Simple Joys

Rocks,
mud puddles
and little boys
simple joys

We want to be children forever!

Conversation with Gordon. He was speaking for himself and Ella.

G: We wish we were little babies again.

Me: Why?

G: because we want to be children forever!

Me: Why?

G: 'cuz toys!

Back from AZ

We are back from Arizona. We went down for my baby brother's graduation (I guess he's not a baby anymore). I am so grateful that we were able to go and be with him on that a special day. He is such an awesome guy. The night before graduation we got to go see him perform a skit and sing as part of a special night for the seniors involved in drama. Jason has been in several plays this year and I have always felt bad that we were never able to see him perform. So seeing him in his element, performing that night was a special treat. I felt like I got to see him as his friends and peers see him. He is a talented guy. Next up for him is preparing for his mission. He will be 19 in July.


We also really enjoyed being with Grandma and Grandpa. We don't get to see them enough at all. We spent many hours in the pool. Grandpa bought these fun inflatable battery-operated jet skis for the kids. They were so fun. Jace loved them. He wanted to be on them all the time.

Friday morning Ben & Mike and their families came down. It was fun to have almost all of the family together (just Joe & his family were missing.) The kids really enjoyed each other this trip. I love the picture of these three snuggled up together watching a movie.

Grandma Nelda's Birthday Party

Last night we went to Grandma Oldham's Birthday party. It is something we have been doing since she turned 80. This year, if she were still here she would have turned 89. She passed away 3 years ago this week, but we have continued to remember her and celebrate her life by having her birthday party. Few people have influenced me as much as my Grandma. She was an amazing woman, so kind and so good. She had many spiritual gifts and she used them to bless her family and those around her. People still tell me all the time how much they miss her. She was like the Grandma for all of Covered Bridge Canyon, where she lived for many years.

When she passed away I was actually living in her house in Covered Bridge. She was living in an apartment close to her only daughter. I was scared to go home that night after I knew she had passed away. I didn't want to go home to her house where there were so many memories and momentos of her. Going home wasn't as awful as I thought it would be but I felt lost. Grandma was a spiritual giant and she was the head of our family for many years. I didn't know what we would do without her. I remember praying and asking who was going to lead our family and if we would be okay without her. Words from a hymn came into my mind.

"Fear not I am with thee oh be not dismayed, for I am thy God and will still give thee aid. I'll strengthen thee, help thee and cause thee to stand. Upheld by my righteous, upheld by my righteous, Omnipotent hand."

At first I couldn't remember what hymn it was but these words were so comforting to me. I knew that even though someone I loved so much and looked up to as a leader and guide was gone that I and my family would be ok . Grandma always put her trust in the Lord and if I did the same I would be ok. That hymn, "How Firm a Foundation" is one of my favorites and continues to comfort me 3 years later. I wanted to make sure I recorded this story and last night reminded me I hadn't done it yet.

Grandma's party always consists of hot dogs and pot luck salads, playing softball and basketball, and carriage rides. For several years, Grandma joined right in and played softball with everyone. Here are some pics from Last nights party.


In the carriage
Gordon, Ella, Keni and Jace are all on this carriage ride.
This is the last picture I think that I have of my Grandma. Here she is holding Ella (on the left) and my niece Emmy (on the right).
Ella and Hannah.

How did it go by so fast?

This is Gordon on his first day of Kindergarten. Tomorrow is his last day of school. I can't believe how much he has grown this year and how much he has learned. He has grown up a lot. It has been so fun to watch him learn to read and write. What mother can resist the first love note penned by their child's own hand? I am so proud of all he has accomplished this year and am grateful that I have been able to help him along the way. Having him in school has made me feel like I am in school again too. We've had homework and deadlines and such. I am hoping summer break will feel like it did when I was little too. Where the days are long and full of playing outside, building forts, jumping on the trampoline, swimming, running through the sprinklers, etc. Having a child is like experiencing childhood all over again and realizing what a gift it is.

Flowers 2

"Earth laughs in flowers" ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson



Some more flower pictures for my mom. She planted these flowers and I have managed not to kill them. She lives in the desert now and misses her flowers.

Flowers

"Flowers always make people better; happier; and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine to the soul."
~ Luther Burbank