Laptops

"All children need a laptop. Not a computer, but a human laptop. Moms, dads, gra[mm]ies and grandpas, aunts, uncles - someone to hold them, read to them, teach them. Loved ones who will them and pass on the experience, rituals and knowledge of a hundred generations. Loved ones who will pass to the next generation their... expectations of them, their hopes, and their dreams."~General Colin Powell

There's really nothing I can add to this one - it's perfect, isn't it? Every child needs people who love them, who will teach them and lead them along. I'm so grateful I've had the chance to do that not only for my own family but for our Primary children as well.

picture by Greg Olsen

Making Me Smile Today

I'm so not a fan of a lot of the current TV commercials - -this says it all!

Ice cream for everyone!

Helpers

"Every day offers us the gift of being a special occasion if we can simply learn that as well as giving, it is blessed to receive with grace and a grateful heart." ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

I had to laugh at my Natalie recently when, after moving into her [beautiful] new home, she was expressing gratitude for all the help they received. She was overwhelmed by the generosity of family, friends and ward members, including those who physically helped pack and move, those who kept the kiddoes, and those who brought in meals [for a long time] after. Her comment was this: "I'm so thankful for all the meals and help I've received, but I'm scared that now no one will want to bring in meals after I have this baby -- in 9 weeks!"

First of all, I was astounded to realize that Baby Girl will be here that soon. And then I thought about what else she had said - - and realized that we are blessed to live in a ward and an area where people love to help others. She will have more meals than she can use, I'm sure, when that little girl arrives.

We have lovely friends, ward members, and so many people who help in so many ways. It does make every day a special occasion when we are willing to do something nice for someone else - but also when we are willing to accept what someone else wants to do for us.

Easier said than done, but worth the effort.

Beauty

These are very poorly taken [straight from the car window, obviously] pics of the beauty we are seeing here. I love these trees -- they make me think of the Primary song "Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree", never mind that these are flowering pear trees. And I have two roses now blooming in my front yard.

It lifts my heart every time I see them. And it fills me with gratitude to live in such a beautiful place.

Smiles

"If you smile at me, I will think of ten good things you might have heard about me -- and spend the rest of my day happily trying to decide which it is."~Robert Brault

A smile is contagious, and the uplift a simple smile creates [as alluded to above] spreads like wildfire. You know - you smile at him, he smiles at her, she smiles at others - and it's everywhere. And the positive, happy, uplifted thoughts go along with those smiles.

How rare and how precious the opportunity could be: to give someone else the chance to think about themselves and feel good about what they come up with.

Happy weekend! Smiles to all of you.

I CAN be productive!

So is there anyone else out there at all who kind of dorks around in general -- but when there is a deadline, they can really kick it into gear and get stuff done?

That's me. Anyone? Anyone?!

Little Blessings (that are really big blessings!)

"Let your eyes light up when your (grand)children are around. Laugh more. Tell them how empty and quiet it is when they're not there. Enjoy the things they bring to your life. Attend their activities, not as if they were compulsory for (grand)parents, but throw yourselves into their lives." ~Valerie Bell

I can truly say that I love grandma-hood. I knew I wanted grandchildren long before I had any, and they have all far exceeded any anticipation I might have had. They make me laugh, they make me think, they increase my capacity to love, and they have enriched my life and filled it with joy.

My days would be very empty and quiet without these 5 (soon to be 6) precious little people in my life. I can't imagine life without them now, and I'm so grateful for the chances I have to be a part of their lives.

And now we are waiting (with excitement!) to meet another little girl who will arrive to be part of our family in May. We are truly blessed.

Snow? Here? Really?!

"Snowflakes are kisses from heaven." ~Author unknown

"A lot of people like snow. I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of rain." ~Carl Reiner

Clearly there are mixed opinions on snow. I for one have had my fill of it. I grew up in it in Alberta, I lived in it in Utah, Idaho, Colorado, Indiana, even in Nashville, and of course in Reno. I am done with snow. I truly don't care if I never see it again.

But I have been so taken with how much the children here love it. It's such an anomaly for them -- they can't wait to get out in it and play.

Me? Not so much. But it was very pretty when it happened last week. I'm just grateful it didn't stay long.

Snow Scrooge. That's me. Give me the beach any day. I'm with Carl.

Pics are scenes from my back yard -- which don't come close to capturing how pretty it really was as it came down.