Monday, June 4, 2012

Random Fun From May

I came home from running a few errands to find Jared mowing the lawn and Brandon cruising the neighborhood like this, it made me laugh.  What a cool looking kid. :)
 I am so grateful Brandon and Grant a such good buddies I hope they always will be.  Are they adorable or what!!  (adoorabull, can't write that word without thinking of you, mom, and the good laugh you had at my expense when I spelled it like that. :))
 We had a getting to know you tea party with all of my Mia Maids.  It was so fun.  I wish we had tea parties far more often.  I loved that a few of the girls of their own accord dressed up in formal attire.  I love these girls they are so fun, so polite, helpful, and kind to each other and to me.  We had a fun night talking to each other, sharing stories from our past, and getting to know each other even better.
 Grant is my little athlete.  He LOVES sports.  Today he was practicing dribbling a basketball.  I am impressed with his natural athletic abilities, but I am even more impressed that at two years old he is willing to practice dribbling a ball over and over and over again.  I hope this determined trait that he is showing stays with him.  I also find it funny that he likes to wear a baseball cap, even if it is his dads and it is way too big. :)
 LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these boys, how is it possible to love so much?  They just make me so very happy!
 How Brandon convinced Grant and McKell to get locked in the dog kennels is beyond me, but they were sure happy to be there.  Even after I let them out McKell stayed in.  I remember doing the same thing as a child, climbing in Sadies gross dog house, I loved it.  Why do we do it?  Weird. :)
 I pulled out our makeshift sand box a few days ago and the boys were thrilled!  It was such a beautiful and pleasant morning with the boys playing happily and even peacefully, while the birds were singing in full force and I was able to get a lot of yard work done.  What made the day even better was when our friends Karen, Nicole and Daemon showed up to play and then Dana and McKell joined us, and pretty soon Melanie stopped by on her bike ride, and then Bethany stopped by after dropping Abigail off at school.  All of a sudden we had a good group of mothers and children enjoying each others company and then it was late in the afternoon and we were left wondering how so much time could have gone by.  Time flies when you are having fun, and we were!
 Grant is amazing me with his ability to pedal his trike, and he is even learning to pedal this tractor which weighs nearly 50 pounds, it is solid metal, not an easy thing to get around in.  But he is actually pretty good at it, if the trailer is not attached.  Unfortunately he really wants the trailer to be attached.  So imagine his joy when his buddy (idol) John came and sat in the trailer and pushed from the back with his feet.  Grant was one happy camper!  It is pretty funny at our house in the morning when we look out the window and see the Brosnahans outside.  Brandon shouts for McKell, Grant shouts for John (don) and I shout for Dana, okay I don't actually shout, but I do get excited.  We love our friends and neighbors!
On the Sunday of Memorial day weekend we got a new bishopric. Bishop Brosnahan, Brother Hoker and Brother Baird. They are all great men and will be wonderful leaders for our ward, but that did not stop me from weeping when they were called and I thought about the changes and burdens they and their families would experience, particularly the Brosnahans, both because he is the Bishop and because I am so close to their family. I am always amazed when leadership changes occur in the church and how smoothly the transition happens, how the presence of the spirit is so strong and the manner in which the ward as a whole continues serving faithfully and maintains order where chaos would otherwise prevail. It is a testimony to me of the truthfulness of the gospel and the wisdom of our Heavenly Father in organizing His church in such a way. It is also a testimony to me of the priesthood. So grateful for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I love the month of May, it helps that my anniversary, birthday and mother's day are all in the same month, and then we get Memorial day thrown in.  Every weekend has something fun to offer.  But I really love that the sun is out, the days are warm, but not hot, the birds are active welcoming each new day, things begin to turn green and people come out of hibernation.  Happiness all around!

I am also thrilled beyond explanation that "Gatherings" are becoming a tradition in our neighborhood.  After my birthday gathering, they seem to be happening each Sunday.  Yesterday was the most unusual and fun gathering I have ever been too.  It began with just us and a few of the Brosnahans, we began talking and realised at nearly 7:30 that neither of our families had eaten dinner and we still had a roast in the oven which had been cooking for nearly 13 hours.  So Jared went in to fix up the roast, gravy and veggies while Dana went home to fix the potatoes (from scratch, yum) and the dessert.  I joked about eating in the front yard where we were already set up with chairs and just use tv trays, but that was too much for Jared, so we went in the back yard and pretty soon one by one the Winns, Dettmans, Hokers and Egberts as well as a few extra kids joined us.  Some ate dinner, some ate dessert, but we all sat around a lovely Sunday roast dinner in the back yard well into the late hours of the night.  When we went to bed I had a smile on my face from the wonderful/entertaining evening.  Why oh why must our house be so small, why can't it just grow right along with us, then we would never have to move from so many dear friends!

Friday, June 1, 2012

Happy Birthday to me, 30 years and counting :D

I had a WONDERFUL birthday!!  Jared, my family and friends spoiled me rotten. 

The Wednesday before my birthday I went a fun shopping date with my mom.  We enjoyed lunch at Paradise Bakery and then shopping at Michaels, Deseret Book, Barnes and Nobel and Day Murray Music.  All my favorite kind of stores, a book store, a music store and a craft store.  I got the four Goose Girl books from Shannon Hale, four new piano books, an animal Cricut cartridge, some photo boxes, and a few other things.  It was so fun to have a day with just me and my mom, and so fun to go to my favorite stores.

On Friday I went on a super fun brunch date with Dana, Sharece, Bethany, Lorraine, and Karen.  We had a terrific time chatting and laughing for hours, and eating wonderful food from Kneaders.  I am so grateful for great friends, I seriously had SO MUCH FUN!!  Wish I would have thought to take a few pictures.

On Saturday Jared took me and the boys out to breakfast at Kneaders, again, I love that place, yum.  After breakfast we went shopping at Walmart, call me crazy but I am so happy to have a Walmart in town.  I bought mulch, edging stones, gardening gloves, and some flowers for my birthday. :)  Weird birthday gifts I know, but it is a step to a beautiful yard that I will enjoy spending time in and that is a great birthday present.  After shopping we went back to Kneaders for lunch - I know, it's ridiculous.  after lunch we worked hard in the yard and made some great progress, I sure will be happy when we get the yard looking the way I want it to, if that ever happens?  That night Jared and I went out on a date for more birthday shopping :)  I got four new shirts and a new pair of capris, a new table cloth and place mat.  Then we went to dinner at a lovely Italian restaurant, can't remember the name of it?  When we got home Jared had a "project" that he needed to work on so I worked on wrapping my presents, weird, maybe, but I didn't mind.  It was fun to see all my gifts spread out, I like wrapping, and I think it is important for the boy to recognise that it is my birthday, and they wouldn't if they never saw that I received presents, besides they love opening the present (with me:)).  Jared was too impatient to wait for my birthday so before we went to bed that night he revealed the project he had been working on.  He compiled many letters of love, admiration and gratitude from my family members.  I was so grateful, I truly loved reading each of the letters, and Jared's letter of 30 reasons why he loves me was the highlight of them all.  That gift was certainly my favorite.

On Sunday, my actual birthday we opened a few gifts before church and opened the rest of the gifts after church.  That evening Dana organized a "gathering" for me.  Many of our neighbors and dear friends got together at her house for cake and snacks and great conversation, while all the children played together.  I love my neighbors, it was SO fun visiting with many of them.  Best party!  I was so grateful to Dana for putting the gathering together, especially when she had so much on her mind with her husband being called as the new Bishop of our ward that very day and her not being able to mention it to anyone yet.

I had a wonderful birthday.  I felt so loved the whole day, the whole week for that matter!  Thanks to everyone who made my day so special!  Love you!


The Drapers and Mother's Day

The Sunday following our wonderful anniversary trip was a rough one.  That afternoon after church and naps we learned that our dear Bishop and his wife were in a terrible car accident.  Kathy passed away immediately, while Bishop and two of their granddaughters were at the hospital in critical condition.  Word spreads quickly in a ward when the Bishop and his wife, who are so well loved are in such a situation.  We said a family prayer, met and cried with neighbors and friends and anxiously waited for news.  An hour or two later we got a call that Bishop had also passed away.  We felt both sorrow and joy; sorrow for loosing our Bishop and joy that he and his wife could pass together.  That night we met at the chapel for prayers and an opportunity to be together and comfort each other.  It was wonderful to hear so many wonderful memories of Bishop and his wife and the wonderful people they were.  One of the counselors in our stake presidency told us of his experience in the hospital with the Drapers.  He asked to see Bishop shortly  after he had passed.  Bishop sustained injuries, but the doctors were confident he would survive, then he went in cardiac arrest and after nearly half an hour of trying to revive him, they let him go.  The counselor said he had the distinct impression that Bishop had a choice to stay or go.  I am sure Kathy met his spirit in the hospital, told him that she had passed, and told him he could choose to stay or go with her.  I think, how wonderful it was for both of them to leave the earth together and not have to leave the other alone.  Bishop and Kathy were high school sweet hearts.  That Monday we learned that their two year old granddaughter also passed away.  I don't even like to think about how difficult it must have been for the family to loose two parents and a child.  I am comforted in the knowledge the gospel gives us that all children are alive in Christ, and that families can be together forever.  She surely is in heaven with her loving grandparents, awaiting the return of her parents.  The following Saturday was the funeral, it was a beautiful service.  Quincy's mother wrote a beautiful poem.
Our sweet angel has gone today
back to her home above
She was a gift sent straight from God
A token of his love

Two long years we worked and prayed
To bring her spirit here
She was our little miracle
Her memories we hold dear

Quincy was a lively one
We knew it from the start
Full of vim and vigor
She was so very smart

Her first word came out doggie
That's all that she would say
Then she learned a few more words
talking non stop every day

She loved to play with babies
And puzzles on the phone
She could work that iphone better
Than most anyone who's grown

She always had her softie
And a baby in her sight
Giving her a bottle
And putting her night night

Her big blue eyes and happy voice
Her radiant little face
So outgoing, sociable
Would light up any place

Bubble guppies, baby dolls
Doggies, snacks and story books
Cuddles in the rocking chair
Soft kisses, tender looks

A frightening day, a horrible scene
A fragile little life
Prayers of comfort, miracles
Hurt and anguish, fear and strife

In that small room, in our arms
We cradled her so tight
Hugging her and kissing her
As she quickly lost the fight

Now she's in a place, and perfect place
Where we all want to be
Please hold a spot for me and dad
To spend eternity

Watch over us, protect us
As we finish up our test
Quincy you're our angel
Forever we are blessed

I am so impressed with this poem, it is beautiful and tender and it expresses so much truth.  In times like this I am eternally grateful for the knowledge of eternal families, the plan of salvation and our Saviors atonement which makes it all possible.  The next day was Mother's Day.  Our hearts were full as we thought of the Draper family missing their dear mother Kathy and Angie mourning the loss of her only child.  My thoughts kept turning to the hymn O My Father

1. O my Father, thou that dwellest
In the high and glorious place,
When shall I regain thy presence
And again behold thy face?
In thy holy habitation,
Did my spirit once reside?
In my first primeval childhood
Was I nurtured near thy side?


2. For a wise and glorious purpose
Thou hast placed me here on earth
And withheld the recollection
Of my former friends and birth;
Yet ofttimes a secret something
Whispered, “You’re a stranger here,”
And I felt that I had wandered
From a more exalted sphere.


3. I had learned to call thee Father,
Thru thy Spirit from on high,
But, until the key of knowledge
Was restored, I knew not why.
In the heav’ns are parents single?
No, the thought makes reason stare!
Truth is reason; truth eternal
Tells me I’ve a mother there.


4. When I leave this frail existence,
When I lay this mortal by,
Father, Mother, may I meet you
In your royal courts on high?
Then, at length, when I’ve completed
All you sent me forth to do,
With your mutual approbation
Let me come and dwell with you.


The thought that we are strangers here on earth and someday we can return to our true home, the place where we really belong is wonderful.  I especially like the thought and knowledge, that we have a Heavenly Mother anxiously waiting for her dear children to return to her.  This brings me peace, hope and even excitement for my return, even though my return will mean my departure from this life.  It is hard to understand the Lords timing, hard to understand why we must experience trials, but when we look with faith and trust in Heavenly Father things are more clear.

I was grateful that my family came to our house to celebrate Mother's day.  I am SO blessed to have a wonderful mother, wonderful grandmothers, a wonderful mother-in-law and a wonderful sister and two sister-in-laws, who are all wonderful mothers to me and my children.  This post is already so long so I wont write about each of them I will just send you to this post and this post, both explain how I feel about these wonderful women in my life.