Naomi and Colin

...Are coming down this weekend. They'll be here Friday night (I think at Miriam and Aaron's) and leaving Saturday night. So excited to see them if we can. We probably won't be coming down during the day but maybe we could all meet up for dinner on Saturday? We could have a bbq here with ribs and corn. Let me know if anyone's interested in that.

Also, Miriam is largely pregnant. This is a very very hard time in a woman's life. Be nice to her, send her kind texts, give her gifts, rub her feet. In general, just think about her. She and Aaron's life is about to change so much! I want to hear your name options you guys!!!

Zeeee Rdrdrdreunion.

So. Medley Reunion is Saturday, October 2 and Sunday, October 3. Now locations are up in the air but we can figure that out later. So everyone that works Saturdays and Sundays, please request that weekend off if you can. We hope to be together as much as is possible.

These are a few things that I would like to see happen:

1. A few of us or all of us, if weather permits, can go down to temple square for a session of conference on the lawn.

2. Family photo

3. Music time. No one can miss this. This has to happen. Bring instruments, your voices, whatever, but we're jammin'.

4. Priesthood session would be great if all the guys could go together. And during that, is our girl's night! it has to happen! So be prepared! There will be chocolate!

5. A little hike that everyone can go on (Miriam, your situation will be up in the air), weather permitting.

Any other ideas?

ps, I talked to Rachel and she's not 100% but looks hopeful! She'll know soon.

From Mom

You are right.  I had a First Grader, a kindergartener (you), a three year old and a two year old.  Miriam was born when you went into first grade, Gideon when you were in the third and Naomi when you were halfway through fifth.  Other mothers were still my age.  When I took Isaac to kindergarten, the other mothers could have been my daughters!  Next Monday, I have only high schoolers (seminarians!).  

 

What I remember was that rush of terror and thrill I had felt the year before was no less acute with you.  Each one of my precious ones walked out of my loving arms and into the world--and did so very well despite the high seas.  I felt like each of you was my first and last.  I kind of felt like that about your births.  But the potty training will get no nestalgic ode.  Some parts of parenting deserve abject loathing.

 

Good luck kindergarter!  Have a happy year both of you girls.  See you in a few weeks.

 

Love, Mom, Grama

Fern Canyon

Naomi and Colin came into town this last week and we went to Fern Canyon and went Dinosaur hunting.....it was great fun and definitely reminded me of the good old camping/backpacking days! (even though i wasnt alive yet during those days....)

Kindergarten

Today was Grace's first day of 2nd grade.

Brought back some memories. I remember walking to school with Rachel, and then Hannah and the rest as they started.

But what I remember most is Mom walking me up to Kindergarten. She must have had Rachel, Hannah and Jared by then. The same as I will have when I take Ruby to Kindergarten next week.

I love that she walked me in and was there to pick me up. Out of the car, in person, there for her second little kindergartner. An effort, but what a mom!

Love you mama.

Loving It

Thanks for starting this blog Sarah! And thanks for posting everybody! Gideon and I have had a blast reading everyone's memories. I love hearing all about the Medley family's growing up adventures. You guys are awesome. Keep posting!

Memories of the bright Green House

Hot Deck - where Sarah used to lay out, we used to run around until our feet were burning and then take turns in the plastic tub of water, just big enough for one pair of feet, to cool off before we jumped back in the circle of children running in a circle yelling 'hot deck!'

Back-room Forts - we would build forts out of the entire room. A hanger was poked through the blanket and hung on the ceiling light. At my young age I felt like it was a castle and the ceilings were 20 feet tall.

Scramble - Sarah and Rachel (and Hannah, when she could get her way) would line up and we would do flips over and over as fast as we could.

Mannheim Steamroller - we would create an 'obstacle course' around the living room (basically you run around the edge of the room, jumping onto any piece of furniture that was in the way) and turn on Mannheim Steamroller and see how fast we could all run. I'm sure we all sustained minor injuries from that game...except Gideon, of course, his head was a cinder block.

Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken - I was always the blind girl and Rachel was always the horse. We always playing the 'dive scene'.

Capture - no explanation needed.

When I think about each sibling and what they mean to me, this is what comes to mind:

Rachel-we would fight a lot growing up. So glad I didn't kill her when in one of our heated moments because we are kindred spirits. She means the world to me.

Sarah-The peacemaker.... wait no.... the TEASER!! She was always loud and made everyone laugh. I always wanted to be like her. I am so happy and blessed to know her.

Jared-When we would fight and he would cry I would get so mad because it made me feel bad. I was tough but his tears would always pull on my heart strings and I hated that! He has always been this amazingly talented person.... I mean Hale Bop Comet? Really? That was amazing! Love that guy.

Miriam-Quiet and mysterious. Always hopping over imaginary lines on the floor. Always the observer. She always wanted a guardian child and was continuously mad that she didn't have one. Until Isaac! So glad she's my friend.

Gideon-He was always on that spinner. He would jump off the couch and land flat on his stomach. He was wild and had a high voice until he surprisingly sang bass one day! He and Naomi were inseparable, yet, seemed to be fighting all the time. He has become a replica of Dad! Seems to be the type of husband to Katie as Dad is to Mom.

Naomi-Always been helpful. She was tall and thin. Gideon would never admit it growing up but there was a time when she was taller than him. She always had her eyes a little squinted but was angelic and sweet. I thought she was my baby that mom had only done the work to get her here for ME! She will always be y little guardian child. I will never regret that time when she was my baby.

Bethany-She always cut her hair. She rarely had bangs because they were cut all the way down to the scalp. She wouldn't grow. I remember when she was 5 and the size of a 2 year old. Whenever I would come home she would run and jump to me. Can't believe how much she is growing. How fast time goes.

Isaac- Happy. Jared's right hand man. He was in that movie with Grandpa. So well behaved. He is growing without stopping. Can't believe he is a Freshman!!

All so special to me.

Naomis memories of the Oregon Street House

I never got my 2cents in about the Oregon street house

I remember making the nativity scene in our front yard between the purple rhododendron bushes in front of the fence. We used helmets for the heads.

I remember busting open the lego container by sitting on it and I distinctly recall taking apart/ruining the 3 story lego houses that older sibs would spend hours making.

I loved laying in front of the heater and falling asleep.

I never wanted to go into the north side yard because it was narrow
and I swear there were huge bugs that lived there.

Our neighbor, Shane, was my age and we played together all the time.

I got mad at Gideon in the front yard and bit him in the chest. How I
achieved that I don’t really remember. Biting was something I always
got in trouble for.

I loved running up and down the hall and barely missing the walls from
the curve of the hallway.

Grandma Dotty came over on Monday nights and would bring those huge
gallon sized bucket of ice cream.

The cupboard above the shower. Hannah hid there one time when we played hide the person. We would play hide the person all the time.

Cobbler and crisp. Dads trademark.

Everyone would go to school and on Tuesdays, Mom and I would go to Eureka baking company when it was down on Broadway and get cookies together.

Gideon hit me in the face with a baseball bat and I got a black eye.

Storms and earthquakes. Getting under the table. Losing power.

I was only in that house for a few years but I remember it well. I love that memories that we all have of it.

Oregon Street Memories.

Well I didn't get much feedback about this new blog (uh, only Miriam emailed me back)... I hope that's not an indication of it's popularity. It hasn't been alive for long! We can't let it die!

I'm going to invite everyone to share their best memories of the Oregon Street house. I know some of you may have been really young (or not born yet), but I have so many memories of that place!!!

1. One rainy day we brought the little trampoline into the living room, turned on "storm music" on the tape player and danced and jumped and got super dramatic. I can see all of us kids doing it now--- total chaos, but a wonderful sight!

2. The "black top" out back with the monkey bars. It used to get so warm from the sun and we'd lay on it and relax.

3. Turning on the hose full blast and spraying holes in the front lawn... now that was stimulating.

4. Going to bed in the queen bed I shared with Rachel and Hannah. We used to create so much mischief. Sneaking food, running on the sheets, telling stories, crying, fighting, reading... lots of things.

5. Walking past Mom and Dad's room near the front of the house. In the evenings, I usually could catch a glimpse of mom and dad praying together. That was wonderful.

Post away!

The Beginning, Dude.

So everyone needs to listen up:

I'm starting this blog for all Medleys and the ones they love. It might be an alternative to sending the newsletter entries to Mama... we could just post them here. It's also a place to discuss reunions and get-togethers, post photos, funny stories, memories... Keep in mind that at some point at the end of each year, I'll probably print a book for Mom and Dad to have as a history. Anyone else who wants one can have a book as well.

Dad-- I expect you to post on here. We don't hear your voice that often, so let it ring.

Mom--- I think it'll be a great place to talk to your children and posterity. We need to hear your voice more often and have a better record of it.

So post. Go for it. And Mom, it's up to you if you want us to post the newsletter entries here each month individually, or if you would like to still have us send them to you.

xoxoxo,

Sarie and Co.

ps, if you post, label the blog under your own individual name so we can find posts more easily.