The Sports Page

I may be a proud grama,

 but I know a good writer when I see one. 

I love reading Jack's blog. 

It read's like a well written sports magazine.

 He could easily write for any sports page in any newspaper. 

He has his blog set up in a very unique way.

 Doesn't talk about his daily going's on, 

just what's going on in the world of sports. 

So if you want to keep informed on the latest, 

just go over and say hi to Jack. 

You'll be happy you did.

 I always am.

It's beginning to look a little like Christmas..

Jim built my wreath around the door and got the lights finished outside.

 I got a great start on holiday decorating.

The weather cooperated by being lovely.

Blue skies and warm temperatures, so running in and out was no problem.

I'm always surprised when I open my Christmas boxes.

 I find treasures there, not remembering what I have from year to year.

I have to say (patting myself on the back) that last year I was ultra organized when putting everything away. Items in baggies by what and where they belong.

Boxes of greens and sparkling balls all ready to go.

 Made it so much easier to find everything.

I'll have to remember how nice that was come January.

Next week the trees go up.

Whitney comes to help as she doesn't trust me to make the tree the one of her childhood.

She's afraid I'll "theme" it, if left on my own.

I'll let her keep on thinking that,

 because I just love to have her come over

and be with me during this special season.

The Christmas Season

Thanksgiving was a lovely day. 

 Lots of good food and better company.  

Today Jim and I started decorating the house.  

Jim got busy with the lights outside and I started with Christmas decor inside.  

I always feel like it's a bit early, 

but I have the whole weekend, so I go for it. 

 Little by little things start to take shape and I start getting that wonderful feeling that only Christmas brings. 

 I love it, from the decorating, the baking, the gift-giving, and mostly the gathering of loved ones.  When I get busy and think "will I get everything finished?" 

 I only need to say to myself, 

"Christmas comes and goes every year. Everything gets done and the important thing is to enjoy the people around, especially the little ones who eyes shine with excitement."  

Christmas is on its way.

A Thanksgiving Prayer

On this Thanksgiving Day I am so grateful for the many blessings I have been given.

I have been given much.

 I just have to look out my window and see magnificent mountains,

 their beauty astounds whatever the season.

 I think to thanksgivings past and am reminded of family I came from.

Grandparents and parents who loved and provided for,

 who were an example of how to live and appreciate life.

The family Jim brought to me,

 when blended together made a whole new family with unique characteristics taken from the past with their own touches added in for the spice every family needs.

 For grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters,

neighbors and friends,

nature and the seasons,

 my own family, children and precious grandsons.

Each of these things I am and ever will be grateful for.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day.

Watching with wonder

After almost a week with the flu I got back to the regular schedule today.  

Funny how missing a few days with the little ones makes me really miss them. 

 Jake and Sam met me at the door with all kinds of news about their days 

since I had been there last.  

I can understand all of Jake's news, 

but just let Sam jabber on about everything as he tries to keep up with his big brother.  

When Dylan arrived we went downstairs to play 

"crawling through the tunnel"  

and with the new Polar Express Train.  

Then down the hall to the gym where they all go through their exercise routines. 

 I watch with wonder as they laugh, scream and play.  

Everything is an adventure to these little boys.  

Of course all good things come to an end when I say 

"it's nap time." 

Grama's always end the fun.  

Sam snuggles under his mom and dad's down comforter,

 Jake curls up on the couch and Dylan cuddles in my arms. 

Gratefully they all fall asleep. 

 It was the perfect way to come back after a few days away.  

A sick day

painting by Carl Larsson

I get lots of loves and kisses from the little ones,

which also means I get whatever they happen to carry with those sweet kisses.

They came down with the flu earlier this week 

so now I am enjoying a day or two at home.

Why I love November

"The snapping of pitch from a burning log,

The faint scent of pine filling the room.

Flames leaping about as if it were a ballet

Performing for its audience.

The soft, comforting flow of candlelight,

Bringing with it serenity and quiet thoughts."

Sunday with Jake

Jim and I take Jake to primary with us every Sunday.

 He loves his teacher Rachel, he says "she is soooo nice."  

Today he stayed and went to Sacrament Meeting and

then went home for dinner and a little one on one with us.

We had a great day.

Jake loved the extra church.

When we got home he told me he had to go to the bathroom all through church but he didn't want to,

 because he might miss some of the fun?!?

After dinner we dumped all of Jake's trio block's out.

He brought all the instructions.

He has been told that Gramps doesn't improvise like Grama Polly does.

They were going to build the Joker Robot exactly like it says

 - step by step.

While Gramps reads the instructions we start the movie Cars 2.

Jake has seen it, but we haven't.

 He tells us it is soooo awesome and very long.

 (Good thing, the instructions for the joker robot are 24 pages)

Gramps and Jake have a great time -

Jake finds the pieces and Jim puts them together.

Great teamwork guys!

Finally, mission accomplished!

 Robot completed

and

 the movie was awesome!

It's been a lovely day.

"To Live Gratitude is to Touch Heaven"

"To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant,

to enact gratitude is generous and noble,

 but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven."

~Joahannes A. Gaertner

As I think about this wonderful season,
I can't help but remember those close to my heart who taught me by their example.
They were gracious, courteous, pleasant, and generous.
I think of them always with much gratitude
and love for living such noble lives.

GRATITUDE

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. 

 It turns what we have into enough,
 and more. 

It turns denial into acceptance,
 chaos to order,

confusion to clarity. 

It can turn a meal into a feast,

a house into a home,

 a stranger into a friend. 

Gratitude makes sense of our past,

brings peace for today

and

creates a vision for tomorrow."

~Melody Beattie

"DAUGHTERS IN MY KINGDOM"

I'm in the primary, but my night job is Visiting Teaching Supervisor. This last Sunday we had our Visiting Teaching Conference.

Teri and I decided to do it in conjuction with the beautiful book

"Daughters in My Kingdom."

 We wanted to do a program that would properly introduce this lovely book to the ladies in our Ward.

 I read the book a number of times to pull together a program to do just that.

I loved everything I read in this book.

 It talks about how the "history of Relief Society is filled with examples of ordinary women accomplishing extrordinary things."

 As I worked to pull this together small examples of this happened as they always do here.

 Just" ask and it shall be given."

 Women came together and presented a program just as I had envisioned.

The book tells us how

 "The world's greatest champion of woman and womanhood is Jesus Christ."

How wonderful to know that He knows and loves us and wants women to be happy and successful in whatever we want to accomplish.

From the very beginning, women of Relief Society have been guided by the spirit of inspiration.

 As the pioneers travelled west, they did not necessarily have meetings but they continued to serve one another.

They helped one another through many trying times.

"The women found spiritual strength in each other's love and compassion. Throughout the journey as they suffered trials of illness and death, they prayed in faith for each other and comforted each other. The love of God flowed from heart to heart. These faithful pioneer women had a vision of their power and potential for service. They helped establish homes and communities. Through deeds of faith and charity, they saved souls."

 ~Bathsheba Smith

"When World War II ended Relief Society sisters worldwide had suffered much sorrow and deprivation.

Through it all, they continued to serve one another, strengthen families, and bolster testimonies.

In times of trial and uncertainty, sisters worldwide followed Mormon's admonition to "cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all."

They demonstrated their sure understanding that while all things must fail..

"charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever".

 Time and time again, women of the church stay true to their motto:

 "Charity never faileth."

Today the women of the church are stronger than ever.

 " If you live up to your privilege, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates...

If you will be pure, nothing can hinder."

~Joseph Smith

President Kimball was asked if he had ever been to heaven?

 He answered that he had glimpses.

Well this past week I had glimpses.

 I had the music 'Come, Come Ye Saints' and 'Sisters in Zion' going through my head during the pioneer segment of this program.

 And of course Pat, who had family with her all week, took the time to arrange those two songs together so my friend Laurel could play them on her flute.

Pat also came up with a beautiful song to end our program and again my friend Betty along with five other beautiful voices came together in perfect harmony.

Teri always finishes with a perfect touch.

She talked of the "glimpes of heaven" that she had observed as Relief Society President.

Many have been blessed as women served,

from Sandy recovering from a brain tumor,

Barbara from cancer,

and would you believe it - two mom's with two sets of twin girls born in the last nine months!

 So many women caring for one another just as they have from the beginning.

Clarissa Williams said,

"Through our organization the gospel has been preached, the needy have been looked after, the sick have been comforted, the downhearted have been cheered..The greatest thing in the world is love. And if we keep that always in our hearts, and give it as a message to those about us, we will be blessed and will be instruments in blessing those with whom we associate."

I love these women.

They are truly a fulfillment of the vision of what Relief Society was and would become.

They are examples of ordinary women

 accomplishing extrordianry things.

HERE COMES TROUBLE..

Does this little boy look like trouble to you?

He's not quite two.

His energy level could only be described as that of a hugh truck barreling at top speed down a steep hill.

 He's a character and he knows it.

 He's got a laugh and a smile to die for.

And I do..three days a week.

How come the naughty ones go straight to your heart?

He all ready knows what time-out means

(it means laughing mischeiviously as I take him to his room).

Then as I say "you be nice, little Sam - understand?"

He says,  with a grin, 

 "unnerstand."

How can you help but be enchanted by a little two year old who finds joy in everything?

 Like digging in and eating the dirt?

Mowing the lawn faster than the sound of light -

 Throwing a ball over and over and over again?

How can you help but not find joy when you see and hear such a joyous smile and laugh?

He makes you happy to be alive just by looking at that dear little face,

as he giggles and wiggles all over the place.

How can you help but not be happy when you see how much fun he has at play?

Especially when he has an uncle who loves playing just as much as he does.

There's really not much to it -

 you just sit back and let him take over.

Can't you see he's in control?

Might as well join in, not fight it.

Just enjoy the little guy.

He may be trouble,

 but he's so cute, and so much fun to hug
and snuggle with
(when you can catch up with him)


It's ok to be a little naughty at
his age - you know 
the terrible twos
it's what's expected.
One of these days he'll settle down
but
I hope that mischievious twinkle in his eye won't ever go away!

"ALL SHALL BE WELL"

I've had a few difficulties in my life. I've also been acquainted with people who've had some trials. Some that seem so big, you wouldn't think they could ever continue to keep on going. The most important thing to be learned through trials is to keep on going, and that things generally work out...unless you let the trial get you.

President Gordon B. Hinckley gives two really excellent quotes on the subject.

 One is

"You can be smart and happy or stupid and miserable... it's your choice"

the other is

"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry, be believing, be happy, don't get discouraged. Things will work out." When I go through any trial, sometimes I will give myself a day or two to deal with whatever is going on.

Then I start looking around at what I'm grateful for.

Family and nature are always on the top of my list.

Just to hear one of the grandkids voices.

To see a flower or a fall leaf.

The warmth of hot cement on my bare feet in the summer or the crisp fall air on my face as the leaves turn their golden colors.
The first snowfall of the winter.
Being in my warm home watching as those big snowflakes fall softly to the ground.

What about that special treat I give myself when fruit is in season?

Fresh raspberries with a bit of cream, sprinkled with sugar.

ummm.

Watering my beautiful roses and vines as they wind up the trellis Jim built for my birthday all those years ago.

Visiting with a dear friend, being excited about a new project.

Watching others rise above their trials, showing great courage and grace,

being an example by just being who they are and having faith that things will work out for them.

All these things help me to realize that in the grand scheme of things,

"All shall be well, And all shall be well, And all manner of things shall be well."

~ Dame Julian of Norwich

Things might not work out just as we would like,

 but that is what makes life interesting, that is how we grow, how we learn,

 and certainly how we become more grateful for the

simple things that make life lovely.


What are you grateful for?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DYLAN

Dylan is one today.
He had me at hello.

Can't believe a year has gone by. 

In January he joined our little group. 

I didn't know if he would be able to handle those two little rough necks.

But.. just like Yoda says, "size matters not,...Look at me. Judge me by size, do you?" 

Well this little yoda holds his own.  He's part of the gang. 

As Jake likes to say, "couldn't do it without him." 

Dylan has been the quiet member of the group until the last few weeks. 

He's starting to become a "force" to be reckoned with. 

He has a mind of his own, with a lot going on behind his beautiful brown eyes. 

I sure love this little guy!

Happy Birthday to little #7

Can't wait to see what this year brings.

Love, grama polly