We just returned last week from a much needed "get away". We were able to take some time and stop our life so to speak here on the home front and go south to visit with another Daughter, Son and their family. We also got to go to our "dentist" who is our Son. He very kindly has offered to do our dental work. We feel so grateful for this "GIFT" from him as this is his living and he helps us which at this time in our life is really appreciated. When we were working we had dental benefits but since retiring that has all gone away. We can't find dental insurance for our time in life (not important enough for us seniors) but even if we could we couldn't afford it. Anyway, thank you Russ we SO appreciate all you do for us.
When we first left, we both were so done in we were shocked at how tired we were. Mostly what we did for a great deal of the time we were gone was just veg. As we started to feel better we took little trips around the area and saw some incredible things. A place called Warm Springs where out in the middle of the desert you find a paradise so to speak of palm trees and warm water. The day we went out we did have one disappointment, there had been a big fire last July which burned an incredible path through the beauty. We were unable to go onto some land the LDS church owns because of reconstruction but it is a trip we will make in the future. The things we saw where the fire had devastated was so sad because there had been homes where people were living and it looks like it took everything they had. That broke my heart to see what they had endured and continue to endure.
Onto a happier note, the road to warm springs is a quiet little two lane road but on the road about 1/2 mile before getting to the LDS property they are building a road side rest stop. It is just lovely, they have brick walk ways and covered picnic areas but as we ventured further we also found hiking trails and some information built around the warm springs. It seems there was a fish that was to distinction. We read the information on this and we very interested in this fish they were bringing back. It is called a Dace. Well, along with the information signs we found on the other side of the walk way was a Plexiglas wall that was one side of the warm springs ditch running through this area. There we could look at the "side" of the ditch and see this fish that was at most two inches long and there was also some snails that lived there. It was very interesting to be able to see down into the ditch from the side and see the way the water was interacting with the plants and such. All and all we really enjoyed venturing into this little area and finding all of this beauty (well it was at one time before the fire and will again, I'm sure). The one thing that really struck me was the peace and quiet of the country life. I have missed this which I grew up knowing and enjoying.
There is so much around us that we really don't stop and enjoy, so I am glad we took the time to see all of this.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
A Wakeup Call
Friday a very sad thing happened in our family. A beloved nephew was killed in an off road motorcycle accident. This man was so special to our family, he was kind, loving, thoughtful, friendly and all of the adjectives that describe a person everyone would like to know. We are so sadden at his passing and will miss him terribly but we know we'll see him again someday.
But the thing that I wanted to write about was, you never know when someone we love will be taken in a blink of an eye. I find myself many times "wishing" my life away, such as when we can get our kitchen redone, when the kids move out, when we don't have all of the responsibility we know now. With this happening, which seems way to soon for this young man, it dawned on me, we can't wish on tomorrows but need to enjoy and live each day to the fullest. I have shed so many tears over this as we thought so highly of him and I know how I would feel if it were one of my children, our adoptive children (sons) grandchildren, on and on. I do believe we'll see one another again in the here after but it still hurts to let them go now. I guess I'm really selfish as I want "my cake and eat it too" so to speak.
This has made me realize how much I love my husband, my family, our extended family, etc. We are so blessed and I thank my Father in Heaven each and every day for each of them but I guess I don't have enough faith to let them go even for a little while. Of course, I won't or don't have any say in this but I still keep trying.
I guess what I'm saying is we should take the time to "really" enjoy our days, even the bad parts so someday when it's time we can say, I have lived life to the fullest and I'm ready to let go.
But the thing that I wanted to write about was, you never know when someone we love will be taken in a blink of an eye. I find myself many times "wishing" my life away, such as when we can get our kitchen redone, when the kids move out, when we don't have all of the responsibility we know now. With this happening, which seems way to soon for this young man, it dawned on me, we can't wish on tomorrows but need to enjoy and live each day to the fullest. I have shed so many tears over this as we thought so highly of him and I know how I would feel if it were one of my children, our adoptive children (sons) grandchildren, on and on. I do believe we'll see one another again in the here after but it still hurts to let them go now. I guess I'm really selfish as I want "my cake and eat it too" so to speak.
This has made me realize how much I love my husband, my family, our extended family, etc. We are so blessed and I thank my Father in Heaven each and every day for each of them but I guess I don't have enough faith to let them go even for a little while. Of course, I won't or don't have any say in this but I still keep trying.
I guess what I'm saying is we should take the time to "really" enjoy our days, even the bad parts so someday when it's time we can say, I have lived life to the fullest and I'm ready to let go.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Birthday
Saturday, January 22 my Mom was 94 years young. Wow, can't hardly believe she made it this far. Well, I take it back, I can believe it, she has always taken such good care of herself. She eats really well. She is down to where she doesn't eat a lot anymore but what she eats is so well balanced and good for her. I wonder where I went wrong? Hummmm!
On Saturday we took her out to dinner to celebrate her birthday. She was thrilled to be able to go but we had to walk a long distance into the restaurant but she made it both ways but when we got her back to her home, which by the way she is living alone in her own place, she was done in. She stopped at a chair right by the door. Not her usual spot but you could tell she was glad she made it that far. She has had quite a week, on Wednesday we took her shopping to get a new washer machine and coat. Then on Friday we took her grocery shopping and to lunch with her daughter in law, granddaughter and two great granddaughters. She really enjoyed that and then we went to another grocery store, so that was a really BIG day. Then on Saturday we took her out. Usually she only goes on Fridays and if we have a special holiday or she needs to go to the doctor. So this week was really a "killer" week for her and yet it was a good one. I know she really enjoyed it as she is really a social person.
I look at her and realize how long she has lived and the things she has seen come to pass. The changes in our world have been great in my life time but she has lived a good 25 years longer. Wow!
She has had hardships beyond our imagination. In her lifetime she has had three husbands, three children, seen all of her husbands die and one of her sons. That in itself is difficult but she has also seen all of her siblings except her youngest pass on along with her parents and most of her close cousins and so many friends. I know there are times when she wonders why she is still here but if it comes down to it, she will fight to stay. That is the way she is and I think the reason she is still here. She has fought hard all of her life to accomplish many things. To see her children raised and doing well to see 10 grandchildren, many, many great grandchildren and great great grandchildren be born and grow up.
Life is not easy but we were willing to take on the opportunity to come here and do all of the things that would come to us. Thank you Father for my Mom and the many things she has taught me. For the sacrifices she has made for me and my brothers. Thank you.
On Saturday we took her out to dinner to celebrate her birthday. She was thrilled to be able to go but we had to walk a long distance into the restaurant but she made it both ways but when we got her back to her home, which by the way she is living alone in her own place, she was done in. She stopped at a chair right by the door. Not her usual spot but you could tell she was glad she made it that far. She has had quite a week, on Wednesday we took her shopping to get a new washer machine and coat. Then on Friday we took her grocery shopping and to lunch with her daughter in law, granddaughter and two great granddaughters. She really enjoyed that and then we went to another grocery store, so that was a really BIG day. Then on Saturday we took her out. Usually she only goes on Fridays and if we have a special holiday or she needs to go to the doctor. So this week was really a "killer" week for her and yet it was a good one. I know she really enjoyed it as she is really a social person.
I look at her and realize how long she has lived and the things she has seen come to pass. The changes in our world have been great in my life time but she has lived a good 25 years longer. Wow!
She has had hardships beyond our imagination. In her lifetime she has had three husbands, three children, seen all of her husbands die and one of her sons. That in itself is difficult but she has also seen all of her siblings except her youngest pass on along with her parents and most of her close cousins and so many friends. I know there are times when she wonders why she is still here but if it comes down to it, she will fight to stay. That is the way she is and I think the reason she is still here. She has fought hard all of her life to accomplish many things. To see her children raised and doing well to see 10 grandchildren, many, many great grandchildren and great great grandchildren be born and grow up.
Life is not easy but we were willing to take on the opportunity to come here and do all of the things that would come to us. Thank you Father for my Mom and the many things she has taught me. For the sacrifices she has made for me and my brothers. Thank you.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Happy New Year
A New Year for all of us - what are we going to do this year that is different from last year. Are we going to make the same mistakes, follow the same trail that we've done in the past? Or are we going to stop and take stock of ourselves and how we can change for the better. This can be something that will benefit each of us and our families. It has been proven that we can't stay the same, we either progress and grow and learn or we become stagnant and go down hill (so to speak). WHAT WILL BE YOUR DESIRE AND DECISION - GO FORWARD OR DOWNWARD?
I want to change my life and take control of it back. At this time I am not sure what that means but I certainly hope to find out.
Happy New year to each of you!
I want to change my life and take control of it back. At this time I am not sure what that means but I certainly hope to find out.
Happy New year to each of you!
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas
The birth of our Savior Jesus Christ is certainly an important day and one to be celebrated. Then there is Santa, it's in the spirit of giving. Merry Christmas to all and to all a GOOD NIGHT.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Nativity
Today I had a shock. First I need to back up, my husband's brother Don, said he couldn't find a nativity scene. I thought he must be mistaking so today when we were out shopping I looked and you know what? I couldn't find one. Of course, we didn't go everywhere looking but the fact that we went to one or two places and there was not one to be found. Not even a picture. What part of CHRISTMAS do people miss? I mean CHRIST-MAS.
This really shows that Satan has been working very hard to convince people that X-mas is the way to go. I am so saddened by this fact. I still find it hard to believe that there isn't one in every store you might go too. Don said he finally found one at Home Depot. Of all places?
I feel so sad for the buyers of the various stores that they don't look - NO DEMAND that they have some to sell. Surely there are more people out there that find this a disturbing fact besides me.
I think we need to talk to everyone we meet and ask them if they understand this? Maybe if we talk it up and call the various stores and ask - WHY? Maybe, just maybe it will dawn on someone that Christ needs to be put back into Christmas.
This really shows that Satan has been working very hard to convince people that X-mas is the way to go. I am so saddened by this fact. I still find it hard to believe that there isn't one in every store you might go too. Don said he finally found one at Home Depot. Of all places?
I feel so sad for the buyers of the various stores that they don't look - NO DEMAND that they have some to sell. Surely there are more people out there that find this a disturbing fact besides me.
I think we need to talk to everyone we meet and ask them if they understand this? Maybe if we talk it up and call the various stores and ask - WHY? Maybe, just maybe it will dawn on someone that Christ needs to be put back into Christmas.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Wonderful time of the year
It's that wonderful time of the year - yes it's Christmas time. What a joy it is to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. I think of the difficult time it must of been for Mary and Joseph to go all that way to pay their taxes. Then the time coming for Mary to deliver Jesus. In a stable no less. Our pictures make it look so lovely but even at their best stables aren't what one might think of a place for a human "baby" to be born in. It is definitely a humble place to be born in and the song that mentions Jesus, once of humble birth. I think of that often and how sweet the birth of a baby is. What a learning process it is for the parents let alone the child. As I look back on our family being born and how much I have learned with each of our children as they have grown up. Sometimes were extremely difficult and sometimes were so sweet and even humbling. I can't believe it has been so many years since we first started on this journey. As each of our daughters came into the world, it was both difficult (as I didn't do anything easily) and it was sweet and beautiful. The joy I felt as each was placed in my arms and how I cried with each of their births. The happiness I felt as I checked them out to be sure they were "perfect". Little did I know they were perfect no matter what imperfections might have been on their bodies.
I guess the Lord knew I would need five children to learn all of the things I needed to learn. Wow had I only known how many children we would have before we were married I wonder if I would have taken the "journey". Having been raised more or less as an only child, I wasn't prepared for the noise or the conflicts that come with children. But neither was I prepared for the joy and happiness that comes with all of that noise and conflict. We only grow as a result of difficulty or difficult times. When these times comes to each of us, it is frightening. We are not prepared for them and therefore we feel unable to handle what may or may not come.
I know without a doubt that our Heavenly Father is there to guide and help us every step of the way, if we but have the faith and trust in Him to do so.
My prayers are with you all as you go through these difficult times of bearing, raising children and the other difficult times that will come your way. Have faith and trust.
Merry Christmas to all.
I guess the Lord knew I would need five children to learn all of the things I needed to learn. Wow had I only known how many children we would have before we were married I wonder if I would have taken the "journey". Having been raised more or less as an only child, I wasn't prepared for the noise or the conflicts that come with children. But neither was I prepared for the joy and happiness that comes with all of that noise and conflict. We only grow as a result of difficulty or difficult times. When these times comes to each of us, it is frightening. We are not prepared for them and therefore we feel unable to handle what may or may not come.
I know without a doubt that our Heavenly Father is there to guide and help us every step of the way, if we but have the faith and trust in Him to do so.
My prayers are with you all as you go through these difficult times of bearing, raising children and the other difficult times that will come your way. Have faith and trust.
Merry Christmas to all.
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