Longer than I lived with my parents
Longer than a quarter of a century
Longer than any bird ever flew (sorry, had to add that in honor of Dan Fogelberg's song)
a long time.
a "good" long time.
I didn't know when I married (26 years ago today) the true gem behind the handsome young man.
I know now, and while I loved him then, I love him more today.
Happy Anniversary!!!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
update to "the call"
"The Call"
had it's moments of surprise- when at the end of the call our side of the phone was accidentally hung up without saying good-byes all around. We waited for our missionary to call us back. He didn't. We had his cell phone number (we probably weren't supposed to actually NOTICE that on the caller id) and whereas dad was fine with calling it a night, I wasn't. Must say good-bye before Mother's Day! We called the number... it rang an awfully long time while I'm sure our missionary was pondering whether it would be obeying or disobeying mission rules to answer.... finally, a hesitant hello? Good-byes were said and all was well with the mother (me!)
It had moments of tragedy (well, a bit hyperbole there) when we learned he had been hit by a car in June and hadn't told us... apparently we (me) reacted to strongly to the march bike accident and missionary was concerned that this would have me on a plane at his side. A texting teenager driving an SUV ran into him, propelling (another hyperbole, but it makes it sound so exciting- especially since I know he's fine) him onto the hood and then back to the ground. Said driver then got their phone number (on a pass-along card) and hightailed it out of Duarte. Of course she never called. The bike was the most hurt, with the missionary injuring a shoulder slightly, and suffering from shock- but otherwise fine. The missionary was disappointed she never called back- both from the standpoint of civic duty and the opportunity to ask her about the Gospel.
And of course, there were several moments of confusion. I forgot most of my questions and concerns, added some new ones that I had never had (like, how many other things have happened that we as parents should know but don't) and delighted in the joy he is finding serving his Heavenly Father and Savior. He sounded grown up and independent, which is what I hoped to hear after all this time...on the other hand, the mothery part of me was a bit chagrined.
It was all good.
had it's moments of surprise- when at the end of the call our side of the phone was accidentally hung up without saying good-byes all around. We waited for our missionary to call us back. He didn't. We had his cell phone number (we probably weren't supposed to actually NOTICE that on the caller id) and whereas dad was fine with calling it a night, I wasn't. Must say good-bye before Mother's Day! We called the number... it rang an awfully long time while I'm sure our missionary was pondering whether it would be obeying or disobeying mission rules to answer.... finally, a hesitant hello? Good-byes were said and all was well with the mother (me!)
It had moments of tragedy (well, a bit hyperbole there) when we learned he had been hit by a car in June and hadn't told us... apparently we (me) reacted to strongly to the march bike accident and missionary was concerned that this would have me on a plane at his side. A texting teenager driving an SUV ran into him, propelling (another hyperbole, but it makes it sound so exciting- especially since I know he's fine) him onto the hood and then back to the ground. Said driver then got their phone number (on a pass-along card) and hightailed it out of Duarte. Of course she never called. The bike was the most hurt, with the missionary injuring a shoulder slightly, and suffering from shock- but otherwise fine. The missionary was disappointed she never called back- both from the standpoint of civic duty and the opportunity to ask her about the Gospel.
And of course, there were several moments of confusion. I forgot most of my questions and concerns, added some new ones that I had never had (like, how many other things have happened that we as parents should know but don't) and delighted in the joy he is finding serving his Heavenly Father and Savior. He sounded grown up and independent, which is what I hoped to hear after all this time...on the other hand, the mothery part of me was a bit chagrined.
It was all good.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Waiting for "the call"
It has been a merry and joyful Christmas at our home. We had a great Christmas Eve with the Christmas Story from Luke, our traditional"Polar Express" read by William Hurt (not with us in person, but delighting us via cassette tape) and a Mormon Tabernacle Christmas on PBS. We also waited excitedly for the 1 minute phone call telling us when "the call" would occur today.
The phone rang at 11:15 pm. It was our missionary!!! I mentioned to him that it was almost midnight (he's on pacific coast time) and he said that he had hoped to catch santa in the act.
Morning came, my parents are in town which is always wonderful, the kids were excited and even a bit surprised (hard to do when you only have teenagers!) at their gifts. A good nap, and a turkey dinner in the oven have completed the day.
Except for "the call"
Which should happen in an hour or so.....
We haven't talked to our missionary since Mother's Day. 7-1/2 months. We get e-mails every week, but just the sound of the voice...EXCITING!!! I could hardly sleep after last night's 1 minute call. So I am excited and anxious and nervous for our icing on this Christmas Day. After Mother's Day I hung up feeling like I forgot to say so many things, and that I said so many things I didn't mean too.... (right, Mr. Yes?) I also hung up feeling so blessed to have him as a son, and missing him more than ever....
Now, 11-1/2 months into his mission will I feel the same?
Probably....
but for now, I wait for "the call"
The phone rang at 11:15 pm. It was our missionary!!! I mentioned to him that it was almost midnight (he's on pacific coast time) and he said that he had hoped to catch santa in the act.
Morning came, my parents are in town which is always wonderful, the kids were excited and even a bit surprised (hard to do when you only have teenagers!) at their gifts. A good nap, and a turkey dinner in the oven have completed the day.
Except for "the call"
Which should happen in an hour or so.....
We haven't talked to our missionary since Mother's Day. 7-1/2 months. We get e-mails every week, but just the sound of the voice...EXCITING!!! I could hardly sleep after last night's 1 minute call. So I am excited and anxious and nervous for our icing on this Christmas Day. After Mother's Day I hung up feeling like I forgot to say so many things, and that I said so many things I didn't mean too.... (right, Mr. Yes?) I also hung up feeling so blessed to have him as a son, and missing him more than ever....
Now, 11-1/2 months into his mission will I feel the same?
Probably....
but for now, I wait for "the call"
Thursday, December 18, 2008
My Word for 2009...
isn't picked yet.
I was inspired to pick a word of the year from the always interesting creative blog of Ali Edwards at http://aliedwards.typepad.com/. (sorry, I can't quite master the clever posting and naming technique yet, but give me awhile, I'll get it.) Two years ago she suggested her readers pick a word. I thought it a nice but silly idea. At the end of the year (2007) I started reading the comments from her readers about how having a word for the year impacted their lives.
I decided to start 2008 with a "word of the year" and in light of my eldest son leaving on a mission for two years, the stressful economy, and a houseful of teenagers, I picked the word FAITH. Even had it imprinted on a sterling silver necklace to wear. And guess what?
It worked... when you have a word for the year, you think about that word, you ponder it, and you are a bit more interested in anything you hear that has "your word" in it. I have studied "faith" a little more diligently, and can honestly say that at the end of this year I am enriched for having had a "word" (and just one word. that's why my resolutions fail- I have millions... but one word, I can do that!)
And now, it's time to pick a new word and I'm stumped.
Any ideas?
And I encourage all my faithful readers (lol) - pick a word for 2009, and see if it doesn't change your life...even a little bit!
I was inspired to pick a word of the year from the always interesting creative blog of Ali Edwards at http://aliedwards.typepad.com/. (sorry, I can't quite master the clever posting and naming technique yet, but give me awhile, I'll get it.) Two years ago she suggested her readers pick a word. I thought it a nice but silly idea. At the end of the year (2007) I started reading the comments from her readers about how having a word for the year impacted their lives.
I decided to start 2008 with a "word of the year" and in light of my eldest son leaving on a mission for two years, the stressful economy, and a houseful of teenagers, I picked the word FAITH. Even had it imprinted on a sterling silver necklace to wear. And guess what?
It worked... when you have a word for the year, you think about that word, you ponder it, and you are a bit more interested in anything you hear that has "your word" in it. I have studied "faith" a little more diligently, and can honestly say that at the end of this year I am enriched for having had a "word" (and just one word. that's why my resolutions fail- I have millions... but one word, I can do that!)
And now, it's time to pick a new word and I'm stumped.
Any ideas?
And I encourage all my faithful readers (lol) - pick a word for 2009, and see if it doesn't change your life...even a little bit!
Monday, December 15, 2008
A new blogging low
I have sunk to a new blogging low (at least for myself in the last week).
I bribed my son to comment on my blog.
The blog looked so lonely and forlorn. I can see by the views that at least one (or maybe two on a busy day) are reading... but there were no comments!
My son (little bro) needed a patch sewn on his new (black and very exciting) ninjitsu gi before class tonight. I had many other things to do.
We made a "pay to play" deal. Not unlike our political friends in Illinois.
Therefore I have a comment, he has a nice patch on his nice new gi.
I hope he wasn't wired with video or sound equipment.
I bribed my son to comment on my blog.
The blog looked so lonely and forlorn. I can see by the views that at least one (or maybe two on a busy day) are reading... but there were no comments!
My son (little bro) needed a patch sewn on his new (black and very exciting) ninjitsu gi before class tonight. I had many other things to do.
We made a "pay to play" deal. Not unlike our political friends in Illinois.
Therefore I have a comment, he has a nice patch on his nice new gi.
I hope he wasn't wired with video or sound equipment.
Friday, December 12, 2008
35 and 4,380 days
Yesterday was my birthday and I turned 35 and 4,380 days. It was a wonderful day (except for all those thousands of days added on to the end of my 35 years...) and I was reminded yet again how fortunate I am for the people in my life. A birthday isn't really so much a marking of years as it is a time to bask in the glow of all those wishes and to reflect on both the temporal and the spiritual blessings I have.
ok, I'll admit... a birthday really is a marking of years.
but didn't it sound nice the other way?
I really believed it for a minute.
ok, I'll admit... a birthday really is a marking of years.
but didn't it sound nice the other way?
I really believed it for a minute.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Chronicles of the Cell Phone
Turning the cell phone off for the night is one of the best moments of my day.
The cell phone is only turned off when the teens are safely home from the social, education, church or work activities that take them away so often. It's a similar, but even sweeter feeling than what I used to feel when all of my little children were fed, bathed and in bed after after a long day.
Of course, my oldest son serving as a missionary isn't here when I turn the phone off, but I am confident in the fact that our Heavenly Father never turns his cell phone off (I do have a land line just in case.)
For today, however, since it's only noon, the cell phone remains on and buzzing with texts (done sneakily while at their lockers) about forgotten music books, after school plans, a bad (or good grade on a test- I think they text the bad more often so as to prepare the way for the inevitable after school discussion.) clever!
Soon will be calls of forgotten items, and evening plans. While there are definitely downsides to the texting/photographing/calling cell phones of today, I am grateful to be able to communicate with my children when they need me.
As grateful as I am for that communication-
I love to turn it off!
The cell phone is only turned off when the teens are safely home from the social, education, church or work activities that take them away so often. It's a similar, but even sweeter feeling than what I used to feel when all of my little children were fed, bathed and in bed after after a long day.
Of course, my oldest son serving as a missionary isn't here when I turn the phone off, but I am confident in the fact that our Heavenly Father never turns his cell phone off (I do have a land line just in case.)
For today, however, since it's only noon, the cell phone remains on and buzzing with texts (done sneakily while at their lockers) about forgotten music books, after school plans, a bad (or good grade on a test- I think they text the bad more often so as to prepare the way for the inevitable after school discussion.) clever!
Soon will be calls of forgotten items, and evening plans. While there are definitely downsides to the texting/photographing/calling cell phones of today, I am grateful to be able to communicate with my children when they need me.
As grateful as I am for that communication-
I love to turn it off!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Back Soon!
I had what seemed like an endless fund of witty ideas before I took the plunge to become a blogger.
They are all gone now.
My fund of non-witty ideas is empty too.
so... be back soon!
They are all gone now.
My fund of non-witty ideas is empty too.
so... be back soon!
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