Dreams Really Can Come True

I remember growing up how people had told me, and I had believed with all my heart, that no one lived happily ever after. The kind of marriage where you held your husband's hand even when you were both old and gray.  The kind of relationship where you could miss your husband even after seeing him nearly every day for the past decade. I believed that such a marriage was as rare as a unicorn dancing under the end of the rainbow. I never really believed it could happen.

Now that I have been VERY happily married to my husband for nearly 9 years, I have to think, "Why did I ever let people convince me this could never happen?"

This year I have decided not to let my other dreams be shot down by others who say I will never see them come to be. I have to believe I will get to do and be a part of those things I really look forward to. I choose to believe in my dreams, even if others see no value in them. Even if others think dreams are nothing beyond careless imaginations. I am going to see my dreams come to be! I am going to work like they are mine for the taking, and I am going to pray and hope God will lead me to them just as he did to my amazing husband.

I will someday look back at this time of uncertainty and ask myself again, "Why did I ever let people convince me this could never happen?"

Eden's Dance Recital 2011

I wasn't allowed to tape Eden's actual recital, but I got some okay footage of her dress rehearsal last Saturday. We had a lot of fun watching her and John perform on stage.

Cliff Hangers

Just finished a 300 page novel in 3 days. I am remembering why I don't read fiction anymore. I get sucked in and can't stop reading. While it's great to escape, I totally get frustrated with every small distraction from my kids. "Go play." Mommy's reading her book," I find myself saying in an aggravated tone. (Sigh) So I finally get to the end of the book at 1:00 AM, and of course it leaves me hanging. It's so unfair! Now I am stuck in a three book series. I keep telling myself to slow it down, but I have already reserved the second book at the library, and I know it's only going to leave me with another cliff hanger so I will get the final book when it is released in August.

All my friends who told me to read The Hunger Games, you are getting virtual crusties from me as you read this blog entry. Just kidding. It is an awesome read. I am really looking forward to the next two books. Can't wait to see if the Capital goes down, and how the love triangle resolves. Getting giddy just thinking about it! Read it, if you haven't already, you won't be disappointed.

Tearful Goodbyes

"Each life that touches ours for good, reflects thine own great mercy Lord. Thou sendest blessings from above, thru words and deeds of those who love."

My grandma's life was such a life. My Grandma Ruth was such a person.

Memories race through my mind. First I am sitting at her kitchen bar watching her hands, swollen with arthritis, as they busily knead bread dough. There is green shag carpet on the floor and plastic on the dining room chairs behind me. Next I am following her to a salty pool at Crystal Hot Springs. She has placed my yellow water wings on my arms to keep me safe. This memory is displaced by another. I am the first to wake after one of the many grandkid sleepovers. Grandma is once again in the kitchen. The sun is shining on the lilac bushes in her backyard. I am wearing one of her softest cotton shirts instead of pajamas. It comes down to my knees. Grandma is cooking oatmeal and slicing fresh grapefruit.

With the images also come the sounds and the smells. I hear her voice as she reads me a book; as she sings me a song to make me smile. "I love you a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck, and a hug around the neck." She bops with the beat. The smell of fresh bread whiffs through the house, promising a taste as soon as it comes out of the oven.

Most of my memories are fun and carefree. Playing at Grandma's house was like eating ice cream for dinner. Rules were bent, but there was no real harm done. She bought us ceramics to paint, made us homemade play dough and set up a slip n' slide in the backyard.

Some of my memories are quieter. I am talking to Grandma while she cooks chicken noodle soup. She manages to listen to every word I say. How many hours did she spend listening to my stories of school days, of conflicts, of pains? She never judged. She only told me how wonderful I was, and how I was her girl--always.

"When such a friend from us departs, we hold forever in our hearts a sweet and hallowed memory, bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee."

Now that my sweet Grandma Ruth has passed, I find myself clinging to the hope of seeing her again. I feel myself more dependent on my Savior. I reflect on the day he rose, and envision the day when Grandma too will rise. I trust his power to save me from death and sin, and look forward with faith for the time I will be eternally with my family.

There is no way to express how much my grandmother is a part of me. With her blood, flowing through generations, also flows her laughter, her conviction and her unending love.

I love you Grandma!

In loving memory of Ruth Davis Manning
April 14, 1908-December 9, 2009

Pumpkin Fest 2009

We had a good time over the weekend at the Pumpkin Festival at the Chatfield Botanic Gardens. The highlight was still taking pictures in the pumpkin patch, and picking out a nice big pumpkin to carve. It was beautiful fall day, and family time is always our favorite.

It's Always Fun When Grandpa Comes

We had a great time last week. My parents came to town. The kids loved playing with them, and I loved the grown-up company during the day. If only it were possible to live a little closer. Thank heavens for airplanes and free long-distance phone service: right?


We went for a Sunday drive near Morrison. We found a nice park with this cool stone picnic shelter right on Bear Creek. The weather was beautiful.




Sorry, Mom and Dad, but I had to take these pictures, even if it was first thing in the morning.


Grandma brought bubbles for Eden, and they spent some quality time outside together.

Birthdays

We celebrated two birthdays at out house recently. Miles turned one year old at the end of August and John got one year older in September. Happy birthday, guys!

Growing Like Weeds

My kids are growing up way too fast. I realize that many of you rarely get to see them, so I am posting some brand new photos and videos so you can get a small taste of what they are like nowadays.


Miles just got his first tooth, and the second one is just below the surface. He is trying to crawl and manages to roll around and scoot backward on his tummy. He can hold his own bottle when he wants to, and he is babbling lots of different sounds like "da da," and "ba ba." He also likes to cough to get my attention.


Eden loves to sing, and is very good at picking up tunes and lyrics even after only hearing them a couple of times. Now we just need to find a potty-training song to get her excited about trying the potty, I guess. John and I would really love to get her out of diapers. She can be pretty strong-willed when she wants to be. Thus I continue to read parenting books in hopes I will some day learn how to act more adult-like when dealing with a toddler who is practicing free will. She loves reading books she gets from the library. She also enjoys swinging at the park, and is just starting to try the slide. She used to get to the top, and then climb back down, but now she will go down if I hold her hand.

Both of my kids are really good. I don't know why I ever complain. We are so incredibly blessed!

Edie is TWO

I am finally getting around to uploading a couple of Eden's birthday pictures. I'm not sure I'm even going to post any Christmas pics at this point. Where does anyone find time for their blog?

Santa Clause is Coming to Town

Here are some pictures of the kids with Santa. Can you guess who the guy in the big red suit is? Well, that didn't stop Eden from being really scared. I had to force her to sit on his lap.

Fred's Little Look-Alike

For those of you out there who know my dad, here is a picture that I think proves that Miles is indeed his grandson. The resemblance is uncanny sometimes!

Miles' Blessing Day

We blessed Miles this past Sunday. The main thing I remember John blessing him with was an ability to make good choices. He looked so handsome in the outfit his Grandma Nevie brought, and in the booties his aunt Maria crocheted for him!

Halloween

We had a great time trick-or-treating on Halloween. Eden loved the response she got in her Elmo costume. I tried to create a Cookie Monster costume for Miles out of a towel my friend gave me, but it didn't turn out very well. Mainly, Miles couldn't stand to have it on his head. He screamed until I took it off and put him in a little sleeper that had a duck bill on the hood. Ta Da--costume choice number two! Thank heaven for back ups.

John's parents and his nephew Andre were in town for Miles's baby blessing, so Andre came along trick-or-treating to help us with the kids. We couldn't have asked for better weather. It was perfect! Here are a few photos to include you all in our fun.

New Pics of Miles

Here are a couple new pics of Miles. I can't believe how fast he is growing!

Pumpkin Festival

Last Saturday we skipped the Saturday morning session of General Conference to go to the annual Pumpkin Festival at Four Mile Historic Park. We had a great time, and here are some pictures to prove it.



Edie loved watching the real horses pulling wagons and carriages, but she was not at all keen on the stick version. Go figure.












John and Edie pose in front of one of three Tee Pees. Hey John, aren't you supposed to carry your "papoose" on your back? (You can see Miles's feet sticking out from the Baby Bjorn, if you look carefully.)



As hard to believe as it is, Eden being the granddaughter of a farmer, this was her first time seeing goats and chickens. She also got to see bees working in a hive. She had a great time!












Finally we got to spend some time in the pumpkin patch getting some great keepsake shots for the photo album.


We had such a good time, we're thinking of perhaps making this a family tradition.