All day long yesterday I was kind of in a blue funk. I really didn't know why but I was just a little depressed all day. I also kept thinking about my mother. Now I do think about Mom quite often but not like yesterday. Then last night in the middle of the night it hit me. Mom would have been 80 years old yesterday. I guess sub-consciously I was missing her on her birthday. The funny thing about the whole thing is that Clyde brought me flowers when he came home from work just out of the blue. We have a favorite quote from the movie 'Finding Forrester' that goes "An unexpected gift at and an unexpected time..." so whenever we do something like this that is what we quote. Clyde walked in the door last night quoting that with the flowers in his hand. That did lift my spirits immeasurably to receive such a beautiful bouquet of flowers. That is another plus of living here in Rhode Island. There are flowers sold everywhere from the street corners to the grocery stores and for a very reasonable price. This bouquet is in the largest vase I own and I know it didn't cost that much (Clyde loves me but he is not extravagant).
I am so glad that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am grateful that I am sealed to my parents. I do have an incredible mother, who overcame many great obstacles in her life because of her illnesses. When our daughters' were little she was a fantastic grandmother to them and I have always been grateful that she had the health then to spoil her granddaughters. The last few years of her life were not that great but she has more than made up for that now. I know what she watches over her great-grandchildren and is their guardian angel. Too many 'spooky' coincidences have happened with our grandchildren that have her mark all over them. She is here and taking care of her family still. I am blessed to have her help since I cannot be there.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
When Life Gets In the Way
I was scolded the other day because it has been so long since I wrote anything. The reason I haven't written is because I haven't had much that was happy to write about. This morning I decided that I would just have to make it happy no matter what. My life is not that dismal. The problem is that the mundane things keep getting in the way.
Last week we had a funeral and Clyde has had so many problems as bishop that for several days his gout was so bad he was limping. On Monday his gout flared up to the point he had to come home from work. He literally slept all day. I had the stomach flu and I think he had a touch of it too. Wednesday we were involved with the funeral all day until 4:30. Then my Achievement Girls came to the Church. We were going to wash the nursery toys in a baby pool outside so the girls were to come in their play clothes. We ended up with a really bad thunderstorm so we did genealogy instead inside and then played Webkinz. I will have to do the nursery toy activity later. Have I said how cute these girls are?! I love them so much. They make me laugh so hard. They try so hard to do what is right and that makes my job even easier.
Yesterday our surrogate grandson, Joshua Halverson was ordained a deacon. He has been so excited about this that he has been counting down the days since January 1. It was a special blessing but then that is no surprise. He is an amazing young man. I would not be surprised to see him sitting in the front of the Conference Center someday in some capacity. He is an amazing individual.
So amazingly wonderful things have happened to balance out the sad (of which I only mentioned the flu! The funeral was blessing to the woman who died). We are blessed to have the gospel in our lives and know that Jesus is the Christ. How lucky am I to have my amazing family?!
Last week we had a funeral and Clyde has had so many problems as bishop that for several days his gout was so bad he was limping. On Monday his gout flared up to the point he had to come home from work. He literally slept all day. I had the stomach flu and I think he had a touch of it too. Wednesday we were involved with the funeral all day until 4:30. Then my Achievement Girls came to the Church. We were going to wash the nursery toys in a baby pool outside so the girls were to come in their play clothes. We ended up with a really bad thunderstorm so we did genealogy instead inside and then played Webkinz. I will have to do the nursery toy activity later. Have I said how cute these girls are?! I love them so much. They make me laugh so hard. They try so hard to do what is right and that makes my job even easier.
Yesterday our surrogate grandson, Joshua Halverson was ordained a deacon. He has been so excited about this that he has been counting down the days since January 1. It was a special blessing but then that is no surprise. He is an amazing young man. I would not be surprised to see him sitting in the front of the Conference Center someday in some capacity. He is an amazing individual.
So amazingly wonderful things have happened to balance out the sad (of which I only mentioned the flu! The funeral was blessing to the woman who died). We are blessed to have the gospel in our lives and know that Jesus is the Christ. How lucky am I to have my amazing family?!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Newport Ward
The good thing about living in Rhode Island is we live in great ward. I have lived in very few wards as friendly as this one or as solicitous. People truly care and watch over each other. I love that about the ward members here. In fact I am probably the slacker in the bunch (which is not a very good pronouncement from the bishop's wife). I used to hate Sundays. When our daughters were growing up and especially when they are little and I had to get them ready to go to Church all by myself - Sundays were my least favorite day of the week. It has only been in the last few years that I have gotten over that. In fact these are the reasons I like Sundays and especially Sundays in Newport.
1. Because Bishopric meeting is at 7:20 a.m we are in the building by 7:15. It gives me time to do genealogy and get things ready for the Sabbath (like the calendar on the bulletin board and sometimes clean up the kitchen) before Church starts (at 9:30).
2. We are the only ward that meets in our building so we don't have to worry about hurrying out afterwards. If something is left on my desk in the family history center it will be there on Wednesday when I come in to open the library in the evening.
3. I love feeding the military students every week. I must admit I felt a bit angry when the bishopric before this current one took it from my hands solely and made it a Relief Society activity. I loved doing it all on my own. However when I started doing it there were 6 students. Yesterday we fed 22. It does become a bit of a burden when you are doing that week after week. And it is a blessing to those that do help.
4. Since I have not been able to get around for the last few months I am astonished at the number of people that have offered to get me to appointments and take me places. It hasn't been just to be nice. The offers have come repeatedly from the same people. I have been amazed.
5. Our Sacrament Meetings are very spiritual and it isn't the same people speaking every week. Our bishopric goes out of its way to make sure that everyone gets a turn speaking - even the military students that are here for a few months. Our pool is not very big and so pretty much every one gets a chance at some point to speak while they are here no matter how short their time. Two weeks ago the inactive son of the Second Counselor in the bishopric spoke and did an amazing job. He has been to Church for 3 weeks now
These are just a few of the reasons I love this ward and why it makes living here in Rhode Island a wonderful experience. In truth the only downer to being here is the family members are so far away. It does help that the Davis Family is now an easy day's drive. For that I am grateful.
1. Because Bishopric meeting is at 7:20 a.m we are in the building by 7:15. It gives me time to do genealogy and get things ready for the Sabbath (like the calendar on the bulletin board and sometimes clean up the kitchen) before Church starts (at 9:30).
2. We are the only ward that meets in our building so we don't have to worry about hurrying out afterwards. If something is left on my desk in the family history center it will be there on Wednesday when I come in to open the library in the evening.
3. I love feeding the military students every week. I must admit I felt a bit angry when the bishopric before this current one took it from my hands solely and made it a Relief Society activity. I loved doing it all on my own. However when I started doing it there were 6 students. Yesterday we fed 22. It does become a bit of a burden when you are doing that week after week. And it is a blessing to those that do help.
4. Since I have not been able to get around for the last few months I am astonished at the number of people that have offered to get me to appointments and take me places. It hasn't been just to be nice. The offers have come repeatedly from the same people. I have been amazed.
5. Our Sacrament Meetings are very spiritual and it isn't the same people speaking every week. Our bishopric goes out of its way to make sure that everyone gets a turn speaking - even the military students that are here for a few months. Our pool is not very big and so pretty much every one gets a chance at some point to speak while they are here no matter how short their time. Two weeks ago the inactive son of the Second Counselor in the bishopric spoke and did an amazing job. He has been to Church for 3 weeks now
These are just a few of the reasons I love this ward and why it makes living here in Rhode Island a wonderful experience. In truth the only downer to being here is the family members are so far away. It does help that the Davis Family is now an easy day's drive. For that I am grateful.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Phases of our Lives
The birth of Dutch has made me think about each of my daughters' births. When Carianne was born a friend gave me this poem. I wanted to cross stitch and frame it on the wall but I lost it for years. I just found it again a few years ago. In tribute to my newest grandchild I print it here
"Plastic Little Children"
~ Unknown ~
Plastic little children,
Made of Heaven's clay,
Oh Father, give us vision
To mold them right this day.
Potential gods in miniature,
We must have help from Thee,
For how they're fashioned here today,
Will endure through all eternity.
I hear people my age that regret how they rushed through their childrens' childhood. I have to say that I don't have that regret. I would remind myself daily - just after I said my morning prayers - that this day was unique and I needed to live that day. I never dreamed about when you were older and the what ifs. I knew they would come all too quickly. For many people I am way too laid back but in this case I am grateful for that quality. With children there is nothing better. I can tell you when I was testy and tended to lose my temper more quickly - exactly what time of the month that fell. Unfortunately for me that was more often than most women. If there was a regret that would be it. I didn't understand how much my hormones were in control of me.
I do love being a grandmother. I love being the mother of 4 of the most amazing mothers on the earth right now. You have no idea how proud I am of you. Your dad and I know you and your spouses are much better parents than we are and we are proud of that fact. We don't know what we did right but whatever it was it was really right! We couldn't be more blessed.
"Plastic Little Children"
~ Unknown ~
Plastic little children,
Made of Heaven's clay,
Oh Father, give us vision
To mold them right this day.
Potential gods in miniature,
We must have help from Thee,
For how they're fashioned here today,
Will endure through all eternity.
I hear people my age that regret how they rushed through their childrens' childhood. I have to say that I don't have that regret. I would remind myself daily - just after I said my morning prayers - that this day was unique and I needed to live that day. I never dreamed about when you were older and the what ifs. I knew they would come all too quickly. For many people I am way too laid back but in this case I am grateful for that quality. With children there is nothing better. I can tell you when I was testy and tended to lose my temper more quickly - exactly what time of the month that fell. Unfortunately for me that was more often than most women. If there was a regret that would be it. I didn't understand how much my hormones were in control of me.
I do love being a grandmother. I love being the mother of 4 of the most amazing mothers on the earth right now. You have no idea how proud I am of you. Your dad and I know you and your spouses are much better parents than we are and we are proud of that fact. We don't know what we did right but whatever it was it was really right! We couldn't be more blessed.
Monday, July 7, 2008
I thought I would share with you the two granddaughters we have adopted here. Taylor is 8 and Ashley is 14. Joshua, their brother will be 12 on July 25 but I don't have a picture of him. We did a joint lesson on modesty with the YW and the Faith in God girls. The counselor over the MIA Maids is a hairdresser and make-up consultant (Loren Steck is her husbands cousin). Anyway we took pictures after Christine did their hair. Next time we are getting hats and having them dress up and we will 'Glamour Shots'.
Celebrating
I found this fun quote by one of my personal favorites - Erma Bombeck:
"You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patrotism!"
We are steeped in traditions about the 4th of July and Revolutiony War Memorials here. After all Rhode Island was number 13 of the original 13 states. Our ward building sits on the Miantonomi Battle site. It was just discoverd that a battle was fought there in the last few years but apparently in the 1800's someone had put up a memorial that had been trampled on and grown over. It wasn't a very big battle and the British won but nonetheless a battle it was.
Newport was held by the British for several years. We have Thames Street (pronounced like 'same' with a long a not like the British 'tems'. I said 'tems' a couple of times when I was first here and people didn't know what I was talking about). In fact many of the streets and alleys match up to some of the streets in London and other port cities of England because of the occupation. For 7 years battles raged for this island. It was an important port because of the Narraganset Bay that protects us from the ocean just enough and is still accessible to the ocean. Newport was a very desirable seaport and so both sides fought hard to keep it. It was one of the last British strongholds.
Bristol, Rhode Island has the distinction of holding the record for most continuous 4th of July parades without a break. This year was the 172nd year. They even paint the road stripes red white and blue in honor of the 4th of July.
Rhode Island is the smallest state in the union but it has the longest name. Its real name is Rhode Island Providence Plantation. We actually live on the Rhode Island part. The state capital is on the mainland and that is the 'Providence Plantaiton' part of the state. Rhode Island has over 14 inhabited islands but Aquidneck (the one where we live) is the biggest.
That comes to the end of our history lesson. It is interesting to be in a area so steeped in such early American history. It is quite humbling actually.
"You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patrotism!"
We are steeped in traditions about the 4th of July and Revolutiony War Memorials here. After all Rhode Island was number 13 of the original 13 states. Our ward building sits on the Miantonomi Battle site. It was just discoverd that a battle was fought there in the last few years but apparently in the 1800's someone had put up a memorial that had been trampled on and grown over. It wasn't a very big battle and the British won but nonetheless a battle it was.
Newport was held by the British for several years. We have Thames Street (pronounced like 'same' with a long a not like the British 'tems'. I said 'tems' a couple of times when I was first here and people didn't know what I was talking about). In fact many of the streets and alleys match up to some of the streets in London and other port cities of England because of the occupation. For 7 years battles raged for this island. It was an important port because of the Narraganset Bay that protects us from the ocean just enough and is still accessible to the ocean. Newport was a very desirable seaport and so both sides fought hard to keep it. It was one of the last British strongholds.
Bristol, Rhode Island has the distinction of holding the record for most continuous 4th of July parades without a break. This year was the 172nd year. They even paint the road stripes red white and blue in honor of the 4th of July.
Rhode Island is the smallest state in the union but it has the longest name. Its real name is Rhode Island Providence Plantation. We actually live on the Rhode Island part. The state capital is on the mainland and that is the 'Providence Plantaiton' part of the state. Rhode Island has over 14 inhabited islands but Aquidneck (the one where we live) is the biggest.
That comes to the end of our history lesson. It is interesting to be in a area so steeped in such early American history. It is quite humbling actually.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Reasons I Like Living in Rhode Island
After my last writing I decided I had better write something fun. So here are couple of reasons I like living in Rhode Island.
1. The names of places. Where else would you have Buzzard's Bay, Swansea, Seakonk, and Braintree? I crack-up on the news whenever they talk about Buzzard's Bay. It is in danger because the fresh water and sea water are starting to mix. Who would name someplace so beautiful such an ugly name!
2. We live in one of the friendliest wards I have ever lived in. That is saying quite a lot - I know but this is the most outgoing and friendly group of people you would ever meet. If someone hasn't introduced themselves to you - then they are visitors themselves!
3. It is beautiful here no matter what the season. We don't live to far from Narraganset Bay and our apartment complex is kept up nicely. The flowers and trees, even the snow and wintry weather are pretty around here. If the bitter cold didn't go with the wintry weather it would be easier to handle. However while the rest of you are roasting - Pam and I are staying in the 70's and lower 80's (if we are lucky we get to 80!). We have had so much rain that only once have Dad and I made it to the 80's all summer but then Aquidneck Island where Middletown and Newport are located kind of has its own weather system. The mainland is always 5-10 degrees warmer in summer and 5-10 degrees cooler in the winter. It helps to be surrounded by water.
Truly the only downside to being here is being so far from family. A 10 hour drive to Pam's isn't bad now and I don't feel nearly as cut off any more. I will be happy when I get my legs back so that I can travel again though.
1. The names of places. Where else would you have Buzzard's Bay, Swansea, Seakonk, and Braintree? I crack-up on the news whenever they talk about Buzzard's Bay. It is in danger because the fresh water and sea water are starting to mix. Who would name someplace so beautiful such an ugly name!
2. We live in one of the friendliest wards I have ever lived in. That is saying quite a lot - I know but this is the most outgoing and friendly group of people you would ever meet. If someone hasn't introduced themselves to you - then they are visitors themselves!
3. It is beautiful here no matter what the season. We don't live to far from Narraganset Bay and our apartment complex is kept up nicely. The flowers and trees, even the snow and wintry weather are pretty around here. If the bitter cold didn't go with the wintry weather it would be easier to handle. However while the rest of you are roasting - Pam and I are staying in the 70's and lower 80's (if we are lucky we get to 80!). We have had so much rain that only once have Dad and I made it to the 80's all summer but then Aquidneck Island where Middletown and Newport are located kind of has its own weather system. The mainland is always 5-10 degrees warmer in summer and 5-10 degrees cooler in the winter. It helps to be surrounded by water.
Truly the only downside to being here is being so far from family. A 10 hour drive to Pam's isn't bad now and I don't feel nearly as cut off any more. I will be happy when I get my legs back so that I can travel again though.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Dutch Bailey Davis
Yesterday I became a grandmother for the ninth time. I have been reflecting on this all day and find that the saddest part of this is that I can't be there. I am relieved that his paternal grandmother, Kelli Davis is there to take care of him and his mom and dad but I would have loved to have been there. I have missed out on several of the births but I have made it there eventually except for 3, Carlye's, Bella's and now Dutch. Fortunately I will be able to see him for his blessing in September. I am working hard to be well enough by then to have nothing hinder that.
I am tired of being in pain all the time. It colors everything I do. I shouldn't write at this time of day. By now I hurt so bad that I just want to cry and pray for tomorrow to come quickly. I do pretty well in the morning but because of a cold front with rain, I started out in pain today and just haven't been able to get on top of it. I don't want to be in pain all day tomorrow. I feel like I should be bigger than this and should handle this pain better. I know people that live like this all the time and they don't complain. What right do I have. Enough of this. I need to suck it up and be happy. I intended this to be a happy blog not a whiney one. I won't do this again.
I am tired of being in pain all the time. It colors everything I do. I shouldn't write at this time of day. By now I hurt so bad that I just want to cry and pray for tomorrow to come quickly. I do pretty well in the morning but because of a cold front with rain, I started out in pain today and just haven't been able to get on top of it. I don't want to be in pain all day tomorrow. I feel like I should be bigger than this and should handle this pain better. I know people that live like this all the time and they don't complain. What right do I have. Enough of this. I need to suck it up and be happy. I intended this to be a happy blog not a whiney one. I won't do this again.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Getting On Board
I can't believe that I am doing this but I couldn't add comments unless I had a blog too so here we are. Now the family is involved in this.
I guess that this will be a good outlet for my emotions - of which I have had many lately - and my thoughts - of which I have had just as many or more. I miss my family during this time of year. We had such a great time last year with Pam, Chris and the Dittmars' that it is going to be quite a lonely holiday this year. Especially since I am not sure when I can travel again.
I guess that this will be a good outlet for my emotions - of which I have had many lately - and my thoughts - of which I have had just as many or more. I miss my family during this time of year. We had such a great time last year with Pam, Chris and the Dittmars' that it is going to be quite a lonely holiday this year. Especially since I am not sure when I can travel again.
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