"Suffer the little children to come unto me." Mark 10:14.
Four year old Emilee is feeding her baby brother, Levi. I love this picture. It is so precious.
Children are an heritage to the Lord. They are gifts sent from heaven above. They are born innocent and perfect! They depend on their mother and father and brothers and sisters to love and watch over them.
When I watch my grandchildren love each other it fills my heart with pure joy. There is nothing more precious than a child. I am so thankful to be a mother and a grandmother and to know such beautiful spirits.
September 4 - Corinne Rodeo
Every year on Labor Day the town of Corrine puts on a free rodeo for the children. Chad and Makaela help every year, too. So that means I usually go out with Kelsey and watch for awhile. The little buck-a-roo's ride calves. They chase sheep for prizes, and the older kids race around barrels. It's slow moving but it's funded by donations only and all the workers are volunteer. It's a great service. These youngsters who want to experience the thrill of "riding a bull! get that opportunity every Labor Day.
A group of young boys were sitting on the fence as they watched the rodeo commence. I couldn't resist taking this picture and then had fun editing it.
Labor Day bbq
Levi, all smiles!
We had a bbq at our house later on in the day. I love our traditional burgers with all the trimmings, corn on the cob, salads, watermelon, and brownies. Our labor day bbq is the perfect ending to summer. The kids take advantage and play in the waterfall and run around on the grass kicking soccer balls and playing Frisbee.
The sunset was spectacular! Thanks to all the forest fires burning out in the west. Wish we didn't have so much of that, but it does make beautiful sunsets.
September 5 - #17
Makaela is a senior. So hard to believe! I've tired to make it to most of her home games this year. Makaela, #17, is a great team player, a good sport in every way, and a great role model for those who will come after her. It was a great year. Good job Lady Bears!
September 7 - Angelversery
Another year has come without Steve in it. It's his 2nd Angelversery. We refuse to focus our thoughts on his death. Today, on a whim, we decided we would do something nice for someone. We wanted to provide a service. Since Kelsey has started working, she only had her lunch break for us to do something. We decided to go to lunch and look for someone we could pay for, as well. We went to the Grill located at the Bowling Alley in Tremonton. A group of women caught our attention and we asked to pay for their lunch. It was fun to secretly watch their reaction. It brought just as much joy to us as it did them. And... no doubt it brought a huge smile to Steven's face. He always had a huge heart and had a yearning desire to serve and help people. He didn't have the means to do much, but what he could do made a difference. Even if it were only a smile!
Thank you Steven for the inspiration to do more, serve more, love more! We miss you! We love you! Thank you for being with us on days like this.
September 11 - Emilee's Birthday Party
Emilee's family birthday party was so much fun. She is the sweetest little girl I know. She doesn't know it... but her parties in the past have been over shadowed by sickness and heartache. Audrey's morning sickness, Steve's death, and unexpected anxiety took precedence over the last few years. But... being who she is, Emilee always had the best birthday's. She always has a smile on her face and a cheerful disposition. But, still, watching her this year was extra special for me... because I knew.
She was showered with lots of love! She got stuffed animals, a Doc McStuffin' fix-it station, and a doctor's coat and clothes to go with it. But that's not all, Alia and Ben spent the day making things, like a cardboard t.v. and a wallet made out of duck tape. These kids are so creative, and I loved the look on Emilee's face when she was presented with the gifts from them. Grandma gave her a dress she can twirl in.
Emilee's cake was decorated for a princess. Perfect for her! It will double as a cake for her friend party, as well.
September 12 - Party for a Princess
Audrey threw another spectacular birthday party for sweet princess Emilee. She dressed up as Elsa, from the movie Frozen. She had a few friends over and they played princess games. I loved the decorations Audrey made for the party, especially the big tissue paper flowers. Clever! The girls were all so cute in their princess dresses, and the most beautiful one of all was the birthday girl... Emilee!
The kids have been itching to go to Lee's Pond to feed the ducks. I took the older kids while Audrey stayed home with the two sleeping younger boys. Feeding the ducks is always fun, but watching them jump across the rocks over the pond is something I really enjoy watching them do. All the energy, enthusiasm, and joy come gushing out as they jump and run from one place to another.
I love the sound of the seagull, and I love watching them perch on rocks and other markers. There is something that draws me to them. Their cry, the soft white color of their feathers, or maybe because they were a big part of our state's history.
After the pioneers got to the Salt Lake valley and planted their first year's crops, crickets by the thousands and thousands started to eat them. Then a miracle happened! Seagulls came by the thousands and thousands, as well, and scooped the crickets up in their bills and took them out and dumped them in the Great Salt Lake. They came back over and over again until all the crickets were gone. I love that story. It is a story of miracles and faith. It is a story of God's love for His children.
September 16 - 2nd Annual "Walk with Someone"
Kelsey, Makaela, Audrey and the kids and I went to the 2nd Annual Walk With Someone. A walk to raise suicide awareness in the community. The Brigham City Suicide Prevention is an organization to help those who have been affected by suicide and those who may be contemplating suicide. It is a great service for the community. It is becoming more visible. Donations are increasing. Workshops, grieving groups, and increased awareness will hopefully make a difference and turn the tide to this ever growing problem.
After a brief introduction to the day's events, we went for a walk around Pioneer Park. The kids enjoyed face painting and the bounce house. We light dinner of sloppy joes and chips were made available.
Posters of loved ones who died by suicide were on display at the park, as well as hundreds of yellow pinwheels serving as a reminder of the number of people in our community who have attempted and/or committed suicide in just the last year. The number is staggering. It is hard for me to bring the name suicide to my mind... because it is our family's reality. And it is a hard one. My heart increases. I feel panicked. Tears swell up in my eyes. "I can't go there!" Steve should be here. But he's not. I'm not mad at him, but the sting of his death hurts so very deeply.
Celebrating 60 years!
Today I hit a milestone. Sixty years on earth! Wow! Where did the time go? Kelsey and Audrey's families came up and we had a dutch oven dinner, compliments of Chad. Audrey made me a cake that has become a tradition, Texas Sheet Cake. She added pumpkin and chocolate chips. Yummy!
September 26-29 - San Francisco
Kelsey was invited to display her doctorate's final project at the National Domestic Violence Awareness Coalition in San Francisco. Amie and I tagged along with her. She spent two days sharing her project and answering questions for interested persons. She also had the rare opportunity of attending training workshops on DV. I attended one class with her, which I always enjoy.
It was the time away from the workshops that we really enjoyed. Despite transportation problems in the city, we found enjoyment at Pier 9, a place by the sea. The breeze was cool. Seagulls could be seen and heard. The shops were filled with souvenirs. You could see for miles in any direction... Alcatraz and the Golden Gate bridge, as well as San Francisco. The seals were my favorite. Hundreds climb upon the wooden planks to bathe in the sun. Once in awhile you would see one dive into the ocean for a swim.
Kelsey and Audrey bought some jackets and other clothing items for souvenirs. Me... I just bought a little bag of Girardelli Mint Chocolate squares. That was good enough for me!
Amie provided our entertainment. She is friendly to everyone, makes friends easily, and is very funny. She had us laughing alot!
On the last day, we still had some groceries left over that we had bought at Trader Joes (which I am not a fan of after shopping there). We decided to bag it up and give it to someone in need, rather than just throw it away. As we carried it to the bus, we found a man digging in the trash for food. That provided the opportunity to give. Amie, with her big and kind heart, offered some food to him. She said he looked at the yogurt and tried to find an expiration date on it and asked her when it expired. "Really!" It was fresh, free food! But we did our service.
We rode out to the Golden Gate Bridge before going to the airport. It was expansive and bold. A pretty site across the bay!
We didn't get on the trolley cars but got some great pictures. It was expensive! In fact, San Francisco is expensive! It will be my last trip there. It is not my favorite place.
Levi
Levi was not a fan of his binkie. Instead, he found his two middle fingers! He is the only one out of the entire family that has sucked his fingers, besides Amie. So... Amie and Levi have something in common!
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