Some days I want to go back to when the kids were little and depended on you to take care of them and you knew what was right and best for them. Where bandaids and hugs and kisses could fix most things.
Sometimes I really hate it when they are grown and either know or at least they think they know more than me. OK Ok they know more than me.
I hate it when things get all complicated and there seems to be no simple answer to anything. Like trying to figure out when they are for real or joking and just trying to get a rise out of me. Trying to figure out if they need a listening ear or a kick in the pants. The things that you can only watch them struggle through and can't really help. You know stuff like that.
But for better or worse, just glad they take the time to include me in their lives and so far the hurt from the strain goes away like it does after eating ice cream.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Love the country, not necessiarily the critters
So the saga of the country critters continues. We had a skunk under the house and thought it had moved on but kept hearing noices under the house at night. So now what? who wants to go under the house to check it out? Not us. So we just let it go for several nights. then we thought it was the cat, hunting under the back porch. Still noices at night.
then we had trouble with the satelight and had them come out to check it out. when they pulled the cable from the dish concection in the house to the outside, they found the wires chewed almost in to. Shesh, now what?
Since we hadn't smelled anything for awhile, we were hopeing the skunk was gone but now what was under the house chewing the TV cables?
So plan B. Set trap under the house and see what we can catch. Nothing the first night. Drat. But walla, the next moring there is a possum in the cage. Off he goes to the wild blue yander.
So, Tom goes fishing and when he decides to come home a kitten runs up under the truck and he can't find it. When he gets home, you guessed it, he could hear it. He can't get near it and it keeps running under the truck and he can't find it. So when he takes the possum off, it is still under the truck somewhere. Luckily after he drops the possum off and comes home, we don't hear the kitten anymore. Hopefully it left of it's own accord somewhere and didn't fall out and get run over.
Sooo, now we are double checking for any more ways for a critter to get under the house. We aren't holding our breath but hopefully we are done with critters for the time being.
We definetly didn't need a kitten that stayed under the truck to worry about everytime we needed to go somewhere.
So for now we are critterless and happy for it.
then we had trouble with the satelight and had them come out to check it out. when they pulled the cable from the dish concection in the house to the outside, they found the wires chewed almost in to. Shesh, now what?
Since we hadn't smelled anything for awhile, we were hopeing the skunk was gone but now what was under the house chewing the TV cables?
So plan B. Set trap under the house and see what we can catch. Nothing the first night. Drat. But walla, the next moring there is a possum in the cage. Off he goes to the wild blue yander.
So, Tom goes fishing and when he decides to come home a kitten runs up under the truck and he can't find it. When he gets home, you guessed it, he could hear it. He can't get near it and it keeps running under the truck and he can't find it. So when he takes the possum off, it is still under the truck somewhere. Luckily after he drops the possum off and comes home, we don't hear the kitten anymore. Hopefully it left of it's own accord somewhere and didn't fall out and get run over.
Sooo, now we are double checking for any more ways for a critter to get under the house. We aren't holding our breath but hopefully we are done with critters for the time being.
We definetly didn't need a kitten that stayed under the truck to worry about everytime we needed to go somewhere.
So for now we are critterless and happy for it.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
love the country
we fairly recently moved into a country setting. Lots of trees, birds, great views, wonderful night sounds etc.
things are different out here. I never had a horse come down my driveway where we lived before and have had it happen twice now. I was talking on the phone with my sister one morning and a big white horse went down my driveway. Made for the start of an interesting day.
I never had racoons on the back porch before. We have had two, a mom and her offspring who were captured and moved to other far away places. they loved the seeds in my bird feeders and would go to any lengths to get to them. I kept finding my bird feeders on the ground each morning. Finally figured out what was going on when I heard noises on the back porch one night and looked out to see two racoons staring back at me.
Our old house was on a slab so we never had critters under the house. We have had several here, some we just heard during the night and never knew what they were but more recently knew what it was by the smell. Yuk. Skunks under the house are really stiiiiiiinnnnnnkkkkkyyyyyyy!!!!!!!
Definitely not my favorite kind of a visitor. Thank goodness it has been warm enough to open all the windows and air out the house. Hopefully we now have all of the openings covered and it wont gain entrance again. the smell is getting better. Just glad it was under the house and not waiting outside the door to greet us.
No snakes to speak of so far. I would just as soon miss that experience.
Love the birds the most. I have two bird feeders outside my kitchen window and keep them filled and enjoy lots of feathered visitors. the little ones are my favorite.
I have alot more spiders but they know their place and stay outside for the most part. I do have to clean the widows alot more when the webs get too much though.
I acquired two outside cats when we moved here. They are both very good hunters and leave little tid bits of their prey on the front porch. One day it might be a mouse head or various body parts, another time parts of a mole, sometimes a bird. How sweet of them to share their successes but I just wish they would clean up after themselves a little better. Yuk.
I have never been a big animal person but I must admit I enjoy our two cats. They always greet us when we come home and if we are outside they are right where we are. We each enjoy our independence and yet enjoy each others company and yes love, too. It is a good balance.
I went from very few trees and little shade to lots and lots of really big ones and lots of shade.
I love to sleep with the window slightly open and to hear the sounds of nature. It is my favorite way to fall asleep.
I love having a metal roof over my front porch and being able to hear the sounds of the rain coming down.
I even love the sound of the roosters, chickens, goats, donkeys, dogs and the voices of the children running and playing outside from the neighbors.
I have learned that I like goats milk and fresh eggs.
I love the sound of the wind in the trees. It is such a peaceful sound.
I love to burn and have had a great time clearing out scrub bushes and trees and making burn piles and seeing progress in opening up spaces for pretty things to grow.
If I ever think I want to grow roses, I remember what it took to get rid of the wild ones. I have had all I want of things with stickers and thorns that reach out and grab you when ever you get near. Nope no more rose bushes of any kind for me. I just burned the last wild one last week.
I love to walk my place early in the morning and listen to the sounds of the wind and hear birds and see nature and so much that is beautiful and peaceful.
I can understand why a boy named Joseph went to a grove of trees to find God.
things are different out here. I never had a horse come down my driveway where we lived before and have had it happen twice now. I was talking on the phone with my sister one morning and a big white horse went down my driveway. Made for the start of an interesting day.
I never had racoons on the back porch before. We have had two, a mom and her offspring who were captured and moved to other far away places. they loved the seeds in my bird feeders and would go to any lengths to get to them. I kept finding my bird feeders on the ground each morning. Finally figured out what was going on when I heard noises on the back porch one night and looked out to see two racoons staring back at me.
Our old house was on a slab so we never had critters under the house. We have had several here, some we just heard during the night and never knew what they were but more recently knew what it was by the smell. Yuk. Skunks under the house are really stiiiiiiinnnnnnkkkkkyyyyyyy!!!!!!!
Definitely not my favorite kind of a visitor. Thank goodness it has been warm enough to open all the windows and air out the house. Hopefully we now have all of the openings covered and it wont gain entrance again. the smell is getting better. Just glad it was under the house and not waiting outside the door to greet us.
No snakes to speak of so far. I would just as soon miss that experience.
Love the birds the most. I have two bird feeders outside my kitchen window and keep them filled and enjoy lots of feathered visitors. the little ones are my favorite.
I have alot more spiders but they know their place and stay outside for the most part. I do have to clean the widows alot more when the webs get too much though.
I acquired two outside cats when we moved here. They are both very good hunters and leave little tid bits of their prey on the front porch. One day it might be a mouse head or various body parts, another time parts of a mole, sometimes a bird. How sweet of them to share their successes but I just wish they would clean up after themselves a little better. Yuk.
I have never been a big animal person but I must admit I enjoy our two cats. They always greet us when we come home and if we are outside they are right where we are. We each enjoy our independence and yet enjoy each others company and yes love, too. It is a good balance.
I went from very few trees and little shade to lots and lots of really big ones and lots of shade.
I love to sleep with the window slightly open and to hear the sounds of nature. It is my favorite way to fall asleep.
I love having a metal roof over my front porch and being able to hear the sounds of the rain coming down.
I even love the sound of the roosters, chickens, goats, donkeys, dogs and the voices of the children running and playing outside from the neighbors.
I have learned that I like goats milk and fresh eggs.
I love the sound of the wind in the trees. It is such a peaceful sound.
I love to burn and have had a great time clearing out scrub bushes and trees and making burn piles and seeing progress in opening up spaces for pretty things to grow.
If I ever think I want to grow roses, I remember what it took to get rid of the wild ones. I have had all I want of things with stickers and thorns that reach out and grab you when ever you get near. Nope no more rose bushes of any kind for me. I just burned the last wild one last week.
I love to walk my place early in the morning and listen to the sounds of the wind and hear birds and see nature and so much that is beautiful and peaceful.
I can understand why a boy named Joseph went to a grove of trees to find God.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Between the child and the Father
this has been one of my all time favorite parables.
A PARABLE
I took a little child’s hand in mine. He and I were to walk together for a while. I was to lead him to the Father. It was a task that overcame me, so awful was the responsibility. And so I talked to the child of the Father. I painted the sternness of His face, were the child to do something to displease Him. I spoke of the child’s goodness as something that would appease the Father’s wrath. He walked under the tall trees and I said that the Father had power to send them crashing to the ground struck by His thunderbolts. We walked in the sunshine; I told him of the greatness of the Father who made the burning blazing sun. And one twilight, we met the Father. The child hid behind me. He was afraid. He would not look up at the face so loving; he remembered my picture. He would not take the Father’s hand; I was between the child and the Father. I wondered, I had been so conscientious, so serious.
I took a little child’s hand in mine. I was to lead him to the Father. I felt burdened with the many things I had to teach him. We did not ramble; we hastened from one spot to another spot. We compared the leaves of the different trees. While the child was questioning me about it, I hurried him away to chase a butterfly. Did he chance to fall asleep, I awakened him; lest he should miss something I wanted him to see. I poured into his ears all the stories he ought to know, but we were interrupted often by the wind a blowing, of which we must study, by the gurgling brook which we must trace to its source. And then in the twilight, we met the Father. The child merely glanced at Him and then his gaze wandered in a dozen different directions. The Father stretched for His hand. The child was not interested enough to take it. Feverish spots burned his cheeks. He dropped exhausted to the ground and fell asleep. Again, I was between the child and the Father. I wondered. I had taught him so many things.
I took a little child’s hand in mine, to lead him to the Father. My heart was full of gratitude for the glad privilege. We walked slowly, I united my steps with the short steps of the child. We spoke of the things the child noticed. Sometimes we picked the Father’s bright flowers and stroked their soft petals and loved their bright colors. Sometimes it was one of the Father’s birds. We saw the eggs that were laid. We wondered, elated at the care it gave its young. Often we told stories of the Father. I told them to the child and the child told them to me again. We told them, the child and I over and over again. Sometimes we stopped to rest, leaning against one of the Father’s trees, and letting His cool air cool our brow, never speaking. And then in the twilight, we met the Father. This child’s eyes shone. He looked lovingly, trustingly, eagerly up into the Father’s face. He put his hand into the Father’s hand. I was for the moment forgotten. I was content.
Jean Betzner Especially for Mormons Vol. 1
A PARABLE
I took a little child’s hand in mine. He and I were to walk together for a while. I was to lead him to the Father. It was a task that overcame me, so awful was the responsibility. And so I talked to the child of the Father. I painted the sternness of His face, were the child to do something to displease Him. I spoke of the child’s goodness as something that would appease the Father’s wrath. He walked under the tall trees and I said that the Father had power to send them crashing to the ground struck by His thunderbolts. We walked in the sunshine; I told him of the greatness of the Father who made the burning blazing sun. And one twilight, we met the Father. The child hid behind me. He was afraid. He would not look up at the face so loving; he remembered my picture. He would not take the Father’s hand; I was between the child and the Father. I wondered, I had been so conscientious, so serious.
I took a little child’s hand in mine. I was to lead him to the Father. I felt burdened with the many things I had to teach him. We did not ramble; we hastened from one spot to another spot. We compared the leaves of the different trees. While the child was questioning me about it, I hurried him away to chase a butterfly. Did he chance to fall asleep, I awakened him; lest he should miss something I wanted him to see. I poured into his ears all the stories he ought to know, but we were interrupted often by the wind a blowing, of which we must study, by the gurgling brook which we must trace to its source. And then in the twilight, we met the Father. The child merely glanced at Him and then his gaze wandered in a dozen different directions. The Father stretched for His hand. The child was not interested enough to take it. Feverish spots burned his cheeks. He dropped exhausted to the ground and fell asleep. Again, I was between the child and the Father. I wondered. I had taught him so many things.
I took a little child’s hand in mine, to lead him to the Father. My heart was full of gratitude for the glad privilege. We walked slowly, I united my steps with the short steps of the child. We spoke of the things the child noticed. Sometimes we picked the Father’s bright flowers and stroked their soft petals and loved their bright colors. Sometimes it was one of the Father’s birds. We saw the eggs that were laid. We wondered, elated at the care it gave its young. Often we told stories of the Father. I told them to the child and the child told them to me again. We told them, the child and I over and over again. Sometimes we stopped to rest, leaning against one of the Father’s trees, and letting His cool air cool our brow, never speaking. And then in the twilight, we met the Father. This child’s eyes shone. He looked lovingly, trustingly, eagerly up into the Father’s face. He put his hand into the Father’s hand. I was for the moment forgotten. I was content.
Jean Betzner Especially for Mormons Vol. 1
Parenting
As I was reading the post of one of my grown children, I was thinking about parenting and the balancing involved.
The balancing in parenting can be hard and involves risks but also has some of the greatest joys ever.
Holding on too tight to me has more potential for harm than the gradual trusting and letting go of the reins.
Heavenly Father did not send us to earth to be over protected or have others make all of our decisions for us.(who's plan was that?) He loves and trusts us enough to let us experience trials and challenges that would strengthen and built in us the ability to succeed.
When we emulate His parenting, our children are more likely to grow strong and succeed.
Earthly parents are meant to be the temporary scaffolding.
Our children are meant to ultimately stand on their own.
They no longer need the parent/child relationship but the relationship of adult/adult or equals.
the permanent part is the foundation of Our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
OK as my kids would say, step away from the pulpit. end of lecture 999.
The balancing in parenting can be hard and involves risks but also has some of the greatest joys ever.
Holding on too tight to me has more potential for harm than the gradual trusting and letting go of the reins.
Heavenly Father did not send us to earth to be over protected or have others make all of our decisions for us.(who's plan was that?) He loves and trusts us enough to let us experience trials and challenges that would strengthen and built in us the ability to succeed.
When we emulate His parenting, our children are more likely to grow strong and succeed.
Earthly parents are meant to be the temporary scaffolding.
Our children are meant to ultimately stand on their own.
They no longer need the parent/child relationship but the relationship of adult/adult or equals.
the permanent part is the foundation of Our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
OK as my kids would say, step away from the pulpit. end of lecture 999.
Friday, August 14, 2009
cool quote
“service is the rent that I pay for the space that I occupy on earth.”
I came across this today and it just really jumped out at me and I wanted to pass it along.
I came across this today and it just really jumped out at me and I wanted to pass it along.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
in-laws
We have been so very blessed.
We started out with 8 offspring and they have multiplied and given us some wonderful additions to the family.
We have 5 of the sweetest and talented daughters-in-law that you could ask for. They take good care of their guys and keep them in line. They each have special talents that they willingly share with the family and are doing a great job of raising some amazingly smart and cute kids and sweet pets also.
There are 2 great sons-in-law. Both are so good to help out when ever called on. They are both quiet compared to the rowdy guys but hold their own and even get in a few licks(verbally, no physical abuse here) of their own when cornered. They are both wonderful men and take good care of our daughters and grandchildren.
When there are get togethers, it is always a blast to have so many different personalities and temperments in the same space.
As each new member has been added to the family, we have been blessed.
We are definitley thankful for special in-laws.
Thanks kids for making such good choices in spouces.
We started out with 8 offspring and they have multiplied and given us some wonderful additions to the family.
We have 5 of the sweetest and talented daughters-in-law that you could ask for. They take good care of their guys and keep them in line. They each have special talents that they willingly share with the family and are doing a great job of raising some amazingly smart and cute kids and sweet pets also.
There are 2 great sons-in-law. Both are so good to help out when ever called on. They are both quiet compared to the rowdy guys but hold their own and even get in a few licks(verbally, no physical abuse here) of their own when cornered. They are both wonderful men and take good care of our daughters and grandchildren.
When there are get togethers, it is always a blast to have so many different personalities and temperments in the same space.
As each new member has been added to the family, we have been blessed.
We are definitley thankful for special in-laws.
Thanks kids for making such good choices in spouces.
love/hate computers
Have you ever noticed that when they are working right, we love them and when they don't , it is a source of real frustration.?
I really love/hate computers. I love email, blogs and being able to look up things when I have a question or want to buy something ( I love me some amazon and ebay)
I get really mad when I have typed out a long reply to someone in an email or a post to a blog and have the darn thing wisk it off and lose the whole thing. Grrr.
Of course it has nothing to do with me messing up and hitting the wrong key at times. It always has to be the computer right?
But let the darn thing go down and what happens? Oh no, withdrawal!!!!!
then I feel bad for having bad feelings and talking ugly and just want it back. I might miss something really important.
Sigh, right now it is working, I am happy and feeling content for however long it lasts.
thanks for being there for me computer.
I really love/hate computers. I love email, blogs and being able to look up things when I have a question or want to buy something ( I love me some amazon and ebay)
I get really mad when I have typed out a long reply to someone in an email or a post to a blog and have the darn thing wisk it off and lose the whole thing. Grrr.
Of course it has nothing to do with me messing up and hitting the wrong key at times. It always has to be the computer right?
But let the darn thing go down and what happens? Oh no, withdrawal!!!!!
then I feel bad for having bad feelings and talking ugly and just want it back. I might miss something really important.
Sigh, right now it is working, I am happy and feeling content for however long it lasts.
thanks for being there for me computer.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
love my computer guys
I love my computer guys, especially when my computer goes on the blitz as it did recently.
The last time my computer died, my first born son came to my rescue making several long trips out to the boonies to get me back in action.
This time it was a sweet son-in-law. As I am sure you can guess, it is never a simple thing with my computer. He came out ready to face the unknown and left with the problem improved but not solved. Sigh, another day computerless.
Never fear, these guys are fearless in the face of a clueless operator who doesn't always know how she got in the mess she is in. then comes the much appeciated phone call that there may still be a way to salvage the poor thing.
Another trip to the boonies and much effort to revive the ailing machine.
Joy of Joy. We are back in action, wading through countless missed emails and checking out the missed blogs. I have my fix and am happy.
What can I say, I am spoiled. Thanks guys.
I love love love me some computer guys who put up with me and my 'puter.
The last time my computer died, my first born son came to my rescue making several long trips out to the boonies to get me back in action.
This time it was a sweet son-in-law. As I am sure you can guess, it is never a simple thing with my computer. He came out ready to face the unknown and left with the problem improved but not solved. Sigh, another day computerless.
Never fear, these guys are fearless in the face of a clueless operator who doesn't always know how she got in the mess she is in. then comes the much appeciated phone call that there may still be a way to salvage the poor thing.
Another trip to the boonies and much effort to revive the ailing machine.
Joy of Joy. We are back in action, wading through countless missed emails and checking out the missed blogs. I have my fix and am happy.
What can I say, I am spoiled. Thanks guys.
I love love love me some computer guys who put up with me and my 'puter.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
What do you get?
What do you get when you have,
one husband,
one wife,
their 8 children,
the spouces of those children,
18 grandchildren,
one great granny,
one sister of wife,
one niece,
one great niece,
at least 3 dogs,
Add great food, cake and ice cream, lots of visiting, kids of all sizes running everywhere, feeding carrots to goats, and donkeys, trees being climbed, babies continuously being passed around, lots of joking and laughter, and in general,total chaos.
Have you guessed??? What else??
A Mayfield family get together!!!!!!
and the great granny, sister and nieces actually survived to live another day!!! We did give them prior warning of course. Not sure they would want to repeat the experience again anytime soon, but survival is the first step to recovery.
So the Mayfield family pulled it off one more time. thanks everyone (especially Dawn for hosting and providing the wonderful calzones) for helping to make it a great evening for the Great Granny, aunt and nieces.
Hopefully there will be pictures on the family blogs soon to prove said guest did in fact survive the experience.
one husband,
one wife,
their 8 children,
the spouces of those children,
18 grandchildren,
one great granny,
one sister of wife,
one niece,
one great niece,
at least 3 dogs,
Add great food, cake and ice cream, lots of visiting, kids of all sizes running everywhere, feeding carrots to goats, and donkeys, trees being climbed, babies continuously being passed around, lots of joking and laughter, and in general,total chaos.
Have you guessed??? What else??
A Mayfield family get together!!!!!!
and the great granny, sister and nieces actually survived to live another day!!! We did give them prior warning of course. Not sure they would want to repeat the experience again anytime soon, but survival is the first step to recovery.
So the Mayfield family pulled it off one more time. thanks everyone (especially Dawn for hosting and providing the wonderful calzones) for helping to make it a great evening for the Great Granny, aunt and nieces.
Hopefully there will be pictures on the family blogs soon to prove said guest did in fact survive the experience.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
my sister is half full
I love my big sister.
She has such a great sense of humor and a positive outlook. I love that she sees life with her glass half full.
She laughs alot, even in the face of some pretty tough times.
She called this morning at 6:45am
She, my 85 year old mother, niece and great niece are driving from Texas for a visit. they had stopped at a hotel for the night and in the morning our mother who has Parkinson's fell out of the bed.
Luckily she wasn't hurt badly, just scraped and bloodied elbows and they had to call for help to get her up.
As my sister is telling me this on the phone, she starts out by saying, I just wanted to call and tell you about our latest adventure. She then proceeds to tell me what had happened. She is laughing and then tells me how cute the guys were who came to help. I can hear my mother in the background agreeing with her on the cuteness of the guys.
Ya gotta love her. She made the best of the situation, chose to see the humor in it and keeping a positive focus on the benefits of continuing the trip so our mother could see the grandchildren and most of the great grandchildren that she hasn't met.
Is my sister being realistic? Did it scare her? Of course it did. She is the care giver of our mother and knows better than anyone else what could have happened. Did she dwell on what could have happened or what could still happen if they continued on the trip, being a long way from home in case it had been serious? She made a choice. She chose to help our mother live life to the fullest, to even take a risk but not let fear of the what if's, or the oh my gosh's to keep her from the joys that are also a choice.
Because my sister sees life as a glass that is half full rather than half empty, she is taking a risk and giving our mother the opportunity to have a wonderful adventure, to see things she hasn't seen before and to look upon the faces of her posterity and have the joy of holding and kissing great grandchildren and experiencng what life and joy is all about.
I love my big sister and want to be more like her.
She has such a great sense of humor and a positive outlook. I love that she sees life with her glass half full.
She laughs alot, even in the face of some pretty tough times.
She called this morning at 6:45am
She, my 85 year old mother, niece and great niece are driving from Texas for a visit. they had stopped at a hotel for the night and in the morning our mother who has Parkinson's fell out of the bed.
Luckily she wasn't hurt badly, just scraped and bloodied elbows and they had to call for help to get her up.
As my sister is telling me this on the phone, she starts out by saying, I just wanted to call and tell you about our latest adventure. She then proceeds to tell me what had happened. She is laughing and then tells me how cute the guys were who came to help. I can hear my mother in the background agreeing with her on the cuteness of the guys.
Ya gotta love her. She made the best of the situation, chose to see the humor in it and keeping a positive focus on the benefits of continuing the trip so our mother could see the grandchildren and most of the great grandchildren that she hasn't met.
Is my sister being realistic? Did it scare her? Of course it did. She is the care giver of our mother and knows better than anyone else what could have happened. Did she dwell on what could have happened or what could still happen if they continued on the trip, being a long way from home in case it had been serious? She made a choice. She chose to help our mother live life to the fullest, to even take a risk but not let fear of the what if's, or the oh my gosh's to keep her from the joys that are also a choice.
Because my sister sees life as a glass that is half full rather than half empty, she is taking a risk and giving our mother the opportunity to have a wonderful adventure, to see things she hasn't seen before and to look upon the faces of her posterity and have the joy of holding and kissing great grandchildren and experiencng what life and joy is all about.
I love my big sister and want to be more like her.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Reflections on Mother's Day
I love Mothers Day,
Not because of what I get, but because I survived and am still glad to have been and still am a Mother.
I get to reflect on memories of my own Mother and feel and express apprecation to her for all she was and still is to me.
I read a magazine article once that asked a group of women, if they had to do it over again, would they have chosen to be a mother and it was sad to see how many would have opted out. How sad.
Not me, I would do it over again in a heart beat.!!!!
I was privileged to have been the Mother to 8 extraordinary individuals. Each one different and unique and yet all with things in common.
I get to reflect on my role as a mother, to wince at my mistakes, to laugh at the many good times, to sorrow over sad times and things I couldn't fix or make go away and the hope that overall I hadn't done a bad joy, that my children would grow up to be good people and still like me.
How blessed I was and still am.
I marvel at how quickly the roles change.
I am still a Mother but not needed in the same way.
We are no longer adult and child, but adult and adult.
I enjoy my children and have joy in them and in our role as adults.
Now they are teaching me and helping me.
I love Mother's Day.
It has been and still is great to be a Mother.
Not because of what I get, but because I survived and am still glad to have been and still am a Mother.
I get to reflect on memories of my own Mother and feel and express apprecation to her for all she was and still is to me.
I read a magazine article once that asked a group of women, if they had to do it over again, would they have chosen to be a mother and it was sad to see how many would have opted out. How sad.
Not me, I would do it over again in a heart beat.!!!!
I was privileged to have been the Mother to 8 extraordinary individuals. Each one different and unique and yet all with things in common.
I get to reflect on my role as a mother, to wince at my mistakes, to laugh at the many good times, to sorrow over sad times and things I couldn't fix or make go away and the hope that overall I hadn't done a bad joy, that my children would grow up to be good people and still like me.
How blessed I was and still am.
I marvel at how quickly the roles change.
I am still a Mother but not needed in the same way.
We are no longer adult and child, but adult and adult.
I enjoy my children and have joy in them and in our role as adults.
Now they are teaching me and helping me.
I love Mother's Day.
It has been and still is great to be a Mother.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
If you cant lick em
Ok, So I kept waiting for the rain to stop long enough to get some planting done. Yea, right. I finally decided to just start and if it rained, keep going. It worked out fine until I slipped on a muddy slope and fell very ungracefully on my tush. Once I was sure I hadn't broken anything, I slugged onward through the mud and rain. I actually got alot done, I just couldn't go in the house until I was completely done. Luckily my washer is right at the back door. I don't think the work clothes will ever be the same but I plan to save them for the next rainy day. So, working in the rain can actually be fun.
playing tricks
How come most of the illnesses that kids and people get are contagious before you know they or you have anything and by the time you find out, you have exposed a gazillion other people. How fair is that?
How is a person supposed to know the old gallbladder is acting up when the pain is many times in the back and chest? No one taught that in health class at school.
I remember going in with a back ach and was totally taken back when the nurse said gallbladder. I really thought he was joking and didn't appreciate the misplaced humor. What a surprise.
I was visiting my mom and sister recently and my sister made the mistake of saying she had missed out on getting sick much or having alot of surgeries. One day her back was hurting and she went to lay down on the floor to ease it. As we were talking a little light bulb lite up. She was describing the classic symtems of gallbladder. The more we talked the more sure I was that she was going to need to see her doctor. Yup, now she has joined the ranks of the surprised gallbladder victims and will be getting hers removed in 2 1/2 weeks. So if you haven't had the privilege of finding out your gallbladder can play tricks on you, you might want to google it and be prepared should yours do it to you.
How is a person supposed to know the old gallbladder is acting up when the pain is many times in the back and chest? No one taught that in health class at school.
I remember going in with a back ach and was totally taken back when the nurse said gallbladder. I really thought he was joking and didn't appreciate the misplaced humor. What a surprise.
I was visiting my mom and sister recently and my sister made the mistake of saying she had missed out on getting sick much or having alot of surgeries. One day her back was hurting and she went to lay down on the floor to ease it. As we were talking a little light bulb lite up. She was describing the classic symtems of gallbladder. The more we talked the more sure I was that she was going to need to see her doctor. Yup, now she has joined the ranks of the surprised gallbladder victims and will be getting hers removed in 2 1/2 weeks. So if you haven't had the privilege of finding out your gallbladder can play tricks on you, you might want to google it and be prepared should yours do it to you.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
the support
I was recently driving down a road and was looking at the beautiful landscaping along the way.
I noticed a small tree that had been staked when it was newly planted. the sad thing was that the tree was now a couple of years old and because the stake and wire support had not been removed, it was cutting deeply into the tree.
The very thing that was meant to help support and give strength from winds and weather was now slowly choking and in fact weakening it.
For some reason it really made me sad.
It reminded me of parenting in some ways.
We are meant to help strengthen the tree (child) until is has sufficient roots to stand on its on.
Once the tree has gotten its own roots, the support is no longer needed and should be removed for the tree to reach its full height.
When the stake and wire is left past its time, it can actually keep the tree from getting strength from the roots and can cause it to become weak and be damaged in a strong wind.
Sometimes it is hard to remove the support and allow the tree to face the wind and storms on its own but the greater good comes from doing just that and allowing the tree to reach its full growth potential.
I hope that I have fulfilled my job as a support and by removing the wire, allow my trees to gain their own strength and reach their full growth.
I noticed a small tree that had been staked when it was newly planted. the sad thing was that the tree was now a couple of years old and because the stake and wire support had not been removed, it was cutting deeply into the tree.
The very thing that was meant to help support and give strength from winds and weather was now slowly choking and in fact weakening it.
For some reason it really made me sad.
It reminded me of parenting in some ways.
We are meant to help strengthen the tree (child) until is has sufficient roots to stand on its on.
Once the tree has gotten its own roots, the support is no longer needed and should be removed for the tree to reach its full height.
When the stake and wire is left past its time, it can actually keep the tree from getting strength from the roots and can cause it to become weak and be damaged in a strong wind.
Sometimes it is hard to remove the support and allow the tree to face the wind and storms on its own but the greater good comes from doing just that and allowing the tree to reach its full growth potential.
I hope that I have fulfilled my job as a support and by removing the wire, allow my trees to gain their own strength and reach their full growth.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
My Dad
On February 4th, my Dad took his last breath and peacefully passed from this earthly life. He was in his own bed in his own home. My mother had kissed him goodnight as she always did the night before. My sister and I were in the room with him and when we realized that he was gone, we called our mother into the room and she kissed him one last time.
He was 92 in December and had been wheelchair bound for several years. My prayer for him had been that when he died that it wouldn't be in a strange place or in pain.
My prayers were answered.
Today as I was going through some of my favorite pictures of him I came across this one. I love this picture. It so shows the fun side of him. When we would ask him how he was feeling, he would usually hold his hand up, rubbing his fingers and thumb together, meaning he felt with his fingers.
I wasn't sure how I would feel when the time came to lose him. I felt calm, at peace and relief for him.
the next morning after he died, my sister and I went into our Mother's room and crawled into bed with her. We hugged each other, cryed and talked about him.
We all felt the same way, sad but at peace. We all felt that we would miss him but that we were so very happy that he had gone peacefully and that we wanted to celebrate his life, to talk about him and all of the good things that we remembered.
All during the time that I was there, we would talk about him off and on and laugh as we would remember something. It was so neat.
Sometimes we would wonder if we should be more upset or sad that he was no longer there and each time we would feel that peace and comfort.
I am so very thankful for the blessings that our family has received and for the prayers that were answered.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Granddaddy Price
Hello everyone. This is Misty, I wanted to let everybody know that Mom's Dad passed away this week. He had been in bad health for a while so this wasn't totally unexpected but is still sad.
Thankfully, Mom was there. This is/was such a blessing. I know Mom would have felt bad to not be there in Granddaddy's last moments. She has been going every couple of months to help out and give my Aunt Pat a break and I am so happy that this was one of those times.
She, my Aunt, and my Grannie are all doing well. As I mentioned before, he was not doing well and in recent times had been in some pain too so I think some relief comes with the sadness.
Mom was supposed to be coming home this week but understandably has extended her stay until later this month. We miss her much, especially with her going through these sad times and can't wait until she is home.
Friday, January 16, 2009
the difference
Years ago, before the oldest kids got old enough to be of much help, I was up to my eyeballs in children, dishes, laundry, diapers, etc. I just wanted to run away from home all by myself. It was during one of those really tight financial times and I knew there was just no way we could afford it. The fact that I knew I couldn't seemed to make the want to get away seem that much more frustrating.
I finally talked with my dear husband and let out all of my feelilngs and frustrations, etc. He told me that somehow he would find a way for me to get away. I was stunned. I was so caught up in the I cant of the situation, it never dawned on me that there might be a way. I was so appreciative that he would do that for me.
Once I knew that I really could go somewhere, all of the frustration seemed to melt away. As I sat and thought and thought about where I could go, it finally dawned on me. There really wasn't anywhere that I really wanted to go. The fact that I could just seemed to make all of the difference.
How thankful I am for a good husband who was willing to do whatever it took to let me get away.
Again, now our situation is different. All of the children are grown and gone. I can go anywhere I want. What I really want is to be home with my favorite person, doing nothing special, just being together. Some things stay the same. Just knowing I could if I wanted to makes the difference.
I finally talked with my dear husband and let out all of my feelilngs and frustrations, etc. He told me that somehow he would find a way for me to get away. I was stunned. I was so caught up in the I cant of the situation, it never dawned on me that there might be a way. I was so appreciative that he would do that for me.
Once I knew that I really could go somewhere, all of the frustration seemed to melt away. As I sat and thought and thought about where I could go, it finally dawned on me. There really wasn't anywhere that I really wanted to go. The fact that I could just seemed to make all of the difference.
How thankful I am for a good husband who was willing to do whatever it took to let me get away.
Again, now our situation is different. All of the children are grown and gone. I can go anywhere I want. What I really want is to be home with my favorite person, doing nothing special, just being together. Some things stay the same. Just knowing I could if I wanted to makes the difference.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
new look
thanks Misty for the new look. We worked on the first one that had the cars. I was across the room and saw it and thought it was cute but after we added it, we figured it had looked cuter from across the room. It was bright and colorful but not quite what I had in mind. then the blog wouldn't let her change it. So to do my blog designer justice, I wanted to let everyone who saw it know that I picked it.
When I got home from church she had taken pity on me and changed out the cars. thanks Misty. When you only have one foot in the new technology it helps to have tech support in the family and free.
When I got home from church she had taken pity on me and changed out the cars. thanks Misty. When you only have one foot in the new technology it helps to have tech support in the family and free.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
such a special gift
When I was growing up, we had limited space and funds for decorating for Christmas. We usually got a very small tree that would sit on a table and my mothers favorite colors were blue lights and blue bulbs.
I yearned for a big tree with all the colors possible.
One year at school, my teacher let me have the classroom tree and I dragged it all the way home. It must not have been too great because other than dragging it home, I really don't remember much else.
I dreamed and yearned for a big tree with lots and lots and lots of lights and color.
When I got married, we still had limited funds and space so we started out with a medium tree and some lights and a few ornaments. As the kids came along and got in school and primary, we began to get more and more ornaments of every size, shape and color.
We had real trees for awhile but it really got messy so we went to artificial. It was still somewhat ho hum but the day finally came when I found my dream tree on sale. I loved it. It takes awhile to set up and take down because it is so full and has so many branches. I even ended up taking the bottom layer of branches off because you couldn't get presents under it.
It has held up really well through the years and has filled my dream of a big tree.
Some may think it isn't all that big, but to me it is big and beautiful.
As the kids grew up and left home it got harder and harder to think about setting it up. We even put up a little tree one year and it was such a flop. When our daughter came up with the idea to decorate the tree for us, it was great. Now I had a reason to put up the big tree again.
This year was so special. We gals of the family get together once a week to do gardening or crafts or whatever. I took advantage of my week and asked them to set up the tree. They had it set up in no time. I tweeked a few of the branches and then three of the grandkids came over and put on the lights and decorations. It was wonderful.
I had my favorite tree, enough lights for three trees and wonderful ornaments covering it from top to bottom.
Next year another family takes a turn to decorate the tree.
As I took the tree down this year and sent thank you's to those who helped put it up and decorated it, I thought to myself. If there hadn't been a single present under the tree, the sweet service from our family through the years to set it up and to decorate it with precious ornaments of their making was a wonderful gift in itself.
How I love my tree and my family who make it so special each year.
I yearned for a big tree with all the colors possible.
One year at school, my teacher let me have the classroom tree and I dragged it all the way home. It must not have been too great because other than dragging it home, I really don't remember much else.
I dreamed and yearned for a big tree with lots and lots and lots of lights and color.
When I got married, we still had limited funds and space so we started out with a medium tree and some lights and a few ornaments. As the kids came along and got in school and primary, we began to get more and more ornaments of every size, shape and color.
We had real trees for awhile but it really got messy so we went to artificial. It was still somewhat ho hum but the day finally came when I found my dream tree on sale. I loved it. It takes awhile to set up and take down because it is so full and has so many branches. I even ended up taking the bottom layer of branches off because you couldn't get presents under it.
It has held up really well through the years and has filled my dream of a big tree.
Some may think it isn't all that big, but to me it is big and beautiful.
As the kids grew up and left home it got harder and harder to think about setting it up. We even put up a little tree one year and it was such a flop. When our daughter came up with the idea to decorate the tree for us, it was great. Now I had a reason to put up the big tree again.
This year was so special. We gals of the family get together once a week to do gardening or crafts or whatever. I took advantage of my week and asked them to set up the tree. They had it set up in no time. I tweeked a few of the branches and then three of the grandkids came over and put on the lights and decorations. It was wonderful.
I had my favorite tree, enough lights for three trees and wonderful ornaments covering it from top to bottom.
Next year another family takes a turn to decorate the tree.
As I took the tree down this year and sent thank you's to those who helped put it up and decorated it, I thought to myself. If there hadn't been a single present under the tree, the sweet service from our family through the years to set it up and to decorate it with precious ornaments of their making was a wonderful gift in itself.
How I love my tree and my family who make it so special each year.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
the blessings of motherhood
As I read the blogs of my daughters and daughters in law about their concerns of having another child, I pondered a special blessing given years ago before the ability to again have children had been restored to me.
We had two children at the time but one was very ill and doctors weren't sure if he would live past 5.
Having found the gospel and the significance of eternal families, my heart ached at the lost ability to have children. At that time, any surgery to restore that ability was very difficult and the results were extremely slim that it would be successful.
A very special blessing was received that reassured me that in fact the blessing to have children would be restored.
The restored health of the one was also given in another special blesssing by his father and uncle.
What joy filled my heart at the great love of a Heavenly Father to make a way for the great blessing of continued motherhood to be restored in such a miraculous way.
If that ability was to be restored, then so should the ability to raise and nurture those blessed children that would come.
I have never doubted that blessing, nor the strength that came when needed with each new addition to our family. The ability to love was always there, the strength was given when needed and the joy was felt and gratitude abounded with each child.
Now at this season of my life, I continue to marvel at the continuation of that blessing with the birth of each child to the miracle children that I was blessed with.
Of the one that was not supposed to live, there are now four children. Of the one who was not supposed to be able to have children, there are three. Another has four, one has two, one has three, one has one and another on the way, and one will, I am sure, be blessed in the future.
From that great blessing long ago there has been six added to the two and from those 8 have come 17.
Never doubt in your ability to love, care and raise up children to the Lord. You will be guided, directed and blessed in all your efforts. On your own, there could be shortcomings but with the Lord on your side, for every trial, there will be solutions and answers, strength and joy.
If He has the confidence in you to send you a child, then with that ability will also come all you will need to love and raise it, of that I can testify.
We had two children at the time but one was very ill and doctors weren't sure if he would live past 5.
Having found the gospel and the significance of eternal families, my heart ached at the lost ability to have children. At that time, any surgery to restore that ability was very difficult and the results were extremely slim that it would be successful.
A very special blessing was received that reassured me that in fact the blessing to have children would be restored.
The restored health of the one was also given in another special blesssing by his father and uncle.
What joy filled my heart at the great love of a Heavenly Father to make a way for the great blessing of continued motherhood to be restored in such a miraculous way.
If that ability was to be restored, then so should the ability to raise and nurture those blessed children that would come.
I have never doubted that blessing, nor the strength that came when needed with each new addition to our family. The ability to love was always there, the strength was given when needed and the joy was felt and gratitude abounded with each child.
Now at this season of my life, I continue to marvel at the continuation of that blessing with the birth of each child to the miracle children that I was blessed with.
Of the one that was not supposed to live, there are now four children. Of the one who was not supposed to be able to have children, there are three. Another has four, one has two, one has three, one has one and another on the way, and one will, I am sure, be blessed in the future.
From that great blessing long ago there has been six added to the two and from those 8 have come 17.
Never doubt in your ability to love, care and raise up children to the Lord. You will be guided, directed and blessed in all your efforts. On your own, there could be shortcomings but with the Lord on your side, for every trial, there will be solutions and answers, strength and joy.
If He has the confidence in you to send you a child, then with that ability will also come all you will need to love and raise it, of that I can testify.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)