Too Many Firsts

This week Jake started Pre-school. His first time away from everybody, by himself. He's done pretty good. Just a few tears he kept from falling, because he's so brave. He also had his first sleep-over, almost. Maybe we just tried too much excitement in one week. Abby was able to go to a quilting seminar. So off she went, early Friday morning. She was sleeping over as well. I told her I would take Jake home with me, just to help Mike out. Jake was looking forward to spending the night. His backpack was ready. He came home with me. His mom left a little note in his backpack. She wrote about all the firsts this week and how he was growing up. She left a chocolate egg somewhere in his backpack for him to find. Jake is into "mysteries and abentures", so we took my magnifying glass and looked through the backpack hoping to find his treat. He found it and was thrilled with his note and chocolate! He loved the letter from his mom so much he made me read it to him three times! Grampa and I played and watched shows and had fun with Jake. I sang a few songs to him at bedtime and off he went to dreamland. Wow, this was great! Not a problem. Not a problem, until about 10:00, when Jake woke up sobbing. Of course, he wanted his own bed and his daddy. As we packed up to take him home, he was so upset he could hardly talk, but the few words he did get out were,

"I want my mommy's letter".

so sweet.

We'll try it again in a few years.

Being Lazy

I had a quiet day, so I thought I'd just put on my "casual" clothes. Not do too much with my hair or fuss with any make-up. Just relax and read a good book.

It's been lovely. 

(but where are my bon-bons???)

Winter

"Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark on a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour."

John Boswell

Doesn't this look just so lovely?  Winter is indeed a lingering season.  In fact right at this moment it is lingering just a bit too long.  And try as I might to gather golden moments and embark on sentimental journey's, I don't have an idle hour to enjoy...! 

Sorry to break the spell of this lovely picture and thought.  It looked so nice that I had to post it.  Just wish I could go to this cottage for January and February to linger, embark, journey and enjoy. 

I can dream.

A New Bathroom!

Jim needed a winter project. So he's tearing out our middle bathroom and redoing it from scratch! We've spent the last few Saturdays picking out tile and a vanity, getting just the look we want. I'm having a little trouble deciding between this look...

or possibly this one...?

And then of course this one has possibilities. The only problem with these are - I'D HAVE TO USE MY WHOLE MAIN LEVEL! Jim said we could only remodel in the space that we have. Which is, shall we say - tiny. But I still say I can have a lovely look.

This is kind of the look I'm going for. Minus the big room, and minus the sunken tub, and minus the arches. Basically the checked brown and beige floor, with the beige going up the walls a bit, and around the bathtub. A vanity like the one in the corner of the picture. I'm thrilled. In about six weeks you can all come over and use my bathroom, or take a bath or whatever!!!
It's going to be lovely.

The longest song!

Jake didn't want to take a nap today, but I wanted him to.  He tried everything and so did I.  First he had me read him all his books.  Then he proceeded to tell me everything about everything.   Then he resorted to tears.  I moved him from his bed to the couch and told him he could just take a rest, but I wanted to sing him a song first.  He said "ok, grama polly".  I then sang every song I knew.  As his eyes started getting heavy and his breathing got more even, he said, "grama, this is sure a long song."  
He was out.  

Grama's know more than 3 year olds.

Positive Attitude and Faith - My Dad

January 18th - Happy Birthday Dad. 

 Dad believed in and taught two powerful lessons to me.  To have faith and the "power of positive thinking".  I am grateful for these traits that he passed on to me.   Dad always felt that if you had faith and thought positive thoughts you could pretty much have control over how things went in your life. Maybe in his case it was so. 

 I have learned that faith is to believe so profoundly that you know someone else (like God) is in control and that I have to lean on Him when things don't go exactly as I planned.  And when things happen, like poor health or other things out of my control, it is best to have a positive attitude to cope as you go through these trials.  Trials come to everyone here on earth. The test is what we learn and how we go forward.  Do we let ourselves become bitter and sad or do we learn valuable lessons and become a more loving, compassionate person?  As I live and get older and endure different trials and life lessons, sometimes I can become down and wonder why I happen to be going through this or that? I catch myself getting a little sad and sometimes feeling a bit sorry for myself.  Is it because of my lack of faith?  Do I not use those valuable positive thinking lessons I was taught as a child?  Then I pick myself up, and realize how blessed I am.  What a blessing to grow up in a home where I was taught, so I would be prepared for things to come.  How grateful for those dinners and discussions afterward where dad taught us.  For his example, his perseverance and determination.  He would literally set his jaw in such a way, that would say I will do this, and he did.  Faith, determination, positive thinking, humor - these are things dad lived.  He gave me his time and made me feel valued as well, which is a great gift. 

 On what would have been his 89th birthday I thank him for these gifts, they have served me well.  

Love, polly

Determination- These guys have it!

"Desire is the key to motivation, but it's determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - that will enable you to attain the success you seek."

Mario Andretti

"My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging."

Hank Aaron

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will."

 Mahatma Gandhi

"Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe."

Gail Devers

"Never, never, never, never give up."

Winston Churchill

 

The things kids say

Baby #3 has joined our group. He's a good little guy. Smiles, watches his older cousins play. He's going to fit in nicely. Jake loves to help with everything. He gets his diaper bag out when it's time to change him. Get's everything ready, the wipes, the diaper, even starts unsnapping his onesy. Today as I was changing Dylan, and he was helping...

Jake said to me, "Grama Polly, I just don't think I could get along without you!"

After I stopped laughing I told him, that I couldn't get along with out him either!

Love the Ones Your With

We had a really nice Ward Conference Sunday.  We were given basic advice.  Nothing new.  But in a loving spirit that touched my heart.  Our bishop talked about loving the people we are surrounded by.  Our family, neighbors, the people we work with.  We can't change them.  We wouldn't want to - (in most cases).  And usually by accepting differences, uniqueness and faults - as we would want others to accept ours, which is basically just the golden rule, we are a happier people.  He told of a meeting he was in where they were commiserating over the missionary effort not going well in the neighborhood.  One of our cute ladies with a funny sense of humor said "well why don't we just get a new set of neighbors?"  Obviously that doesn't solve the problem and it shouldn't be the attitude.  The bishop went on to say, when we are having problems with our family, do we say "well maybe we should just get a new set of kids, or parents, or siblings, or spouse?" That certainly isn't the way to go about life.  I'm sure I would be the first to be traded in!  His whole point was to love regardless of our quirks.  It is an old message, but a great one that is good to be continually reminded of.  I am grateful that I can't think of a person in my life that I would want to trade in.  I have been blessed with parents, family and friends who I don't think I could get along without.  Although those three that I work for- my goodness, some days! ( just kidding) I wouldn't trade my three little demanding bosses, Jake, Sam and Dylan for anything in the world!!

Happiness

This is a quote from my sidebar. I love it. Yesterday was a good day. Not for any reason in particular. Just because. The day started early. I went and visited a little primary friend about his upcoming baptism. Came home cleaned the house. I had been thinking about changing the look of my family room. I switched a few quilts that were in the room and some pillows, painted two tables and got a new room for the price of the paint! Fixed dinner, tended the little boys for a bit, came home and watched the snow fall for awhile, and went to bed. The reason that I loved the day, was that I remember, not too long ago when I would not have been able to be so active, I would not have been watching those sweet babies. Was not well enough to worry about the look of my family room. I am so very grateful for good health, for friends and family. For the snow...What a happy woman I am.
"For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace~"
Isaiah 55:12

Missing my boys

These two little boys are busy. They like to play, play, play. I've had a two week rest from them, but this past weekend I realized I was starting to miss them. Oh, I've seen them alot over the holidays. But not our day to day where I go over and spend time with them. I usually come home really tired, but it's worth it.

When I appeared at the door on Monday morning Sam was babbling as he ran down the hall with his little arms reaching out to be picked up for a hug.

What a welcome!

Jake said "Grama Polly, I'm so glad you came to play with me." Later in the day while we were in the middle of putting a puzzle together, he told me he thought I needed a tight hug and a kiss, which he gave me.

Wednesday little Dylan will be joining our group. Can't wait to get to know this new one better. His cousins can't wait either!

What a way for a grama to spend her days.

My first resolution achieved!!!!

I got on a "roll" this weekend!

My first new years resolution was to clean out and reorganize all the closets and cupboards in my house. Happy to say I have achieved just about 99% of that goal. Just a few cupboards in the kitchen and a shelf or two downstairs, and I am on my way!

What a lovely feeling to start out the year with a clean storage room, clean shelves and closets throughout my house! It feels great!

I think I'll just sit for a while and read.