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

Pancakes

And the winner is......

the young man who can consume 9+ thick and flaky pancakes in one meal

When baby Caroline was in the hospital Dallin was 3 and Ella not quite 2. It was a difficult time for the whole family. They moved just before Caroline was born, and it was a 10 hour drive. The children came to stay with us a few times and I made many trips to their home during that one memorable year.

We ate a lot of pancakes together, it was a meal they enjoyed that would fill their tummies up. In the 6 years since that time, whenever we are together, Dallin and Ella always ask for pancakes.

I don't think Dallin realizes why he likes pancakes so much. I don't think I realized why until I started really thinking about it during this visit. It is his form of comfort food for the soul. To comfort his soul I have made pancakes every morning since I got here.

On Thursday we were running late so I had him buy lunch at school. Little did I know that the menu for the day was breakfast for lunch--pancakes.

On Friday I decided to take the children out for dinner to one of Dallin's favorite places--Bob Evans. It is convenient--just down the street and reasonably priced. I was thankful to have a choice besides mac and cheese, we were all happy. The two boys looked over the picture menu and both ordered.....pancakes.

This morning I fired up the grill and started flipping the pancakes. Dallin downed 6 large and fluffy ones with home made syrup so fast I had to blink twice. Yesterday he downed the first four off the grill and the second 5-- for a total of 9. It would have been 10 but I got sloppy and accidentally dropped one.

If I can keep a young boy happy while his parents are away by flipping pancakes, I'll flip as many pancakes as it takes to fill him up, both body and soul.

Dallin has been so tired while I have been here, I think he might be growing--but then maybe it is just a carbohydrate overload.

Keeping Up

I am lucky to be able to be in Indiana with a few of my grandchildren. Today is my first day in charge and I am glad the kids are good helpers.

Oops #1--Woke up late after a short night and almost missed the bus

Oops #2--Got lost taking Brody to preschool

Oops #3--Got lost picking Brody up from preschool

Oops #4--Let Brody take a book to bed when he laid down for his nap and he forgot to go to sleep

Oops #5--Dallin had fractions for homework and I knew he was doing the math wrong, but needed to go into the other room with a pencil and paper to work a simple problem to figure it out

Oops #6--After homework was finished started to breathe a sigh of relief for the afternoon to calm down when Dallin reminded me he had soccer practice this evening

All this and the parents have only been gone for 12 hours--I am doing great.

Not to worry:

• Dallin's alarm works and he is very responsible so we made the bus.
  
• I know my way around town better after a tour of the city on the way to and from preschool.
• I was awarded a few minutes of snuggle and rocking time with a 4 year old angel who was able to relax and take a little nap.
• Dallin's homework is complete and correct.
• Dinner is in the oven and we will be ready to go in an hour.

Disaster sidetracked--All is well

9 year old wisdom

Mom: What happens if you have a bad attitude when you start a project??

Dallin: You don't get anything done ;o(

So it is in life. Attitude is 90 percent of the project at hand no matter what the project is. When you have a 'can do attitude' you can accomplish a task much faster and easier than when the opposite is working.

As I tell my kids--

You are winning as long as you keep trying....
as soon as you quit trying... you lose.

Dallin Michael

This weekend we recognized the birthday of our oldest grandchild, Dallin. He turned 9 this year and is becoming quite a fine young man. He is a good athlete and a great student. He loves to play the piano and enjoys going to church. He is active in scouts and his testimony of gospel truths is growing. We are very proud of him. I am fondly thinking of his baptism day last summer and our trip we took together. I hope he, too, will always remember the fun we shared.

Dallin shares his special day with two other people in my family that I love very much, my sister Ann and my great grandmother, Marie Elizabeth Sorensen Jensen. It seems that, in our family anyway, special family things happen on special family days.

Happy Birthday, Dallin. Grandma and Grandpa love you