Still thinkin' about Grandma

I was lucky growing up. (Putting these thoughts in words, I realize I am also very lucky now for very similar reasons.)I was surrounded by great people. I had great friends. I was part of an amazing youth program. I loved and still love many of the people I knew then. Janel Jeppson was one of my very best friends. I will not bore you with, nor divulge ANY details, but my grandma loved her too.



Last night I was reading a book of my grandma's poetry. I came across this poem titled, "Janel Jeppson."

Once in a while it appears to be
That life is a series of storms.
That our personal climate is "winter" alone,
And wind, snow and sleet, the norms.

Like Jan---is forever----uary,
Like bleak cold is all they allow.
(What nut said California was Sunny?
It's as black as the inside of a cow!!!)

But know, Dear Janel, pretty lady,
That God who is infinitely wise
Has provided for each January
a thaw and a crystal sunrise.

Trust Him whose love is eternal,
Who watches and cares for you,
To help and sustain in your troubles
And make all your skies turn to blue.

-Elayne Reid January 26, 1987

That was written for Janel around when she hurt her hip. See, my grandma loved me and my friends!!!! Years have gone by, we have married, moved, Janel grew up, we've both started families, we both have loved and even lost. I know that part of who I am today is the result of great friends like Janel and a loving grandmother who took such an amazing interest in our lives.

Missing Grandma today........

When I was young, my Grandma Reid was the primary chorister. I can still picture the way she held her hand as she taught us the words and music to "I Wonder When He Comes Again." I can still picture her enthusiasm and pure love as she taught about the Savior and His love for each and every one of us children. My grandma LOVED music almost as much as she loved her Heavenly Father. She loved to dance and sing and laugh. She loved to bear her sweet testimony verbally and by example. I have many memories that took place in her living room around her piano or simply sitting next to her as she read The Littlest Angel or My Turn on Earth to me. Grandma took me took get my Kindergarten shots, helped me conquer fears, helped me write papers for school, loved every one of my friends and they knew it, took me on vacation, let me stay up late and watch "Love Boat," painted my nails, watched countless soccer games, and loved my husband and children. I love and miss her as much today as I did when she passed away years ago. I don't have any clever pictures to post. I only have gratitude in my heart to a Grandmother, who among many things, taught me to love and appreciate the impressions left by the spirit on my heart. She loved me. I never doubted that I was the most important person in the world to her. I never doubted that she had a testimony. I never doubted her devotion to her family. I never doubted that she loved my children. She made all of these things abundantly clear! I couldn't love her or miss her more!

"I read that one!"

Emmie always comes through. Tonight, Jaxson gave a great lesson for Family Night. (I can't lie-I absolutely love that kid!) After his lesson I asked how we could avoid being tempted to make wrong choices. Each of the kids gave 12 really good answers. I told them about a talk I had read in the Ensign that gave the idea of having a "delete button" in your head. Right after I said the words, "delete button," Emmie yelled, "I read that one." PAY DAY!! They do listen to us sometimes! Who would have thought? A while back, Tim did a Family Night lesson on the importance of reading modern day revelation. He gave each of us a copy of the Conference Ensign and encouraged us to read it regularly. Tonight I was more than impressed with our eight year old's declaration: "I read that one!"



I just love her!!!!

"Broken"

"I believe that God loves broken things!"



Today I was asked a question that I wasn't quite sure how to answer. Luckily, I was with a couple of great friends. One of them quickly replied, "Don't ask. We don't want to have to carry her out of here!" The other friend said something like, "Let's not talk about that." My reply was simply, "I was broken!" My friends and I finished our business and left. I went about the day without giving it another thought.....

A few days ago my sister, Kate, invited me to her Christmas Enrichment. Brad Wilcox and Steven Kapp Perry were going to do the Program. (For those of you that grew up with me.....THAT'S RIGHT!) When I was growing up, these guys spoke at quite a few firesides and youth conferences. I can still remember songs that they sang and words that they spoke. I was so excited to get to hear them again. Somewhere,I have a picture exactly like the one posted above that was taken more than two decades ago. Appropriately, the theme of the night was the Atonement. Steven and his wife, Joanne started by singing a song called "Broken." One of the lines was, "I believe that God loves broken things." Suddenly, I was back in that little shop saying,"I was broken!" I forgot! I have tried what I thought was EVERYTHING to claw my way out of being broken. I forgot that I wasn't alone. A year and a half later, a voice that touched me 25 years ago, reminded me of a truth that I have known for years! I just needed to hear it from a familiar voice!

Brad then got up and in his fun, yet touching way, expressed that Christmas IS about getting. It is all about a gift that was given to us long ago. A gift that sometimes even in a season where reminders are all around me, I forget that it was given to me.

St George Again!

We messed around in St Gerogre for another weekend of fun. I have to admit that I did not love "Thriller." However, we had a great time laughing and playing and swimming and shopping??

Who could ask for anything more? Ruby has the "flirts" with Jaxson and is so funny to watch!Jax and his friend, Trek, joined us on our outing. Aside from a few teasing.....They got along great!

Hanna is into finding the coolest poises for pictures! She is always very creative!

Technical difficulty, it wont let me add the rest of the pics. Heres for now!

THRILLER!!!

Hanna desperately wanted to see Thriller. Obviously, I obliged. I am not going to lie, I didn't like Thriller at all. The Zombies were everywhere and Ryanne, Emmie and Haidyn were not very happy about it. However, it was a great group of travelers. We had so much fun together! Thank you to all!!!!

These two harassed Hanna and Sarah. They wouldn't leave them alone! When Thriller was over, they chased Hanna out of the Theater. Ryanne just might be scared for life, but watching Hanna run.....PRICELESS!!!

Morgan, Ruby and Carey!!

Hanna and Sarah made shirts to "celebrate" the event!

The gang! Pre show!!!! I just love them all!!!

UEA WEEKEND!!!!

We decided to spend UEA close to home. After hearing the idea from a friend, Joy and I decided to have a "Staycation" with the kids. Thursday we took the girls to Park City for the night.

My girls and I. (Hanna wasn't so excited about pictures!)

Joy and Haidyn

Emmie and Haidyn

We shopped at the outlets, swam, and ate the best pizza.

The little girls in Old Navy

Emmie and Haidyn in Claires

Ryanne in the swimming pool

Ry trying on hats at the Gap

Friday the girls swam some more and then we headed to Gardner Village.

Morgan and Ryanne got their hair colored for the day

The girls at Gardner Village

Hanna even got her hair sprayed

We walked around, ate lunch and then had sleep overs at home that night.
Saturday we had a "Spa Day" for the little girls. Actually, everyone was invited. Jaxson wanted nothing to do with it and Morgan and Hanna decided a day with friends was more their style. So.....

Joy,being the over achiever that she is, had a wonderful lunch prepared when the girls arrived.

We washed their feet and gave them manicures and pedicures!

Then we applied a facial mask and cucumber slices.
Emmie

Haidyn

Ryanne

The finished product

The day would not have been complete without a visit from Ruby!

Good times!!!!!