Freedom

I meant to post this on the 4th, but it's still July, right?

     I am so grateful for this land we live in.  American is truly a great country.  I am so thankful for our founding fathers.  Of course they weren't perfect, but they did something amazing with the Lord's help.  So often we forget how lucky we are to live here - to live and worship as we desire.  

     When I was about 15, I had a profound experience that helped me appreciate, in a new way, the freedoms we enjoy.  My brother and I were lucky enough to join our parents on a Mediterranean cruise.  My father was a guest speaker for a convention being held on the ship and we were able reap the benefits of a great vacation while he worked.  

   Two of the stops were in the Ukraine.  At that time the Ukraine was part of the USSR and under communist control (those were the days of the Iron Curtain).  There was a Russian family aboard the ship who had escaped from the USSR many years before through bribing top officials.  They had been told by communists officials that, as a consequence, they would never again be able to come back or see their families left behind.  

    This family had communicated to their family in Russia when they would be at those ports.  They were hoping that the port officials in the Ukraine would not be as thorough in searching their documents and that they would be reunited with their families once again.  Unfortunately, the USSR Custom Officers would not let the Russian family leave the boat.  

    I will never forget standing on the dock and seeing the two families crying and reaching out to one another - one group from the boat railings and the other standing behind a chain link fence on the dock.  In those moments, I learned what freedom really was and what communism was not.  

    Every day, I try to be thankful to our founding fathers, to those who have died to preserve our freedoms, and mostly our God, for this great United States of America.  

July Fun - so far

I love summertime:

 not worrying about getting kids to bed on time - no homework - lazy beach days - sand in the car - no school projects - the family room floor filled with building projects - matinee movies (yeah Harry Potter!) - going to Target and Vons together - craft projects covering both the breakfast table and dining room table - bike rides - baking together  . . . . 

I didn't sign the kids up for lots of activities this year and it's been great.  And fun.  And relaxed.   We've actually even had some birthday parties this year (something we haven't done in a long time).  

Banana turned 14 and invited some friends to an indoor play center.  She was so happy!

She made some adorable cupcakes to take to the party.  

And she had a good laugh when her mom absentmindedly told her to just add some red food coloring to the green frosting to make purple  (just one more reason why I should never homeschool my children)

Big also turned 10 this month.  We went with friends to a Pirate Dinner Show.  The kids loved it!  I can't believe he's already 10.  

We also all went to Boy Scout Day Camp.  Big LIVED for the times when they could shoot the BB guns.   Big went as a camper, but the older girls went as volunteer helpers.  I thought it was important for them to do some service this summer and signed them up for three days without asking.   They didn't complain and actually had a good time.  Banana even went for one extra day on her own.  
It's already the middle of July and summer is just going way too quickly.  We still have some fun left, but I am not anxious for mid-August to come around!

Staying Humble & Grounded

 I was enjoying my summer night with the kids -  a non-hectic bedtime when it doesn't really matter if they are a little late getting to bed.  

Princess and I were cuddling and talking on her bed after reading a book together.  I was telling her how much I love being her mom and that one day I would get to be a grandmother to her little kids.  It felt like a great moment. 

She put her arms around me and said, "Mom, even if you are a really ugly grandmother, I will still love you and think you are beautiful."

What????   And it wouldn't be so bad except yesterday I overheard her tell the following to her friend . . . 

"My mom had really curly hair when she married my dad.  She was really pretty.  She had a different face."

Ok . . . Ok. . . So these comments then brought again to my mind my favorite comment of all.  This happened about two years ago when she was only four.  We were sitting together on the couch looking at a clothing catalog.  I asked her which bathing suit she thought I should buy for myself.  She carefully looked at the bathing suits and then innocently asked,

"Do they sell bathing suits for fat mommies too?"

So, I am humble.  Really, really humble.  

A Good Life, A Good Funeral

Two days ago was the funeral of my grandmother, Norinne Richards Callister.  She died at the age of 97 and lived a long, good life.   She lived a life devoted to her family and service.  When I was really young, she and grandpa Reed lived nearby.  I remember spending the night often and helping her cook in the kitchen.  My grandmother was one of those ladies who always set a beautiful table and served delicious food.  Many of my best and favorite recipes come from her. When I went to BYU, I often spent many weekends at her home.  She was always trying to get me to bring dates over.  Once she even set me up on a date with a boy she had met somewhere and thought was "charming."

  

Norinne was the daughter of LeGrand Richards, an apostle.  She was once nominated as "Best Dressed Woman in California."  (I've never even heard of such an award).  My grandfather lamented at the time, "Who nominated her?  This is going to cost me a fortune."  At the age of 80, she served as ward Relief Society President for the fourth time.  I remember her always dishing up an extra plate at dinner time that we would quickly deliver to someone in her building.  

We will miss her, but know that she must have had a sweet reunion with her daughter Paula, who passed away when she was only 16, and her husband, who passed 20 years ago.  I am so grateful for eternal families.  I love you grandma NeNe.  

Graduation!

My oldest, Banana, graduated from Junior High a couple weeks ago.  This is her getting ready for the promotion party.  She looked so beautiful.   I can't believe she'll be in High School come September.  She has grown up so quickly.  I love watching her talk and laugh with her friends.  She is a good girl without a lot of drama.  I couldn't ask for a better teen.