In the loop

When you have a large family, it's hard to keep everyone in the loop.  No one is more guilty of this than I am.  When there's news, I try to spread it around to all the children but sometimes I think I told someone when I actually didn't and other times I tell someone more than once.  So, not wanting anyone to think I have memory problems  :)  I inadvertently leave someone out.  Oops!

I was thinking of this last night when I went to bed.  My mind was racing, thinking of all the things going on with the wedding and hoping everyone knew the latest updates.  Forgetting to tell someone something can lead to bad feelings and I certainly don't want that!  When there is so much going on and so many people involved, it's unfortunately easy for miscommunication to happen.

So, this morning I wrote a Facebook message to all my children and their spouses, telling them every detail I could think of and hopefully, they'll forgive me if they didn't know about something sooner. Having gone through their own weddings, they should understand.  

I'm glad this is my last child getting married.

Pre-wedding stresses

I'm so distracted this week, going in to the final stretch before my daughter's wedding.  She's totally overwhelmed with all the little details that keep popping up and I'm having to be mom/therapist  :)
Even though she has watched and participated in her 7 brothers and sisters weddings (even 2 last year), it's a totally different experience when it's her own wedding.  She didn't realize all the stresses they went through!

As I reminded her today, the important things are in place.  They have their wedding license and temple recommends.  They have their new apartment.  They have the reception covered.  The honeymoon is arranged.  Sure, there will be some glitches in the day (there always are!) but there's no use thinking of all the bad things that might happen or the things that might be overlooked or forgotten.  It will be a beautiful day, rain or shine.

I asked one of my other daughters about the stresses she felt before her wedding and she easily rattled off a long list of concerns, both big and small.  And she finished by saying that looking back now (all of 3 years ago), none of them mattered.  How true of so many of the crises we deal with on a daily basis.  Rarely are they as big as we made them out to be.

It's normal to stress out before such a once-in-a-lifetime event but it doesn't help solve problems.  If a problem can be solved, great!  If a problem can't be fixed, let it go.   Keeping a positive attitude, relaxing, and being thankful for all that is going RIGHT, will make a special occasion that is looked back on with warm, happy memories.

Grandma Camp

I have two friends who each hold "Grandma Camp" for their grandchildren.  What a wonderful idea!  One of my friends has only one small grandson but every year she spends a week with him, taking him to the local children's museum, to parks and other places of interest.  It's just Grandma and Grandson time.  What an amazing bonding time for them both!

The other friend has several grandchildren of varying ages and sometimes she takes several on at once and other times, she has one-on-one time with a specific grandchild.  This year it's special time with her 10 year old granddaughter.  She will spend the time teaching her how to sew and how to cook.  She's also going to teach her about genealogy work (which is a special passion for her) and again, just spend time bonding with her. 

I can't think of a better way to develop a special friendship with grandchildren.  Their parents probably appreciate the attention you give their kids too (as well as a little "vacation" away from them for a week!)

Here's to Grandma Camp!

Sunflowers for a summer wedding

Sunflowers...Perfect for a summer wedding!

It's finally time to focus on my daughter's upcoming wedding.  We're going for the rustic look for the reception so I've been watching for sales of burlap, lace, ribbon and artificial flowers.  I had a hard time finding the right color of sand to fill the jars but today I found just the right color...at Home Depot called silica sand.  Perfect! With everything together at last, I made the table centerpieces using mason jars, burlap, twine and ribbon, and sunflowers.  I made 14 arrangements and still have flowers left over. 

Heavenly lavender!

There's nothing nicer than sitting in the middle of my lavender with my granddaughter on a warm, summer day.  The smell is soooo relaxing!  Heavenly!

The diet experiment Part 3

On March 18, 2013, I wrote a blog post about a diet experiment that my husband and I were embarking on.  It's now exactly 4 months later and you know what?  We're still mostly doing it and it's making a big difference in our health.

I didn't realize how much of a difference for me until I went to the doctor last week and the nurse did the usual weighing and blood pressure check.  My weight is down about 5 pounds...which I know doesn't sound like much but I'm not doing this diet for weight reduction; in fact, I'm only doing a modified approach so I can show support to my husband.  But my blood pressure was down substantially...(100/80).  Considering that I've been on a blood pressure lowering medication for the last 4 years and it's hovered about 120/80, that was a big change.  So big in fact that I thought it might be a fluke so I had my doctor daughter take my blood pressure again twice to see what she came up with.  The numbers?  100/68, and 96/68.  Wow!  I'm stopping my blood pressure medicine and will monitor my numbers and see what happens. 

My husband's diabetes is markedly improved and he's lost about 30 pounds.  Not bad!  He's feeling much better overall and doesn't want to go back to our old way of eating.  I never thought I'd hear him say he doesn't want to eat meat or cheese anymore.  Or that those veggie burgers actually taste good!

Often it takes a drastic event to help us make changes in our lifestyle.  Other times it just takes the realization of  "I'm tired of not feeling good" to start the process of change.  Whatever the motivation, improving our diet by increasing fruits and vegetables, cutting back on meats and saturated fats,  cutting way back on refined sugar and carbohydrates, and increasing complex carbohydrates, is never a waste of time or money.  In fact, it's an investment in our future health and well being. 

Anyone want a blueberry, beet smoothie?  :)

Mom to the rescue!

Oh my goodness!  It's been a week since I've written!  What a busy summer it has been so far and I still have a wedding coming up soon!  So much for the life of leisure.  Personally, that sounds like it would get boring real fast  :)

One hour after eye surgery...she can SEE!

I went to Portland, OR (a 2 hour drive) to help out one of my daughters who was having Lasik eye surgery.  Her husband couldn't get away from school the day of the procedure and I didn't want her being alone so...Mom to the Rescue! 

The surgery was extremely successful and my daughter is so delighted with the results...she can SEE!  Her husband had to practically force her to get the surgery and now she's wondering why it took her so long to do it. 

I'm just glad that I'm at a point in my life where I can be gone from home for a few days to help my married kids.  It isn't as easy for the ones who live 12-14 hours away but I try whenever I can.  Having a more flexible schedule is definitely one of the perks of being an empty nester!

So embarrassed!

I had an interesting experience today.  My husband and I were shopping and he was in an aisle next to the one I was in.  As I was going down my aisle, I passed a man and said "excuse me" as I passed.  He looked at me and said, "Can I take you out to dinner sometime?"  I laughed and said, "I don't think so!"  (I thought he was joking!)  Then he said, "That's it?  Just no?"  (He wasn't joking!)  So, I quickly replied, "I don't think my husband would approve!"  At that, he looked surprised and said, "I didn't see a wedding ring...".  "You're right, no wedding ring.  Have a nice day." I said as I moved along down the aisle to my husband who heard the whole thing and was quietly laughing.  So embarrassed!!!

I think I need a new wedding ring!  Hint, hint Husband!  :)

I love being a Grammy...

I love being a Grammy because...

  I can hold and enjoy my sweet, precious newborn grandbabies

I can play games with them.

We can make cookies together!

 We can explore and have adventures!

 We can have sleep overs!

 We can celebrate birthdays together!

 I provide a comfortable place to fall asleep  :)

 I can be there for important events in their lives.

 I can watch them grow and be a part of their lives.

 

We can read together.

We can go camping!

And then I can give them back to their mommies and daddies and enjoy a good night's sleep.  :)

Letting go

Now, now...let's forgive and be nice.  :)

Life is too short to hold grudges.  I know people who stopped going to church because they were offended.  I know people who refuse to attend family functions because of feuds with other family members.  And what does it get them?  Does distancing themselves make them feel better? 

Letting go of grudges isn't easy but continuing to dwell on past slights and offenses only keeps you stuck in the past and prevents you from developing healthy relationships with family and friends now and in the future.  Is it really worth it? 

To let go of a grudge...
1. Stop dwelling on it.
2. Put yourself in the other person's shoes.
3. Choose to let it go.
4. Forgive.

Forgiveness isn't about the other person.  It's about yourself.  Forgiveness helps you develop compassion and understanding.  It builds strength of character.  It acknowledges the imperfections of ourselves and others.  It allows you to grow into a better person.

Confucius said, "To be wronged is nothing, unless you continue to remember it."  No one is immune from situations where offense could be taken so let's learn how to handle those situations with grace and compassion...and move on.

An 80th Birthday Party

My mother-in-law turned 80 on Saturday and most of the family got together to celebrate.  She's in amazing shape, both physically and mentally, and I know she was pleased to have her family with her on her birthday.

This "cake" is actually a watermelon, covered with whipped cream!

One of my sisters-in-law wanted to do something special and memorable so she asked all the adult children to send a personal picture as well as a picture of each of the grandchildren and their families.  With those pictures, she had a friend make a beautiful memory quilt to present to Mom/Grandma.  That quilt turned out amazing!

My mother-in-law's 6 children,grandchildren, and great grandchildren...I don't know how many she has but it's a lot!

It was a special day, celebrating a special lady.

Happy 4th of July!

Every year friends of ours hold a 4th of July breakfast at a local park.  This year I'd estimate that there were over 100 people, visiting and enjoying the delicious food that this friend is famous for.  They always start with a little talk about Independence Day and remind us of the sacrifices and patriotism of our founding fathers.  Their vision of this country made it possible for us to enjoy the freedoms we often take for granted.  I'm thankful for their courage and sacrifice to stand up for what they believed in the face of overwhelming odds. 

Happy Independence Day!  Enjoy the day with your family!

One month!

One month from today, my youngest daughter is getting married!  I guess I better get into "wedding mode" and put my energy into getting things ready.  :)  In all honesty, almost everything is under control except for the last minute details.  The only thing I can't control is the weather...it better be good!  Their reception is outdoors.  :)

Here are a few of the pics from their engagement photo shoot...they're so cute!

This one is one of my favorites...I love the smile on her face!

Blessings in disguise

It would be so easy to sit at home, become a crazy cat lady and read books and watch TV all day.  Thankfully, I have too much to do to indulge in such a self centered fantasy.  I realized that many of the things that keep me busy are really blessings in disguise.  Mowing the lawn and working in the garden gives me exercise, time in the sun, and the satisfaction of a job well done.  Church responsibilities give me a chance to help other people and learn new skills and talents.  My children frequently ask for advice and/or a listening ear, reminding me that I'm still needed as a mother.  My grandchildren keep me young :) .  And the list goes on and on...

My daughter MADE me go on this looooong hike.  It was totally worth it!

How thankful I am for the things in my life that encourage (force ?) me to get out and live.  The hermit inside me will just have to wait...  :)