California 1st Day of School

Hattie - 4th Grade

Neeley - 2nd Grade

West - Preschool

Hattie and Mrs. Palmer.  Great minds think alike.  This was the first person the kids met at the end of last year when they visited their school.  We are thrilled Hattie has Mrs. Palmer as a teacher - she was so kind at the end of the year when wandering on campus.

Neeley and Mrs. Irvine.  Mrs Irvine is in a detached portable classroom - Neeley thinks that is pretty cool.  

What a big day!  They are used to knowing everyone and today knew only a couple of kids.  We are so proud of them for being confident (albeit, normal nerves) and happy.  They have embraced this move and we are proud of them.  

From Scorpions to Skunks

I smell a skunk!  A few days ago we thought we saw a mom skunk with a baby skunk right out our slider in our family room.  Apparently we were correct!  Last night, while the screen door was open and we were watching something in the family room we saw it!  We have a stone built-in gas bbq and there is a small opening where the gas line goes under the structure - a small opening that makes a great front door for an unwanted visitor.  Looks like we have a chore ahead of us this weekend.

Where's my gun?  Skunks are a dime a dozen here.

Grandma Blanche. A Superhero.

It's taken me a week to type this and process.  Grandma Blanche (my Mom's mom) is a force for good in my life.  Both Grandma B and my Grandpa were vested in my upbringing and present and participated in my life.

They provided sage advice.

They were always the shoulder to cry on or the first to call/see with great news.

I'd ditch cafeteria lunch and drive to Grandma's with friends for her BLTs.

In times of need or pain she was my rock.

When my Grandpa died in 1994, I was a freshman in college.  I went into my closet and cried with her on the phone so my five other roommates wouldn't hear.  I was heartbroken and still am.

She has always been there.  Her food has been comfort food.  Her home a refuge.

She was always cool and had style.  Heads turned when Grandpa and Grandma walked into a room.  Always the best dressed in the room, always.  I like to think I get my love of suits from Grandpa.  He could be casual in a suit.  So cool.

She made quilts and clothes.  The baggy late-80s shorts are long gone but the quilts still warm my family.  They are special to me.  All of them.  All representing a period in my life.

She was huggable.

She wrote me constantly on my mission.

She, at 80+ would not miss my wedding for the world and boarded a plane by herself for Chicago.

My 2nd oldest is named after her (her maiden name of Neeley became a first name for us).  I called her FIRST when Neeley was born and she threatened me if I named her Blanche.  Neeley it was.

Last Sunday, while in UT we visited her in her nursing home in Bountiful.  It's been two years since I've seen her.  A series of strokes and old age have taken their toll and have left her without voice or functions.  Heartbreaking.

But her eyes...

She's in there.  She knew me.  She started to cry and held my hand.  She was processing and wanted to speak.  Moans came out but she was attentive and fixated on my eyes.  It was my five minutes of connection into the soul of a woman who has been so much to me.  Her eyes have always had that sparkle that only Grams eyes could have and I saw it.  She knew me.

This picture is incredibly private to me.  I posted it on Facebook and then took it down.  Not that I don't want people to see it, however, without the context of who she is and what she once was makes it meaningless and there's nothing meaningless about her.  This is not her body and it pains my soul to see her like this.

The worst part that I'm still not over?  Walking away from her and leaving her all alone in that room.  She was always in the middle of people.  People wanted to be around her and yet there she sits awaiting her time.  Heartbreaking.

And out of this I witnessed my sweet mother's care for her mom.  I saw my Mom speak and attend to her in a way I've not seen my Mom serve before.  My Mom was strong and loving and deeply compassionate for this woman who raised her and also supported her as she raised her family.  I know its hard on my Mom to see her this way.  I can't imagine not being able to speak to a parent and talk through life's joys and sorrows.  I feel that way so I can only imagine how my Mom feels.  But she is there and she cares for her and I was able to witness it.  Words can't describe how wonderful my Mom was with Grandma.  It impacted me.

I don't understand some things in this universe.  This is one of them.  So, forgive me for writing the things of my heart on this one, yet I needed to do it.  It was a beautiful moment encircled in heartbreak.  I love you Grams.  I miss you terribly.  I'd give up anything I owned to talk with you for five minutes.

Ry

We Heart Kyle

I left for BYU a hundred years ago, Kyle, my little brother was only a year and a half years old.  It was hard to leave such a little guy and even though I would come home for holidays and summers, I missed so much of his earlier years.  When Ryan and I got married Kyle was four years old.  Moving all over the country has been fun for us as a married couple but sad to be away from family and especially from little Kyle.  

Now we are closer!  Not close but closer!!  We get to see Kyle-boy quite a bit these days.  When Ryan and I went to the Hollywood Bowl, Kyle was our babysitter.  Actually, we kidnapped him and he stayed with us for a few days.  My kids, especially West, ADORE him.  As a matter of fact, I am sure that West would consider Kyle to be the most important person in the world.  Serious crush.    

Kyle is not so little anymore.  In fact, he is actually very very tall.  Digging a hole to fit him in was quite labor intensive.   We love you Kyle-boy! 

Happy Independence Day!

There, I guess King George will be able to read that.
John Hancock
On signing the American Declaration of Independence.

Pancake breakfast at the park.  Hike in the afternoon.  Off to the beach for fireworks.  

Gangsta West

It's been a fun week now that we are FINALLY in our home.  I get pictures daily from Taani and the kids from different locations and fun adventures.  It's an amazing city actually.  I had a thought in my head pre-LA that LA is the TV version we all see played out daily in reality shows and in celebrity meltdowns, even though I've been to So Cal a million times.  However, that group has their corner (Hollywood) and overall, it's an amazing city.  It's a massive world city.  From food to fun we have really enjoyed ourselves.

We were at the Dodgers last night.  West got an LA Dodgers hat.  He self turned it and became Gangsta West.  The kid is a sports nut.  

On our way home from the game.  Amazing view of the city and this picture doesn't do it justice.  We are in the ballpark parking lot and then drove right through the city.  To quote Neeley when we drove through downtown, "Wow, this is beautiful."

T Minus Five Sleeps!

We are almost there.  We measure everything with kids as "sleeps."  For example: Six more sleeps 'til Santa.  Three more sleeps 'til Grandma comes, etc...  Well, after a month on a small queen bed in a hotel, we are FIVE sleeps from our house!  Wahoo!

We drove up the 405 today and went to our temple (25/30 mins away) - the LA Temple.  What a great visit and visitors center.  I couldn't help but think this is the temple we will take Hattie when she turns 12.  NOTE: West was NOT interested in being in the picture.  He's been on one.  Terrible threes?  Is there such a thing?  He was great a two, but three has been insane.

Great day.  We spoke in our new ward.  Kids are settling in with new friends.  Now to just get the home!  We reunite with our stuff on Friday when the movers arrive.  Man, I hope two months on a truck in hot PHX didn't ruin our baby grand.  Fingers crossed.