A Tribute to my Parents

Usually on April 1st, I post some not so funny joke which no one falls for.  I thought this year I would honor my parents who were married on April 1, 1946.  Their marriage was no joke!!!  It was one of those true love stories that lasted 50+ years, and what they created continues as a lasting legacy to that love.

Giggs and June met just as dad was ready to be shipped off to the war.  So there love grew through the letters they wrote to one another.  They married soon after dad returned, and started their life together.

 

They created a family of four children and brought us up in a loving home.  We had fun growing up, while being taught lessons that would serve us throughout our lives.


Mom and dad had many adventures during their life together.  Dad was an optometrist as a profession, but he had big dreams, which my mom always supported and with her support, he built a world class golf course, owned an NBA basketball team, a racquet club, where we all spent our summers.  The older grandson's learned to love the game of golf from their gramps. They travelled the world, yet their greatest joy was being with their family.

 

Parties and get-togethers always were a big deal to mom and dad, and I think they'd be happy to know, we still get together and enjoy Christmas, summers and just hanging with one another. 


Their passion for all things sports related is still going strong.  Jake, who is only four loves the beaches of Hawaii just as Giggs did. 

There have been weddings..

additions to the family...I think there are around forty great grandchildren with two more on the way.  Happy and healthy.  There are lots of smiles, and when there are tears we know how to turn things around.  We were taught in our youth.."Look for the good, be grateful, think positive!"

Of course there is still much singing and much to sing about!

Mom would be happy to know that the Lundgren's still get together twice a year.  We love seeing "the aunts" for they are a reminder of mom.  Her grace, her smiles, her love.

So Happy Anniversary mom and dad.  I'd say right now your family is happy.  Joyful for the blessing of being a part of you and grateful for all you gave to us.  Our lives, our childhood, your time, your love, your commitment to one another.

I give thanks I had you as my parents.  "All the great things are simple."  You simply got married and had a family.  You created a legacy and a posterity that is great simply by loving one another and your children. 

Spring has returned.

 

On the road again!!

Every spring I feel the need to fly away.  It goes way back to my high school days.  When those first warm days appeared and I wanted nothing to do with school or books.  I just wanted to play.  In April, when it's a clear, warm day and I see an airplane in the distance that feeling comes back to me. 

 

Usually we go on a trip in September.  And lately they have been road trips.  Our friends, the Winchester's along with Jim and I, clean out one of our cars and off we go.  We've seen so much of the country this way.  Mesa Verde, Mt, Rushmore, Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, Yosemite, and of course everything that lies along the way.  We are never in a hurry.  Ready to stop whenever there is something interesting.  A few times we have ventured further.  The Indy 500 trip, and Bar Harbor Maine will never be forgotton.

This time I get my wish and we fly off in April. Destination - The East.  First stop, Williamsburg, Va
Staying in the lovely Marriott vacation Resort.  Can't wait for a little meandering through the streets, a little shopping, relaxing, and some golf.

 

I love the history that surrounds the area.  It's been years since I visited this beautiful part of our country.


Next stop, Washington DC.  Much has changed there since we've been.  Can't wait to see everything we can pack in!

Then on to Philadelphia.  Finishing up our historic tour.  The Winchester's leave us here and we spend some family time with our gang.  Can't wait to see them and watch a little baseball!  This vacation can't come soon enough. I'm counting the days!

Spring

I know spring is here when I first feel the dirt in my hands.  Finding just the right place in my pot to place my beautiful ranunculus is just one of the signs.  I know soon I will be able to plant further out in my garden.  The buds are appearing on the trees.  The drab colors of  late winter are starting to be overtaken by white buds on trees and bits of green springing up all over. 
Nothing lovlier than spring.

Style

 

Happy Birthday James

 

Thirty nine years ago our first son was born.  I can't believe it has been that long since we first started our family.  James has been a joy to us since the beginning. 


He has always loved and been involved in sports.  Baseball and golf taking the lead in his interests.  Luckily he was blessed with four boys who also love sports, and a patient wife who supports all them.

There's nothing better than to see James with his boys.  He's a great father and husband.  He loves his beautiful yard and home.  His smile is the best!  Happy Birthday.  Can't wait to see you.  Love, mom

Women from the Book of Mormon

A number of years ago, these talented ladies wrote and performed a program about the women from the Book of Mormon.  They wrote the lyrics, music, came up with costumes and sets within approximately a two month period of time.  They truly felt as though they were inspired.  They performed this program all over Utah, at women's conference, in the Washington DC area and for the General authorities wives.  After about five years they stopped performing themselves and made the script available for wards and stakes so they could put the program on for their own areas.  It has now been performed all over the world.

For our ward Relief Society birthday party (and since we have an in) we got them to perform again.  My friend Pat, who is in the group, was in charge of the production.  With the help of the original cast, she added members of our own ward, making it a larger ensemble.  Our ladies were fabulous!  Our homemaking committee did a great job with scenery, giving us all a book of mormon feel.

These women (in the book of mormon) were made to feel real, having the same heartbreak, worries, and humor that we have today as we worry about our children in the number "What's a mother to do?"  or asking as the three nephies wives did, "they should have asked us first!" 
I am always amazed, yet shouldn't be surprised that small ward productions everywhere put on such first rate shows such as these. 

The ladies in our ward loved the show.  We had about ninety people there!  Refreshments were sweet breads, cheeses, olives and grapes, in keeping with the times, served in baskets.  What a lovely night we were given and a tribute to women whether living now or then. 

Graceful, Calm and Reassuring

Everyone is busy in today's world.  There is so much to be done.  I don't know anyone who is sitting around watching soaps and eating bon bons.

As I have grown older and my husband and I are on our own, with our children having their own families and lives, I seem to only get busier.  Yet I seek to not seem busy or tired.  I want to be calm and reassuring.  I want to be the kind of woman who has time for my family and friends.  To enjoy every minute with those that I love.  I want to step outside of my life and embrace those I come in contact with. 
I have a friend who does just that.  She makes each person she sees feel so loved, and as if she has all the time in the world for just that particular person.  She might have a million things to do, but you'd never know it.  She is never in a hurry,  Her calmness and sincerity brings a feeling of warmth and love to those she associates with.  I am striving to have more of these qualities.  Being interested and taking time with friends and family is just another way of being kind. 
Slowing down in this crazy world to enjoy my loved ones.  I can't think of anything more important than that.

Spring!

I feel it in the air.  I have actually seen a few signs popping their heads up through the dirt.  The ground is hard, but those flowers are determine to show off their colors.  Bright colored sweaters are taking the place of those dreary black and brown ones.  The snows and the cold will come again, but their visits will be short.  The sun stays out longer and there are more days where we enjoy its warmth.  Spring, with its lovely colors and warmer days is certainly welcome.

To my Children

All is quiet.  The little ones are fast asleep after a rather lively morning.  All of their needs wanting to be met.  Sam who is two was telling Dylan age 14 months "no, no, hot"  when Dylan tried to turn on the gas log.  Then turned it on himself.  Sam thinks he's in charge of everything, and actually he is.  (much like his mother).  As I look after these sweet little children, I reflect on my own.  Five children under the age of nine.  Constantly busy.  Giving them those same loves and trying hard to fill their needs.  Trying to teach them the things that they would need to succeed in this difficult world.  I have been extremely blessed.  Because despite my shortcomings as a mother, my children have turned into spectacular human beings.  They are smart, dependable and hardworking.   What they have achieved has been totally under their own power.  They picked and fell in love with wonderful people.  Kind, supportive, loving.  Wonderful mothers and fathers for our grandchildren.  Aside from being smart and hardworking they have the more important qualities of loyalty for each other and for us as their parents.  They all have extremely different and unique personalities, yet they love and appreciate one another.  They all have a fabulous sense of humor which helps us all through difficult times.  Forgiveness is also apart of who they are.  They realize what is important in this life.  Work is just work.  We need it to support our families and get by.  They are all successful, but realize the importance of family and put their families first.  As I sit here and reflect, I realize that Heavenly Father sent me the best of the best.  They have taught me, guided me and blessed my life.  How grateful I am to be their mother.

Spring, Smiles and Sunshine!

I'm feeling particularly happy today.  It is starting to feel spring like.  The temperatures will be rising.  Looking forward to seeing those first signs of spring.  I think I'll put a few pansies and my favorite renaculous in a pot.  The thought makes me want to smile all day long!

Fairy Tales are true.

I have always believed in fairy tales.

To My Abby Rose

My daughter Abby's birthday is March 2. What an exciting day it was. The first snow of that year! And, the first girl in our growing family. She was born with a strong will (which she would need having two brothers ahead of her), and a smart head on her shoulders. Not one to take no for an answer. I was asked the other day by someone what my daughter did for a living. I answered that she was "a boss." She certainly is "The Boss." She is smart, talented, kind, loving, extraordinary. The collage above are pictures that I felt described her best. She's a hard worker, loves to travel, loves her friends, loves to relax and be "one with the sun." She is a creative and exceptional quilter and above all, a most wonderful wife and mother. How grateful I am to have such a lovely daughter who is also a dear friend.  Have a happy birthday.  I love you.  mom