Drive to SLC

This week I had the opportunity to drive a woman in the ward to South Salt Lake for some medical treatments. I had offered help "if she ever needs something just call" and then the darndest thing happened...she did.

My initial selfish thought was, "cool, I will read in the lobby and have tons of time to just indulge in this passion without the guilt of not getting the other nine million things in my life finished (oh did I mention,...I'm a mom and with that comes a fairly busy schedule?:)) Then this woman asked if I would be uncomfortable sitting with her during her exam because it was fairly extensive and a male doctor. I, myself, prefer male docs but I was OK with this because it takes an awful lot to make Tammy uncomfortable.

Anyways,...my random musings for my trip consists of the following:

1. I clearly am missing the controller in my brain that censors every little thought that comes out of my mouth. (Probably isn't any of my business but I still find people fascinating and because of that I guess sometimes my questions of interest might seem 'indelicate'. ) When I was burned I would rather people came right out and asked what was on their mind instead of point and look away. As a natural byproduct of my own experience I tend to ask what is on my mind and assume the person will tell me if they don't want to talk about it. I guess we will find out Sunday if she runs away when I see her at church. tee hee hee.

2. Service for others is a great way to lose oneself and put your own challenges in perspective. This woman told me a story of an experience with one of our 13 year old girls in the ward and this child's love and service for her astounded me. Everyone has the ability to serve and even the smallest things may turn out to be a huge thing for one who is unable.

3. Most interesting conversation for the day, "reconstructed breasts have the nipples tatooed on." (Refer to No 1 and you can perhaps guess where Tammy went with this.:) I suggested (while laughing) that she would have the best 'good news minute' in Relief Society..."I have a new tatoo Sister's and I just love the feeling of self expression that I have now."

4. Theme for the day, (yes,...this IS how I started our road trip) "It's all about the cha chas!"

5. Favorite thought for the day, "Fight Like A Girl".

I don't know this sister very well at all, in fact I had to look up her first name because I have only ever called her by her last name and that wasn't all that often either. But she was humble enough to ask for help and I am grateful that I was available. More than anything that day I reflected time and time again about a favorite Aunt of mine who went through a similar experience and my heart cracked a little because I didn't understand her challenges at the time.

May I be better and more aware of those in my life who need a heart to hear them during their own challenges whatever they may be.

My Eagle Scout

It was a big day for us around here. Hunter's Eagle Court was this afternoon. Our families and friends came out in droves. We are so blessed. I suspected that I would have the proud mama feeling because I really am a proud mama....I had no idea the overwhelming feeling of love that I would feel from all of these people who came to support my son. I love him and I think he is great but to hear other's expressing it left me awestruck.

I've always said that it takes a village to raise up a son to become the man Heavenly Father would want him to be. Today our village gathered to pay tribute to Hunter and it was great! I wish such a great village for each of you and your children.

I am grateful...

Last night I was reading my friends blog about her baby. Her little one has a brain tumor and she generously lets the world into her weekly joys and sorrows. I am grateful for this peek at her life.
I spent the day on the phone worrying about a visiting teaching sister that is incredible private but I found out about some of her private emotional pain yesterday. My husband came home and we put aside a petty disagreement while he listened to my concerns for this other sister. I am grateful for him.
I started another round of the women's choir that I am in. This time I not only have the friend that introduced me to the choir but I also have a dear friend (close as a sister) and a sister in law. I am grateful for the time in the car going back and forth to choir so I have sweet time with these women.
Finally, last night my youngest came out of his room crying because he had a fever and was pretty sick. For almost an hour I watched my husband hold him, read to him, and talk with him. It carried me back to the nights I would hear Les rocking and singing to a restless infant. I am grateful for this quiet picture in my heart because it reminds me that life inside my home is so important and I have been blessed with a wonderful family and husband.

Things I Learned on Our Vacation

For the first time in 15 years my dearest husband and I went away on a vacation by ourselves. We have been on vacation but never without the kids, or friends or friends and their kids. That's just how we ride.:)

Since we chose (more I picked the date and Les agreed, but whatever) to be married in the dead of winter we also have the luxury of anniversary trips in the 'off season' for most places. Back on our 10th anniversary we enjoyed Hawaii (with friends) in the 'off season' and it was incredible! But I digress....This year we went to the quietest, most lovely of resorts and experienced complete and total solitude. Seriously, not event the staff was on site for the duration of our stay. Absolutely awesome! Now, I will share with you the many and varied things which I discovered or rediscovered during our trip.

I'm too old to enjoy driving in a white-out. (many years ago I didn't even give weather a second thought when planning a trip.)
I don't really trust Les' driving. (I have always believed that I am the better driver.)
I am not too old for midnight hot tubing. (totally awesome in the snow with deer walking through the yard).
I can, in fact, live without a phone.
Les and I have NOT forgotten how to talk. (this came as a surprise:))
Hot cocoa is absolutely appropriate at any time of the day or night.
Billiards is definitely not my game but Les kicks butt at it. (all the years in Grandma Clarks basement paid off for him.)
Finally, I had no idea that chocolate covered cinnamon bears were so incredibly delicious!

It was an amazing trip and we loved every minute of it!

quilting

I am working on a project for my parents for Christmas. It was an incredible idea in January. Still a stellar idea in July, and now it will be great if I can pull in together and hope for mediocre.

That being said,....because of this project of memories it has prompted me to revisit a LOT of my memories of my family and occasionally makes me a soggy little mess.

The other day during a snow storm I began writing about why I love to quilt. I am not the handiest gal when it comes to homemaking projects and I truly have no gift for color. (I leave that to my cute Sister in Law Mandee) . I love to quilt because my one of my favorite memories of my Grandmother Heslop is the November she took the time to come help me hand-stitch a huge king size quilt for the love of my life (at the time)...it should be noted here that 'He' left my life a short six months later and all I wanted was the quilt back (didn't get it). Anyways, I was in college and would come home at random times of the day, there was Grandmother. Stitching away as though she had nothing better to do than work on this quilt and wait for me to come sew with her. We would pull back Mom's huge front room curtains and watch the snow fall while we finished the enormous project.

There is not a snow fall to this day that passes in which I wish for just one moment with all my heart to have just one more quilt to work on with my Grandmother, I miss her so much some days and I wonder if she knew how much I loved her.

The Doctor and The Phone Call

I am a diligent little girl when it comes to going to my "annual" exams. If you are a girl I would like your admiration for actually doing what many many of you don't. (I'm not judging, I'm just saying,...) We won't even discuss my true motives behind my diligence at these annual treks to the ob/gyn.
Anyways, so I am looking at the ceiling while both the doctor and I are trying to pretend that what is going on isn't so we make up small talk about everything from the weather to current books I like to read. Then my phone rings. Normally I do not try to stop everything (especially THIS) for a phone call but I had left Hunter home to babysit eight kids and was concerned that the house had burned down. So, I had the nurse get the phone and hand it to me. Then my dear little Garrett's voice came on the line. "Mom, can I make cookies?" My mind is screaming "WHAT!" but it is ok because Garrett only calls to ask questions about food and then hangs up. No, not today. He would like to visit and has such probing questions like, "Are you busy," (yes) "Why are you talking so fast" (embarrassment does that to me), "Where are you?" (doctors) "are you sick?" (no) "Why would you go to the doctor's if you aren't sick?" (no answer) "Mom, are you in a hurry?" (Yes we will talk later). The boy never talks more that a couple words on the phone and today of all days is the day that he chooses to forge a stronger relationship with me. Good Heavens! He hopefully has a good job when he grows up to afford the therapy necessary from today. In the spirit of "I'm a great mom!" I ended our phone call by hanging up on him.

Dallen Just Makes Me Smile....

My Baby is the funniest kid in my world! Yesterday he came home from school and asked if I knew what he did at recess. No, I did not....there is always the assumption that he played and if we are lucky took a quick break to go to the restroom. (to know the boy is to know that he needs to 'go' 24/7). Anyways, he said that no, he wasn't playing he was standing very still with his eyes closed and concentrating. I asked what he was concentrating on and he said, "trying to talk to you with my mind." Hmmmmm. I again questioned, "What did you need?" Him, "Just to say hi, but you were probably asleep or your mind is not as strong as mine., I'll try again tomorrow." Then he runs off.

Should I be offended that 1) He thinks I sleep all day or 2) his little mind has more power than mine? Given enough time I would have been able to come up with a response but first I need to relax.:)