Nana's secret Gift!

What an incredible story and a great cause too! It's too sweet!
Read it dear friends, I hope it touches your heart like it did mine tonight!
Good Night!

9 Women Kept This Secret For Decades That Not Even Their Husbands Knew About. Wow.

Somewhere in West Tennessee, not far from Graceland, nine women - or "The 9 Nanas," as they prefer to be called - gather in the darkness of night. At 4am they begin their daily routine - a ritual that no one, not even their husbands, knew about for 30 years. They have one mission and one mission only: to create happiness. And it all begins with baked goods.

"One of us starts sifting the flour and another washing the eggs," explained Nana Mary Ellen, the appointed spokesperson for their secret society. "And someone else makes sure the pans are all ready. We switch off, depending on what we feel like doing that day.

"But you make sure to say Nana Pearl is in charge, because she's the oldest!" she added with a wink and a smile.

Over the next three hours, The 9 Nanas (who all consider themselves sisters, despite what some of their birth certificates say) will whip up hundreds of pound cakes, as part of a grand scheme to help those in need. And then, before anyone gets as much as a glimpse of them, they'll disappear back into their daily lives. The only hint that may remain is the heavenly scent of vanilla, lemon and lime, lingering in the air.

Even the UPS driver, who picks up hundreds of packages at a time, has no clue what these women, who range in age from 54 to 72, are doing. He's just happy to get a hug and a bag filled with special treats. What he doesn't know is that he's part of their master plan. A plan that began 35 years ago - when the "sisters" got together for their weekly card game - something their husbands referred to as "Broads and Bridge."

"Pearl says it was all her idea," Mary Ellen teased, "but as I remember it, we were sitting around reminiscing about MaMaw and PaPaw and all the different ways they would lend a hand in the community." MaMaw and PaPaw are the grandparents who raised four of the women, Mary Ellen included, when their mother passed away; and they took in Pearl as their own, when her parents needed some help.

"MaMaw Ruth would read in the paper that someone had died," Mary Ellen remembered, "and she'd send off one of her special pound cakes. She didn't have to know the family. She just wanted to put a little smile on their faces. And we started thinking about what we could do to make a difference like that. What if we had a million dollars? How would we spend it?

So the ladies began brainstorming.

"One of the sisters suggested that we should all start doing our own laundry and put the money we saved to good use. I admit, I protested at first. There's just something about laundering that I don't like. But I was outnumbered! So among the nine of us, we'd put aside about $400 a month and our husbands never noticed a thing. Their shirts looked just fine."

And then the women started listening. They'd eavesdrop - all with good intentions, of course - at the local beauty shop or when they were picking up groceries. And when they heard about a widow or a single mom who needed a little help, they'd step in and anonymously pay a utility bill or buy some new clothes for the children.

"We wanted to help as much as we could," Mary Ellen said, "without taking away from our own families, so we became coupon clippers. And we'd use green stamps. Remember those? We'd use green stamps and we'd make sure to go to Goldsmith's department store on Wednesdays. Every week they'd have a big sale and you could spend $100 and walk away with $700 worth of merchandise."

The Nanas would find out where the person lived and send a package with a note that simply said, "Somebody loves you" - and they'd be sure to include one of MaMaw Ruth's special pound cakes.

The more people they helped, the bolder they became.

"We gave new meaning to the term drive-by," Mary Ellen said with delight. "We'd drive through low-income neighborhoods and look for homes that had fans in the window. That told us that the people who lived there didn't have air-conditioning. Or we'd see that there were no lights on at night, which meant there was a good chance their utilities had been turned off. Then we'd return before the sun came up, like cat burglars, and drop off a little care package."

For three decades, the ladies' good deeds went undetected - that is, until five years ago, when Mary Ellen's husband, whom she lovingly calls "Southern Charmer," started noticing extra mileage on the car and large amounts of cash being withdrawn from their savings account.

"He brought out bank statements and they were highlighted!" Mary Ellen said, recalling the horror she felt. "I tried to explain that I had bought some things, but he had this look on his face that I'd never seen before - and I realized what he must have been thinking. I called the sisters and said, 'You all need to get over here right away.'"

So 30 years into their secret mission, the 9 Nanas and their husbands gathered in Mary Ellen's living room and the sisters came clean. They told the husbands about the laundry and the eavesdropping -- even the drive-bys. And that's where their story gets even better - because the husbands offered to help.

"They were amazed that we were doing this and even more amazed that they never knew. We can keep a good secret! All but three of them are retired now, so sometimes they come with us on our drive-bys. In our area, all you need is an address to pay someone's utility bill, so we keep the men busy jotting down numbers."

It wasn't long before the couples decided it was also time to tell their grown children. And that's when happiness began to happen in an even bigger way. The children encouraged their mothers to start selling MaMaw Ruth's pound cakes online, so they could raise money to help even more people. And it wasn't long before they were receiving more than 100 orders in a day.

"The first time we saw those orders roll in, we were jumping up and down," Mary Ellen said with a laugh. "We were so excited that we did a ring-around-the-rosie! Then we called all the children and said, 'What do we do next?'"

That's when the 9 Nanas moved their covert baking operation out of their homes and into the commercial kitchen of a restaurant owned by one of their sons, where they can sneak in before sunrise and sneak out before the staff comes in. They even hired a "happiness coordinator" (whose code name is "Sunny," of course). Her identity needs to be a secret, too, so she can help out with the eavesdropping.

"We swore her to secrecy - her parents think she works in marketing. And, really, if you think about it, she is doing public relations and spends a lot of time looking for people to help at the supermarket!"

These days, The 9 Nanas are able to take on even bigger projects, given their online success. Recently they donated more than $5,000 of pillows and linens and personal care products to a shelter for survivors of domestic violence. And this August, they'll celebrate their second consecutive "Happiness Happens Month" by sending tokens of their appreciation to one person in every state who has made a difference in their own community.

And that million dollars they once wished for? They're almost there. In the last 35 years, the 9 Nanas have contributed nearly $900,000 of happiness to their local community.

But that doesn't mean they're too busy to continue doing the little things that make life a bit happier. Sometimes they just pull out the phone book and send off pound cakes to complete strangers. And if the Nanas spot someone at the grocery store who appears to need a little help, it's not unusual for them to start filling a stranger's cart.

Not everyone is as lucky as we were to have MaMaw and PaPaw to take care of them, to fix all those things that are wrong.

"So this is our way of giving back," Mary Ellen said. "We want people to know that someone out there cares enough to do something. We want to make sure that happiness happens."

To learn more about The 9 Nanas and Happiness Happens or to purchase one of MaMaw Ruth’s special pound cakes, you can visit their website: The9Nanas.com.


Read more on how to help HERE:

A child always KNOWS their own Mother!

I haven't posted for a couple of days. I have had a bad flu and honestly haven't felt like doing anything. Most days seem to fly bye but for some reason time slows way down... when you are sick. Making you feel like you have been sick forever! It has only been 4 days, but a very LONG 4 days.

Just wanted to share this sweet little video clip with you. It is a great reminder that kids really do know and love their Mothers. Watch carefully the ladie's faces, you can almost tell which child is there just by their reactions.

My Mom has been gone almost 16 years, there are so many times, I wished I could call and share something with her, or ask her a question.

For all of you with your Mother's still here, don't forget to let her know just how much she means to you, and be thankful she is still in your life.
Have a wonderful day dear friends!

Watch it HERE:

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!

A Courageous Mother!

14 years ago today, my Mother passed away. I miss her still every day. I thought that I would post a great story about a Mother. 

Good night dear friends! 

Mother celebrates Thanksgiving with family, faith, sobriety

                 

Sarah Van Dam has a lot to be thankful for this year. She’s blessed with a supportive husband and a network of family and friends who love and believe in her.

On Thanksgiving Day, she will celebrate another 57 reasons to be thankful. As in, 57 days clean.

Van Dam, a personal friend and member of my “early-readers” group, started struggling with a serious addiction to prescription drugs in the fall of 2012, shortly after giving birth to her third child. Because she suffered from back pain after labor and delivery, doctors continued prescribing painkillers. Before she knew it, the pills snowballed into an addiction no one could have predicted.

This good wife and mother, with absolutely no history of addiction, suddenly became an addict. Like dark storm clouds that moved wherever she did, Van Dam had a singular focus.

“I became obsessed with my next dose,” Van Dam told me recently. She also described her relationship with her husband, and how it morphed from husband and wife into something more resembling a parent and a child. “I relied on him to give me my pills every day.”

It was the Van Dam family’s new normal. “I was always out of it, tired, groggy and constantly wanting more. I was a slave to the drug. It became the most important thing in my life and I thought I needed it to survive.”

Van Dam, a devout Christian, admitted she needed help on the day she recognized she was losing what mattered most. “I lost faith in my Heavenly Father. I lost faith in myself.”

After prayer and family counsel, the Van Dams decided Sarah needed to check in to a residential treatment facility. “We also spoke with all my doctors and got their thoughts. We felt right away that it was the best thing for our family. We knew it would be hard, but that it would be best. I knew that Heavenly Father would be with me and with my family for the time I was away.”

Van Dam knows she went not just to detox, but also to learn tools and habits to help her become healthy again.

She came out a new person. “It was hard being away, but it was worth it. It made me stronger and made my relationships stronger.”

When I asked for the most important thing she took home, the positive answers spiraled almost as fast as the addiction. She learned to be confident in herself, to have faith, courage and strength. “I also learned to take life one day at a time and to not be so hard on myself. I came to know I can be a good mother, and that I don’t need pills to do it.”

Van Dam is adamant that her faith was a critical tool in the traditional recovery process. “I could not have done it without the help from my Heavenly Father. I found personal prayer and scripture study key to my recovery.”

She also participated in the LDS Church’s 12-step recovery program. “It opened my heart to the kindness of God. And the LDS missionaries that run the program are wonderful! Hearing others’ stories and seeing how strong they were gave me so much hope and strength. I really believe God always walks beside us and helps us through the good times and the bad. I know that he helped me through my struggle.”

Now, Van Dam hopes to help others by going very public with her private trial. “I want people to know that it’s all right to admit that you have a problem and to ask for help. As you do this, it’s important to rely on your Heavenly Father and his son, Jesus Christ. They will guide you and walk with you through your hardest times.”

She adds the importance of an open mind and an open heart. “And forgive yourself. It’s the first step to recovery.”

With Thanksgiving on their minds, Sarah and her husband, Rob, have more to be thankful for than ever. “Sobriety, health and, most importantly, our family,” she said.

The Van Dams know they’re not alone. During this holiday season, friends and neighbors all around us are working their way along the addiction and recovery curve. Like Sarah, many count the clean days in double, triple digits or more. Others are braving their way through treatment today.

But many — far too many — still remain in quiet struggles and have not yet asked for help.

“Please, don’t be afraid,” Van Dam says. “These challenges are more common than you think and there is so much support available.”

Van Dam pledges that for the rest of her life, she will express gratitude for all the temporal support she’s felt from this world, and heavenly support from the one that awaits.

Indeed, Sarah Van Dam has a lot to be thankful for. And because of her strength and so many like her, the rest of us have a lot to be thankful for, too.

I read this story from Jason F. Wright HERE:

A Mother who doesn't give up!

Loved this story of a Mother who didn't give  up! I am still trying to recover from this flu and laying low. Hope you enjoy this inspirational story!
Good night dear friends!

U.S. skeleton athlete Noelle Pikus-Pace finds joy and growth in facing challenges

Noelle Pikus-Pace receives a hug from her daughter Lacee, 5, after competing in the United States women's skeleton team trials Monday, Oct. 28, 2013, in Park City, Utah. Noelle Pikus-Pace came in first place after 2 heats.

Rick Bowmer, AP

Summary

The top U.S. skeleton athlete is Utah County mother of two Noelle Pikus-Pace. She juggles motherhood with competitive sports and is one of the 2014 gold medal favorites.

More Coverage

• Utahns Holcomb, Fogt among 14 named to U.S. bobsled team

• Bowe, Davis win races at U.S. long track speedskating championships

“There is just a thrill about being able to stand at the line, being able to control your nerves and turning it on. There is something about putting yourself in tough positions, facing that kind of pressure, seeing yourself overcome it and pushing forward.”

Noelle Pikus-Pace

PARK CITY — Noelle Pikus-Pace has faced some dark moments in her young life.
But instead of being swallowed by the inevitable sadness or crippled by the questions, the top U.S. skeleton athlete has made those painful situations the places she shines brightest.
Like when a runaway bobsled smashed into her during Olympic trials in 2005. The accident left her with a rod in her leg that repaired a compound fracture and a shattered Olympic dream.
Instead of wallowing in self-pity, she took a year off to start a family and then returned to one of the world’s most dangerous sports with the kind of zeal and commitment that helped her earn a place on the 2010 Olympic team.
In Vancouver she earned a fourth-place finish — just a 10th of a second away from a bronze medal.
“I was happy, but not satisfied with my fourth-place finish,” said Pikus-Pace, who won her third straight skeleton race of team selections Monday morning at the Utah Olympic Park. “I retired, and thought, ‘This is great, I can relax.’ ”
The Mountain View High alum gave birth to her second child and began speaking to young people about the kind of commitment it takes to make a dream reality. In those speeches, she showed her final run in Vancouver, where she saw the small mistakes that added up to that fourth-place finish.
“I’ve thought about that quite a bit, and it just goes to show that it’s the small things that make a big difference,” the Orem native said. “They can work in your benefit or to the negative.”
Pikus-Pace being who she is, she’s now making that knowledge, that nagging feeling that she’s capable of better, work in her favor. But she might not be among the favorites for a gold medal in skeleton if it weren’t for another heartbreak.
In the spring of 2012, Pikus-Pace had a miscarriage at 18 weeks.
“We were planning on growing our family, having more kids, and after that happened, I was mentally gone,” she said. “I was physically, spiritually, in all aspects, I was drained. It was actually my husband who, again, brought back the point of no regrets.”
Just as he did when he built her a specially designed sled for her 2010 comeback, he asked her if she was really finished with the sport that sends athletes down an icy track at 90 miles an hour.
“A part of me wanted to continue on with my family and get pregnant really quick, have another baby,” she said. “But I knew that emotionally, I couldn’t take it. And physically I needed a break. We’d just found out it was a little girl, and we had all of these plans.” Her voice trails off momentarily contemplating what if, and then the smile slides across her face and the spark returns to her eye.
“That was in April of 2012,” she said. “June 1, 2012, that’s when we decided, let’s do this, but we’re doing it as a family.”
Pikus-Pace travels a lot competing in what is mostly a European sport. She knew she couldn’t revive her dream of earning an Olympic medal in the sport she loves without the people she loves most by her side. So they fundraise, work with sponsors and they’re frugal.
At every race, wherever it happens, her husband and two children are in the crowd.
“Some probably think it’s a little bit crazy, but when my results come, they must think there is something to it,” she said laughing.
Her results are no joke. Not only has she cemented herself as the best U.S. female skeleton athlete, she won gold on the Sochi track in last year’s World Cup, in addition to earning silver at World Championships.
Found this article Here:

Teach the children!

The fun just never ends at our Sleep Over! We did a lot of things today but one of the things that brought this whole teacher subject up to me, was when we were taking our walk.  For almost 2 hours we walked all around the neighborhood and parks to find some bugs or butterflies for Angie's new Bug Catcher ( no luck). But it was interesting to me all the things that she knew...like what a certain fern was called, or the stages a caterpillar goes through before coming a butterfly and on and on. Each time I asked her where she learned that, she would reply " from Ms Perdy ( her first grade teacher )".
 Now up until school started last year, we would have the same type of conversations and she would always reply " My Mom or Dad told me ". So there is a lot of things that Mom's teach to their children and that good teachers teach these sweet kids. Still there is nothing to compare to what we teach in our homes and that should be as it is. Knowledge from a book is important but hands down, the things that children learn within the walls of their own home ...can be the most important things that they will need in life.
So I tucked that sweet redhead to bed and told her what a fun day I had. She kissed me goodnight on the cheek with a hug and said " Nana, I love you more than the whole outer space! " I knew just what she meant because... I felt the exact same way!
May we never miss the opportunity to teach these incredible little people in our lives. They deserve only the best from us!
Good night dear friend

 

  I loved this story...
“Seated in front of me was a young couple with two small children who seemed, in my opinion, too young to be attending the event. I was silently annoyed at the parents for bringing along their mildly unruly children. The speakers taught about the Savior’s Atonement and then there was a musical number that focused on Gethsemane. The Spirit was thick in the large auditorium. When the song was over, there was a quiet moment before the next speaker took the stand, and I heard the mother in front of me whisper to her son, “Do you like it? Do you like the feeling in here?” The young boy whispered back, “I like it because it feels warm and comfortable.” My heart softened, and I gained a new respect for that mother. She was a teacher. She was an example.  She was a testifier.”
 

Mother and Daughter

Well, I was able to spend the whole day with Amy and the girls. It was a great time. It had been  a couple of weeks since I had seen the girls, and oh have I missed them. And how I wish I could do the same...spend the whole day with our little Kai, he is growing up so fast... we don't want to miss making some great memories with him too!
  I realized today, how grateful I am to have daughters. When I read this letter it made me think of my Grandmothers, my Mom and it even made me think of  me, in the advancing years. It had a sweet message and so I thought I would share it tonight.
I hope you enjoy it. And as for filling up my bucket... I really was able to do that, thanks for your patience. Still, Jeff told me tonight ( surprised me ) that he is going to take me away for 2 days on a little GET AWAY. He said I still had some more to add to my bucket. So I will not write again until Sunday! I am excited!
Good night dear friends!    

 A letter form a Mother to a Daughter
"My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m... going through.

If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”... Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same st
ory night after night until you would fall asleep.

When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl?

When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way... remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day... the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through.

If I occasionally lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you.

And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked.

When those days come, don’t feel sad... just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love.

I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you... my darling daughter."

I found the photo from here:

"No language can express the power, and beauty, and heroism, and majesty of a mother's love.  It shrinks not where man cowers, and grows stronger where man faints, and over wastes of worldly fortunes sends the radiance of its quenchless fidelity like a star."  ~Edwin Hubbell Chapin

"If you have a mom, there is nowhere you are likely to go where a prayer has not already been."  ~Robert Brault

A Mother’s heart

I found this website about children that have cancer and how their stories go… 

http://www.cancerkids.org/Children/Stories/.

It is hard to read, there are so many things that bring back the memories of just three years ago for our family. It was on Oct 30th three years ago that I was told that I had cancer once again. My first cancer I had 7 years prior. Then I was told that I had 3 tumors and that the cancer had spread, and that I would have to lose my breast. It seems all so surreal now, how did I ever survive that? I know it was because I was suppose to survive it. It was all part of the plan, I cannot explain why things happen like they do, but I have been around long enough…to know that everything happens for a reason. Even if we don’t always know what that reason is right away. There was something else I had left to do, and I pray every day that I am doing it!
One thing that I couldn’t imagine as I read these children’s stories from their Mother’s point of view, is what the Mother’s must be feeing. I thanked my Heavenly Father every day that it was me that had the cancer, and not one of my kids. Now I know that sounds weird, but there is just something about seeing your kids in pain or struggling and you can’t do anything about it…that hurts, really hurts! I can’t even imagine what heartaches these Mothers must be going through. And since Mom is usually the heart of the home, it is important for her to stay positive, full of faith and hope. If your Mom’s believes…so should you!

I have a dear friend who is one of these Mother’s going through exactly this. She is watching her adult son ( really doesn’t matter how old he is ) battling his way with cancer. As I read her letters and all the pain that her son is in, I just know that it must be eating her away too, little by little. I believe though that he still needs her for love, comfort, support and hope. Mom’s are suppose to be the one that believe in you when no one else does, one who believes the impossible, the one who talks to God daily and wants ( as He does ) whatever is best for you.

My heart and prayers go out to her, and all you Mothers and Fathers out there that going through situations like these with your kids. I pray that you some how will find the strength, courage and hope that you need. Please don’t give up. Only God knows the future, but He has always promised that He would never leave us alone to go through the trial and experiences in this life. I personally know that to be true. So hold on tight, be strong and know that there are many of us who love you, and who are praying for you!

 

 

“A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.”   ~ Washington Irving

“Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.”     Marion C. Garretty quotes

Grounded

When my kids were teenagers there were a few times ( ok quite often ) that they got grounded. That seem to help them come to the conclusion quicker that…family rules were to be honored and kept. It also reminded them that they might have the ability to choose, but they can’t choose the consequences of their actions. That was a hard lesson some times to learn. Sometimes it is even hard to understand or handle those types of lessons, even when you are an adult.  Also, some of our kids were dare devils with a huge sense of adventure and others were not. Some were when they were little, and then it changed as they got older and some were just the opposite. So each time I felt like I had finally got through with one lesson, drama, concern…it seemed like one of the other kids would have a problem. I remember having my share of worry as I tried to figure it out as a parent. Parenting is much harder than it looks!
One thing that I struggle with is adventure, danger, thrill seeking. I am just not that type of person, and  I’m getting much more cautious as I get older…that probably isn’t a good thing. The kids tease me as times, when I warn them about this or that, and they just say “ Mom, you don’t have to go to the worst case scenario do you?”  Ok, I am a little different than a lot of people, but still being cautious maybe isn’t all that bad. However it is difficult because I am married to a man who loves adventure and many times, because of my physical limitations I can’t go do them with him. Gratefully we have had children who love many of the same things as their Dad, and he loves being and going places with them.

A few weeks ago, Lee and a few friends went to take a hike up in the mountains. He gave me all the information where they would be… but I didn’t know the trial or the area, since I hadn’t hiked it. But Jeff had and he said when you get to the top you will love it, it is breathtaking.

Ok, speaking of breaths, you might want to take a deep breath before  you scroll down and look at this photo of Lee, that they took of him when he reached the top! Lee put it on a the screen saver, so it was big. That was the first time I saw it and my first two reactions were…Why would you even climb us something that high?  And you are so grounded from ever taking trips like that again!    Remember these were my thoughts!
Then when Jeff saw it, I thought for sure he might reprimand Lee, but his response ( out loud ) was… “that is incredible Lee, that must have been a rush to have climbed up there, what a gorgeous view!” Guess we are safe to say that Mothers and Fathers are different  and even among our own, there are probably some of you Mother’s out there that think this would be a neat place to go your self or to take your kids too! I will just try to remember to smile and be grateful that he didn’t FALL OFF that mountain, and that he was able to experience the beauty of the great Northwest!  Still, I am sooooooooooo glad I didn’t know he would be doing something like this. Maybe that is why they say “sometimes it is just better if Mom doesn’t know? “  Wonder it they were talking about these kind of experiences?

So to  all you Mothers, just remember to really support  your kids, but also know exactly where they are going and what they are going to do…that might help your decisions. But at the same time, I am so glad that my kids are more like Jeff and not me. I am soooooooooooooooo boring, and I just love keeping my feet on the ground.

Good night dear friends!

  “Life is uncharted territory. It reveals its story one moment at a time.”  ~ Leo F. Buscaglia

  “Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”  ~ Andre Gide

“People travel to wonder at the height of the mountains, at the huge waves of the seas, at the long course of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars, and yet they pass by themselves without wondering.”   ~St. Augustine, Early Christian Priest

 

Labor Day Birthday!

Our son Bradley was born on Labor Day, that would have been appropriate IF... I would have labored having him, but I didn't ...he was a planned C-section. I just remember hearing him cry for the first time and then they laid him up next to me and I cried. I was worried that my heart wouldn't be big enough to love two kids but...how wrong I was. Brad was a great baby and a 100% boy. He always had to be moving and making some kind of noise, he loved the outdoors, and could eat a potato bug...quicker than anyone! :(
Life seemed to move faster with two kids, there was always something going on, still having Brad around was a joy in our lives. I like this poem because that explained him to a T!

Little Boys Little boys come in all shapes and sizes,
Shy and adventurous, full of surprises,
With misshapen halos and mischievous grins,
Small dirty faces, and sweet, sticky chins.
They'll keep you so busy, and yet all the while
Nothing can brighten the world like their smile.
And no greater treasure has brought homes more joy
Than a curious, active, and lovable boy!  ~ Unknown

But then Brad started growing up and I remember the first time he left home...I cried my eyes out again. I wondered if I had taught him everything he needed to make it for himself out in the world? And boy did he ever, he served a 2 year mission for our church in the Philippines and loved it and the people there!

Then he got married to our cute Krystal, and in April they both graduated from college!

And now they are working and expecting their first baby! How does time go by that fast? I can still remember of getting up early on Labor Day to check in to the hospital to go have Brad, and now he is going to have a little one of his own.

Brad is such an incredible part of our family. He is funny, he has a very good heart and loves everyone. He is so talented and passionate about his work. I don't think we could have picked out a better life for him. I feel grateful and blessed to be his Mom. How proud I am of the man he has become. Happy Birthday son!

"You don't raise heroes, you raise sons.  And if you treat them like sons, they'll turn out to be heroes, even if it's just in your own eyes."  ~Walter M. Schirra, Sr.

"Good fathers make good sons."  ~Author Unknown

Mothering

   I had a Doctor appointment a few weeks ago and as I was sitting in the office waiting my turn, when a young women came in who was pregnant and very sick. As soon as she came in she ran to the bathroom to throw up, she came back into the waiting room but was hurting so bad that she could hardly sit still. Just a few minutes later another lady came in, she was probably about 20 years older than the first woman, and she stated she was the young woman's Mother. It made me homesick for my Mom when I saw her sit down beside her grown daughter and move the hair out of her eyes and rub her back. I felt like I was invading their privacy as I listened to her whisper words of encouragement, and yet you could still see the worry in her eyes. I am not sure if this was her daughter's first pregnancy or what, but still she was a Mother who cared and loved this daughter and I am sure... the baby that was inside of her. Yes, I have been blessed with an incredible husband, sensitive kids and the most amazing friends so that when I am sick, I am well taken care of...but I still miss my Mom!

   Now I am a Mother of adult children, and it is a new role for me. It is hard know when to Mother and when to stay away. It gets more complicated when each child is different, so you don't treat each of them the exact same way. Then you add on top of that Grandchildren, who you naturally want to help Mother and some times that is ok and sometimes it isn't.
    I remember when Amy was born and how inadequate I felt as her Mother. I had never been a Mother before, there wasn't any instruction book that came out with her and so I had to watch, learn and listen to my heart...to teach me how to be her Mother. Now 29 years later, there still isn't an instruction book and so ... I sorta feel like that new Mom again. When do I give advice? What boundaries should there be? How much do I help?
   I have learned the hard way that you almost have to start over like a new Mom, you have to watch, learn and listen to your heart to know how to Mother an adult child. The only difference is that little newborn didn't tell you if you did something wrong, or if you should have done it this way or that instead...adult children do. Sometimes that hurts, only because that isn't what you meant to happen. But then again the nice part is that as adults, you can talk and work things out, so I guess it all equals out in the long run?

But as I remembered that Mom, I realized that no matter what...most Mom's just love their children sooooooooo much that they would do absolutely anything to help them. So hopefully there is forgiveness and a lot of patience, as we all learn how to handle the new aspect of our roles as adult children and Mothers.

"Mother's love grows by giving."  ~Charles Lamb

"If you have a mom, there is nowhere you are likely to go where a prayer has not already been."  ~Robert Brault,

"Grown don't mean nothing to a mother.  A child is a child.  They get bigger, older, but grown?  What's that suppose to mean?  In my heart it don't mean a thing."  ~Toni Morrison

Still my boy!

Our youngest son Lee as you know, graduated last week. He is 18 years old and soon he will be heading off to college, that seems so weird that he is our last one to leave home. The Empty Nest Stage is quickly approaching and I am NOT READY for it! But like anything else in life, ready or not here ...it comes!  Life just keeps happening.

Lee was asked to help coach at a Basketball Camp this whole week, he was more than excited to go. He loves playing ball, he has since he was a little kid. Ball was even his first word! Anyway, last night as we were discussing his trip and if he had every thing he needed, he asked me if I was going to write those cards again. I didn't know what he meant at first and then he explained ..."You know the cards that you wrote one for every day, last year when I went to camp?" I did remember and was thrilled that he liked it and wasn't embarrassed that his Mom was writing him a card, scripture and quote for each day. He really want them again! It did my heart good to hear that. You never know when the things you do... are truly appreciated or if the things you are teaching ...really are sinking in! Yeah, that was great treat for me to hear!

So I guess even though he is 6 ft and 18 years old, he is still my boy. It is a neat feeling as a Mom, when  you know that your grown children still need you in some ways! I just love being their MOM!
Good night dear friends!

"Son, you outgrew my lap, but never my heart."  ~Author Unknown

"You don't raise heroes, you raise sons.  And if you treat them like sons, they'll turn out to be heroes, even if it's just in your own eyes."  ~Walter M. Schirra, Sr.

Shadows

I loved this little poem, it is true... our kids are just like shadows following us around. Hope you enjoy it!

Good night!

 

Her Little Shadows
  by: Author Unknown

I saw a young mother
With eyes full of laughter
And two little shadows
Came following after.

Wherever she moved,
They were always right there
Holding onto her skirts,
Hanging onto her chair.
Before her, behind her-
An adhesive pair.

"Don't you ever get weary
As, day after day,
Your two little tagalongs
Get in your way?

She smiled as she shook
Her pretty young head,
And I'll always remember
The words that she said

"It's good to have shadows
That run when you run,
That laugh when you're happy
And hum when you hum -
For you only have shadows

When your life's filled with sun."

 

"God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers." -- A Jewish Proverb

"Making the decision to have a child-it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."
--Elizabeth Stone

Orphaned

   A dear friend of mine today, told me that her Mother-in-law just passed away. She explained how hard this whole thing has been on her husband ( 1 of 6 children ). She mentioned that although the Mom was really sick, she didn't pass away until all of her children got there and told her good bye. I remember those last days and months with my Mother, those were very hard. I pray my dear friend and her family will find peace. 
   I remember talking to Hospice worker who had been with Hospice for many years. She helped us in our journey of telling my Mom good bye. She said that Mothers are the hardest ones to die. They want to know that all their kids are ok and will be ok, before she leaves this earth. Yes, Mother's still mother... till the very end.

   I can still remember the first time I heard someone refer to me as an orphan, now that both of my parents had passed away. It struck me sorta hard, although it is actually true...it's a hard thing to hear. Sometimes I feel too young to be an orphan. There have been many times when I wondered what my Mom would have said, or what advice she would have given me, if I could still talk to her. I wish there was a SPECIAL PHONE... for calls to HEAVEN, oh I realize it would be an expensive call, but you would only use it for emergencies. :) Of course when it comes to a girl needing to talk to her Mom, there could be an emergency ever day!

   But if you really think about it, wouldn't it be great? I would love to talk to my Grandma Johnny and ask her if she ever found Sugar Johnson ( a relative that she could never find in her genealogy search). I would like to talk to my Aunt Ina, we lived with her the first 10 years of my life, she was my protector and best friend. I would ask her how to make her Date Filled Cookies, I have never tasted anything quite like them. I would like to talk to my Grandma Boat. I would ask her what the reunion was like with her Mom and brother? Her brother and Mom both passed away, when she was just a young girl.

   Yes, I know in my heart that those on the other side are much closer than we realize but some times ...I just can't help to want it to be even closer! So even though I am an orphan, I feel like a very young one. Especially when I see so many of my friends with their Mom's and Dad's still alive. I think my heart aches a little bit more when it Mother's Day comes around, maybe that is normal or maybe it's not? But it sure is REAL!

   Good night dear friends!

 

FAREWELL
The sand of time are running low
And soon my children I must go
My heart with love for you is filled
But soon its beating must be stilled
I leave no treasures of any kind
Only my love I leave behind
Take it and share it between sister and brother
And always be kind to one another
Weep not beside the grave for me
Don't bring me flowers I cannot see
Only ashes lie neath the cold sod
Just pray that my soul has gone with God
Some of you perhaps may weep
When my eyes are closed in eternal sleep
But try to remember it won't be forever
For God can bring our spirits together
I pray that I go to a world far above
To be with the others that I love
And to wait awhile on that Heavenly plain
Until the day we shall meet again.
(The poem was written by Florence McInnes for her children) http://www.motivateus.com/stories/grieve-3.htm

"Goodbyes are not forever.
Goodbyes are not the end.
They simply mean I'll miss you
Until we meet again!"
-- Author Unknown

Just missed my goal!

Can you believe it, I just missed my goal of being healthy for one year straight...by only 13 days!!! I can't say that I am surprised, since I have been so stressed out this week, worrying about Lee. I knew I should go to bed early, but couldn't get my head to stop thinking and wondering. I knew that I should have honored THE WALL, but I just felt if I kept going, I could get a few things I was behind on. I guess no one ever plans for all the doctor appointments and all the things that come up, when someone is sick or hurting. So it is my own fault that I didn't take better care of my body better. I have been trying sooooooooooooo hard to make that goal. :(

I guess the I need to look at it, more on the positive side. I have been well ...COMPLETELY WELL for 352 days! That is great news! Especially considering that I had pneumonia four times, year before last!

I knew very early this morning that I was coming down with something, so the first thing I did when I got up...was put on a big pot of homemade Chicken Noodle Soup. For those of us that don't have Mothers here anymore with us...that is what we have to do, make it ourselves!

So even though I am freezing, aching all over, and I am cooking a fever, plus I have a sore throat and an already DEEP cough...life is good and I am thankful for all my blessings!

Good night dear friends!

"If you find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere."  ~ Frank A. Clark

" I can't change the directions of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination."  ~ Jimmy Dean

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."  ~ C.S. Lewis

 

Worrier

Well, the Doctor called today, and the results were in from Lee's tests. Every thing was normal, just like all the other tests we have done. It is weird, I was praying that nothing was wrong ...and yet at the very same time, I was praying to know what is wrong. I am trying not to be a worrier but some days, I worry more than I should. Yesterday, was one of those days. Today, I decided to turn it over to my Heavenly Father, what a more peaceful way to live. Trying to act as if EVERYTHING depends on you is hard. I know my Heavenly Father loves Lee and is well aware of his struggles. I just need to remember, all the times He has taken care of our family. This time won't be any different. Perspective is a wonderful thing!
Night dear friends!

Can You See God? 

A small boy once approached his slightly older sister with a question about God. "Susie, can anybody ever really see God?" he asked.
Busy with other things, Susie curtly replied: "No, of course
not silly. God is so far up in heaven that nobody can see him."
Time passed, but his question still lingered so he approached his mom: "Mom, can anybody ever really see God?" "No, not really," she gently said. "God is a spirit and he dwells in our hearts, but we can never really see Him."
Somewhat satisfied but still wondering, the youngster went on his way. Not long afterwards, his saintly old grandfather took the little boy on a fishing trip.
They were having a great time together. The sun was beginning to set with unusual splendor and the grandfather stared silently at the exquisite beauty unfolding before them.
On seeing the face of his grandfather reflecting such deep
peace and contentment, the little boy thought for a moment and finally spoke hesitatingly:
"Granddad, I--I-- wasn't going to ask anybody else, but I wonder if you can tell me the answer to something I've been wondering about a long time. Can anybody - can anybody ever really see God?".
The old man did not even turn his head. A long moment slipped by before he finally answered. "Son," he quietly said. "It's getting so I can't see anything else."       ~Author Unknown

 

"Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you."  ~ Saint Augustine

Every evening I turn my worries over to God.  He's going to be up all night anyway.  ~Mary C. Crowley

You are always a MOM!

   "Once a Mom, you are always a Mom." That's the truth. This whole week has been tough on me as a Mom and Nana. 3 people out of our family of 10 have been sick, and that is always hard on my heart. I kept thinking it might get a bit easier as they get older but...it really doesn't. Just like the phone calls in the middle of the night, leave you with that sick pit in your stomach. That's sorta what it feels like to have my kids sick or hurting and I can't do anything about it.
   Our oldest son is just a few weeks from graduating from college. He has been running himself ragged trying to get all his projects done, plus school work and working. I think he is sick because he has just burnt the candle at both ends for too many days and nights in a row. How I wish I could bring him over some Chicken Noodle Soup and see what I could do to help them.
   Next has been our youngest son Lee. He has been having pain in his stomach off and on now, for over a year and still no one knows quite what it is. We went to see a specialist yesterday and did a few more tests, and so we will see what happens with that. I know he was worried but didn't want to show it. Even at the age of 17, it is hard not to think of him as my Little Lee, and worry a bit.
   Then our granddaughter Jenny has been sick with the flu for four days now. I am glad we live close so that we can help in some way. Now I am just the Nana, but it hurts to see these little ones sick. I still can't believe that I lived through all four of our kids, and all their illnesses.
   Jeff said that when the kids were little and got the intestinal flu, he thought I went over board when the only thing I would give him for dinner was bananas, rice, applesauce or toast! You know the BRAT diet! I didn't really think it was that unrealistic, considering I had been cleaning up after all four of them with the flu for days. Just because he wasn't sick, I didn't even want to take the chance, so I had us all it the BRAT diet for days afterwards. Ok, that does seem extreme, but I guess you just had to be there. :)
   So tonight, I will pray hard for our family, and hope that tomorrow will be a better day. I know these things aren't big and are probably temporary, but still it is a bit hard. Maybe I am being too honest?  But the truth is...I would rather be sick myself any day, than watch my kids or grand-kids be sick. It is amazing some how that we survive though!  I am just grateful to know that they will survive too. At least we have each other, that is actually saying a lot! So even though it has been a tough week, I feel very blessed!

"Children and mothers never truly part - Bound in the beating of each other's heart." -Charlotte Gray

"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me.  They have clung to me all my life."  ~Abraham Lincoln

"If you have a mom, there is nowhere you are likely to go where a prayer has not already been."  ~Robert Brault

"It's going to be ok now Mommy!"

   Two days ago, Lee and I were on our way home and not too far from Amy's house, and I said to him, "Do you think we should stop and see the girls?" He still wasn't feeling good from the concussion and had homework,so we went straight home. I still felt like we should have gone, sorta but I wasn't sure why. We drove in the driveway and I had no sooner turned off the car, when my phone rang. It was Amy and she was crying, she said that she had accidentally shut her finger in the car door after putting one of the girls in their car seats. She wasn't sure how bad it was and just needed help. ( side not, don't ignore those prompting to go, like I did ) 
   I yelled for Lee who was walking into house at the time, told him to get the Arnica and Arnica gel, and hurry and get back in the car. ( Ok, if some of you are wondering what Arnica is, then go read about it here...it is amazing stuff, trust me I have 4 kids...it really works! 

   When we arrived, the girls were still in the car. Jenny ( 16 months ) didn't know what to think and just kept repeating  "MOMMY?" "MOMMY?",( Angie  4 1/2 years old ) hadn't ever seen her Mommy cry like that, and she was scared. When then got the girls out of the car and into the apartment, Angie kept talking a mile a minute, she was really worried about her Mom. Here are a couple of things that she said that made me smile. "Mommy, Nana is here and she has some stuff that is going to help you get better, just like Heavenly Father and band- Aids"    Oh the faith of a child, it is truly refreshing!  Then we just brought everyone over to my house for dinner, I knew Amy couldn't do very much for dinner or with Jenny by herself, plus she just needed to keep the ice on her finger, so we just packed everyone back into the car. As we were walking in our front door Angie said "Ok, we're going to Nana's house, everything is going to be better here! "Everything's better at Nana's house!" I know she was glad there was someone else to help her Mom, but it was a sweet feeling for me too!  I love being their Nana!    I really love those girls of mine!


"Grandchildren are loving reminders of what we're really here for."  ~ Unknown

"Being blessed with grandchildren, is like having the ability to multiply your best friends" ~ Lynn Woodard

What are my priorities?

Tonight a friend and I went to a church meeting for all the women ( it is called Relief Society ), we have it once a month, and the topic this month was about ORGANIZATION. I know...something I need! It was a good class and even at my ripe old age of 51(just kidding), I realized a few things that I could do to simplify my life. Here are some of the notes that I took and things that meant a lot to me.**********************************************************************************************************************************

"I have said lately that women are like lionesses at the gate of the home. Whatever happens in that home and family happens because she cares about it and it matters to her. She guards that gate, and things matter to that family if they matter to her. For example, if the lioness at the gate believes in the law of tithing, tithing will be paid in that family. If that family has a humble little portion of ten pesos coming in, that lioness will safeguard the one peso if tithing is important to her. If that lioness at the gate knows about renewing her baptismal covenants with God, she will be in sacrament meeting on Sunday, and she will prepare her children to be there. They will be washed, cleaned, combed, and taught about that meeting and what happens there. It isn’t a casual event, but it is serious to her, and it will be serious to them.

Sisters, you are each like the lioness at the gate. This means that there has to be some prioritizing. I was taught years ago that when our priorities are out of order, we lose power. If we need power and influence to carry out our mission, then our priorities have to be straight.

Years ago I began using a system that works for me, and maybe it will work for you. There was a time when I needed to prioritize, and in one of those sacred meetings between me and the Lord, He gave me three categories that I have worked from, and they have been a guide in my life. The categories are the essential things, the necessary things, and the nice-to-do things. I started writing those things down. I asked, “What has to go in the category of essential?”

We have talked about being the lioness at the gate and how important it is to safeguard that home, that family, to have that kind of power. We discussed that nothing really powerful happens in a home or a family if the lioness doesn’t care about it or invest in it. To move the Lord’s work forward, we have to have a powerful faith, a strong faith. We need stronger families and homes and we are to seek out and help those who are in need.

We know that when our priorities are out of order, we lose power. It takes personal revelation every day to help us prioritize and re-prioritize and keep at bay the influences of the world that would draw us from what we are to do."

The teacher's lesson came from a talk by Julie B. Beck in April 29, 2010

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Flds.org%2Flibrary%2Fdisplay%2F0%2C4945%2C9118-1-5187-1%2C00.html&h=cf2a7tRZ1n10UWJqyez499CTcmg

**************************************************************************************************************************************

  It was a great meeting, I think the part that I loved the most is ...how powerful our faith and prayers can be, in raising and teaching our families. I personally know that when I put the Lord first, that everything else in my home and life seem to fall in place. There is a better spirit in our home.
I have always thought our homes need to be protected... there are many things out there in the world trying to dissolve the family. It is vital that we stay close to our Heavenly Father and know what is essential, necessary and nice-to-do in our lives. If you ever mixed up about your priorities, then just ask your sweet little children or grandchildren (they have such a clearer view), and they will quickly set us on the right path! I am grateful for this class and everyone that participated in it. Yes, life is all about learning, and no matter what age you are...there is still a lot to learn out there! 

"Success is only another form of failure, if we forget what our priorities should be."  ~ Harry Lloyd

"Sometimes it's the smallest decisions that can change your life forever."  ~ Keri Russell

"Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Establish your priorities and go to work."  ~ H. L. Hunt

 

 

Sharing Mothers

I have been grateful for my dear friends, who are kind enough to share their Mothers with me. My Mom passed away when I was 40 years old, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss her. Tonight a dear friend of mine called and said that while her Mother was in town for a wedding, could they come over and visit. She wanted to see my house all decorated for Christmas...yes, which is still is. Her Mother will be 93 years old in March, and what a sweetheart she is, and she is doing amazing well at her age. She is beautiful inside and out. Her spirit is still so happy and strong, that must be where her daughter gets it from. I felt honored to have them in my home.

The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Well, it is late and I am worn out... but just wanted to share with you this sweet poem and quote about Mothers. Please remember to hug and cherish your Mom, if she is still with you. And if you are like me and she has already passed away, then remember to try your hardest every day to be everything that your Mom would have wanted you to be.Try to be the best Mom you can be to your kids, that way... your Mom's life will effect generations to come!
Good night dear friends!

“Most of you are mothers, and very many of you are grandmothers and even great-grandmothers. You have walked the sometimes painful, sometimes joyous path of parenthood. You have walked hand in hand with God in the great process of bringing children into the world that they might experience this estate along the road of immortality and eternal life. It has not been easy rearing a family. Most of you have had to sacrifice and skimp and labor night and day. As I think of you and your circumstances, I think of the words of Anne Campbell, who wrote as she looked upon her children:

You are the trip I did not take;

You are the pearls I cannot buy;

You are my blue Italian lake;

You are my piece of foreign sky.

(“To My Child,” quoted in Charles L. Wallis, ed., The Treasure Chest [1965], 54)

"You [mothers] are the real builders of the nation wherever you live, for you have created homes of strength and peace and security. These become the very sinew of any nation.”   ~Gordon B. Hinckley,