Thursday, September 4, 2008

Some LeChem History


Recently while surfing through some family history I learned that the final resting place of the ancestors I learned about when I was younger was located above Magna, Ut. in what was then known as Pleasant Green. We recently made a small detour on our drive home to California from visiting family to see this cemetery for ourselves.  It is quite literally in the middle of nowhere and somewhat lonely on that hill, but just as I had imagined it.
Pictured above is myself and the boys at the grave site of Sarah Farr LeCheminant my great-great-great- grandmother who left her home in St. Peter Port, Guernsey in 1854 as a widow with 5 children to travel across the Atlantic, up the Mississippi River, and then across the plains to "the gathering place of the saints" in Salt Lake City.

I love this picture with LeCheminant engraved in the headstone and the reflection of Trey picking at something in the ground. A little eerie? Maybe...but the sort of shot that can only be captured by accident.
The biggest, most sun worn piece of stone in the LeCheminant family plot, but the name can still by made out if you look closely.

So...Sarah Farr begat Osmond Nicholas who begat Wilford Davis who begat Blaine Hill who begat Gary B. who begat Jeffrey B. LeCheminant
The small yet "eloquent" family burial plot on the hill above Magna, Ut. While it is a small cemetery there are quite a few people buried here.  We got out of the car, I put Kaden on my shoulders, and Julie took Trey as we went in opposite directions convinced it wouldn't take long to find the plot. It of course took much longer than anticipated. Sometime in to our searching as we grew a little frustrated because we needed to get back on the road and with Kaden still on my shoulders I offered up a prayer to find it. Not 20 seconds later did Julie scream out that she had found it. We probably walked right by the plot 3 times and didn't even realize it.  Not a monumental occasion, but a refreshing reminder that prayers are heard and answered, even in times of minor frustration.  It was a great experience for me to stand at the headstones of my pioneer forbears who I have read and learned about.  It all came full circle for me, as I'm sure it has for many of you with your own ancestors, that the struggles and sacrifices made by these individuals was worth it.  I am very literally given my opportunities because a 35 year old single mother of 5 decided to leave her channel island home and emigrate to Zion.  I love it. I love that I have pioneer heritage and I will no longer take for granted their sacrifices.  There is an Amos Lee song with lyrics that read "coming from a long line of pain, my family suffered greatly for my gain." That is true for me, and I'm thankful for the spiritual moment I was able to have with my own family on a warm August morning.  I hope someday to take my boys back there after they have heard the stories and are familiar with their heritage so that they too can appreciate what I felt this day on a lonely hill.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Visiting Utah

We traveled back to Utah a while back and I just realized, for our sake, that I never blogged anything from it. Jeff took this adorable picture of us on the way there. I hate to say it but my hips still hurt from being wedged between 2 car seats for 765 miles, not that I was keeping track!!
Trey and his Gram! 
Trey loved riding the scooter with his uncle Jason, Jeff's brother. Since we have been home he has been begging me to buy him one!
Mini golf was a highlight and a first for Trey. He loved it, however we are still working on the rules of golf. Instead of hitting the ball Trey had more fun trying to throw it in the water so maybe we will try water polo next time. 
Normally the older child is supposed to push the younger child but I guess size really does matter. The boys loved being in Utah because no matter who's house we were at there was always a back yard to play in. 
Kaden and cousin Mo were so cute to watch together. I think I might call them Mop Head and Toe Head from now on!!
We had the chance to go to Park City for a day and take Trey on the Alpine Slide. I thought for sure he would get a little nervous on the lift on the way up and not want to go but I was wrong. He was on the slide so fast, screamed the whole way down and begged for another ride at the end. 
Jeff's grandparent's were SOOOO nice to come down from Idaho while we were there and it was such a treat to see them. Our boys are so lucky not only to have two sets of wonderful grandparents but they also have 3 sets of great-grandparents. A trip to Utah is always a wonderful adventure.