Mother's Day 2011

Anyone reading this blog must wonder what a robin looking in my window has to do with Mother's Day. I am now almost convinced this is my mother in the form of a beautiful bird visiting me on this special weekend. I woke yesterday to this robin watching me from the window in my bedroom. I thought surely it was a one time thing but this went all day long. It wasn't just my bedroom window, when I would go into the living room it wasn't long the bird would be watching from my porch. Back to the bedroom, sure enough, soon the bird would appear. This went on all day long. As you can see, I even got close enough to snap a bunch of photos. The puppy-dog eyes were just begging me to let her in but I really didn't want bird poop all over my bedroom or I probably would have. Also at times, the little birdie would sit on my car window (again poopy) and act like she wanted to get in and have me take her for a ride. My mother's favorite thing to do was go for a ride and somewhere along the way stop for a soft ice cream cone that she would take so long eating that it would pretty much be melted. At first, I thought it was just a coincedence, but again this morning early at my window was the robin and this time she had a partner with her. They took turns standing on the ledge looking and watching me get ready for church. Waiting patiently for me on the window ledge when I returned from church, my little robins. I am now convinced it is a visit from my mom and dad just letting me know I am not alone on this special day. Thanks mom and dad for the company.

Because I was in McCall and Boise last weekend and gas is like filling my tank with liquid gold, I didn't go visit children this weekend so all day long I been reminiscing of when I really was a mother and had a home filled with laughter, song, teasing, and an occasional punch. I decided to list some of the things I remember most back when I really had to act as a mother. Now, I enjoy just being "Nana" and not have to be the mother figure I was for many years. I enjoy watching my own children take on that role and me just stand by and enjoy the payback.

These are just a few memories I have when I had children at home: Our drives in the car when we would sing and play games; playing hide and seek at my parents home; bike rides and playing at Holt arena; Saturday soccer games; Sunday evenings watching our favorite tv show: Life Goes On; trips to Lagoon and staying as long as possible to get our money's worth; the many, many ball games where I was so proud to be "the Nead's mom."; the band and choir concerts where I was just as proud; games around the kitchen table where everyone cheated except me; everyone helping with the children we tended in our home; Sunday's with the Belnaps and our weekly grilled cheese sandwiches; our bedtime routine where I would sing my mother's lullaby and tell the same boring story till all was quiet; our move to Teton Valley and how well everyone adjusted and quickly made friends; our Christmases at my parents home and the arrival of Santa with everyone wearing new pajamas; our Thanksgivings with the Manwarings and Manwaring reunions together with mom and dad; the pride I felt every time my little family performed together; my children bearing their testimonies every fast Sunday;

I could go on for pages but I just wanted to list a few of my fond memories. The last memory I would like to list is that of the joy and sorrow I felt each time one of my children left home and me hoping I had taught them life skills they would need in order to survive in the world. Apparently I did something right, as I have the greatest children anyone could have and I am so lucky to be their mom. I love you Nichole, Jessica, Spencer, and Kelly. You are my life and you have made my life one I will cherish forever and ever.

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Birthday for Nana

It's been a while since I posted on my blog, and I don't mean to bore anyone that reads this blog, but until I get faithful with a journal, this is my lazy way of keeping track of my life. I am going to run quickly through my last couple of months as a lot has happened but I have got to get it down before I forget. I am planning on writing a history for my family as soon as I get time and I wished I had started this about 35 years ago. Word of advice to young families. Start writing down the cute things your children do so you don't have to go back and try to remember. Spencer's children love to hear stories about when their dad was young. I have about ran out and I wished I could also tell stories about their mother, but I will leave that to the other Grandma. As soon as they can understand, I can't wait to tell them the story about when Spencer was the Santa at our elementary Christmas party. He had forgotten boots so he wore his tennis shoes and as the kids came up to get their candy canes, they were amazed at how tall he was and how big his feet were. I remember one little boy looking up at him and saying "Wow Santa, you are really tall." I couldn't stop laughing. Spence didn't think it was very funny though as he hadn't expected the whole school to be there, he was sweating to death, and he was running out of candy canes. I don't think he will ever put on another Santa suit after than ordeal.

Back to my story. Starting with Thanksgiving. We had Thanksgiving this year in Boise and Kelly and his family couldn't get there until Friday. Thursday, those who were there went out to eat and I kept wanting to stand up and make the statement that we weren't being lazy and not cooking, but we were going to celebrate on Friday but I didn't (surprise, surprise). By Friday, my whole family had shown up, even our Texans. Spencer had assigned me the job of taking care of Cole (my newest grandchild) and I was in hog heaven. I pretty much just sat, held the baby, and watched with pride and happiness my family having fun together. Summer had a beautiful table set and we felt very elegant in our surroundings. It was a very memorable Thanksgiving. My family will be glad to know I didn't make them take a family photo. I wanted to but was too busy holding my newest grandchild.

Christmas, it's back to Boise after Kelly and his family stopped at school (at my request) and we celebrated in my classroom. That was fun and I am glad the grandkids got to see where I spend most of my time.

Again, I spent most of my time holding the baby and hopefully that freed Summer up to get some things done. I can't think of a better Christmas than holding a baby most of the time. We had a great time Christmas Eve and then Christmas morning. It was my job not to let the children come down the stairs until Summer and Spencer were awake and considering how late they stayed up putting things together, it was a good thing the kids waited until about 7:30 to get up. I tried entertaining them for a while upstairs but I finally ran downstairs to wake the parents and Spence rolls over and says "Just give me five more minutes." I infomed him that he needed to get up now and would miss the whole thing if he didn't. And Christmas morning began. That afternoon I drove to Council to finish off my deliveries, and got to visit with Ned's family some. I only stayed long enough to unwrap gifts as I was worried about the fog and the roads going back to Boise. It's always interesting at Ned's parents home. I have never seen a quiet moment there. There were snowmibiles flying around, kids running in and out, and Gwen in the kitchen, which is where I usually find her.

What a fantastic Christams! Thanks Summer for putting up with me so much. I realize that it's not easy having someone invade you home but you never blink an eye and I never feel unwelcome. Next celebration was my birthday. My birthday always falls on the first couple of days back to school after Christmas break so it usually isn't a fun time. This year I decided to make it a little more interesting so I took 120 mini muffins to school for the students. The last ten minutes of classtime I showed them the muffins but told them they had to earn them by writing me a nice birthday note. Wow! I didn't realize that I was the "Best Teacher in the Universe", that I reminded one students of her grandmother that she loved, and that I had "Eyes the color of the ocean." It really made me feel good although I had bribed them with muffins. Then in the middle of the afternoon, I got flowers delivered to me. That was a real treat. By the end of the day, I had heard from all my children, I was exhausted, and glad to fall in bed with another year behind me. I can't believe how old I turned on this birthday but I really can't complain because I am very healthy, my bones don't creak, my heart has a regular beat, I don't have cancer, and I am still alive and kicking. I know this coming year is going to be the best of my life. All I have to say is: "Bring it on."

My newest grandchild

I have to keep this short as it is late but I had to show off the newest member of my wonderful family. Little CJ (Cole James) joined our family Oct. 4th and he fit right in as each of his siblings held and passed him around when he was about 3 hours old. My job was to get his brother and sisters to the hospital in time to be there when he was born, but because he came quick and earlier than expected, we were about an hour late but got to see him when he was an hour old just as his dad brought him out of the delivery room. About an hour later, we got to join him and mom in the hospital room where they each got to hold him and welcome him to their family. What a wonderful experience for all of us. Even though no one believes me, I got him to smile twice at me - at three hours old. I do have a way with babies. I feel like Grammy Anderson was hanging around after escorting him to this earth and little CJ pretty much supported my feelings. I had a hard time leaving him on Wed., and he even grunted (my interpretation of a goodbye) when I had to return to my mountain home. I haven't been able to stop thinking about him since I left. I have more picures I am going to post later.

Weekend from the past

Yesterday (Sat) I took a trip back in time. It was the Shelley Spud Day celebration and I usually go down to see old friends and remember my many years at Spud Day and the many parades I got to participate in. First, I got to Rigby in time to see most of Keayen's flag football game that Kelly coaches. I enjoy seeing my boys coach as much as I enjoy watching the grandsons play ball. Kelly has a good team and I wish they could challenge Spencer and Max's team. I don't think Spencer's team has lost or even been challenged - mainly because all the dads are former football payers and their boys look like sons of football players. Maybe they could meet in the middle (Burley) and have a friendly little game on neutral turf. (And the competition between my boys continue except in a different fashion). I don't think it will ever happen though but it would be fun.
After the game, I jumped in my car and rushed to Shelley in hopes of getting in on the end of the parade. I got there in time to get a parking spot at the end and probably got to see about half of it. I looked over next to me and there was a little golf cart with two older ladies sitting in it with a young girl driving. I took a second, longer look and realized one of the women was who I could call my second mother. They lived just down the road from me in Jameston and I think I spent more time at their house with my best friend than I did at my own house. I went over to her and told her who I was, but I don't think she could quite understand. We visited about the past but she still didn't quite comprehend but it was sure fun to see her.
By now, Kelly and Becca had arrived and had surprised me with the fact they were coming down. The knew I went down every year and decided to join me this year. We got to have corn dogs for lunch (a little pricey but you pay for the atmosphere) and an Indian taco. Then, I took them over to the potatoe picking contest and conned Keayen into participating. I can remember the many years I spent in the spud fields picking potatoes and I wanted my grandchildren to experience picking spuds and trying to dump them in a gunny sack. He was a good sport and agreed to pick potatoes just for his nana. We missed his age group so he went with the next age group up but you couldn't tell the difference. He is a tall boy and some day he will realize what an advantage that will be to him. For never picking potatoes, he did a good job and even got the hang of dumping the spuds into the gunny sack. I don't know how he felt, but I was very entertained and it took me back to the years that I won the potatoe picking contest pretty much every year.
From there, we went over to the activities which were not you normal carnival rides but jumping toys. The kids each got to pick about three each and paid a dollar for about a minute on the toy (which we had to stand in line for about 15 min for each one). By now, it was time for Keayen to get back for a birthday party so the family piled in their van and off they went. I tried to locate some old friends but couldn't find them so headed back to my mountain home here in the Tetons. What a fun day I had and it brought back a lot of old memories.

Hint #9

School Has Begun

Been ages since I blogged. Just a quick run down of what I have been doing lately. Summer went sooo fast I couldn't believe it. I didn't have any other jobs this summer except occasionally cleaning the reunion house at the base of the Tetons. At the end of the summer, I got my fill of being on a road trip and actually came home a couple of days early because I had been gone so long. Spent a few days in Boise, came home cleaned the lodge, went back to Boise, met Jessica who flew out from El Paso, came home again, cleaned the lodge, packed up (Jess wouldn't let me take all my "stuff" and I felt I was living on the edge), went to Utah to attend my nieces beautiful wedding at the SL temple then had a receiption up in the mountains, off to Boise for a few days, up to McCall for a few days then back to Boise. I do have to say, never let two hard-headed people like Jess and myself be in a car together for a week. I now truly believe that our young people won't have to worry about social security taking care of them as most of them will die while texting, reading e-mails, doing business, all at the same time while trying to drive on the interstate at 85 mph. I tried to keep my mouth shut but I was so nervous I coudn't even nap - and thats unuaual for me. I'm sure it wasn't easy for Jess either but we make it through the week and we are still friends. I have had my fill of road trips for the time being. It was so much fun seeing family and friends.
Now, school as started and I am almost back in the routine. It's hard to go from the slow lane to the high-speed lane overnight, but somehow I have survived. I do love my job or early retirement would sure seem tempting. I am just going to take it a year at a time and not think past next summer.
Tomorrow I am off to the Manwaring reunion which we have every two years. Just a head's up for any of my family that reads this. Our family is in charge of the reunion in two years and we are planning of meeting in Lava Hot Springs on Labor Day weekend, 2012. Put it in you planners and don't give me the excuse you didn't get enough notice. I would love to have some Utah family attend and get to know your cousins and second cousins. Will close for now. I hope to add some photos as soon as I get them off my camera. My countdown has started. Only 35 more weeks of school then I get another summer off and I might be ready for another road trip.

Hint #8