March Visit to Colorado

Grandpa getting his early afternoon shave from Dayton in Colorado.

Even though these two little angels were over to our house not to long ago, it's nice to have them welcome us when we share our Love.

It all falls under the word, "LOVE!" It had been a long time since we had seen the kids in Colorado & with a window of opportunity, we jumped in the car to make a visit happen.

Little did we know that Sam, our oldest grandson, had his first season game in basketball & had drawn his father's number as his own.

We left at 5 in the morning and was at Mary Ann's by 1:00. (Grandpa falls asleep & mother puts the pedal to the metal! Getting to the location is what Grandma wants FAST! I'm practicing the Angel Moroni's travel speed!)

We made it in time to visit with Mary Ann, Dayton & Afton before meeting up with Alan's clan to go watch Sam's first game. (It was a hard first game for Sam, because he had only been in a few minutes when he called the Ref on a bad call & got a technical & his coach took him out of the rest of the game. Don't think he'll do that again.) Nonetheless, we were there to support him, and that's all that really matters.

Thursday, Mary Ann had a project for Mom! "Do I buy vinyl for $200 or do I have my Mom paint it?" Easy answer to that question. Once we had Ryan convinced that I could make things look good, we went to work! I loved it that Mary Ann visited with me while I painted.

Making memories is what is all about. And the nice thing is, if they don't like it, its just a roll full of paint away from instant CHANGE!

Little Afton was the main supervisor......This is her room anyway!

And beside, Grandma & she talk the same bubbly gooie language! (Actually, this is her very first art lesson!)

Note her T-shirt says, "If Mommy say's "NO" call 1-800-Grandma!"

And that's exactly what she did. Tree then leaves! White or Red! Afton chose RED!

Wha-lah! Finished and put back together. Mary Ann made a darling mobil with yellow, white & red birds and then hug my drawing of her & baby Dayton on the other wall. Can't you just hear Grandma screaming, "I LOVE YOU!""

Alan's kids were all out of school on Friday, so we picked them up at 8:30 and went to the bowling alley to have a ball..........in several different colors.

Sam & Chase whipped through 2 games before Connor, Elle & I could finish one. With a little coaching, these two boys would be pro's.

So Grandpa paid for another game so he could give them some of his expert instruction.

Connor was more than happy to be playing with Grandma & Elle. However he was pitching for Elle & I to loose to him!

These kids are good, obedient kids who are so pleasant to take places together.

And who was the top winner with 114 point! Miss Elle Crockett. (She let Grandma win by one point on the next game.)

Then we went to Wendy's for lunch afterwards stopping at Michael's craft to pick up a painting project. Oh, the joy of just doing things with the grand kids.

As Chase would say, "Wii!" After painting let's play Wii.

Saturday morning, it was an early breakfast. Dayton was really sick so he couldn't go with us. But he was always anxious to wake me each morning and say, "Grandma, want to come snuggle with me?" This little tike melts your hear quickly. One time I said, "Hey, what's your name?" "Dayton Ahlstrom," he said. "And where do you live?" His reply has me giggling still: "In Utah........with YOU!"

Chase is quit the soccer player. Fast, focused, and 100% in the game. Handsome too!

I had plenty of pictures on the side line, when Elle got hold of the camera. She's good!

Then it was Connors turn on the field. I hope to post one of the movies of him scoring.

Meanwhile, the older brother is so supportive! Force by Family law, he sat in the car in Elle's car seat watching the game like a dutiful big brother.

Sunday morning, I had the feeling we needed to head home after church. Little did we know that it would snow the next day in the Utah Mountains. So we packed up our stuff while Alan & the kids made their traditional Sunday Pizza's together.

Alan taught the lesson in Gospel Doctrine and told the story that Sam had come home from church last week and asked his mother, "Mom, which Sunday school class do you go to: Gospel Doctrine or the Parenting class?" Karen told him she went to Gospel Doctrine. He came back with, "You should consider going to the Parenting class......you kind of need it!"

Elle and Grandpa

Handsome Connor the Cook getting the dough ready for his Dad to roll out. Then it was eat and run as we left this fun family behind for a month or two until we reunite together again. As a mother, I am so happy with the way our children are choosing to live their lives, govern their families, and love their children. Each are strong, hard working, dedicated individuals who have provide safe havens for their families.

The Love Of Grandchildren

Kodak Moments are rare but very precious & "Thank You" Mr. Camera for embracing special moments for Grandparents. My life is full of joy because I have children who share their children with us. I love being a Grandma & I truly love my Grandchildren!

Allie anxiously waiting for "our time" to plant her Precious Princess Pansy Garden underneath the trampoline. Candice is so willing to make memories sweet with me & this is Allie's garden. She knows every time I look out the back window, I'm thinking of "Our" time together & it's always a sweet embrace.

Nothing spectacular.......only the feelings and memories we are building with one another.

And of course Cooper is most excited to help put up the trampoline. One by one his little chubby hands pick up each spring & mount it to its place. Then his mother helps stretch the big black surface so this energetic little "Scott" can work out his endless energy. He's all boy & is a di'javue of memories about his father.

And these two young friends, Sydnee Sage & Dayton, who truly love each other as they spent many hours here in the family room watching "Little Einstein" together while their mothers were being sisters & welcoming new little Jaylee into our flock. Pictures just can't do justice to the sweet memories & squeels (both good & contentious) as these two loved being together.

And happy little Afton who smiles melt marshmellow in your heart. Patient & good she waits for her turn to be loved & embraced.

And new little Jaylee Mae.....our latest granddaughter who fills my arms & my heart at the same time. Did I mention, I love being a Grandmother!

Now imagine this garbage can full of children traveling at high speeds as their father's pass them back & forth down the cultural hall to each other. Laughter & screams of joy echo through the hall, while our prayers ascend to the heaven for "SAFETY!" Memories........life is all about "remembering" and enjoying being together.

Costumes & games in November.......and being together!

Feeling your the "MOST" special & laughing together while parents talk.

Is there anything greater than reflecting on your life & remembering you were together & you were loved. Nothing is more valuable to a child or to a parent.

Thank you all of my special Grandchildren for making my life rich with special memories.

I'm anticipating many many many many many MORE!

Give Yourself Permission to Take the Time

#18 Grandchild came into our family on January 27th. Miss Jaylee Mae Gardner and I was so thankful to Julie Kaye for making this experience open to her sisters. Babies are the greatest gift God gives to us. He trusts us to nurture & care for them while we truly come to understand the power of Love.

And each one of these precious souls are so perfect. Beauties to behold......much like their mothers were to me. And yet the hardest lesson in mortality that we mothers have to learn is to "Give ourselves permission to take the time."

It's the hardest lesson for women. Especially when they have been as active, involved and busy as my daughters have been.

Oh if the vision & years of my growing motherhood could rest sweetly into the mind of my daughters it would be the greatest gift I could give them right now. Life with all it's pressures seem to weigh down & consume our hearts and send us into emotional orbit. Babies DEMAND that you sit down & hold still and busy women just don't get it! As the time clock of life ticks forward for me, I long to bring peace into the weary souls of my young mothers of two. How I wish I could give them 40 years of my experiences and gift to them the spirit to settle their restless souls: "Peace, be still." Don't worry about to morrow, don't concern yourself with what "might be" and burden yourself with "I can't!" Just be still & treasure this moment in time. Allow the spirit to calm your spirit and fill your potential. Just take one minute at a time. Poopy pants will change, screaming children will sometime sleep, and things out of order will find there way back into place........sh-h-h-h-h......it's okay! Everything is really alright! And God has given you the power to handle this minute in time right now.

I've watched all three of my daughters grow into priceless women. Strong, righteous, full of faith & vision.....but stopping their life to love being a mother has been difficult. They are always saying, "Mother, how did you do this with 7!" But somehow they don't hear my answer: "One step at a time, one day at a time......always praying and learning how to listen." My wish for them is what I could go back and wish the same thing for myself 40 years back. But I too had to learn the same lessons God is teaching them right now.

"Quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep, I'm rocking my baby, 'cause babies don't keep!" That's the poem that was between the two bedroom of my 4 boys......years before my daughters arrived. God was trying to help me understand that my motherhood was the greatest gift I could every enjoy.......so I'd better enjoy it.

So sweet daughters of mine: You started your motherhood 8-10 years later than I did so you have more expectations to quiet down. But be patient with yourselves. Enjoy the moments you have with your little ones! Take down your rulers of expectations & thinking you have to do and be everything to everyone around you.....neighbors, the church, friendship groups! Your little ones grow up much too fast. You will someday hunger to hear the words, "I want my Mommy!" Your arms will ache to feel their hug and catch their tears. And some day these little girls will be asking you, "How did you do it Mom?" Then you will smile and say, "It's okay darling. Laying down your life for your children has nothing to do with the delivery table."

Christmas is .....

Christmas is new family pictures. And we are always thankful to update our wall as our children grow in size and number. Grandma & Grandpa get new school pictures from each of the families to go on the wall. This year we started a new tradition. We've given the kids a Christmas book each year that correlates with our Christmas Theme. Now the binder of feelings has grown in size, we decided to give faces to some of the memories. For the next 7 years we will write a book about each of our children. Aaron was selected to be the first book. Pictures with memories, the lives of each of our children will be depicted.

Christmas is dear friends visiting. Becky & Anna Tyler made our Christmas day special as Anna reported her success up at Utah State where she is enhancing her education.

Christmas is gathering to eat & daughters helping in the kitchen.

We have 4 of the greatest daughter-in-laws.

Christmas is also son's & son's in laws chatting about their businesses.

We already know & realize how great our sons are but Tim & I have 2 of the finest son-in-laws.

Christmas is embracing Grandchildren. Izzy is beautiful & so full of mischief. (Just like her Dad)

Christmas is children laughing & loving each other.

Christmas is opening gifts filled with love.

Christmas is Aunts loving nieces & nephews.

Christmas is talking with loved ones that live so far away & feeling their love seem so close. (Thank you God for making Skype!)

And Christmas is attending a Elementary School Christmas program and realizing your children are now the teachers.