growing old

Yesterday I went to visit my grandmother who is 88 years old. She wasn't doing very well and I was not prepared for what I found. She was very pale, lifeless and weak. I couldn't help myself from sitting there and crying. As the day continued I just cried more. At one point she looked at me and said "why are you crying?" as she reached over and wiped my tears. I replied "I love you so much and I hate to see you sick". "Oh don't worry I won't be sick long. How are you my kin?" I had to laugh a little. I replied "I am your granddaughter Dana, Jon's daughter and I have three kids that are your great grandchildren." "Oh that is a really nice name, I like it a lot." "Yes Grandma, you came up with the name, I was names after my dad your son, Jon Dana." she replies "Very nice name, will you hold my hand". So I sat there and held her hand for a while.

When grandpa talks to her, he calls her his girlfriend, it always brings a smile to my face. At one point she asked grandpa if he was married. I don't know if she was trying to pick up on him or what. He would just answer her yes hunny I am married to you for almost 70 years now. Oh she would say.

My grandmother.

Wonderful Example - The best I have come across

Loving

Always being of service to anyone and everyone

Always wanted to learn new things, she was always taking classes to better herself and teach others what she has learned from cooking to writing to gardening

Best journal keeper I have meet - we read to her her journals and old letters

Resourceful - I don't think the woman ever purchased containers for the kitchen. She always used the old yogurt or other containers.

Always calm

NEVER judged anyone and NEVER said a bad word about ANYONE

I will always remember

the weekend sleepovers with the cousins

basket of strawberries as valentine gifts

the best enclosed porch ever, that we turned into our play land

Wonderful garden to pick flowers, fruits and veggies

Aways there to give advice and to just love us

The bucket of dress up clothes and drawer of extra clothes....just in case we had an impromptu sleepover.

The best pot roast, Italian soup, fried pies and bread you have ever tasted.

The boxes of old cards, buttons, yarn ect that she would save so that the "kids" could make craft projects.

Her love of apples and popcorn

Willingness to serve in church

I hope that I can be half as good a mother and grandmother that she has been. I have learned so much from her and I am eternally grateful for that.

Special Ring Tone

The phone rang and the caller id said Capistrano Unified School District....my heart always drops to my feet! I know that my kids need something and it usually is not a great call. It was 2:07, school just got out at 2:05 and Preston was scheduled to go to Clay Class. The office lady said I have Preston here, he said you don't know that Clay was canceled and you should pick him up immediately. Immediately...really school has only been out for 2 minutes. How did he have time to walk to the office and let them know his situation?

Apparently I am not on the email list for Clay Class. So I got in the car and drove to pick him up. Mind you its only 2 minutes after school was out. There were still many parents picking up.

Preston waited in the office until I arrived even though kids were still waiting outside. Upon entering the car he says "MOM! you said you were going to get me a cell phone because of these kinds of situations!". The conversation continued a little. Harrison chimmed in to let us all know that Hunters dad is always late picking him up and maybe he should get a cell phone too. After listening to Harrison for a few minutes, Preston speaks up and says "Enough about Hunter, the point is I need a cell phone."

My Prayers Have Been Answered!

FINALLY a ward FAMILY Christmas party. Don't get me wrong I love adult only thing but church + Christmas = family. Am I missing something? This was our first ward family Christmas party and I was so excited. I have to make sure that I thanked everyone who made it possible and praise them for their efforts. The kids had a blast, so did we and now I have confirmation that I was right all along. Boycotting adult only Christmas activities was A - OKAY

The main cast was preselected and everyone else were Sheppard's. Harrison was not going to have it. He was Joseph and nobody was going to tell him different. Elizabeth keep telling him back stage he was a Shepard and he would reply No I am Joseph. On stage he main sure he was as close as he could be to center stage and took his self appointed position very seriously.

Emma tried to snag baby Jesus.
My Three Blessings
Emma warmed up to Santa after candy was involved.
Emma was not really into Santa, this was as good as it was gonna get! Do you just love the flips in the middle of December? Yes we live and love California.

Follow the Star

We enjoy attending Follow the Star every year to kick off the Christmas season. We usually invite a friend to dinner and the event. This year we ended going on our own and it was nice.

Jog a Thon

I am not a big fundraiser fan. I would rather just write you a check and give you my time and not peddle a bunch of crap. Sorry but that is the honest truth. Jog a Thon is something I don't mind. All the money goes to the school, you get some good running in and to top it off you get to enjoy a Popsicle with friends.

Preston you take the task at hand very seriously! Its all business, I hate to break it to you but I just write a check and you are not running for pledges! I will keep that to my self and let you run your heart out.

Harrison on the other hand loves to have fun! The highlight was sticking your bum in front of someone to check off your lap and laughing!

Have fun boys and be proud of your efforts for your school!

WARNING

This years house decorating was not so great. Maybe after the seventh year you guys are just over it, maybe you were tired, maybe you were into eating it. I had to finish them which did not warrant in "after" photos. We will see what next year bring. I suggest you get a little more excited or this will be a tradition that I cross off my list of Christmas to-do.

Trunk or Treat 2010

The annual Trunk or Treat, it is one of my favorites and the kids too. The cutest little witch ever!Jeremy set up a crime seen in the back of the car and wore a DOC jump suit.
Fun Friends
Mario and the Vampire that went around trying to suck everyone's blood.
My Mighty Trio