Kinda drives me nuts when people go on and on and on and on about their kids like nobody's kids could ever touch how amazing their kids are and their lives are incredible and it gets all braggy and sappy and over talked about and over achieving and tremendous and outrageously talk talk talk about their kids etc..... well suck it up people because I am freaking proud of my kids. So I've decided to boast and brag a tad. Well - because actually I haven't got anything to do with their accomplishments so I can brag about them right? Right, Right, Bloody well right - I've got the right to say.......... oh that use to be one of my totes fave songs..... shiny keys....
In one week..... mind you.......
My son, currently living in Washington State - with his beauty of a wife and 3 gorgeous children, called me from Singapore, where he was on a work related marathon trip. He has been living in WA for 5.5 years now - and I've missed them with all my heart - even though every single effort has been made by then to visit and get us there to visit and calls and blogs and texts and facebook/Skype options.... it was hard not to just hang out and see the kids. His call went like this..... "Hey mom, We're moving back to Utah - I've given Amazon my 2 weeks notice and I'll be starting at Adobe in a month. Pinch me... I'm turning blue from not breathing. He's nailed yet another dream job - and it's going to be in my backyard... can you say "Family pictures are going to be a lot more accessible??" I'm looking forward to many many years of noisy, beautiful, growing grandchildren.
My daughter, currently an Engineer, a mom, a soldiers wife, has now put herself in world class standing in Crossfit Competitions. Can't keep up with this one. I try to think of it as breast pumps to barbells to bombs.... and then wonder if I could possibly post that on facebook..... ya why not. This past week upon hearing that her husband, currently deployed, was injured, and had to be flown to the states for medical care. I watched this strong amazing woman pack up her child and catch a red eye flight to the south to be with her husband during medical tests and find out about unanswered questions. Such strength can only be found in rare people. I'm pleased beyond words that I know that it exists in her. I picked her up late in the night this past week upon returning home, leaving her husband, the heartache and worry prevalent in her eyes and watched her, even though her heart was breaking and exhaustion had overwhelmed her, tenderly bring a giggle and a smile to her daughters face. To be so strong, and so soft - is a gift. All prayers are going to her hubby at this time - but believe me - I'm saving a few special ones for her.
My daughter, currently reigning as "Best Utah Food Blogger" is changing the world one delicious idea after another. You can't go anywhere that someone doesn't say to me... Isn't your daughter Baking with Blonde? Oh, shucks... she sure is - big smile. If its not one channel wanting her on TV, it's another. She's got so many plans up her sleeve.... it's amazing. But beyond that she's also performing with the Utah Wind Symphony - and knocking the socks off of the musical world. Serving on the Board of Directors for the Symphony - the challenges come in gigantic waves and she just steps up and amazes everyone. In her spare time... she's the Primary President - ok - people - now I've just come off of a 2/5 year mission and they've put me in the nursery.... and I want to kill all of those children - so to have an entire room full of little ones that are not genetically linked to me - would take all I have and then some. Most of all - in her life - she is devoted to a little guy that melts everyone's heart, and a hubby that loves them both with all his heart - lucky me - I get to see this joy coming to pass in her life.
My son - and the reason I decided to post a long epistle on my blog - and brag brag brag pathetically beyond all belief and not care if I do or not.... Called me yesterday.... ok wait back up. This 4th child of mine is unique in the fact that he had to wait in heaven after making sure that all of his siblings made it here on earth - not knowing if his parents here would even consider having a 4th child and ruining his chances to come to earth. It was made known to me after the birth of my 3rd child that there was another one on the other side of the veil waiting to come. I know he had to come. His life has not be easy, not in any way, but he's grown to be an exceptional person and his heavenly strengths show through on this earth. He's married one of my 2 incredible daughter in laws - and before we even ask him how he is we always ask... how's Katie? (: He knows where he ranks. (: He's chosen an career choice that is exceptional and rare - he's fought each summer for internships that could help him after graduation, each summer miracles have happened and experiences have been exceptional. So his call last night was very tender to hear - and one that he never dreamed would happen.... He's been accepted as the recipient of the JPL Internship with NASA for this summer in California. This is exceptional news - and one that will.... ok - I'll just say it - take him to places where no man's been before, to explore....... ok - wait - it's kinda like that sweet of a deal.
So why take an entire blog post to brag? Because this past week I've wondered about many parts of my life - choices - failures - successes - dreams.... after being a mom for ever and ever - you kind of get lost and forgotten in a few ways and I wondered if I'd made the right choices, followed the right dreams. I think that no matter what we do in our lives - we need to know that the good things we try to do - go on and on and on - and eventually become grand things - even though you are only a part of the original good thing. To know that what I started 30 years ago as a mom - is now what it is today.... is enough for me. I am looking at the moments that I thought I might have kill them - either by letting them ride in the back of a truck, skateboard down a long street, feed them too much sugar OR when they ate everything in the fridge, came home late, went to Panda Express during school hours (not mentioning names Mandy) or getting tickets for driving like their mom.... I'm reminded that they survived - and will survive the events that this world will put in their paths. Each one - stayed close to their Heavenly Father - each one battled the battles of life, love, school, and mostly of me being their mom, and the mean ways of my parenting. They'll never get over their sex education instructions from me - it's brought up mainly over holiday dinners.... frightening but true - they are all still alive. In a week of choices to be made, moments to file, memories to document - I have found great joy in this week also. Sometimes a person needs to write these moments down, so on stormy days, you'll always have a pocket full of sunshine to fall back on. This week - brought ample sunshine to me. I love you kids, you blasted, rotten, texting behind my back in your little group testing club, beautiful, successful, fun, precious souls. brag brag brag and ruthlessly exploit.....
Your Grandpa Fred would always ask you,
"Are you going to amount to somethink"
(: yes with a 'k'
so to that I say,
"You Betcha"
(just look at them now dad)
