Ivy and Jade got ahold of my camara a few weeks ago. When I got it back there were various pictures of nostrils, eyes, mouths, faces--and this. Yup, we have 2 budding photographers!

August 11, 2010

What can I say. The car does not look as bad as I thought. It could have been such a tragic end to a sisters vacation. We were so blessed and protected that my heart swells with gratitude everytime I think about it. Cheri will be released from the hospital on Wednesday and fly home to Idaho. Here again the blessings continue: her youngest daughter is a registered nurse, so instead of having to spend 8 weeks in a rehabilitation facility, she will move in with them and Nicki will be her care-giver! We are all mending, though Cheri did say that the next sisters trip we take we will be taking the TRAIN!

4th of July

For many years this is what we have seen, Michael in the Color Guard leading out every parade in town. This is what we no longer see. I have grown accustomed to seeing my son in this role, protecting and honoring our Flag, and I miss that. Tonight was the 4th of July parade, it is hard for me to see someone else there in his place. I know time moves on, things change, and I really can accept that. It's just that right now, I miss my son. Then I remind myself that he is on American soil. So I will stop my 'bellyaching', put on a smile, and say THANK YOU to all those service men and women away from their families tonight. Your sacrifice does not go un-noticed! God Bless America,,,,Please.

It is late

It is after 10 PM, and I am feeling very sentimental tonight. I have been looking at this screen for hours doing genealogy. I always get sentimental thinking about those who have gone on before. But then I drifted into facebook and somehow ran across a person I had known all through school, and I mean all through school. We were in kindergarten together, and in the same classes on and off until we graduated from High School. We lived around the corner from each other, and some of my few memories of childhood involve him. As we got into High School, our lives seemed to take different paths, and I had not heard anything of my friend for 30 years. How does one lose touch with a friend just like that? As I look back, I have lost touch with so many friends. I wonder, is it just to hard to keep in touch, or what?
As I read of the struggles in my friends life, and how he has come through them, I am amazed. And I wonder where my life is. I keep myself in this small secure circle. I have my family (who by the way mean everything to me) and rarely to I step outside. I wonder if I have spent all these years hiding within myself. Who have I helped, who have I touched. What wonderful words of wisdom do I give that help others. Sometimes I really wonder what I have done with my life-and it is way to far past my bedtime for this.
Tomorrow is another day-a day to make a difference.

Funeral

This past Friday we were in California for Forrest's Dad's Funeral. I had never been to a Funeral at a National Cemetery before, and I have to say it was quite impressive. Fred had been ill for so long, that in many ways this was a happy release. I had not been sure how Ivy Jade and Sage would behave in the cemetery and during the service, so last week we took a walk to the local cemetery and talked about what would happen-including the 21 gun salute. We talked about how this would be to honor Grandpa Fred, and it would be a very special time. They were absolutly wonderful during the service, even stood in as pall bearers to escort Grandpa Fred. Michael was able to get emergency leave so he was there to salute his grandfather. I think Fred would have been pleased. At the end of the service we just sat there and shared memories of Fred. I hope that some healing took place in that cemetery that day. RIP Fred.

Mothers Day

I came home last night to find my table decorated. I have to be honest, I sat down and cried. With all that Forrest has been going through this week, he still took time to remember Mothers Day with 3 of my favorite things-Andes candies, Lindor truffles and Roses! Combine that with a completely empty house (yes, no pitter patters) it was a wonderful gift. I had a lovely walk up town, then sat down with a book. Oh yea!

Salt Lake City

Today Forrest and I went north to do some shopping. On the freeway he got in the wrong lane and we ended up going north in Salt Lake instead of south towards home. So of course we ended up at Temple Square. It is so beautiful this time of year, the tulips are in bloom and color was everywhere! It was a perfect day!

Practically Perfect Morning

I woke up this morning to sunshine and warm air. Sage played mommy all morning. She put her "baby" to sleep (after singing to her and rocking her of course) on a pillow on the living room floor, turned off the light and told me to sshh. Then we walked up town to pick up Ivy from school. Ivy was particularily chatty on the way home. Her wonderfull words of wisdom--Jesus likes flowers, that is why he put seeds in the stores! Oh, it doesn't get any better than that.

Success

Through out all the ages, people have had a different definition of success. Some believe that the wealth one amasses shows success, how big a house, what kind of car (you get the picture). Today, I have a new definiton of success:
Success is being respected by hundreds of people who, when you pass from this life come to honor you on your last journey. Last night we went to the viewing of a man who did not live in a mansion, did not drive a flashy car, and who did not in this life amass a fortune, but he was a success. The viewing was to start at 6 PM, we went at 6:10, and did not even get into the room until 7:30PM. It was 8:00 before we made it to the family. When we finaly got to the book to sign, 230 people had signed before us, (remeber, we arived only 10 minutes after the viewing had started),and the line behind us still went out of the Gym and down the hall. Yes, I did say Gym. Now I know you are thinking Who would have their viewing in a Gym. Well, it just so happens this Gym had been named for him. Who was he? Not a famous singer, not a polition, not a millinare, not any of those things you might think. He was-a retired high school teacher and coach. He was a man who was true to his values in every situation, a man who lifted his students rather than tearing them down. He taught by example everyday of his life, and those he taught came to honor him this one last time. Several of the flower arrangements were not from individuals, but from classess. "To Coach fromt the Class of 68" or "Graduating Class of 1988", and even "The class of 1944". Coach Wilbur Braithwaite was a success in every sense of the word, and if you can't understand why hundreds would honor a mere school teacher, Google his name, and prepare to learn the real definition of a success! Thanks Coach, for everything! We were blessed just to have known you.

One picture worth a million words.

General Conference

Sunday morning I left my house at 5 AM, in the middle of a snow storm to head to Salt Lake City to attend LDS General Conference. Of course, because it was so early the snow plows weren't out, but we had left early so we were there in plenty of time. We got our seats, right in front of where the Prophet enters the building, just 4 rows back. Since we were so far forward, we were actually even with the seats on the stand, and had a wonderful view of the 1st Presidency and the council of the 12. Conference was wonderful, but one moment stands out far above the rest. During the rest song when everyone stands to sing, there I stood looking down the row of our leaders, all standing singing praises to our Heavenly Father. It was a profound experience for me as, once again the spirit testified of the Holy callings of each of those men, called at this time to lead the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I was so overcome that I could not sing, just stand there and feel that wonderful affirmation. How truly blessed we are! I am so grateful for the friend that last week said to me "I have 2 tickets for Conference, do you want to go with me!" YES, I want to go!

Dr. Bear

Yesterday Ivy had her tonsils out. Her aunt let her take a stuffed bear to the hospital, and the nurses dressed him up for surgery! Let me introduce you to Dr. Bear! He was there to help Ivy through, and now, she wants to be a Doctor. Next week she will probably want to be a pilot or something, but for now it is Doctor.
Thank goodness next week is spring break and she won't have to miss anymore school. With all the days she has missed being sick, will she flunk kindergarten?????

Temple

Those who know me know that genealogy has been my passion (or dare I say addiction) for over 30 years, and in all those years of researching and Temple work I have never had as wonderful an experince within Temple walls as I did this past Saturday. March 20, 2010 is the day that I, with my 2 sisters, entered the Temple to be sealed to our desceased parents. How can I describe the joy that this one event has brought to me. When I was attending Dixie College, almost all my friends had something I did not. They were a part of an Eternal Family. Knowing that I did not have that made such an impression on me that it started me on my quest of doing genealogy, to find my ancestors, so that I would have an Eternal Family, even though for many years there was a link missing. Even after being sealed to my sweetheart, there was still a link missing. Now that link is there. I can not even describe the feelings that I had Saturday. What a wonderful day. Thank you to all who were there and helped make the day perfect!

Not Mono

Well, Mono turned out to be an abcess on Ivy's tonsil that was huge for someone so little. 3 days in the hospital later, she came home still with huge tonsils for her age. So today Ivy is once again in the hospital to get those pesky tonsils out. She left home with her mom yesterday saying "grandma, no more pokes". How do you explain to a 5 year old that they have to "poke" in order to make her better. She does not grasp that she will keep getting sick, probably keep having to be in the hospital later if this is not taken care of. Why does it have to hurt to make someone better?
I love you Ivy!

Mono????

So, Ivy has not been feeling good all weekend. A monday morning trip to the doctor was in order, so off we go. The nurse takes one look at her throat and says, "whoa, those tonsils are ginormous!" They are so big even the Dr did a double take. Then he felt her glands, another whoa was in order. He said she has Mono glands. Oh boy. He warned me that the test is not reliable (does that seem strange in this day and age???) and even if it is negative she probably still has Mono. A 5 year old with Mono. Could my life get any more complicated? (NO I did not just ask that!) So of course Ivy's strep test and Mono test were both negative. What on earth do you do with a 5 year old who has mono. I think it will be along week!

Grandma and Grandpa

Ok, so I have this picture as my desktop. Tonight Ivy and I were looking at pictures we took at the play last night, when up pops the desktop. Ivy, in all her 5 year old wisdom says-"Grandma, that's you and grandpa"! Now, I don't know if I should be insulted??? But being the wonderful grandma that I am, I just said, "do I look that bad?" Out of the mouths of babes!

It has been awhile

I lost my password, so it has been awhile since I have been here. I hope to do better. As I face different phases in my life, it seems I do alot of reflecting. Since Michael left to join the Army, I have thought much about this country. Our grandparents generation rallied to the call when the United States entered WWII. I know my grandparents had 5 sons enlisted at one time, 3 of them were even able to met in France a few times. I have made a collage of pictures of the men in our families who have answered this call. Everytime I pass it, I feel such gratitude to them, for their sacrifices. And now my son is among those noble ranks. I don't agree with war, but as a mother I am respectful and proud of his decision to serve. It is funny, but even when he spent a year in Iraq with the National Guard, I knew he would still be returning to my home. This time, it is the oppisite. Even when he gets out of the Army, whether it is in 3 years or 30, he will probably never livein my home again. That realization has been hard for me. But that is the plan, we bring children into our family, we teach them the best we can, we pray for them and watch them grow, then we let them go. Having one more leave makes me miss all of them more. The other day I was looking thru pictures taken when friends of our children filled our house. Sometimes those friends would come even when our children were not home. I miss that houseful of cheerfullnes that they always brought. So thank you to all my children, for the years of laughter and love.