-Life in the Busy Lane

I had such good intentions--write a blog entry every day last week. I have many blessings to be thankful for and I had ideas jumping out of my head.

But, alas, real living needed more attention than I had hours in my days.

Beds to make so my visiting grandchildren had a place to sleep.

Rooms to clean so the cobwebs wouldn't scare anyone.

Food to purchase and cook so the troops would not starve.

Babies to hold and kiss.

Little ones to play with and listen to.

Pies to bake.

Turkey and the trimmings to prepare and serve--a feast for the best of guests--
My family that I love.

I was missing two of my children, but they were close in my heart. (and on the phone)

This is the best time of year to reflect on all that is good. I am sure there is plenty that needs attention and improvement--but, let's choose to focus on the many rich, wonderful and good blessings that we all have.

Yes, I live in the busy lane right now, but it is busy with family that I love. I am richly blessed. I am a lucky girl.

-Thanksgiving

This week is Thanksgiving and it deserves some think time.

Having an attitude of gratitude can help us be the type of people others like to be around.

Thankful people are usually happy people.

Sometimes taking time to see a blessing in the situations of life will change an unfortunate situation into a positive experience.

Gordon B. Hinckley had this to say:

Be Grateful
Stop seeking out the storms

Ponder that one for a while...

-Eden

This week we are celebrating Eden's Birthday. She is four years old. How fast the years go by.

I have been privileged to be with her all week and I have enjoyed her 4 year old antics. As she asks for something she says "Grandma is your favorite word please?" When I answer yes she says "do you like thank you, too?" Then I tell her it is my second favorite word in the whole world. And then she smiles from ear to ear.

Eden puts her tapping finger to her pursed lips thinking, then starts writing a list. She spouts bits of little girl wisdom often. She likes to change her clothes 3 to 4 times a day. She is self entertaining.

Eden makes me laugh. She decided I needed some help today so she got out her tool set and using her hammer, saw and scrub brush repaired what she could-- on my body.

She is bold, happy and creative, yet when she was at the Doctor she was suddenly shy. She has gained 5 pounds and grown 3 inches this year. Her hair is getting longer and she lets her mom put it up into pretty styles.

We walk together to the pond so she can throw rocks into the water, this will entertain her for an hour or more. She is a kind and loving big sister to her new baby, and she adores her big brother. She wants everyone to be happy and well cared for. While her mother was sick for so many months she was ready to take the tray up at every meal.

Now that her mother is among the family again she is happy to just sit by her side and take notes. Her Daddy is her first love and he adores her. She loves her dolls and dress up clothes. She worries about next years Halloween costume. She enjoys school and is friendly.

Eden is looking forward to her Pinkalicious Birthday Party this weekend. I have been sewing aprons for her guests and her mother has been baking cupcakes for them to decorate. I am sure it will be a fun time for all. There are pink flowers, balloons and streamers decorating the house in preparation of the celebration.

Happy Birthday, Eden. Grandma loves you.

-Home

Today I am enjoying my newest granddaughter. She is asleep in her swing with quiet music playing. She looks so peaceful.

I know how she feels.

A relaxing day at home, surrounded by the people and things you love, is a good investment in time.

So many people just have to get out and go-- every day--WHY??

To me, a day at home without the need to leave is a blessing.

I am not able to stay at home often enough.

Don't get me wrong--I have been enjoying the travel opportunities I have been given. And I feel like a day visiting one of my children or going to my parents home is like a day at a family getaway house.

Some homes are large and fancy. Some homes small and humble.

Sometimes our home is neat and tidy, sometimes it is a riot of projects and people droppings, yet it is home.

Love and memories make it home. Joy and happiness make it comfortable. Good food and enjoyable conversation keep it welcoming.

Yes, be it ever so humble, there is no place like home.

-Travel

I packed my bags again.

Got on the plane and enjoyed the trip across the country.

As I looked out of the window of the plane, the land below reminded me of a patch work quilt.

Some squares green, some brown, some with a round design in the middle.

I could see the cloud line very distinctly. like the fluffy batting that keeps a quilt soft and snuggly.

At the end of the trip my mom and dad wrapped their arms around me and gave me a warm hug and kiss.

I have lived in my own home for 38 years, but no matter how old you are it feels good to go home.

As I settled in for the night I looked around the room and saw pictures of my children and grandchildren. Pictures of me and my siblings as small children were there as well.

No matter how many years or miles separate me from my childhood, it is good to come home for a visit every now and then.

I snuggle under the quilt on the bed in my parents home and talk to my sweetheart on the phone.

I am a little girl in my parents home.

I am a wife, mother and grandmother, managing my family over the phone.

Many responsibilities, joys and memories on both sides of the contenient.

Thank goodness for telephones and computers to keep us in touch with those that we love when we can't be together.

Airplanes and cars take the thousands of miles that separate me from those that I love and narrow the distance.

Yes, I packed my bags again.

-A Girls First Love

I remember as a little girl falling in love, with my daddy. He was the tallest, strongest, most handsome man I had ever met.

He protected me from evil and showered me with gifts and kisses. Whenever the going got tough he could always fix it for me.

What more could a girl ask for??

Of course I was only 21 inches long at the time, but I admit the love affair continued until I reached my adult height of 5'8".

My father loves my mother. He loves me and my siblings. He loves the Lord with a deep abiding love that shows as he wipes a tear from his eye.

I am so excited to go see him this week. I admit it has been too long since I have been home, too many needs with my own children here on the opposite coast of the country.

A girl always holds a tender place in her heart for her first love. It is hard for any man to measure up. I am thankful that when I brought home the man I would marry, my dad treated him with respect and kindness. Any thing my young husband did not know how to do and daddy thought he should know, he lovingly and patiently taught him.

Thank you Daddy, for always being there for me. Thank you for slipping the extra cash in my pocket when we were young and poor. Thank you for the compliments on my pretty dresses. Thank you for teaching me what a good man should be. Thank you for being a good grandpa to my children. Thank you for loving mama, for loving me, and for loving the Lord.

I am so excited to come see you and give you a birthday kiss in person. I am so excited to feel your arms around me.

Yes, a girl always remembers her first love.

Happy Birthday Daddy.

-Pack It Up

I spent yesterday helping a friend pack up and get ready to move

far, far away from here.

I am sad for me.

She will be close to her family, it is good for her.

Sad for me.

We have been friends for almost 20 years, through thick and thin (literally), rebellious teenagers, eleven weddings, hospital stays and brand new grand babies.

Talking to my friend and hearing her stories always reminds me that my family is normal.

I will miss that comfortable reminder.

Even though the miles will now separate us, our memories (and blogging) will still keep us close.

Life is here to enjoy the journey,

even though the road sometimes takes a few twists and turns you were not planning on.

The trick is to keep your eyes open and smile as you go.

Travel safe, my friend. I love you.