A Little Quirky

We’re all human beings, and are mostly the same. Made in the image of God. We have eyes, ears, arms, legs, hair, mouths, etc. Because of DNA we all have familiar traits. Many times in life you can tell people from the same family because the look very similar.

In the family I grew up in we have funny little pinky toes. They’re short and bend toward the big toe, over the toe next to it. It is very obvious in most of us kids. My dad and all the brothers except two have what my dad calls fringe. Bald on top with hair on the sides and back. There’s an old wives tale that says the men/sons go bald if the mother’s father is bald. My Mama’s dad had a full head of hair when he died. So I don’t think that’s true.

In our family, we have two girls and two boys. We hear from many people that our girls look exactly like each other. Some people can’t tell them apart. That is a surprise to me, because I don’t think they look alike much at all. The boys are very different Riley has dark brown hair, and Alex has blonde hair, although the older he gets the darker his hair has gotten. People have said they look alike. Really?

One of the things I would say is a trait that has carried down to our kids, and grandkids is curly hair. Not everyone has it, but some do and I did and do. My maternal grandma and my Mama both had wavy/curly hair. I have always had curly hair. Riley has curly hair. His kids have curly hair. Although his sweet wife Janet has curly hair too. So they get it from both parents. Emily, our Bonus Baby has a sweet little one with really curly hair.

Joy
Grandbaby Monroe

One other physical trait that I think I have from my grandma is short and fluffy. I may not be super fond of the fluffy part, but I have learned to love me, all of me, and I do.

I think physical traits that repeat through the generations are neat! It is one of the many things that bonds us to each other even if they’re a little quirky.

We’re made in the image of God and each other.

Reunion Time!

I have a dear friend named Julie.

She has been my best friend since high school. We have been friends for long enough that we have some pretty troubling and embarrassing stories of our time together. I am amazed we made it though some of them. I’m so thankful we did. She is a gem. So loyal, and generous, and fun!

We have had this friendship and history for years, before we both got married. Then we both got married the same year within a month of each other. Both of our husbands names are Brett. Only her hubby’s only has one “t”. We started having our children within a year of each other. Because we love each other and we like to be with each other, as our children were born, they became friends. The kids don’t quite match up as far as ages go, but each of our kids are very close to each other. We used to call them our chosen cousins.

Let me add here that she has lived 350 miles away from me since just after we both got married. You have to put a big effort in to stay best friends when you live far away from each other. Also, we used to write letters to each other, because it cost too much to call and talk. Now we have cell phones and communicating is easy.

Our children are all adults. Almost all of them are married. Most of the married ones are parents.

We haven’t had all our kids together for years. They are all so busy and when my darlin and I visit them, it’s usually just the two of us.

We told Natasha we were going to visit with our friends and have a reunion. She says, “Now how are we related to them?” Kelsey said, “We’re not.” Natasha said, “What!!! We’re not related to them?” Haha, we laughed and laughed. All this time she thought they were family. Well, they are! We chose them.

So we had a reunion this last week in a little town in central Utah named Marysvale. It is an old mining town. There are lots of trails for riding 4 wheelers and hiking. We had so much fun! All of our kids and their spouses and grandkids where there. Wow! We know how to multiply.

What a fun time we had! It was very crowded, noisy, and fun!

I love our chosen family. And my bestie Julie!

She Made Me A Grandma!

Yes, 12 years ago a tiny baby was born. She was just over 3 pounds. When I was 45 years old, this tiny person made me a grandma. I really had no idea I was going to be a grandma at such a young age, but she did it and she has been such a blessing.

Natasha is a very tenacious. She has been from the start. I love to be around her. She is a happy, talkative, creative, young lady.

She has been through a lot of challenges in her life. I hope she knows how loved she is, and how strong she is and that even though life is hard sometimes she has the ability to keep her chin up, to focus on the good, and the blessings in life. I hope she always does her best in all she does, and never lets disappointments or failure drag her down.

She is a wonderful gift from Father in Heaven to our family. I am so grateful she made me a grandma, even though I thought I was too young to be a grandma. She has taught me so about the love that exists in this crazy world. More love than I ever thought was possible.

Happy Birthday, Beautiful, Sweet Natasha! I love you!

Tester Pancake/Most Improved

Today is my oldest son’s birthday.

He is 33 years old.

That means I was just a youngster when I became his mother. Not as young as some, but too young to really grasp what I was getting into. I tended children all through my teen years. I knew how to kiss boo-boo’s, and sing the clean up song. I knew how to change diapers and feed a baby. What I found out was that there is so much more to being a parent than just caring for a child.

When I held Riley for the first time, I couldn’t speak. I just looked at him. As tears filled my eyes and ran down my cheeks, I thanked God for the privilege of being his Mama. I remember thinking I don’t know how to do this, but I am excited and happy to try. I’ve never felt love like that -before that moment.

Within the first few weeks, I felt a little more confident, but really you never know what you’re doing. That’s what I think, and that’s how I felt. Riley’s dad and I mostly just did the best we could with the knowledge and experience we had.

Our baby Emily, has always referred to Riley as our “Tester Pancake“. In case you don’t know what that is, it’s the first pancake you make that usually turns out not the best. It may have a weird shape, or you make the mistake of turning it too soon. It might get burned because the pan is too hot, etc. We all laugh at the nick name, but it is true that we made mistakes with our first born. So. Many. If I think about it too long I get a little sad, but I feel peace when I think somehow he turned out great! In fact he is amazing!!

One day we were talking with our adult kids and Riley said he was such a good kid. He felt he had never given us any trouble, and was an easy child to raise. I think he actually said, “I’m probably your best kid!” We all laughed! Ummm. No! Then he followed it up with, “Well, I’m definitely your Most Improved Kid!”

That is a fact! When I think about all that he has experienced, some things I don’t even know about, but some I do, I am so proud of the man he has become. For him to be our first, our Tester Pancake, and turn out to be our Most Improved, it says a lot about him as a person. About his ability to bounce back after challenges, his desire to always improve, and the way he has figured out how best to go through this life and be a success.

I love you, Son. Thank you for your patience with your Mama, (and Daddy) and for always trying to do better! oxoxo

A New Granddaughter!

We have been blessed to be grandparents. I am so grateful to have little ones to love, and spoil, and then send them home.

Our sweet new granddaughter is here!

What a doll. She is so sweet and beautiful.

I truly believe the reason I love being a grandparent is because I was first a parent.

That may sound obvious, but it really is a “grand” plan. You become a parent, you love these children more than anything. It is the hardest thing you’ve ever done. They drive you nuts, they want/need something at the most inconvenient times. They challenge you. They make you proud.

They basically wear you out! They fill you will more love than you ever thought was possible. .

They grow up, and you’re amazed at all they accomplish in their lives, and the way they do it.

Then….you get to love their kids! And because they love their children more than anything else, you don’t have to worry about them. It’s the love and spending time without all the worry. As I say that I realize that’s not completely true. You do worry about them, but not as much as you did your own kids, because you know their parents will do most the worrying.

I am so grateful for this sweet, new little one to love. I’m so proud of her parents for being parents.

It really is a “grand” plan!

2018 Highlights!

This past year has basically slipped by and I haven’t shared much. When I look back on the blog there isn’t much. So here is some highlights:

April-

Our oldest, Riley and his sweet wife, Janet and children were sealed for time and all eternity is the temple. What a blessing. To be in the temple with their little family as they were dressed in white making covenants, and knowing the promises of a forever family are real. It is by far one of the most precious and sacred experiences of my life. I love them, and I’m so proud of them!

A future so bright!!!

Families are Forever!

Our “Bonus Baby’s” baby Willow, turned “1”!!! What a sweet little dolly. We have enjoyed having our sweet grand baby in our lives, and we love her so much! Grand parenthood is the best!

May-

Our grandson Julian had a birthday!! This great kid is always keeping us entertained. He does an excellent job communicating what he thinks and asking us about the world. I sometimes have to steal hugs, but he is a very sweet and fun boy. We love him!

June-

Our family vacationed at Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. It was so fun to be together. The family went swimming in the huge swimming pool while I tended a napping grandbaby. We traveled to a ghost town, sort of, Chesterfield is a town that was founded back in the 1800’s. There has been families, descendants of the founders moving back and fixing up some of the old buildings. There was a super cute General Store. Riley and Brett tubed down the river. We hiked up to a metal effigy of Big Foot that was near our camp ground.

The down side? Allergies.

I enjoy being with family more than anything.

Not Very Amusing, Or Is It?

In our part of the world we have a popular amusement park. It is the closest thing Utah has to Disneyland. It’s called Lagoon!

We went every year when I was growing up. The park would send discount tickets to our church, and we’d get to go and save a little money. The day was called Stake Lagoon Day.

Some families had lots of kids, like ours, so getting a discount for admission was a big deal, and it was expensive enough that most families only took their kids once a year. At least I thought that, it might not even be true, I know we only went once a year. Anyway, I loved this event, and looked forward to it for most of the summer. I couldn’t wait to ride the scariest rides. Or see how many times I could go on the fast ones. I have such good memories of summer trips to Lagoon.

Our family would pile in the car with a picnic and make our way to the park. It was about a half an hour from our house in the car. Once there, we’d put all the needed items for the picnic in the wagon and enter the park. After purchasing our tickets, and going through the gate we’d all walk to the rear of the park where there were many small grassy areas to set up a picnic. Some areas had only grass to put a blanket on and some had picnic tables. We’d always pick what we thought would be the best spot. When we were little, one of our parents took us around to the rides while the other stayed with our food, wagon and blankets. It was a kind of Home-base where we could leave things like prizes or jackets or treats to be looked after by Mom. As we got older the same routine happened except once at the picnic area, Dad would give us instructions for who could go where, always using the buddy system, then send us out into the park for a period of time and telling us to come back to eat at an appointed time. He always left the park for a little trip to go get fried chicken at KFC or the local grocery store. What fun memories!

I worked there one summer right after high school. It was a fun job, because I could stay after work and ride the rides. I could go on my day off and ride, all at no cost, because I worked there. It was so great!

Then something happened. I started not feeling very well after I rode the rides. What seemed to be a headachy feeling turned into a queasiness. Oh no, you guessed it. I was getting older, and what I remember happening to my dad, and other older people was now happening to me. One of my favorite summer activities was not going to be fun anymore. Bummer!

It worked out though.

Here’s why, by the time I wasn’t enjoying myself much on the rides, I had become a Mama of my own kids. The first time I saw my little boy Riley on

Bulgy the Whale, tears came to my eyes.
Source  

to see his happiness, his complete joy at what he was experiencing was sooo much better to me than the experience of riding the rides myself.

Being a parent and watching my children experience life, especially the good things in life is the best! It makes me think about Father in Heaven and how He must feel when He watches us enjoying this life experience. What a blessing it is that God has allowed us to experience in some small way what I’m sure makes Him happy, watching His children loving life. When our kids are happy and loving life that gives us the same joy.

So Emily, my “Bonus Baby” went to Lagoon with Kelsey, my “Dream Come True” recently, and when they were riding on one of the fast rides Emily passed out, and her head whipped around and hit Kelsey in the face. The back of Emily’s head hit Kelsey’s cheek to be exact. Kelsey got a bruise, and Emily got a concussion. They laughed a little right after, but they were both really sore. Emily was sad because she said she doesn’t enjoy the rides like she used to when she was little, or young. It has already changed for her. I told her, “Just wait till your sweet tiny girl is a little bigger, and she can go on Bulgy the Whale.” Then I shared with her the secret about being a parent and watching your children experience true happiness!

Gallery Wall!

I put my cute Darlin to work the other day helping me put together this

wonderful gallery wall! 

I’ve wanted to do this for a while. I love the things we hung on the wall. Most of them belonged to or represent someone, or something that is important in my life.

The octagon shaped framed flower picture, on the top left hung in my parents room in the home I grew up in. My mom said it was her mom’s first. It is unique, and reminded me of my mama and daddy, and now my grandma.

The cute little shelf, is one of three like it that I have. They were my grandpa’s. It used to be  inside the old trolly cars that ran in Salt Lake City many, many years ago. They hung inside the Trolly above the seats upside down from how I have the shelf hung, which would give it a lip or edge to keep the things placed on them from falling off as the trolly traveled around town. I love that it was my grandpa’s, and the story of where it came from.

The clock is newish, but time and how we spend it, is important and it’s my love language. The family plaque is a reminder of what’s most important. The heart represents the incredible love I have for my life, and family. The key is the key to my heart, and represents the priesthood authority that my husband holds, and the authority that seals us together as a family forever. The S is the first letter of our last name, and also stands for, safety, sacred, serene, share, simplify, spiritual, steadfast, strength, strong, sublime, success, and sweet.

A copy of “The Living Christ” and “The Family-A Proclamation to the World” are important and inspirational documents that represent what we believe, and was written by the leaders of our church. A copy of the Bible and The Book of Mormon are laying on the cute little trolly shelf. They are both very important books to our family.  

My darlin and I were married in the Salt Lake Temple which is pictured on the little plaque on the shelf. It was given to us by our son, Riley and his wife, Janet.

And last of all is the sign that says: Happiness is a choice. No matter what is going on in my life, I can choose to be happy.

It’s a good reminder!

And let’s not forget the important picture in the middle. This is our most recent family picture.  Taken in our yard, with my Darlin and I, and some of our grandkids sitting on the bench. The bench that was made out of our old bed frame. Oh, how I love these people!

What a blessing to go through life with them!

I love sitting in the family room and looking at this wall. It is perfect to me!

He’s a One Year Old!

This sweet little guy is a one year old!!! We have had so much fun with him this last year. What a wonderful soul he is! He is the happiest baby I’ve ever known. He had a blast eating and playing with his cake.He had this look of contemplation on his face.

Maybe he was thinking about how fast the first year of his life has gone? Or how much he’s learned? or maybe how much he loves being here on earth? 

He for sure knows he is loved immensely by his family!

This is what pure joy looks like. I love him so much! Happy Birthday sweet Adrian!

 

Happy Birthday Darling Boy!!!

Happy Birthday to this wonderful grandson, Julian!

He is such a blessing in our family. He just turned 3 years old, and he is doing so many great things. He loves cars, and skateboards just like his dad. He is such a good brother to his big sister and little brother!We were invited to his party and it was so fun!

He got lots of great gifts, and had a big red cupcake cake shaped like a car!

It was yummy!

His party was a few days before his actual birthday, so grandma and grandpa stopped by to give him a treat and steal some hugs!!

I love this little guy.

I have always said, “Grandkids are your reward for not killing your kids!” I’m so glad that during some of those challenging years, we didn’t do away with Julian’s daddy!