Reflections....

It is 1:18 AM and Eli and I are upstairs in the front bedroom. He is very stuffy and can't breath, therefore he can't sleep, thus making it a very difficult night for him. His mommie has walked and patted and tended him all day, so I thought I would take a shift for her. As I made my little back rest in the bed and Dad got a pillow for me to prop the arm on that I was holding Eli with, memories flooded over me and enveloped me until I felt like I was sitting up with Billie Jo and her croup the way I always used to...to make sure she continued breathing; or maybe it felt like I was sitting up all night with Olivia and her many ear infections she suffered during her baby years; or perhaps it was creating the back prop to sit up with Allen all night when he had the coup and we would build the "croup tent, " so he could breathe more easily and we could avoid a trip to the emergency room; or it could possibly have been the memories of Chelsea and her stuffy nose and not being able to breathe and sitting up with her so she could avoid laying down flat and getting so stuffed up she couldn't breathe; or it could have been the many nights spent with Giselle and her fevers and bad earaches...I would lay on my side with her sitting up against me in order to relieve the pain... leaned back into the curve of my body. Somehow sitting up with sick children always seems to make it a little better for them...or is it just the only thing we seem to be able to do to make us feel like we are actually doing something for them? Whatever it is...the privilege of being a mother and taking care of these wonderful little spirits we have clothed in flesh is a beautiful experience. I can't think of anything nicer than serving someone you love as much as we love our babies. This kind of opportunity lasts only for a short time, and when you get up to go in the bathroom for a tissue to wipe a runnie nose and look in the mirror... you realize you are on borrowed time and baby. The time is far spent for spending quiet nights with you little ones...for they are grown with little ones of their own. It's nice to be able to have a baby to walk the floor with, whether it's because their mom is at a rural schools conference, building a house or just plain tired.
All is quiet and Eli has finally been able to close his mouth to breathe... see...the sitting up position really does do something for them. I think maybe he's getting a toothie -- he keeps putting his fingers in his mouth. Anyway, I could almost believe I was young again, if I didn't look up and see my reflection in the window and realize I am old and just serving as a substitute!
Another thought...it has been nearly seven months since Mom died. I thought it would get easier with time, but as Thanksgiving and her birthday approach, I miss her so. Dad is also having a really hard time. I don't know of a mother who gave of herself so selflessly as my Mom. Think of all the sleepless nights spent up not only caring for sick children, but sewing clothes for eight little girls. I'm sure there were times she was so tired, she wondered if she could continue. All I know is that I love and appreciate her so much and I am thankful for such a wonderful mother and for the opportunity to be a mother, as well.
Eli seems to be breathing without a struggle as he lays here against my chest--heart to heart. I think I'll try the bed and pillow prop again.

These Are the Good Times.....

We are so happy! Evan and his parents have moved home to Utah!!! As you can see, Evan is very happy to be living here and close enough to hang out with his cousin, Eli. They will be good buds and able to do so many things together. We are so happy to have the McNeil's return home and be close enough to see them and kiss the little face of Evan! Eli grows a little tired of all Grandma and Grandpa's kisses sometimes, so now he can share!


Earl has embarked on yet another challenge. He is going to tame/break he and Rick's girls. He got Rick's horse out the other day, and she loved it! The boys helped by currying and petting. Later, after I didn't see -- (that Grandpa!) he got the saddle on her and took the two boys for a little ride!!!




Today was a huge day for a Grandma and Grandpa! Our oldest little granddaughter played in her first piano recital! Both she and Tess are taking lessons, but Tess has a different teacher than Ellie. Ellie was so nervous, I thought she was going out of her mind before she got to play. You never would have known it when she got up to play. She played very well, was very poised and loved what she was doing. We were all so proud of her! It is with great pride that Dad and I see our little ones, little ones growing and gaining skills and becoming great individuals. Thanks for sharing the day with us and for being such great kids!

Fall Fun on the Farm...

Noah's birthday was the most recent picture I have to blog about. He got so many trucks, trackhoes, backhoes, etc., that he was in seventh heaven. Great Grandpa thought it was so cute that he knew just what each function of every moving part was. How lucky are we to have a Great Grandpa to share birthdays?!







This is Rob enjoying a real Mexican feast in Nogales. The serenade in the background was also great (and costly)!











Grandpa Earl was actually quite proud of Jack for being one of the "big kids" at his birthday party. He would climb up the slide--just like the big kids do--and then jump on Luke's bed once he got to the top and then fall over--face first. Chelsea was scared that he needed a helmet on, but you know Grandpa--he encourages those kids to be a little crazy!!!






This is proud ole' Grandpa with his little cowboys and cowgirls. Even though it was a bit rainie, everyone had a great time!











Everyone practiced the three-legged race so they could win. In the end--Tim and Billie Jo took the high honors, but everyone had a great time trying!










Fall includes all sorts of fun and here are just a few pictures to prove it! These pictures have been taken in the last month, obviously, since there are green leaves on the trees, but we sure had fun--even if it's in the past now.
These three are just good little friends. Sometimes Noah joins in, but these three are always together. They get along well and always have fun at what they're doing! Grandpa had wanted the kids to have a fun day and pick chokecherries with him. It actually got quite warm and the kids got tired, so we quit and came home and I set them to work at hauling the trimmed branches out to the fire pit. The kids,
of course, turned their work into play and had so much fun at it. Deanne Knight once told me her philosophy on raising boys and I think it applies to all children -- not just boys -- here goes:
"THE WAY TO KEEP CHILDREN'S FEET ON THE GROUND IS TO PUT SOME WEIGHT ON THEIR SHOULDERS!"
I love it and have put it to practice here!




















Grandpa wanted the kids to pick chokecherries and then have pancakes with chokecherry syrup. The day was hot and the picking got a little old for the kids. As you can see, Mia was not enjoying the experience to the fullest! The kids really did give it a good shot and we have several bottles of chokecherry juice to make into syrup. Grandpa says the kids will sell pancakes with the syrup on it at Francis Frontier Days next year. I veto that one! I dont' want to work THAT hard! Let's just have it at home!




I know these pictures and the news are all old, but I still wanted to share with you all -- just the same. I will try to get on the ball and post in a little more timely fashion. Cute pictures of cute grandkids are never boring! Gotta love life!