JOLYN'S BIRTHDAY -APRIL 10TH

We just weren't that happy of a group until the day JOLYN ARRIVED!

 

 When I turned four, Jolyn made her appearance.  And her sweet smiling face made all the difference. 

 We couldn't help but smile with her around. 

And she continues to bring joy where ever she goes.

Which is a lot of places!

Jolyn has a great family.

Is generous and kind

Loves travel and adventure.

Have a Happy Birthday

and

continue to spread your beautiful smile

wherever you go.

MY MOM'S HANDWRITING

I think of all the belongings I have left of my mom, it is her thoughts written in her handwriting I treasure the most.  It is the connection I feel to her when I see something she has written. 
I am missing my mom right now.  I miss talking to her on the phone or running over to her house to see her.  We had such great conversations.  We could really talk about our troubles, feelings. We could laugh or cry together.  She could talk to me and I could talk to her.  At the end of a long phone call - mom would say, "it's so good to be able to talk to you like this."  I would agree.  We just got each other.  The worst part about her being gone after all this time - is that I still miss her, daily.  The best part, is that nothing was left undone in our relationship.  It was a good, loving relationship that I will be excited to take up where we left off when I see her again.  For now, I'll read what she has to say - and feel comforted by her presence.

BEING ELEGANT

 I have always wanted to be elegant.  Always wanted perfect hair, perfect skin, and I hate to admit it, but I love clothes -(for anyone reading that doesn't know this already).  And tell me, who doesn't fall for those ads about makeup~ you know the one's that say, when you rotate your hand just so with their product - you will look 10 years younger. That new haircut will make you look just like the girl in the picture and that new outfit will take pounds off - even if it is a size bigger than the last time you were out shopping.
I tend to get carried away sometimes with how I appear - wanting to be elegant and all.  When looking elegant is different than being elegant.  Coco Chanel said, "Elegance does not consist in putting on a new dress, rather, elegance in personal style requires only that a woman major in the classics:  comfort, color, shape, fabric, value, and appropriateness.  Elegance means that clothes never eclipse the woman within but permit her inner light to shine."  This statement gets me down to what I really want to write about. 
I am surrounded by elegant women.  Women who are comforatable with themselves, who value themselves and what they do, who don't care about color or shape.  Their inner light shines constantly. 
To me, this is true elegance.  I don't live in a big city, just a simple neighborhood.  These elegant women are my friends, neighbors, sisters, daughters, mothers, grandmothers.  Lovely women, every one.  They are kind and good and have talents and are creative.  They share and serve and above all, they love. 
I think most of them like a day at the salon and a new dress. Who doesn't?  But none of them need it to be elegant. They all ready are.

They are simple, graceful, well-bred, they never over-power, but always strike the right note.  They are self assured.  Beauty, grace and elegance cannot be bought.  It is attained by how a person lives.  It has nothing to do with makup, hair or clothes.  It is letting the inner light shine through. 
These women have it!

FUN WITH THE KIDS

 Conference Sunday,  a lovely day -listening and watching great talks.  Spending time with Whitney.
Having fun with the little ones. 

 Can't keep from smiling when you see a face like this.

These guys help us from missing the PA gang too much.  Although we are looking forward to lots of baseball in May. 

 Can't wait!!!!!

A HUGE CHANGE IN OUR LIVES!!!!!

Ok - I don't think I can go another minute without letting people know what has happened in our lives.  I sat through lunch with my brother and sister yesterday and didn't say a word.  Can't believe it!!!
Jim has been asked to go and help with the landscaping at one of these beautiful spots.  We are excited beyond words.  Back east would be close to the PA Gang, yet the other places would be close to HEAVEN ~ SLC would be close to home.  Things wouldn't change that much.  Will write later with details.
What a beautiful Garden I would be able to enjoy everyday!!!!

THREE BOYS

 Today was a BIG day!  The Three little boys were all together again after almost a month.  Jake has been asking everyday when his "little guy" is coming back.  Dylan has become an important part of this group.  His absence is felt.  Jake loves to help with him,  and even though Sam is a bit jealous, he got a huge smile on his face today when "Dylsie Wylsie" appeared. 
I wonder what these three will be like as they grow?  If I continue taking care they'll become close, spending so much time together.  They are close in age.  They'll grow up (I hope) playing, caring, and having fun with each other.  Oh, the "abentures" they'll have.

 Jake is already having daily "abentures".  Sam is just starting to join the fun.  And I can only imagine what else will be thought up when three great minds get together.

Those warm summer days when there is nothing more serious to do than swing on that old tire or lay on the cool grass and plan all that stuff you can do when you grow up.

And then there's little league!  All those practices, summer evenings playing games, playing catch together.  There's nothing better than baseball.  Just ask those four other big boys back east. 

Maybe a little fishing with Grampa and the Dad's at Fish Lake.  What can be more fun?

I can just see these guys growing from little boys into grown boys.  Hanging out, supporting, laughing, doing all the fun things boys do.  I hope I am able to continue to watch these delightful grandson's.  Nothing brings me greater joy.

 And I hope they grow, and share their dreams with one another, but most of all I hope they stay the best of friends.  There is nothing better.

PRIMARY DAY

 Today's Sunday.  So of course off we go to primary.  I was in charge of Sharing Time. Jim was teaching his class.  Jake got a new set of scriptures, because we are studying the scriptures this year and everyone is encouraged to bring their own.  I love these little kids in primary.  It's different being there than in years past.  Nothing bothers me, everything they do and say is cute.  Me, not so much.  I just can't remember things like I used to, so I'll be staring at a child I've known since birth and call them some strange name or I'll be talking about President Monson and I can't remember his name or the story I was telling.  The kids all look at me like I'm nuts, and I'm inclined to agree.  Today Jake looked at me during the opening part of primary and said, quite loudly, "Grama, just what's going on here?" 
I wonder myself occasionally.

As part of Sharing time I was talking about how the Prophet has asked us to be prepared.  I showed some pictures that were simple, like praying, going to church, reading scriptures.They were suppose to tell me what was going on in the pictures.  I showed the picture above and a little child answered "playing in the sand."  I said (in a very kind voice) "no, guess again."  He immediately started crying, he was so upset he didn't get the answer right.  The correct answer was 'planting a garden'.  Silly me - I should have just let him think the prophet wants us to play in the sand, which he probably does. 
See I'm just to old for this stuff.

TAKE SOME TIME

I read an article today by President Dieter Uchtdorf.  In his talked he asked, "Have you ever been in an airplane and experienced turbulence?  The most common cause of turbulence is a sudden change in air movement causing the aircraft to pitch, yaw, and roll.  While planes are built to withstand far greater turbulence than anthing you would encounter on a regular flight, it still may be disconcerting to passengers. 
What do you suppose pilots do when they encounter turbulence?  A student pilot may think that increasing speed is a good strategy because it will get them through the turbulence faster.  But that may be the wrong thing to do.  Professional pilots understand that there is an optimum turbulence penetration speed that will minimize the negative effects of turbulence.  And most of the time that would mean to reduce your speed."  He continues on saying, " This is a simple but critical lesson to learn.  It may seem logical when put in terms of turbulence, but it's surprising how easy it is to ignore this lesson when it comes to applying these principles in our own daily lives....The wise understand and apply the lessons of air turblence.  They resist the temptation to get caught up in the frantic rush of everyday life.  They follow the advice - There is more to life than increasing its speed.  In short, they focus on the things that matter most."

I loved this advice.  Focusing time on things that matter most.  Sometimes pressures and "turbulence" make us pick up the pace and miss out on what is important and we forget to enjoy the beauties all around to us.

Another article read today, by Ann Cannon in the Tribune, reminded me of this.  She was comparing Jimmer Fredette to a baseball player she used to love to watch play.  His name was Kirby Puckett.  She writes, "Kirby Puckett played with a smile on his face.  He caught fly balls, smiling.  He hit home runs, smiling.  He rounded the bases, smiling.  He was like hey, Ma!  Did you see that?  Did you see how I just parked the ball over the center fielder's head?  Isn't baseball great? Isn't life grand?"

He spent his time enjoying what he did. A good habit to cultivate.  Enjoying time at work, playing with our friends.  Appreciating and being grateful for the good things.  Take time to look outside, even with our gray skies and rainy weather I'm noticing some purple flowers just outside my window. 

" Spring is on its way, I think smiling to myself."

Isn't life grand?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMES

On March 22 - 38 years ago our first son was born.  How exciting to start our new family with a brown eyed baby that looked just like his dad.  He grew up loving alot of the same things.  He loves sports, building and making his home beautiful, working hard.

He especially loves his family and spending time with them. They work hard together, play and vacation together, and just have fun together.  He has worked hard, has a lovely home and enjoys being there with Becky and the boys.

 What fun he has with these four boys.  Of course they are involved in any sport they want to.  But baseball is where they all excel.  Sometimes if I look at a picture of these guys, I see James as he was growing up. He loved baseball and has passed that love onto his boys, coaching them, working in their league, helping them be the best they can be.  They are lucky to have such a great dad.

James has succeeded in many things.  He works hard to have a nice life for his family. But his great success is his family.  He is a wonderful son who has been with me since I first started my journey as a mother.  How grateful I am for him. 

Happy Birthday James. 

 Love, mom

A GREAT LEGACY

 It's been a week since we heard the unbeiveable news that this great man passed away.  I think it will take the coming weeks for it to really sink in.  Kent was our beautiful Melanie's dad, Tyler's father-in-law.  Dylan's other grandfather.  Jim and I knew him as a good friend.  From the beginning he and Jim hit it off.  They were so much alike.  Loving the outdoors, both landscape architects, going to the same school,  many of the same interests.  Tyler thought he was the favorite son in law.  But Kent made everyone feel that way.  He was just a good, kind man.  One of those that lived his beliefs.  He just made you feel good to be around him.

 Jim and I went to the funeral Thursday.  He was honored by family and friends.  It was a beautiful service. His wife, Marjene spoke - a very brave woman.  She read the words to this song.

"I hope you never lose your sense of wonder

You get your fill to eat, but always keep that hunger

May you never take one single breath for granted

I hope you still feel small When you stand beside the ocean

Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens

Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance,

I hope you dance

I hope you dance."

She said it was a favorite of Kent's and what he chose to do his entire life.  In his work, church callings, with his family, and personal life. 

 After the funeral we all gathered around while Tyler blessed his little one.  It was a special moment for us all.

Kent was indeed a special man.  His family and friends have been blessed for having him in their lives. He will continue to live with them through his teachings, his stories, his works, most of all his love.  His legacy is great, but he raised a great family who will all continue to dance.

"I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance

Never settle for the path of least resistance

Living might mean taking chances, but they're worth taking

Lovin' might be a mistake, but it's worth making

Don't let some hell bent heart

leave you bitter

When you come close to selling out - Reconsider

Give the heavens above

More than just a passing glance.

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance

I hope you dance."

Kent danced -

I'm grateful I got to watch for just a bit.