Monday, August 19, 2013

The Roadhome Project, August 2013



August 2, 2013                                 My Story Matters-Community Project

Jake, Cierra, Lauren, Carri and I (along with 30 other volunteers) took part in a wonderful, carefully planned day at The Roadhome shelter in Salt Lake City today.  It was a day filled with all kinds of feelings and experiences.

As we arrived we drove up to an area that made us a bit uncomfortable.  We searched for the entrance to the building.  While searching we walked through rows and rows of people.  Some were playing in the streets, some asleep on the sidewalks, many were just sitting and watching the world go by.  Our group walked quickly and quietly to the double doors and breathed a sigh of relief as we recognized familiar faces. 

As we entered the doors we saw children, moms, dads and the Roadhome staff waiting for us.  It was very apparent that this building saw a lot of activity with a lot of people benefiting from the programs there.  We were a bit unsure of what would come next.

The people in charge gave us some on-site training and then we began to check families/children in at the front table.  Those of us that hosted families were able to follow them to 7-9 different stations where each of our photographers would take as many pictures the children would allow.  The volunteers, both photographers and interviewers were great people to work with.   



One of the most memorable moments at the Roadhome for me was watching a mother carefully prepare herself and her family for the pictures that would be taken.  This family was dressed in their Sunday best and were excited for what was to come.  The husband held a very small mirror up to the sweet face of his wife while she painstakingly applied her make up.  She then worked on her hair, wanting it to be just right.  This went on for about 20 minutes all the while her husband stood quietly holding the mirror, not wanting to move a single inch.  Once satisfied with her appearance the mother moved on to her children.  The father continued to quietly help where needed.  They were ready!  Just before their host called them to start I watched as another lady walked by, glanced quickly and then stopped and looked for a few seconds, then cried out, "You look BEAUTIFUL!"  And then I saw it...the sweet mother broke out into a HUGE grin.  A smile that was so big and so beautiful and so meaningful to me.  My heart felt a little tug and I realized then that this woman and her family lived in a tight little community of people that needed and wanted the same things in life that we all look for.  To feel noticed, to feel beautiful and to feel loved.
 
Once all of the children were interviewed and photographed we took a little time to unwind and think about what we had just been a part of.  Some of the children returned asking when their storybooks would arrive.  We would patiently tell them in about a month and that we could hardly wait to see them as well.

As we opened the doors of the Roadhome to leave, we walked out with a much different feeling than upon arrival.  We saw many of the same people on the sidewalks and streets but instead of “homeless people” we saw children and families that we now knew, that we now had sweet memories of and wishes for a bright future.
It's now been several days since that Saturday and my heart and my head are still full of thoughts from the Roadhome.  A full day of sharing, caring and taking time to get to know these beautiful families was unforgettable.  I realized that this is what fills my soul, this is what I long to feel in a busy, somewhat uncaring, get the job done kind of life.
Thank you to the MSM Board members and especially Amy Chandler for having the vision to DO GOOD and then having the will and energies to make things happen.  To all our wonderful volunteers…Thanks For Giving!

Delivery of the storybooks was well worth the wait.  Each child received "their story" in a book and a blanket to snuggle up with while reading.  Many families that were new residents of Roadhome came to us and requested another event like this.  The children were showing their friends 
We've scheduled one for October!



  

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Joe's Birth Day



Joseph Richard Jackson was born August 15, 1978 in Murray, Utah.  He was a happy baby from the very start.  Since I was 40 years old when he was born and had had all the other children by natural childbirth (not my idea, the anesthetic always stopped the labor), the doctor promised an epidural said I would feel no pain and it would be wonderful.  I was all excited when I went to the hospital because this was going to be so simple.  Got the shot. Waited and the labor stopped. - as usual.  So after some pit and some time passed, the labor started again and he came whipping out, naturally.  Of course with four big sisters living in the house, he wasn't allowed to be unhappy.  Joseph was very pampered.  I loved his 2 am. feedings because that was the only time it was just he and I.  As he grew he was always the best dressed kid on the block (very preppy), of course because the sisters dressed him.   Joe's favorite friend was a stuffed cookie monster.  He took it everywhere, even on the father's and son's outing.  When he was bout 4 the beloved cookie monster was left at a motel and it was such a sad day.  We lived  in Hawaii from his K-5 then moved to Sacramento.  This was in January and it was cold, but he wouldn't wear long pants to school because "they bothered his knees".  After about a week he relented.  While in Hawaii our house was broken into and his skateboard was stolen.  He was so mad because he had earned the money and bought that board himself and he couldn't believe that someone would just take it.  Joseph was a fun little kid and we still have fun when we are with him.

Joe liked to snuggle with Grandma and Grandpa Brague when they visited.



Joe and Reggie...in Showlow, Arizona

Stephen, Maria, Uncle Joe, and Michelle



Monday, August 12, 2013

Dave's Birth Day


David Michael Jackson was born August 15, 1961 in Bountiful, Utah.  He was the second baby born in the new hospital and the first boy.  He came out yelling and got fluid in his lungs and the delivery room was not completely equipped yet, so they had Daddy Mick running all over looking for a suction device, which he found.  Dave was sucked out and all was well.  As he grew and before he could crawl or walk, he used to sit on the floor surrounded by his toys and with a gleam in his eye and a smile on his face he would watch John and Kellie take them all away from him.  Later we figured he was just biding his time until he could get back at them, which he eventually did.  He was the adventurous one growing up.  He had a broken nose, a broken, arm, a chipped ankle bone, many road rashes and even had sunburned eyes from skiing without goggles.  There was never a dull moment with David.  He was very protective of his sisters, even as adults, for he loved them very much.  He was taken from us way too early, but we know he is doing good things where he is at.  We love you David!





Thursday, August 1, 2013

August 2013 News

The Gale's Have Moved!

Well, mostly.  All of the big stuff left our home in Ballard about a week ago.  Stephen found a new job in Kremmling, Colorado!  He is the new Director of Technology for West Grand School District.  It's basically the same thing he did before, minus the babysitting at night.  He gets to work in the day and since the school district is so small (only 2 schools), he is the sole technology guy.  But he gets a fancy title and an appropriate paycheck, for which we are grateful!  He's been working since Monday and, so far, really loves it!  They treat him very well and he finally gets to do what he loves.

Kremmling is awesome.  I've been in and out the past week.  Everybody seems so nice.  It's green and very beautiful!  And the backdrop of the town is the absolutely beautiful cliffs.  Really, they are stunning!  The school is new and well maintained.  Sarah will attend the half day four year old program.  It's technically private but is housed at the elementary and services the district's preschoolers with IEPs.  She is all set to go and I can't wait for her to be able to go to school again!  She misses it and has really struggled being happy this summer.

While house hunting, we visited a few awesome properties.  Rentals go fast, so they are hard to snatch when you really need one.  One day we visited 4 properties.  Though they were nice, beautiful, places, they all have the baseboard heating.  We couldn't decide on one and kept going back and forth with pros and cons.  Then I remembered that Sarah likes to sleep on the heater vent in the winter.  Baseboard heating is extremely dangerous.  If pillows or blankets touch the heaters, they will burst into flame.  We realized that none of the properties would work.  In desperation, I called a mobile home park to ask if the mobile homes had baseboard heating, as well.  The lady explained that all mobile homes have forced air.  We decided to come look.  The home was completely remodeled, and clean.  And it came with a shed and fenced yard.  Though tiny, we decided to take it.  We have moved from a 4 bedroom home with nice sized rooms to a 2 bedroom mobile home.  The master was able to fit our bed and furniture (a miracle!) but the second room is absolutely tiny.  Sarah and David each had their own nice sized bedroom with awesome closets and went to sharing a 7x7 room with an okay closet.  It's a good thing they aren't old enough to know they're being gypped.  David will have to sleep in his play pen for as long as he can.

This past week, with moving and everything, we've had a few "are you kidding me?" moments.  We had to return our truck to Boulder, 2 hours away.  So, as soon as we signed the papers for our new place, Stephen and I headed to Boulder.  Stephen drove the truck and went on Highway 40 through Granby.  I, with the kids, drove the car toward Silverthorne so I could catch I70.  Ten miles out of town there was rock slide.  I had barely missed it.  I did my best to avoid the debris on the road but one of the rocks hit my back tire and, voila, I had a flat!  And, of course, there was absolutely no cell service.  Neither one of us had a working phone.  I didn't know that Stephen had gone the other way so I sat there and waited quite a long time.  There was an older gentleman who had literally driven over the rocks as they fell.  He was in a Jeep with good tires, so his vehicle was fine.  He found cones from another project and set them out.  Then he came back to check on me.  He took the kids and me into Silverthorne, but it was so late that all the tire places were closed.  I still had no way of getting a hold of Stephen.  The nice man got us a room at a motel and we stayed the night.  When I got to the room, I realized that I'd left the diaper bag in the car.  I had NO diapers for my kids.  So, as you can image, I was nervous to see what would happen.  That night, I called the Boulder police from the motel.  I explained that my husband was returning a truck and would be waiting for me to come so I could bring him home.  Thankfully, I had Stephen's paperwork for the truck.  I gave the police man the address and asked if he would write a note and tape it to the key drop box with my hotel information.  Stephen slept in the truck and called the next morning.  Thankfully, there was a car rental place within walking distance.  So, he rented a car and picked me up in Silverthorne.  We spent the day getting the tire replaced and returning the rental car.  Oh, and the diapers held out!  He was able to pick some up on his way in and we got the kids changed!  If you don't believe in miracles, well, this is definitely a miracle.  Especially if you know how many diapers my kids go through in a day, and how huge and soggy they are in the morning!  So that was a very awesome thing. 

So now, I am back and forth, taking care of business here and at the house in Ballard.  There are few small odds and ends and appointments we must keep.  Some friends will be renting our house.  They just moved to Ballard and have been living in their camper.  She is having a baby in September and the land they bought won't be ready for 3 months.  So they'll live in our house and keep it occupied while we put it on the market.  I have a lot of cleaning to do.  I will surely miss my friends in Ballard and Roosevelt.  But I will be passing through every so often, so thankfully, I'll be able to stop in and say hello.

On August 17th we will be out in the Salt Lake area.  We will celebrate David's birthday (He'll be two!) and have a get-together to say goodbye to everyone.  So come if you can!  And spread the word- everyone's invited!  Watch for an event of Facebook with details.  I want to see you all- We don't know when we'll be back!

Love, the Gales


Chatfield Chatter                                                                        

Well Kels is starting to get on everyone’s nerves.  For years he has had work and bishopric duties, fitting in a BS in Accounting and an MBA where he could, then studying for the CPA exam.  During July he took the last section of the CPA exam and thinks he did pretty well.  Within the week he was also released as bishop after serving 5+ years.  There’s no new Church calling for him yet, so he’s seems to be getting underfoot no matter which way the rest of the family turns.  He cleaned some carpets and volunteered to help with stage work for Kate’s play, and Jake was all for the High Uinta’s fishing trip they took last Saturday.  Next up is a trip to visit Mom in Las Vegas, and a camping trip with the kids.  Maybe he’ll find some accounting works soon to soak up some of his time.

Kate is having a blast with a community theater production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  She has been getting up early enough to be at rehearsals at 8am most weekdays.  She plays Grandma Georgina, and looks forward to makeup that makes her look old, in addition to wearing furry house slippers and her old lady dress.  There’s nothing worn down or slow moving about her the rest of the time.  Kate used some of her savings to buy a small snow cone machine, then set up shop in the front yard to sell snow cones to a hot neighborhood.  Her cousin Hannah came for a week, and as usual the two were inseparable.  She hopes to go with Kels to Vegas and swim in Mom’s pool, and maybe see where they film the Pawn Stars series.

Jake finds himself in a break with no basketball or baseball, even considering the accelerated (year round or travel) teams for which he sometimes plays.  In Jake’s book, that means there is more time for fishing.  A neighboring town has both a small reservoir and a pond that are stocked with fish, and Kels can work at either while Jake fishes.  When that gets old, Jake talks his way into daylong trips like the one to the Uinta’s, or after-work evening trips up the local canyon to fish the creek there.  Jake and Kels see people picnicking up Hobble Creek canyon, but almost no one fishes the creek, so they pretty much get the fish to themselves.  Kels doesn’t do well with his rod and reel, but Jake knows just what flies to use as he fly-fishes in the little pools, managing to catch several fish in just a couple of hours.  Caught forty last weekend.

Bianca wasn’t getting enough hours working at the restaurant where she is a hostess, so she found a second job at a shoe store in the local mall.  She doesn’t seem to have a lot more money yet, but her hours are starting to accumulate, and she has access to both great food and cool shoes.  Bianca has been amazed to learn what the markup is on the shoes they sell at the store, so she’s starting to learn retail and is getting great experience working with different sorts of people.  She wants to take a break from school for awhile, so having plenty of work will keep her busy and allow her the opportunity to save some money for whatever the future brings.

Kellie will be glad once Kate’s play is over.  Maybe Kate would have gotten the part anyway (there were 50+ kids trying out for a dozen parts), but Kellie is well known in the community for volunteering to help, for being organized enough to get things done, and for actually doing the work for which she volunteers.  No doubt the play’s producer knew that if Kate got a part, Kellie would be a big help, and that has been the case.  She’s done a great job learning how to handle the stage crew in case she’s needed there, and she has put together the Wonka Candy Shoppe so that patrons can donate some extra money to the community theater by buying candy and drinks.  No doubt Bianca would say that she needs to mark things up like they do at the shoe store, but the candy shoppe will do great just the same.

Another thing that Kellie has the family involved with is My Story Matters.  My Story Matters is a non-profit organization committed to giving the gift of story to individuals in need.  MSM focuses on young children with cancer but on August 2nd we have the privilege of visiting a homeless shelter in Salt Lake City.  The Road Home shelter houses about 150 children and families.  We will be interviewing, photographing and offering to tell each of their stories.  Once published they will be given their very own book.  When we initially offered this service the sign-up sheets were completely filled in the first 30 minutes.  We are really looking forward to Friday.

Our summer has been filled with many good things and it’s almost time for school to start…don’t remind Jake.  He’s become accustomed to his life of leisure and says he is not yet ready for the rigors of school life.  Kate can hardly wait!

We love you,
Kels, Kellie, Bianca, Jake and Kate

Pictures of the fam 4th of July hike up Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon.  A little picnic, a quick nap, a hike and feeding the fish.  What a great life and a beautiful place to live!