Changing of the Guard

It is spring once again in Nevada. Actually spring has come and gone and I'm still thinking it is spring. After 35 years in the midwest I truly had forgotten about those California (and now southern Nevada) February springs. Trust me when I say I'm not complaining - maybe a little gloating. But what has that got to do with the "changing of the guard?"

It is tough to get a photos of a squirmy crowd - and 2nd son was the worst of the group (more on that later)

Yesterday, the Bake family left for Boise about 10 am PDT and simultaneously the Allen family left Aurora (11 am MDT) to come. The Bake's took in a little Disneyland and southern California beach (jealousy on my part) and returned to recover at our home. Of course with 2 little boys I really don't think there is any such thing as recover in the vocabulary.

Nonetheless, we had a great time. Dean & I took the kids to the Bass Pro Shop one evening to wear them out. Yes, it was I who was worn out by the time we got home, but they had great time looking a the fish tanks, stuffed animals (they are fake too), and going 100 miles an hour plus through the store in an effort not to miss anything.

Now we turn to a little more sedate group - by that I mean older, with the Allen's in town. It will still be a busy week. And they were ALL up early (is there no justice?) on Sunday.

Grandma and I had about a 13 hour break yesterday and got a lot done - provided you call relaxing and recovering "a lot done", and we did call it that! I think we both felt done in, but when the kids arrived at 11 pm, we and they were ready to go.

Family is all about strengthening relationships and we want our children and grandchildren to have great experiences when they visit. It is the family experiences that they remember - doing things together. There is a strength in our family that is all important and it is the most important work that we do as parents and grandparents.

Faces of Eight

I'm not sure what it is about being 8 years old, but I know it is all about fun. Two weeks ago when we were in Utah I took some photos of Cole at his baptism and I recognized a spirit of fun that he obviously enjoys. And he is not alone, his two cousins Alexis and Meagan had the same experiences when it was time for their baptism.


Those who are eight years old are at a tender and challenging age. Actually, I think mothers would suggest every age is challenging, just some ages are more challenging than others. But that's the topic of another post. They are tender in that they are coming out of those baby years and moving into those fast growing years. Over the next 9 or 10 years their mothers are not going to be able to satisfy their hunger or keep them in clothes that fit. And their emotions are on a roller-coaster ride that makes any amusement park look tame. Yes, I am talking about girls too.

So it is important we nurture, guide, encourage, sometimes threaten (but carefully and with love), and help them to grow. It is also important we don't lose that spirit of fun, just as it is important we don't take the fun out of their life. You see, it is the fun that so often makes life enjoyable. I still believe in fun and the importance of it in our lives.

Those faces are a mere representation of the zest they have for life. I love that zest and I love those 8-year olds in our family. The best part is, we have more coming and I'm looking forward to it.

If you are wondering, Meagan can make some great faces, I just didn't catch one.

By the way, to those post 8-year olds in the family - you are still fun too.

Stories You Hear

JoAnn and I had just landed in Salt Lake City and I texted all of our children to let them know we were on the ground. We needed to wait about 45 minutes for Jeni to arrive so I was being unusually slow about getting off the airplane. My intent was to let everyone off and then follow, but I forgot to tell JoAnn. More on that later...

As I'm sitting on the plane I get a call from Suzanne. Normal pleasantries and teasing are exchanged and she says to me, "When you come up in December for Mike's graduation you can help us bless the baby."

At this point people are beginning to move off the plane, but it is still safe for us to sit still. I say, "Okay, that sounds good to me," focusing more on Mike's graduation then on Suzanne. I pass the phone to JoAnn and she talks for a couple of minutes, smiles, and passes the phone back to me.

At this point the people are moving pretty good and it is almost our turn to get off, if I had intended to get off at that point, which I didn't. True to form, however, I didn't tell JoAnn that and after 40 years of flying we me she expects me to be ready to go NOW! Not that I'm impatient or anything.

"Suzanne, we are getting off the plane now, I need to go. We love you."

"Wait Dad, don't hang-up."

"I have to go, Mom is leaving and I can't talk on the phone and handle this carry-on."

"I need to tell you something."


"Okay, just a minute" I respond as I drop the phone on the seat, pick up my carry-on, get in the aisle and reach back for the phone. "What is it?"

"Don't you wonder why we are blessing the baby in December?"

"I really hadn't thought about it, I'm a little busy right now. Why?"

"Cause I'm pregnant!"

Okay, she finally has my attention and I'm almost off the plane. I may be slow but I do pick up on things. A few lessons were learned here:

1. Listen and pay attention to your daughter.
2. Explain things to JoAnn when for the first time in 40 years you plan to be different.
3. It's pretty relaxing just sitting and waiting to get off the airplane. I may try it again.
Oh, and 4. Don't be surprised by just about anything your daughters (or sons) tell you.

Traveling

The last half weekend in February (or the first half weekend in March) Grandma and I went north to Utah to spend time with our children and grandchildren. Cole was turning 8 years old and the reason for our trip, like we need a reason, but in this case turning 8 means he is baptized and that is very special to all of us.

Suzanne was driving down with her children and her brother, Mike, from Idaho and Jeni was flying in from Denver. It sounded to us like a pretty exciting weekend. Usually we make this as a drive, but with spotty end of February weather we figured it was easier to fly - and of course it was.

We are home and moderately caught up so time off from the blog is over. Yes, I know I posted before this one earlier today, but it was more fun.