U know it’s been too long when the website doesn’t recognize u when u log on…

Actually, I keep attempting to log on,  & when I have trouble, I think, “I’ll deal with it later.”  I’ve finally found later! (of course it was today!)

I tried to log in December to talk about how awesome it was to have all of my kids here for Christmas & New Years.  Many times I recalled how difficult it was (at times) to have our kids so close together, but now I was delighted to see how well they interacted!  & New Years gave me a glimpse into heaven, as we spent the night also with Maddie & Davis’ Families.

I tried to log on again after taking a Disney Cruise in January, & after attending the rodeo about a week ago…but I was determined to post on my website by my 20th stroke-a-versary!  So here I am

As I contemplated how to “commemorate” such a special day, some memories came to mind.  These memories prompted what I chose to do.  I just wanted to attend the temple, & spend time with my grandson!  In my eyes, the temple is where everything “started” (A few days before, it was in the temple where I received the impression that something big was coming).  The temple has also been a source of strength (from my first blinked words, “go to the temple” & continues to be now), & is a symbol of my belief that “families are forever.”

I don’t know if Mark recalls this conversation, but many times that first year, I told him that I wished I was dead.  One time, he asked something like, “But aren’t u glad u are with me here?” & I said no, I’d rather wait for him “up there.” & he retorted with something about if I’m here, I can see my kids get married & see my grandkids.  I didn’t care.  Living like this to be a grandma?  That sounded like torture!

I  know God heard me, because I haven’t spent those 20 years without growth – spiritual, emotional, AND physical growth! And, unlike before, I am glad to be a forever family with Mark, my kids, my kids spouses, & to be a grandma (mamaw)!

Oh my gosh!  It has been way too long since I posted, so I need to pause, take a deep breath, & write. Here is a sample of my life in the last few months: I went to Utah for my father-in-law’s funeral, took a 2-week vacation/cruise with my family to the UK – England, Ireland, Scotland, & we boarded in Amsterdam, burned my throat from swallowing a pill wrong, I had COVID (it was pretty bad), I started horse therapy weekly again for the fall/winter (which helps physically & emotionally, too), had a hospital visit with recovery from Pleural Effusion (where I had “minor procedure” – I forget that “minor” for “normal” people is not so minor for me: fluid was drained from my lungs, & it took me like 4 times as long to somewhat recover…& I’m still recovering!), I took a meditation/mental health class, went to an awesome Halloween party (where, if you’ve seen the show “Stranger Things,” I dressed as Eleven’s mom, mama, & Mark was papa), & I’ve been preparing for the primary program for church, which occurs November 12.

In this post, I will include an invitation for our primary program, & some links to videos my daughter-in-law made.  One video is of our cruise.  The other is a short film idea that came about as we waited…& waited…& waited!  The cruise we went on had a LOT of old people who didn’t use the stairs…It was infuriating because when they got tired of waiting for the elevator, they decided to walk 1 or 2 flights of stairs!  Or, even more upsetting was when the elevator opened & was full of younger people who could walk well – but despite seeing several wheelchairs waiting to use the elevator, no one got off for those who HAD to use the stairs!  (Personal plea: PLEASE do NOT be one of those people who takes the elevator up or down one or two flights of stairs, & if u see a wheelchair waiting for an elevator, GET OFF the elevator & use those working legs!  Show some gratitude for having legs that work!)

& while I’m on my soapbox: PLEASE do NOT use family restrooms for pooping! Show some courtesy to people like me (who can only use that toilet).  Please do not make us wait forever to use a toilet in a bathroom that smells like your poop!

British Isles cruise video:

Short film:

Halloween costume – I had planned to turn my chair into a rocking chair, but Mark had been so busy, & I realized that if mama went anywhere, she’d need a wheelchair!  Ha!:

Primary Program Invitation:

Happy Mother’s Day!  I am so grateful for my kids & my grandson, James!  I was really worried about how I’d do as a grandma, so when he’s being held by someone else & he reaches out for me, it makes my day!

I also wanted to give a shout to Red Arena, who is having its biggest fundraiser, Round-Up, this weekend (follow that link at redarena.orgfor a  daily schedule, or for info on how to bid on their online silent auction).  You may recall how I brought it up a few years ago because I REALLY wanted to help them afford a covered arena, so I could ride rain or shine!  & I think I posted a picture of that beautiful new barn with a covered arena.

Well, I think going rain or shine has paid off: I recently took a flight to Utah.  On occasion, I can stay sitting up tall as we decline, but it is REALLY hard when I do.  However, this time -both flights – it was “easy”!  I did not fall forward or need Mark to block me!  & while I had to work, it wasn’t nearly as difficult! 

On the home page of www.redarena.org is a video “Why We Do It.”  When I started, I couldn’t speak & I was like a floppy rag doll.  The first year, I was so exhausted after each lesson that I couldn’t do anything – seriously…even lifting my iPad to listen to an audiobook was hard!  But I knew it was working, so I kept going!  I have since started “talking,” become more independent, & it has helped me in so many ways – even emotionally!  I am so grateful for the day I was led there!  It has helped me be a better mom & grandma, & has become a highlight of my week! (Seeing James & attending church rate up there too!  Haha) I look forward to the occasional horse rides I will have this summer!

(picture is from the Primary Easter Egg hunt!)

My favorite Christmas tradition growing up was putting straw into a manger for baby Jesus for every good deed I did.  I don’t know if it was truly a tradition for my siblings, but it was to me, & I took it very seriously, & as Christmas approached – if the manger was low on straw, I would do as much service as possible!

I tried to do this with my kids, but after my stroke (which occurred when they were only 2, 4, & 6 years old) it faded. 

In primary, we wanted to do “Service for the Savior” in December, & as we discussed how to do it, this memory popped into my head.  Later, I was on Etsy, & ran across this manger kit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/757208701/18-manger-kit?epik=dj0yJnU9MTRCbC1ONHRYOTFaVlluODNsS0dVUWFUMS02Nmt5QTcmcD0wJm49NkplaVFrd1V0SEJqZEdUWExJY0lQQSZ0PUFBQUFBR09Ed2NZ

I got sooo excited – I had done it with small mangers, but a manger like that allowed me to do it in primary! I could still do “my favorite tradition” & witness the children’s reactions as they did it!

In talking to the sweet store owner, I discovered they had varying sizes of the manger that could fold & possibly fit in our closet!  My husband is a woodworker, so he built me a manger like theirs, & the store owner sent me bags (& their book) free! 

I then made a sign to go with it, & a page of service ideas (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cmz-T40oZRSZL9cvs9Ktt-9f9x7GeVJ0lncFSgSWuNY/edit – which came from another idea that I just “ran across”)

This is just one example of how the Lord is in my life, & directs me to those who will help me!  I feel like I’ve been flooded with His love as I serve Him & His children!  I can’t get over it! 

I know that as we serve, we will be filled with His love!

& I want the children to feel that, too!