Seasons

This is the most glorious time of yoar for me. I love the little shoots quietly poking through the ground and growing when I'm not looking. It's kind of like a Disney movie where they magically grow to beautiful music. This morning I walked by the open kitchen window and heard a meadow lark. That has to be the official sound of spring.
When I grew up in California the seasons were not so distinct and I'm not sure where one ended and another started. It seemed that something was always blooming or getting ready to. The only distinct season for me was summer basically because there was no school and swimming was a possibility. We went to the beach and I went to the local pool quite a bit. But, there was never enough swimming. I was terribly jealous of friends who had pools in their own backyard. I even helped my dad in his pool maintanence business so that I could take a couple of laps when the cleaning was done. Summers sweemed longer then with time to lay on the grass and watch clouds. Maybe that's why I can spot cloud shapes now and I still enjoy finding dragons, and elephants, and an old man snoring. One of my ALL TIME favorite things to do with my grandkids is to have them stay here and take swim lessons. I have loved seeing them go from not wanting to get their face wet to swimming laps the length of the pool. Some progress faster than others, isn't that the life plan. But all progress, laugh, share secrets, get to know their cousing better and have wonderful memories of eating ice cream for dinner or playing golf with Poppy or just being together. After they all go home I collapse from exhaustion but hope I can keep doing this little tradition for a long time.

As I looked forward to returning to Hawaii after 43 years I tried to remember what it was like back then. For one thing you could see waikiki beach from the street. You could access the beach almost anywhere. There wasn't a Tiffanys, Rolex, or Gap. Mostly I remember my young husband trying to learn to ride a surfboard and ending up sea sick; of the beautiful sunsets out the window of our hotel room; of eating Guava sherbert with every meal. The memories fade but the feelings are still there.
Going back to Hawaii wasn't like going back. Everything was new and different but the feeling was the same. We ate georgous & delicious food, we laughed constantly, we marveled at Gods creations, we relished time spent with good friends. We took a sea trip to see the beautiful humpback whales and we happened onto a beach where a 300 pound sea turtle was eating plant life in the shallow water a few yards from the beach. It was the best vacation we have ever taken and we look forward to doing it again

We had a fantastic Sabbath yesterday. So much so that we hated to go to bed and end it. Gale did 9 temple recommend interviews which are always fun cause he gets to know people and about them. I was alone in the nursery with 15 kids. The other nursery leader decided to get her temple recommend from the Bishop during the first hour of nursery. Let me tell you that it was not pretty. They were bellowing for cookies, crackers and water faster than I could get around the table. They are very cute but very noisy. Anyway we asked another lady to come in to help and the second hour was much better. So here is our staff: Sister Crystal Nelson is out with Pneumonia, I am still recovering (slowly) from my knee surgery and Sister Twolanie Bullock fell off a chair and wrenched her knee and is on crutches. If only they would all sit and let us read them books all would be well. Transfers are next Monday so we may be losing one of our sisters. We won't know until Friday. These sisters are so fun - all of them - I am so grateful that we could do this.

I remember when we didn't need Smoky the Bear at Birthday parties

Unlike me, Dad doesn't think that birthdays are a big deal. He usually orders his present sometime in January or sometimes a couple of times in January. But we still try to have a small celebration. This year he ordered chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting. Minon and the boys came over to mark the day and we began lighting the candles, and we lighted, and lighted , and lighted. We tried to hurry cause the first ones lit were getting very small. Anyway, it was fun and I am grateful for another year with this great man. I have pictures but they wouldn't load - darn!

Having a baby born into a family is always a wonderful event. Our newest addition, Elizabeth May Heiner was just such an occasion. She is petite and darling. I had such fun holding and snuggling her. It made me think of seven other little wonders. It's funny how sights and smells can transport you back to another time and for just a second let you relive some long forgotten event. I'm so glad that I was able to spend lots, and lots of time with my babies. What a blessing that special time is. With each one we realized more and more Heavenly Fathers wisdom and creative ability. Seven who are completely different. A new experience every time. They are my Jewels and oh how I love them.

Sad

Sunday one of the little boys in the Nursery had a three fingered red mark on his cheek. I thought at the time that it looked like a slap mark but trying not to add drama when there is none I dismissed it. Especially since one of the girls got her finger cut at the first knuckle and barely attached. Her mother sent her to the bathroom alone. We never do that! She is in surgery as I speak. Also, I have three children and their mother here now. The little boy with the slap mark that definately looks like a handprint today his brother, and sister are here talking to social services. Apparently he doesn't beat his wife but the kids are fair game. This little boy is barely over 2. I am appalled and shocked, and very sad.

Happy Thanksgiving

This will be the first Thanksgiving ever we haven't spent with Gram and Gramp. We are going to St. George for a few days since none of our children will be here. Gale and I love the place and wish we could retire there but as the saying goes "If wishes were horses...all beggars would ride" Thanksgiving has always been a big deal to me. It was the fun holiday when my mom would get out the good silverware, and china. I helped set the table and never realized how much my mom was doing in the kitchen. My gramma Kinard almost always came and she would sneak olives off the table before dinner was ready. Danny and I thought that was great fun until Mom blamed us. My mom was one of those women who was a very good cook but she didn't enjoy it at all. I remember always wanting the turkey leg, though now I can't fathom why. My mom had a special dish that we rarely used except for Cranberry Sauce right out of the can. After dinner the adults would lay around and some would nap and Danny and I would play outside. It is a warm fuzzy memory. Thanksgiving with Lois and Gale was much the same although there were always more people. Barbara and Guy were there one year with Barbaras brother, and Little Gramma was sometimes there and as our families grew it just got bigger and bigger. We all brought pies, and other delicious food but Lois cooked the turkey and did the most work. Lately she has made noises about not having it at her house and they will probably celebrate at Nancys house. I'm afraid that our family Thanksgiving may be coming to an end. I did have it at my house once when Gram and Gramp were on their mission. It was kind of fun to fuss over the table but Nancy and Rick were out of town so it was just us and Torrey since he didn't go with them. It was a nice dinner but it was a little too quiet and there weren't many children running in and out. I love our traditional dinners with Lois and Gale and wish they could go on forever.