Child Labor

I remember thinking my parents had children so we could do all of their work around the house. When I became a Mother, I realized that was the dumbest thought I could have ever had. More children means more work and no one knows how much a parent does...until they become one.

Is putting up the Christmas lights the job of parents or a 10-year old? Soooo glad we have children this year to put up the lights.

Yes...this is a two-story home and Scott was holding the ladder for her safety and promised to catch her in a cheerleader basket if she fell.

Thanksgiving

This is our only Thanksgiving tradition...make apple turkeys. I came up with a new one this year though. I got a white table cloth and we had to draw or write what we were thankful for in 2011. Every year I am going to get it out on Thanksgiving and we add to it for 2012. I think it will be fun for their kids to add to it one day. A great conversation piece.

"Pianist"

Brody was at church and was listening as much as a 3 year old listens. The person conducting said he would like to thank the chorister and the pianist for their beautiful music. Brody turned to his Dad, looked shocked and said "He just said penis!"

Forever more I will never be able to hear the word pianist and not think of him.

72 Days = Real Love?

There has been a lot of talk of the 72-day marriage. Was it really love? I happened to go visit my grandparents last weekend in northern California. So, I bought me a People magazine to read while I was there and keep up. I was fascinated with the drama and finished my magazine. I looked up and began to watch my grandparents...

My grandmother has full blown Alzheimers and my grandfather is bed-ridden and can only get a few words out every once in a while. You know he understands you by his facial expressions. I thought back to 65 years ago when they got married and were so much younger. Would they ever imagine their life like this at 85 or were they just so in love and had to be together? I am sure looking back they would agree they barely knew each other. I think that of my own marriage. We have been married for 15 years and I really did not know him...I thought I loved him but our love is so different now. If that occurs after only 15 years of marriage...how much different is love after 65 years? My grandmother sometimes knows who my grandfather is by name. She always seems to know she loves him and stays by him to take care of him, even if she can't remember his name. They are always in the same room together. He has worked his whole life to take care of her financially and let her live in her house as long as he is alive. They have 24-hour care providers so this can happen, since he physically can't take care of her anymore. I loved showing my grandma old pictures because she could easily go back in time. I showed her a picture of my grandpa when they were dating. Her eyes got all big and she said "He is a cute boy!"

Life brings you memories and children...

...as well as grandchildren. (This is Scott and I when we were dating with the grandparents.)

The best lesson I learned while there was not from People magazine but from my grandparents. This is what marriage is all about... and it can't happen in 72 days. Living everyday with someone for 65 years takes work but it is worth it. Your brain is not working right and your body is not right. But your love is soooo deep that you just need to be together. Your souls just know that they will be together for eternity. I don't know how long it takes to get to this point, but sometimes it is great to be reminded that the "cute boy" you picked and barely knew can be yours forever. Your souls will have to be together and he won't care that you don't like your side of the sheets tucked in. :)

Time Travel

This weekend I traveled back in time. I visited my grandparents and felt like I was 10 again. It is amazing how the smells and fun childhood memories never leave. This is me eating pizza in my gray sweatshirt at 10 with family in front of the playhouse. We played there for hours and hours.
This is me at 36 feeling like I was just here playing with my cousins. I am amazed how quick your mind can go back in time.