Happy Birthday to BJo!

No one really wanted to get up and get going today, but BJo had a few candles to blow out, so we got up just for that :) Happy Birthday!

Field Trip

I went with Anthony and his class to the Point Defiance Zoo. (Those buses are the hardest things to ride in, and I'm paying for it today.) We enjoyed the sights and saw a lot of animals.

Weekend with Family

Sherri and Bryan and their children came to visit Keith and Idris this weekend so we had several other families that came to visit with them. We always enjoy family gatherings and it seems that there is never enough time in the day for these visits.

Last weeks news -

I'm about a week late with this post, and I keep feeling guilty that I haven't posted it, so here it is -

Terry had a CT scan Wednesday in Wenatchee. We didn't learn any news that day though. LeeAnn was there looking at homes for sale because they plan to move there soon. Brian is already there working. We were able to have lunch with LeeAnn, Christopher and Dustin. We enjoyed our visit. I had spent some time a day or two looking on line for homes trying to help her. She had already spent much more time doing that and was now spending time driving around to view them all. They did a lot of looking and have a few homes on a possible list, but nothing for sure yet. But we look forward to the time they are living there and we can visit more often.

They came over Sunday afternoon and we had a great visit - almost like old times, except with fewer children. Thaoe came to visit too. Mom and dad were also here. They spent a few days with us and with LeeAnn looking for homes. We enjoy the visits we have with them. It seems we keep them coming our way with all of the special activities and advancements our family is making. We are so lucky!

A special activity of the week was our Friday visit to the temple where Michael attended for his own endowment. We shared it with a good friend, Jacob Christensen and his family. It was a very special day. We enjoyed dinner together afterward, at a Chinese restaurant. Good food and good company.

We had a visit with doctor on Monday to discuss the results of the CT scan. We learned that all is well for now. His next appointment is in two months to make sure things are remaining well.

Michael has planted our garden! We are going to have some veggies this year. I did plant some flowers out front in our pots. Life is more beautiful with flowers!

Spring cleaning has begun. I have completed the cleaning of the library. I moved the shelves, got rid of a few things, and even washed the windows. It will be a few days before I begin another room, cause there are other things calling for my attention.

A Special Day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BRAYDEN!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ANTHONY!

he is 11 years old today.

He asked for chocolate cake with icecream in the middle, so that is what I made. It's not frosted, but it was enjoyed just the same.

Happy Mother's Day!

Why in the world
does the world
celebrate mothers?

Or, why in the world
does the world
honor them so much?

And, why in the world
does the world
devote them a Sunday?

It's because without them,
the world
wouldn't amount to much.

You see, the world,
without mothers
is desolate.

The beautiful earth
where we live
wouldn't be.

It takes moms
to give life
and preserve it,

To make it worth living
through time
and eternity.

Without moms
the world
and all in it

Would no doubt
completely
fall apart.

For if the world
was compared
to a body,

Then mothers
are definitely
the heart.
(Mother's Day poem Terry wrote in 1993)

I miss living close to my mother, my children wish to live closer to her, but we still enjoy our time together, whether short or long. We have a stash of wonderful memories that we enjoy adding to when we are together. Our hearts are drawn to her, no matter where we are. She is very much a part of us even though there are miles between us. "What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love becomes a part of us." Helen Keller

Much has been posted of my mother this week, but I must add something about Terry's mother. She has raised a son that has become my best friend and eternal companion. Even that alone would be reason to call her blessed. But that is not alone. She has been the best mother-in-law that one could hope for. She thinks I'm awesome, and treats me special. She gives encouragement, shows me love and respect and has always been there for us. She is always thinking of ways to serve us and make sure that we are comfortable and full. She loves her children, she loves me, and she loves my children. I love her and appreciate her goodness, her kindness, and her example to me.

Now, may I say, I just love being a mother. I fall short in many ways, but it is a wonderful blessing in life to have, and to be mothers. What an awesome plan our Heavenly Father has for us. And I love that His plan includes fathers and children, and eternity. I love my family!

At this date, and only if I counted correctly -

• My mother is a mother of 8, grandmother of 36, and great grandmother of 9.
• Terry's mother is a mother of 7, grandmother of 35, and great grandmother of 44 (there were 44 at the end of 2008, but I think a few have been added this year).
• I am a mother of 9, grandmother of 2+, and I have several years to go before becoming a great grandmother. Still so much to learn!

REFLECTIONS - My Mom

Mom has always enjoyed God's creations.

She and dad were always working on the yard. She had a lot of iris flowers in many assorted colors and other beautiful flowers and trees. When I see iris' I think of my mother. There was always a big veggie and fruit garden too. I remember lemon cucumbers that were unique and delicious, and raspberries that were the highlight of a family reunion we had at the house one year and the elderly gentleman really enjoyed picking and eating those berries. There was beauty all around our yard in flowers, trees, dirt mounds, lawn paths, and just the arrangement of it all.

She enjoyed animals on the farm. We had several different kinds of animals, but it seems to me that mom was especially fond of chickens and other types of birds/fowl. We had several different kinds of chickens. Some for eggs, some for meat, some for beauty and enjoyment. We also had ducks and geese. It was fun to see the mommas wandering the yard with their trail of chicks behind them. We also had guinni hens, (I don't know how to spell guinni) and it seems that I remember the elderly gentlemen, at that reunion I mentioned earlier, finding enjoyment in shooting at those ugly things. (oops, did I say ugly?)

After mom and dad moved to Longview they could no longer have the farm animals, but they did get some chickens and enjoyed them for several years. Now they too are gone, but mom puts out seeds for the birds and squirrels, and I think we've even seen a hummingbird or two. And the yard is still beautiful.

All of this enjoyment was not hers alone, but it was shared with my dad. They work together to create a place of beauty and enjoyment. They have always worked together, and they continue to do so today.

REFLECTIONS - My Mom

When I had a problem or concern as a child or teenager, and as a new mother, I could always count on my mom to listen and reply with a loving and helpful suggestion for me. Once a mom, always a mom, so I can still go to her and know that she will be willing to listen and help me in whatever way she can.

Long ago she taught us to pray to our Heavenly Father and seek His counsel and guidance, and that advice is among her best advice. So, I am able to vent my frustrations and ask for help from my loving mother, and I am also able to pray to our loving Heavenly Father and receive divine guidance and comfort. The two together can give great strength in time of need and I love and appreciate my mother for all of her teachings.

REFLECTIONS - My Mom

My mom could make a meal out of anything to feed our large family. We would often have extended family gatherings and enjoy moms homemade tortillas, tacos and enchiladas. Everyone loved them. Though she doesn't make the tortillas as often anymore, we do still enjoy her enchiladas at family reunions. It is a tradition that everyone wants to continue.

She has always created wonderful meals and she still sends great recipes my way.

She doesn't like to cook as much anymore, but certainly has her share of big meals to provide as we all gather for family gatherings, and they always include meals. There is always so much good food. It is true that a lot of memories center around the kitchen table or at least around the kitchen.

If ever there comes a time when mom might stop cooking we would miss it, but it wouldn't be too critical, because we know that "It's not so much what's on the table that matters, as what's on the chairs."

REFLECTIONS - My Mom

I remember the many hours of hard work my mom put into preserving food. I helped a bit, but I'm sure I learned it mostly from watching because she was always so fast and good at it. She liked to put the fruit in the jar so that it was laying just right to make it look pretty. I enjoy doing the same. I've often thought that it is almost like creating a masterpiece. Much like an artist might paint a picture then sit back and look at it and admire his/her work. I love to open my pantry and see the finished project lined up in the clear jars with the beautiful colors of peaches, pears, tomatoes, apricots, etc. It is a lot of work, but it feels and looks good, and tastes great. It also turns my heart back to my childhood days as I recall the rows of jars in our basement as I was growing up.

Something I do not do like she did is make bread. I wish I did, but it's just too hard on me to knead it, and I don't have a bread mixer. She would make a lot of bread and it was so delicious, which meant we would want to eat it, and it wouldn't last long, so she would have to make more. I do remember dad helping her too.

REFLECTIONS - My Mom

Mom has always been so very talented and creative. I remember her making a lot of different things as I was growing up. She has sewn quilts and costumes and created things to make one never believe she was not a professional seamstress. She has made unique crafts, assembled beautiful arrangements, and created some beautiful decorations. She can create and design, and make anything look beautiful - it just seems to come natural to her. She has taken up China painting the last several years and has painted some beautiful plates, vases, and lamps. She has always had a beautiful home and yard. Each room in her house is a work of art. Her Christmas trees are gorgeous. She creates beauty all around. There is beauty and grace in her very being. Creating is a big part of womanhood, and she does that so very well.

As I was writing this I was reminded of a Relief Society Broadcast last fall, when Elder Uchtdorf said, "Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before—colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter." My mother creates this way, and we are blessed because of it. He also said, "The more you trust and rely upon the Spirit, the greater your capacity to create. That is your opportunity in this life and your destiny in the life to come. Sisters, trust and rely on the Spirit. As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you." I believe this because I have seen it through my mother.

REFLECTIONS - My Mom

I remember that my mother was always doing something for someone else. While I was a youth she was a Primary President and a Relief Society President, both callings gave her great responsibility and required much time and sacrifice on her behalf. Though I remember her feeling some frustration a time or two, I mostly remember her commitment to these callings and the people she served. She was always going the extra mile and making sure that her service in the Lord's church was what He would have her do. She has blessed the lives of so many through her loving, selfless, compassionate and cheerful service. She seemed to enjoy it all. Moving to new wards has made it so she has had those callings more than once, and she has always remained dedicated and stalwart. She has always been dependable - when my mom does something, it's not just done, it's well done. Surely the Lord can say to her "well done, thou good and faithful servant".

REFLECTIONS - My Mom

Since Mother's Day is next Sunday, I've decided to write a little something about my mother each day this week.

My mother is a wonderful woman. She worked hard in the house and the yard, with her family, and in her church callings. I'll share some of those things in my postings through the week. A lot of what I write will come from the years when I was a child at home, but they surely still apply, some 29 years later. I'll try to include some recent things too. I am so grateful for such a wonderful mother. She is an awesome person.
Her love and respect for my father has always been an example to me. I've never doubted their love for each other. It is a wonderful thing to grow up in a home where there is love and respect and where the children can count on the next day being the same, if not better. She has been the best example of wife, mother, and daughter that anyone could have. She truly understands the meaning of womanhood and motherhood.
She has always been loving and caring and tender with her children. She has taught us right from wrong and continues to encourage us to do and be good.

REFLECTIONS!

REFLECTIONS! - In a previous post I promised to consider the option of posting about some memories of my loved ones before having to share them at a funeral. Though I have been slow in doing so, I have thought and considered, and have decided that it will be a good thing. Today I came up with the title - Reflections. I'll be sharing some of those reflections in upcoming posts. Memories are a wonderful thing.

It seems silly to post about something I am going to post about later, but I didn't want to forget, and if I don't write it down while I'm thinking it might not get done.

KEEPING UP WITH THE JONES'!

I was just doing laundry and thinking about some things. I don't know what brought me to this thought of long ago, but I thought of a comment one of our children once said. "Now we are just like the Jones'!" (Name was changed of course.) I won't expound on the circumstances or the conditions of the moment that brought out that comment, but I will expound on my thoughts of this moment reflecting back upon that moment. (Wow, I think I said that right?!?!?!)
I ask that you keep a smile on your face as you continue, as I am afraid that it might sound more discouraging if you do not. I was rather encouraged as I was thinking, though I'm not sure if it comes across that way in writing.

For some, maybe even most, there is a desire to have what we don't have, and there is always someone else who seems to have it all. It is those who seem to have it all that we look at and think thoughts like "I wish I had one of those", "I want to be like that", "Why can't I go there or do that", or "They are so lucky", etc. It's a terrible game of keeping up with the Jones'.

Surely this happens some times in life a bit more than other times. I have felt those feelings and I worry that I am creating enough of the right and good teachings and experiences for my children without making them feel like they should have or do it all. It often seems that the grass is greener on the other side. The problem is, no matter what side we are on there is always another side. There is no satisfaction in that.

Unfortunately, when I see a fault of mine or my family, I might think that I wish I or my child was just like someone else who seems to be perfect in that way. But then, there are other times when I see another and think that I'm so glad that I'm not like that or that my child is not like that. Why would we all want to be like the Jones' anyway? Just think, if I were just like the Jones' or if the Jones' were just like me, what a boring world this would be. Remember, I do have..., well, maybe not me, but others out there have qualities that the Jones' don't have, and they are admirable qualities that are beneficial to the family and others around them. The Jones' have it, but we have it too. And, we all have faults, including the Jones'.

So what of the comment my child once made? I have only one more thing to say on that at the moment - I am not trying to keep up with the Jones'. I'd never get to my destination if I did. Honestly, do they really have it all anyway? I love our Heavenly Father who's plan of happiness this life is. I love Jesus Christ and the gospel of Jesus Christ. When I remember that, and as I try to live His gospel, I feel a calming peace and I feel like I am the one who has it all. So, let the Jones' be the Jones' - they can have and do as they wish. I am free to be me, and what a wonderful freedom that is.

Now back to my pile of laundry, ironing, and mending, and then fixing lunch, and... Oh bother, I'll bet the Jones' have a maid! ;)