Example

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." ~ Winston Churchill

I did Sharing Time yesterday in Primary and we talked about example: the fact that we are all examples, like it or not, aware of it or not. Someone is always watching, taking mental notes, and in many cases, doing what we do. It's a little frightening to me to think that someone somewhere is following, doing the things I do, simply because I'm the one doing them.

Made me think hard that it behooves [I do love that word!] all of us to make sure that the examples we set are good ones, and that if someone followed in our footsteps, they would be on a good path.

The lives we are building are important -- and especially at this time of year, our awareness of others and their needs should be at an all-time high. I want to make the best possible life that I can -- both for myself and for others.

Protection from Aging

Natalie and Simon

Chris -- who is eternally young too!

Maya, Chris and Daniel {boy in foreground is a stranger}

Mason, Maya and Daniel

Mason and the Rainforest Cafe frog

Mark

"Age does not protect you from love. But love, to some extent, protects you from age." ~Jeanne Moreau

So true. I may be in my mid-50s {OK, I am in my mid 50s!} but I feel young. I really do. I love to race, to chase, to tackle and tickle, and to do whatever it takes to keep up with our precious grandkiddoes. I do have some aches and pains, but they are minor in comparison to the joy I feel when spending time with family. The smiles I earn from the kiddoes are the best medicine for any ache or pain that might rear its ugly head. And it always brings a smile when I hear "Grandma, you're not old, you're new!" And I am new.

The love I feel for my children, their children, my parents and siblings, our Primary children, our dear friends -- is truly what keeps me young. That love makes me want to take good care of myself, to be fun to be with, to cherish every second I get with them, and is behind every prayer I pray for as much time with my family as possible.

If love is the measure, then I will always be young. Just look at the above pics -- oh, how I am blessed! {and young! ha!}

Update

Melanie and I outside the Houston temple.

The happy bride and groom - Melanie and Ramon

Mr. Simon - -celebrating on his 1st birthday

"Praise to thee, oh Lord, for all creation;
Give us thankful hearts that we may see,
All the gifts we share and every blessing,
All things come of thee." ~ John Rutter

Holy cow, it's been that long since I have posted? Mark has been harrassing me about it and I've been ignoring him. Mostly, I guess, because I feel like I have nothing to say. And who wants to read the ramblings of someone who really has nothing on their mind?

It's been busy times here - we've had Halloween (including a fun trunk or treat), the Primary program (wonderful program -- great kids, and full of the spirit), Simon's BD., Natalie's BD., a wedding to attend in Houston (former seminary student and current friend Melanie and her new husband Ramon), and a bout with the flu. So there has been plenty going on.

And now, we are looking Thanksgiving in the face. There is so much to appreciate and be grateful for, and I am. I am so thankful for my family, for the dear friends that feel like family, and for the blessed life that I live. The above words come from a song that our choir sang yesterday and it was beautiful. Beautiful because of the lovely melody and harmonies, and beautiful because of the words. I want that thankful heart and that memory that all we have comes from our Heavenly Father.

Take a minute to reflect and to be grateful -- and happy Thanksgiving!

Grandma-Hood

"We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today." ~Stacia Tauscher

Isn't that a true statement? I remember when my children were small, worrying about how they would make it as adults, what they would do with their lives, trying to help shape the kind of people they would become. Duh. The reality was that they arrived in my life as someone. And those 3 someones were already smart, talented and unique.

That's another something I'm loving about grandma-hood. I don't work, worry and wonder, trying to fit these precious little people into some kind of mold -- I just enjoy them and love them. At the risk of becoming repetitive, grandma-hood is my favorite thing about this stage of my life.

It's a gift. The best one ever.

**Big thanks go to Daniel and Ben who gave Grandpa the fabulous marble roller-coaster-builder set for his birthday. Because I seem to be camera-challenged, I didn't think to take a pic of them enjoying it with him - with the roller coaster strewn all across their dining room and back. This is Maya and Mason enjoying the gift with Grandpa as well.

Primary Song Bakery

Our Primary chorister is wonderful. She has fun ideas and {even better} she lets me join in the fun. Every single time.

This past week, we reviewed the songs we've learned this year for the Children's Sacrament Meeting Presentation. There are a lot of them and there are a lot of words to remember. In the past, we've done a Song Hospital, where Joan and I wear our scrubs and decide if the songs need to stay in the hospital or if they are ready to be discharged. This year, however, Joan decided on a Song Bakery. She made little gingerbread men, each with the name of a song on it, brought a small toaster oven, and signs that said 'gooey', 'half baked' and 'ready to serve'.

The fun part {for me, anyhow - and I think the kids liked it too} was that Joan had her apron and chef hat on and I wore my chefs' coat and hat. We chose names from our choosing jar, and then the child chosen got to wear an apron, a chefs' hat and an oven mitt and helped direct the song. We had stirring spoons with smiley faces on them {because you always sing better when you are happy, right?!} and then we sang the song, listening to see if was 'ready to serve' or not.

The kids loved it, we now know what songs need a little work {not many! just the second verses of a couple of them could use a review} and Joan and I had a blast. I love it that she lets me play along with her every time.

Prayer

"I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time- waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God- it changes me."~ C.S. Lewis

It's hard to get to the point in life where you realize that you really can't help yourself. I still struggle with this - - I was born independent and will no doubt die independent. I want to do everything myself and I don't want help. But to make full use of the atonement of Jesus Christ, I have to humble myself and admit to Him that I can't do it alone. I do need His help.

And in the end, the very act of praying, humbling myself and recognizing the need I have for Him in my life literally changes me. For the better.

Thank goodness.

Birthdays

"In childhood, we yearn to be grown-ups. In old age, we yearn to be kids. It just seems that all would be wonderful if we didn't have to celebrate our birthdays in chronological order." ~Robert Brault

Miss Maya celebrated her 6th birthday this week and it's got me thinking about age. The above quote really spoke to me -- isn't that the truth? I'm finding there really are some things I like about being older, but there are probably equally as many things that go along with it that are not so much to my liking. I like being able to look back and really see the hand of God in our lives, as He has moved us around. I like the perspective I have gained with time. I really like having a better understanding of myself. And grandchildren? The best gift I've ever received, since the original gift of my children.

The wrinkles? Not so much. Or the alarming downward slide of body parts that have always been up higher? Nope. And I really don't like the minor aches and pains that seem to creep in as time goes on. The gray hair is something that my hairdresser Jake takes care of so that's not so much a problem.

So does it even out? For sure. Time is something I have a little bit more of, time to play with little guys, to help our our grown children, and time to think. Time to serve in the church, both with children and with music. Time to reflect and to try to do better.

Old-er age is a gift -- especially since the way I feel inside has never changed. Inside, I'm still young. Really young!

Yay!!

Can't wait for Saturday and Sunday and lots of great insights, inspiration and words of wisdom from our General Authorities.

I LOVE General Conference, and am excited to see and hear Pres. Monson speak to us!!

Who We Really Are

"As children of God we are somebody. He will build us, mold us, and magnify us if we will but hold our head up, our arms out, and walk with Him." ~Marvin J. Ashton

I spent an hour in Miss Maya's classroom this week, and as I did, I got a little time with every kindergarten student in that class. It was so interesting to come away with a very specific feeling [in one way or another] about each child. I left wishing that every one of them could be sure of who they are. We teach in Primary that they are literally children of God, that He knows them, loves them, and will help them.

Each one of us is somebody and can be more than we could begin to imagine with God's help. I need to remember keep my head up, my arms out and to walk beside Him. Then maybe I can help someone else realize that they too are somebody.

Keeping Time

I'm such a freak. This is me to a T -- every clock in our house is different. Some of it is not my fault, like when the power flickers off and on and the clocks on the microwave and oven start flashing and have to be reset. I'm purely guessing at those when I do the resetting.

But honestly, I have such an inner need [is that the right word?] to be on time that the clocks in the bedroom are set probably close to 10 minutes ahead. Except, of course for the atomic clock that projects onto the ceiling -- it's accurate. Both my watches are 10 minutes fast too.

I'm not sure it makes any difference, because when I look at those clocks, I immediately know how fast they actually are and prepare accordingly. But I am pretty much always on time.

I'm a weirdo. You knew that already.