Oh my!

 

 

Yesterday after Waverly got dressed in her pretty dress she started spinning in circles chanting "a Princess Forever! I am a Princess Forever!" What do I have to look forward to with this girl?

Good bye, Boys!

 

 

 

 

I did it. I put those boys on a plane heading to Colorado and I walked away. They are about to have the best summer ever. I think this will be a time they remember for the rest of their lives. So fun to spend this time with their grandparents, getting to know them better. I sent little notebooks with them with instructions to write about the days adventures every night. They are going to have so much fun!

I think they were a little bit nervous in the airport, but once on the plane, I am sure they were fine. I know those grandparents will be there waiting in Denver and all will be well.

I did not cry. It was strange to turn around and walk away. I had visions of doing this again in a few years, only sending them off to college and missions.

It is so quiet at our house without them. It will be fun and different. I have never been away from my kids for this much time. We will all survive. I hope Mom and Dad survive!

All right boys, be good, help your grandma, say please and thank you! Have super fun and we will see you in 4 weeks!

A lot changes in 15 years!

 

 

 

 

15 years! Amazing how quickly that time has gone. Madsen is a good boy. He is smart, helpful, funny, we like him. I think I will keep him for another 15 years!

Dentists

We have been going through the dental appointment fun that happens every six months. I get dentist anxiety, mostly about the kids. Cannon was fine, Madsen, as usual, needs fillings and was told he needs to do a better job taking care of his teeth. He makes me batty. I told him this is the last free filling. Any more and he is paying. I don't know how to motivate the boy! I even made him watch a show that had real live people without teeth. Irritating, I tell you! Declan and Sullivan go next week. I know Dec has some problems that I am worried about. He has one tooth, that at some point is going to have to get a crown. Sully's teeth are fine, just crooked. Last time Dr. Garcia told me it was time for braces. So I am sure when we go in and he does not have braces he will harass me. I guess I need to get it done. Dr. Garcia's wife is an orthodontist in our town. He always refers me to her. My problem is that our friend who is a dentist, does not recommend her. Although I do not go to Mike as my dentist, I kind of trust his opinion in this matter a little more. I guess I should ask Mike who he does recommend. Today was my turn. I struggle with x-rays and all the tools in my mouth. It is a trial not to vomit on hygienists! I had a harder time today than usual. I could not wait to get out of that chair. My jaw is screwed up and every time I go, my dentist freaks out about it, asks how long it has been like that, and if it bothers me. I don't know what it would take to fix it, not really all that interested at the moment. I am glad that my turn is over and no real problems with my teeth. Just one more day of appointments and we are good for another 6 months!

I Stand All Amazed

We had a young family in our ward lose a baby at 30 weeks gestation this week. It is so heartbreaking. I am her visiting teacher so I have been arranging meals and I will be making food for the family luncheon after the burial. So so sad for them. What has been amazing to me has been the overwhelming response from so many sisters in the ward to help out. I had started thinking of who I would call to ask to take meals. I did not have to call anyone. The email chain gets going and news spreads and I had people contacting me asking what needs done and volunteering help. If I had every sister who contacted me take in a meal, they would not need to cook for a couple of months! People are ready and so willing to serve each other in times of need. It touches my heart.

She did not want anyone to do anything. Her family had to convince her to let me bring in dinner last night. She only agreed to let me arrange meals when I suggested that I be the delivery girl. I am so very glad that for once in my life I have actually been doing my visiting teaching so that when this happened she was willing to let me serve.

Not so very long ago when Cannon was in the hospital I hesitated to call anyone because I did not want to be a bother. Mom told me to call because the Relief Society women want to help and that is just what we do. She told me that I would be willing to help someone else any time. It is true. I am willing. I was so grateful for the help we received that week and that was just a minor bump in the road.

I am amazed and grateful for the outward expression of love for this family. The actions of these women who are fulfilling their covenants to mourn with those that mourn and strengthen the feeble knees and lift up the hands that hang low, to bear each others burdens has been impressive. This is the gospel in action and I stand all amazed.

From Sea to Shining Sea...

Yesterday at church we sang some of the patriotic hymns. I could barely hold back tears and had goose bumps up my arms. It stirred emotions deep inside me. We sang the entire Star Spangled Banner, standing up, in honor of our country. Songs do not always sound so amazing at church. This one did. It was incredible. We also sang My Country 'tis of Thee. The words to these songs have so much pride and emotion and beauty and gratitude in them. My favorite of them all is America the Beautiful. It describes the country, the fight that went on to allow those freedoms and this country to be born. it is a prayer for continued blessing. These songs remind me of what the founding fathers had in mind when they were inspired to form our government. What we should all feel and hope and work for for our country. The little hint of how to sing these songs in the hymn book says "with dignity" and "vigorously". I am proud to be an American and I will fight the fights I can with dignity and vigorously.