Family Unity and Individuality

I love my family!  Each individual one of them is pretty amazing.  Isn't it cool that our unique traits as individuals is what allows us to be most effective and enjoyable as a whole?  Each of them make me a happier person and each of them contribute to the joy of being a family.

For example, my husband is insightful and supportive.  He has unparalleled excitement for the things that he loves in life, which makes him very fun to be around.  He is witty and funny and fun.  He’s quirky and cute.  He’s a patient teacher, a great dad, and the best teammate.  He is the perfect mix of strength and vulnerability.  He sees and loves every part of me, while bringing out the best in me.  I love that man and am so blessed that he is in my life forever.

Luke is both quiet and loud.  We, his family, are the lucky few who get to see both sides.  He is so willing and helpful.  He can make it through a batch of dishes much better, though, if he’s singing something silly (think a John Williams medley with Star Wars lyrics or Rhett and Link - like campfire songs, but more clever).  He’s a book-loving, problem-solving genius, with a mind for puzzles and games and codes; but he’s also tuned into people and knows how to be a good friend, a good listener, and how to put people around him at ease.  I love that guy and I am so blessed to be his mom!

Cade is one-of-a-kind.  He has been a perfectionist since he was three and started learning to spell his name.  He would type it on my computer before he could write, then he started forming tiny perfect letters and I would find “Cade 4” written on little sticky notes all over the house.  He still takes pride in his work.  He is a talented musician.  He is a people person and loves to gather his friends around.  He is a doer, an instigator, a leader.  If he wants something to happen, he makes it happen.  It pays to be on his side, but you sure better not stand in his way.  He is especially sweet with young children, and is the “favorite brother” of his little sister.  I love that guy and am so blessed to be his mom!

Cole is a third-time’s-the-charm kid.  He was a happy, smiley baby and now he’s a happy, easy-going, calming influence in our family.  Cole has always maintained that he gives the best hugs, “huh, mom.”  And it is true.  He gives them freely and often, with or without prompting.  He is so loving and kind and wants to make life pleasant for everyone else, even at his own expense.  Cole is quick to laugh and quick to forgive.  He is unselfish and giving and just pure good, right down to his core.  His greatest desire is to do what’s right.  He radiates love and sunshine.  I love that kid and am so blessed to be his mom!

Sadie is spunky and delightful.  She sings, dances and plays her way through life, bringing fun into every situation she possibly can.  She is a friend to everyone.  She loves to bring stickers to church and sneak around handing them out to people during Sacrament Meeting.  She cares for her imaginary friends too (like Vanilly the horse she loves to ride), and whichever dolls and stuffed animals aren’t sleeping in her bed get tucked into their beds/baskets/boxes each night (sometimes under dirty laundry, but they are snug either way).  She takes care of all of us, especially her daddy, who often gets gently wakened in the morning by her snuggles.  I love that girl and am so blessed to be her mom!

Grandpa Lyman

My sweet grandpa passed away last week.  We have been hoping for this happy day for him ever since Grandma died last December.  He lived his life for her, and once she was gone, there was not a lot left for him.  With Alzheimer's confusing his mind about everything and everyone he ever cared about, it was hard to imagine he was finding much happiness there at the end.  But now I'm sure he's happier than ever - back together with his sweetheart, not burdened by his slow body or memory loss any longer.  He can think and run and work and laugh and remember and be with the one he loves.

So I am happy for him, but I miss him still.  Although I've been missing him for a while, since he has not really been himself in quite some time.  Still, I've been thinking a lot about what he and Grandma have given me.  About what a huge part of my life they've been, and how much they have influenced who I am.  They have helped shape the things I love, the places I find beauty, my appreciation for those who came before me and even before them.  They are what I aspire to become.

Grandpa's deep faith and trust in God has strengthened my own.  I loved to hear him pray.  He talked to God like a close friend, and prayed individually for each member of his family as well as many others.  You could feel his total assurance that God was there, that He was listening, that He would take care of all of us.  There was power in his voice when he prayed.  Perhaps the power came from knowing that God was on his side.  They definitely played on the same team.  Grandpa was always a force for good.

Grandpa's work ethic was like no other.  He was always working.  The word "retirement" meant nothing to him.  He worked in his sheet metal shop, in his yard, on his tractor, in his orchard, fixing things around the house.  His body slowed down, but he didn't.

He had a particular love for people and places.  He knew everyone in town - well, in a town like Blanding, everyone knows everyone in town.  But he really did know everyone, and every generation of their families.  He liked to tell me how I was related to different kids in my grade at school.  All he had to hear was a name, and he could tell you the parents and the grandparents and keep going back.  You can't  know and remember people like that without loving them too.  He loved them all.

Since I've been married, he's always been interested in where I live.  When we'd come to visit, he'd ask, "Now where are you coming from?  Oh, that's some beautiful country up there.  Do you like it there?"  Having lived all over Utah, he knew and loved it all.  Probably he liked to hunt because he liked to be out in nature.  The hunting didn't continue after he was older, but the love of the land continues still, I'm sure.

When I was little, we used to "play" at Grandma and Grandpa's house all the time.  When we arrived Grandpa would always greet us with a hug and a kiss.  We used to laugh about how his kisses were wet, and we had to wipe them off.  Some would even call them "slobber kisses."  Grandma would rock us and read us stories; cut up apple slices and feed us "grandma" (graham) crackers.  Grandpa would take us for rides on the big red tractor, and sometimes on lucky days he would let us stand inside the door of his shop and watch him work.  The equipment he worked with was big and dangerous, so he didn't let us get too close, but we loved to watch him work and have him show us some of the things he could do with his machines.  The shop always felt shady and cool, and had the smell of metal, which to a kid smelled like a handful of pennies and dimes.  Grandpa would let us help him pick fruit from the fruit trees too, or help feed the cats.  The cats were just a wild bunch of strays that Grandpa kept happy with table scraps.  He was the only one they didn't run away from.  Who could run away from Grandpa?

When it was time to go, there were always more hugs and kisses and always the words, "Come again!"   Open invitation for forever.  We were always, always welcome there.  And we always wanted to come again soon.  In fact, we never wanted to leave.  Once we even found a hiding place good enough that we wouldn't have to go, because Mom and Dad couldn't find us.  But unfortunately, fooling our parents was not an acceptable way to gain access to an extended stay at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  They always knew how to talk us into wanting to be good, too.

I will miss Grandpa.  I'm glad we are a family forever.  I'm so thankful to be his granddaughter.  To know him and love him and have his influence in my life.  Thank you, Grandpa, for being the amazing man you are, for loving me always, for teaching me about faith and love and by your words and by your example.  Thanks for the grammar lessons, history lessons, geneology lessons, and the slobber kisses.  Thanks for treating Grandma like your queen.  Thanks for everything.  I love you.

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"Green Julius" by Cade

For once, it's Cade.  I haven't posted for SO long.  Today I made my first smoothie by my self (or at all).  It's really healthy, and tastes really good.  My mom was weeding, cleaning and sweeping outside.  Once I was finished, I gave some to mom and she said it was good and that she wanted some more.  I told her to save some for dad, because I remembered that he was on a diet and that he would like it.  Here is the recipe that I made up from scratch:

Green Julius

1 1/2 cups of orange juice
1/2 cup of milk
1 cup of ice
1 apple
5 strawberries
hand full (or a little more) of spinach

Still Hoping for Spring...

Well, as I was saying before, it's time for spring! I did clean out my flower beds, and there are some daffodils ready to bloom if it would quit snowing! It was one thing that we got snow on April Fool's day...I can handle that. Easter is not quite as fun for snow, but it was kind of funny that Luke dyed only the bottom half of all his Easter eggs, leaving the top half white so they'd be easier to hide in the snow. Clever boy. ;) But here we are with a week out of school for Spring Break, and sledding is not at the top of anyone's list of ideas for fun activities! However, after checking the weather predictions in several Utah locations, and talking it over with my sister Stacey, it appears that spring will begin tomorrow. Sadie could not be happier! She lives to be outside. Sidewalk chalk is a plus, too. As you can see, though, we did do our plastic egg hunt inside this year. So spring may be coming a couple days late for Spring Break purposes, but we've still got some time left before it's over at least. We'll do inside stuff today, then plan the outside stuff (zoo trip and night games) for later in the week.

I'm also noticing a trend here that I need outside sources of mood alteration right after Lanny leaves town. And since I'm not a drug addict, I'm counting on sunshine to help me out. Maybe I need to depend more on something less fitful and changing than the weather. No wonder I'm hard to live with right now. Talk about a roller coaster of emotions...

Well, we ARE on our last stint here. Less than 5 weeks to go, and then we'll have him home for good. He's doing really well out there, and they don't want him to come back, but too bad, because we win the "who wants Lanny more" contest.

Hope you enjoyed your weekend as much as we did. Easter was good regardless of the snow, actually. And General Conference is the best. Especially when the whole family is gathered around. I very much loved it. Maybe I'll revisit some conference talks to help lift me out of my little depression, so I can be happy with our without sunshine. Plus, remember, spring starts tomorrow, so there's that too....

And as I type, the sun is coming through the window creating quite a glare on my screen, so I think I'll go enjoy it while I can. Catch ya later!

Time for Spring...

It is time for spring. And not just because I'm tired of the snow. There are some other things I'm tired of. Like kids getting sick every other day. Like my man being gone. My house could use a little spring cleaning...or a lot. I think a little green grass and sunshine could improve my outlook. And a jog that's not through ice or puddles. Possibly some springy clothes and a tan to go with. That's really starting to push my luck, though.

I did take down the winter wreath and put spring flowers on my door. That has helped with the positive thinking a bit. I think if I prune my roses and clean out my flower beds that will help even more. It is supposed to be warmer this week, so maybe I can get off my computer and out of my house and get some sunshine in my soul. :)

We did have a lovely weekend with Lanny home. Not even the snow could put a damper on that. We went out for burgers on Saturday in between a preschool open house and piano festival. Luke and Cade played beautifully, by the way, and both got superior ratings. They are getting to be quite good on the piano. I love to hear them play. It makes me happy. Having my sweet husband around makes me happy too. Listening to Cole pretend, or do his 'evil laugh' makes me happy. Watching Sadie reorganize my kitchen is kinda cute. That happiness is fleeting as I have to put everything back away afterwards, but it is still fun. Listening to her sweet little jabber or singing definitely makes me happy too.


So...I guess I can keep finding reasons to be happy even if winter holds out. But I'm just saying, a little spring wouldn't hurt. Wouldn't hurt a bit.

What's not to Love?

So here comes Valentines Day, like it or not. I remember loving to hate Valentine's Day as a single person who wished for a boyfriend. Watching everyone else get roses and chocolates and wishing somebody cared about you, too, was not lots of fun. Of course I realize now (and probably did then, too) that showing love is not all about flowers once a year, but it still is nice to have someone show that you're on their mind.
My days of singlehood didn't last long, however...my second date with Lanny was on a Valentine's Day during my Sophomore year at BYU. We were engaged on the last day of February. Yikes! We must have been nuts. Crazy in love, but that love has lasted and will continue to last. There is nothing quite like falling in love, but it's best when you can keep falling for the same one again and again forever. I have never been as in love as I am now, but even though I'm completely happy now, I'm betting it's still going to get better.I totally realize that I've got it pretty good. But I also realize that this realization is part of the trick to being happy in love. It's not always easy to remember why I love my kids even when they're sneaking off to play video games instead of doing homework and chores, or when they're whining about the fabulous dinner I just spent the last two hours making. There are also occasions when I look around and wonder how I'm ever going to get to the bottom of that pile of laundry or dishes or paperwork. It would be a lot easier to take care of just me. But not nearly so worth it.

So I make a conscious effort to notice the things that do make it worth it. (And if these things don't happen on their own enough for me to be taking comfort and confidence from them, then I may have to actually point out to my kids and/or husband several reasons why I am such a great mom and wife. They know better than to not agree wholeheartedly. Also, I am lucky to have sisters and moms who are good at reminding me what a great job I'm doing even when I'm doubting myself.) But here is a noncomprehensive list of some of the reasons I love being who I am (a wife and mother) and doing what I do (all kinds of junk):

• I do it for the hugs, including little kid hugs, big kid hugs, wiggly baby snuggles, and protective man hugs.
• I love kisses in all their variety too.
• Cole gave me a thumbs-up last night as he was jumping on Grandma's trampoline and said, "Great dessert, mom!"
• Every now and then Luke looks at me with the most adoring and appreciative smile across his face, and I just know that kid is pure good.
• Cade really means it when he says, "I love you, mom," just out of the blue sometimes, even.
• Sadie's smiles and giggles would melt anyone's heart, but especially mine, and especially especially her dad's, which melts my heart even more.
• My attempts at reward systems and job charts work beautifully on Cade, which is in turn rewarding to me.
• Lanny likes to trap me when I'm doing dishes or making dinner and hold me and not let me go. I don't mind a bit.
  
• My kids are little talented little geniuses, and I like to think that it's partly my fault.
• My kids also know how to procrastinate, complain, and get out of things, and I like to think it's not entirely my fault.
• Those little guys are perfect angels when they're sleeping.
• Sometimes they sing with me.
• Lanny is my best friend and he likes to hang out with me. We laugh at the same silly stuff and can even read each others' minds half the time.
• Their perfect faith is inspiring. I love to hear my children pray.
• Lanny can tell a story to any audience, but my favorite is when he has the kids all laughing their heads off. Sadie even knows when to laugh, even if she doesn't get the joke yet.
• The kids watch out for each other. All the brothers are so protective of their sweet Sadie and delight in every little thing she does. Luke gives Cade some of his "game time" when Cade needs more time to finish the level he's on. Cade teaches Cole all kinds of things, including math facts, how to cough in your sleeve, and how to turn his favorite Transformer toy from a robot to a helicopter. Cole saves treats to share with his brothers for an after-school snack even though it means he has to wait longer to eat with them.
• My man watches out for me. He makes sure I get a break when I need one, and encourages me to do not only things I need to do, but things I want to do too. He helps me discover the best parts of myself, where I might have let them stay hidden. He believes in me.

Pretty good gig, huh? I love my family. Happy Valentine's Day. I hope that if you don't get chocolates and flowers that you do get hugs and kisses, or at least some smiles. Here are some from us - xoxoxo :)