Pause..and be Happy

I wear a small necklace with the word "psala" engraved on it.

 In Hebrew it means "to pause."  I look at it often as I put it around my neck. 

 It reminds me as I go about my daily activities to stop and recognize what I am grateful for, to be more aware of the beauty  around me.  

In the summer, as I water my flowers it reminds me to stop and look at each one and be grateful for its different shape, color and height. 

 I think how each bloom adds to the beauty of my garden.  

The word reminds me to see the differences in my grandson's as I spend my days with them,

 or the little boys that I teach in my sunbeam class. 

 They all have unique personalities, with different things they want heard. 

 Everything these kids say makes me laugh,

and there might come a day when they will find their friends more interesting than their old grama.  

So I soak everything they have to say and do up.  

It is nice to "pause" and be grateful for these quieter, sweeter days.  

It's been cold and snowing quite a bit. 

 I so want to lay in the sun and feel its warmth on my skin,

yet the snow brings a greener garden and sweet smelling grass. 

 So when I spend my days in the pursuit of happiness it is good to just stop pursuing, 

to pause and just be happy.

Dear Old Friends..

Yesterday I called my friend, Pat, and asked if she would like to run around with me for the day. 

 I needed to find a clock for my family room and a few things to spiff up my home going into the new year.  Soon after ten in the morning we were off to see what we could find. 

Of course being with Pat, we found ourselves wandering through the after Christmas sales. 

 (Pat is the all time best shopper)  

which, although I love to be with her, is one of the other reasons it is good to take her along when you shop. 

 She has shopped for bargains for so long, that it is like they call her name.

  I knew if she was with me I'd find just what I needed, and for the right price.

Did I say we left at ten in the morning?  

Well close to three in the afternoon my son, Nick called me on my cell. 

 "Where are you? "he said. 

 I told him Pat and I had made our way at that point to Tai Pan.  

We had our carts full.

  His response was " I'm worried for the other shoppers, with Thelma and Louise on the loose!"  or something to that effect. 

 Thelma and Louise we aren't..but wonderful, good old friends we are.  

We left Tai Pan with almost nothing as we realized the full carts didn't have anything in them we really needed. 

 But, as I dropped Pat off at her home late in the afternoon, 

I had a full heart. 

 How grateful I am for this dear friend. 

 We have raised children together, gone through broken hearts together, planned and carried out parties together, served together, laughed together, gardened together, become grandmothers together, we were young together..

and now we are growing older together.  

We take care of each other and understand one another. 

 There is nothing better than a dear, dear, old friend.

DeSpain Family 2013 What a Wonderful World

To my family. Thanks for a wonderful year.  You have Blessed my life.
Love, your mom and grama

Thou Gracious God, Whose Mercy Lends - Mormon Tabernacle Choir

One of my all time favorites!  So happy when I heard the choir sing this again this morning on the broadcast.  Beautiful when the bagpipes begin the song.  

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). 

 

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

A Quiet Moment by my Tree- Merry Christmas

After a fun day with Dylan I sat down and enjoyed a quiet moment by my tree.

  It's a lovely time of year.

  Merry Christmas.

Christmas Decorations, Parties and Sam's Birthday

It's only December 4th, and already the month is moving along with activities.

  Got the house decorated over the weekend.
 Jim got the lights up just before the big snow hit,
 which spread the holiday spirit..inside and out.

Got the trees decorated.  Love getting out all the old decorations. 

They remind me of Christmas's past. 

 Love our Golf Club, my crystals I purchased from Harrods when I visited with Nick in London. 

 The old sleds mom had painted for each of the kids,

 ornaments purchased from places we have visited

and my very special Bonnie Blue Butler, given to me and signed by the real Bonnie Blue!

  What treasures!

Put my beautiful Nativity on the Mantle.

  I love the simplicity of this nativity and love that my family gave it to me. 

All ready had a party. 

We had Jim's family over for dinner last night.  It was fun to get together with Tam, Kevin, Kathy and Lanny.  We visited and enjoyed great food.

  Love seeing family over the holidays.

But the most important day so far was yesterday!

  My little Sam turned four years old! 

 He couldn't wait until it was his birthday. 

He is the most fun child.  So expressive.  So determine, so ACTIVE!!! 

 I love his smile, the way he talks, his hugs. 

Today he asked me if I would stay even when his mom got home. 

 He put his little arms around my neck and had tears in his eyes and said please stay grama, please. 

 I almost did..almost. 

 I love you Sam.  Have a happy year. 

You are my sunshine!

love, grama

So goes the first week of December.

"A Bell is no Bell til you Ring it.."

 

 

I started decorating my house for Christmas this past weekend. 

 Boxes were brought up from the storage room.  Treasures were unpacked.

  Jim was given instructions and was so good to do his part. 

 He builds a wreath around the front door, puts the outdoor lights up and any heavy lifting needed. 

 

As I unpacked Christmas decorations and got to my collection of bells I found that they were badly tarnished. 

So I decided it would be a good idea to polish them up a bit. 

 As I rubbed the tarnish away, the dates engraved became clear. 

 

 My mom used to give us these beautiful silver bells for Christmas. 

 Each had our name and the date.  1977..1984..1986..and it goes on. 

I love those bells.  I love how they shine. 

 I love the memories they provide. 

 

Tonight I was reading, once again, my mom's lesson outlines from when she was a Relief Society Instructor. 

 I just happened upon the lesson that had a verse from a song from the

"Sound of Music."

It seemed fitting that I would find this particular lesson tonight.

"A bell is no bell til you ring it.

A song is no song til you sing it.

And love in your heart was not put there to stay,

Love isn't love til you give it away."

 

Thank you mom for the memories, the bells, and for always giving your love away.

Thanksgiving

From the time I was small, I always loved Thanksgiving.  We spent our holiday at my grandmother's or in our home, where the table was set with lovely china and the aroma of turkey came from the kitchen. 

I loved setting the table, I loved the gleam of the silverware. I loved being with the family, having everyone sit down together.  I loved that my grandmothers and my mother, strived to make things nice for their families.  I especially am grateful for the way these people lived their lives.  They were all hardworking, loving people.  They loved their families and they loved the gospel.  They set an example for those that would follow. 

When our kids were little, we split our time between Jim's family and mine.  Each was equally nice.  I learned from Maude how to make Yams (the right way).  We were all having kids at the same time, so where ever we went for Thanksgiving it was crazy, with lots of noise, but lots of fun as the cousins grew up together.  I am grateful for parents and in-laws who loved us so.  Nothing made them happier than gathering their families together, and as I get older I understand the joy they felt when they got to have everybody together. 

As our children got older, I have had Thanksgiving in our home, most of the time.  We've done different things a few years, yet I still enjoy making the meal, setting the table and gathering everyone together.   

 

We are grateful to be having Thanksgiving with Ty and Melanie this year.  Just have to show up with a few dishes and enjoy the day.  Loving the day as always, remembering those that are gone, and enjoying those who surround me.
Happy Thanksgiving..Where ever you may be.