Happy New Year!!

Josh went with Hailey, Jocelyn, and Lilly to the Stake Dance and Jenna had a party at our house with friends! A lot of her friends were out of town, but a few were able to come -- Clarissa Williams, Cortnie Kendrick, and Grace Freeman. 

Surprise Date!!

A couple of days before Christmas Rick brought in an envelope and there was a letter for Wendy Jensen from "Magic Hands Massage." Inside there was a flyer saying that I had been recommended by a friend for a free dinner and massage seminar that was to be held at the Cliffside Inn on December 30th. The Cliffside Inn is a really nice restaurant with delicious food and an incredible view of the city. It was advertised as more than a simple massage seminar though -- it sounded pretty sketchy. Plus the flyer was only for one person -- not a couple.  I asked Rick if I should just throw it away, after all, it didn't sound very "appropriate" for a woman to go to something questionable like this. 

Rick said that he thought I should go -- it was a free dinner and maybe I could learn something. I just didn't feel comfortable with the whole idea -- besides, how did this business even get my name and number? He said to show it to Jase and Ellen. Jase said, "You were chosen? We were at a restaurant and they asked for names and addresses of people we thought would be interested in this and we put down a whole bunch of people. We were hoping that Ellen would get it!" Then Ellen said that her sister went to one of these seminars and that it was really fun. She said, "Don't worry, it wasn't anything crazy." Well, that all made me feel a little better about the whole thing, but I still wasn't sure I felt comfortable showing up to something like this by myself.  I wondered what to do, because I could tell that Rick really wanted me to go. The whole thing seemed rather strange. 

Anyway, I was totally stressed about what to do. The flyer asked for a RSVP and included a phone number. We headed up North and I put off the decision for a few days. After we got home I thought I had better make a decision since it was the next day. So I pulled out the flyer and texted the number on the flyer and when I typed up the number two contacts popped up in my phone -- one was "Family Story Podcast," and one was "Rick's Laptop." I started laughing and felt incredibly relieved! Rick was behind this whole thing!! I called up Rick and said that I went to RSVP for the dinner/seminar and guess whose number came up!! He acted all innocent like he had no idea what I was talking about. He had no idea that this secondary number of his was in my contacts! I went ahead and texted the number to RSVP and this message came up: 

"Thank you for your response. Because you have responded within the 24-hour deadline, you are eligible for a free one night stay at the Best Western Inn. It is here that your massage therapist, Rick E. Romance, will demonstrate some of the techniques discussed during the workshop. Please respond by texting 1 to accept the invitation, or 2 to decline the invitation." 

So needless to say I accepted! So the plan was for me to show up to the restaurant and ask for the seminar and then Rick would be waiting for me wearing a wig. (This is one of the wigs he was thinking about getting, ha ha!) But since I knew it was him we were able to go together (which I much preferred anyway!!) From the moment we arrived Rick was "in character." He spoke in an Australian accent and pretended to be a single guy who made a career in massage therapy. He even brought his laptop that did indeed include an entire power point on the benefits of "this type" of massage therapy. It was so funny! I was worried that the waiter might ask where he was from, but thankfully he didn't, ha ha!

After dinner we went to the hotel where I enjoyed a very nice full body massage from my own personal massage therapist! It was awesome!! I feel fortunate to be married to someone who is so creative and fun who makes our marriage interesting to say the least!! 

SNOW!!

 The kids are always excited when it snows over our Christmas Break stay up north! 

Cousin Time!!

 One of the best things about Christmas Break is Cousin Time!! 

Layla made this darling picture for Jaiden! It is Jaiden as Spongebob with Layla! So cute!! 

Merry Christmas!!

Skyping our missionary, Janelle!! Janika and Brandon were able to join us over zoom, but we weren't able to get a hold of Jase and Ellen! 

Christmas Eve at Grandma Jensen's House

Rick found a dozen or so rounds of slides in his mom's basement and took them home and digitized them all for a Christmas present for her. He played a slideshow of them all during dinner and everyone enjoyed them. We had a delicious dinner and then Gerilyn taught a lesson and the kids did a little nativity. Then Santa came and passed out presents. Jared had the privilege this year and he was so hilarious! He had everyone laughing with his jokes and quick wit! 

Then we went into the front room for presents! This year Grandma made these darling patriotic signs for all of the grandchildren for their hope chests! Jenna and Jaiden had fun holding Chantel's baby girl,  Ruby!  

Early Christmas Day

Last night after we finished all of the Christmas Eve festivities I asked Rick, "Did you get anything for the stockings? Because I didn't!" He said he didn't either. Woops! I asked if anyone would be terribly disappointed if I didn't put the stockings out.  I mean I could always fill them with fruit from the fridge, ha ha. They said that they didn't care and so I just left them on the mantle this year. The married kids slept over and we all got up around 8:00 to open presents. 

The kids had picked out most of their presents and so there weren't very many surprises. The caroler sweatshirt for Josh was a joke. He ordered all of his gifts on Amazon and I mentioned that he wouldn't be getting any surprises. He still had a little bit of money left in his budget though and said that we could get him one surprise. Rick is constantly talking about the Hands in Harmony Carolers and saying that if only Josh would do it then he could have a caroling group again. So I joked that Dad would probably get him a Hands in Harmony Caroler sweatshirt. He totally thought I was serious and was whining and complaining over the very thought of that. I told Rick about it and he thought it would be funny to get him one. So he pulled an old caroler sweatshirt out of the closet and told her to add the words, "I want to be a (Hands in Harmony Caroler)." But this sweatshirt version actually said "Hands in Harmony Carolers," instead of "Caroler" and so she put "I want to be in (Hands in Harmony Carolers) 2022." The sweatshirt was from 2012 and so she easily turned the 1 into a 2! It certainly got the desired reaction out of Josh, haha, but before he said something he would regret, I assured him that the sweatshirt was NOT actually his surprise! The family did get a couple of surprise gifts, like the new Jackbox games. They had fun with that throughout the day. 

Janika and Brandon surprised us with this cute sign that says "Grandma and Grandpa's Treasures." It wasn't quite finished, but they added some ribbon and clothes pins so we can hang up pictures and drawings (someday) that they grandkids will do. We love it! 

Early Christmas Eve

We were able to have all of the kids here for Christmas Eve (except for Janelle, who is in the MTC). We had a lovely dinner of ham, cheesy potatoes, rolls, green salad, fruit salad, and vegies and then Rick taught a wonderful Christmas lesson. 

We then had everyone open the home-made gifts from the sibling whose name they drew. Coincidentally enough, it turned out that everyone happened to get the name of the same person who got them, ha ha! Janika and Brandon got Jase and Ellen's name and Jase and Ellen's got Janika and Brandon's name.

Jase and Ellen gave Janika and Brandon this cute baby mat that Ellen made. It is super soft. Janika and Brandon love it and are excited to use it for their new baby coming in June! 

Janika and Brandon made hand-soap and ordered soap dispensers to make the soap come out foamy.  But the bottles didn't arrive until the next day. that is why they are pretending to wash their hands in the picture. Janika gave us some too and it is totally my favorite soap!  

Jenna had Jared's name and made him some cool bracelets.

Josh had Jaiden's name and gave her this sweatshirt. He bought the sweatshirt and put this rose patch on it. Pretty simple, but Jaiden loves it and wears it often!

Jaiden had Josh's name and made him some food that he can eat. Ever since his bout of Covid in November of 2020 Josh has been dealing with Parosmia, making it difficult for him to eat a lot of food.  So she made him some frozen waffles with fruit that he can pull out and eat whenever he gets hungry.  (She had him follow a string to find the waffles in the basement freezer.)

Jared had Jenna's name. But he didn't follow the rules of MAKING the item. Instead he bought this darling pillow. But Jenna loves it! She did switch colors though since she is in the process of redoing her bedroom since Janelle left. 

 It was a fun evening! 

Mini Christmas Concert

Jaiden is doing so well in voice lessons and has really progressed! However, I am sad that they don't do any shows or concerts for family and friends (at least there hasn't been any the last year since she has been taking.) Anyway, some of the other voice students must feel the same way because they decided to put on their own mini Christmas concert in the park tonight! Fun idea, but cold!! I tried to convince Jaiden to have them do it indoors somewhere, but she said that they had already planned it at the park and were sticking to it! 

Pictured: Emily Williams, Jocelyn Ostler, Topher Belmont, Ali Alverson, Jaiden Jensen 

Parent Night -- Dance

 Jaiden's parent dance night was tonight. They really give those girls a work-out!! 

Jared -- San Diego

(From Jared) My friends and I recently took a trip to San Diego California together as soon as we all finished our finals. So, there were four of us from apt 10 and four girls who are friends of ours who came. We went to the beach, we went to the Mormon Battalion Museum, which was pretty fun, we also went to the zoo which was super awesome. It was a really great way to finish off the semester.

Janika and Brandon in Cabo!

Literally the week after getting out of the first trimester (timing could not be better) we went to Cabo San Lucas with Brandon’s company. They invited the marketing team to come down a few days early and help out with the customer conference they were putting on there and allowed me to come serve as support staff as well. After that, the rest of the company came down to party at the Hard Rock All Inclusive resort. There were definitely cons to being there pregnant (we couldn’t do any of the excursions because none of them allowed pregnant women there, we had to skip out on a couple of the restaurants because I just couldn’t handle the smell, etc.) but overall, it was a very nice (free) trip! I still felt a little sick on and off, but for the most part was able to eat normal food. We spent most of our time there reading by the pool, getting a couples massage, and taking advantage of the lengthy room service menu. It was a great little baby-moon trip! Thanks, JobNimbus!

Liz Perkins' Funeral

Tonight Rick and I had the opportunity to go to the viewing and funeral for Liz Perkins. She passed away Saturday morning after a rapid decline in health over the past few days. Rick and I both had the opportunity to be with her during these past few days and Rick had been called in to give her a blessing on Friday (basically a blessing of release). 

Her passing happened one year and one day after her husband's Dave's passing. It had been a rough year for her ever since Dave passed away. She has missed him so much and has had a lonely year living alone while her health and living conditions declined. Her family members had tried to get Liz to move to Salt Lake to live with them after Dave passed away, but Liz refused. St. George is where her life is with the Deaf Branch and Deaf Community. Thankfully she has had a good SSP who would take her places and help her with shopping and so forth and she has lots of friends who have continually checked in on her throughout this time.   

Liz will be missed, but her passing was also a blessing. She was deaf, legally blind, had heart problems, high cholesterol, diabetes, and more. We are happy thinking about her reuniting with her husband with both of them free of all of their earthly limitations. It must have been such a joyous reunion! Her parents and brother have both passed away also and so I am sure they were there to welcome her with open arms also! What a celebration must have been going on in heaven this weekend! 

The funeral service today was so beautiful! Rick gave the family prayer and also gave a talk. He and the other speakers did such a wonderful job and the service was very touching! Rick and I were both filled with emotions throughout the viewing and prayer. We also had lots of laughter as story after story was shared about Liz and the impact she has had on all of us! 

Liz's Obituary: 

Obituary:

Elizabeth McClellan Perkins passed away peacefully December 11, 2021 after a brief illness. She was born on January 30, 1954, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Joan Elizabeth Fechser McClellan and Kenneth George McClellan.

Elizabeth was born with several health and life challenges including deafness, legal blindness and a heart condition. The doctors did not hold out much hope for this newborn baby and told Liz's parents as they left the hospital that "maybe a mothers love can do what we haven't been able to do".

Not until age three did Elizabeth's mother Joan suspect that her young daughter might be deaf. Leaning over her sleeping baby she yelled ELIZABETH, ELIZABETH! She did not move, Joan realizing that Liz could not hear her and said to her daughter "I love you just the way you are with your poor little heart and thick little glasses."

As a baby and a small child, Elizabeth underwent several surgeries for her eyes and a heart surgery by then renowned heart surgeon Dr. Russell M Nelson (current President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). After her heart surgery, Dr. Nelson approaching two frightened parents, said with a look of almost reverence "Everything went beautifully. I couldn't have asked for things to go any more smoothly. That little soul is going to be just fine!" These critical and successful operations contributed to Liz's long life and made it possible for other doors and blessings to be opened to her.

One blessing came when six year old Elizabeth was accepted to Perkins School for the Deaf and Blind in Boston, Massachusetts. This opportunity and challenge required Elizabeth to be away from her family for months at a time. At first, this was an impossible challenge for young Elizabeth to understand and was heart wrenching for her parents. But, over time, Elizabeth grew to appreciate Perkin's School and the education she gained there taught her many important skills which would later help her throughout her life.

In March of 1976, while attending a BYU workshop event and activity at Lagoon amusement park, Elizabeth met Dave Perkins (who was also deaf and legally blind). They're initial meeting did not go well. As Dave described it, "I acted out of character and pushed Liz to ride the roll-o-plane in a teasing way" She was furious and frightened, and it took another six years of friends coaxing them before they began to speak to each other again.

But after perseverance, by both Liz and Dave, their relationship mended, and they grew to love each other and become married. Elizabeth's mother described it this way "Perkins! Mrs. David Ross Perkins! That would be Elizabeth's name. That name had become quite significant in her life! Liz attended Perkins School, her interpreter in High School had been Susan Perkins, and now she herself would become Mrs. Perkins!"

Elizabeth married David Ross Perkins on Oct 16, 1982, in the Jordan River Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah for Time and all Eternity! Liz and Dave had 38 incredible years together! They lived for many years in California and later in St. George, Utah where they were actively involved in their deaf communities and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

One year ago, Liz and Dave were separated for the first time since their marriage began when Dave passed away. The heartbreak at times was almost too much for Liz to bear, but with the help of family, her branch members and community, and her social media friendships, Liz pushed on until at last the day she longed for came and Liz was reunited with her precious Dave!

We love you sweet Liz!

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband Dave Perkins, parents Ken and Joan McClellan, and brother Paul. She is survived by her siblings, Mary (David) Lattin, David (Tammy) McClellan, Becky (Steve) Erickson. Also, Liz has many nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and great nephews, all of which loved her dearly.

Our family wishes to express our sincere love and appreciation to the many friends and community members who loved and supported Liz and Dave over the years!

Viewing and memorial services to be held at the St. George 7th ASL (American Sign Language) Branch in St George, Utah on December 13, 2021. Viewing and funeral services will be at the Southwind church building at 1155 N 1400 W, St. George Utah. The Viewing will be from 4:00 – 4:50pm, the funeral will be from 5:00 – 6:00pm.

Here is an old picture of Liz holding Jaiden when she was little!

Rick and I went to Liz's apartment after the funeral with Liz's sister to get some things from there. I thought it was cute that Jase and Ellen's wedding invitation is still on their fridge (from March of 2020). 

 

Madrigals: Salt Lake Trip!!

 Madrigals...