Surprises, Big and Small

In the past few years, I have learned to appreciate the unexpected!   Here are three recent surprises in my life:

#1

I was called as the Ward Music Chairman at church.  I was very surprised, but also relieved by the calling because I knew our Young Women's Presidency was being reorganized and the thought of those responsibilities overwhelmed me.  I was surprised because each of the Ward Music Chairmen I've known has been a great musician.  You know, the kind of person who can step in at a moment's notice to sing or play the piano or conduct a quartet. Ummm. That is certainly not me!  However, I am the kind of person who can plan, organize and invite (that sounds so much nicer than nag, doesn't it?) people to share their musical talents in Sacrament meetings each Sunday.  Beautiful music really does bring the spirit and I am grateful for the opportunity to help our ward members feel closer to our Heavenly Father.  And if you'd like to volunteer (or volunteer in behalf of a friend or family member) please let me know!  If necessary, I promise your anonymity will be protected.

#2

I have been wheat-free for six weeks now.  I have been surprised how easy it has been to stay off of wheat.  I took a couple of bites of a bun once without thinking and I cheated on two occasions.  But overall, I've done really well.  I have always eaten 100% whole wheat bread and I would have told you that I eat mainly whole grains.  When I cut out wheat, I realized that I wasn't eating things like hamburger buns, waffles, brownies, birthday cake or flour tortillas.  None of which are whole grain, of course!  Within a few days, I noticed that I had more energy and less desire for sugar.  The big surprise was that I have no joint paint.  I have had minor aches and pains in my hips for for quite a few years.  Since I gave birth to Lavender, I have had swelling and pain in my fingers and shoulder.  After I had been off wheat for a month, I suddenly realized that I hadn't had any joint pain in weeks!  Sadly, giving up wheat has not led to much weight loss for me.  I am back on Weight Watchers Online, but wheat-free this time.  I have to mention that the WW app makes it really easy to track your food, exercise etc.

#3 - The Grand Finale!

My dad and Carolyn went skydiving!  I never would have expected my dad to do something like that, but he did!  I am impressed with their courage and sense of adventure.  They did tandem dives while strapped to an instructor who was in charge of the essentials:  pulling the chute, landing and filming the jump.  They both had a great experience, with the photos and video to prove it.  My dad highly recommends it (once the kids are grown) and even found it full of spiritual symbolism.  For me, watching the video has cemented my decision to never, ever jump out of an airplane.  You can watch the video HERE and decide for yourself.

Lavender's One Year Photos

Photos and slide show by Judy Cook.

This Deserves Its Own Post

I've know my baby brother David since the moment he was born.  It was exciting to see him grow up, even though I didn't live at home with him for very long.  As a child, he amazed me because he could start a conversation with just about anyone.  I remember him talking to John about the stock market when he was ten years old.

He continued to be friendly and outgoing as an adult.  Last Easter he came to visit us for Lavender's blessing.  On the flight home, he used his conversation skills with a fellow passenger.  Apparently they had such a good conversation that he drove her home from the airport.  Those conversations continued, and . . . .  almost exactly one year later (on the day before Easter) they got married!!

On March 30, 2013

David and Annie 

were sealed for time and all eternity in the

  Sacramento Temple of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Felicia & Grandpa Jerry, Carolyn & Dad, The Groom & The Bride, Me & John, Denise & Scott and Jason. Not pictured Brian & Jenny (who was very ill, but came to the temple and left immediately after the ceremony)

The sealing was lovely and I cried through most of it because it was so wonderful to be in the temple with so many members of my family.   My Dad and Carolyn were there along with all of my siblings and their spouses (except for Lacy who was home with baby Cole).  My Aunt Muff & Uncle Paul and Uncle Gerry & Aunt Jody came.   My kids Ryan and Molly were in the temple with us and I was sitting next to my sweet husband.  Finally, I know that my wonderful mother was there.  She wouldn't have missed this day for anything and I felt her presence within the temple.

That evening we traveled to a wonderful country setting for the ring ceremony and reception.  It was a great celebration and David gave quite a performance singing "Hooked On a Feeling" to his beautiful bride Annie!

Congratulations to the newlyweds and welcome to the family Annie!!

Easter vs Last Year

Marianne and Evan both got Easter baskets this year.  They always do, but I dared to suggest that the Easter bunny might think they were too old for baskets.  They assured me that he ALWAYS brings baskets to my kids who live at home.  In fact, he even brought baskets to my brothers who were visiting last Easter!

But let's be honest.  Even though Marianne got a Les Miserables DVD and tons of candy in her basket and Evan got The Hobbit DVD and even more candy in his basket, our Easter fun was really all about Lavender this year!  In fact, we were so excited, we had Easter a week early this year.

She wore this dress and used this basket and even hunted for eggs!

As compared with last year when she fit inside the basket with room to spare for her eggs

Last year she barely fit in the newborn size of this dress

Thanks to Leighton for letting her wear the middle sized version this year!

Just like last year, we had fun with our beautiful granddaughters!

And gave them a few Easter treats.

Don't worry, Lavender got a little patio chair too!

And we really did celebrate a week early. Why? Because of my brother's wedding.  But I'll save that story for another post!

Ballet Debut

A few weeks ago, Evan heard that his cousins' dance studio had lost their wolf.  Actually, the boy playing the wolf had a track meet.  Evan is by no means a ballet dancer, but he is a good actor and he agreed to play the role. 

Here he is in costume!

 He had a fun time performing in Peter and the Wolf.

Alyssa is a talented ballerina who performed in Les Sylphides.

Although they weren't on stage together, they had fun backstage!

A blurry, backstage photo to prove it was really him.

Here he is with his post-duck-dinner belly.

He got to take off the wolf head for the final bows so the audience got to see his face for a minute!

Silver Lining to a Rough Day

Today has been a bit of a rough day with Lavender.  She is teething and has been crying and wanting to be held most of the day.  Finally, she wandered off and was playing contentedly.  Then I discovered that she was keeping busy by pouring a bottle of soy sauce on the kitchen floor.` When I called the kids in to see it, she threw herself down for a tantrum.

After the mess was cleaned up (thanks to Evan and Marianne) and our mini-monster was nursing peacefully, I found this poem on my phone.  I wrote it several weeks ago, but never posted it because I wasn't satisfied with it.  Today, it seems perfect.  At least compared to crying, messes and tantrums! 

Moving Out

Exactly one month ago 

She took her first steps.

Now she walks,

Almost running 

Ready to take on the world.

She listens and points at

Airplanes and birds

Dogs and motorcycles

Or the front door creaking

When her family comes home.

She enthusiastically tastes

Homemade green smoothies

Dandelions and rocks

Crayons and birdseed

Testing her tiny new teeth.

She  waves and shouts

"Hi" over and over

To our friends at church

A neighbor walking his dog

And the homeless man at the park.

She climbs with gusto

Up the stairs or footstool

Over daddy in search of his phone

Bouncing onto the trampoline

Into our arms for a snuggle.

She explores and discovers

Each exotic location

Like a world traveler

Observing the locals

And learning their ways.

We follow behind,

Savoring each moment 

In our hearts and with our camera

From a watchful, yet

Ever increasing distance.

Taken the day I wrote this poem.
She figured out how to pull the string on this bunny using her teeth!