Today is July 31st - school starts three weeks from today - August 21st - where has the summer gone?????
When I was younger, I remember summers were pretty laid back. My Mom made sure we went and did something pretty much on a weekly basis - or at least it seemed like it. I remember spending a lot of time on the front lawn looking for four-leaf clovers - having our own "beauty pagents" - playing Barbies - going to the Great Salt Lake - laying out in the back yard lathered in baby oil - playing tennis in the street - going to Liberty Park - going to the Zoo - and the best part of all - school shopping downtown - picking out three outfits - and having lunch in Auerbach's basement - burgers, fries and cherry limeades. I loved summer.
Well - being a working Mom makes summers a little different for my kids. I've tried to make them special - we've usually gone on some sort of vacation - I've taken days off to do try and do some kind of a field trip - but it's just not the same as when I was growing up. It just doesn't seem as relaxed as the "olden days". When they were younger, their Aunts would involve them in activities with their kids and other cousins and there was a lot of swimming at Grandmas!
Well summer is almost over and it feels like we haven't really done much. We went on our vacation in March - we haven't been to the Zoo or Liberty Park (nor will we go) - I can't really play tennis any more - but I guarantee we will go school shopping and we will do lunch. In fact me and Parker have done lunch several times this summer (he loves coming downtown).
We've spent every Tuesday night at Cottonwood Complex with Fastpitch softball and dinner afterwards - we go on a lot of rides - we visit Ab's on a regular basis - we do yard work - we watch movies in our remodeled basement. Parker has done some fun things with friends (he is my most social child) - he got his Wisdom Teeth taken out - and he and Evan are at Lake Powell this week for Scout Camp.
Life is different in 2013 than it was in the 1960-70's - but I think that is okay.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Monday, June 24, 2013
Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary
Well - the 20th of June came and went and I didn't post a shout out to my favorite daughter on her birthday - so HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MERANDA!
This week marks the one week anniversary of her leaving for her mission in the Paraguay, Asuncion North Mission. The year has flown by on my end. A day doesn't go by that I don't think about MKW. Her emails make Monday's something to look forward to.
When she left on her mission, she was the first missionary in 18 months to leave from our Ward, which was quite unusual as we have always had a "bunch". Now it seems like every week, someone else has received their call. I would like to think that she was a good example to follow.
Meranda has never been one to "toot her horn". Most the time you have to literally pull information out of her and even then you don't always get the whole story. So her being thousands of miles away makes it even harder to find out what's going on. But, she is having a great mission. She has had some great companions and some not so great companions. She had not seen a "North American Hermana" until last week. Her spelling has gotten worse - which I'm guessing means her Spanish is really good. She is down to one pair of shoes (a new pair is on the way). She misses carpet and vegetables. She loves what she is doing.
Some Monday's I get to do a little "email" exchange back and forth with her today's exchange when something like this....
Momma Bear - "Did you get your package?"
MK - "No...i'm waiting..maybe this week..did you send me shoes?"
Momma Bear - "Yes I did - I hope you get them."
MK - "Did you guys watch the little training thing yesterday that was broadcasted? In the cyber that I'm in the man running the place is cutting his fingernails...it is kinda gross..but what do you do!!!!"
Momma Bear - "We didn't make it to the training - it was when Grandpa came for dinner and he didn't want to go".
MK - "We could have watched it in the house of member if they invited us but noboday invited us so we didn't see it".
Then she was gone until next week.
This is last July in the CCM in Buenos Aires - the Hermana with the short hair is her companion now - as "Sister Training Leaders".
This is her just a few weeks ago - they love her hair and blue eyes.
This week marks the one week anniversary of her leaving for her mission in the Paraguay, Asuncion North Mission. The year has flown by on my end. A day doesn't go by that I don't think about MKW. Her emails make Monday's something to look forward to.
When she left on her mission, she was the first missionary in 18 months to leave from our Ward, which was quite unusual as we have always had a "bunch". Now it seems like every week, someone else has received their call. I would like to think that she was a good example to follow.
Meranda has never been one to "toot her horn". Most the time you have to literally pull information out of her and even then you don't always get the whole story. So her being thousands of miles away makes it even harder to find out what's going on. But, she is having a great mission. She has had some great companions and some not so great companions. She had not seen a "North American Hermana" until last week. Her spelling has gotten worse - which I'm guessing means her Spanish is really good. She is down to one pair of shoes (a new pair is on the way). She misses carpet and vegetables. She loves what she is doing.
Some Monday's I get to do a little "email" exchange back and forth with her today's exchange when something like this....
Momma Bear - "Did you get your package?"
MK - "No...i'm waiting..maybe this week..did you send me shoes?"
Momma Bear - "Yes I did - I hope you get them."
MK - "Did you guys watch the little training thing yesterday that was broadcasted? In the cyber that I'm in the man running the place is cutting his fingernails...it is kinda gross..but what do you do!!!!"
Momma Bear - "We didn't make it to the training - it was when Grandpa came for dinner and he didn't want to go".
MK - "We could have watched it in the house of member if they invited us but noboday invited us so we didn't see it".
Then she was gone until next week.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
The School Year in Review
Another school year comes to a close as Parker finishes his Sophomore year at HHS.
The year was filled with ups and downs, good times and not so good times, but we did survive.
As always, the year started with great anticipation and excitement hoping for good things. Parker is my most social child and he did not disappoint. He can basically talk to anyone, which is both good and bad. He turned 16 and went on his first date - Sadies - with a Senior and then finished the year at Senior ball.
As a member of the Swim team we hosted the team Halloween Costume party at our house. Parker's costume as "Momma June" will go down in swim team history. Just after the season started, he came up with a sore shoulder and had to take it easy for a while - kind of. The swim coach decided that if he couldn't swim, he could run and run and run until he could get back in the water. Having Cousin Emily on the coaching staff helped him get through the season and his times did improve.
He was once again invited to Chula Vista to work out with the USA 19-Under National Fastpitch team - it rained the whole time and he spent his time in a crappy indoor practice facility - but he did great at the camp!
Tennis started in March and he was named to the Varsity #2 doubles team. He got to go to St. George with the team and he and his doubles partner, Easton Batt had a good season. But then came the fall....and missing region....and state.....definitely a downer!
His favorite class was AP World History taught by Mr. Newman. His least favorite class was a tossup - Honors English (the teacher reminded him of the secretary in Monster's Inc.); Chemistry (where the teacher was amped up on caffiene most the time and always lost his assignments) or Seminary (he says he had the two worst teachers in the whole seminary and won't have to have them again).
He learned how to deal with disappointment. I learned what a "ginger" is. He learned to always be honest and kind to others. I learned more patience.
The year was filled with ups and downs, good times and not so good times, but we did survive.
As always, the year started with great anticipation and excitement hoping for good things. Parker is my most social child and he did not disappoint. He can basically talk to anyone, which is both good and bad. He turned 16 and went on his first date - Sadies - with a Senior and then finished the year at Senior ball.
As a member of the Swim team we hosted the team Halloween Costume party at our house. Parker's costume as "Momma June" will go down in swim team history. Just after the season started, he came up with a sore shoulder and had to take it easy for a while - kind of. The swim coach decided that if he couldn't swim, he could run and run and run until he could get back in the water. Having Cousin Emily on the coaching staff helped him get through the season and his times did improve.
He was once again invited to Chula Vista to work out with the USA 19-Under National Fastpitch team - it rained the whole time and he spent his time in a crappy indoor practice facility - but he did great at the camp!
Tennis started in March and he was named to the Varsity #2 doubles team. He got to go to St. George with the team and he and his doubles partner, Easton Batt had a good season. But then came the fall....and missing region....and state.....definitely a downer!
His favorite class was AP World History taught by Mr. Newman. His least favorite class was a tossup - Honors English (the teacher reminded him of the secretary in Monster's Inc.); Chemistry (where the teacher was amped up on caffiene most the time and always lost his assignments) or Seminary (he says he had the two worst teachers in the whole seminary and won't have to have them again).
He learned how to deal with disappointment. I learned what a "ginger" is. He learned to always be honest and kind to others. I learned more patience.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
A Bump in the Road
Life is a continual challenge. There are ups and downs...highs and lows...and bumps in the road.
A couple of Friday's ago, Parker was met with a bump in the road. He was at tennis practice and through a freak accident, ended up rolling his left ankle, falling and catching himself with his right hand. The coach gave me a call and there was a sound of concern in his voice. I left work and went and picked him up and headed to Instacare.
Good news - no broken bones - bad news - something could be wrong with his hand.
Major bad news - it would probably mean Parker not competing in the upcoming region and state tennis meets. Something he had worked for all year! Something he was so excited about!
Ice, ibuprophen, taking it easy was how the weekend was spent. A blessing was given - and he tried to play on Tuesday. Again a call from the coach, he was going to pull Parker from the match. He said Parker is a gutsy kid, but he could see there was a lot of pain.
On Friday, we went to see a hand orthopedic specialist. The news was that no broken bones - however, there was a severe sprain between two small bones in his hand. The only way to let it heal was complete immobilization - aka a cast...for up to 8 weeks. Another bump in the road.
Parker's passion is fastpitch softball. He has been on the radar of the US 19-under national team for the last two years - and has attended the last two winter pitching clinics in Chula Vista. The summer camp is July 8th in Michigan - he is a pitcher - and he uses his right hand! Major bump in the road!!!!!
When making the decision of whether to cast or not, the consequences of chronic hand pain and early onset of arthritis, it seemed like a no brainer. The possibility of missing the summer camp in Michigan, made the decision difficult. In the end, the main concern is fixing his hand.
In the eternal perspective of life, this is just a bump in the road. I doubt we will ever know the reason for the injury. I've always said that trials in life are to help build character. I know that we aren't given anything that we can't handle. I know this will make Parker a stronger person. I know things will be all right.
I know he will get over this little "bump in the road"!!!!
A couple of Friday's ago, Parker was met with a bump in the road. He was at tennis practice and through a freak accident, ended up rolling his left ankle, falling and catching himself with his right hand. The coach gave me a call and there was a sound of concern in his voice. I left work and went and picked him up and headed to Instacare.
Good news - no broken bones - bad news - something could be wrong with his hand.
Major bad news - it would probably mean Parker not competing in the upcoming region and state tennis meets. Something he had worked for all year! Something he was so excited about!
Ice, ibuprophen, taking it easy was how the weekend was spent. A blessing was given - and he tried to play on Tuesday. Again a call from the coach, he was going to pull Parker from the match. He said Parker is a gutsy kid, but he could see there was a lot of pain.
On Friday, we went to see a hand orthopedic specialist. The news was that no broken bones - however, there was a severe sprain between two small bones in his hand. The only way to let it heal was complete immobilization - aka a cast...for up to 8 weeks. Another bump in the road.
Parker's passion is fastpitch softball. He has been on the radar of the US 19-under national team for the last two years - and has attended the last two winter pitching clinics in Chula Vista. The summer camp is July 8th in Michigan - he is a pitcher - and he uses his right hand! Major bump in the road!!!!!
When making the decision of whether to cast or not, the consequences of chronic hand pain and early onset of arthritis, it seemed like a no brainer. The possibility of missing the summer camp in Michigan, made the decision difficult. In the end, the main concern is fixing his hand.
In the eternal perspective of life, this is just a bump in the road. I doubt we will ever know the reason for the injury. I've always said that trials in life are to help build character. I know that we aren't given anything that we can't handle. I know this will make Parker a stronger person. I know things will be all right.
I know he will get over this little "bump in the road"!!!!
Monday, April 29, 2013
Happy Birthday to Preston.....
I can't believe how the last 25 years has literally flown by! It was a beautiful spring day - much like today. We ended the day with our first baby and two days later we went home in a blizzard....
Preston is a great son. He has a great wife in Katie, and as his Aunt Judy says...."she is his eternal cheerleader". They have been married almost 3 years and will be moving into their first home this weekend.
They have many great adventures ahead of them as they set down some roots and finish school and take the next steps in the natural progression of life!
Preston has always had a strong testimony, has been obedient in keeping the commandments, and is a worthy priesthood holder.
As I was sitting in Nursery yesterday - I told the two Moms that were struggling to get their kids to stay -- before you know it your kids will be 25 years old! Enjoy them!!!!!
Preston is a great son. He has a great wife in Katie, and as his Aunt Judy says...."she is his eternal cheerleader". They have been married almost 3 years and will be moving into their first home this weekend.
They have many great adventures ahead of them as they set down some roots and finish school and take the next steps in the natural progression of life!
Preston has always had a strong testimony, has been obedient in keeping the commandments, and is a worthy priesthood holder.
As I was sitting in Nursery yesterday - I told the two Moms that were struggling to get their kids to stay -- before you know it your kids will be 25 years old! Enjoy them!!!!!
 |
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Retail Training
Last night we went to get Parker's tennis racket strings replaced and had about an hour to wait so we visited the Red Zone, Nike, Pier 1, Bed Bath & Beyond and the Dress Barn. Retail people are a unique group. They apparently all take the same training course "Let me know if I can help you".
By the time we got to the Dress Barn - we had been in and out of the car and my hair was a total mess and I probably looked stressed out. After looking for about 5 minutes - in the "fat lady section" a cute young girl came up to me and said "Is there anything I can help you with". I responded "No, I'm just looking". She stood there for a few seconds when she finally said "I really like your hair"......
I should have said - YES -- you can help me...
I got out to the car - told Parker - and we had a good laugh!!!!!
By the time we got to the Dress Barn - we had been in and out of the car and my hair was a total mess and I probably looked stressed out. After looking for about 5 minutes - in the "fat lady section" a cute young girl came up to me and said "Is there anything I can help you with". I responded "No, I'm just looking". She stood there for a few seconds when she finally said "I really like your hair"......
I should have said - YES -- you can help me...
"Help me lose 20 pounds" -
"Help me look 10 years younger" - and finally -
"You've got to be kidding....my hair is a mess!"
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Vacation and a Field Trip - two posts in one.
The Vacation.........
Last month we took a little vacation to the happiest place on earth - aka - Disneyland. We love going there. It was a little different without Preston/Katie and Meranda but we tagged along with the Petersen clan and had a good time. The weather was great, the crowds weren't too bad, the hotel was good and the churros and Diet Cokes were awesome.
We had a day to do some sight seeing - went to Huntington Beach, Newport Beach and then headed to find the UCLA campus. Well - while at UCLA we also found the softball field - actually we were in a maintenance area behind the softball field - and they were having a game - so we decided to change our plans and watched a softball game. It was a great end to our vacation - we are softball fanatics!
The flight to LAX included a layover in Phoenix - I know - why a layover - well the flight was cheaper. The flight crew from Phoenix to LAX was hillarious - obviously they tried to make the best of a mundane job. The flight back was eventful - we boarded the plane which only had about 50-55 passengers - and then we sat and waited. The last time we flew was in January to San Diego and we boarded and sat and waited experiencing an ice storm, etc. (which was reported in a previous post). Well there we sit in the plane in LA - a balmy 60 degrees outside - and they had the nerve to come on and say that they were "de-icing the plane". I leaned over my chair and said the flight attendants "You've got to be freaking kidding me"!!!!! Some lame story from the pilot - and then a couple of passengers boarded and we were off. Whatever!!!!
The Field Trip.....
Yesterday, April 16th was the 108th birthday of my Grandmother - Fern Elizabeth Jones Eccles. Each birthday my Mom would make the effort to visit her grave and decorate it with flowers. Well, since Mom has been gone, Dad has taken over the visiting and decorating. So since Tuesday is our day for dinner with Dad, he asked me on Sunday if I would help get him to the cemetary and then also go visit Mom's grave. So after the tennis match - we went and picked Dad up and headed to Elisian Gardens. It was freezing cold! We made the trek over the ups and downs of the cemetary and the cold just about did us in. After making a bathroom stop at Wendys we headed to Wasatch. Luckily Mom's grave is closer to the road - but the little hill up can be a bit of a challenge. It was still freezing - surprise, surprise......and after the visit headed to Crown Burgers. It was a good night and a bit exhausting and I was happy to be there.
Last night I started to think about my Grandma - I was only 7 years old when she died - but I do remember different things. I remember going to her house and picking up walnuts off the ground from her Walnut Tree. I remember that her kitchen was pretty big and that they had a screened in porch. I remember when she got sick she came to our house one night in her pajamas - no sweats in 1964. I remember going to the hospital and waving at her through the window - kids weren't allowed in the hospital. I remember some parts of her funeral and that there were a lot of people there. It's hard to believe that Mom was only 33 years old when she died and I know that she missed her alot.
It was many years later at my Grandpa's funeral that I actually heard someone talk about my Grandma - it was my great aunts - Pearl, Hazel and Ellen - they said how my grandma was like a mother to them. That she was a lot of fun and had spunk and that she could keep Grandpa in check!!!!
The field trip ended up being a trip down memory lane. I know that even though my Grandma died when I was just a little girl, she had an effect on my life because my Mom was the person she was because of her! I love my Grandma because my Mom loved her!!!!!
Last month we took a little vacation to the happiest place on earth - aka - Disneyland. We love going there. It was a little different without Preston/Katie and Meranda but we tagged along with the Petersen clan and had a good time. The weather was great, the crowds weren't too bad, the hotel was good and the churros and Diet Cokes were awesome.
We had a day to do some sight seeing - went to Huntington Beach, Newport Beach and then headed to find the UCLA campus. Well - while at UCLA we also found the softball field - actually we were in a maintenance area behind the softball field - and they were having a game - so we decided to change our plans and watched a softball game. It was a great end to our vacation - we are softball fanatics!
The flight to LAX included a layover in Phoenix - I know - why a layover - well the flight was cheaper. The flight crew from Phoenix to LAX was hillarious - obviously they tried to make the best of a mundane job. The flight back was eventful - we boarded the plane which only had about 50-55 passengers - and then we sat and waited. The last time we flew was in January to San Diego and we boarded and sat and waited experiencing an ice storm, etc. (which was reported in a previous post). Well there we sit in the plane in LA - a balmy 60 degrees outside - and they had the nerve to come on and say that they were "de-icing the plane". I leaned over my chair and said the flight attendants "You've got to be freaking kidding me"!!!!! Some lame story from the pilot - and then a couple of passengers boarded and we were off. Whatever!!!!
The Field Trip.....
Yesterday, April 16th was the 108th birthday of my Grandmother - Fern Elizabeth Jones Eccles. Each birthday my Mom would make the effort to visit her grave and decorate it with flowers. Well, since Mom has been gone, Dad has taken over the visiting and decorating. So since Tuesday is our day for dinner with Dad, he asked me on Sunday if I would help get him to the cemetary and then also go visit Mom's grave. So after the tennis match - we went and picked Dad up and headed to Elisian Gardens. It was freezing cold! We made the trek over the ups and downs of the cemetary and the cold just about did us in. After making a bathroom stop at Wendys we headed to Wasatch. Luckily Mom's grave is closer to the road - but the little hill up can be a bit of a challenge. It was still freezing - surprise, surprise......and after the visit headed to Crown Burgers. It was a good night and a bit exhausting and I was happy to be there.
Last night I started to think about my Grandma - I was only 7 years old when she died - but I do remember different things. I remember going to her house and picking up walnuts off the ground from her Walnut Tree. I remember that her kitchen was pretty big and that they had a screened in porch. I remember when she got sick she came to our house one night in her pajamas - no sweats in 1964. I remember going to the hospital and waving at her through the window - kids weren't allowed in the hospital. I remember some parts of her funeral and that there were a lot of people there. It's hard to believe that Mom was only 33 years old when she died and I know that she missed her alot.
It was many years later at my Grandpa's funeral that I actually heard someone talk about my Grandma - it was my great aunts - Pearl, Hazel and Ellen - they said how my grandma was like a mother to them. That she was a lot of fun and had spunk and that she could keep Grandpa in check!!!!
The field trip ended up being a trip down memory lane. I know that even though my Grandma died when I was just a little girl, she had an effect on my life because my Mom was the person she was because of her! I love my Grandma because my Mom loved her!!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)