Day 59: Sharing the good things in life

The LeBaron's at Justin and Maggie's wedding.

From Justin:

I’ve been feeling a little bit like the last person around the table to say something nice about the birthday person. One thing that I have noticed over the years, is that we often all love and admire the same things about people, and year after year, we continue to love all of those things.

The things I love about Ruth Ann are no exception. I agree with the other posts and it becomes difficult to bring up something new, when so many have expressed her strengths so well. That said, one of my favorite things about Ruth Ann is her ability to create special experiences and memories with people. She really works at having a personal relationship with people and takes good notes about what makes people feel special, and she notices what people like.

Hardly a trip to Salt Lake goes by without Ruth Ann sharing some German chocolate with me. I see Ruth Ann give to and make meaningful or special things for everyone and appreciate the extra time and energy that it must take. Here’s to Root Beer, Nutella, Ritter sport, Marty Robbins, and to a mother who finds many ways to show us all that she cares.

Day 58: We Love Ruth Ann (Gail & Jim Christensen Family)

Christensen and Shumway Families



From left: Brandon, Aubrey, Jim, Gail, Dave, Jodi, Kaden

We love MANY things about Ruth Ann, our wonderful sister-in-law and aunt. Here are just a FEW of them:

KADEN and AUBREY say:
We love how you're always nice to everyone.
We like your cooking -- pizza, rolls, desserts, everything.
We love coming to family parties at your house.

JODI says:
I love how you are always smiling and happy. :-D
I love your "mad cooking skills" -- you make the best rolls ever!!
I love the great example you have set in patiently and lovingly raising eight wonderful children. :-)

DAVE says:
I like Ruth Ann's rolls.
She has a great sense of humor.
She is a wonderful grandmother.

BRANDON says:
Ruth Ann always let us stay up really late as kids, and let us have lots of fun together as cousins.
She always cooked us good food, and still does. I love her lasagna and her orange rolls.
She always makes me feel welcome.

JIM says:
Ruth Ann sees the good in other people.
She is always thinking of others and what she can do to make them happy.
Ruth Ann is powerfully righteous -- a living example of the gospel.

GAIL says:
Ruth Ann is fiercely loyal -- to her family, her friends, and to the Lord.
She is brilliant -- amazingly creative and talented -- and she's the best multi-tasker I've ever known. One day when I was visiting at her home, she was sewing pajamas, making grape juice, and catering someone's wedding, all at the same time!!

Ruth Ann is the very best kind of person to have in your family -- caring, honest, dependable, enthusiastic, always willing to do more than her share, and filled with charity, or Christlike love.

We thought you might enjoy seeing these old photos, taken by Neil in 1979, at a family outing to Ventura Beach, CA, while the family was visiting Nanny and Grandpa in Oxnard. Not sure why Jodi isn't in the picture, but John, Mary, Maggie, Tom, Bob, and Elisa were definitely too young in 1979 to be at the beach!!

Fun at the Beach



From left: Brandon, our dog Konian, Flori, Tonna (our Navajo Indian Student), Jared, Jim



Ventura Beach, 1979



Back Row from left: Kirk, Eldon, Jim Front Row: Joseph (being held by Ruth Ann), Brandon, Gail, Genie

Day 57: Book of Ruth

From Neil:

On April 19th, 1973, I married Ruth Ann in the Salt Lake Temple. Next month, we will celebrate our 38th anniversary. It is a sweet thing to work in that temple, with your mother, as an ordinance worker. On our wedding day, Ruth Ann quoted from memory these verses from the Book of Ruth. She has been true to the tender entreating of Ruth. She has followed me in my wanderings to California, Sandy, Canyon Rim, Holladay and Cottonwood Heights -- on forays into business, cabins, media trips, having and raising children, family vacations, church callings and other pursuits. Therefore, in all of the Old Testament, these words of Ruth are some of the most poignant to me.

Ruth 1:16-17
And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from fol­lowing after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge : thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.

Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

Day 56: Matchmaker

Above: Carrie and Joseph on Newport Beach in June 1999, the weekend we got engaged.

In some cultures, it is custom for the parents to arrange the marriage, choosing a spouse for their child. Other cultures hire a matchmaker, an older woman in the village who specializes in such pairing of potential partners.

I remember seeing the play Fiddler on the Roof as a young man and cringing at the thought of an arranged marriage. In the song "Matchmaker," Tevya's daugthers sing:

Matchmaker, Matchmaker
Look through your book,
And make me a perfect match

Appalled, I thought "Surely any son or daughter needs to make his own choice." But now I must admit: I am partially the product of an arranged marriage. It's a wonderfully happy marriage and I have momma to thank for it. Here is my story.

At age 21, I returned home from my mission to find I had been betrayed by my betrothed. The woman I thought I would marry had been merrily making other plans. Ever optimistic, my parents encouraged me to date as much as possible during the fall semester at BYU. Young and eager to try out my "commitment pattern" skills in the dating world I set out with a new determination. What better place to drown my doubts than in the dating pool. Unfortunately, my Fall flirtations fell flat. I could go on with the alliteration, but the semester felt more like obliteration. My quest for a partner was going nowhere.

Over the semester break I talked to mom and dad about my frustration. They sprang to action. Mom convened a special family council where all of the siblings were to help address the pressing family issue of "Who Joseph should date."

Each of my younger brothers and sisters chimed in with suggestions that included their friends older siblings, piano teachers, etc. until mom came up with a final list.

One of the names on the list was Carrie Smith. I had met Carrie several months earlier when I visited her home with dad. He was their home teacher and Carrie was an adorable teenager (19 - gasp!) getting ready to leave on a study abroad to London. Now that the semester was over she was home again.

Of course I was skeptical of names pulled together by my parents, but I reluctantly agreed to try out a few dates. After all, picking my own dates had gotten me nowhere during the semester.

I'm not sure if Mom didn't trust me to ask anyone out, or thought I would delay too long, because that Sunday at church she got the ball rolling by asking Carrie out on my behalf. I imagine it went something like this:

Ruthie: Hi Carrie, would you be willing to go on a date with my son?
Carrie: John? Nah. I've been on a date with him before.
Ruthie: No, I have another son.
Carrie: Tom and Bob are too young. Plus I'm their tennis teacher, so that would be awkward.
Ruthie: No, I have another son...

And on it went until mom finally arrived at my name. As it turns out, mom had fortunately asked me to sing during her lesson that Sunday. Carrie attended the lesson and says the singing sealed the deal for her.

The rest of the story is a happy one. To her father's relief, Carrie turned 20 several moths before our wedding. Carrie and I have been married for 11 years now and we often look back thinking we (mostly I) got so lucky. We didn't date that long before we got married, but our match still feels like a perfect one.

Similarly, in Fiddler on the Roof the daughters make an important discovery:

Playing with matches,
a girl can get burned
So bring me no ring...
catch me no catch
Unless [it's] a matchless match!

Thanks mom, for finding me a matchless match.


Above (Left to Right): Sherman and Bobbi Smith, Carrie and Joseph, Ruth Ann "the Matchmaker" and Neil LeBaron

Day 55: The Benefit of the Doubt: The Invention of the Microwaveable Aluminum Tray

(Rob) When Maddie was just a wee little one and having her first language explosion, she'd chatter endlessly with funny baby sounds (gaga; dada, etc.).

Nanny, who never misses an opportunity to see the best or the brilliance in someone, used to go on and on about how Maddie just said "Lady Gaga" or "Father Dearest." Things like that.

One day, one of the aunts or uncles (lets say Johnny) had had enough. Maddie babbled something and Johnny said, "I think she just said microwaveable aluminum tray." While there was just a tinge of jealousy there because I think Johnny had only just learned how to say that in AP English, the point is a good one.

Nanny is a champion of her loved ones. She gives all around her the benefit of the doubt and she finds the best in everyone.

This trait was particularly sweet when Flori and I were dating and then newly married. There I was, with little idea of what I wanted to accomplish in life and how I was going to support her daughter without the assistance of Dad's Maverick Bucks. Nanny was there cheering me on all the same. She still does even though, when we told Maddie this story the other day Maddie said, "you can't microwave an aluminum tray."

Day 54: Quitting the Paper Route

As a rule of thumb, no LeBaron should ever have a paper route. Waking up early in the morning isn't really our thing. I guess maybe I shouldn't drag you all into this, since Mom and Dad wake up at like midnight every Monday morning to make it to the temple on time.

What I meant to say was, "Bobby should never have a paper route because Bobby has a hard time waking up in the mornings." Tommy can attest to this after attempting to rouse me from my slumber for early morning seminary, as he often resorted to throwing a cup of water on me. Way to start the day off right. Luckily for me, I had an afternoon route for the Deseret News, which I usually got to customers before 8pm.

While the route was my sole source of funding for POGs, Magic cards and fake BMG accounts for Bob R Baron, it was also a good job for teaching me how to be responsible. As much as I joke, Mom really did make sure I delivered papers on time and made sure I didn't watch an episode of Rocko's Modern Life before delivering papers. She also taught me a valuable lesson of standing up for myself.

I still remember the day that the NAC van delivered a whole pallet of papers to our door. As we only had 30 houses on our route, this was surely a mistake. We called the newspaper and let them know of the mistake, but when they returned, the guy who delivered the papers started yelling at mom and tried to make it seem like his mistake was her fault. I remember Mom handling the situation well and kindly telling the newspaper guy it wasn't our fault, but the guy was being flat out ridiculous. So, with that, mom told him that we were turning in our two weeks right then. "We are?" I thought as I looked at Mom. We were.

Mom has always been a very calm and even tempered person, but when she senses something isn't right or that something isn't fair, she speaks out. While I've never quit a job (or someone else's job) on the spot like Mom did, I have followed her example of being even tempered, but speaking up for myself when things aren't right. This has been a valuable skill for me as I've engaged with others in school, work, and church assignments.

Day 53: Ode to Ruth Ann, Placator of Procastinators

When I ran for Student Body President of Olympus Jr. High, I was the ultimate doofus. I begged Joseph to make my posters and attached a feigned promise of $20 payable as incentive. Since it was the morning election posters were due, Joseph reluctantly, but kindly agreed. Instead of helping I just watched and critiqued, like kids with pooka shells and no trade school training are so apt to do. Joseph made "Bob, Australian for President." into a reality.

After making it past primary elections, I had to write a skit, in which I had decided I would play Steve Irwin and wrestle a crocodile. The only thing is, I had no crocodile suit, as I had given away my crocodile pajama onesie the week before. "No problem," I thought. "My family is just dying to drop everything and help me with this. Mom can sew anything, just like Joe can draw anything." I told Mom what I needed and she sewed all day to make me this crocodile costume (as worn by Tyler Walker years later on a trip to Albertson's to purchase Gatorade).

Unbeknownst to me at the time, the day Mom spent sewing my costume was her anniversary. She probably would have sewed it on another day, but I didn't give her the choice. I told her the day before the assembly. She put my special day before her own and helped me to secure a victory that saved me from a life of Funyuns, no friends, and playing Starcraft all day. This is just one example of Mom's selfless attitude, of putting others first and wanting others to be happy. Thanks for helping such a selfish teenager, Mom. And thanks for not sewing a sting ray costume. Ahhh, too soon?

Day 52: Ambien, diet pepsi and Tiago

When James and I were first married we lived in Midway and James was working graveyard shifts in West Valley. One night I didn't feel comfortable with him being up all night and then having to drive up on a snowy road, so I took him to work and went to spend the night at the LeBarons. When I got there (around 11:00 pm) I found Ruth Ann sitting in front of the computer, with a game on, she greeted me and said she was going to bed, when she got up she was totally out. I helped her to her bedroom because she was so drowsy she barely could walk. The next morning she didn't remember a thing.
This was the first time I had heard about ambien and I am extremely grateful for that.

A couple of years later my sweet ten month old Tiago was already able to drink from a straw. That trick he learned from RuthAnn on a cup pf Diet Pepsi. I wasn't the happiest mother seing my baby drinking caffeine. It took me a year to be grateful for RuthAnn's efforts to teach him how to drink from a straw.

You must be asking how these events are related.
I will explain it to you.
On my 41st week of Tiago's pregnacy I couldn't sleep. All the excitment from being so close to seeing his little face kept me awake for a whole week. On that Tuesday morning I asked my doctor if he could prescribe me some Ambien, and so he did. I took half of a pill around 9:00 pm and slept like a baby, around 4:00 in the morning the contractions started and he was born on the first hour of that Thursday.
When Tiago was almost 2 years old we found out he had something called sensory integretion disrorder, it caused some delay on his communication and his behavior. One of the exercises we could do to help work on the muscles of his mouth and be used as a calming activity was, drink from a straw. Since he was ten months old he loved straws.

Thanks to RuthAnn, Ambien and Diet Pepsi made a big difference.

Day 51: Glasses Half Full

“You go to school, you get a master's degree, you study Shakespeare and you wind up being famous for plastic glasses” (Sally Jessy Raphael)

One of my favorite things about mom is her impressive collection of glasses. I LOVE her old cat-eyes from the early 60s, her large (and oh-so-stylish) peepers from the 70s and 80s and her bedazzled shades from the 90s. Mom, just like good old Sally quipped, you have accomplished a lot (A LOT!) but for this one silly post, you will be famous for your glasses! We love you!




Mom in her fashionable turquoise and maroon specs March 2011

Day 50: Jackalope

                                              

One funny memory of mom is from several years back involving the mythical Jackalope. It went a little something like this.

Mom: Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam, where the deer and the jackalope play...

Children: wait, what was that last part?

Mom: the deer and the jackalope.

Children: Those aren't the right words.

Mom: Yes they are.

Children: Why would they write a song about a fictitious animal?

Mom: Jackalopes are real.

Children: Seriously? Jackalopes are just made up.

Mom: No, they are real. I have seen stuffed ones in gas stations in Wyoming and on post cards.
Children: Mom, they just take a jack rabbit and put some little deer horns on them. Jackalopes are just folklore.

At this time everything started to unfold in her mind, a look came over her face like everything she had known was a lie. A little piece of Ruthies innocence gone. I share this story not because I think of mom as ignorant or gullible. Mom your innocence is one of your greatest attributes. I have always admired your ability to keep yourself unspotted from the world. You are truly an example to all of us on how to live in the world but not be of the world. I love you mom.

Day 49: We do not doubt our mother knew it

Family at the Brighton cabin- November 2002

Back in late fall of 2002, I was preparing to serve a mission in Frankfurt, Germany. Mary had already been serving in the Rome,Italy mission for about 9 months. Tom had just opened a mission call to serve in Leipzig, Germany (later combined with the Berlin mission), and was set to leave just two months after I did. There was a lot going on. Mom and Dad were battling monstrous monthly payments with 3 missionaries, regular life expenses, and also waiting for the Brighton cabin to sell.

Mom and Dad with me at the MTC

I had been working for months. I had been saving more than I had ever saved but didn’t have enough to pay for my mission. I remember coming to Mom one day in tears. I told her that I didn’t have to go on a mission. I was met with encouragement and reassurance. I asked my mom about the brutal reality of financing this important experience. “How will you afford to have three missionaries and pay for everything else?” Mom looked at me and told me that I just had to have faith and that with trust in Heavenly Father it would all work out. I knew that she believed and trusted and knew that I could too.

Bob, Mary, Mom, Dad, Maggie, Sister Cassens- Heidelberg

My brothers and sisters and I were raised in a household of faith. This experience is probably closest to my heart, but I’m sure that we could all share dozens of experiences. I never heard Mom complain about any of her own church callings or Dad’s. They just served, exercised faith and were relentlessly charitable. I was the fifth of seven children to serve a mission and I am grateful that my parents sacrificed so many times to send their children to serve the Lord.

Day 48: Difficult Daughter - Devoted Daughter

Mom - you must have known this post was coming...

I have some very distinct (and appalling) memories of being a horrible daughter. I was never so deceptively clever, just mean and cruel (oh the shame!!) I'm sure you remember the tantrums I threw before the carpool or the sobs of "you're ruining my life" and "it isn't fair!" when I couldn't hang out with high school boys. gaah! you were SUCH a mean mother!



(tsk! check out my 'tude in this pic!)

I remember being angry and resentful because you "just didn't understand" because how could you?!? It all seems so silly now.

Before Johnny left on his mission he told me it was time to forgive you and just love you. I thought he was crazy. I was convinced that you and I would never understand each other - no way would we ever be friends. isn't that so sad?

I know that you and I both remember well a special night we had in your room. It was a night I will treasure and remember forever. It changed my life, Mom. Do you know that deep down I always wanted to be good and do good? Why I wasted so much energy and time pretending to be angry and indifferent, I'll never know. thank you for being patient with me. thank you for not throwing up your hands and saying "you're right!" or "Fine!" or "Go ahead - see if I care!"

Although I couldn't see it while I was younger, I know you must have been scared to death seeing some of my friends and worried I might share a similar fate. I knew you loved me because even though I put up a fight, it didn't have much fire behind it because i didn't really want to be doing any of those things. I guess i just needed someone to give me those boundaries and (essentially) an excuse to have to stay home.



Since that night many years ago, I have treasured the bond we now share. You are my best friend, mom. My most trusted advisor and confidante. Could any daughter wish for a better mother? Could any person hope for a better friend? I hope that I can continue to put to rest the memory of difficult daughter and have you see what a devoted daughter i am to you now. I love you, I love you, I do.

maria

Day 47: patience, it is a virtue

I remember Ruth Ann asking Neil to stir something in the kitchen so it wouldn't boil, (most likely cream or some type of dairy.) Neil got a little distracted, maybe with a phone call or a snack, and the contents in the cooking pot were forgotten and a boilin'!

Ruth Ann came in a couple minutes later to a boiling mess. Instead of getting mad, she just easily forgave him, and said he must have been busy or distracted.

It was a major eye opener for me. I would have had hot steam coming out my ears if my hard work on a meal was damaged. I admire Ruth Ann's patience. I want to be more patient. In fact, Johnny teases me for being the most impatient person ever. It is but only slightly true. 

However, I am thankful for Ruth Ann's great example of patience.

And Neil don't worry, you really are practically perfect. :) 

Evelyn, Kai, Ruth Ann, Elijah, Sisi and Neil

Neil was super sweet in requesting a visit to see the poppies in Alpine, even though the day they came to visit it had been raining. I love that they came down anyway.

Ruth Ann and Neil June 2009

Does anyone else love how Ruth Ann and Neil tell each other regularly through out the day that they love each other? 

It is so endearing.

Day 46: Weekend at Berninas

When mom and dad came to visit us in January, one of the top things I wanted to do was spend time sewing with my mom. I am so happy she taught me how to sew. I'm so happy she made things for me (even though I was sometimes a brat about homemade clothes). I'm so happy she has a good eye for fabric (and a great stash she lets me raid whenever I visit)! I'm happy she likes to make messes and go crazy making multiples of the same thing. And I'm happy she's a Bernina snob and let me inherit one of her old machines so I could be one too.

Day 45: Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I remember when I was very young, I loved St. Patrick's Day. When we woke up, there would be little green shoe prints all over the kitchen and green shamrock pancakes for breakfast. I don't know how mom found the time and energy to do this, but I thought it was so fun and it is one of many happy memories in my childhood. (I also remember watching Darby O'Gill and the Little People with Dad--anyone else remember that crazy movie?)

Thanks for making holidays special, Mom!!

Day 44: Ruth Ann Adams LeBaron

Guest post from Sherman Smith (the handsome devil in the hip sweater and classy navy turtleneck):



Well, Ruth Ann, welcome to that 7th decade of life, whose threshold has already passed beneath my feet. You certainly don't look like you fit in here, but time still moves in it's own cadence and rhythm. There are many praiseworthy attributes which fit your persona: charming, loving, analytical, charitable, forgiving, generous, faithful and resilient come to mind. Of course there is much more to you than that, and among those favorite other attributes is the fact that we share some our grandchildren with you. Your cooking skills are unsurpassed; thank you for feeding me often and for catering Carrie and Joe's wedding as well catering some of our office parties.

I miss your comments in gospel doctrine classes, but I think I understand the essence of your convictions, having watched you live your life, supporting your husband and children as you do. In all, you are one of those grand ladies in our midst.

Thank You, Sherman

Day 43: Loving Leader

Girls Camp, July 1998

**Guest post from Heidi (Smith) Allen pictured on the far right in the middle row. And Ruth Ann is hard to spot but she's in the top left corner behind Barbara Homer...

My family moving to Holladay was a traumatic experience for me. The thirteen year old me was self-conscious, taller than most boys my age, and a definite brace face. It was not an ideal time in my life- trying to make a whole new batch of friends at the height of my awkwardness. Soon after moving into Holladay 4th Ward, another new family moved in as well, the LeBarons. And not long after that Ruth Ann became one of my Young Women leaders. I distinctly remember her as being a source of friendliness, comfort and guidance during that difficult time in my life, and beyond, because I am fairly certain she remained in Young Womens with me until I graduated, first as an advisor and later as President. I can't think of a girls camp (or any YW activity for that matter) that didn't include her fun humor and fabulous cooking. Ruth Ann was/is a wonderful example to me of someone who really seemed to embrace and enjoy being a homemaker, and I'm positive her influence remains with me still. And how fun that I am sort of related to her too. When Joe and Carrie became engaged, I remember thinking my sis had definitely scored in the mother-in-law department. Happy 60th Ruth Ann!

Heidi {Smith} Allen

Day 42: Recipe Exchange--Cream Pies

Every year for her birthday, Sarah Jane requests a coconut cream pie. I have tried many recipes over the years and have even cheated it with instant pudding before (gasp!)--but nothing can compare to a homemade coconut cream pie, using mom's famous recipe, of course.

I don't really love making pie and considered buying a frozen crust this week, but then it seemed heretical to ruin a homemade pie with store-bought crust. So as I rolled out the crust, I thought of what a labor of love it is to make a pie for someone and of how many pies our mother has made over the years.

I had a little bit of crust left over and remembered how mom would brush the scraps with milk and cinnamon sugar and bake them for us. I loved it when she did that. My kids loved it too.

Ruthie's Cream Pies

9" baked pie shell (THIS is the easiest recipe I've found, but the Lion House recipe is the best!)

2/3 c. sugar

1/4 c. cornstarch

1/2 tsp. salt

3 c. milk

4 egg yolks, slightly beaten

2 T. butter

1 T. vanilla

Stir together sugar, cornstarch and salt in heavy saucepan. Blend milk with egg yolks and gradually stir into sugar mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir one minute. Remove from heat; blend in butter and vanilla. Immediately pour into baked pie shell. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and chill at least 2 hours. Serve with whipped cream.

Variations:

Coconut Cream: follow above recipe, but use only 2 tsp. vanilla and stir in 1/2 cup flaked coconut. Garnish top with 1/4 cup coconut. (To toast coconut, place it in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir occasionally until desired toasting is achieved.)

Banana Cream: Follow above recipe. Line bottom of baked pie shell with sliced banana and garnish top with sliced banana just before serving.

Chocolate Cream: Follow above recipe. Increase sugar to 1 1/2 c. and cornstarch to 1/3 c. Omit butter and stir in 2 oz. melted unsweetened chocolate with the vanilla.

Day 41: Thank you for taking care of me

This video is 2 weeks old and filmed by Seth, I believe. Thanks Dad, for interviewing Grandma.

We all love it when mom takes care of us. There's never a complaint and she seems so happy to do it. Thrilled even. She is definitely a spoiler too. When Bentley was born, mom flew down to Phoenix, made us tons of meals, cleaned our house, and bathed us. Just kidding, she didn't do that last one...

Often I take it for granted and think that's just what moms do. But what happens when your mom can't do that any more? Mom has been taking care of her mom for a long time, and it is so tender to watch her do so. She is the ultimate in nurturing, and does so without condescending. She shows pure love in her service. Even at 33, I kind of feel like getting sick right now, just so mom can take care of me. Love you mom.

Day 40: A Friend to All

**special guest post from Amy Berry, Rob's sister**

I love how your mom has treated me like one of the family ever since I met your family. She has taken a special interest in my own interest in food/catering and has graciously invited me to help on several different, very fun, occasions. It is amazing to see how your mom stays the same caring and loving person even when she is under the stress of getting a large amount of food out to a ton of hungry people all at once.

I am always grateful for the time that I have spent in the LeBaron home both because I consider all of your siblings wonderful friends but also your parents wonderful friends that are full of much wisdom and are great examples of our Savior. Your Dad is amazing too. He seems to always have the time to listen. I will never forget the day that he called me up just because I was on the top of a phone list, last name of "Berry". We chatted for a while. He was just calling to see how my family and I were doing. I love both of your parents because they are just amazing in every respect and also because they raised you, my wonderful friend and sister-in-law!

Day 39: BFFs From RC2

WHERE’S THE NEW CAR?”

Isn’t it amazing how four little words can conjure up such a fun and cherished memory? We are so lucky to have so many of those memories and it’s because we have shared so much of our lives: the bishopric adventures … the bishop/relief society pres experiences…the work-at-the-ad-agency days, the road shows, dinner parties, lunches, weddings… oh, and don’t forget our kids, we’ve shared them for years! And the list goes on and on.

The two of you can’t possibly be 60 years old! You don’t look a day over, well, you know, the age you’ve always wanted to be! It seems like just yesterday we were all living in the Rosecrest neighborhood. Those were fun and busy years. We are so happy that we have kept those ties alive and close and that our friendship has endured through the years.

“THANK YOU for many years of comraderie and loving friendship. Now that both of you are turning 60, we must ask the question, “WHERE’S THE NEW CAR?” Oh, was that supposed to be a surprise?!

BFF,

The Gildeas


Note from Joseph: This picture is from those "fun and busy years" This is their son Josh at graduation from Jr. High. Pictured are Shirlynn, Josh, and Bruce Gildea.

Day 38: Patience Is A Virtue

It's said that Patience is a virtue and with 8 children that is an understatement. Hands down one of Ruth Ann's greatest attributes is patience, especially when you consider some of the most recent LeBaron confessions.

I have always wondered how she made it through all those children so relaxed and calm, how she stayed active in her church attendance with Neil on the stand wrestling the younger children while the older ones read the comics, how she didn't beat her children when they cut up new couches, had flour fights in the the carpeted kitchen, apparently lit almost everything on fire,and were caught by the cops for egging houses, and how she was always more than happy to have permanant house guests in not the largest of living quarters on top of everything else.

At times, even Sunday dinnner can be trying on my patience, but Ruth Ann weathers every event with such patience and always with a smile on her face. When I ask Tommy what his mom was like growing up, I have come to the understanding that she rarely, if ever, even raised her voice. I am grateful to have such an incredible example of motherly patience and hope that I may even slightly come close to living up to that example.

Your amazing family is testament to your incredible abilities as a mother, not to mention your patience in having so many kids!

Jess

Day 37: She's a Builder

Of all the little "mom-isms" that we heard growing up, this is the one that has stayed with me and I often hear it in my mind when I'm about to say something unkind:

Are you building up or tearing down?

I didn't really like it when Mom would ask me this, because it for sure meant I had just said something mean. (I will now proceed to confess the *one* time I did something wrong...)

I remember once finding Jim in a steamy bathroom, cleaning the bathtub. I immediately began to berate him for "using all the hot water" and "not knowing how to clean the bathroom" and other such acts of incompetence. Mom came in to find out what was going on and then pulled me aside. She let me know, kindly but firmly, that hot water actually cleans better than cold and was a logical choice, and that I was tearing my brother down when I had a chance to build him up instead. "He is helping me. Don't criticize him for doing his best when you're not making any effort to help at all."

I slunk off to my room and sulked for a good while, I'm sure. But the lesson stuck and I've used it on my own kids several times. Many have spoken of Mom's gift for building up with loving words and I'm grateful for that gift too. Sixty years of quiet building, word by word, and look at all she has created!

Day 36: A Letter From Bobbi

Dear RuthAnn,

I remember meeting you when we both were new in the Holladay 4th Ward--August, 1996. I liked you right away, enjoying your warmth and humor. I was happy that they let me have you called to be a leader in the Young Women with me. The next three years, serving there together, I learned even more about your admirable traits and gifts. Your great lessons always strengthened me and my 2 daughters. Your love for the girls was evident in your hugs and your interest in their lives. Your cooking skills blessed us all at camp and at many YW activities. The morning that you brought fresh-from-the-oven pies (to 9 a.m. Church!) truly impressed me. I couldn't believe that someone would get up that early to cook treats for someone--and they were the most delicious pies I had ever eaten! Your tireless devotion to the girls and your unfailing support of me and the other YW leaders was appreciated and uplifting. And we laughed so much! Remember introducing Barbara Homer to Ambien?

And then you introduced your newly returned missionary son to Carrie and soon we were truly family. I am grateful for our friendship, for the fun we have had together many times, for all the good food you have fed me and my family, for your son Joseph who is a wonderful husband to my daughter and father to 3 of our grandchildren, for all of your other kids ( whom we love immensely,too) and for your example. You are a treasure in my life. Happy 60th year!

Love, Bobbi Smith

Day 35: Ot chhh!

Anybody who knows Ruth Ann well, knows that she is very loving and has a lively personality. Her conversations are captivating because she shows genuine interest (unless she's playing free cell) and because her voice is so melodic. What some fail to detect, however, is her accent arises from a smattering of sources.

The Midwest is the biggest culprit. Yes, Ruth Ann was born in Ames, Iowa and reared in Fargo, North Dakota, don'tcha know. You might catch her wording 'warm' like 'arm' with a 'w', or muttering an occasional 'ot chhh', the catch-all Ruth Ann phrase used at will in response to a cheeky joke, the accidental dropping a sewing needle, or a person going out in Rummy before she's ready.

You might also hear a hint of hick in Ruth Ann's vernacular, which stems back to her days spent growing up in Utah. She has long been ridiculed for wordsmithing 'sinsuous' the time-saving combination of 'since you were', as in "Sinsuous up, would you mind getting me a tal'?"

As if that weren't enough, she married a crazy Canuk and has listened to drawn-out vowels for the past 38 years, only adding to her colloquial confusion.

While I facetiously tease Mom about the way her words sound, I've never once questioned the way they make me feel. Mother's language is laced with love. Just as a band-aid makes scuffed up knees all better as a child, Mother's loving words heal wounded souls. Her unfailing optimism and zest for life make me want to be better and let me know that I can.

Day 34: I love to read the holy scriptures

Much has been written about how much mom loves reading. But something that is often overlooked is how much she loves the scriptures. As I've started raising my own children, I've found how difficult is to stay diligent with personal and family scripture reading.

I'm grateful for mom's example of scripture study and for sharing her love of the gospel with her children and grandchildren.

Day 33: Don't get testy with me!

I remember when I was a teenager, I was driving in the car with mom one day and she said, "I think you're going to do really well on the ACT."

"Really?" I said. "Why's that?" "I don't know," she replied. "I just have a feeling that you'll do well. I think you're really smart and some people are just better at taking tests and it just seem like one of those people."

Up to that point, I hadn't really cared that much about grades. I had focused a lot more on extracurricular activities, work, and hanging out with friends.

When I finally took the ACT, I completely knocked it out of the park. Well, actually, scoring in the 69th percentile was more like a slow grounder to the pitcher's mound. Undeterred, I studied hard and took it again—and landed in the 80th percentile...which was somehow enough to get me into BYU.

My mom was wrong.

My performance on the ACT was little more than mediocre. But her words of encouragement and unwavering belief in me awakened something inside that has been running around ever since. One undergraduate degree, two graduate degrees, and two GMAT scores later, I can proudly say that I would never have made it this far without my mom's encouragement and support.

Love you mom. And even though I'm done collecting degrees, I hope that I can pass your unconquerable optimism onto my children.

-Johnny

Day 32: Welcome to the family!

**this post was written by Cecile Christensen, Rob's awesome mom! (standing behind Flori in the picture)**

What I notice about Ruth Ann is she can make you feel like you have known her for years even if it has been only a few minutes. She has such a way that she brings you into her circle of happiness. She always has a smile as she talks to you. Her eyes light up when she is introduced to someone new and she immediately lets that person know through her eyes that she is excited to meet you.

When our son fell in love with Ruth Ann's daughter Flori he kept telling us about her family--how much he liked their family and how cool they were. Since we had never had a child get married we wondered how this would be to share our son with another family. We hoped that the family he married into would accept him and love him like we did. Well when he started telling us about this family and how great they were and how much he loved being with them we wondered if we would be forgotten and never see our son again. So the day came for us to meet this family. I will never forget the way I felt in their home as they welcomed us and fed us (one of Ruth Ann's great talents). I immediately felt what my son had felt. We loved being with these people.

They love you and make you part of their family without any formal time of acceptance. They love to entertain and they do it so well with food and with laughter. You come away with a warm feeling of acceptance and a full stomach. Ruth Ann, to me, is the best in making you feel at home even when it is not your home.

Day 31: A silly song for mom

 

We've all gushed about Mom's virtues but I do distinctly remember being told many of the things in this song. I especially like, "Stop crying or I'll give you something real to cry about"-

Maybe because I'm a fake cryer :)

Thanks for always taking the time to make sure we knew the important stuff.

** I would like to add that I didn't really feel nagged by you. This song comes across a little "naggy" (and I don't want any jokes about who's name rhymes with "Naggy")

Day 30: Nanny love

How does Ruth Ann make all the grandkids somehow feel so special and loved? I don’t know how she does it, but she does. It seems like as a family we’ve really grown in the past couple of years with new grandkids, but Ruth Ann never tires from loving each one individually.


I love this picture of Ruth Ann with some of her grandchildren. How many are on that hammock? Six? It’s been so fun to look back on our Park City trip with the family.

Nanny you are the best!

Day 29: The Perfect Sister

When I was a sophomore at Olympus High School, I didn't have a lot of friends in the new school. There was no one to eat lunch with when the school year started. Ruth let me eat with her and her friends. I'm sure that as a Senior, it was not cool to have your little sister eat with you, but she invited me to be with her. I did eat lunch with her and her "cool" friends every day until I developed my own friends and met with them at lunch. I always appreciated her being so thoughtful of me and my feelings, and sacrificing her status to let a lowly sophomore eat lunch with her every day.

When Ruth had her own car, the yellow '50 Chevy, she would take me along with her on her rides to whatever. She was always good to let me tag along on the fun things she would do. In many ways she was my best friend while I was growing up and in many ways she still is.

We always shared a room growing up until Ruth went to BYU. I had a room to myself for the first time for the two years that separated us. When we were little, I would always have cold feet at bed time. Ruth hated my cold feet and would not let me warm them on her warm ones. She told me there was a huge knife that was at the center of the bed and if I put my feet on her side, the blade would come down and cut my feet off. I tried not to touch her, but I would inch my feet as close to the warmth of her body as I could without actually touching her.

Ruth was and always has been the 'perfect' sister. She still takes care of me and lets me warm my spirit by getting as close to her spirit as I can. She is always so generous with everything that she has to share me and everyone that she meets. She is truly a Christ like person in every way. I think that Heavenly Father uses her for his hands here on earth every day of her life. What a consummate trust He has in her and she honors it in all she does.

Love,

Mary Mahoney