Summer 2009

This has been a pretty crazy summer! We have a new grandbaby, our first. Mason was born to Crystal and Tim on July 12, 2009. As you can see he is darling! Miles and Emily moved home for the summer to earn money for school. Kelson is also working and we are all trying to carve out time for family. We did get to go to Midway for a few days and it was just what the doctor ordered. A few days hanging out in a pool in a beautiful place with people you love does the trick!

On Saturday we took the family to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house. I missed the memo about dress so we were about the only ones in casual clothing. Why does that happen so much to me, could it be that I need to pay more attention when people talk? I think this is also a gift that I have bestowed on several of my children.

Oh well. We had a nice day. I love to be in the temple, especially with my family! Emily took Brady and Miles took his girlfriend, Betsy. Good times.

Upcoming Grandmahood!

I am going to be a grandma. I have known for months, but today it really hit me and I cried. Once upon a time there was a beautiful little baby in my own arms and now she is going to be a mom. It is surreal. I have flash backs of this happy little person running through the yard, pretending to be a wolf, a princess, a dog. There is a picture burned in my memory of her playing in the leaves in the fall and rejoicing in the freedom of it all. I see the teen with all of the regular teenage angst, but with a head full of common sense that to me seemed unusual for her age. Her chatter brought me so much joy, the memories will comfort me when I am old.

Now when we talk she has the same fears I did, " What if I don't love my baby?" "Will I be a good Mom?" Typical and timeless fears of motherhood but more poignant when expressed by a daughter you love. I know she will be a great Mom and Tim a great father. Will I be a good grandma? Will I be someone my grandchildren can turn to when they have had it with Mom and Dad? Will I be an example of a life well lived so they have some tradition of success to follow?

My emotions are bundle of contradictions! I am thrilled, sad that life is passing so quickly, nervous about his health and well being, but excited to bounce a new life on my knee! My baby will be grown, but a new little life will bring the youthful joy into our home again.

We are blessed.

Proactive is the best!

Today I am grateful for the concept of being proactive instead of reactive! As Steven Covey says, I believe in creating the "Win, Win!" It is easy to find all of the reasons things can't be done, Too Busy, Stressed, Overwhelmed, don't have the Education, habit, whatever. But I like to think about the possibilities that one can succeed, and there is a way to create a win, that we can find solutions.
I have a friend that is a young man and he is tremendously busy, but he always seems to find a way to meet with friends and succeed in his religion, and his career. This year I am hoping for him to hit the million $ mark. His life philosophy is that he envisions his day succeeding and visualizes himself where he wants to be and then goes out and creates it. He is one of the busiest people I know, but he has never said that he can't see me because he doesn't have time.
This morning I have thought a lot about that saying, why do we say it, and why do we think it? As I have pondered this I have thought about the times I have said it and why. Sometimes it is because I am feeling overwhelmed with life, it is not really about time. Sometimes I have used it as a badge of pride, I wanted people to see me as a person of worth because I must be, to be so busy. Regretfully, I have also said it to get out of doing something that I really didn't want to do. It is a handy excuse, but looking back I see that rarely is it true.
For sure we can't do everything at once, but as we schedule, we can plan ahead and have time for almost anything worthwhile. It may be a year out, but we can make the time. I think in our world we just get too impatient, and we are proud.
I also have recognized that I have wasted a lot of time. I have read dumb books, watched stupid TV shows, and slept longer than is needful. Somethings also just need said "No" too, and other things, like reading to a child or listening to the teen, need the priority.
My goal for today is instead of saying, "I don't have time." I am going to say, "Let's see what we can create!" Look for the "WIN!"

Kelson at the Prom

St. George Weekend

Rick and I took the weekend off and went to St. George. We had a great time and it was so nice to get away! We hiked around snow canyon and realized that we need to get in better shape. We were beat the rest of the day! Rick's weekend was topped off by BYU winning Utah! Some times are just magic.

After twenty nine years, Rick is still my very best friend and sweetheart. The children are
leaving and we are finding that we enjoy the time we have together. Although Rick's hair is gray and my gray is hidden, and although we look a little different, he is still the man that turns my heart! I look
forward to the next 29 years with this great man!