Wall of Wisdom

this thought from my friend Christie's blog

What happened to global warming?

??????
I would write more but I need to go shake the snow off the trees
before the branches break...

90 min later...

this is ridiculous...

My heart finally caught up

A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, cheerful... wait... courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, reverent.



I listened over and over as I made fish tacos last night, checking the exact wording until Christian got it perfect. All year I have been aware that he is a senior and that he is graduating. Come Sunday, he speaks at his own seminary graduation. Thursday he graduates from High School. The week after that he will be 18. I have helped with college applications and then rejoiced when he got accepted at BYU. I helped him get housing in place for the fall, we are currently making sure he can cook some basic meals. Amy took these awesome senior portraits in Salt Lake. (You can check out her photography blog here.) We've talked about budgeting and what he will have to pay for when he moves out next fall... but for some reason my heart didn't catch up with my head until last night.

Christian came through the door after his eagle scout board of review with shouts of joy -
he'd finished his eagle - and suddenly it hit me.

He really is all those things
trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.

He has grown up into an incredible young man...
and he will be ready to be on his own very soon.

WOW

Night

Dear Sweetie,

It rained today. I lay here in the darkness waiting for sleep. Usually, when you are not here, I wait to go to bed until I am so tired that I will fall asleep the moment my head hits my pillow. I did that tonight too, but here I lay... waiting for sleep. I miss you. I miss being able to lay my head on your shoulder and feel your chin on my head. I miss the sweet smell of your skin and the warmth of you next to me. I hear strange sounds when you are not here. I breathe deeply and reassure myself that one the boys must be getting a drink... why am I not asleep? You will be home tomorrow and I am soooo glad. I'm such a baby! You hardly every travel and this is such a short trip. You would think that after almost 28 years I would have it figured out...but you are such a part of me that when you are gone I feel it, I feel... less whole. I guess I will never get used to that. Sleeeeep so that it will be tomorrow, because tomorrow will be beautiful, even if it's raining...

Until then,
I love you

Moms

This is my mom circa summer 1968, Canoga Park CA.

This picture was taken before church in the corner of my back yard at 23351 Bassett Street.
in the picture are my mom, baby Linda, Lisa, Me, Julie, Greg

I love this picture.

I love that my mom was quiet stylish.
I love that she was not frustrated with us (look at the expression on her face) when we were trying to get out to church and we were not being exactly cooperative as my dad tried to get our picture. Look how good we all looked! AND we were ready early! That's impressive.
She has always know that people are more important than many other things.
She seems to enjoy the fact that I was looking up to my big sister and trying to figure out how to be more like her.

Most of what I know about being a mom I learned from my Mom.
My mom is incredibly patient and has great empathy.
I never resented my younger siblings.
I always knew there was room in her heart for all of us.
I remember her rearranging children on her lap to make room for just one more.

Being a mom is one of my very favorite titles
and most important responsibility ever.
I am in awe of each of my children.
What incredible and amazing individuals they are.
Each one has challenged me in different ways and
brought growth and unspeakable joy that could come in no other way.
I am so proud of each one of them.

One thing that is a great source of joy to me is to watch my married children with their spouses and children. Sometimes it seems surreal to me that I'm at this point.
I am so thankful that my granddaughters have the best mothers ever!

Happy Mothers Day Mom
and Amy and Celisa too!
I love these incredible women.

one of my heros

This is so worth watching.
You may want to grab a tissue first

If it cuts off part of the picture you can see it better here.
You can check out her blog here.

A good reminder of what's really important.
One of my favorite quotes, "I am not my body"