1990 and 2010

This picture was taken in the Spring of 1990. These are my four children; Andy, Jeffrey, Jeremy and Ashleigh standing next to their cousin Christopher's grave.


This picture was taken on Memorial Day 2010. These are my four children; Andy, Jeffrey, Jeremy and Caitlin standing at the graves of their sister Ashleigh and their cousin Christopher.

What Do You Think Of These!?!

What do you think of these metal canisters!?! I have seen them sold seperately at two different stores in recent weeks and admired them. Then yesterday I went into Real Deals for the first time and there they were, sold as a set at an amazing price. With the help of a Mother's Day gift certificate they are now mine!! So... what do you think? Lids on or lids off? I'm thinking of adding some greenery to the large one, and I may not keep them in this spot, I don't know... I just know that I like them.

I Need An Opinion!!

I need help!!! I purchased this receiving blanket/burpcloth set today with a certain upcoming grandbaby in mind, when I showed it to Caitlin she thought that it should be for another upcoming grandbaby. What do you think... A girl blanket or a boy blanket? I really would appreciate some opinions. And while we're at it... what do you think of the fabric? I'm discovering that the young moms of today like non-traditional baby fabrics. Please help, I don't want to give it to the wrong grandbaby. Please leave your opinion in the comment section, it is much appreciated.

BTW the colors are teal and brown. The picture doesn't do it justice.

"All Love Together...."

For as long as I can remember (which is a long time) we have had a family theme song. My parents would sing the song with their children, I sang it with my children, and now my children sing it with their children.

I believe that it was my Auntie Bea who started the song, so obviously it extends to our... extended family. This is how the song goes; the family form a circle with arms around each other and sing these words:

All love together
all love together
Daddy and Mommy and Andy and Jeffrey and Jeremy and Ashleigh and Caitlin
all love together.

When our boys were very small we added our own little bit to the song; as soon as we finish singing we all say together, "kisses everybody, kisses!" You can imagine that part to be very entertaining as our boys have grown up. When they were little they didn't mind kisses; as they grew older they became goofy as they tried to kiss their brothers but not get kissed back. When Ashleigh and then Caitlin came along, of course all of the boys wanted to kiss their baby sisters.

Through the years we have sung our song most often after a family prayer or at bedtime. Perhaps one of the most tender times for me, was on the day that we took our first missionary to the MTC. On the morning of this particular occasion we knelt in family prayer as our own little family for the very last time; as we stood we put our arms around each other and sang... "all love together, all love together..."

At one of our recent family Christmas parties we all stood in a huge circle and sang the song repeating everyone's names; not long ago I watched Jeff and Melissa sing the song with Avery; and just last week Adam, Zach, and I sang "all love together..." after saying our prayers together. And true to form the little guys said, "kisses everybody, kisses!" And I laughed as I watched brothers try to kiss each other.... without being kissed back.

I'd like to ask the family, how many of you sing "All Love Together" with your family? And to my friends... do you have family songs or similar traditions? Please share...

Kindergarten Grandma

For nearly a week now I have been living at my son Andy's house while tending his and Kristin's three young boys; Adam, Zachary, and William, while their parents enjoy a vacation in Hawaii.

On Tuesday evening Zach expressed concern to me about a "red note" that he supposedly brought home, but couldn't find in his backpack. The note was a permission slip for his upcoming kindergarten field trip to the zoo and Zach insisted that it had to be turned in to his teacher the next day.

I told Zach not to worry, that I would write a note to his teacher explaining what had happened, and that he had permission to go to the zoo.

The next morning Zach reminded me about the promised note, so I asked him to please get me a piece of paper and a pen so that I could write it. Zach left for several minutes and upon his return handed me the paper and pen. At first glance the paper appeared to be a simple piece of computer paper, but when Zach handed it to me I could see a series of lines that had been drawn on the paper with the pen. When I asked him about the lines he simply explained that, "it was lined paper." Zach had created his own lined paper.

I proceeded to write a short but detailed note to Zach's kindergarten teacher Mrs. Jessee, following Zach's lines very carefully. When Zach returned from school that afternoon he handed me a perfectly typed note from his teacher. This is what she wrote:

May 5, 2010

Hi Zach's Grandma!

Zach gave me your nice note. It was very enjoyable *she inserted a smiley face here*

I'm sending another red zoo note. You are welcome to sign it and have Zach bring it back tomorrow. Of course, just let his parents know the details. There wasn't a specific date to get the note handed in, but I'm sure Zach will be happy to get it handed in.

Thank you. I do enjoy having Zach in our class!

Mrs. Jessee

I'm not exactly sure what Mrs. Jessee found enjoyable about my note. I am a detailed person, perhaps she enjoyed my explanation of Zach's concern about his "red note".

Perhaps it was the way I followed the "lines" on Zach's specially made lined paper.

Perhaps it was my "Apollonionism" shining through; which is sometimes annoying to those who know me best, but hopefully sometimes it is just as equally... an endearment.

Regardless of the reason; I enjoyed receiving a note from Mrs. Jessee and I have saved it. One day, perhaps when Zach is an old man, he will see the note that his kindergarten teacher wrote to his Grandma and he will realize that if the note was important enough for his Grandma to save, how much more important is Zach to Grandma. I agree with Mrs. Jessee; I enjoy having Zach in "our class!"