"Why God Made Little Boys" And Adding Another to Our Gang

"Why God Made Little Boys"

 

God made the world out of His dreams

Of magic mountains, oceans and streams,

Prairies and plans and wooded land,

Then paused and thought "I need someone to stand

On top of mountains, to conquer the seas,

Explore the plains and climb the trees.

Someone to start out small and to grow,

Sturdy, strong as a tree.."  And so,

He created boys, full of spirit and fun,

To explore and conquer, to romp and run.

With dirty faces and banged up chins,

With courageous hearts and boyish grins.

When He had completed the task He'd begun

He surely said "A job well done."

 

~Author Unknown

 

 

We've got a houseful of boys in our family. 

They love to climb, explore..they are full of spirit and fun.

They do stand tall, are courageous and I love their boyish grins.

 

We are about to add another boy to this group.  Tyler and Melanie told us this week that Dylan is having a little brother.  He will be well loved by this group.

 

And so.. our beautiful Wren..

remains our little princess.

loved and taken care of by her army of cousins.

 

 

 

God made the world with towering trees,

Majestic mountains and restless seas.

Then paused and said, "it needs one more thing..

Someone to laugh and dance and sing.

To walk in the wood and gather flowers..

To commune with nature in quiet hours."

So God made little girls

With laughing eyes and bouncing curls,

With joyful hearts and infectious smiles,

Enchanting ways and feminine wiles.

And when He'd completed the task He'd begun.

He was pleased and proud of the job He'd done.

For the world, when seen through little girl's eyes

Greatly resembled Paradise.

 

~Author Unknown

Happy Birthday Wren!

After years of enjoying these seven grandsons.

We were blessed with something totally different.

One year ago today our little Wren was born!

Whitney gave  us an unbelievable gift on June 1st 2012. 

Our first granddaughter.  What a joy this little girl has brought into our lives. 

 Tiny, sweet, and the darling of all the boys.

So Happy Birthday to my little Wrenny Lou. 

 You are my sunshine. 

Love, Grama Polly

A Lovely Day

I woke up yesterday to a beautiful sunrise..

and the sight of lilacs and snowballs.

Amazing!

 

 

      Then a visit from Wren and Whitney. 

 A laughing baby, lots of sunshine

 

and  some time in the garden.

What a lovely day.

A Day with Wren

A lovely Saturday spent with these guys!

A few Regrets...These aren't among them.

Yesterday in church our neighbor gave a talk about regrets.  It was a fabulous talk.  He went through life stages and how we have small regrets in our early years, but maybe as we get older there are bigger regrets.  He ended his talk with a letter from a friend who has only a few weeks to live due to illness.  He listed his regrets, which basically had to do with loving more and spending time with those loved ones, expressing his love to them more often.  Of course we think of those things as we get close to the end of our life.  But they are such simple things..things that can be done each day, just a quick hug or an "I love you"  letting someone express their feelings freely..loving unconditionally.  I have so many regrets, but I thought I'd list a few of those things I don't regret this year. 

I don't regret surrounding myself with these guys, seeing their happy faces.

Their smiles bring joy to my life.

   

I don't regret seeing Jim smile.  Especially when he is with his grandkids.  That's when the joy comes out the most.  He's got a great smile.

I don't regret working in my garden.  I love planting those beautiful flowers and seeing them grow.  What a lovely season, barefeet on hot cement, sitting outdoors late into the evening, watching the sun set. Summer, my favorite time of year.

I don't regret travelling.  I always love seeing different places, experiencing different ways.  It makes me appreciate the beautiful world and also the beautiful spot I call home.

I don't regret spending time with family and friends.  These women are my support, They are who I turn to who and who turn to me.  I love them.  Girlfriends are the best. 

 

I certainly don't regret loving and being with "my girls."  We're outnumbered, but a strong force in the family.  Beautiful each one with different and individual strengths.   How grateful I am to be apart of these girls lives. 

 

I have many regrets.  Things I wish I would have done better..things I wish I wouldn't have done at all.  But, spending time with loved ones,  spending time out in the beautiful world,  these things I only regret not doing more of.  So very grateful for these simple, yet most important blessings in my life.

Lovely Reminder

After a busy day with the little ones, it is nice to come home to my quiet house.  Tonight I was able to curl up with my little Wren while Whit and Jason went out for dinner.  She nestled so close and if I even tried to move, even an inch, she moved closer.  There is nothing like a sleeping baby to make you stop all the busyness that can come with the season.  Just forget all that needs to be done and feel their little arms and tiny hands.  What a lovely reminder of why and who we are celebrating. 

"The Heart of Christmas which is Love..."

Yesterday it was my Grandmother's birthday.  Our family (cousins, aunts, uncles) celebrated, as we usually do, getting together at Christmas time, because of this woman.  She taught us the meaning of family, of Christmas and of love.  She was just a little woman, simple in her needs, but so powerful in her example and her legacy. 

She lived into her nineties, always with a sweet smile, and such a funny sense of humor.  Little notes left to illustrate that wit.  She was never too busy for a visit, to write a letter to a granddaughter, to tell a story or two. 

 

My grandparents and my parents taught me by example that family was something to be cherished. Not just at Christmas, but all year.  Their time was given freely regardless of what was going on. And at Christmas, magic was in the air, and the love felt was as if a warm quilt had been wrapped around us. 

How grateful I am to have the opportunity to be around little ones.  To feel their little arms around my neck.  Whenever I want during our days, I ask, and am given "loves".  They are as much for me as for these precious children.  The world is so fast today.  It is more important than ever to stop and remember the love given and then pass it on.

 

"May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope;

The spirit of Christmas which is peace;

The heart of Christmas which is love."

 

~Ada V. Hendricks

Thanksgiving Day

The table set ready for another  Thanksgiving.  So grateful for our family who joined us this year, for the delicious food prepared, for a beautiful day.  Grateful for, but missing those family members who weren't here.  Hoping their day was lovely as well.

After dinner, Grampa, Abby, Whitney and Jason taught Jake how to play chinese checkers on Jim's old set.  The set is almost 60 years old and it still has all its marbles!  (I can't say that about another almost 60 year old walking around in the same house.)

 

 

 

Wren, enjoying her first Thanksgiving looks content in her Dad's arms. 

 I am a blessed woman, surrounded by those I love, enjoying all that I have been given.

Discussions with my Granddaughter

The other night I got to spend time with my little Wren.  We chatted about girl stuff.  None of that rough and tumble that goes on everyday with the boys.  We discussed fashion, hair, accessories, shopping.  She told me how she wanted to decorate her room.  We dreamed about her future....  friends, school, careers, and you know...boyfriends (don't tell her mom, and especially, don't tell  her dad!!!!)   There are some things that are kept between a grama and her granddaughter.  I never knew having a little girl around would be so much fun.

"What a Wonderful World

Whitney and Jason's beautiful little family.  A day to honor Wren.

Of course in our family she is the little princess. 

What better way to celebrate than to gather family and friends together.  A beautiful evening.

Whitney's special touches were everywhere. 

So grateful that all the grandson's were there to welcome this little one into their gang.

So grateful the family could all be together for the lovely day.


"I see trees of green, red roses too, I see them bloom, for me and you,
And I think to myself, What a wonderful world.
I see skies of blue, and clouds of white.  The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night.
And I think to myself,  What a wonderful world.
The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky, are also on the faces, of people
going by.
I see friends shaking hands, sayin' "How do you do? "They're really sayin',
"I love you"
I hear babies cry, I watch them grow.
They'll learn much more, than I'll ever know,
And I think to myself..
What a wonderful world,
Yes, I think to myself, what a wonderful world."



"The love of family is life's greatest blessing."

Wren's Big Day

Little Wrenny Lou is getting ready for her big day.  She will be blessed tonight.  Her dress was given to her mother by Wren's great grandmother, June.  We've been waiting for someone to wear it.  But since it was Whitney who wore it last, it is only fitting that her daughter be the first to wear it again. 

"The wonder of a miracle from which this love began, there is so much in the touch of holding a granddaughter's hand."


Another day to be grateful for my many blessings.

A Day with Wren

I had some one on one with my little Wren today.  We decided to take a walk and get some retail therapy.  A girl has to learn what's fun in this life.  And Grama's are here to show them.
First we strolled down South Temple.  Beautiful day.  We walked by the Beehive House and the Lion House.  I told Wren how her Grama June had been a tour guide there many years ago.  As we went by we admired the lovely flowers and also the quail who were out for a walk too!  I guess they knew their little friend Wren would be by.

Wren seemed not all that impressed!

Next we headed to the Temple grounds.  What a perfect day to walk around and admire the Temple, the Assembly Hall and the Tabernacle.  And of course, again the gardens!  Can't get enough of the gardens.  I explained to Wren that she had pioneer ancesters, who came across the plains pulling a handcart.   

Again, not much gets this little one excited.. 

So, I thought, maybe a little lunch?  " oh look, there's the Cheesecake Factory!"

Again, she didn't seem interested.

Well, once we got to City Creek and she saw all the clothes stores and Mini and DISNEY...  She got EXCITED!!!.  "So this was what Grama was talking about, when she said retail therapy."

She was really having fun, until we went to the grown up stores...

We went home.

Can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday than with this little one!