Grandma's Gentle Words

I am a lucky girl.  Both of my grandmothers lived until just a few years ago, when I was well into my adult years.

They both taught me many great things to remember and guide my life.

One item of business that I often have time to reflect on is:

THERE IS NO ROOM IN A HAPPY LIFE FOR JEALOUSLY

I have found that if I start feeling a bit under appreciated or achieved, a good dose of good deeds for others cures that ill feeling.  When the green monster of jealousy rears it's head in relationships it usually comes out in unkind words and actions.  When you are feeling attacked from nowhere it is usually because the attacker is feeling jealous.  I find it best to try not to be that person.

Another of my grandmother's wise words were these:

THERE IS NO ROOM FOR HURT FEELINGS IN A HAPPY LIFE

Sometimes it is best to resolve a matter by talking about the issue with the person who has offended you.  But, sometimes you just have to walk away and let time work it's magic.  It may be best to just lay low for a while. Then, when circumstances bring both of you together, go forward without looking back and dredging up old issues.  The two of you may always disagree, but a relationship on some level is better than none at all.  Remember TIME is your friend in this matter. Give it some time.

As our world swirls with commotion friend will be pitted against friend and families will be torn apart on issues that seem and are innocent at the start.  We live in perilous times.

Grandma also taught:

BE KIND IN ALL YOU DO

SMILE

REMEMBER TO PRAY

YOU ARE SPECIAL TO ME

I am thankful for my wise grandmothers who helped me see the world from their point of view, after years of experiences they could see the good and look past the rough.

A smile makes a world of difference.  Kind words build bridges.  Time heals open wounds.  Prayer mends a broken heart.

Another Year Older and New Beginnings

I am thrilled to announce that we have a new baby to celebrate. Miss Preslee Brynn was born earlier this week after a little scare for her mother and father. She decided to greet the world face first--though it was a wonderful thought, it presented a grave issue that the inspired doctor was able to deal with. I know that mommy and daddy had not gone into the birthing center with thoughts of a C-section, but when Preslee decided to enter the world in her own unique and very rare way the entire family was thankful for a healthy and happy outcome for both mommy and baby. Miss Preslee weighs in at 7 pounds 8 ounces and is 20 3/4 inches long. She has a smattering of light brown hair and a sweet little cry. Her grandfather says that she is definitely a member of the family--After the scare he noticed a few new grey hairs--Yes, she is ours.

The day after Preslee was born we celebrated 27 years for Uncle B. Brian admits that he was a bit disappointed that Preslee came 2 hours and 6 minutes too early to share his birthday, but we all agree a healthy baby two hours earlier than expected is a much sweeter prize than the distress her mother was beginning to feel and the strain on the babies neck.

Later this week we will recognize the decade remembrance of our oldest grandchild, Dallin. It seems like just yesterday when he was the sweet new baby we welcomed into the world on a warm June evening. Now he is an active and happy 10 year old boy who still brings his family great joy.

On that same day I take time to recognize my sweet sister, Ann, and the pleasure it has been to have her for a sister. I am excited because next week I get to go and spend an entire week with her. Lucky me.

To round out that family day I also take time to remember my great grandmother, Marie Elizabeth Sorensen Jensen. She was a strong and great woman who raised her family alone after her husband died young. It was at her request that I have my name, after her mother.

Now that is a busy week--but the birthday fun is not over yet--a week later my sweet husband will celebrate another year closer to retirement, meaning more time to go and visit these wonderful members of our family.


Happy Birthday everyone, and welcome to the family my sweet Preslee

Leslie Barr

To finish out this last BIRTHDAY WEEK I want to recognize my maternal grandfather, Leslie Barr.

Papa (as we called him) was born on August 2, 1915 in Cornwall, New York. He was the fourth son of Matthew Barr and Jane Matthews. They had just imigrated to the states from Liverpool, England bringing the two oldest (Matthew and Robert), Daniel having died in a fire before papa's birth. Papa also had a younger sister, Margaret.

Leslie met Rozella Jensen in Southern California when they both worked at the movie theater. He was an usher (handsome in his uniform!!) and Nana sold the tickets. He lied and told her he was two years older than he was and she lied and told him she was two years younger. For many years they did not know how old they really were. They fell in love and eloped, being married on December 6, 1934.

They had four children born to their union, Elizabeth Jane (my mother), Leroy Stanley, Leslie Ann and Kent Matthew.

I was their oldest grandchild and have many fond memories of happy family get togethers.

Nana was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the third generation) but Papa was not. After they were married for 44 years Papa was finally ready and decided to get baptized as a Christmas gift for the family. Two years later he took Nana to the temple. In January of 2000 we were all in the temple together doing work for his parents. It was a wonderful day. He told me on that occasion that the only thing he regretted in life was waiting so long to be baptized. Papa died on April 30, 2000, just 3 months after our wonderful day together.

Papa would have been 95 this year. I am thankful for the great heritage I come from and hope I can pass on a wonderful legacy to my grandchildren as well.

family time

When I was a little girl I lived just a few blocks away from my paternal grandparents and about an hour from my maternal grandparents. With my dad's family we were always together with cousins and aunts and uncles. Grandma cooked dinner on Sunday's, Thanksgiving and Christmas for her large extended family. After school I would walk to her house on some days for a treat or cooking lesson in her small kitchen. My cousins were like my siblings and when my aunts and uncles spoke I knew I need to jump. Once a year we would pack it up and ALL of us would head to the High Sierras to go camping. Grandma made it look so easy.

On my mom's side things were not quite so chaotic, but still lots of fun. Nana and Papa had a pool and we would spend summer afternoons swimming and lounging outside. We would have a special Christmas get together the weekend before Christmas at our house with all aunts, uncles and cousins. This family group was a little different since I have an uncle just 4 years older than me (he is younger than my husband!!) and our cousins were younger than us, but we still had lots of fun--just different.

The last 30 hours have been so much fun and so busy. Let's call it a mini family reunion--though we never had everyone here at the same time. Two came late last night and one had to work this morning--BUT, we had all cousins together for lots of fun and frenzy the whole time.

We got out the giant blue tarp, sprayed the kids with shaving cream and had so much fun slipping and sliding. We had contests like watermelon seed spitting and eating gummy worms from oreo cookie dirt like a bird. We spread PB our our hands and counted how many marshmellows would stick and used chop sticks to pick up grapes. Then my sweetheart fired up the grill and we had grilled corn, hot dogs, BBQ, fruit, baked beans and potato salad. We topped it all off with Chocolate cake (see recipe on side bar) and home made ice cream.

We gave the parents the night off and all grandkids without diapers were invited for a sleepover. We had 10 kids sleeping all over the house, and sleep they did from 10pm till after 7 this morning--pretty good.

My Grandma made it look so easy. I have many wonderful memories of fun times with cousins. I remember taking my children and having fun with my cousins and their children. Today I am exhausted and there are leftover things everywhere. But I also have a giant smile on my tired face.

I am thankful for my children and their spouses who sacrificed so much to come and share this time with us. It was good to see my sons play and have fun together with their brothers in law. It was nice to see my daughters visit with their sisters in law and talk about their homes, families and babies. It was especially enjoyable to see all the cousins play and bond and have fun. Today we number 28, by September we will be an even 30. Getting everyone together is not an easy task. My oldest and her family will be going back to Europe in August and will not be able to travel back here for 3 years. Three year old Brody commented after his 10 hour drive--"Wow, that took a really long time!!"

I know it is difficult when you have 6 busy families to coordinate times and schedules, but I appreciate the effort. Thank you, my children, for making me very happy. Thank you for pitching in and helping prepare the meals and clean up the messes we all made. Thanks for playing the games and having fun and laughing. It was a wonderful day and a half--You are the best. Can we do it again sometime??? Three years, let's make a date.

I am so proud to be your mother. It was a great 30 hours.