Who's minding the baby?

Dear JMan, thank you for letting me tend you last night while your parents went on a smoochy date to the BYU game.  I thought it was very very curious that they ran like the wind to the car, kissing and giggling all the way there....  I was so excited to be with you that I drove through the south bound traffic for hours and hours and hours to just get there!  Traffic was NOT as bad as those flapping BYU window flags that would come lose and smack my windshield.  I was excited that you actually smiled when you found out it was me tending you - and you didn't go into any high shrill screaming from mommy separation anxiety.  It was sure fun when your parents left and the real fun started.  Sure glad Uncle Ryan came over, after locking his car keys in his car and me geting after him, I locked myself out of the house.... he was inside laughing... funny funny Ryan.  I'm telling ya - I'm pretty impressed with your walker skills.  Just put you in there and you can almost break the sound barrier going backwards.  Let's not tell mommy and daddy about the table ok?  I also loved that you know how to turn on all of the sounds on your toys.  You've learned that daddy needs his study time for law school and yet "Hey Diddle Diddle" is a most excellent deterrent when the quiet time is needed.  I also noticed that you like electrical cords.  I think it's funny that your mom had to ghetto duct tape them to the wall so you won't chew on them.  Does your mom know you have more fun with the tape and not the cords? (Let's not tell her)  I loved that you laughed at just the right time when BYU would score.... and yet - you had the same laugh when we switched over to Modern Family..... during half time..... does your mommy watch it that much, that you would know the names of the characters so well?  Your mom said I couldn't give you any solid foods.  I hope that the spider and the beetle didn't count.  I had strict instructions about bath time... the note said, "Do not leave him unattended".  You know Big J... you would think that almost drowning Emster at the pool would have been a thing of the past... but apparently not (;  Oh - and thank you for not peeing on me during the bath.  Sorry about your toe getting stuck in the faucet, that happened to your mom, and by darn, the vegetable oil still works great!  I loved that you tooted when I wrapped you in your bath towel.  Thus the poem, "ME MUDDER" and holding you close to my heart, and squeeze you tight until you ... toot"  The note said that at 8:45 you go to sleep - so at 8:45 I said, Go to sleep, and you did.  That was cool.  Thank you for staring at Uncle Ryan like he was either funny or from outer space, we couldn't read that look on your face.  Thank you for all of the sloppy kisses, and for slimmmmmming my watch, it's waterproof, I think.  Thank you for not laughing at my story telling.... Poor .... little..... Kittens..... (it's crazy!) Meow........Meow..... Meow.  Thank you for letting me say prayers with you, and for allowing me to get through one song before you tried to rip my tongue out with your little fingers.  I loved seeing your new teeth.  Yes, I will remind your mom that it's a good thing that she's not still nursing... ouch.. (it's crazy!)  I hope you call me again.  Maybe Grandma Ruth and I can come over and we'll play pass the baby, spike the baby, Rise and Shout.... and wear blue shirts.  Er somethin' like that.  Any who - lucky me - I got my first Friday night tend.  Here's to many more.  (could you poop BEFORE your mom leaves next time?) You are a beautiful child.  xoxoox Love Grandma

I love my Grandbabies, one and all.

The resting place

This week has been a bit of a load for most of the members of my family.  Life is just hitting a few walls in each of our individual worlds.  Today, one by one, my children came to the house.  Each time the door opened, there stood the loves of my life, the purpose of all that I exist for.  Upon their faces were the smiles that I know that they put on in the car to wear in as to not let me know of their pain.  But, remember, I am the Mom, and my superpowers were on full alert today.  We all seemed to migrate to the back yard.  There - we found what we always find... peace.  The blankets get thrown out on the grass, the baby's get laid down under the big tree, and the toys scattered about.  One by one we find our place on the blanket and eventually.... our hearts pour out.  It is a healing place, a place of rest and sometimes magic.  In each of my children I see the challenges of life, the battle scars of victories well fought and well won upon their souls.  I see, and rejoice in the solid foundation of their beliefs in a higher being - and that he knows and loves them - and will never leave them.  I felt fear, and heartache, and worry - and yet - my loves - I wish you could have seen the powerful glow from your hearts shining through.  I use to tuck you in your beds when you were tiny, and I would squeeze you tight and tell you I loved you.  I would tell you that the worries of today will drift away and that the new day will bring new challenges, and that you were strong enough to live up to that which awaited you.  Now that you're all grown up - your spouses might freak out if I came and tucked you in... but I wish I could.  I would tell you - Fresh Courage Take, Remember Who You Are, Continue to Love, Believe, Pray, and Breathe.  Beyond all things - the love that your mother has for you is greater than any love you'll ever know.  It is different from the love you have for your sweethearts, it's a mom's love.  I promised God that when I finally got to have you here on earth - I would love you forever.  Remember, you are the greatest design, my greatest joy, my greatest hope for the future.  Lucky Me... (you are all amazing)

Taxi....

Tough day at the office... actually, this whole week

was full of awfulness from every direction of life.

24/7

I should learn to be a more grateful person,

for the challenges in my life remind me...

that I am still alive somehow ironically.

Today I called a taxi and said -

GET me FAR away FROM my LIFE.

So this handsome guy drove up.

Took me to Walmart,

where I sought out the finest groceries

in the land.

Took in the sights, sniffed a pineapple,

found some black beans, and

realized that I have a pretty amazing

life.  (ok compared to the lady in the

sweats and the visible above the waistline... thong)

I think I forgot to tip the driver,

but I did leave some pureed squash

in the freezer for later.

Life, for a few hours, was amazing.

... and I believe that little white spot,

is Big J's first tooth.

Bring on the corn on the cob!

Please - let's have at least 3 weddings at the same time.... YEAH!

Well.... there were weddings to attend - actually 3 in the same weekend!  Del and I were in a bind as to where we should all go, with one of the weddings in California and 2 in Utah, it meant some tough choices.  We appreciated our children heading in so many directions to make everyone happy.  The week brought many fun activities, and several more blogs to come with pictures to follow.  But for now...here's how it went down on the party week...



 Matt and Bethany came from Washington to enjoy Bethany's sister's marriage in the Draper Utah Temple.  Matt will now have to share being a son-in-law - and probably the Wii system also.  Congratulations to Katrina and Doug - and also Happy Anniversary to Matt and Bethany - married on the same day, in 2005!

This Bunch - is waiting for the next wedding in Mendon.  My niece Heidi married Nick - bringing another Nick into the family!  They were married in my parents beautiful yard, in front of the 3 pine trees, and under the arbor built by my brother Eric.  Congratulations to this new couple!

 

(I'll explain the 'A' later)

The next wedding on the same day and at the same time - was in Corona Del Mar, California.  Del's brother Steve married this beautiful new Sister in Law of mine - Jeanie.  Ashley and Mike headed down with Del to celebrate with the California family.  Beautiful!  We are LUCKY to have so much love all around us!  Welcome Jeanie!

 

But - I got the best deal of all....

Grandkids

ALL of them!!!

Lucky Me

Princess Em

and "Guppie" Monster Truck D-bug

and the Super Adorable Jman.....

wow - so dang cute, can't get enough,

I'm like kissing the screen....

I love my family

I'm grateful for weddings which

bring even more love, more people, and

incredible memories into our family.

The End

(Heidi's cake)

My 10 year 9/11 thoughts

Sept. 11: Utah remembers | ksl.com

www.ksl.com

I've been watching a lot of the 10th Anniversary coverage of 9/11.  I found myself getting drawn in - and reliving it all.  Had I known then what I know now - about all of the after effects, with war, and more lives taken... I might have just shut myself into a closet and tried to make it all go away.  But then I have to remember how it had shaped my life now, and I'm reminded of the heros that have emerged because of it.  Today my son in law was part of a program on KSL Channel 5 in which I was able to see him in full dress uniform at his wedding, in his full combat clothes far away from home, and then in his tee shirt in his own living room.  I love all three of these Mikes.  But selfishly - I'm drawn to the tee shirt Mike - because this guy tonight said something that I love hearing about the most.  "I'm now turning to being more of a family guy"  and indicated that he would be spending more time with his wife.  I can't think of a more wonderful thing to do.  You HAVE given it all, you HAVE been all you've been asked to be, you DESERVE some Mike life now.... and we are all behind you 100%.  I am proud to be an American - I'm thankful for all of the tributes to the fallen - I weep for the loss of life.  My 2nd favorite interview today was of the father that said, "My children were not even born yet - but I will make sure they know of it, and of the bravery of those that gave their lives for them"  That's right.... My grandchildren, you know Punky Brewster Doxtader, and Tommy Hawker Doxstader... will hear the stories of their daddy and mommy from me.  Thanks Mike n Ashley - I know it was a team effort.  Now..... please..... go and score    (yep - I wrote that on my blog)

Oh Matt... you married up.... lucky guy

Hey - you with the stars in your eyes.....

Happy Anniversary!

I think you had been home from your mission in Taiwan

for about 12.5 minutes when this was taken.

You are so dang lucky she didn't marry the guy

from the copy center.... I'm just sayin...

What amazing adventures you've had over the past 6 years

Married in the Jordan River Temple

College

Masters Degrees

Children

Moving, Moving again,

Moving again,

Moving out of state,

Moving again

New Home

Church Jobs

Family Adventures

Traveling about the country

New Jobs

Getting to know your local popo's better

after Matt bought his motorcycle....

Raising Em & Dstr with love

and making sure you

always make time

to visit.

Thank you for taking us along for the ride.

You are dearly loved in every way.

(Bethany - if you only knew the HUGE

crush he had on you - how the world changed

in a million ways when he met you, how he

found another family to call his own and stay

way too late at their house, how he loved being

a son to Mark and Kathy, how he loved fattening up

Mory, and teasing his sister in laws.

How he could hardly wait

for 'married housing' status

at BYU.... (?)

Lucky girl - Matt loves you)

Yep.... there's still some stars!

(and a couple of little stars too)

Oh Happy Day!

Love Mom

It's not about the eternal journey, it's actually the 4-wheel drive ride there...

I feel the personal need to explain this shell shocked picture on this day - August 30, 2011.  This is Mandy and Ryan right after they were married in 2007.  One of my most favorite memories with Mandy and Ryan was when we all (Ashley, Ryan H, myself, Mandy and Ryan M) decided to go to the ward camp out.  A simple trip up the Provo Canyon, and up to the top of the mountains on the Heber side of the valley.  We loaded up (literally could not see out) the 4-runner with all of the camping gear, clothes and food, and the 5 of us headed out about 5ish.  After 3 hours of driving, we finally arrived - but not until after circling around the Park City area and almost back into the Salt Lake Valley. Apparently there was a simple way in the backside of Provo, but we had passed that road hours earlier.  Towards the end we just decided to take a random road that would perhaps lead us into the canyon we needed.  We headed up the mountain.... in 4 wheel drive - with me behind the wheel.  When the boulders in the middle of the road became SO HUGE that we looked like those psycho Monster Truck drivers in the 4th of July parade................. the laughing started.  It started and for a solid hour we laughed until we were all hysterical.  Now under any normal circumstance, this is exactly how our family is - but in direct view of my rear view mirror - was my new son-in-law Ryan M.  The look on his face was a variety of fear, frustration, confusion, and unbelief that all of this was going on.  I, personally, would have thought that having my life in the hands of my new mother in law was bad enough.  Ryan learned that day, perhaps, that his mom in law, was a freakin' good 4-wheeler.  He also learned, perhaps, that crying while laughing is the sign that our family was about to snap into hysterical oblivion.  Hopefully he learned that day that, perhaps, it was a good thing he had an eternal marriage with Mandy because it possibly could have ended right there and then.  Overall, and the moral of the story is...... Usually it's wallpaper that decides the fate of a marriage, but in Mandy and Ryan's case... it COULD have been tossing and turning in a car in the Nevada desert, it COULD have been Driving cross country with a 5 month old child, nope - I think that quite possibly, it will always be the Ward Camp out Adventure.

4 years ago today - I joined in with the rest of all of the people that love Ryan and Mandy as they were married in the Salt Lake Temple.  We threw an adventure into full gear in the back yard for their reception.  Today, we celebrate a new little family, and all of the adventures to come with Ryan, Mandy and Big J.  Love to you all, pass the marshmallows, shift it into high..... and keep your arms and legs in the ride at all times.  xoxoxo Bob the Monster Truck Driver....