I'm So Thankful to be a Mother and to Have a Mother!

This lake is the Blind Lake on the Boulder Mountain. My mom and Brother in law Dan hiked in with me in 2006. It had been 20 years since I had been there and was so happy when someone would go with me agan!

My mom and Shaylee the day Shaylee was born.

My mom is the best mom a girl could ever ask for! She has been such a source of comfort to me my whole life. I have learned so many life lessons from her. She has taught me that even when I'm feeling down to not give up, to keep busy, and to be in service to others and to our Heavenly Father. From her I got my love of sewing, and creating. I enjoy so much spending time with her! I am eternally grateful to her for all she has done for me and all she has taught me!

My mom and dad in Alaska.

My beautiful family. I am so proud of them! Being a mom is the best thing I have ever done!

My Cado Potato! He's a keeper! He is always so concerned about his little sister. He shows such compassion to everyone, and I love his creative nature. He takes after his uncle Dan and is a duct tape master, and creates awesome things with paper. He came into my life when I needed him most, and he is my miracle baby. I am so thankful to a Heavenly Father who heard and answered my prayers and sent me this precious little angel.

Alyssa, Caden, Shaylee, and me carving pumpkins at my brother in laws ranch in Provo.

Me and Alyssa at Blind Lake on the Boulder Mountain. I am so thankful for Alyssa. She is one of my best friends! I don't know what I'd do without her. I love to sit and talk to her and hang out with her. She is so talented! I am amazed at the beautiful things she can draw and paint. She has such a tender heart and is so thoughtful and kind, and she is truely an angel here on earth! I want so much for her to have joy in her life, and I love her with all of my heart!

Jeffrey is my oldest child, and I'm so thankful for him! I'm so thankful that he came into my life when he did, and that he taught me patience, because before he came along I didn't have any! When he was little people would ask me how many kids I had, we would say five...Jeff counted for 4 of them, and Alyssa was the other one. He has always had so much energy! I love him so much and want him to know how proud I am of him. He has always been such a respectful and kind son, and I wouldn't trade him for anyone!

This is my Shaylee bug. From the minute she was born, that is what we called her. She has these huge blue eyes that are so beautiful, so we nicknamed her bug. She has recently informed us that her new name is Princess Shaylee, and does not like to be called bug anymore. How blessed I am to have her for my daughter. Every day she gets older and every day I am sad that she is growing up. I would freeze her in time if I could! She brings so much joy and happiness to my life, and gives my life such purpose!

Missing You More and More Each Day...

My dad served in the Eastern States mission where the Sacred Grove is located. My parents were able to go back and visit that part of the country in 2003.

You were called home two weeks ago today, and I miss you so much. We went out to visit mom on Sunday and all went to visit your grave. It still seems so unreal that you are gone. It's so strange to go home and see your empty chair and your empty bed. Your things are all still there and I can still smell your scent on your special pillow. I'm so angry at times, and feel so cheated that you had to leave so early, and be so sick for so long. I hope you know that I love you. There were times during the last two years when it was hard to know what to say to you, or what to do for you. At other times I know that you were so thankful just to have me there with you, hold your hands or rub your feet, and words were not necessary. And other times when I was able to tell you just what you mean to me and how much I love you. But still there wasn't enough time... I wish I could have taken your suffering away, and I wish you were still here. I know you are happy now, and I am so happy for you. Just sad for myself! Sad that the grandkids will never know you the way I know you. You were the best dad a girl could ever hope for, I love you dad, thank you for everything!

In Loving Memory of an Incredible Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle and Friend...My Dad Gusty.

Richard Angus Chappell

May 23, 1937-April 21, 2009

Tuesday April 21, 2009 was a beautiful spring day. The birds were chirping and the kids were laughing while they played outside. It was a beautiful day for my dad as he transitioned from this life to the next. What a blessing it was for my mom, sisters, brothers and me to all be there with dad and tell him that we loved him one last time. I wasn't ready to say good-bye, wasn't ready to let go, wasn't ready to live my life without my dad in it. And although I know that he is so happy to be free from his broken mind and body, I still hurt for myself. I sometimes wonder if I will ever feel whole again? I loved my dad, unconditionally, and with all my heart...still do. I'm so thankful to have been his daughter, and so thankful that he was my dad.

Our last family picture.  April 12, 2009.

My brothers, sisters, and I all spoke at my dad's service. We wanted to pay tribute to our father publicly for the wonderful way he raised us and loved us. I like to think that we portrayed our love to him as well. We paid tribute to a father who taught us to love, to appreciate family, to find happiness in the simple joys in life, rather than in the "things" that we too often get caught up in. Dad's next door neighbor, Larry, spoke as did his good friend Gerry, who is the bishop of the ward my parents live in. My niece, Brittney, played a beautiful medley on the violin. Overall I think it was a beautiful service.

Honor Guard paying tribute to my dad for his service to our country.

Saturday we woke up to a gloomy, rainy day. I thought it fitting that it would rain on the day my dad was buried, Tears from Heaven. I like to think that my dad cried too that day, that he was sad to say good-bye to his family that he loved more than anything. At the cemetery as the Utah Honor Guard played Taps solemnly in the background, the rain came down harder. Dad's graveside was surrounded by his family and friends whose hearts were heavy with sadness. My cousin Greg shared some funny stories about fishing with my dad. Memories are what I hope I can always hold onto. I can keep my dad alive by remembering the good times that we've all had with him. My uncle Jack (dad's oldest brother who is 88) gave a beautiful prayer over my dad's grave as he dedicated dads final resting place.

Our family at my dad's grave.

My dad had a talent for working with wood. Give the man a nice piece of wood, or even just a plain old piece of pine, and some tools and he could create beautiful things. He made cedar chests for his granddaughters, and treasure boxes for his grandsons. These are things that we will always cherish. We thought it only fitting that Gusty be laid to rest in his own cedar chest, and it does indeed hold a treasure!

My dad's cedar chest 

We express our gratitude to our large family and cherished friends. How wonderful it was to see friends from long, long ago. Church leaders that taught us kids, our childhood friends, childhood friends and cousins of our dad, old fishing buddies, and roommates, and so many family members and ward members. To you, I say say Thank you! I am filled with such love and gratitude to all of you who showed up for our family during this very difficult time. How blessed we are to have had you in our lives, and continue to do so. It's sad that it takes the loss of a loved one to put perspective on our past and present relationships. Always remember to love and cherish your friends and family!

We had good times with our dad on his porch.

Dad, I will forever be thankful for the things you taught me, for the love you showed to your family, for your kind, compassionate and giving nature. For Lyman Boy stories, where "Once upon a time in ol' Lyman Town there lived a boy named Angus"... Thank you for a love of nature that I got from you. For your cute sayings: "Bawl about it, it will turn right up; Let me get my hands on that kid; Read Em; Report; Family is what this life is all about; No man ever had a better family; I am the richest man on earth"; and so on. I'll always be proud to be your Shanner, and I'm so proud to call you my dad; Gusty.

Dad with his grand kids. Lyman, Utah. July 2006.

Where We Love is Home- Home that our Feet May Leave, but not our Hearts

My Jeffrey has always been a kitty kid. I have puppy kids and kitty kids. Jeff is my only Kitty kid, and by that I mean that he comes in for affection only when he needs it. My other kids are puppy kids and they follow me around all day long for hugs and kisses. Jeff has always been very independent. On Saturday I had to say good-bye to my dad, who passed away a week ago today, and to my Jeffrey. What a SAD day that was! Jeff moved away for the next four months to live in Texas. It was sad to see him leave. We miss him already! But he's loving Texas and being his normal independent self! We love you Jeff!!!

Jeff and his girlfriend, Shalice. March 2009.