20 Years

It's been 20 years since these two were last together.  It makes me sad that they aren't together enjoying one another.  Twenty long years.  My kids were just little.  Andrew wasn't even born!  I was thin.  I miss our talks and especially her comments about the kids.  I imagine them and can even hear her voice.  This is not a milestone I wanted to commemorate. 

A few years ago when my grandma passed away, I mentioned to my husband that I was a bit envious of the reunion she and my mom were having.  I can only imagine how joyous it was.

 Mom was only 55 when she died so suddenly.  I am now 51.  That gives me a better perspective on just how young she really was.  I know I'm well into my middle age, but I still feel so young inside. 
Here's to you Mom.  Know that I'm thinking about you today and my heart is a little heavy because of missing you.  I love you Mom.

18 on the 18th

Andrew turned 18 on the 18th.  Yep, that's right.  His golden birthday.  Whatever that really means.  In honor of him, I'm posting a few (actually a lot) pictures of him throughout his life so far.  Enjoy.

He was born 5lbs 1/2 oz.  Here he is 1 week old.

 Apparently clean teeth are important even if you have to sit in the sink to do it.

 Sylvester was so patient with our children.

 All tuckered out.  Couldn't make it past the back door.

 He wasn't a "nuk" baby until about 6 months old.  Then it became his best friend.

 Four years old in his costume for the Nauvoo pageant.

 Three years old.

 One of my favorite pictures ever.  Love that he's oblivious to the camera.

 First grade with a very dark haired daddy.

 Second grade.

 A trip to door county.  I know his sisters will be grossed out by this photo.  He doesn't look a whole lot different now.  Just a bit more filled out.

 He helped out the bocce team one year by being part of the unified team.

 A sack of potatoes for Halloween.

 Kindergarten graduation with the other members of our church.

 Fishing at the lake with Maryellen.  He loves to fish but won't eat them.

 He's mister flexible.  Always has been.

 Not really a fan of being in the band but I love the low bass sound that our band needed.

 He finished all his paperwork and has submitted everything for his Eagle rank.

 A kite made with David Lau.  Pretty sure this was part of scouting too.

 Fashionable.  Just like the sisters.

 A show of support for breast cancer awareness month.

 Eighth grade recognition.

 Soccer this fall.

 A senior picture.

Andrew has been a light in my life.  His easy going personality and quick wit keep me on my toes.  He was the perfect child to be our last.  Such an easy baby considering the circumstances surrounding his birth.  He was the only child I scheduled with an induction.  (Doc was leaving town and wanted him delivered before he left.)  A blessing which I can never be thankful enough for.  My placenta quit working a few weeks before and he was starving.  The nurses informed me that another week until my due date would have resulted in a still birth. 

He is planning on a mission next year and I will miss him terribly but know that I will never be so proud of him as when he will serve the Lord full time. 

He's not an in your face type of person.  He's quiet about his good deeds and humble.  He serves without question and has really turned into a hard worker.  My Father in Heaven knew I needed him in my life and for that I am forever grateful!

Autumn Time

 I have loved the fall of the year ever since I can remember.  I think it is the colors and smells and sound of crunching leaves.  There are things I don't care for like the fact that that grass doesn't get dry until noon.

 Here's my back yard around the fire pit.  I love our new fire pit by the way.

 I love the glow of the yellow/orange leaves especially when the sun is shining.

 My apple trees are still green but the apples have been picked.  Most of the leaves are off the tree in the background.

The Fall also means soccer and volleyball.  I always loved volleyball.  I've gained an appreciation for soccer over the last couple of years with Andrew playing.  His team lost in the regional final tonight.  They played tough.  They also had a great season.  I loved watching them play.

Well, on to basketball in less than a month.

NOW

Tom is our oldest son.  He has William's Syndrome.  He is 28 years old.  He has some great qualities and some quirks.  He is possessive of those things which belong to him.  He is also very happy and quite spiritual.  He loves music!  He can sing beautifully.  His diction isn't the best, but he can pick out a bass line and sing it perfectly.  In fact he loves to harmonize.

He has a quirk that no one in our family has been able to figure out.  He has a strong dislike for the word, NOW.  You read that right.  He gets very agitated when someone uses that word.  Before he got his new scriptures, I noticed that he changed the word "now" to "know" all through the books.  I've seen it in his music folder as well.  I'm not sure what he did when we sang, "Now Let Us Rejoice."  He will mumble through it or change it if we are reading scriptures and it is his turn to read.

I have wondered if it is because of the immediacy that it represents.  For instance, we have to do this now!  Well, he has no problem with the word "immediately" or the phrase "right away."  Now is a word that I use frequently.  (I was going to say now and then. hehe)  On Friday he and I were in Green Bay doing some shopping prior to his doctor appointment.  I looked at my watch and said, "we can do to the doctor now."  Wrong thing to say.  He quickly came behind me and poked me in the back.  Then I realized what I had said. 

I sure will be interested to find out in the next life why this is such a horrible, even vulgar, 4-letter word to him.  But for now, we love him and appreciate all the good things he does and the bright spot his is in our family.  Tom, we love you now and forever!

Nephi 8 - Lehi's Vision

Last week I had the opportunity to read, study and teach Nephi 8 which is Lehi's dream or vision.  As we read it as a family I had some great insights to help my husband with a problem he was having.  When I reread it again I gained even more.  Then, our seminary supervisor sent an email with more insights. 
Did you know that all the people in Lehi's vision were members of the church?  Even those in the great and spacious building.  This is a vision about those of us who have already been baptized.  As I thought about the different groups of people within that vision I discovered that this chapter is a  great self evaluator.  At this point in your life, which group do I fit in?  Am I holding to the rod or just walking the strait path without holding?  Am I getting lost in the mists of darkness?  Do I make my way to the tree and partake and then hang my head in shame or do I partake and feel God's love and glory in His goodness?
As I pondered the lesson prior to teaching it, I thought how I and my students can use this concept in our everyday lives.  This doesn't just apply to our spiritual lives but also to our academic, social, musical and athletic lives.  What a wonderful way to apply the scriptures to our lives. 
Next time you read Chapter 8, take a look at the way you can use it to evaluate some part of your life.  You will be amazed at how it was written for us today to help us in evaluating our lives.  Have fun!  I sure did.

Where Were You?

 Where were you when the world stop turning that September day?

I love that song by Alan Jackson.  As I watched the news this morning I went back to that day 12 years ago.  It was such a beautiful sunny morning with gorgeous blue sky.  Then the unthinkable happened.

I stood in front of the television in disbelief as I saw the second plane slam into the tower.  There was a fund raiser at school that morning and I went.  No one at school had any idea what was going on in the world.  Suddenly the TV was on and crowds of students and staff were watching.  

I still look at these photos with such sadness in my heart for all the families who had loved ones snatched away from them that day.  There were so many heroes but even more victims.  Twelve years later I am still unable to put my feelings of that day into words.



More Than Ever

 In April 1993 there was a fire at the chip mill in Tilleda.  My dad lost one of his mills.  My mom wrote in her journal that when he prayed that night, there was nothing but thankfulness and nothing of his misfortune.  She wrote, "I never loved him more."  I believe I know exactly how she felt.

I recognize that my husband loves me more than life itself.  His goal in life is to provide for our family and be the best husband and father that he can possibly be.  So, I dedicate this post to him.

He's such a hard worker.

 He loves to play with the grandchildren.  We had so much fun smashing the cattails on the road.

 He provides opportunities for our children to work and goes the extra mile so we can have extra things.

 He's appreciative of all the gifts we give.  He has an infectious laugh.

Excuse the expression on my face.  I was trying hard not to laugh.  It didn't work.

I love the opportunity I've had to spend the last 30+ years married to my best friend. I look forward to many, many more.  Words cannot express what I feel in my heart.  He is my sweetheart, my rock, my everything.  I thank my Father in Heaven often for blessing me with the perfect man for me.