Let's get comfy and cozy!

I think it's interesting how fast after Christmas that all the decorations come down and everything goes back to normal life again!
How grateful I am that in my own home... I can keep the holidays in my heart and in my home.

 Some fun wintery cards!

 Some snuggles with my cute little Miss Audrey. She said to me "Nana lets sit by the fireplace and get comfy and cozy". It's only a little heater...but she turned off all the lights and we sat there and had fun. The funny thing was, she kept saying..."but Nana we need marshmallows for the fire", I kept saying it was only paper that looks like fire! Somehow even though she knew that...she still wanted her marshmallows! :)

 I love seeing and smelling the the  pine wreaths on the doors! It is still Winter right?

Even though it's not snowing here, it is Winter and I want to keep the decorations up for awhile, it makes me feel happy! OK, true confessions...I still have my Christmas music on! :)

"He who marvels at the beauty of the world in summer will find equal cause for wonder and admiration in winter..In winter the stars seem to have rekindled their fires, the moon achieves a fuller triumph, and the heavens wear a look of a more exalted simplicity. ~ John Burroughs

What a weekend!

How grateful that we got to watch the girls for the weekend. Our big concern was how Miss Audrey would do, she has never done a Sleep Over yet! But Saturday when she woke up she yelled for us to come get her "Nana! Pappa!" as I went in, I said " who is in here?" her response "It's Audrey Nana, I did Sleep Over!" She was so excited, she had to come in the living room and tell her success to Jenny and Poppa! Yeah!                                                                                                        

Then we did chores! She loved doing the dishes!

Then we had to make some delicious pretend Christmas cookies!

Then since it was pouring and cold outside, we decided to do some Elf stuff! Of course we had to wash the table, set up some cute signs and then got making some fun Christmas gifts for their friends and cousins! Can't you just see us in our jammies all day and hear the Christmas music throughout the house? So much fun!!!

Then we watched a Christmas movie and got their clothes ready for church tomorrow! Church went ok...Audrey doesn't necessarily sit still too well, so I am glad that Jeff and I were there to tag team her. 

Then after we took the girls home, we got to do some face time with Kai, he wanted to show his cousins where his Christmas elf was when he woke up yesterday! Too cute!

After that we watched the First Presidency Christmas message, it is one of our favorite Christmas traditions.You can watch it HERE:

So grateful I remembered to to bring my new afghan that I am crocheting!

All in all...what a wonderful weekend it was!

Trying to wish the miles away!

Today I just worked on some more things for Miss Oakley...it's so hard to be so far away from them right now. Tomorrow our little Oakley Ann will be born, I wish that there weren't so many miles between us. So grateful though that they have some family there with them, that will be a big help to them and to Big Brother Kai ( whose world will be changing very soon ).

 I am so excited to see her sweet little face, and pray hard that all will go well with her and her Mommy tomorrow. I sent this afghan to her and they got it today just in time! Of course she will only need it indoors with air conditioning, because Texas is pretty hot this time of year. Still just want her to be wrapped up in something from her Nana!

She will be born on July 31st, that is a very special day because that was my Aunt Ina's Birthday. She was the woman that we lived with for the first 10 years of my life. She was like a 2nd Mother to me and someone that I loved dearly. She died when I was only 10 years old, I was pretty sure my (10 year old ) world was ending when she died. She left me a quilt and a few photos and they still hold a very special place in my heart and home, and to this day I still miss her!

 How sweet that my 4th granddaughter will be born on her birthday. 

I hope I can sleep tonight, I am soooo excited! 

 I just love being a grandmother and realize that I am so blessed to be able to be a part of these sweet children's lives. Now, another sweet grandchild will be here to teach her sweet Nana ...all the things that I will need to know about life!

Good Night dear friends!

This the life Nana!

Yesterday Jenny and I woke up a bit late and then read some books in bed.

It was so fun, it was the same books that I read to my kids when they were little. They are called the Bugg books by Stephen Cosgrove, I just love them. After we read a few, then we got up for breakfast and during breakfast we decided to Face Time with Kai. When Jenny told him about the books we were reading, he asked if we could read a couple to him...and because of modern technology...I got to read books to my grandson all the way in Texas. Pretty cool!

Then the rest of the day, Jenny helped me clean up some and do some chores. She is trying to earn money for the 1/2 of her American Doll before her Birthday in August. 

Later we cut and hemmed some old jeans into shorts. While I was doing that Jenny was going through the scraps on the floor and decided she would like to create a bracelet from the left over jeans. She was so particular about exactly what she thought it should look like. It was fun to see her little creative mind going a mile a minute!

We at dinner and then went to Costco to pick up a cute things.

Before we left, Jenny said to Jeff " Poppa, you better be my body guard at the store, when all the kids see my bracelet, they are going to start following me and want it. You had better stay with me."  Jeff and I were laughing so hard. She is such a fun and crazy little girl!

Today I taught Day 4 of my Birthday Club, it went really well, we had a great turn out.

After I got off work, Angie came home to have a 1 day Sleep Over with us. She had a volleyball game this morning and couldn't come till after that. 

So since it was soooo pretty outside, we decided to have some fun in the sun.

Jeff and the girls had a water fight!

I got some personal fans, and squirt bottles on sale today.

 Funny, we had a tiny pool, and just weeds in our back yard and yet...you would think that they had the world!

It must have been ok, because the 

as they were laying in the pool they said " This is the life Nana!" 

Since Monday is Angie's Birthday and she wanted to go to the beach for dinner but Monday is suppose to raining, so we did it tonight since it was sooo beautiful!

A quick look on the beach for some shells, then home for Movie and Popcorn! It was a great day!

A child's heart!

As a Mother, I remember when my kids were sick and how I worried about them. Now I am a Grandmother  ( Nana )  and I realize that I still worry just as much. Angie came to stay with me for a 3 day Sleep Over and she has been so sick. She really didn't do much at all while she was here. I stayed right by her, checked her temperature,  tried to do all that I could to make her feel better or at least comfortable. She didn't want to eat much at all, so I just tried to keep liquids in her and I did get a few Protein drinks in her. Her fever would just go up and down often. We were able to do something fun for about 20 mins, then you would see her lay down her head a lot and just go to bed. Poor thing, finally this morning she woke up with a high fever so I got ahold of Amy and we got a Doctor appointment for her, then I took her to home in time to go to it.
She was so cute, she said "Nana,  are you going to be ok by yourself while Poppa is gone, since I can't be there?"  I smiled and tried to explain to her that I would miss her but I would be fine. I just wanted her to get better.
She never complained at all, what a sweetheart and still it was a fun 3 days, because I got to still be  with her.



Then I got an text from Brad and Krystal saying that my little Grandson Kai had an accident today, and they have been sitting at the ER trying to get stitches in his head. Poor little guy, how I wish could fly to Texas right away and be there to take care of him and just hold
him. Oh how I love these grandchildren of mine! And I hurt when they hurt...just like when I was a Mom.

This photo that I found on Pinterest, reminded me how sweet these little children's hearts are. They love their stuffed animals and dolls and they are so sweet. I loved being a Mom and I really love being a Nana.

I am tired, I am beat but... I am blessed!

Good Night dear friend!

Still on Texas time!

Not sure why traveling does such a number on me but ...it always does. Then you add on the 2 hour time difference and ...you have one tired Nana!
Saying goodbye to this little guy was hard, and I just wanted to sneak him in my suitcase, so I won't have to miss watching him grow!
I decided to do a couple of things for him before I left, in hopes that when he sees them...he will remember how much his Nana loves him.

First is I made him an afghan (it started out for the baby but I got carried away on the size ), he might still need it, since when I left it was freezing there. I laughed and teased my son at the airport when I said " I guess I am going to have to go back home to Seattle to get some warm weather and sunshine!"  And that is exactly what I got, it has been beautiful since I got home!

Then I gave him his Birthday present early ( he turns 3 at the end of this month ).


It's a Picnic Quilt, with 2 matching plates, cups and napkins. I was hoping to use it with him outside while I was there... but it was way too cold! We had fun playing on it upstairs, and he got really excited when he realized that the Outer Space fabric was GLOW IN THE DARK fabric!
I have tried to make one of these Picnic Quilts for all the grandchildren when they turn 3 or 4. Just when they are really starting to enjoy Picnics.

We are home now and I have spent most of my time trying to unpack, put things away, do laundry and get ready for work this week. Still tired, so I guess it will take a bit of adjusting to get back to my regular routine. Of course then on Saturday Night we need to change our clocks to Daylight Savings Time! :)

I realized when I was at the airport waiting for my flight, that sometimes I get Homesick. I remember feeling that way off and on throughout my life. Not Home Sick for my actual home, but Homesick for something bigger, deeper. I have wondered what it would be like to go back Home with God, for just a few minutes? I would love to sit and ask Him how I am doing, and ask him to remind me again ...how strong I am.

 This aching in my heart has always been filled when I do two things...read my scriptures and pray more fervently. I took time out at the airport to do that and it worked. I knew I was loved and being watched over. Then when I stopped worrying about being so lonely, I looked around for a new friend, someone to help. When I did that, I also immediately felt better. 

I found a sweet young Mom with 2 little kids who seemed to need a friend. I tried to talk to her little girl and then I sat with them on our last flight. The Mother and I got to talk, then I shared with her that I had a couple of strong willed kids and also told her that some day ...they would grow up, and she would survive ( something I think she was doubting by her 2nd flight ). I proudly showed her a picture of my 4 kids ( all grown up ) and told her that I lived through it and so would she. I shared with her how quickly they grow up. She seemed like a wonderful Mother, I have know doubts she will be fine. 

Fun to make a new friend, forget about my feeling so lonely... and excited that I got to come home and see my Best Friend! Yes, life is hard at times, but still I have much to be Very Grateful for!

Good Night dear friends!

Aprons!

Just looking at this photo makes me miss my Grandma Johnny and Aunt Ina, both were incredible women in my life, and ones that taught me how to create things with my hands. I can hardly remember a time that they didn't have an apron on, well except when they went to church. So when I ran across this again, it brought a sweet memory to my heart. I hope my Grandchildren have some special memories of their Nana and Poppa and of our home as they grow up.
Good night dear friends!

n
The History of 'APRONS' 

I don't think our kids know what an apron is. The principle use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few. It was also because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons used less material. But along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids..

And when the weather was cold, Grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folk knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

Just a quick bite!

Today I went back to the Doctor. It was a month recheck and she wanted to see how I am doing. I had to be honest with her, I am still struggling. After doing almost anything, I am pretty wiped out. After going to church on Sundays, I can pretty much expect to have to stay down and low on Monday and Tuesday. I told her that when I am that tired that my throat still hurts and I am just fatigued to the point that I just have to lay down. Although I tried to remind her that I have been better these last 3 weeks than the last 5 months but...I am still quite far from FEELING GOOD.
I am trying to count my blessings at the same time, being aware of how my body is doing or not doing. She did a throat culture because of how red mine was, my nose was irritated from allergies, my ears are hurting  and I have a constant headache. I totally thought it was because of my glasses but after having them adjusted a couple of times, the headaches were still there. She said I hate to tell you " it's not your glasses, it's your sinuses and the allergies that are hurting your head so bad".
So I got a few more things to help with my sinuses and came home and sewed for the next few hours.

Today my daughter-in-law Krystal and our grandson Kai were flying in to go to her brother's Graduation. Her family lives in Yakama and they just usually pick them up from the airport and head back home, because they still have a 3 hour drive to her home. I called Krystal and asked if there might be any way that we could just come by the airport or meet for lunch somewhere close for just a quick bite...so we could see them for just a moment. We haven't seen them since Christmas, and this Nana and Poppa are having Kai withdrawals. I knew it was a lot to ask of her Dad and family, but we kept our fingers crossed. They called and said that would be fine. So I took off drove to Jeff's work and picked him up, and we headed to the Bahama Breeze( a great restaurant near the airport).
So for one hour, we got to see and eat with our Kai boy. Man do I miss this kid! He is just a such a happy boy and a great little eater. It did our grandparent's heart good to be with him ( if only for an hour ). Thanks Jeff and Tracy for sharing this little guy with us!

How grateful I am for family, and how much we love being Grandparents. We are very blessed.
Good night dear friends!


I love this quote...except mine needs to say " he calls me Nana."

Happy Mother's Day / Happy Birthday!

I remember when the kids were all little, that Mother's Day seemed to be the day that I just prayed everyone would just get up, try to listen and obey... and not fight. Really that is all I really wanted! But then I realized each Mother's Day I got a lot more than that. I got a reminder of how important being a Mom is. I learned that Happiness comes in moments...not necessarily in a whole day at one time! :) I learned that each one of these kids had a piece of my heart that would be forever theirs. I realized that I could not do this job alone, how grateful I was and am for Jeff being by my side, every step of the way. How much I admire those incredible Mothers that do have to raise their kids alone...what strength!

So today on it was different going to Church on Mother's Day alone (without any kids or grandkids), it made me homesick for all of them. I was grateful that we were able to go to Amy and John's and spend the evening with them, and skype the kids or talk to them on text and emails. I love being a Mom and even though I am now a Nana, I feel like my heart just keeps getting bigger. We saw this sign on our way to Amy's ... I thought what a fun sign, and remember to BRING YO MOMMA TO CHURCH...seemed like something I would have seen back in West Virginia. I do hope when I am old that my kids were take me to church with them!

 How I wish getting everyone together was more than a yearly event!

 And last but not least...Happy Birthday Sweet Angie! I remember how nervous I was 8 years ago as I flew to Idaho to be with your Mom when she delivered you. I had never been a Nana before, and I wondered what it would feel like and if I could do a good job. But it was a piece of cake the moment they placed you in my arms. I couldn't believe that my baby, now was all grown up and had her own baby. I just couldn't hardly let anyone else hold you. I loved you from the moment your Mom told us she was pregnant. 

What fun it has been to watch you grow up, you are a lot like your Momma. You love anything to do with art, you are very organized ( sorry to say you didn't get that from me ). You were my buddy when I was going through cancer for the second time. You would always want to go to the hospital with me when I had my radiation treatments, you liked that they had strawberry shakes there in the fridge (ENSURE drinks). After my mastectomy, I was having a hard time with my body image, I remember well the day you came into my room after I had come out of the shower, I didn't know you coming in. I remember your face when you saw my scar from my mastectomy, you were only 3 1/2 years old, you said " Oh Nana, you only have one body...what are you going to do with only one body?" You had such sympathy in your voice, tears came to my eyes and I said "I really don't know!" Then I tried to get your attention on something else so that I could get my prosthetic on and get dressed. As soon as you turned around the next time you had a big smile on your face and said " Nana, now you have two bodies, can we go play with playdough?" It was that moment... that I realized I could sit around and cry all day because I only had one body, or I could get up each day, put on my prosthetic and go play with you. I realized that life was going to pass me by, and it was up to me how I wanted my life to really go. And I didn't want to miss a moment with being with you! Thank you for your amazing wisdom at such a young age. Thanks for the good girl you are, for the happy countenance you always have, and for loving me ...just the way I am! Happy Birthday dear Angie! We love you! Nana and Poppa

What a big day, I am more than beat. Better head to bed, but once again want to say Happy Mother's Day to all of the women out there who help teach and Mother all the kids in the world. They say " it takes a Village to raise a child" ...that is so true! Thanks to all of you who have played a part in my children's lives. I am eternally grateful!
Good night dear friends!

Grandmothers

Today I got to spend the day with Angie for our Sleep Over. We were able to go some fun places and I think what is the best for me, is to see how sweet life is through the eyes of a 7 year old. Everything is fun and exciting. We were able to talk about everything from friends, from what she feels like she is doing well in school and the topics she is struggling in a bit.
We went to a wedding reception tonight, she just love doing some grown up things with Nana. I hope that I get to do that with each of my grandkids, so that they will know that Nana will always be there for them.
When I think of some of the people who made a profound difference in my life... my Grandmother is at the top of my list! So tonight as I tucked her in and told her good night, I realized how blessed I am to be a Nana and hope that I that I get many more years with all of them.
Good night dear friends!

My grandmother used to say this to me at night!

Life's lessons!

I believe that this quote is really true, even though I never really liked the Wizard of Oz. I do believe that we are born with everything we need... but sometimes it just takes us a while to realize that.
 I hope that as a Nana, I can help my grandchildren realize the power they have early in their lives...so they will be able to do anything they want. I think that is what we are suppose to do as adults...help as many children as we can. I am grateful for the people in my life that helped me realize that I am a daughter of God and that I had infinite worth. Knowing who we are, gives us the ability to handle anything and not only survive, but to become who we need to become! I think of course a pair of red sparkly shoes wouldn't hurt either:)