Christmas in Heaven

I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below,

with tiny lights like heaven's stars reflecting on the snow.

The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away that tear

for I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear,

but the sounds of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here.

I have no words to tell you the joy their voices bring,

for it is beyond description to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart,

for I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I can't tell you of the splendor or the peace here in this place.

Can you just imagine Christmas with our Savior face to face?

I'll ask Him to lift your spirit as I tell Him of your love,

so then pray for one another as you lift your eyes above.

Please let your hearts be joyful and let your spirit sing,

for I am spending Christmas in heaven and I'm walking with the King.

by Wanda Bencke

 

Mom's probably directing the choir up there. Miss you, Mom!

These pages were made by my Sis in law, Robin, and her daughters, Ashton & Kylee. I am going to try to post some every week because there are quite a few people visiting this blog, and there's no action. Please forgive me. Sometimes it's just too much looking through Mom's things and reading about her. I miss her so much. Other times, it's almost therapeutic. So I will do my best to post more of these pages. If you want to read Mom's journaling, click on the image to enlarge it.

My cousin, Don, passed away on Sunday. I'm sure he was greeted by Grandpa & Grandma and Mom. We love the Miller family and want you to know we are thinking of you (constantly) and praying for you. May you feel the comfort and peace that only the Holy Ghost can give at this time. You're family was amazing to us when Mom passed away and hopefully we can show you the same love and compassion you shared with us.

                            We love you, Don.

Don Royle Miller 1958 ~ 2010 Our loving son, husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather passed away June 13, 2010. Don was born October 25, 1958 in American Fork, Utah to Larry M. Miller and Nadine Royle Miller. He was raised in American Fork and Cottonwood Heights and attended Brighton High School. Don was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a full-time mission in Toronto, Canada. After returning from his mission he attended BYU, University of Utah and Utah State University. He married Jana Matheson (divorced) and had four wonderful children: Laura (Nick) Nielsen, Brent, Todd and Blake. Don founded Miller Landscaping in 1981 and took great pride in his work. He spent his time working hard and playing hard. He loved nature, hunting and any kind of fast moving machine. He enjoyed sports and was an avid BYU and Utah Jazz fan. He looked for every opportunity to share these activities with his family and friends, and especially his two grandsons Boston and Beckham. Don had a strong testimony of the restored gospel and served in a bishopric and numerous other church callings. He found great peace in going to the temple where he often sought solace. In April of 2008 Don married his cherished love, Rae Jean Munson Monsen. They enjoyed many treasured moments together. He was kind, generous and loved to laugh. If you ever spent any time with Don you would often hear him use the word "flip" to express himself. He loved people and they loved him, he will be missed dearly. Don is survived by his beloved wife, Rae Jean, children Laura (Nick Nielsen), Brent, Todd, Blake, Josh Monsen, Jenny (Rusty Johnson), Jake Monsen (Brittany) and Jed Monsen. Grandsons Boston and Beckham Nielsen. He is also survived by his parents Larry and Nadine Miller, and sisters ReNae (Gary Orton), Maureen (Doug Martindale), and Michelle (Rick Campagna). Funeral services will be held Saturday June 19th at 11 a.m. in the LDS chapel at 10310 Ashley Park Drive (2130 E) Sandy, Utah. Family and friends may call at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. 10600 S., Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. and again Saturday morning from 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment will be at Larkin Sunset Gardens.

Memorial Day

We love and miss you, Mom!

Mother's Day

For Mother's Day, Tawni and her family came down & we all met at the cemetery to put flowers at Mom's grave. The group picture DID NOT turn out, so this is as good as it gets. We love you, Mom and miss you, not just on Mother's Day, but every day!

 Andrea, Tawni, Grant

It's in!

Finally!

Also, today, we'd like to offer our deepest condolences to the Bangerter family.

W. Grant Bangerter passed away on Sunday. He was Mom & Dad's mission president and an emeritus general authority. Just 2 months ago he sat on the stand at Mom's funeral beside his daughter, Julie Beck, and watched as his son, Paulo, conducted Mom's funeral. They are an amazing family and were such a blessing in Mom's life (enough that Grant is named after him!) May you all feel the peace and comfort you need at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Mom with her sisters (from L-R Jeanette, Kathleen, Diane, & Nadine)

Mom with her daughters (Tawni, Andrea, and Sheila)

Nadine, Jeanette, and Kathleen

It has been crazy this last month getting everything out of Mom's house on top of being sick and having sick kids. So in a last ditch effort to keep this blog going, I'm going to post a picture or 2 here and there until I have time to put some stories up. Enjoy!

Any Ideas?

I know there are quite a few people who are coming this blog. (I have my ways!) So, even though Mom has passed away, I think I will continue to make posts every now and then. We have come across stories that Mom had written about her childhood and I will start posting them here for you to read. Any one else have any great suggestions of things you want to read about or what should be posted?? I am open to any ideas. Leave a comment!

Happy Birthday, Mom! We love you and miss you! Hope there's a party going on in heaven today!

Any pictures

We are compiling pictures from Mom's funeral...if you are reading this and you have some, please email them to the address listed on the sidebar (nosnowpatrol@yahoo.com) Thank you!

The daughters, daughter in laws, and a grand-daughter had the opportunity to dress Mom. (Robin, Ashton, Sheila, Tawni, Me, and Jenny)

The five children: from youngest to oldest: Andrea, Tawni, Ken, Sheila, & Grant. The picture reads:

Me: striking a pose. Tawni: shocked & appalled. Ken: not sure what to think. Sheila: gets the giggles. Grant: my biggest fan.
Families ARE forever!

A Mother Who Knows

**I am posting a blog entry that I had on my own blog back in August. I could add many things to this entry, but have decided to leave it untouched. I miss you and love you, Mom. **



A lot of things have been running through my mind lately as we've learned that my Mom has "months" left here.


1st thought: I hate cancer.
For 3+ years you have given a very valiant effort in fighting it.


But mostly my thoughts have been filled with gratitude. I have been blessed to have a "Mother Who Knows", like Julie Beck described in her conference talk in 2007. I was taught the gospel, I learned that the temple was a holy place where I wanted to go one day, I was taught homemaking skills (although I will never be as good as she is at that...), I was taught these and many other things by example.

I have been blessed to have a special relationship with my Mom. We talk nearly everyday on the phone, sometimes multiple times. She is my best friend, besides Darrin, and has given me great advice, mostly when I have parenting issues :0) She is my right hand man when Darrin is out of town or busy in golf tournaments. She volunteers to babysit so we can go to the temple, or when she knows we need a sitter.

Remember when Drew had to have stitches just days after Ethan had staples & Darrin was out of town? My phone conversation with my Mom went like this:


Me: "I have to take Drew to the after hours clinic. He fell and needs stitches."


Mom: "I'm on my way down (from American Fork) right now to watch Syd and Ethan."


(Grandma Cori was able to come so Mom didn't have to drive from A.F....Thanks Cori!)




The other day I was at Target with Ethan & I watched as a grandma arrived at the store to meet up with her grown daughter and grand kids. I had to fight back the tears & swallow the lump in my throat. I will miss doing things just like that with my Mom. I guess you could call them the little things, but in all honesty, they're big things.




I love you, Mom. I will miss you more than words can describe. I hope that I can follow in your footsteps...I have much work to do.


Thanks for holding my hand when I was close to death delivering Drew and whispering prayers in my behalf.


Thanks for always trying to teach me how to be lady-like & acting shocked & appalled when I (on very few occasions) have let out a belch.


Thank you for being a mother who knows.




I hope that you will always be my right hand man.


(and to anyone reading this, go right now and tell your Mom how much you love her and appreciate all she does for you! And enjoy the time you have together.)

Obituary

Mom's obituary is published in The Daily Herald and the Deseret News today.

Viewing & Funeral Info

The viewing will be held at Anderson & Sons Mortuary (49 East 100 North) in American Fork on Friday, Feb. 12th. Please note the change in time...it will be held from 6-8pm.

The funeral will be held at the American Fork East Stake Center at 825 East 500 North on Saturday, Feb. 13th at 12pm with a viewing at 10 am.

The obituary will be published in The Daily Herald & Deseret News on Wednesday.

Funeral arrangements

The viewing will be held on Friday, Feb. 12th from 6-9 pm. The funeral will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, Feb. 13th with a viewing starting at 10 am. The address is yet to be determined.

Friday

Mom passed away peacefully this morning surrounded by her children. Again, thank you for your thoughts and prayers in her behalf, and also in our behalf. We will post final funeral arrangements as soon as possible.

Thursday

Mom's passing is imminent and she's at peace. We are planning on holding the viewing and funeral for next weekend, the 12th & 13th. The viewing will be from 6-9pm on Friday the 12th. The funeral will be held at 12:00 on Saturday with a viewing starting at 10am.

We will have many thank you notes to write...thank you all for the notes you have sent and food delivered here for her children, and food to our families at our respective homes. Also, a big thank you for those of you who are watching some of the younger kids in our families so that we are able to be by our dear Mother's bedside.

Love to all!

Wednesday

Mom is currently on her way home from spending time with Sheila and her family in Boise. She is heavily sedated and we are asking that she have no visitors at this time. We appreciate your understanding, love and prayers.

Update from Sheila

The quality of life that Mother so wants to enjoy caught up to her on Sunday evening. She is now backtracking and trying to get the pain managed again. This requires some high doses of morphine and LOTS of sleep. She shows her humor even through her grogginess. She's been awake for a total of 2 hours today & we were able to read her the well wishes from many dear friends and family. She enjoyed it, but as usual, thought the words too kind. This is the best form of communication at the present & we will let you all know how she is doing. Keep the love coming and know that it is returned!

Why NOSNOW?

I (Andrea) chose "nosnow patrol" as the blog name because it is our last name upside down and backwards.



This will be a place where those who love our Mom can come for updates, to leave comments, and to keep in touch.



We, meaning the 5 children, are very grateful to friends and family who have expressed love and concern for our dear Mother. We know she is loved by so many people and she loves all of you in return.



Mom gets worn out quite easily these days, and we ask that you please call her before visiting. I'd rather not post our personal phone numbers on a public blog, so if you need any of that information, feel free to email me at nosnowpatrol@yahoo.com.



Many of you have asked for book recommendations from Mother, and I will be posting lists of books in categories on the sidebar. She is a lover of good books and learning, and has quite the library at home of books she's collected and has used in teaching in the classroom. We hope these lists will be beneficial. (So far only a few WWII books are listed, but I'll work on it with Mom)



Again, thank you for all your prayers, love, and support to our Mom and to our entire family at this time.