The Roberts Family: June 2013

Turning 16 certainly is a milestone in a girls life.

I know its only a birthday but I think that I had dreamed and planned about my only daughters 16th birthday for many years.

I can remember almost everything about the day that I turned 16. I was really excited for Jordan!

(Thanks to Tracey and Tracy for helping with the 16 banner!)

However, 16 years later and 3 siblings, the whole birthday party thing has lost the appeal for me. I had a much better idea. Lets go on a trip Jordan!

Of course she will have to wait a couple of weeks for school to get out.

(more to come on that)

She had a busy day at school with rehearsal to follow.

Little did she know (and I only knew 3 days before that Jordan & Sis. Freeze wanted to have her over for a surprise party). More to come on that also.

She told me that she had a great day at school.

Jackson really makes Jordan laugh. They are excited for next year when they are back at the same school.

So fun to have a 16 year old daughter!

Especially when her name is Jordan Foss.

My Dad Forever

I spent a week with my Dad this past October.
Yes, I was there to help him get some things in order and to help him through some of the chemo but it was so much more. I knew I would be grateful for taking that week away from my own family.
I knew that when I hugged Dad before getting on my plane it could be the last time for quite some time.
Yet, everything was good.
Everything is good.

I was blessed with a phone call from Dad about 48 hours before he passed away. It was a struggle for him to talk but that would not stop him. He went on for an hour. Lots was said, we laughed, and he still was giving me council.
I did not think that was the last time we would talk as we were headed to go see him.
He passed away while we were on our flight.
Yet, I knew that things were still good.

The good parts of funerals always include the family reunion that takes place.

We missed Linda as she could not make it.

Joe and Terri loaded up the car and drove Boydie with them straight through from Canada. Nothing was keeping Boydie from being in NC. My Mom was like a little kid waiting for her Mom to get to her. Boydie couldnt get out of the car fast enough to see her daughter.

It was a crazy 3 days pulling the funeral together.

I couldnt have been happier with the way that things went.

One of the last things my Dad said to me was that he knew things were being driven from the other side and that everything would fall into place.

Dad was laid to rest surrounded by the men closest to him.

His best friend, grandsons, son in law, and Joe (cousin from Canada)

All 4 of us girls spoke at the funeral.

Each in their own way.

Each could not have been better.

It was such a celebration of Dads life.

I want to get copies of my sisters but for now here was mine.

Im the baby of the family, thats a fact.

I have always been labeled daddys little girl and favorite, is that a fact or just opinions of others??

I will let you each decide for you own. 2 days ago, Ashley was looking for something in Dads wallet. Not sure if she found what she was looking for but she did find this cute picture of Larson and Papa. Then she looked at the next one. It was my kids, then one of Tom and I and the last one was of my family. I’m just saying those were the only pictures in his wallet.

Fact or opinon:

TRAINS: Given any subject in the world and he could relate it to trains. At a young age I remember my first train ride with Dad through Canada. Can even remember the outfit I was wearing. My opinion: never met anyone with as much passion about something as his love for trains.

TALKING: Fact: Hands down I have never met a man that could out talk my Dad. Opinion: He could and did always listen to me.

WORK ETHIC: Fact: I knew my Dad was a workaholic: When I was little I thought I was part homeless as I slept in many cardboard boxes in his office at night. Opinion: I dont do lazy. I learned how to work from his example and I take pride in the work ethic we share.

SERVICE: Fact: John Foss knew how to serve others, Mom had to learn sacrifice as he would get a call and no matter day or night would go meet the need. My Opinion: I need to take a chapter from his book and learn to serve as he did.

LOVE OF THIS GOSPEL: Fact: My Dad loved and lived this gospel to the best of his ability

Opinion: Theres nothing more important that he could have done here on this Earth.

It is a fact that we had many Friday night dates to the dump and I loved every time we went.

It was everyones opinion in my family that Dad would never wear a tuxedo at my wedding. Its a fact that he looked fabulous in that tux walking me down the aisle.

It was some peoples opinion that Dad would have a hard time letting me go to another man. It is a fact that my Dad loved Tom as his own son.

It is a fact that my Dad could sit down and play most anything on the piano. In my opinion one of the things Im most grateful for are all the lessons he paid for and passing his Moms piano on to me.

It is a fact that it took over 2 years for my Mom and Dad to join this church. Not only my opinion but I will make it a fact that that was the most important thing that my Dad ever did for me in my life. His legacy continues in me and my family.

My Dad has passed from this earth, thats a fact, He is with his Father in Heaven, I know that to be a fact. In my opinion, my Dad served to his last day and he was prepared to go do a new kind of work. My heart is happy knowing that I have the knowledge of this gospel, that we will be reunited

God lives. Jesus is the Christ. Through His Atonement we will all have the opportunity of being resurrected. It is a blessing to each one of us and to our families. That we can live in the presence of God the Eternal Father and His Son Jesus Christ, that we may be together in the eternities to come and that we not only teach this doctrine but live true to it in our lives and in our families, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Jordan had to make a very hard decision and finally I made it for her. She stayed home to take her College AP exam which took place at the exact time of the funeral. She got on a plane right after and was able to be with all the family.