Sunday, April 11, 2010


Happy Birthday, TIFFANY. Yep. Tiffany is 28 today. This is a special event in the history of the Sandberg family. There are many "firsts" associated with Tiff''s birth as it relates to our family. Tiffany was born on Easter morning, cool huh? When the world celebrates the life-giving resurrection, Tiffany came into mortality, to always remind her parents of the miracle of life, both mortal and eternal. We really didn't have a name picked out for Tiffany before she was born, but when she burst onto the scene, she looked like a jewel. I was a jeweler at the time and I just knew she should be named after the Jewelry store famous for precious things, Tiffany's of New York. She was quite different than our other three girls. For one thing, she was early in delivery, beating her due date by one full week (her sisters were all late, and I mean no criticism by that). It just seems like Tiffany to want to beat the date. Her mom was delighted. And, Tiffany did not look like the others, blond, fair and round. Tiff inherited the hair color and complexion of the Grant family. Our children were averaging over 8 lbs but Tiff was not a big baby by Sandberg standards, just a seven-pounder. She remarkably had the very same face as she does today. You can see a picture of Tiffany as an infant and immediately recognize her as the beautiful adult she has become. Tiffany came home to three older sisters that were at the age where they thought she was a dolly to be played with. We constantly had to watch her to make sure that one of the sisters wasn't feeding her or picking her up to walk around with her. Tiffany didn't really thrive as a baby. She got sick at 7 months and became dehydrated. Faye became worried and overruled my practical soothings that she would be just fine, and we rushed her to the emergency room where the doctors immediately checked her into the hospital and gave her an IV tube to bring her back to health. The doctor said she wouldn't have made it through the night otherwise (good save, Mom). I was in the Bishopric of our ward and all knew that I wanted a boy to go with my three daughters, I had mentioned it a few times. This was the time when you had no gender tests other than the Drano test (ask Mom about that one). So, since Tiffany was born at 2:00 AM I had plenty of time to return to our home to get the girls ready to go to Easter Sunday Sacrament Meeting and I announced that Faye had had her baby and we named our son Tiffany. Everyone laughed as they knew the inevitable that the Sandbergs would always have girls or geels as Natalie would say. Tiff, thanks for all the family memories of you as a little flipper. You were a great blessing to us. Actually, you continue to be a great blessing to us. You seemed to have cloned yourself in Anzlie. Your drive for excellence is apparent in all you do and a great example to all that know you. You have great talents,quick wit, creativity, music, athletics, and a tender spirit that the Lord has entrusted a testimony of the Restored Gospel of Christ. Now you have four children. It doesn't seem possible. You picked out a great husband to share your life with, one that matches you in some areas and augments you in others. Happy Birthday, sweet daughter..... We celebrate your birth this day, and always.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

New Pictures of Elder Sandberg







Ryan, the full-time missionary representative for the Sandberg family has completed 19 months serving in Pennsylvania, and for the last seven months in Philadelphia. He has had wonderful experiences in teaching and baptizing several individuals. It has been his fortune to serve among a group of Liberian African immigrants that have settled in his section of Philly. These refugees from a war-torn country are humble and good. They are receptive to the message that God has called a Prophet and that Christ's church has re-established on the earth. He has made a daily record in his journal and has sent us each weekly installment. He has over 1,200 hand written pages at this point. We have enjoyed daily life as a missionary for all these months. These pictures were taken just last week by a convert, Sonja Jameson, who is a professional photographer (Thank you Sonja!). He seems to be enjoying his last months as a full-time representative of the Lord. I know Ryan's heart well enough to know that he is totally focused on his calling and not thinking about home. His mom and I are not a focused and are counting down the days until he walks off of the plane and gives us that familiar hug and slap on the back. That will be sometime in September.

New Pictures of Elder Sandberg







Ryan, the full-time missionary representative for the Sandberg family has completed 19 months serving in Pennsylvania, and for the last seven months in Philadelphia. He has had wonderful experiences in teaching and baptizing several individuals. It has been his fortune to serve among a group of Liberian African immigrants that have settled in his section of Philly. These refugees from a war-torn country are humble and good. They are receptive to the message that God has called a Prophet and that Christ's church is not re-established on the earth. He has made a daily record in his journal and has sent us each weekly installment. He has over 1,200 hand written pages at this point. We have enjoyed daily life as a missionary for all these months.

These pictures were taken just last week by a convert, Sonja Jameson, who is a professional photographer. He seems to be enjoying his last months as a full-time representative of the Lord. I know Ryan's heart well enough to know that he is totally focused on his calling and not thinking about home. His mom and I are not a focused and are counting down the days until he walks off of the plane and gives us that familiar hug and slap on the back. That will be sometime in September.

Our Family Slide Show