My To-Do list

Everyday I get up, and everyday I think to myself, what is on the to-do list today? Sometimes I wonder just why I have a to-do list. It used to be my way of making sure everything important got done. But 7 kids later, I've learned somethings about the to-do list. Everyday, my children seem to rewrite it for me. The daughter that needs to just talk, the child at school that forgot his homework or is sick,or me just missing my married kids like crazy and needing to catch up, a granddaughter that just doesn't want to be anywhere but in my arms or with me playing with her in the floor, my own illness,etc.It doesn't seem to matter how hard I try, or how good intentioned I am, I never get to the bottom of the to-do list. So this obsession with the to-do list has been going on for a while. I am even good at making them for everyone else in my family. What I have realized is that the list should really be called something like... things I hope to get done, today or sometime in the next week, or even month, maybe...The things I know I can't remove from that list are the things that are not written. Family prayer, scriptures,service and teaching moments that happen everyday are just to name a few. Today my son was outside, doing his usual, working on a motor. This is what he loves and it is important to him because this is where his gift lies (well the only one he is aware of at this time in his life anyway) so I try to put up with the grease, the noise, the expense. When the girls where young it was dance lessons, horses, shopping for the perfect dress for dances, the hair, the makeup, horses, beauty pageant's, and now its just grease. Quite a change from years past of raising children. Aside from a neighbor complaining about the smell of horse poop, there was not too many times anyone complained about my children's extra curricular activities. But this new stage in my life has changed that. So the neighbor comes over and chews out my son for starting the engine on his motorcycle and informs him it is against the HOA rules. I've read those rules, and didn't get that memo, but whatever. The point is as soon as I heard the engine I was on alert already knowing what could be lurking down the street, and the fact that I had a sleeping baby, and he only had it running from the time I left my bathroom to walk across my bedroom to get some clothes. Maybe 2 mins at most. Of course the neighbor came over and chewed him out. A few months ago shortly after we moved in our home, we were cleaning out the garage, and the HOA came and took pictures of our stuff in our driveway while we set up shelves to put things on in the garage. And proceeded to yell at my kids and the neighbor boys who were helping move the stuff. And then there was the time a visitor got a ticket for parking the wrong way on our dead end street because the same neighbor called the sheriff. I could go on forever. So my momma bear instinct set in and I headed down the street to have a chat with the neighbor. It wasn't pleasant and all I did was ask that she talk to me if she had any concerns about my kids. What I heard from her, left me feeling like the biggest scum, failure, you name it, that I ever have been made to feel about myself. My son really didn't do anything that bad, but for the sake of bad feelings, which I was having,I wrote a letter to everyone of my neighbors and told them I was sorry if I had offended them. The kids then went from door to door and knocked and presented each neighbor with a letter. What more could I do? As I have reflected on this, I was reminded of some other times,where I had to stand up for my kids. And each time I felt terrible even though I knew I had done nothing wrong. My role has changed as mother to these older children, now when I hear how someone hurt them, or was unfair, all I can do is pray for them, and offer words of encouragement, maybe that is what I should have done today too. So back to today's to-do list. How much do you think I got done today? Only the things that are not written, and if that is all I got done, then I guess I'm going to have to learn to live with that, but my kids will always come before the to-do list.

My Life As A Grandma: My observations at the airport

My Life As A Grandma: My observations at the airport

My observations at the airport

I have spent a lot of time in airports these past 10 years. I even achieved medallion status with Delta! It is a place I don't mind being at all, because there is always something interesting going on and the feeling in the air is usually that of excitement, anticipation, and joy. Last night as I waited for a while for my "chauffeur" to arrive,(thanks Tim your were great, suit and all) I especially seemed to enjoy, just sitting and observing what has happening around me. There was a couple with a young child there to pick up the girls parents, what was interesting was the fact that they ALL where in their pajamas, slippers and all, and they were obviously very comfortable with their attire. Their appearance, was something I don't think i have ever seen anywhere,(in such a public place anyways)especially an airport, and I'm fairly certain never would have observed in Southern California. Next to me sat a grandpa waiting for his granddaughter. We discussed his attire because he was in shorts in 39* weather, and he felt it necessary to explain to me his choice, spring summer winter or fall, he wore shorts and nothing else.(I think he noticed the PJ'S group too) I knew his granddaughter as soon as I saw her. The look on her face, the embrace and tears that flowed freely when he asked if she was alright, and she shook her head NO. It broke my heart and I found myself instantly wanting to help, but there she was in Grandpas arms and I knew she would be OK. Then I observed a couple very professionally dressed walking arm in arm, quickly who were not paying any attention to anyone around, but stayed focused on their destination.On the other side of me was another grandpa, with arm crutches,nicely dressed,with a sweet smile, he spoke with a foreign accent,obviously a sweet old man. He greeted his daughter and his 2 granddaughters with open wide arms and such excitement, trying to stay in balance and not fall over from the twisted, crippled legs that held his small frame. After hello hugs, his daughter said with disgust on her face, "oh I'm too old for this". At this point, her father turns to grab his crutches and hurries to catch up to her as she leaves him there. Next I saw a young woman with a little girl maybe 3 or 4 in a stroller, come dancing through the security area, and run into the arms of a waiting man. She almost left her daughter behind, but she literally jumped on him and hugged him so tight I thought his head was going to pop off. He put her down and handed her a rose that had been his hand and now had recieved a little damage. An obvious happy reunion! Another young man was waiting and greeted his girl, with nothing more than a simple kiss, and off they walked holding hands, she being pregnant and they had matching tennis shoes that she wore with her dress. And then of course being in Utah, there were the welcome home balloons, and families waiting for missionaries returning home. A girls athletic team came through. I wondered what sport they played and where they were from. I reflected on the many times in the past, that i was there to greet others or be greeted. For me this was the first time I had had to wait for someone to pick me up, usually I rented a car or had mine waiting in the parking lot, so this was a new experience. I don't have a cell phone, and pay phones are a thing of the past, so I was feeling a little helpless and knew being patient was my only choice. I remembered all the times I was late picking up Kerry, and felt such sorrow, that I was not there to greet him with open arms. I'm so sorry babe! I'll try harder, promise. I also will never forget one trip Kerry and I took to Anchorage, Alaska and watched the reunion of one couple, that left us speechless, when we realized they couldn't seem to make it past the first phone booth to express their affection. (I'm haunted by this one, so tacky!) Last of course was the flight crew, one of which had been the crew from my plane. They had been so nice to me, since I had to sit on the plane with them for 45 minutes in Vegas, while they cleaned. I felt like I had made friends that day. And then of course there was the lady who sat next to me on the plane. I usually like to sleep, but recently I remembered being taught about our opportunities to do missionary work, and thought maybe I should try harder to be friendly and not covet my sleep. With all the traveling Kerry has done, he has had many opportunities to share his testimony just by telling people he was from Utah. I have seen him bring home business cards, and even send referral's for the missionaries. So this time I visited. And as we shared, I learned, and grew from that experience. What a blessing to me, to meet a perfect stranger, and yet someone who each were able to uplift one another over 1 1/2 hours through our sharing our lives experiences. I couldn't help but think that somehow my observations could have been filmed that day for some church movie. Because the greeting and welcoming that took place from those crossing over, reminded me of how someday it will be when we greet those loved ones who have gone before us. Grandparents, Mothers and Fathers, Sisters, Brothers, Friends, all us know someone who we can not wait to embrace in our arms and weep at our reunion. I am greatful for my time waiting at the airport, because it just reminded me of something wonderful that I can look forward too with all those I have loved during my time here on earth.

Where do I begin? Right here seems to be a good spot!

Well for a very long time I have used the excuse of no time, don't know what to write, can't figure the program out etc etc etc, and reality was I hadn't tried either. So...for the first time I am writing on my blog, yep, big steps for me!

The reality is, I have so much to share, so much I've learned, so many ways I've grown, its hard to know where to begin, so today I begin. And if i have accomplished that much, then I have no more excuses, right?

To all of you faithful bloggers, THANK YOU! You inspire me, teach me, and I feel as if I have grown to love and know each of you so much more. It is a joyful part of my life to read about yours. So...here we go!