Gem of the Week #5

So Gem #5 is Mima.

I was really happy when Shannon announced we had a granddaughter on the way.

I waited a long time and four grandsons for her.

Even better is she is turning out to be all girl. Which simply thrills me to no end.

Mima loves stuffed animals.

The challenge we have with Mima is she does not cozy up to us really at all.

She loves her Momma best and makes no apology for it. 

Even Brian gets left out a lot of the time. 

Somehow Grandpa got in close for looking at books. Lucky guy!

 I have shown great restraint in not buying tons of little girlie outfits for Mima.

This is probably the first one I sent. It is so hard to not go crazy. I've made her a dress and bought her another outfit for Christmas this year. 

 This little yellow dress is one we bought for Shannon when we lived in Japan when she was three.

I'm glad to see saving it all these years paid off.

 I love this picture for several reasons. 

I love the look on Buddy's face - kind of don't mess with my sister.

I love Mima's little piggie tail on top.

I love that she looks so feminine.

 This picture captures the absolute joy these two girls have being together.

 I just like her smirk in this picture.

 Do I even need to explain why I love this picture?

 Or this one? I think my Mom would have loved this little headband. It's so Taye!

 When Mima was little, she absolutely was not a cuddler. She always hung back like this with her arms dangling. 

 Pretty much she is always happy. Love her one little dimple.

 This is when I knew Mima had crossed over to the world of pink and princess. 

I love this little girl. She doesn't have to do anything but be herself. 

She truly is a dream come true for me.

Gem of the Week #4

Gem #4 is Buddy.

I have to start with this picture. 

It's a good Grandma moment.

Most of Buddy's moments are with his Grandpa Fred.

They are buddies.

Pretty Cute as Where is Waldo for Halloween this year. 

 Living in Colorado has been so much fun. Buddy can play outside in his own backyard.

 Buddy has big emotions. Especially back in these days. He had a rough first couple years of life. Some delays in speech made for a very frustrating period of time for Buddy and Mom & Dad. Another huge blessing that came as a result of their move to Colorado, was getting Buddy connected with specialist that have been working with him to get him caught up developmentally.

 Buddy loves all vehicles related to construction ~ all called Bobs. 

(From Bob the Builder)

 I think this was the moment we realized that these two have a special bond.

 Shannon sent us this photo after they returned home from a visit with us at our house. 

She said it was Buddy staring out the window missing Grandpa.

 Buddy loves our little vacuum. We are giving him one for Christmas this year.

 This was a scary bump in the road when Buddy got RSV.

He was in the hospital for several days.  

  Buddy came to us through IVF (Infertility and In-Vitro Fertilization)

He is pretty much a miracle really. 

We enjoyed having Shannon's family so close to us for a couple of years before they moved away from Las Vegas. It was a great move for them even though we are sad to be so far apart now.

It made such a difference in my relationship with Shannon's family.

I wish we could see all of our grandchildren more. When I retire, I'm pretty sure I will be doing more of that.

We love you Little Buddy. You are so full of vim and vigor. (Ebullient vitality and energy)

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.