The Grandpa Cradle

Placed on the wall in our bedroom is a very old chair. We call it the Grandpa chair because Clark's Great Grandfather made it for Clark's mother when she was a little girl. It's made of wood with a woven seat. It is in such disrepair. I love it. When Clark was little he claimed the chair as his own. It still has his faded initials which he wrote on the back of it with a black permanent marker. All three of my children loved that chair. They used it to learn how to sit in a chair. It has sawed off legs so it is just the right height for little ones.

We have a new Grandpa in our family now. Papa Clark must have inherited the ability to build things out of wood from his great grandfather. I love the wooden pieces he has made for me. Although he has the bare minimum of tools he always does a beautiful job. His newest creation is what we like to call "The Grandpa Cradle". He made it from a fallen tree that a local sawmill cut into rough lumber, then he planed each board to perfection.

I wonder who's initials will end up on it?

Going Green

One of the ways to reduce my Carbon Footprint is to Mow the backyard less.

The bunnies love it!

Angel Mother

I have often heard General Authorities speak of their "Angel Mother" and I think to myself, "No wonder he is a Man of God, his mother is a Saint". Then I would know for sure my son would never say that about me.

When he was a little boy he loved me sooooo much. He would pick me flowers from where ever he went. Sometimes my friends would call me after watching him and tell me how much he loved me. He would have to get me a flower from their yard. I just knew he loved me. It was awesome!

Fast forward and he is 15. He can't help but let me know his dissatisfaction with the Mother he is stuck with. I am " Lazy, Unsuccessful, Way too Strict, Dumb, Boring, Stuffy, and totally Uncool" This goes on for 4 years. I do become a little defensive but for the most part I pretty much agreed with him. What happened to the awesome mother I used to be. I missed her. Why am I a mother in the first place? I am not good at it.

Let's just say I paid my Dues. I just got the coolest box in the Mail from my Missionary 20 year old son. It was from him to me for Mother's day. All kinds of cool and fun things were in the box. My favorite being the Cherry blossom stem he picked for me, placed in a tissue and wrapped in a gift box. To top that off he wrote me the most amazing appreciation letter I never imagined receiving from him. I want to shout what he wrote from the roof tops but it might sound too much like bragging. However I will quote one line.

"I know God gave me to you because you are the perfect Mom for me. I am glad He knows what he is doing :)"

I almost feel sorry for the poor Moms who will hear him speak of his "Angel Mother" someday. They won't know it isn't true.