Patsy

Today is my mother's birthday.

And I just wanted to let her know how happy I am that she was born, and how glad I am that she convinced my dad, after having five kids, to have another one, since it took six years and a trip to Mexico to make me happen. 

(For some reason it didn't take as much convincing to get my next sister here. Probably because I was such a wonderful baby. )

Today she will be spending her birthday on her mission out in Wyoming. 

Out where the deer and the antelope play. 

My mom was the only member of her family to stay active in the church.

She has seven children, twenty-something grandchildren and this year her first great-grandchild was born.  

I am glad that she can see how her testimony has affected generations. One strong woman can make a huge difference.

That is probably the reason I love her the most!


Happy Birthday, Mom

Once a Grandpa, Always a Grandpa

I haven't been posting much because I am working on a *TOP SECRET* project that will be revealed on my blog soon. In the meantime, I just wanted to share with you this special photo of Naomi.

Naomi is in a stage where she gets really scared at night. I told her she didn't need to worry because my dad (grandkids called him "Big Dad") is an angel and he is alwasy watching over her. I found this framed picture of my dad and put it in her room and told her she could look at it when she was scared. About two weeks ago I found Big Dad in her bed and I took this photo. Since then, she's slept with Big Dad every night. When she's really scared she'll come down stairs to our bedroom, bringing her blanket, her bear and....Big Dad. During the day she sets Big Dad up while she is playing so he can watch her play.

My dad died 8 years ago this June, long before Naomi was born. She has no memories of him. I've always been sad that my kids never knew my dad. But in a way, I guess Naomi will have memories of Big Dad.

(By the way, I wouldnt' tell Naomi stories about angels watching over her if I didn't believe they really did.)

How to Build A Log Cabin

Once upon a time a man named Jerry went into a forest and cut down some trees.

He put the trees on a big truck and took them to a special spot on the side of a mountain.

There, he dumped them.

and he started to build. First he built the foundation.

Then he started to add the logs, one by one.

He had some help, but he did most things by himself.

After many months he had a nice cabin that would keep his family warm

and where his kids would have a happy childhood,

and a place that they could visit when they got older

and remember how much they loved their dad.

My Mom

Not many people know that my mom raised horses (I think this one is "Cookie") and that on Christmas day her house burned down and the only thing she was able to save was her new saddle.

Not many people know that when my parents were engaged my dad got sick and the wedding was cancelled, but my mom waited a whole year for him to get better so they could get married.

Not many people know that my mom used to bleach part of her bangs.

Not many people know that my mom sewed fur on to her coats to make them look more expensive.

Or that every time she had a child she almost died.

(There are seven of us.)

Not many people know that my mom and dad shared a passion for traveling and avocados.

Not many people know that my mom can make a tree grow anywhere.

She singlehandedly created several small forests.

Not many people know that my mom had an amazing collection of really cool pants.

Most people don't know that my mom has a degree in nutrition.

Not many people know that my mom loves getting her photo taken in her bathing suit.

Not many people know that my mom decided when she was a girl that she wanted to be a member of the church, even though no one else in her family was interested.

Not many people know I'm her favorite child.

(Ha, ha. Just kidding, guys.)

Happy Mothers Day, Mom.