Showing posts with label happiness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label happiness. Show all posts

Friday, September 5, 2014

Thanksgiving Point, Pictures and grandkids

Had a lovely Friday with Abby, Jake and Sam at Thanksgiving Point.
 They went down for some pictures and I decided to take a few of my own.  
The flowers are beautiful down there right now!


So were the kids!!!


I couldn't get enough of their cute smiles. 
 They cooperated for just about an hour.
  And when they were finished there was....


GREAT JOY!!!!

Monday, August 18, 2014

"Grandchildren, Sunshine to my Soul"


I was blessed with a heritage that continues to guide even as I grow older. 
 I am a grandmother now, and each day I think of my grandparents and the influence they had on me.  I loved being around them. 
 They taught me by their example.  
They were hard workers, they were funny, they were gardeners, they loved their families.  
They loved the gospel and taught me to love it too.




Nothing made my grandparents happier than when their grandchildren were around. 
We played in the orchard and among their flowers. 
 We sang and we were loved.  
We were taught values and what was right and wrong and why our pioneer ancestors came across the plains.
  We knew were we came from.


My parents continued that tradition. 
Showering great amounts of love onto their grandchildren. 
 They loved being with them.
 Showed them how to work how to play and enjoy life. 
 They too had strong testimonies that carried them through happy and sad times. 
 They would be proud of their posterity.



These are my darlings. 
 I try to be the grandmother like those who preceded me.  
It's a different world.  
Things happen so quickly. 
 I love these grandchildren so much and am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of their lives. 
 I hope I can influence them for good as my grandparents did. 
 The most important thing is to love them.  
That part I have down!!

"Grandchildren..Sunshine to my soul"

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Two Ways to Live Life

I heard a quote by a very wise young man the other day. 
 He was talking about answers to prayer. 
 He said,
 "There are two ways to live life... 
One way, is as if nothing is a miracle... another way, is as if everything is a miracle."


All I have to do is look around me,
and I realize that
 "Everything is a miracle."

Friday, May 30, 2014

Visiting the PA DeSpain Gang



 We've had a great time here in Philadelphia.

Becky and I hit the pavement, doing some serious shopping,
while the guys went golfing.

 We've been able to watch number 10 (Hogan) play some baseball.


 We've seen beautiful gardens
We've strolled through history.
The best is spending time with these guys.  Watching them as they go through their everyday lives.  It's so much fun seeing them come and go.  Love being with the eastern despain gang.  Sorry that our time with them is coming to an end.

Saturday, May 10, 2014

I Love being a Mom

I love being a Mom. 
 How could a mother be so blessed to be given the opportunity to have such great kids. 
 Having children can be a difficult, exhausting job, but it is also the most noble and grand adventure that a woman can ask for.
  I chose to have five children. 
 I have been blessed over and over again with the birth and life of each child.  
What I have done for them is nothing  compared to what they have given me.  
I always felt it was important to give my kids a feeling of security and warmth as they moved forward in their lives. 
 I had that growing up and I wanted them to have that same sort of childhood.  
My thoughts wander to summer time.  
(The best time to make memories)  
We spent many longs days at the racquet club.  Oh, those lazy fun days when we'd pack up a lunch and a few snacks and be gone for hours.  
Swimming, getting their little bodies warm by laying on the hot cement, that creamy frozen yogart. 
 Packing up to go home just in time for little league or a game of kick the can.  
I've never done anything that noteworthy, I've never been in the limelight.  
But I have rocked and sung to my children. 
 I have taken them swimming, played with them and watched them grow in to adulthood, 
cheered and encouraged them.
  I have loved them.  
I have been a mom. 
 I would rather sing and tell stories to my kids and grandkids than to any audience in the world. 
 When I feel my little grandson's arms wrap around my neck, 
when they cuddle in my lap and entertwine their little fingers in mine and say "hold me grama polly", I think my decision all those years ago.
 That of being a mother.
 It  may have been the hardest, most exhausting, most heartbreaking, ..most rewarding experience. 
 I chose wisely.

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Easter Egg Hunt, Darling Grandchildren..Family..I am a Blessed Woman

What a wonderful Easter!  And so fun to celebrate Jim's birthday on this special day.  Nothing better than to have these cute kids over for the annual Easter Egg hunt.  Just wish we could have the other half..Well later on in the summer.


We watched the kids hunt for eggs, play and have fun.  We can't get enough of our new little addition.  We are so grateful for all of these precious grandchildren.


And of course it wouldn't be a summer gathering without a little baseball.  Hey, PA Gang, we need a little coaching here.  

What a lovely Day.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Valentines Day


Happy Valentines to the people who make my world a happy place to be in. 
 I love you all!  

Friday, December 20, 2013

Winter Days, Grandkids, Fun


Had an extra fun day with these kids. 
They went sleigh riding in our backyard...


then inside to decorate a gingerbread house,
run around and be crazy and have hot chocolate and toast.


Dreams of having a little nap! 
 Not happening with this bunch. 
 (I'll have one later..the minute they leave). 
 

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Happy Birthday Taylor


Can you believe that this handsome young man is my oldest grandson?!?
  He turns 17 tomorrow. 
 He's  smart, he's athletic, he's good, just the right kind of kid to head up all the boys that follow him in our family. 
 (A grama  could brag, but I'm just telling the truth, of course!)  
 What a great day that was all those years ago when Taylor arrived. 
 It's been nothing but fun ever since. 
 Happy Birthday Taylor. 
 Love you tons, 
 Grama Polly

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

"Gratitude unlocks the Fullness of Life..."

 
I always try to keep a gratitude journal.  I like to remind myself of the little things that bring me joy. At this time of year when it gets dark earlier.  (something that I do not like, I am a sun lover)  I try and think what makes me happy when the sun goes down. 

Curling up with a blanket to watch my favorite show.  Lately it's been Blacklist on Monday night.  Makes me look forward to the start of the week.
Socks on my feet.
Warm baths.
Extra Quilts on my bed.

As the days get shorter, instead of dwelling on that fact.  I think and am grateful for  the coming holidays.  Loving Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

And of course when it snows.. being able to enjoy it inside from a warm home.

A few thoughts on gratitude as I go into this lovely month.

 
 
And one of my all time favorite songs. 
Love this...

 
Happy November.
 

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Life Is Measured...


My friend gave me a frame with this saying on it. 
I thought this picture of Jim with Whitney on her wedding day was the perfect image for these beautiful words. 
Jim's face says it all as he hugs his beautiful daughter. 
 
 

 
Lately, as my days go by,
 it seems that I am just taking breaths til I go to bed at night.
 
I forget how many blessings...
 
 


Take my breath away.

















Thursday, September 19, 2013

My Goals - Learn a new Talent every 30 years


When I was in my teens I took singing lessons. 
 I worked hard, had an extremely good teacher and enjoyed singing. 
 At the age of thirty I decided I needed to learn something new.
  I am extremely untalented when it comes to the arts, so I decided to stretch myself and took up painting. 
 This was very difficult for me, but I practiced and practiced and proved to myself that with enough practice you could get fairly good at anything. 
Well, another thirty years have passed and I've decided it's time to learn something else..
I've taken up the harmonica!
My first lesson was today. 
 It was actually quite fun, so I think I'll go back and hopefully with a little bit of practice I might be able to play a song or two.
 ( I wonder what I'll come up with when I turn 90 !  It seems I'm on a thirty year learning curve.)

Friday, August 30, 2013

Happy Birthday Ty!


It all started 39 years ago today. 
We spent the summer in Logan, waiting for Tyler's arrival. 
 He got here in about an hour! 
We were so excited to have a little brother for Jamey. 
Tyler's big brown eyes and easy going ways made him a very easy baby and also an easy child. 




As he grew it was evident that his main interest was sports.
  He learned to read from Sport Illustrated and the sports page in the newspaper. 
 He loved baseball, basketball, and golf. 
 He excelled in all of these sports. 
 He has always been a good and loyal friend.
He's the most generous person I know.


Tyler has a great sense of humor and
likes to think he's the favorite! 
Well, today you can be the favorite. 
 
A happy birthday from mom to Ty..who loved his gramps, loves his wife
 and his wonderful little boy. 
 Hope you have a great year.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Reflections on Summer


I love summer. 
Warm nights, blue skies, beautiful flowers
And most of all, the family gets together. 
 Nick comes home for a few weeks,  the  DeSpain Gang flies out from the East to spend time with us.
  I love when the cousins all get together to play and have fun.
  They've been swimming at the Latimer's, played in our back yard. 
We've been to a Bee's game, a Real game, Draper Days, to Pinedale and back, we've ridden horses, fed a pig. 
 We've been together.


I've seen my flowers grow, sung with my cousins once more,
seen a beautiful rainbow, watched the sunset. 
 Held my little Wren, watched Jim take walks with Dylan,
 see the big boys fish with their Dad. 
 Spent days with Jake, Sam and Dylan, hugging, playing and laughing. 


I've spent time with my family in my lovely home. 
I love summer.

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Summer Is Here!!!!


Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Sam, Dylan and I jump in the car and go pick up Jake at school. 
 Friday was the last time...
because it was the last day of school. 
 After a tearful goodbye to Jake's wonderful teacher,
 Miss Jenny.
( we were walking away from her,
 and suddenly he turned around, ran back and wrapped his little arms around her knees)
...so sweet.  
 Jake saying
" I don't know if I will ever feel like this ever again."
  (he has a dramatic side). 
 
 We were off!!!
It is now officially summer.


To celebrate we came home,
 Grampa Jim joined us for a swimming party! 
 Nothing but fun with these guys. 


After a day with the three boys..
I relax at home in my beautiful garden. 
The roses are blooming,
almost everything is planted.. it is peaceful. 
 I know that summer is really here.

Saturday, June 1, 2013

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

Friday, May 24, 2013

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.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Happy Mothers Day to Becky, Melanie, Abby and Whit!


Wishing a happy Mothers Day to these beautiful moms. 
 They are amazing women.  They are raising amazing children. 
They are so busy, yet always realize what is most important and that is those kids. 
 I am so grateful for them and am happy to be apart of their lives. 

"The mother memories that are closest to my heart are the small gentle ones that I have carried over from the days of my childhood. 
They are not profound, but they have stayed with me through life,
 and when I am very old,
 they will still be near..Memories of mother drying my tears,
 reading aloud, cutting cookies and singing as she did,
 listening to prayers I said as I knelt with my forehead pressed against her knee,
tucking me in bed and turning down the light. 
They have carried me through the years and given my life such a
firm foundation that it does not
rock beneath flood or tempest."
 
~Margaret Sanger
 
This is exactly what these girls are doing as they take care of my grandchildren.  The same things that my mother did for me.  The small things that form a firm foundation as little children grow into adults. 
Happy Mothers Day to
Becky, Melanie, Abby, and Whitney
 

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Kerry's Baby Shower



Today we had a baby shower for my niece Kerry. 
What a beautiful day for a party! 
 It is always fun to get together with my sisters and their girls. 


Kerry, Austin and their baby boy were being honored.
  Can't believe the little girl that I used to take to kindergarten, read to and play with
is going to be a mother. 


As the family started to filter in I soon realized that there were probably more babies in attendance than adults. 
How much fun is it to see all these girls with their kids.


There were a few grown ups! 
What a great bunch!
I cleaned my house and they arrived with all the delicious food. 
 Whitney and Marta did a fabulous job with invites and clever theme ideas to make this day special for Kerry. 
Can't wait to see this new little addition to the clan!