A Walk in Time

The last few days my husband and I have taken a walk in time down memory lane.

We are visiting places he lived before we became us.

Forty years changes many things, at first it was hard to recognize the place.

Then,

Slowly recognition dawned.

The base was closed in the 90's, yet we found what we were looking for

We climbed the 10 flights of steps to the top of the control tower

We found the barracks where he lived

The  NCO club building was still there

Our daughter was able to help us get access to the commissary where we purchased American treats for our trip

We found the base chapel where he went to church

We sat on the flight line for about two hours sipping a soda and reminiscing  over our dreams and hopes both past and future

Bitburg, Germany is a place I have heard about and thought about for 40 years.

It is where my sweetheart became his own man, made decisions and choices that would affect our life together

For 40 years he has promised to take me there

It is a beautiful place where the green fields are spring green in August

The rolling hills are covered with fertile farms

The hamlets are picturesque

My sweetheart went home this week and he took me with him

Thank you, Shawna for helping your parents make a dream come true

The Great Out of Doors

Last week was a lot of hard work, but so much fun as I cooked, chatted and got to know the young women from church and their leaders as we camped and worked together. I had fun baking outside in the most amazing contraptions in order to offer brownies (from a cardboard box), a layered birthday cake (dutch oven), whole wheat bread and cinnamon swirl bread (plastic bin wonder oven). To me it is an adventure to go off the beaten path and try to be self sufficient when the norm is not available.

While I was away lounging in my hammock my sweet husband attacked the side porch. We have been using it for a long while as a workshop, the saw has been set up and the wood stacked for a quick place to prepare the next home improvement project. It has been wonderful, but slowly the sawdust was taking over, and what with the summer settling in, we needed to evict some critters who were becoming too comfortable and needed to be reminded that people live in houses and critters in the woods.

It was nice to come home and see the finished project, not to mention a place to put all of the camping gear while the washer goes through it's regiment to clean it all up again. My sweetheart and a yellow jacket had a stinging run-in while visiting on the porch, and the new refrigerator went kapoot and had to be dealt with (why do things break down just after the warranty runs out?)but all in all a great deal was accomplished outside last week.

The day I cam home from camp I had a house full of little ones waiting for me here at the house. They will be with us for two weeks and we are having fun teaching them the adventures of being outside at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

We have been pulling weeds, planting flowers, strolling down the lane, playing slip and slide, swinging and having picnics, to their amazement, all outside. Cries of "it is hot" have been met with a quick shower from the hose and a tall glass of lemonade. We are learning together that there are a lot of fun things to do outside on a warm summer day. Winter is spent inside doing homework, summer sun calls for fun outside by the pool.

I have hung up the hammock and stocked the freezer with popsicles, it is time for summer relaxing.

What do you do when the days are long and warm?

My Men

There are eight men in my everyday life that I enjoy being with.

My husband of almost 40 years is my best friend and daily companion as I walk the streets of life. I enjoy sharing with him and being with him. He just retired and we are having a great time learning how to spend our twilight years on a day to day basis.

I have a wonderful father who I admire and adore. He is tall and handsome and loves my mother. He is a steady force in my life who thinks I chose well when I decided to make my life's work that of being a wife and mother. Thank you, Daddy.

I gave birth to three beautiful baby boys who have grown into amazing men. They love their wives and children. They try to make right choices. They steadily work in their chosen professions to provide for their families. I watch them change diapers and help in the kitchen to lighten the load of their wives who have chosen to be full time homemakers. When I visit their homes I feel welcome and happy.

I have three sons in my life that my daughters chose to marry. These fine men treat my daughters with respect and kindness. They encourage my daughters to pursue opportunities to express their talents at home and with friends. They are examples of spiritual steadiness who lead their families in a prayerful attitude. They are men who treat me with gentleness. They are men to be admired.

All of these men, together, help me be who I am. I am surrounded by the strength of truth. These eight stand for what is right, and do not sway, no matter how strong the storm that is raging around them. They protect the women and children in their lives with fierce commitment of love and loyalty.

I watch as they gently guide their children to make choices that strengthen the bonds that help their families stay strong. These are men who are approachable when a discussion needs to happen, they can see the goal we are striving for and lead their families steadily onward.

You may ask how I am lucky enough to have so many wonderful men in my life. It may seem impossible to some to find even one great man, in this day and age, to be with. I have watched them closely, and have discovered that they work hard to be strong and steady yet, kind and gentle. They are men who can be found pouring over the scriptures for answers to their questions. They can be found on their knees asking for guidance when faced with a troubling issue. They can be heard quietly talking, in the dark of night, to their sweet wives, as they lay side by side dreaming and planning together.

These men are not perfect. They occasionally make mistakes, become frustrated and short tempered (like we all do). They can become discouraged and downhearted, every now and then, as well. But, they are quick to recognize then they are wrong and make amends to keep things going along as smooth as possible. They respond well to a kind word of encouragement from those they love and quickly take up the task again of leading in righteousness. These things speak volumes to me of the inner strength that makes them who they are.

I have heard it said that A MAN NEVER STANDS TALLER THAN WHEN HE IS ON HIS KNEES IN PRAYER

I am thankful to have eight tall and handsome men in my life. Thank you for your kindness to me, my daughters and my grandchildren. Thank you for your guidance and strength during a storm. Thank you for your love. Thank you for being who you are.

I have eight men in my everyday life that I enjoy being with. I am loved. I am a lucky girl.

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

Love

I am helping with a wedding this weekend.

I have had many opportunities to talk with the bride and groom over the last several months as they went through the process of being friends to the commitment of marriage. They are not in the first blush of youth in their lives, yet making the commitment to marry and share their lives forever seems overwhelming at times.

We had many opportunities to discuss this thing called love. Is it a feeling?? Is it a commitment?? Is it passion??

As we talked, and I continued to think, I realized that truly loving someone is trust and contentment. It is deciding to walk the path of life together and then working to make that walk enjoyable. Sometimes there is passion. Sometimes the feelings of joy are overwhelmingly wonderful. But, most often marriage is trust.

I am thankful that I was able to find someone to love and trust early in my youth. We have had a good marriage and I do love him more today than when we married 38 years ago. After many life experiences I trust him more too. Has our life been easy?? NO!! Have we made mistakes and disappointed each other on occasion?? Yes. Yet we have tried to work out the differences and keep walking, learning to trust and depend on each other through each bump we encountered.

I tell my children that they can win in the game of marriage only when they keep trying. It is if they choose to quit that they will lose. Trying to figure it out is a winning effort. In time everything improves.

Yes, love is passion, a feeling and a commitment. But, mostly it is trust and a feeling of contentment.

Honor

This post is by Grandpa:

On a business trip to the west coast this week, I had a very special experience I would like to share.

When I got to the airport, I noticed a military honor guard. These days, that generally means a fallen serviceman. Unfortunately, this was no exception.

The casket flew with us to Dallas along with two members of the guard; one from the Army and the other from the Marine Corp. When we landed in Dallas, the pilot got on the intercom and told us that we had the privilege of carrying a fallen serviceman. He asked that we wait to get off the plane until the two guardsmen could get off the plane to attend to the casket. He then asked those who did not have tight connections to wait until casket had been removed before deplaning.

The flight was full but not one person left the plane.

We all stood and watched reverently through the windows as a guard team removed the casket from the plane. It was loaded onto a special baggage cart that had a flag and service emblems painted on the outside and was painted white on the inside.

We all watched in silence. Businessmen muted their phones. The only sound was a mother quietly explaining to her young son what was going on.

Once the casket was loaded the curtains were drawn and the cart pulled away,

We all deplaned pretty much in silence. There were several red eyes including the pilot's and mine. It was a solemn reminder that all politics aside, there are young men and women willing to sacrifice their lives to keep us safe.

Thank you to all of them

Father's Day

I called my dad to wish him a Happy Father's Day and to tell him how much I love him. It was so good to talk to him. I miss my daddy. He lives on the other side of the country and the miles are many. Talking to him I was warmed by his laughter and concern for me and my growing family.

Growing up I knew my dad could do anything. He could repair what was broken, he could build and create whatever was needed, he managed all that needed to be done. He led our family in prayer and took us to church, showing the way to spirituality. He loves my mother and showed it in the way he treated her and us.

When I married, he treated my husband with respect, lovingly teaching us how to be a married couple. He helped us remodel our first, second--every house--we bought. I always knew that daddy could make it better.

I am a lucky girl. I have a wonderful father. I have the best husband a girl could dream of. I have 3 great son's who have become amazing men. My daughters have blessed me with 3 sons in law who are loving fathers and kind husbands.

Happy Father's day to the men in my life. I love you with all my heart. You make me happy.