Memorial Day

 Go here and watch the video.

My Dad added this video to our family history website a while back and it is particularly on my mind today.

I do not know these men. Other than my Grandfather's and my Dad's Uncle Jim, I haven't heard stories of them or know about their lives. Yet I cannot help but be reduced to tears as I watch this, see their names, how they served and in many cases, the young ages at which their lives were ended.

In the grainy & faded photographs I recognize a smile, dimples, or eyes and the familiarity which tells me they are mine. That who I am, I owe in part to them. I see all of those who bear the name Robert - the same name I gave my son in honor of his Grandfather & Great-Grandfather and hope that he will live up to it. That leads me to think of the sons who didn't come home and the freedom that we all enjoy as a result and the tears start to flow.

On this day especially, I will watch this with my children gathered safely about me and when they ask  "Why are you crying Mom?" I will try to articulate what I feel and probably fail.

 I hope as they grow in age and understanding they will come to appreciate what I now do and also my sweet Dad who made them more than just names on a pedigree chart and helped us  feel a connection to them.

"And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."

Malachi 4:6

Dessert

We typically only have dessert on Sundays but every now & then we'll have it through the week if I find something delicious or am just in the mood for it.

We've had dessert twice this week. Last night we had watermelon & tonight we had fresh cherries. As you can imagine, this garnered some complaints from my two non-fruit eating girlies. They were begging for a substitute - ice cream, or something! I told them that was what was for dessert & if they didn't want to eat it they didn't have to.

I later found this note from Emily (typed & left open on my computer screen).

dessert

In Western culture, dessert is a course that typically comes at the end of a meal, usually consisting of sweet food. The word comes from the French language as dessert and this from Old French desservir, "to clear the table" and "to serve." Common desserts include cakes, cookies, gelatin, pastries, ice cream, pie, and candies.

I got it from wickipedia

This is what dessert is….

I heart the internet

love you Mum,

Emy Kate.

(she still didn't get the ice cream)

Hooray!

Our builder sent this to me today.

Under normal circumstances I would be sad to see trees being cleared - but when it is to make way for our new house to finally start being built - I find it quite delightful!

I think he sent me a photo from his phone because I needed to see it to believe it.

TWO MONTHS after we closed on the land & signed the contract with the builder (which was 6 weeks after we were ready & planning on closing on the land), we finally have the permits & are ready to get going. So, we are just beginning and already 3 1/2 months behind schedule ..... looks like this will be on the same schedule as all the renovations we've done to our current house!

Don't worry, there are still tons of trees all around and we'll be planting more after the house is built.

In the Car

"What are you doing buddy?"

"Just looking at nature upside down."

{iPhone photo}

Sure love that boy!

Our "House"

Today we stopped by our land to check out the tree clearing and look at where the house will be.

The girls running up what will eventually be our driveway.

Jacob & the stream.

Jacob after jumping the stream asking if he can go through the woods.

Jane & her BFF Ruth dancing in the meadow.

The very back (the shiny strip in the background is the river.)

This is NOT our ribbon, or the builders. He couldn't get it off when he was there but plans to cut it before they start clearing. I think this oak is almost as big as the one in our backyard - it's off to the side of the property and will be a great shade tree.

We love all our space.

 The road.

The "meadow" a view from the road.

At least we already have a fire hydrant.

Parenting Moments They Never Tell You About.

{iPhone Photo}

I guess if two of your kids are going to climb in your bed & then pee it is actually better that it happen at the same time.

 

Right?

 

Fortunately this happened before Rick & I had gone to bed because I've been woken up that way before and it is quite possibly the least pleasant way to wake up.

(I will say that one of those kids has been doing really well and has been dry all night since December ... it's just unfortunate that he had a relapse the night he climbed in my bed.)

Weak at the Knees.

On April 27th I had knee surgery.

My FOURTH in 10 years.

I have osteoarthritis and have had knee issues since I was pregnant with Emily. Actually, the first 3 of my knee surgeries were after each of the last 3 kids were born (being pregnant hammered my knees and is one reason Rick didn't really want to have any more kids.)

{iPhone Photo. Afternoon of the surgery}
My leg isn't that freakishly huge. Its' pretty swollen but I think mostly just the camera angle.

Jacob brought me a flower to help me feel better. Darling boy.

{iPhone Photo}

Jane visited me on the couch and told me stories. She loves to carry her baby around in her sling and hear about how she LIVED in hers for the first 8 months of her life!

{iPhone Photo}

After my surgery I came home still pretty groggy and slept on and off the rest of the day. The next day the Dr. called to let me know how things had gone. He said "Your knees have further deteriorated. The arthritis is very bad. There's pretty much nowhere to go from here except total knee replacement." 

I wasn't really expecting that and I think I was in shock because I didn't really respond or ask questions. He said because of my age and the fact I have young kids at home we should try and put it off as long as possible and to come in three weeks for follow up. Then he hung up.

I spent the next few days feeling pretty sorry for myself. How was I supposed to get a surgery that required a 6 month recuperation period? How am I supposed to take care of my kids with limited mobility? We just started building a 4 story house. Should I plan on putting in an elevator? Seriously, I am really still young. OLD people get knee replacements - not me. "As long as possible." What does that mean? 6 months? 10 years? Jane would be 15 in ten years. That would be OK. ... you get the picture. I was depressed and self absorbed.


Part of my knee therapy is to ride a bike, since I can't do anything that is high (or even moderate) impact. A few days later I was riding the bike (slowly because it was still very painful to straighten my leg) and reached for the Ensign to read. There was an article on Infertility. I know several people who have struggled with Infertility and it's in my field, so I flipped to it. As I read Melody Linton relate her experience and say 
  
“I began to think, ‘Why not me?’ I’m strong enough to handle this."

Tears began to flow and I felt selfish for the wallowing in pity I had been doing. Why not me? I questioned myself. Did I expect to have a life free from trials? Would I even want that if it were possible? I knew I did not. The trails I have experienced in my life have taught me and stretched me and helped me grow. My life is rich with blessings. I have a husband I adore, who worships me. Four great kids who are healthy and doing well. We have a loving and supportive extended family and lots of great friends. Rick has a good job and we are building a wonderful new house. I reminded myself I am strong enough to handle this and instantly felt the burden of self pity lift from me.
I knew I could face this challenge and make the best of it.

It is still hard. I am in pain all the time - sometimes severe and sometimes just a mild throb. I can't run. Ever again. I can't ski (I am unrealistically hoping I get to the point that I can do the bunny runs with Jane ....) I'm supposed to take the elevator instead of the stairs, park as close as I can to the grocery store doors, and not lift my kids. Oh, and ride my bike each day and rest my knees for 8 hours at night. Yeah right!

I am trying my best to follow the directions I was given. I am grateful that we are building a house that will have a gym in it, so I can do what's best for my knees (and put the dog on the treadmill while I do, since walking Millie is also on my list of forbidden activities.) My knees "snap, crackle and pop" and I often have a limp at the end of a busy day. I am appreciative of the mobility I DO have and working to keep it as long as I can.

Stopping for Light Bulbs.

{iPhone photo}

We stopped at Home Depot while running errands to get a few new light bulbs for our recessed lights.

These were right across from them.

Jacob's eyes grew BIG. As he climbed up on one he said "I'm asking for one of these for Christmas!"

 Love that boy.

Tonights Dishes

{iPhone photo}

Can you tell we've had some sick kids around here?