Family

"It's not how many people thre are in a family that counts, but rather the feelings among the people who are there." (Fred Rogers)

Once again, Mr. Rogers and I agree (who knew that could happen? Way back when my kids were watching him I wasn't so much a fan!). I love his comment on family. I suppose this resonates with me because I always wanted a bigger family than I was able to have. (I wasn't great at birthin' babies and I was medically retired very early on which was hard to deal with for a while). I've always told people that I may not have quantity, but I sure have quality! They laugh, but it's true.

Our oldest son Chris and his wife Tara live in Dallas with their 2 boys, Daniel and Ben. They are a wonderful family and it's fun to watch the things they are able to do because they are goal-setters. The boys are sweet and fun to be around. The famly is bright and funny and we wish we could see them more often. (although with Dallas being about a 3 hour drive, that sure isn't a complaint -- it could be Boston or something, right?!)

Chris, Natalie, Maya and Mason live literally 5 minutes from us. Natie and the kiddoes and I do things together daily, and we do family stuff together all the time, probably at least a couple of times a week. We love it that they are willing to share their lives and their little ones with us and we find it to be one of our greatest blessings. We sit together at Church on Sunday, (sounds small, but isn't) and we feel that their presence in our daily lives is a gift.

Matthew, our youngest, lives with us but is looking for an apt. for himself and when he does, he will move on. Thank goodness it will still be in Austin! He's wonderful. He's single, but one of his greatest pleasures in life is the fact that he's an uncle and he too enjoys every chance he gets to be with the little ones. Yesterday he and Maya were playing dress-up and her comment was "Monkey sure has great dress-up clothes! He's fun!" He works full-time and goes to school as well and we are proud of him.

There were only 5 of us to begin with, and now there are 11 which still isn't a large group. But the feelings are there. Love, respect, concern, pride, (in a good way!) friendship, caring, empathy, and most of all, a shared belief that we are a part of each other and always will be.

These are good feelings. Thanks, Fred!

Sweet Treat

This has been a lovely Sunday. My Sharing Time went well (I used the book Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed to show how one small act of service can touch zillions of people), we got some wonderful Maya time this afternoon which we always love, and then we had a nice BBQ dinner with Chris, Natie, Maya and Mason.

However -- the highlight of dinner was not the chicken, the beef, the Caesar salad or even the corn on the cob -- it was dessert. (big surprise, right?) We had a Mrs. Smith's Cinnabon Apple Crumb Pie. Sound good? Oh, was it! Here's what Mrs. Smith's says about it:

"What a fabulous taste sensation when these classic ingredients mingle! Cinnabon's genuine Makara cinnamon and sweet, ripe, juicy apples are picked exclusively for Mrs. Smith's, then baked together and adorned with a delicious crumb-crisp topping. A fresh, home-baked treat for all!"

Serving Suggestion:Drizzle Cinnabon's genuine cream cheese icing over the sweet, warm crumb topping and enjoy!

The cream cheese frosting sounded weird at first, but nope! It was delicious. We even added vanilla ice cream. Too much? Uh-uh! Just right. You'll find it in your grocer's freezer -- and all you have to do is put it in oven. Nothing wrong with that.

All in all, a very nice day, ending up with a yummy treat. I wish all our Sundays were this sweet.

I'd Choose You Again

Can't sleep for some reason tonight (check the time on this post!) -- and am sitting here filled with love and gratitude for Mark. I don't say much about him but that doesn't mean I don't feel a lot about him and for him. He's wonderful. He's quiet, but deep. He's reserved but funny as can be. He's very bright and has a mind that hones quickly in on the main issue of anything. He loves his parents and his sisters, he loves his kids, he adores his grandkids and he loves me. Which is not always so easy. I am so blessed to have him in my life and I know it.

There's an old song done by the Forester Sisters ( in the '80's I think) called "I'd Choose You Again" that's been going through my head all night. (maybe that's why I can't sleep!) Take a listen to it and see what I mean. Very powerful words, I think.

"Looking in my life through the eyes of a young girl

Growing older all the time, maybe just a little wiser,

I can clearly see all my mistakes keep coming back to visit me,

Pointing out the roads not taken.

So much I'd like to change but one thing I'd do the same,

I'd choose you again, I'd choose you again.

If God gave me the chance to do it all again.

Oh, I'd carefully consider every choice and then

Out of all the boys in the world I'd choose you again

Times weren't always good.

Seems like the Lord gave all the easy parts away.

But every time the road got rocky, you'd look at me and say

You had all you needed long as I was there with you.

You're the reason I kept going.

If I could start my life anew, the first thing that I would do,

I'd choose you again, I'd choose you again

If God gave me the chance to do it all again

Oh, I'd carefully consider every choice and then

I'd listen to my heart and I'd choose you again.

You again, you again."

I would. And I hope he would too.

I Win!

So today was the day that Maya and I did our 'date with Grandma' that she earned as a reward for dry panties. (it's cool to be the reward!! Gotta love that!) We met at Pei Wei (Natie was on her cupcake quest and I was having a shot in my foot -- another story but it's dang sore) for lunch and after eating, we separated. (side note: since I am not much of a picture taker, I forgot the camera -- and Natie forgot her memory card so no pics of this event! Sigh.)

I took Maya to the mall with me so that she could do whatever her heart desired for her reward. First stop: Build-a-Bear (of course!) to make their newest 'bear' -- a ghost. She was so tickled with her -- she made a sound for it (herself going 'oooooo, oooooo' - -very spooky) and then stuffed her, named her(Ghostie Cottam) and picked out a new outfit for her. Ghostie had a tank top and skirt on when Maya looked at me and said "Grandma, she needs to be modest! Let's get her a sweater!" So we did, of course. Who am I to let Ghostie be immodest, anyhow?

After all that fun, we went on to Dippin' Dots where Maya made her choice for the day: rainbow! She settled herself onto our favorite bench and totally enjoyed her treat. Then -- time for a potty stop (because wet panties during your dry panties reward is out of the question!) so we ran back to Nordstrom, where they have the nicest potties.

Before we left Nordstroms, we had to check out their pink cookies - -which, just FYI, were delicious. We enjoyed those as well, and then spotted Lamme's Candies, where Maya remembered that her Mama loved their pralines. So of course we made a stop, where she chose some pralines for Mama, candy sticks for Maya and a lollipop for Bubs.

Then we headed for home so she could show her loot to her Mom, after which we continued on to Grandma's house for 'rest' time. Actually we built a fort out of chairs and blankets (with Monkey's help), hung out inside it with a flashlight, and watched a little Arthur. Not very restful maybe, but lots of fun.

All in all, I think I was a fun reward and hereby volunteer to be the reward anytime! What a reward -- for ME!

What's your favorite?

Do you have a favorite commercial? At the moment, mine is the cell phone commercial, the one where the dad goes to his kids “each of the five of us can call five people for free, so it’s like 26 people”. And the kids roll their eyes and say “dad, five times five is twenty five, not twenty six.” And he says “No, you have to carry the nine. Five times five is twenty six.” And then the mom deadpans “kids, this is why you have to stay in school.” Gotta love this one.

Can't say I'm a fan of the Geico commercials with the cave men but I think a lot of people like them.

So fill me in. What's your favorite? Or non-favorite?

Home

A little girl, asked where her home was, replied, "Where mother is." (Keith L Brooks)

What a sweet statement on the importance of mom in the family. Home is wherever mom is.

I remember hearing Neal A. Maxwell say something along the lines of "Good homes are still the best source of good humans." So good humans are to be found in good homes -- which is wherever mom is.

Elder Gene R. Cook told the story of a fire that completely destroyed a family's home. Soon after, a neighbor came over to console their seven-year-old but was taught a great lesson himself. "Johnny, it's sure too bad that your home burned down." Johnny's reply? "Oh, that was not our home. That was just our house. We still have our home, we just don't have a place to put it right now."

Home. That's what it's all about. Wherever it is.

What Would You Like to Hear?

Three friends died in a car accident and once they arrived in heaven, they were asked, "When you are in your casket and family and friends are mourning over you, what would you like to hear them say about you?" (side note: I really thought about this as I read this story!)

The first man says, "I would like to hear them say that I was a great doctor of my time and a great family man."

The second man says, "I would like to hear that I was a wonderful husband and school teacher who made a huge difference in our children of tomorrow."

The last man replies, "I would like to hear them say, 'Look! He's moving!' "

You may laugh at this (and I did -- I agree with the last guy completely!) -- but it did make me think. I am not ready to leave this life and move on. There are things I need to do, want to do, and need to perfect. So for me, the lesson is clear: Make the most of every minute. Savor the beauty around you. Live life to the fullest. Learn from every experience, good or bad, then move on and do better. Remember always that life is really just a homeward journey back to the presence of God.

Too often we put things off till tomorrow -- but the reality is that we may not have tomorrow. We don't know how many tomorrows we get. So hug that little one, tell someone you love them. Be an example. Live your testimony. The only thing you can be sure of is that you have this day. Don't waste it.

Ah -- Lost Horizon!

Back in 1973, Hollywood remade the old Frank Capra movie "Lost Horizon" as a musical. I am dorky and cheesy enough to be willing to admit that I loved it. However, it was pretty much universally loathed by movie critics. Generally, audiences didn't like it much either. The music was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, but according to critics, the music didn't fit the ageless message of the movie, the story of Shangri-La. Critics agreed that the movie was too long, the characters were poorly cast, and that the music didn't work at all.

As you might imagine, it's hard to buy a copy of it as no one liked it and there are few copies available. (side note: I want it!) I loved the music and I loved the messages of many of the songs. There is one song entitled "Reflections" that was sung by Sally Kellerman (didn't know she sang, did you? Well, she's not much of a singer but it worked for that role) that had a very catchy tune and great words. I have the CD and I still think it has a great message.

"When you look at yourself, do you like what you see?

If you like what you see, you're the person you should be.

For your reflection reflects in everything you do,

And everything you do reflects on you.

When you wake up each day, do you like how you feel?

If you like how you feel, you've got nothing to conceal.

For your reflection reflects in everything you do,

And everything you do reflects on you.

Doing something for someone else isn't really for someone else;

It does twice as much for you as something you do just for yourself.

When you lay down to sleep, do you like all your dreams?

If you like all your dreams, life's as happy as it seems.

For your reflection reflects in everything you do,

And everything you do reflects on you."

I love the comment on doing something for someone else -- it's so true that service does more for you than for the person you are serving. Even the smallest act of service that I do for someone else makes me far happier than I imagine it does them!

Great message, and another fun trip down Memory Lane. Sigh. Loved that one -- too bad I was a member of a very small minority!

Shopping!!

Today Natie and I packed up the kiddoes and met our friend (and my counselor) Jane at the mall. We had such a good time -- Jane and I both did some returns, then the real shopping began and we had great luck with our mall finds today. Natalie found a cute top/dress at Old Navy, which I'm sure she'll fill you in on. She plans to wear it over black leggings and I'm sure will look awesome on her. (I didn't get to see it on as we were tag-teaming with dressing rooms and kiddoes at that point.

We found a wonderful little hat for Maya, to go with an outfit she has from the Gap (matches the outfit seen above) and is the perfect finishing touch. She also got a great shirt at Talbots, which was a bit of a surprise as I didn't even know they carried kids' stuff. They have a fun assortment of cute things, just FYI. I did well there too -- found a skirt to wear at my nephew's upcoming wedding, (pictured above in my messy closet) another skirt just because I liked it, and a top that's completely cute and will match a lot of what I already own. Much of it was heavily discounted which is always a plus.

Poor Mason! Once again, the boys don't do all that well on a girls' shopping trip. Lucky for him, he just doesn't care. As long as he got his lunch at Chick-Fil-A (he did) and his Snickerdoodle cookie from Nordstrom, he was happy. He's such a good shopper -- mostly wants to sit in the stroller and be cute and he's really good at that. Fun morning.

Friends -- a Precious Commodity

"I'd like to be the sort of friend that you have been to me.

I'd like to be the help that you are always glad to be.

I'd like to mean as much to you each minute of the day

As you have meant, dear friend of mine, to me along the way."

(Author Unknown)

A great big hug and a heartfelt thank-you goes out to all my friends out in the blogging world -- thank you so much for your loving words, your support, your kindness and your thoughts. I can't explain why I've been feeling so down lately. There is no good reason for it. I'm an excessively blessed person and I know it. I have a wonderful husband and family, I'm healthy, I have a calling that I love (I'm not in love with being the Primary president, but I"m in love with the Primary children for sure), I have a wonderful presidency to work with, a lovely home, and a great life. And I'm a Grandma! It doesn't get better than this -- so what's wrong with me??? I wish I knew!

Today I discovered that my Natalie has done something wonderful for me (again!). She is, as I have said before, so dear to my heart and never stops loving me and taking care of me. When I looked at her blog, I sat at the computer with tears as I read the things you all wrote. Thank you, thank you, thank you! What a gift!

Your words helped give me the determination to find a way to BE HAPPY -- and I'm going back to the basics. I need more sleep. I need to be more diligent with my scripture study. I need to keep exercise on my schedule. I need to be more prayerful -- to pray both more fervently and more in depth. I need to work harder on my calling. I need to love more unconditionally.

And I continue to push on. Lots of love going out to every one of you, my friends. Thank you!