#52 Delora Allen
In my minds eye I see a treasure chest filled with sunshine when opened a warm yellow glow envelopes you from head to toe. From the outside in to the deepest corners of your soul! Closed, the treasure chest streams streaks of light reminding you of what's inside. My treasure chest is always near by and some of the times I open it or when I pass and when I pass a pumpkin patch or a vineyard full of small purple fragrant jewels, an apple orchard waiting to share crisp juicy goodness.
When I have a pot of soup on the stove and the aroma is felt as comforting as a warm blanket just out of the dryer. When I walk into a cultural hall and remember a stable in Bethlehem or a Christmas feast fit for a King, our King, our master, Jesus Christ.
A field of what some would consider weeds becomes a beautiful centerpiece fit for a sacrament meeting to uplift and warm many or one on their birthday.
A simple note, a piece of paper and ink. Oh the power, oh the joy. Both the giver and the receiver are blessed.
A road trip where the hours seem like minutes, when life's past moments and future dreams are shared.
When something you've done every year is made just a little nicer with a bed spread, sweet quote, circles with words of joy to be given away. Little treats to be relished and thoroughly enjoyed.
Notes taken from speakers and pondered knowing the fervor with which they will be feasted upon by those seeking light and truth.
When words spoken from the heart spark in memory who I am, who my children are, who my husband is, and how blessed we are to be part of Heavenly Father's Family.
Thank you Carrie for allowing me to enter through the gate of the white picket fence. My treasure chest has been filled to overflowing. I continue to discover warmth that comes from sharing life with you. I consider my self blessed beyond measure to call you my friend, sister, confidant, and mentor. My desire is to be a true friend, sister and confidant to you. I look forward to the years that lie before us, a little bit older, hopefully wiser, but definitely a whole lot "WARMER".
I love you Carrie for who you are and who you always strive to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ.
Thank you again Carrie from the warmest places in my heart, DELORA
#51 Child Family
2. Gives amazing boy haircuts (best we ever got in McCall).
3. You hold the key to creativity.
4. peanut m&m's are your favorite
5. Slumber parties at your house with blankets warm from the dryer.
6. Going ice skating together. 1st place I met you upon arriving in McCall.
7. Sledding together at the golf course.
8. You won't wear sunscreen
9. Carrie Magic...everything is made beautiful.
10. Heart full of love for everyone and everything (except democrats).
11. Tea Party Patriot. So rewarding and fun.
12. You don't measure when you cook.
13. BYU Women's Conference. Being roomates and staying up late talking.
14. Trick or Treating in the Woodlands.
15. You are always busy with a project or service or cleaning or baking.
16. Our Easter Egg Driveway. When I couldn't take anymore white you brought me the bright colors of spring in our very deep snow.
17. Backyard BBQ's making s'mores and eating amazing food.
18. Apple picking in Payette. So happy.
19. Picking concord grapes. So fragrant and beautiful.
20. Sunny days at Payette Lake. Watching the boys play.
21. Swimming at the pool in Hunt Lodge.
22. Snowball fights and forts.
23. Fourth of July at Bear Beach.
24. Your love of nature and feeling Heavenly Father's love through all that you see there.
25. You love to plant flowers and create beautiful arrangements for the chapel without anyone asking or thanking.
26. Road Trips to Boise. Going to the temple, wal-mart orthodontist and Win-Co.
27. Your amazing lemonade stand on the 4th of July.
28. Pumpkins...everywhere. Dinner in a pumpkin. All sizes and shapes.
29. Legacy of Tesitmony that you are leaving for generations to follow.
30. Your yummy cookies right out of the oven.
31. Best ever chocolate cake.mmmmmm
32. You have weathered many storms and remained simply happy.
33. Loyal, honest dependable best friend.
34. 2 of everything...at least.
35. Your love of good sourdough bread.
36. Ice cream Alley, swinging on the porch swing.
37. You always find joy in the journey.
38. Avacado Toast at your kitchen counter.
39. You put your family first...always.
40. Best grandma ever!
41. Mother of nine incredible children.
42. Building a snow sculture together by moonlight and car headlights.
43. You love my oatmeal rolls.
44. Your create the most delicious soups in the world.
45. You feeding the deer in your backyard.
46. Football games together, and practices together.
47. Being Doctor Carrie for Matthew's stitches.
48. Lunches at Chapaplas, green salsa oh my.
49. You teaching Preston how to draw cartoon characters.
50. You love America.
It's so hard to put into words what you have meant to our family. As I asked each family member for memories of you each one said "she is nice" everyitme. You touched each of our lives for good. You helped each of us survive the adjustment to McCall and you became part of what we loved aobut McCall. I know you are part of the reason we came to live in the mountains. You are a friend in every way. You are loyal, honest, trustworthy, kind, forgiving, true, understanding, dependable, and loving. Your smile makes me smile and your heartache makes my heart ache too. You amaze me; in good times and in bad your remain fathful. I'm/we are so blessed to have you in our lives.
We Love You,
Sharon and the Child Clan
#50 Jessica Autrey
Life has never been easy, but we are stronger because of it. I am so grateful for the lessons you taught me about faith, unconditional love, honoring the Sabbath, being respectful, working hard, pinching pennies, good conversation, standing firm to your convictions, sincere desire to choose the right, supporting church activities, paying tithing, giving talks, singing, cultivating talents and being creative, getting along with siblings, not being afraid, serving others, welcoming people into our home even if it's not perfect or glamorous, never speaking negatively about your kids....I could probably go on for days. All of these things are a part of me because of you.
All of the little things you did for us that made us feel special and like our mom was the greatest have been swimming around in my head for the past few weeks. I'm sure there are many that I don't remember, but I want to list some that I do:
- Bringing a Togo's sandwich to school when we didn't have a lunch.
- Balloons and birthday treats to share with the class.
- Going to Twin Lakes beach.
- The "Bumpy Slide Park" - I still don't know what it's really called.
- Capitola by the Sea, once or twice you took some friends and I to check out guys. Ha ha!
- Window shopping in Los Gatos.
- Hiking Fall Creek or Henery Cowell.
- Making sure I got to go to EFY and Girl's Camp every year.
- Letting me come to Homemaking with you.
- Bringing me along to baby showers (maybe that only happened once because Betty was kinda crazy). Ha ha.
- Sending Jay and I to the store for groceries and never getting mad when we got ice cream at Thrifty's. I think we were always worried that we'd get in trouble for that, which is probably why we are really fast ice cream eaters now. :)
- Letting us drive the car around the block (I was probably sitting on your lap, but still).
- Taking us to Bob Reid concerts and having us sing with him.
- Convincing me that I had the best hair ever, making it worth all the trouble it caused me (and you when you had to cut it).
- Always talking about how beautiful I was.
- Staying up super late to talk because were were having so much fun.
- The time you let Sara and I invite a guy we had never met to come over really late at night. (Even if it turned out to be a disaster since we were so crazy by the time he got there.)
- Decorating a cake with me for Young Womens.
- Buying Joanne's bread and letting us devour it all.
- Making sure we went to everything...church, youth, activities, dances, etc.
- Trusting me and expecting me to make good choices.
- Getting us involved in 4H.
- Having me make reminder calls about activities you were planning.
- Letting me come to Bunco sometimes.
- Letting me help you plan things and get your creativity flowing.
- Being my biggest fan.
- Helping me through conflicts with friends.
- Standing up for teenagers and letting us hear you tell people that you loved having teenage kids.
- Never to this day saying a negative thing about me, but letting me overhear you singing my praises.
- Always expressing your love for us.
- Notes listing our strengths, your gratitude, and the jobs that needed to be done.
- Showing love to my friends, always.
- Making us cookies.
- Letting me make cookies. (Teaching me to be comfortable in the kitchen.)
- Trying new things with me like Martha Stewart's Black Bottom Torte (or was it tart?) and cream puffs.
I love you up to Heaven!
Love,
Jes
#48 Ginelle Britton
It's hard to effectively portray how i feel about My Mom......
But here are some favorite experiences with Mom.
Emmy and I were probably three and five. It must have been some time in January because it had been raining for like a week straight. Mom gave us our bath and put us in her bed. Telling us we had to stay in the bed and be big girls. Then, her and Jess pulled their coats and boots on and, went out into the pounding rain. They went to help our neighbors down in the groves that were affected by the flooding of the San Lorenzo River. The memory is a little blurred but I remembered being unable to sleep in mom's big bed. The rain was pounding so hard on the roof. Emmy had fallen asleep right away but I just laid there and imagined mom and Jess pulling people out of the river and saving lives. I imagined them having extra strength and defeating
I also remember we were all helping make dinner in our narrow kitchen. Emmy, trying to help, got the box of noodles. Not realizing one side was open Em dumped the whole box on the floor. She almost started to cry I think. Mom quickly assessed the situation and concluded the mess would not be allowed to get us down. She put a huge smile on her face and said Oh it’s the spaghetti dance...and
When I moved to college Mom helped me move all (seven tons) of my belongings into my first apartment. She made friends with all the guys in the complex. In addition to trying to get them to ask me out, she had them make improvements to my crappy little flat. They painted my bed frame, re-caulked my sink and changed out the switch plates...mom gets it done.
What a great lady! I'm glad I have been able to learn so closely from her. I love how optimistic she is and that she does what is needed in spite of the challenges that come up. She is the best mom and an even better friend.
I love my mom.
- Ginelle
#47 Cutting down our Christmas tree
That first Christmas in McCall you had at least three Christmas trees! Just like the pumpkins, when something makes you happy, why not multiply it, right?!
Remember the year we were headed up Empire Grade and the Volvo broke down? We had the missionaries with us and were stranded for a long time. We took funny pictures and drew with "chalk rocks" on the road, outlining bodies so it looked like a murder scene. That could have been a bad memory, but it turned out to be a lot of fun.
#46 Jared Autrey
- Jared Autrey
#45 Field trips and special treats
#43 Emmy Britton
-Emmy
#40 Jay Bauer
I do have one thing that for me is a shining example of how wonderful you are and have always been.
This must be over 20 years old because the reference is of a movie that came out in the 80s. “Jay” says mom, “if you ever need to talk or if things are really getting you down and you don’t know how to handle them then you can just tell me… GHOST BUSTERS!”
This is how Carrie does things, she brings it to your level, if you are a little kid she finds something that you like and relates whatever is going on in your life at the time. If you are a grown man she does the same.
Mom you are amazing and you helped me to be a better person then I could have ever been with any other mom in the world. Thank you for putting family first.
Jay
Ps. One other quick memory… “Race the car up the hill from Quail Hollow elementary”…. Also…. Push the car around the grove to be the fastest kid around. Mom I was the fastest all because of your love. You can push my car anytime you want. I love you.
#39 Deanna Walliser
First I want to say that the most wonderful gift to me, and all mankind is the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
Second most wonderful gift to me was the birth of Carrie Lyn a precious little bundle, all wrapped in flawless flesh, with a beauty that can't be put into words, but felt deep within the heart, my heart always.
A special spirit that was good and sweet, now is great and sweeter, will become greater and the sweetest.
Carrie Lyn you are a caring soul with deep feelings for others, you share your remarkable talents to uplift others, even when you need uplifting.
I was so concerned about you Carrie in your teen years, worried about losing you to the world. I fasted and prayed many days to our Heavenly Father for you, our Heavenly Father knew how special you are and what you could do, he answered my prayers and here you are that special young girl only now she's a very special fifty year old woman.
Your heart is big I'm glad it is inflatable so it gets bigger and bigger just don't let it pop.
Remember when I made you that orange and white outfit with fringe you pick the fabric, you loved it thought you were right in style (you were) then a few years later you said how could I have let you wear such clothes. (Oh how times change.)
You might not know this but when you left home because Dad was upset and angry about you being pregnant you were staying at the Shorts I think. We were driving down Highway 9 and saw you walking I asked Dad to find it in his heart to forgive, and bring you back home so he did, I'm so glad he did. You know how moms are, they have a love like yours, never ending, always helping and forgiving and finding the good.
You are bone of my bone flesh of my flesh your body was created by your dad and me. But your special wonderful spirit that lives in that body was created by your Heavenly Father and he in his love for me blessed me with your care.
I only wished I would have done better than I did, believe me I'm not going to complain, you are my joy and happiness in that little girl, that grew into a wonderful lady that's my daughter (who could want more).
I loved working with you in Relief Society we were a great team, we did the best dinners and brunches ever. My cooking your decorating will go down in history as putting our talents to good use and showing our gratitude to our Savior for blessing us with them keep up the good work.
Our turns at Bunco were up there with the best of them, food and prizes oh what fun we had.
Fifty's not so bad, if I were fifty, OH when I was fifty what energy I had, just be happy you're not seventy yet.
I love you with a love so deep and strong that there is no power on earth that can destroy it or diminish it.
Happy Birthday
Loving you forever
your grateful Mom
P.S. A list of some things we did
1. picking blackberries on Park Dr.
2. going to the river in the summer
3. eating our plums and peaches
4. growing and eating the best tomatoes ever
5. stacking, and making wood piles
6. loving Uncle Bill
7. lots more but I need you to remind me. The list of good things would be very long.
#38 Jamie Britton
Mom has a gift.... She regularly takes ordinary things and makes them something special, a front room, the backyard, a church lesson. Mom's touch is the envy of friends, family and passers by.
I LOVE "MY MOM"
-Jamie
#37 Brandy Wright
Even though it was hard at times to share her with me I thank each and everyone of you, Joseph and ME in particular, for allowing your mom to be the Mom my mom wasn't. She has made an immeasurable difference in my life.
-Brandy
#35 Laura Clauson
We haven’t had the opportunity to hang out much, but we have many things in common. First off, we share the same birthday, we have sons with the name of Jared, we have raised some awesome children, (two of which found each other and are now amazing parents and because of them, we have the most adorable grandchildren!), we have been attracted to spouses with the name of Steve:) and the list goes on….
My first memory of you is from Jared and Jes’ wedding. I was amazed at your unbelievable talents! The flowers and decorations for their reception were so beautiful! I was also so impressed with your ideas for the pre-wedding activities. You were so organized and you wanted to make sure that everyone in attendance would enjoy themselves and make the best use of their time!
It seems like over the years when you’ve come to visit or I would go to Idaho to visit, we would miss each other. But I have kept up with your life through Jes. I continue to be impressed with your courage and strength. Your quiet and thankful attitude is such an example to me. I am amazed at your desire and ability to always be doing for others. But probably more than anything, your testimony, your willingness, and your drive to press forward during difficulties has strengthened and uplifted me.
Thank you for your example. Thank you for kind words. Thank you for raising an awesome daughter who is the best daughter-in-law anyone could hope for.
Happy, happy birthday, Carrie dear! Wow! 50 years old! (I must admit, it does feel good to have you be turning 50 before me! Let me know how it feels:)
Love you,
~Laura
#34 Jenna Estrada
All the memories I had of Carrie were positive! I love Carrie! She was like a mom to me. Which even at times I called her "mom". She is the most creative women full of energy and fun. She is also fearless. It seems like she can do anything and everything. Every time I went over to her home it was always decorated for the season. When I was there it felt like it was mine. I know that she made it that way!
Carrie is even a very stylish woman! very beautiful inside and out! I really appreciate the time when she helped Ginelle and I move to Utah for our first time. She treated me as though I were one of her own. I have had many laughs with that women! Many wonderful conversations that helped me grown stronger!
As I have seen Carrie host parties or events or help out with them, she never stresses out (like most women do) :) And she always had amazing ideas. she is always thinking of others and how she can help them. She is so relaxed. A wonderful role model, mother and friend. I'm so grateful that she was apart of my life!
-Jenna Porter Estrada
#33 Lee Slichter
I feel as though I have known you long, long times--but as I stop to think it hasn't even been 5 years since I met you. Maybe it is the depth and "realness" of our conversations that makes it seem that way. The mention of your name brings so many pleasant thoughts to mind. There are the obvious things: your sweet notes of encouragement and friendship; your creativity and elegant style of presentation; your indomitable smile; and your Dr. Pepper. And there are the ones that are more subtle and intimate in nature: the unsinkable, courageous heart that is willing to take on the hardest problems; the satisfaction you find in that which is homemade, simple, and startling in its ability to gladden the heart; the passion for whole foods and great cooking; the way you can hate mediocrity in centerpieces but love clunker cars as long as they will run; and all the understated yet powerful ways you testify of the Savior through your example. There are dozens of others I could name--but here is the bottom line--you have touched my life in a meaningful way and I treasure our friendship. Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl. I love you and I do believe we shall always be friends no matter how many years pass or miles expand between us.
Blessing on your head!
--Lee Slichter
#32 Jennifer and Jason Porter
Jennifer and Jason Porter
#31 Brett Call
Carrie (of course to me I always called her Sis. Britton) took the time to understand me, to love me, and to show genuine care for me. In the few short months that I was around her, I gained a life long friend. I am a person that has very few "best friends" (maybe 5 or 6 total) - but I would say that Carrie is one of those best friends. Her smile was ever present, and she always encouraged me to smile, to be the best I could be. I have always missed her ever since I left SLV and will always miss being around her - because she truly is one of God's best.
- Brett Call
#30 Triston Brewer
love the family xoxoxoxo - triston
#29 Mason Brewer
- mason
#28 Dana Jones
– Dana Jones
#27 Kristina Wright
I hope you have a wonderful 50th birthday. I have always admired the way you can make beauty out of anything. You have blessed our ward with all the wonderful activites you've been involved it. I really enjoyed the time you made dinner in a pumpkin for the primary. It was so delicious and you helped us all feel appreciated. You also have the gift of smiling, even when you don't feel like it. You are a wonderful person. Thanks for all the times you have given of yourself to bless me and my family.
love,
Kristina Wright
#26 Marala Robertson
Love, Marala Robertson
#25 Lisa Robertson
- From Lisa Robertson
#24 Lisa Miller
– Lisa Miller
#23 Amy Budrow
What I mean is I liked being a teenager with her in my life...she was fun and crazy and I always felt loved when I was with her.
- Amy (Nichols) Budrow
#22 Bret Alvey
Bret Alvey
#21 Zetta Simpson
- zetta simpson
#20 Lorrie Judd
–Lorrie Judd
#19 Melissa Johnston
I always enjoyed going over to the Rowley home for food because Carrie, of course, is the best cook! Also, I also always looked up to her a bit because she was able to raise so many good kids as a single parent for the most part. I still miss her big loving smile! Love you up to heaven!
Thanks,
Melissa (Judd) Johnston
#18 Linda Radford
love to you always, Linda Radford
#17 Kristy Thompson
Love Kristy Thompson
#16 Kate Halversen
Kate Halversen
Ben Lomond, California
this happened between 2002 and when the Rowleys moved away
#15 Tiffany Williams
I was very sad that you moved away from our ward you were a wonderful asset to it one that has never nor could ever be replaced.
Happy 50th and I love you!
Tiffany Williams
#14 Chrissy Lee
Chrissy Branson Lee
#13 Bill Bauer
Love, max
#12 Tina Appleby
-Tina Appleby
#11 Kelly Shields
I hope that is good enough you can add more to it if you wish there is so much I can say but no words can discribe how wonderful super fantasic your mother is..You kids are so truly blessed to have such a wonderful mother she's one of a kind..I've never known anyone like her..
I was hoping she'd come to Utah with us but I do understand she wants to spend the most time she can with those two wonderful little boys. but maybe she'll change her mind...I thought it would help her out financially to if we took them down but we'd only be in the way of her time and I'm not sure if they'd be comfortable in the back seat of my car. I'm praying so hard for her right now..She's so terrific in spirit still and I'm amazed at her heart and love for the World. She came over the other day and she just puts me in aw! I wasn't in the mood to be as creative as she was but she runs so fast I can't keep up with her..lol...I'm so thankful for her right now cause we to are having a very very hard time and just to have her around me and keeping such a positive attitude amazes me and she doesn't know how much I miss her and need her around me more. I guess I need to have her over more often for lunch or dinner I was going to make us lunch but we got so side tracked I completely forgot to ask her if she was hungry I felt so awful when she drove away and knew we'd not taken the time to eat a good hardy meal all she ate was a Chocolate Chip Cookie and drank a bottled water..ugh I'm a horrible host.
-Kelly Shields
#9 Jenteal Peirce
– Love Jenny
#8 Cami Rauch Lisonbee
-Cami Rauch Lisonbee
#7 Jessie Davis
I have many wonderful memories with her in them...but the one that always stands out is Homecoming 2006. Ginelle and Jeff were dating but Jeff asked Carlie to the dance. Carlie then proceded to think it was okay to come over the day of the dance and ask Ginelle if she could borrow her shoes for the dance. I was staying with your family that week and witnessed the greatest thing any mother could do for her daughter. Carlie didn't bother to knock on the door and just walked in and Carrie saw her and shouted from across the house: "I don't want you in my house when you're going to hurt my daughter! Get out! Ginelle doesn't want to see you. Not now." Emmy, Ginelle and I were speechless at that point, and once I could finally find my voice, all I could say was "Alright, Carrie! Way to go." It was a pretty awesome moment for all four of us in the house. Way to go, Carrie, you're such a cool mom. I love being your other kid.
–Jessie Davis
#6 Nichole Crossley
Carrie is a great Mom who wants her kids to be their best selves.
Carrie is very smart and really pushes herself to learn and grow. I really look up to her.
~Love Nichole Crossley
#5 Arianne Lewis
- Arianne (Cheney) Lewis
#4 Brent and Ruth Palmer
Love Brent and Ruth Palmer
#2 Kathy Kirksey
- Kathy Kirksey
#1 Becky Randall
- Rebecca Wolfenbarger (aka: Becky Randall)