk on the snow. Last time he had been traumatized by walking on the frozen reservoir and being unable to maintain solid footing, but he found snow-walking not quite so scary. Sadly, he was sans gloves, so mean ol' Mommy wouldn't let him dig in the snow.

Overall, a successful outing with such brave kids.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Snow? Really?

Considering how far I have to drive on one-half of the working days of this school year, I have not mourned the comparative absence of snow this year. I know, I know, it's not just about me. Farmers, ranchers, and Lake Powell enthusiasts, to say nothing of skiiers, are grouchy about no snow. But, being pregnant and not a farmer, I don't really care. I care that the roads have been dry and ice-free. So it should come as no surprise that this current rash of storms is a bummer for me.

I blame the Indians.

Let me explain. This is not a racist statement. Park City had a bunch of Utes (I think) do a snow dance. Well, it worked, darn it. And now I have to face a commute of wet roads and possible icy conditions. Thanks a lot, snow gods. Next time, consider the commuters and not just the people who make a living on having enough water, okay?

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Being A Mama

Yesterday I was writing my tribute to Rob, and crying, of course. It's just so tragic. Anyway, Sabrina asked me why I was crying, and I told her, and she said "I take care of you." So sweet. So I went to the bathroom to wash my face, and there, in all its glory, was a sticker on my forehead. It just seemed so incongruous, you know? Crying over a friend (tragic) while a sticker is on my forehead (comic). Only a mama.

I know it's kind of trivial after more talk about Rob, but Sabrina's potty training is going so well! She almost never has any kind of accident. If you're not in the Freudian anal stage with someone in your family, you may want to skip the rest of this post. Anyway, I promised Sabrina a special treat if she went poop in the potty. Do you know her special treat of choice for being such a big girl? A bottle. That's right, for being a big girl she gets to regress. I don't care. It's SO worth it.

The new baby, christened Jemonis by Sabrina, is doing great. I had my big ultrasound, and the tech said he looks perfect. And man, that kid is definitely a boy! No question at all. So he and Sasha will be 20 months apart, but only a year apart in school. There are good and bad things about that, I guess.

I'm loving little Sasha lately. He's been less fussy and tantrum-y, and so loving! He loves to share, which is so sweet, even though I don't really want a bite of his slobbery cookie or drink of his bottle. So cute.

I need to go, because Sabrina is insisting I watch her tricks, and I'm worried she going to jump right on top of me and my computer. And even though she's only 23 pounds, she can do a lot of damage!

Friday, January 20, 2012

Loss

As you can see from my last posting, my friend Rob died last week. Well, he didn't exactly just die. He killed himself. He's struggled with depression for most of his adult life, which made him hopeless. It makes me sad. Very, very sad. I haven't even talked with Rob in several years, but I still considered him my friend.

I have to believe that Rob is happier now. At least, his earthly sorrow must be gone, since it was a consequence of living in this mortal world. Just like if he'd been in physical pain, the emotional pain he was in must be gone. I'm so glad the church has backed away from the hurtful doctrine about suicide being murder. I can't imagine where their hearts, sensitivity, and heck, spiritual discernment were. Didn't an apostle recently say we cannot judge what their state was when they died? I cannot believe Rob, the amazing, good man that he is, would be so condemned.

Rob's obituary said he was kind and good, and treated everyone in a way that made them feel special. I think this is true. I remember the long talks we had about everything from doctrine to psychology to our lives, and how well he could listen and appreciate good conversation (mine, of course!). He was a wonderful musician, and I pay him the highest tribute when I say that, as a ward organist, he never bugged me. That is an achievement! He played the right speed and tempo, and didn't screw up. Is this damning with faint praise? I swear, this is a HUGE compliment! Rob also had a great singing voice. I remember him singing one of the "We Three Kings" verses in church around Christmas a few years ago, and thinking how gifted he was. And cute, too.

Of course I simultaneously want to believe and do not want to believe that I could have helped him had I been around for him these past few years. But I cannot believe I would have made a difference. From all accounts, he was married to a wonderful woman, and he had great sisters and parents. I just wish I could have. I wish he didn't feel so hopeless, so despondent, so certain things would never get better. I wish he was still happy, thoughtful, caring, and alive.

We'll miss you, Rob. I hope you are at peace now. Our world is darker without you.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Rob


Robert Arthur Stephenson


Robert Arthur Stephenson
1978 ~ 2012
On January 11, 2012 we lost our dear and loving husband, son, grandson, nephew, brother, uncle, cousin, and dear friend, Rob Stephenson.

Robert Arthur Stephenson was born on March 17, 1978. Rob was a great man - one of the kindest and gentlest to ever walk on this earth. He is loved by so many and is already deeply missed. He leaves behind his wonderful and adoring wife, Stephanie Miner Stephenson, whose unconditional love and kindness brought true joy and happiness to Rob. He was fiercely loyal and dedicated to his bride.

Rob was a dear friend to many. He had a way of making each person with whom he came in contact feel important and needed. His meekness was his strength. He brought so much joy to the lives of his wife, siblings, parents, in-laws, nephews, and friends-and countless others who interacted with him only in passing. Rob easily won over the hearts of his nephews who called him "Wobbie."

Rob was an instant friend, and no respecter of persons. He was generous to those he knew and did not know. He lived life without guile and harbored malice for none. Rob had a unique gift of listening to others with "ears to hear" that blessed and encouraged numerous lives. He loved without judgment or question, and he never spoke ill of anyone. Rob had a great sense of humor and was very honest and open. He taught us all so much in his short and beautiful life. He was an excellent example to so many.

Rob was an active and engaged disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. He served full-time in the Santiago East Chile mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1996-1998 and in many church and non-church callings. He was a gifted teacher, not only because he communicated so well, but because he cared so profoundly. He believed and often said of the Lord: "He is mighty to save."
Rob enjoyed the outdoors and loved traveling, rock-climbing, and biking with his wife and family. He played the piano well, a gift he shared with his wife. He loved to savor a bowl of ice cream with friends and family over good conversation; his palate could discern even the rarest of ice creams.

Rob is survived by his wife Stephanie Miner Stephenson (Steven and Marilyn Miner), his parents Robert and Gaylyn Skola Stephenson; Siblings: Hillary (Jonathan) Redd, Rebekah (David) Read, Betsy (Jeremy) Clegg, and Mary Stephenson; Nieces and nephews: Finnigan, Winston, Solomon, Walter, Samantha, Joshua, Sara, and Benjamin; Siblings-in-Law: Daniel (Katie) Miner, Timothy (Suerah Shirazi) Miner, Jane Miner, and Jill Miner. He was preceded in death by niece, Caroline Elizabeth Clegg, and brother-in-law, Stephen Paul Price II.

We love you, Rob.

Funeral services will be held Monday, January 16, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Monument Park 9th Ward, 1565 Foothill Blvd. Friends and family may visit Sunday 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South and Monday 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the ward. Interment at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Online condolences at www.larkincares.com. In lieu of flowers, please donate to To Write Love on Her Arms at www.twloha.com.
To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.