February

February 1 - Baptism

I can't think of a better way to start the month than going to Tera and Tianna's baptisms. They were just beautiful in their white dresses. Their spirits were just as white--pure and clean. I know Heavenly Father was very proud of the choice they made to be baptized. Their mother, too! They were baptized by Greg Oliver, their grandfather, and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by uncles Mike Mecham and Robby Donaldson. 

I just love these two little granddaughters!

February 4 - Chores

Makaela and Brayden bringing the firewood in. Got to keep the fire burning! Kelsey and Chad have their children well trained! I can't think of a better way than bringing up children to be responsible in household chores. Responsible children make responsible adults!  When their mother asked them to do it, they went straight away and did it! No complaints, nothing!  I am proud of all them.

Roses

Lucky Dave... he's off the hook this year for Valentine's Day. Not that he would have got me any, anyway! Brayden and I went in the Bear River Valley Coop to buy a 49 cent pop. When we went to check out, they had us both pick out a bouquet of a dozen roses. For FREE! One for me and one for Kelsey. That was a very nice surprise.

February 5 - Snow

This was the first snow I've seen since coming back from Europe. It sure was a welcome site, even though it didn't stay long. We need the moisture. Our stake leaders and region round about asked that we participate in a special fast -- for moisture! It's been so dry. We need a lot more moisture to help sustain us through the summer months. We farmers depend on a good, wet winter for our crops.

Afternoon visit

Sure was glad to have Audrey and the kids come up for the afternoon. Audrey worked on diaper repair. Ben played marbles on the roller rack. Alia watched cartoons and talked grandma (didn't take much) out of paper purses. Emilee enjoyed her snacks, milk, and playing with toys from the attic. It was a great day!

Lookin' German

Later in the evening, I attended Brayden's World's Fair at school. He and a couple of classmates did a display on Germany. I found this authentic German outfit for Brayden on the last day before coming home. It is made out of genuine leather. And, I love the cap. So German!

February 6 - Alia's Box Pet

I went shopping with Alia and her mom today. It was a girl's day out! We went to JoAnn's. Alia took charge. After all, it was her school project! She took the shopping cart and picked out paper, eyes, ribbon, buttons, and pipe cleaners for her box pet. Thinking... pig! 

Then, when we got back home, she covered and decorated the box, (with guidance from mom), and tadah!... presenting

Alia's Pretty Pink Princess Pig!

It was the best box pet I had ever seen! It was so much fun watching Alia shop and decorate her box. Grandma was so proud!

Fast forward to present your box pet day at school. Audrey went into the classroom and just about broke down into tears, literally. Alia's Pretty Pink Princess Pig looked so amateurish next to all the elaborate, box upon box, pets that were displayed around the room. 

Mother's... of all people! The mothers had all done their children's school project. Audrey's thoughts... "I thought this was suppose to be a kindergartner's project."  She felt bad, to say the least and couldn't believe what she saw. Audrey's heart broke in two for her daughter. 

PARENTS SHOULD NEVER, EVER DO THEIR CHILDREN'S WORK FOR THEM. NOT EVER! How are children ever going to learn? Learn to be responsible. Learn to be honest. Learn to do things at their age level. Learn to be creative. Learn to grow and develop at their own pace. Learn to achieve. Learn how it feels to be successful because they did it! 

Parents....  what a dis-service. And... how dishonest! I am disgusted. And, I am only the grandparent.

One consolation to this story... the teacher told Alia her box pet WON! Why? Because... 

SHE DID IT ALL BY HERSELF!

Purple Sweater

I wore Shaniel's purple sweater today! And, did I tell you how much I love, love, purple! It was Shaniel's favorite color, so I've learned to love it, a lot!

I paired it with a beautiful scarf I bought from Dress Barn, one of my favorite places to buy clothes. It's odd... trying to take your own picture! Doesn't always look right.

February 7 -  Shaniel's Portrait

Kelly Donavan, an old western local artist painted Shaniel's portrait for me. He had me come up and work out the details of her face and hair today. When he had me look at her picture a week ago, I didn't feel satisfied with the details of her features, and today I stayed there until I was. He widened her eyes (still not quite there... but good enough), took out some of the lines on her face (she needed to look more youthful), and straightened out her lips and colored them a pink. He added her favorite necklace and earrings.

It started looking more and more like her, but it wasn't until he did one stroke--by adding a highlight to her hair, that it hit me... "finally, it looks like Shaniel!" It took me so off guard at that very moment, that I instantly gasped and started to cry. It looked like my Shaniel! I exclaimed to the artist "that looks like her!". He put his arm around me and asked, "are you all right?"  I felt his compassion. All I can say is... it was a joyful feeling. I felt so grateful! In fact, at that same moment a thought entered my mind about other artists--when painting a picture of Jesus, the Christ. They must surely be inspired and know when it "finally looks like Him". I had no doubt that is how it happens.

It's funny how things evolve. It was a year before Shaniel passed away that I really wanted to have a picture of my children and I, dressed in white, in a wheat field. It was pressing on my mind. We never got that picture. Excuses being Audrey was pregnant and Kelsey and I wanted to lose weight. Now... I understand why I felt so strongly about getting that picture. Now... this will have to do. But I am grateful for the picture I have of her now.

I knew I wanted a painting of her right after she passed away. Just like this. Just like I imagined when I wanted the picture taken of me and the kids. I wanted her in white--to represent purity. I wanted her in a wheat field--to represent the harvest. The end life. Her harvest had come. I wanted her hands outstretched--to represent that she was ready to embrace the next phase of life. That of life on the other side of the veil. I wanted a smile on her face. Because she was always like that. Ready for the next adventure, full of life, full of joy, laughing with a happy heart. That's how I wanted to see Shaniel. Because that is Shaniel!

I call this painting... inspired! Inspired to be the way it is. Inspired from Father In Heaven. For me to look at every single day and be reminded of His love for her and me. That He has a plan for her. She has embraced that plan wholeheartedly and is moving toward her progression to eternal life. So blessed!

February 9 - Best day of my life! A gift from Family Search

Today was the best day of my life! I had been anticipating this day for an entire year. The day when I would see Shaniel's name come up in Family Search as needing her temple work done. 

I was just about to go to bed and decided to check the site one more time. Just in case. Even though I officially had one more day to wait. When I typed in Shaniel's name, her ordinance work release was starring me right in the face. I was so excited!! I can't even begin to explain it. My heart was racing. My heart was so full. I was jumping up and down. I got on the phone right away to tell Kelsey and Audrey about it. I called Leslie after I reserved it. She has been such a strength and blessing in my life.

I did not waste any time at all requesting and reserving my daughter's temple ordinance work. In a few short minutes I had Shaniel's work reserved. I felt relieved. I felt grateful. I felt Shaniel's happiness. I know she has waited with great anticipation for this day. Just like her mother! 

I cried tears... many tears! But they were not tears of sorrow, they were tears of joy!

February 10 - Happy ANGELVERSARY!

Our beautiful angel, Shaniel!

We decided that today was not going to be a day of sad remembrance. The day of Shaniel's death. Rather, we wanted it to be a day of celebration. A day to have joy. I love Kelsey's term for today--and it will be forever...

Happy first ANGELVERSARY!

It was a beautiful day! The sun was shinning! Not a cloud in the sky. A far contrast to last year. Kelsey, Audrey, and I spent the good part of the day together eating and shopping. Sharing memories of Shaniel. Laughing and just enjoying each other's company. It was the perfect day to be together. We each wore something of Shaniel's. Kelsey and Audrey wore a Shaniel necklace. Audrey wore her shirt and jacket. I wore her purple sweater and scarf that she wore to the Homestead Inn in Midway. It was the last time I saw her alive. We brought life back to ourselves and to Shaniel today. I hope she enjoyed her day as much as we did!

 I love you... sweet Angel.

 February 11- Day Adventures with the Mecham's

I just love being with my kids! They bring smiles upon smiles to my face and life. Today, we ate dinner at the Pizza Pie Cafe in North Ogden. It was good! I'd never had so many choices of pizza. Dessert pizza, too. Pasta, green salad, bread sticks! Yummm. 

We had FREE ENTERTAINMENT! AND IT WAS THE BEST! Ben entertained the diners with his Batman run and slide across the entire floor. Alia entertained the diners with fancy dancing and twirling moves. I just love my kiddos! They were oblivious to anyone watching... they were just enjoying being kids. Lots of chuckles going on in that diner! Who wouldn't love the best kind of entertainment--kids!

After dinner, I gave each of the kids a quarter to get a bouncy ball out of the machine. The entertainment started up again. This time--all three kids. Grandma got her video going. They had a ball bouncing and chasing their 25 cent balls.

Our last stop on our day adventure--the Olympic Skating Rink at WSU to sign Alia up for skating lessons. She was enthralled with the idea of skating like an Olympian. She's been practicing her twirls and jumps and said she is ready to begin! I can see OLYMPIC STAR! written all over her face!

February 12 - Painting Lesson

I had my first painting lesson today with Kelly Donavan. It was a little intimidating, but I got through it. My first landscape picture is of the Grand Tetons in Wyoming. I love art, and I've always wanted to paint. I'm hoping this leads to some satisfying paintings--that the kids will enjoy having someday. I told Kelsey she gets this first painting since she loves Jackson Hole!

February 14 - Valentine's Day is NOT for treats!

...at least not this year. The kids are constantly eating snacks, sweets, and junk food. So, I thought of what I might do this year for Valentine's Day to offset the normal. I decided to surprise them with a healthy lunch. I bought a lunch bag for each child and filled it with fresh fruit and vegetables. crackers and cheese, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, yogurt, and chocolate milk. I did buy some strawberry wafer cookies. I dipped the ends in white chocolate and covered them with red sprinkles. They got two cookies each. 

The best part of the day.... placing the lunch bags on the doorstep, knocking of the door, and running so they couldn't see who was delivering valentines (just like I used to when I was a kid). 

I came through the back door to hear squeals of surprise from the kids as they opened up the door to find lunch bags filled with goodies. Ben said "Holy Moly, we get to eat!" He was so excited to dive in! Audrey spread a blanket out on the living room floor for the kids to have a Valentine's Day picnic, courtesy of grandma!

Kelsey and Chad went to Ogden for Chad's birthday. They stayed over night so Makaela and Brayden spent the night with me. We chilled.. or I did! Watching the Winter Olympic games. I enjoyed watching them this year. It was especially rewarding watching our Utahn's win medals. What a great state we live in! Lots of talent coming out of here.

Home

Why? Because it's the best place on earth to be! It has been so warm--in the 50's during the day. I took a walk to the barn today and found an abandoned bird nest from last spring. It was still in perfect condition. That was a pleasant surprise.

February 17 - Mine Craft Birthday

Kelsey throws the best birthday parties ever! Her children have it really, really good. She gives them a special party at 5 years, 8 years, and 12 years. This year Brayden wanted a Mine Craft party. It was over the top! Potions, snacks, tnt licorice bundles, a Mine Craft cake, personal badges, and lots more. She decorated the house to look like they were inside Mine Craft. They had to enter into the tv room through a portal (purple crepe paper streamers). The boys played Mine Craft for awhile and then ventured into the big outdoors, it was so warm. Awesome party!

February 18 - Best Day of My Life... again!

I've been having a lot of "best days of my life" lately. Kelsey had an interview at the U of U today, and I rode down with her. While she was in her interview, I went to the temple, printed off Shaniel's ordinance card, strolled around Temple Square, and just enjoyed the spirit and spring like weather. It was such a beautiful day. I loved it! I couldn't believe I had Shaniel's pink temple ordinance card in hand. I just wanted to hug it all day long... and I did! Best day ever!!

February 20 - Look who lost her first tooth!

Ali Bear! She called me up today... "grandma, guess what?" "What!" "I lost my first tooth today!" She was so excited! A grown up tooth is already pushing up. It was only hanging on by a thread. It was that loose. 

She said her friend at school said "just wiggle it and pull it out real fast." Alia said "no, I don't want to." Friend said, "I will do it for you!". Well, that didn't happen either. But... when she got home, she bit into an apple for lunch, and out it came!

And, what did she find underneath her pillow that night? Two quarters from the tooth fairy! Exciting days for a 5 year old!

February 21 - Mammogram

Second time around. Doctor called and said I didn't pass my routine mammogram and that I needed to go back in for a diagnostic mammogram. Like Kelsey did when she passed out. But, I didn't pass out. And before I left I was given the good news that everything was normal. Thank goodness!

February 26 - Recycle

After my painting lesson, after Kelsey and I ate lunch at our favorite place in Corrine (Bear River Valley Coop), I dropped off some boxes, plastic, and newspaper at the Recycle lot in Brigham City. I go there quite often, it seems. 

Future Olympian

Bear, as Ben calls her, had her first ice skating lesson at the Olympic Ice Skating Rink at WSU in Ogden. Alia was a natural! She listened to instructions and followed them to a tee.

Beginners were taught how to...

• get up off the ice when they fall. check!
• skate, or move, across the ice. check!
• put out arms to the side while skating. check!

Alia had the biggest grin on her face as she glided gracefully across the ice. And notice--she's the only one standing. The rest are clinging to their teachers. I'd say...she's destined to be an 

Olympic Star!

Month in Review:

Birthdays and Special Occasions

I might add, the leap year birthday girl, had an extraordinary year this year. And, it's not even leap year! Makaela reached the mature enough age (14) to have a facebook account. And, I'm sure she will be very responsible! And, she got a smart phone! Wow! She's growing up. She's no longer a Beehive. She's graduated to Mia Maid. Can't believe it!

Riley turned 14 years old this year, too. He's no longer a deacon. He's a teacher! Congratulations to a very special young man. 

Brayden turned 12 years old this year. On Sunday, February 23, he was ordained a deacon and received the Aaronic priesthood from his dad. He is growing up way too fast.

Grandma sure is proud and loves her grandchildren!