Thankful

Dear Mom and Dad,

Thank you for having me. I know that expecting number three when number two was only 7 months old must have been a shock. But I never felt like I was a burden in any way. Thank you for teaching me about life, this beautiful world, about love and what it means to be part of a family. Mom, thank you for carrying me, for nurturing this body I use every moment of every day. Thank you for giving birth to me - for going through the pain and struggle that is part of giving life.

Thank you for helping me with homework, paying for my piano lessons, taking me to the doctor and dentist. Thank you for my siblings who danced on the furniture with me while singing to My Turn on Earth and Saturday's Warrior. I know that you spent many hours and tears and worry over me when I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at 11. I am so thankful for your prayers and fasting and priesthood blessings in my behalf. I'm sure that there were days when you were sure that at age 49 I would be in a wheel chair, quite disabled. Thank you for your faith which produced miracles.

Thank you for countless meals, clean clothes, a roof over my head and family games of Rook and hide and seek (even when mom cheated and hid on the roof). I have such wonderful memories of sitting in the tangerine tree and eating tangerines, sneaking chocolate chips from the always open bag and canning all kinds of fruit in the kitchen. I remember Dad sitting on the bed with his arm around me one evening as I cried - having just had my heart broken for the first time.

Most of all, thank you for teaching me that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and provided a plan so that I could return to Him with my family; a Savior who atoned for me - who made it possible for me to repent and change and who can comfort and guide me no matter the issue; and the Holy Ghost which can guide and direct me everyday and remind me of God's love and my eternal worth.

I love you more than I will ever be able to express.

And THANK YOU SO MUCH

love,

Karen

Stepping forward

Sunday evening the air was cool and quiet as Mark and I began to walk to the park. Over the last few hours the house had quieted down. The food was put away and we had played a few hands of "Up and Down the River". As things settled down I could feel emotions building inside of me. The events of the past few days had been busy and glorious. A building of family and friends into an intensity of joy and love I have seldom felt. Now that the events were over, loved ones began to leave as regular life called us all back into our routines. But the reality began to sink deep inside me that the events of the weekend had redefined my "regular life". Rob and Cecily's wedding not only marked the start of their new life together but Christian's farewell on Sunday also marked only 10 days until Christian entered the MTC.

As dear family and friends gathered for the wedding breakfast I was touched by the love and support of so many people that  had enabled Robbie to get to this day, to be sealed in the temple to a beautiful, strong and worthy young lady. I was touched by the love and support her family offered too and felt confident that with this many people behind them they would be successful. I'm not sure when we had all the grandparents in one place before and don't know when we will have them all together again. It was a true delight. The sealing was such a sacred event and the council my dad gave them before he sealed them suited them perfectly. The reception again was filled with an outpouring of love and support from a wider circle of friends and family. 

On Sunday morning we all gathered at church to hear this young man speak in Sacrament Meeting...to share his testimony with family and friends before he goes to the MTC on July 6th. I sat in awe next to my sweetheart and marveled at the goodness and strength of this young man. I feel so very blessed to be his mother. Once again our house was filled with food, family and friends. 

As Mark and I walked that evening we talked about how much we will miss our missionary and shared tears of joy and sadness. We marveled at how our family had been blessed over the years and wondered how we have been given such amazing children. Each step seemed to ease the weight I felt. The cool breeze washed away the mournings of relationships that would be changed forever. I felt connected to one who knew best exactly what I was feeling and having a hand in mine comforted me. We returned to the house refreshed and exhausted. Tomorrow would bring a new day... one more step away from the life we had only a few days earlier and one step closer to a new and bright future for all of us.

*All pictures taken by The Wright Lens

Mom

Dear Mom,

Thank you for singing to me at night and teaching me about the power of the atonement. Thank you for cheering for me at many softball games. Thanks for teaching me how to cook and how to be a loving mom. Thanks for teaching me how to serve in my callings. Thanks for teaching me about the importance of education. Thanks for you patience while raising me. Thanks for your love and support in my life. I'm glad we are sealed as a forever family. Thank you for teaching me to love the temple. I'm glad you were born when you were. Thanks for your love and example in my life.

Happy Birthday Mom!
I love you!

What Dads have taught me

My dad and niece Erika
(circa 2002ish)

One spoke out, “My dad is bigger than your dad,” to which another replied, “Well, my dad is smarter than your dad.” The third boy countered, “My dad is a doctor.” Then, turning to one boy, he taunted in derision, “And your dad is only a teacher.” There is one teacher whose life overshadows all others. When the boy heard the taunts: “My dad is bigger than yours,” “My dad is smarter than yours,” “My dad is a doctor,” well could he have replied, “Your dad may be bigger than mine; your dad may be smarter than mine; your dad may be a pilot, an engineer, or a doctor; but my dad is a teacher.” May each of us ever merit such a sincere and worthy compliment!

Thomas S. Monson

I am blessed to be surrounded by wonderful dads who are also teachers. My own dad taught me joy in service, love of the Lord, and tenderheartedness. The father of my children has taught me and them much about integrity, humility and priorities.

My son and son in law have taught me to take time time to have fun and enjoy the little moments of life as I have watched them love their little girls.

I thank my Heavenly Father or all these earthly fathers that help me to know Him better.

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.

Making Progress

Sometimes it feels like I am spinning my wheels.
Working hard but nothing really to show for it.
So many ideas that I've been suffering from a lack of focus.
Stuff I see that I like and want to do, yet still drowning in the stuff I saw yesterday that I'm trying to implement. Is it every really finished?
Time to sit back, breathe deep and get some perspective.
Time to dig out too.
Get ready for girls camp
a 50th birthday celebration
helping Aaron and Celisa move
and school starting
All in rapid succession.

But first a few pictures of what I've been up to:

The hallway
It took forever to find the little pictures to fit in the collage and not cover faces with the words.
Finished is good.

Dining Room - actually in progress.

This picture shows the new light fixture as well as the sliding glass door that replaced the smaller window.

Not finished but as it stands today.
Much more roomy.

This china hutch was passed down to us from Marks' mom and will now pass to Aaron and Celisa as we share the love. The buffett that matches it is already at home with Amy and Jordan and holding Grandam T's china.

New built in makes it so we can get around the table now.

These shadow boxes took some time too but I love the way they turned out.
If any other descendants of Grandma would like to do something similar I have some more of her monogrammed silver (forks and spoons only) that's a partial set and you are welcome to have a few pieces.

The family room before

and now.
The wall to the left is quite big and blank but I have plans for a family tree with pictures.
If you are related to us - I would love a recent picture (.jpg file) of your family to put on the wall as well as pictures of great (or great great great) grandparents.
Or I'll use an old one or pluck one from facebook...

I also need some input about the eating area and a wall in the living room but those pictures will have to wait until it's not so bright outside.
Until then... I'll go get my shovel and start digging...

Oh yea happy birthday to my sister Lisa, you're awesome!
want to be inspired check this out and this.

Flash Back Friday: Gardenias

This past week while I was in Sacramento Ruby and I found a gardenia bush.
The flowers were small but quite fragrant.
I love how smells can bring back wonderful memories.

I lived at 23351 Bassett Street, Canoga Park California
from about 1st grade until fourth grade.
To the right of the front stoop was a planter area with a gardenia bush,
among other plants. The leaves were dark green, shiny and sat below baseball sized white blooms that perfumed the whole area. My mom used to cut a gardenia and wear it on her dress to church on Sundays. To this day the smell of Gardenias remind me of my mom.

I have a really great picture of us in the backyard, mom with a flower, ready for church I would like to put here.

The planter area was also known as "the frog pit"
I have been informed that horrifying creatures that lived there were actually toads but whatever you choose to call them, they were gross and slimy and jumped unpredictably in front of you.
AND
if you were walking across the rocks that bordered the planter and accidentally stepped into the frog pit.....even barely touching the dirt.....gasp.... it gave you frog germs!
Terrifying I know!

I never knew exactly what frog germs did to a person but even the thought of getting frog germs would make me shudder and writhe inside as I ran at top speed into the house where I was safe.

Hmmmm as I think about this I don't remember ever freaking out when Greg was not there...

I even remember standing in the dirt on purpose so that I could pick a gardenia for my own smelling enjoyment with no concern about frogs or their germs...

I smell a rat...

Flash Back Friday: Peanut Butter

I remember one day deciding that I wanted to make peanut butter.
I don't know how old I was... maybe 8 or 9.

Kind of random since I was not a huge fan of peanut butter
- except with chocolate - actually I like just about anything with chocolate...

ANYWAY - it didn't seem too hard, peanuts and butter,
just needed something to smash the peanuts and butter together.

Hmmmm.... maybe the blender would work...

I remember asking my mom about it and she said she didn't think that's how it was made.

Then next part is kind of fuzzy.
I don't know if my mom told me not to do it
or if she just left the room....

I just remember putting peanuts and a spoonful of butter into the blender and turning it on.
I don't remember my mom being there.

(While I was not a disobedient child,
I guess I was a little uh hem determined sometimes)
I guess I still am....

Any way, I didn't really understand about scraping down the
sides of the blender and being patient while
the blender chopped up the peanuts.

I also think that the butter stuck the peanuts to the sides of the blender
so the peanuts didn't get chopped up.
Needless to say my "peanut butter" experiment didn't go too well.

It's kind of funny that it was such a simple thing yet I still remember it.

Yesterday I came across this on Make and Takes
Instructions for making your own peanut butter!
I happened to be roasting some almonds
and made almond butter instead!
It was really good -
and my attempt so many years ago was not too far off...

Somehow taking little tastes of my almond butter
is very satisfying to me.
(I may be determined but I'm easy to please)

Flashback Whatever: Being Sick

I was sick all last week with that crud that's going around. One night I just couldn't sleep because of the sinus pressure (even with Niquil and Ibuprofen) so I got a dish cloth wet, heated it in the microwave and laid there with it on my face. It was the only thing that brought relief.

It reminded me of when I was little. A wet washcloth helped everything from a fever to a sore throat. I just felt better with a wet wash cloth applied to the effected area. Maybe it was more the love of the one applying, shaking out to get it to the right temperature and reapplying.

Thanks Mom!

PS I am trying to get caught up, prepare for a birthday party and another test next week so please excuse my lack of blogging. I will return!

What we've been up to

Just a few photos that I stole shamelessly from
Amy's and Christian's blogs
with the exception of the pictures of Celisa and Olivia,
(I took those for her and Aaron and never gave them to her)

So... this is what we've been up to: Ginger bread houses.

Me and Christian

Mark and Jenn

Jordan and Amy's - check out the cool bridge

Aaron and Celisa (and Olivia)
Enjoying this sweet angel

Short visit with my parents.
Watching Olivia grow!

No pictures of studying, the funeral, decorating for Christmas, aerobics, going to class, doing laundry or the like
although these have also kept me busy
you'll just have to use your imagination...
(be nice in you imaginings)

That is all.

Thank You Note for Mom and Dad

Dear Mom and Dad,

I have actually composed this thank you note in my head every year for a very long time. Last Sunday it occurred to me to sit down and write it on the above card and mail it to you; but here we are again with a blank card and the sentiment intended for you to read today still rattling around in my brain. While I realize that I suffer from this malady (see #4) I'm still struggling to fully embrace the cure. I hope this will suffice for this year.

I wanted to say thank you. Thank you for having me. Having had three children ages 3 1/2 and under, I realize that as your number 3 in a comparable time period my arrival, though welcomed, my birth most likely put your lives in a bit of an upheaval.

Thank you for teaching me that there's always room on your lap for another child. Thank you for teaching me about being kind to others and the joy that comes from serving. Thank you for teaching me how to love and be forgiving. Thank you for not only telling me that God loves me but living your lives in a way that I had not doubt that it was true. Thank you for reading to me from the scriptures as well as all kinds of books. Where The Red Fern Grows will always bring back memories of passing the book to another when we got too choked up to continue reading. Thanks for teaching me that it's OK to cry if you have a good reason but not OK just to get what you want. Thank you for enabling me to pursue my dreams and supporting me when my dreams changed. Thank you for being sealed in the temple so that from the moment I was born I was part of a forever family. Thank you for showing me how to live by faith as well as by works. This is not a complete list or even the most important things - but then, I still have a few more years.

Each year I am filled with deep gratitude for the gift of life you have given me - not just that you created and gave birth to my mortal body (even understanding the magnitude of that most awesome gift); but also that during the 18 years I lived under your daily loving care you taught me who I was, why I am here and where I am going and how to tap into the enabling grace and mercy that will help me get there. While I have lived away from home longer than I lived at home, you gave me a solid foundation to build on and continue to do so today.

And so... for this and much, much more I say thank you!
Thank you with all my heart.

I love you both more than words can ever express.

Karen