My little Pilgrim

Harrison truly enjoyed his first school program. It is one of my favorites too. Something about sign language and kids singing at the same time just touches my heart. You did a wonderful job Harrison!

To My Future Grandchildren

I let your parents make HUGE messes and you should remind them of this if they ever deny you the opportunity to spend the afternoon with a little play dough. Here is the proof! And be sure in the middle of your creativity that you don't worry about the floor, they will clean it out of the carpet later when you go to bed! Also remind them that on a hard day McDonald's lunch makes it that much easier. With all my love, grandma

Sometimes You Just Need a Diet Coke

This is what I found in my shower. We all use the same shower and by the looks of it I would say it was Emma. No one in the house is safe taking a shower....if she hears the water running her clothes fly off and the diaper ripped off on one side and then shaken off! Normally you will find all the the items in a trail on the stairs.

BEWARE!

Preston has been constantly sick this school year! So much that when I go into the school to help in the classroom I bring disinfectant wipes with me and wash EVERY ONES desk. If they all stay healthy so will Preston. One day I found this sign on his bedroom door. These are the moments that I do not want to forget. Notice the signature - he is "practicing" his cursive handwriting.

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.