Trip to Utah

Jason and I got to run away to Salt Lake City, Utah in early April.  The excuse was to attend Jason's mission reunion.  But we really just wanted to get away for a few days.  We spent time touring church sites downtown, eating good food and reconnecting with friends.  We were able to get tickets to the Saturday morning session of General Conference.  It was worth waiting in the cold and snow to sit with fellow Saints to hear the words from our prophet and leaders.  My favorite talk from that session was Sis. Lifferth's talk on "Respect and Reverence."  But the best part was standing for the intermediate hymn and singing with thousands of Latter-day Saints and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  That's one experience you can't have sitting in your living room and watching Conference by satellite.  

It was so amazing to go to Jason's mission reunion.  Although I didn't know any of them, I loved meeting these men and women who shared that time of life with my husband.  Pres. Barrett is an amazing person and it was wonderful to finally meet him and his wife.  

All in all, a great trip.  I have to say a super thanks to my sister- Suuuuuuuuuuuusan, her awesome hubby- Dave and cutie-patootie daughter- Caroline, for watching my home, dog and kids while we were gone.  It was such fun having them here.  You guys are the bestest!

Baby No More

My baby is five years old!!! How did that happen?

Lucy's party was a complete success, at least in her eyes. And here's what we did right . . .

#1- I read a rule somewhere that the number of guests at a party should equal the age of the birthday child. Lucy thought of five friends she wanted to come and they were all able to make it.  That was just the right amount.

#2- One of those guests was Lucy's sister. Emily is 11 and was such a huge help to me. She was so good at choralling wandering kids and keeping them entertained.  It was almost as fun to watch Emily act as a surrogate mommy as it was to watch the birthday girl. (Notice a head behind her.  She's managing to pose for a picture and restrain a little girl at the same time.  What talent!)

#3- We splurged on the party place. Lucy wanted to go to Build-A-Bear. I felt this was justified because it was her first party, and we don't do parties for our kids every year. While I choked about the amount of money we forked over, I didn't have much to prepare for or recover from the festivities.  And my house and ear-drums stayed intact.  That's worth any price in my book.

#4- We held her party on a Tuesday night, which I don't necessarily recommend, but it turned out great.  The mall and Build-A-Bear were empty and most importantly, her cousin could come.  It was hard for Jason to leave work early, and I'm very glad he made that sacrifice.

#5- It was a girl only party.  Nothing wrong with boys.  But those girls loved being girls.  I enjoyed it because I was able to focus attention on our princess, instead of hearing "I'm bored" from her brother.  Not a very "family-together" activity, but it was very peaceful.  Her brothers gave her gifts on her actual birthday and she enjoyed having two special days.

It was fun to watch the girls pick out new stuffed friends. I think everyone had a good time. I know I did. Lucy has carried her new rabbit, Cinnamon, every where- getting her dressed in the morning and putting on her PJ's at night.

Maybe it's my imagination, but Lucy has grown up so much since her birthday.  She sleeps in her room by herself.  She has been getting dressed AND putting her clothes away (my only child who does!)  She cheerfully helps me when I ask for help.  I've been around the block a few times and I know this isn't going to last forever.  While I mourn the loss of my last baby, I'm enjoying this Big Girl who has come in her place.

O.L.D.

Official Labradoodle Department? No. Orange Lilliputian Decorators? Nope. Onery Ladies Dying? Getting closer.

I celebrated my 39th birthday in March. I don't feel that I should be anywhere near a 39-year-old. When I was a teen-ager, women in their 30's seemed so mature, organized and composed. My 30's are almost history and I feel I haven't yet attained "mature" status. I still jam out in the car and while washing dishes. I still like roller coasters and watching sci-fi movies. The last movie I saw was a cartoon- but I didn't bring any kids!

But let's face facts. I'm getting old. And that evidence was obvious when you saw my birthday gifts. I asked for- and received- an awesome wheat grinder from my husband (who is just as excited about it as I am.)  I used the cash my in-laws gave me to buy practical things like shoes. The one "fun" thing I splurged on was a bag to tote my hobby- which is (drumroll) crocheting.  My mom gave me some cute sewing accessories. (Woo-hoo- homemaking!) I didn't make the annual cheesecake either- because I'm still carrying around last year's on my hips. Nope, I made applesauce raisin cookies- made with freshly ground wheat! Yum, fiber.

I'm not complaining- not really. My life is pretty amazing. My youngest starts school next year, and that means it's my turn to finish school. My kids are at the age of becoming more independent, but we have yet to see real teen-age drama and trauma. My husband is amazing, and I love being married to him. I think we know each other now, and more importantly, we like each other too.  So, I will embrace the age of 39 and proudly march forward to face 40.

After I re-dye my hair and pick up my wrinkle creme.

A-maze-ing Grace

My children had never attended a funeral, until we drove to Tucson for Grandma Scott's. I tried to share with them what to expect. But I don't think they were very prepared. Especially Randy.

When he walked into the viewing and saw her in her casket, he fell apart. Ty did a great job trying to comfort him. My son's distraut tears broke my heart. I took him for a walk around the church and it was a nice opportunity to remind him of God's plan for us, that we will see Grandma again. As we sat in the chapel for the funeral service, Randy pulled out his "Maze Book," a spiral bound note-book that he uses to draw mazes. These are the mazes he drew that day- complete with his instructions (Translations in italics.) 

There came great grandma scot's death!  So she in her spirit, help her get to Jesus Ch(r)ist. 

(Randy explained to me that Grandma is in the top left hand corner.  She has wings and is carrying a harp.  Jesus is waiting for her, with his arms out-stretched. The "s" stands for "start" and the "f" is for finish.)

Help the Bishops get the dead great grandma to the grave yard!

(In this picture, Grandma's casket is sitting on the "accordian" wheels that they pushed into the chapel.  He showed what was inside the casket- Grandma's body, surrounded by tearful family members.  Her eyes are shut and he has written "dead" above her body.  Randy is the face on the bottom with a great deal of tears.)

That's the end of the Death Corner!  Good-bye!

As I sat beside my son during the funeral service, watching him draw and deal with these powerful emotions, I felt God's spirit surround us.  Because of Randy's autism, I wonder what he understands from Family Home Evening and his Primary classes.  It is quite obvious to me, that he comprehends a great deal and that he is one of Heavenly Father's choice spirits.  We are so grateful to have him as part of our family.

Top 10 (from the Home Office in Katy, TX)

My Grandmother Scott passed away a couple of weeks ago.  While it's always hard to mourn the loss of a loved one (I'll be blogging about her soon), it was the perfect excuse for a family trip to Arizona.  I'm blatantly stealing my sister-in-law's Top 10 idea and posting my own favorite events from the trip.  

TOP 10 REASONS WHY DRIVING 30 HOURS IS A GOOD IDEA

10.  Playing "The Game of Things"- with a room full of my favorite people and laughing at their responses.  I learned some surprising stuff about people I know- including my own son!

9.  Randy's "home-made" Raisin Bran-  Randy was disappointed with Auntie Heather's cereal selection.  But he adapted, asking for some "Total- 100% Nutrition," some raisins and sugar.  He proceeded to pour some sugar on the table and roll raisins in the sugar.  Voila!  Homemade Raisin Bran!  Heather was really good at praising his problem-solving skills, while Uncle David just handed him the Dustbuster.

8.  Seeing good friends from high school and college serving valiantly in my mom's ward-  Alma 17:2

7.  Seeing my mom's brother at my dad's mother's funeral-  (Does that make sense?)  I was just really surprised to see him there.  I shouldn't be.  That is completely in character for my Uncle Steve.  It was so fun to watch him interact with all of the kids.  Randy said, "That Uncle Tom was great."  It was also great to see uncles, aunts and cousins- some I hadn't seen for 20+ years.  (That's my Uncle Steve, holding my nephew, Steven.)

6.  Lucy dissin' my brother, David- Lucy heard from her cousins that she could get a lollipop from Uncle David if she gave him a hug and told him he was the best uncle ever.  So she did.  David gave her the lollipop.  Then she said, "I didn't mean it.  I just said that to get a lollipop."  Her face seemed to say, "Who's the sucker now?"

5.  Randy flashing gang signs in every family picture we took-  Front row, too.  I'm such a proud mother.  He said he just wanted to look "cool." Even with Randy's addition, I think this is a cool picture.  There were a couple of Grandma's grand- and great-grandchildren missing.  But still- a nice legacy.

4.  Feeling honored by being asked to give the eulogy at Grandma's funeral service- Delivering the actual eulogy is not on the Top 10 list.  But it was indeed an honor to be asked.  Even if I was second choice.

3.  Watching my oldest son comfort his grieving younger brother-  More about Randy in a separate post.

2.  Spending time with my Grandpa, my parents, brothers, sisters, their spouses and children and my in-laws too-  I am truly blessed with an amazing family.

1.  Remembering my amazing grandma-  God be with you, Grandma, until we meet again.

Remembering Grandma

Billie Madelene Scott passed away a day before her 83rd birthday.  She was the mother of four boys, a three-time cancer survivor, a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and my grandma.  My dad asked me to give the eulogy at her funeral services.  This was a really tough thing for me to do.  I wanted to honor her memory, but didn't feel the vivid memories that I treasure did her justice.  The red sweater she knit herself and gave me, saying it was too small for her. Chicken enchiladas.  Her cool computer- the first home computer I'd ever seen.  Playing games in the motor-home with her.  Going to the beauty shop- not for a cut, but for a "set and style."  Getting our car towed from down-town Madrid.  A steady supply of Life cereal.  

Her funeral services are over.  And so is my contribution.  I still feel I didn't do enough, barely managing to choke out her name as I started.  What I wanted to say- and I don't feel I did accurately- is that I recognize I am where I am because of the pioneers that went before me- the ones that crossed the prairie in covered wagons, my Grandma Scott who left home and family because of her testimony of Jesus Christ and his church, my own parents who moved us all over the world and taught us that the "rock of our Redeemer" is the only sure foundation in a world of constant change.  Would my dad be the dad he was and is, without the choices of my grandma?  And would I be where I am now, if he didn't keep the covenants that were so important to her?  

Sitting in the chapel during her funeral service, I felt surrounded by her love and her most important legacy- her family.  I sat beside my children, and felt the weight of responsibility placed on my shoulders- a weight I gladly carry.  I am a link in the chain of an eternal family.  I am blessed by the sacrifices of my forefathers (and mothers.)  I will insure that my children and grandchildren have every opportunity for those same blessings.

Create

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf:  "The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.  No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before.

"Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment.  We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty.

"What you have to create doesn't have to be perfect . . . Don't let the fear of failure discourage you.  Don't let the voice of critics paralyze you- whether that voice come from the outside or the inside.  

"If you still feel incapable of creating, start small.  Try to see how many smiles you can create, write a letter of appreciation, learn a new skill, identify a space and beautify it.

"The more you trust and rely upon the Spirit, the greater your capacity to create.  That is your opportunity in this life and your destiny in the life to come.  Sisters, trust and rely on the Spirit.  As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you."

("Happiness, Your Heritage" General Relief Society Meeting, October 2008)