A Blessed Blessing Day!

I was visiting with Mary and Cam's neighbor down stairs and as I went to leave she said to me, "Have a blessed day!" I thought about all the "blessed" days that I haved experiened in my lifetime. What a "blessed" day it was to be with Mary and Cam on Miss Kennady's Blessing day. She is such a sweet baby. You can feel of her special spirit!

In Sunday School that day we had a lesson on the story of Ruth and Naomi. We discussed how the Lord guided and directed these women's lives. We also studied the story of Hannah who pleaded with the Lord for a baby. Both of these biblical accounts are "sacred" to me as I have had personal experiences that have endeared these women to my heart. I was reminded of the what a blessing it is to have been lead to marry a man that ultimately brought the Gospel into my life. I can't imagine my life without it. I was also reminded of my pleadings to the Lord for another baby and was subsequently blessed with Mary. While she lives far away and we all miss being together, I know that the Lord is mindful of her and her dear family. I know that He knows the "beginning from the end" and what is best for each of us. I am so grateful for this opportunity to visit here and to enjoy the beauty of this area.

I had a woman who works as a hospital volunteer make Miss Kennady's Blessing dress, which included the booties and a bonnet. The bonnet was a bit too small so we made a bow for her to wear instead, using one of the roses and ribbon from the bonnet. The dress looked so pretty on her, I especially loved the look of the booties.

Miss Kennady with her big brother Hudson, and dad and mom. What a darling family!

Miss Kennady with Grandpa and Grandma Shirley. She has continued to be such a good baby, although she might be a bit spoiled by the time we leave from having someone to hold her all of the time.

She has such a sweet smile and it's so fun to see her little personality develop. I didn't think she looked like her big brother when she was born, but you can tell now that they came from the same mold!

We love you Miss Kennady and pray that the Lord will bless you as you grow and mature, not only physically but spiritually and emotionally.

A Wonderful Welcome!

Kerry and I headed to Florida to visit Mary and her sweet family. We wanted to be there for Miss Kennady's Blessing and to share in the celebration of Hudson's second birthday. When we arrived in Panama City we were informed that there was very little cell phone service as it is a brand new airport that had actually only been open a few days. We weren't sure how we were going to find Mary and Cam without phones. Fortunately it's not a large airport and we noticed a new white Odyssey van that we thought could be Mary and Cam's. Out hopped Hudson with this cute welcome sign. I always wonder if he's going to be hesitant to come to us, but he never is. I can't tell you how good it felt to be WARM!

Spring Time Fun - But It Still Feels Like Winter To Me!

A couple of weeks ago, Kerry and I, along with some friends had the opportunity to spend a couple of days up at Snowbird attending a Summit which was held to give us training as Medical Reserve Corp (MRC) volunteers. As you can see from the snow on the trees in the background, it was snowing and the skiers were still out enjoying the slops! We learned a lot and had a great time!

Kerry and I headed up to the cabin to check on things as we hadn't been up all winter. Once again we actually had to drive in some snow to get there. It was a bit chilly the next day, but was warm enough for Kerry to get some yard work done. I stayed indoors where it was nice and warm did some spring cleaning. Kerry caught the deer looking for something to eat!

Knowing that Kerry had to work today on Mother's Day, we headed down to Lehi yesterday to spend time with our family. Keri Beth, David, and kids were already down there as Maddi was playing in a softball tournament that began on Friday. The ball games were all over by the time we arrived so their family along with Tim, Kim, and girls met up with us for lunch. Afterwards Tim, Kim, Addie, Drew, Kerry, and I headed for Thanksgiving Point to enjoy the "tulip festival". It was amazing! Wasn't overly warm, but was a nice day considering the cold, stormy weather that has seemed to want to hang around this spring.

What a beautiful view it was with the mountains in the background, and all the beautiful flowers and trees everywhere you looked. In my next life, this is what my yard is going to look like!

Here we sit in Tim's favorite part...The Secret Gardens! We quickly discovered however, that the secret was out as it was quite crowded with other's who thought it was also a nice place to sit and enjoy the beauty of the gardens. Kerry enjoyed wondering with his camera. Below are some of my favorite shots that he took.

As I looked at this picture I saw myself as the one orange tulip amongst all these beautiful, tall, strong, amazing pink tulips. To me the pink ones represented all of the wonderful women (my mother, grandmothers, mother-in-law, daughters, daughter-in-law, sister, sisters-in-law, aunt, friends, neighbors, co-workers, extended family, and other's that I don't even know their names) who have had an influence for good in my life as I strive to develop my own strengths and talents. How grateful I am for the great examples of love, kindness, tolerance, forgiveness, integrity, virtue, honesty, and selflessness! To each of you....Happy Mother's Day! I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a mother and grandmother myself and pray that I can be an influence for good in the lives of others as others have been in mine.

The Time Has Past Far To Quickly!

As I sit here writing I am holding my newest granddaughter, Miss Kennady Janae, trying to enjoy the moment. My time here as gone by way too fast and tomorrow I will be heading back home to Utah to those that I love there. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have had to come and spend time at Mary and Cam's with them and their beautiful children. I have loved every moment.

I have enjoyed watching Hudson assume the role of "big brother" to his "baby sissy". He is so kind and gentle with her. It will be fun to watch their relationship develop as they continue to grow and mature. Hudson loves to be his daddy's shadow and would spend every moment of every day with Cam if he could. I love to watch his eyes light up when his daddy walks through the door when returning home from work. He loves to sing "Five Little Ducks Went Out to Play" and does a great job at the "quack, quack, quack". Everyday he is learning new words, and just last night learned to say "turtle". I am so going to miss our walks to see the horses every morning.

Miss Kennady went for her one week checkup today and weighted 8 lbs. 3.6 oz. Mama is feeding her well! I mentioned to the nurse that she was born by c-section and she responded, "that's probably a good thing as she has a really big head." To me she still seems so tiny. Apparently, however, her head is about 1 inch bigger than average. We probably don't recognize it as she is well proportioned being at the 75% mark on every part of the growth chart.

Well it sounds like Hudson is awake from his nap, just in time for lunch. Better go make him his peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Thanks Mary and Cam for allowing me to be here and to spend this special time in your lives with you. The only way that leaving is bearable for me is knowing that Grandpa and I get to come back in a couple of months to visit again over Memorial Day Weekend. Until then, know how much I love you all.

Happy 12th Birthday McKayla!

Each day is a special day, but today is even more so as our oldest grandchild, McKayla is turning 12 years old and I dedicate this blog to her. I will always remember how I found out that Kerry and I were going to be grandparents. It's kind of a long story, but here is a brief overview.

Kerry and I were getting ready to go on our 1st pioneer trek. (Interestingly we are preparing for our 3rd one this year.) I was sitting on the couch going over the list of items that we needed to bring when suddenly I heard the words in my mind, "Keri Beth is going to have a baby and everything will be okay." A few days after we arrived home from the trek, Keri Beth called me from a pay phone in the Logan mall (we didn't have cell phones yet) to tell us that she had been to the doctors and was going to have a baby! I eventually told that I actually knew before she did that she pregnant!

On March 28, 1998, Kerry and I started the next chapter of our lives! I have come to recognize that being a grandparent is Gods way of compensating us for having to grow old. As I held baby McKayla is my arms for the first time I realized that grandchildren are an extension of the love that we feel for our children.

McKayla has brought so much joy and happiness into our lives as we have watched her grow and mature into a beautiful young lady. We have been blessed to watch her develop her many talents (singing, dancing, and sports) and are grateful to be able to spend so much time together.

Today as I write this, I am in Florida at Mary's house helping her with baby Kennady, and Grandpa Kerry is at work. We wish we were home to celebrate this day with McKayla, but want her to know that we cherish the memories of her birth and are so grateful to our Heavenly Father for her life and the love that we share. We pray for her daily that she will be watched over and protected, guided and directed, and blessed with continued health and strength physically, spiritually, and emotionally as she continues down the pathway of life.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MCKAYLA - WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

Love, Grandma and Grandpa

What A Blessed Grandma - A Beautiful Baby And Beautiful Beaches!

If it weren't for the fact that back in Utah I left a husband that I love, other children and grandchildren I adore, and a wonderful job, I think I would just unpack my bags and stay for a very long time.

Miss Kennady gets prettier by the day and continues to be such a good baby! I could just sit and look at her for hours. Honestly, you couldn't ask for a better baby. She only wakes up once at night. I never hear her at all. The lighting on this picture isn't the greatest, but it's the latest one I have.

Yesterday was a beautiful day so Cam, Hudson, and I headed for the beach for a couple of hours. It felt like I had died and gone to heaven. The beaches here are so beautiful. I have never seen such white, clean, glistening sand. It's amazing and only about 7 minutes from Mary and Cam's apartment.

Hudson loves the beach as much as I do and had a blast playing in the water and sand.

Thanks Cam and Hudson for such a fun time!

The Arrival Of Miss Kennady Janae!

Miss Kennady made her arrival on Monday, March 22, 2010 @ 1:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Hospital in Santa Rosa, Florida. Hudson and I stayed home anxiously awaiting the call that his baby sister, and my 8th grandchild had arrived. When Cam called we quickly made our way to the "Family Birth Place" to see the little princess.

Daddy Cam and Mommy Mary greet their new precious little one who weighed in at 7 lbs. 12 oz. and was 20 inches long. (Don't you love how they make bows on the little hats for the girls.)

Grandma Marlene meeting her newest grandchild.

Miss Kennady getting her first bath. Can you believe all of the hair!

Daddy and big brother Hudson get to participate in "baby sissy's" bath.

The babies are put right into their own sleepers, no hospital clothes. The local churches actually donate gift boxes full of outfits/blankets/quilts as a gift to the new babies. As you can see, Mary came prepared with the works.

The happy family.

Miss Kennady has been to the hair dressers and ready for her debute into the big world!

Miss Kennady and her pretty mommy are ready to head for home. We are grateful for the wonderful care that Mary and baby received. I love the people in the south, they are so friendly and helpful. The nurse, Rachel, gave everyone a hug goodbye as she sent us on our way! (To Be Continued.)