reflecting

Yesterday at church while the Sacrament was being passed, I was watching one of our new deacons. For some reason I got lost in many thoughts in relation to our young men and the priesthood. When these young men advance in the offices of the Aaronic Priesthood, it really is only a short time that they perform these duties of passing, preparing and blessing the Sacrament. Sure there are times that the Melchizedek Priesthood assists with the Sacrament, but it is no longer their responsibility on a regular basis.

My next train of thought went to Scott. I searched my memory of an image of him passing the Sacrament as a Deacon and I could not come up with one. I know I watched him, but I don't have an image. Then I thought about him preparing and blessing the Sacrament and again, no particular image came to my mind.

Fred and I talked about this over lunch after church. He agreed with my experience and also shared that all of Scott's teenage years Fred was serving in the Stake and simply was not in our ward. He said by the time Scott was in his last year of high school he realized that he missed all of that.

It was a melancholy kind of day. We are so proud of Scott. He is so amazing. Scott does not speak unkindly about anyone or anything. He is so enthusiastic about what's going on in his life. Always a happy report when he calls. He does amazing things wherever he goes to take everything to the next level. I don't know about Fred, but I sometimes marvel and wonder where he gets these traits. It doesn't appear that Scott has developed or learned any of our bad habits. He is a good and honorable man. We love him.

  

Gem of the Week - Spencer

Spencer will be turning seven on January 1st.

My fondest memories of Spencer are from the time when Corinne and the boys lived with us.
He had just turned one year old. 

During this time, Spencer went to daycare while Corinne worked.

I got to pick Spencer up most everyday.

At the beginning he would cry and come running. Progressively, he got more comfortable there and would be engrossed in play when I arrived. He was such a beautiful cutie pie. It really was wonderful to have a little baby in the house for that time. 

Here is Spencer "sleeping" beside Henry.

 I think a good word to describe Spencer is "Imp"

Maybe not that he is truly mischievous, but he truly has that look. 

 Spencer is a handsome boy. He is doing really well in school. His teacher gives him high praise.

I think Spencer gets a little lost in the brotherhood. I feel like he wants to please and get along with his older brothers. Between all the boys, I feel like he is the one that has deep thoughts and is a survivor.

He also has such beautiful big brown eyes. Even though I don't get as involved with these boys and play (it's a granpa thing), I would love to sit with Spencer and read a book. Just sit close by. I kind of miss the closeness I felt with him when he was a baby.

Spencer will always hold a special place in my heart.

Just a quick note

So pretty much ever since we moved here I have had spent many hours in my head having a conversation something like this

"I'm nobody in this ward. I miss playing the piano for EVERYTHING and EVERYONE.

I hate that I will never be anyone here. This ward is so big and there are so many people. I will never make a difference or matter. I'm simply not important to anyone here".

I was in my head having that conversation again on Sunday. I don't know what finally possessed me, but I finally received this personal revelation.

"It doesn't matter about all of those things, what matters is your relationship with Fred and how you live your life together."

I have felt great relief once I realized "Oh My Gosh" that is what matters.

Fred is my constant companion forever. I need to make "us" be the focus of my energies instead of living in the past. 

Living in the past is so unhealthy. I've actually come to realize that "right now" this moment is how we need to live our lives. Make each moment the best it can be. Don't worry about the past or what is ahead.

 NOW!

Scott & Jess photo shoot

Scott and Jess went out and had the Anniversary/Family Pictures taken.

There were about 60 poses to choose from. I've selected just a few for certain reasons.

This one I love the expression in Jess's face. She is so in love with Scott.

Just what a mother hopes for her son.

These two are just so doggone happy. Two peas in a pod. 

 Scott is so handsome in this shot. 

 Calm, content, joy, safety and peace in their expression.

 I like Scott's expression. He is madly in love with Jess too. 

Mini Family Reunion

A few weeks ago Shannon called and asked if she and the kids could come for a week to visit. Their school district was going to have Fall break and their babysitter would be out of town and Shannon couldn't find an alternate. Then another day, Corinne called and asked if she could come with just Henry. It sounded like a win win opportunity.

Corinne arrived first on Friday night. Fred and I had tickets to see The Piano Guys at the Tuachan that night, so they were in bed when we got home. Corinne, Henry and I headed to Kohls in the morning for a little shopping. Naptime and then it was about time for Shannon and her gang to arrive. We drove down to Ancestor Square for a Community Halloween type festival that advertised bounce houses. The kids played in those a little while and then they went on the beautiful carousel that is there. Headed home and hung out at home the rest of the evening. Brian went to the grocery store to stock up on supplies for chili for the ward Trunk or Treat chili cook off. He also baked us cookies, made homemade chocolate sauce for the ice cream he brought back.

Sunday was church. I asked Brian if he would be willing to sing in our choir today. We are always short on men so he came with me to choir practice and sang during Sacrament meeting. Scott sang in the choir when he was here too. It was so much fun to introduce both my daughters in Relief Society. I had swiss steak in the crock pot when we got home. Food always tastes so good after three + hours of church. Naptime and more playing for the kids. A walk down to our neighborhood park to play for the kids. Fred got his one on one time with Mima. Baby steps to letting us in her personal bubble zone.

 All us girls after church.

Gramma & Buddy too.

 Monday Corinne and Fred got up to attend a session at the temple at 7:20 AM. Shannon and I passed on that. There will be other times to attend together. When they got home, Corinne, Shannon and I went for mani/pedi and lunch out. Brian and Fred took the kids to the park again. All were fed and taking naps when we got home. Corinne had to pack up and go home.

More time hanging around at the house until we took Shannon's Family to the Jump House. Lots of trampolines. We thought it would be more little kid oriented, but it still worked. After Shannon's kids were in bed at 7:00 or so and then we "let" them go out to dinner. We didn't want to feed or put Mima and Buddy to bed. We are lazy grandparents.

Tuesday we all went to the Children's Museum here in St. George. It is really a wonderful place. The kids had fun there. We went out to lunch at Chick Fil A and then back for baby naps. Fred and Brian had baby duty and Shannon and I did some shopping. I buy Mima's cute squeak shoes at a shop here in town. We went there and to another little shop for cute inexpensive clothes for Mima. Next was Walmart for last minute Christmas gifts that we could send back with Shannon and Brian. Now we won't have to pack gifts when we go there for Christmas.

I got to paint Mima's nails. It's really hard to paint itty bitty nails. 

Infamous Grampa Wheelbarrow Ride.

Next was getting ready for the Trunk or Treat. Fred and I went first and Shannon's family followed. Again, it was really nice to be able to introduce them around to special friends. I think we all had a really good time. Back home to bed.

Where's Waldo and Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego

Wednesday I had to return to work and they left by 8 AM to drive back to Denver in one day. Shannon said they kids traveled well and they would be up to doing it again.

It was so wonderful to have them all here. I'm so glad we have Skyping capabilities. It makes it feel like they are just around the corner.

GEM OF THE WEEK #2

 My Gem of the week is Garrett. He is nine years old now. My fondest memory of Garrett is when we went to the airport to pick up Corinne and her family. I don't remember the occasion, but it was when Garrett was still pretty much a baby. He had fly away crazy blonde hair and the biggest happy grin I have ever seen on a baby. Corinne was wheeling him out in the stroller through the terminal and that grin simply lit up the entire airport.

 Garrett is the tenderhearted boy of the family. 

 He loves being a Cub Scout.

 He loves his Mom.

 He asked for almost a year if he could take violin lessons. 

Corinne and Ben figured if he asked for that long, it must be important. 

He got his wish. 

 Garrett has such a sweet face and is so handsome. 

 He's a good helper.

Here's a nice memory. 

We love you Garrett and are so happy that you are our #2 grandson.