Tuesday Musings #6

Ladies, Welcome to blog boot camp! No more of this free verse. This week I want a sonnet! I'll take it easy on you in case your not in the habit of writing poetry, I'll let you pick the type of sonnet you write (I might suggest the Spenserian in honor of our founder). The theme of your sonnet should be potty training. Have fun! (as an alternative you can right a sonnet about one of the worst messes one or all of your children made.)

I have just recalled the day of whiteness.
My children were busy and so was I
The laundry washing, the dishes brightness
Just beginning the bathrooms with a sigh

What are the girls doing? I haven’t heard
A single sound, but I have been cleaning.
I’m finished with toilets, this is absurd
For surely they’re playing; that is the meaning.

Check on the girls- I hear a buzzer sound
The dryer? The washer? Quick do a change
Sydney is that you with powder around?
A spirit, a ghost, my you look so strange!

Surely this project you aren’t alone in
This art experiment… Hannah doth win!

Hannah

They grow up so fast....

Sydney

Jacob

Tuesday Musings #5

What was/were your feelings or thoughts when you held your child/children for thefirst time?

I think the initial feeling was WHOA! My first was Jacob, 15 years ago but I still remember the relief of being finished with labor and also relief that he had all his fingers and toes. I remember just how beautiful he was even with his pasty skin. I know I cried. I think that when they placed him on my stomach is when I said to my husband “Just like in the movies…” not like TV or the theaters but the birthing videos you watch in Lamaze class. I know I thought “wow, this is the one who was kicking and moving my stomach around like crazy” Jacob was my biggest baby 7lbs 8 oz and my longest labor-2 hours and 50 minutes from when my water broke at home until I gave birth.
Hannah and Sydney were similar feelings, both beautiful reminders that I had special gifts on loan from a loving, Heavenly Father. Children are wonderful and scary and a blessing.

FINALLLY...

Well, I am finally going to get to answer these questions I have asked.

I was born in Riverside, Ca at Riverside Community Hospital. We moved to Irving, Texas then Collinsville, Illinois and Springfield, Massachusetts. I have also lived in Manhattan/NYC (as a nanny) and Provo, Utah (BYU).
My earliest memory was when I was 3 years old. I was hit by a Police car while crossing the street to a friend’s house with my one and only ever in my life…kitten. I made it-the kitten didn’t! I remember 2 things; 1st riding in the police car to the hospital (I must have been unconscious at first) and then sitting on one of those metal counters in a hospital bathroom because I had to “go” in a cup. Funny, but I can see it in my head!
I had piano lessons for about 3 years when I was 9-11 years old. I wore on my Mom and probably was infectious because my sister and brother stopped taking lessons too. Did I mention I the oldest of nine kids? Sorry, really I am that I messed it up for everyone else. Oh and I played basketball JV & Varsity all 3 years of HS!
Ok, I need to ask permission before posting this but I am writing it out first then I will ask. I was 18, home from BYU for Christmas break & wasn’t going back because my grandparents were hit by a drunk driver and I might need to go live with my grandma in California to help her out. It was January and my sister had early morning seminary and my parents were in Ca with my grandparents. My sister was 16, I guess but only had a permit (if that I can’t remember). I just know that she couldn’t drive yet. I let her take the car to seminary in the am for at least 2 weeks and she would pick up two brothers each am and drop them back home afterward. We lived about 4-5 miles from the Seminary teacher’s house and did I mention that it was winter in Massachusetts? Yikes! What was I thinking? I am so glad now that nothing happened to her or either of the boys! OOO and allt he other people on the road!
My Mom has been THE example of patience and self sacrifice as well as an example of a follower of Christ. I have the patience, some of the self sacrifice and I try really hard to be a good example of a follower of Christ. I think she taught all of this through many things but the one I remember most is through her example of visiting the temple. I hope/wish to follow her in this example even though I have not been as diligent as I should. Thank you Mom! Love you-

AHHHHHHHHH!!!

I just spent 20-30 minutes writing my response to my own questions for this:

Tuesday Musings # 4

Where did you grow up/live as you grew up up until the present? What is your earliest memory and how old were you? Did you play piano or musical instrument at all or sports in high school or were you the studious type? Is there anything that you did that you think your parents didn't know about(and remember they just might read this or your children could so be cautious).
In honor of Mother's Day...tell us something that you learned from your mother(step mother, grandmother) that you practice today and/or something that they did that you wish that you had started to do with your family or life. Remember wishes can come true!

I previewed it and then LOST THE WHOLE THING. I am bummed and too bummed to do it again right now-sorry AMY. I will try again tomorrow.

A DECIDELY DIFFERENT VIEW

Josh, J.J. Jasen & Jacob 04/08

Even as kids reach adolescence, they need more than ever for us to watch over them.
Adolescence is not about letting go. It’s about hanging on during a very bumpy ride.

- Ron Taffe; Author

I found this today and it eclipsed my feelings in so many ways. Just Think about it!

Tuesday Musings #3

Idea: It has been said by many that there are specific and profound moments/decisions in your life that change you. They leave deep and indelible impressions and you are never the same again, whether for better or worse. Write about one of these moments in your life, how it changed you, and whether you consider yourself a better or worse person for it.

I am having real trouble with this one. I have made a lot of choices in my life just like everyone does, but I don't think there has been any one thing that really stands out. I have been thinking since Sunday night when I saw the advanced email for the topic. I even went to read Rebecca's and Emily's and see who else wrote but it didn't spark any lightning bolts here.

I thought about early morning seminary; I thought about elementary & high school & I continued to think about my family life growing up -brothers and sisters and sports and dating and being baptized and getting sealed to my husband for all eternity and my children being born, all 3 of their baptisms, jobs I have had like being a nanny, and even my appendicts operation(twice). I cannot find one distinct thing.

If there is anything specific I can't see it. I am happy with my life and maybe, just maybe, its just knowing that I am a Child of God AND letting that be my deciding weight in everything I do.

I would have to say that knowing that I am a Child of God has helped me throughout my life even if I wasn't making the right choices sometimes. It continually helps me to be a better person.