It's Father's Day....a day to celebrate father's and fatherhood. Perhaps even a day to reflect upon what makes a father a father and what does fatherhood consist of? Every person in existence has a father, even if they don't know him, talk to him, like him or see him. Some people, like myself, are blessed to have a father and a step father, both of whom are equally considered a father. My boys are blessed with a great father, who they love and admire. John never knew his father because he died when John was only 5 months old. But, John had a great foster father during his teenage years who made a great difference to a life that might have otherwise turned out.
I have been thinking a lot about what makes a father a father. After all, not everybody has their biological father living with them. I see "broken" families on a daily basis where I work. I technically came from one of those "broken" families. I never once felt, as a child, that I came from a "broken" or a different family. I am sure that I never felt that way because I still had a "dad" in my dear grandpa. Papa always made sure that I knew how much I was loved and he supported me in everything I did. He did all of the things with me that a father would have done. From taking me to father/daughter functions in Girl Scouts to teaching me how to drive and how to pitch softball, he was the "dad" when I needed it most. Even with all of this, I still knew that my father loved me just as much. I always knew that he would have liked to be the one to do all of those things with me, but circumstances were out of his control. I loved getting letters and postcards from him, seeing the new places he was living while serving our country in the Navy. I loved seeing him when I could. And now, as an adult, I am so happy that we still talk through e-mail and on the phone. We look forward to having them come out this year and spending time with them. I am even more blessed to have a step-father who truly loves me and supports me always. Jay loves our children beyond measure and is truly their beloved "poppi." He lets them stay the night as often as they want to, and he teaches them things that the rest of us never could. He often has more patience with my boys than I do.
My boys are blessed to have a father who loves them without end. Sometimes I think part of fatherhood is knowing how to act like your children, because John does it so well sometimes. In all seriousness, though, John does love his boys and he wants only the best of the best for them. I have heard it said that the most important example in a child's life is that of their same gender parent...a father has a great task ahead of him from the beginning. I know that my dear husband is up to such a task, even when the going gets tough. I believe we all have great expectations for our children, and I know that it takes an entire family to help them to achieve their goals. I am thankful for the fathers that I have had in my life and the many great examples that my own children have in their lives.
Happy Father's day to my husband, my dad, Jay, and of course, to my Papa! Thank you to all the fathers who strive everyday to help their children to become great adults.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
NEWS!!!!!!
I forgot to add to my last post...no I didn't. This needed it's own post.
John got promoted to manager of GNC. He is excited! I know that he will do well. This is a huge blessing for our family and we know that it is truly only by the hand of God that we have been blessed.
Congratulations, John!!!!! We love you!!!!!
John got promoted to manager of GNC. He is excited! I know that he will do well. This is a huge blessing for our family and we know that it is truly only by the hand of God that we have been blessed.
Congratulations, John!!!!! We love you!!!!!
Remembering.....
Somehow Memorial Day weekend always feels like the real ending of Spring and the beginning of Summer. Perhaps this is because it is so close to the end of the school year or perhaps because the weather seems to get a little nicer about this time. I don't know exactly why, but it feels that way every year. I love that I get a 3 day weekend and that my boys have one too. And, I love what Memorial Day really celebrates. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father created us with minds that hold memories and that we can thus recreate so much history.
One of my favorite memories of growing up in truly "small town" America is the Memorial Day parade that takes place every year in Ferndale. I still remember watching the parade each year of my childhood and placing flowers on the "grave of the unknown soldier" each year. And now my own children get to do the same. A very special part of my memories of the parade have everything to do with the fact that my grandpa was a part of the parade for as many years as I can remember. He proudly walked in the parade with the VFW for years, and then as he grew older, he rode on the VFW float. My grandpa was always proud to don his army hat and show his patriotism. He was truly Proud to be an American and I am grateful for his example. For years, my grandfather put his flag out every morning and then he would carefully bring it in at night. Aidan loved to be there to help Papa put the flag out or bring it in.
This year we will be going to watch the parade, having missed it last year since we lived in Utah. (Instead we went camping in Southern Utah, where it was much colder than expected.) My boys will all take flowers with them, probably from Mimi's yard. It will be hard not to see Papa sitting on the VFW float, and I will probably cry. But, I am so grateful to live in a place where I am free to watch a parade that truly honors and remembers those who have fought for me, and you, to have such freedoms.
So, in honor of all who have fought and all who continue to fight for our freedom....check out this cool video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0mm4u2VzDs
Enjoy your holiday and remember to enjoy your freedoms always!
One of my favorite memories of growing up in truly "small town" America is the Memorial Day parade that takes place every year in Ferndale. I still remember watching the parade each year of my childhood and placing flowers on the "grave of the unknown soldier" each year. And now my own children get to do the same. A very special part of my memories of the parade have everything to do with the fact that my grandpa was a part of the parade for as many years as I can remember. He proudly walked in the parade with the VFW for years, and then as he grew older, he rode on the VFW float. My grandpa was always proud to don his army hat and show his patriotism. He was truly Proud to be an American and I am grateful for his example. For years, my grandfather put his flag out every morning and then he would carefully bring it in at night. Aidan loved to be there to help Papa put the flag out or bring it in.
This year we will be going to watch the parade, having missed it last year since we lived in Utah. (Instead we went camping in Southern Utah, where it was much colder than expected.) My boys will all take flowers with them, probably from Mimi's yard. It will be hard not to see Papa sitting on the VFW float, and I will probably cry. But, I am so grateful to live in a place where I am free to watch a parade that truly honors and remembers those who have fought for me, and you, to have such freedoms.
So, in honor of all who have fought and all who continue to fight for our freedom....check out this cool video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0mm4u2VzDs
Enjoy your holiday and remember to enjoy your freedoms always!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Belated Birthday wishes....
So, the hard drive in our Macbook crashed and burned last weekend. Bummer for us on a few levels, but especially since it meant that birthday wishes for our Mimi would have to be belated. However, we did not forget Mimi's special day...........
Wednesday was my grandma's birthday. I won't tell you just which number birthday she celebrated, because that just isn't my place. Suffice to say, she became a grandma at a fairly young age, making her still young today, in my opinion. Mimi was 2nd born to her parents and the only girl. She grew up in Ferndale, married my grandpa, became mom to a daughter and two sons, later became grandma to me and one other granddaughter and even later became great-grandma to my sweet boys. She and Papa were married for 53 years, practically their whole adult life! She's my Mimi! Mimi is a great example of hard work, dedication and love. She really is wise and wonderful. She is truly our family's matriarch in every sense of the word. I truly believe that Mimi is a remarkable woman! I am grateful for her love and support always, and I am grateful for her strong example of being a wife and a mother.
Happy belated birthday to you, Mimi!
Wednesday was my grandma's birthday. I won't tell you just which number birthday she celebrated, because that just isn't my place. Suffice to say, she became a grandma at a fairly young age, making her still young today, in my opinion. Mimi was 2nd born to her parents and the only girl. She grew up in Ferndale, married my grandpa, became mom to a daughter and two sons, later became grandma to me and one other granddaughter and even later became great-grandma to my sweet boys. She and Papa were married for 53 years, practically their whole adult life! She's my Mimi! Mimi is a great example of hard work, dedication and love. She really is wise and wonderful. She is truly our family's matriarch in every sense of the word. I truly believe that Mimi is a remarkable woman! I am grateful for her love and support always, and I am grateful for her strong example of being a wife and a mother.
Happy belated birthday to you, Mimi!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Happy Birthday to Grandma Annis!!!
Today is my step-mother, Rhonda's birthday. We were lucky enough to have my dad and Rhonda live here for a few months a couple of years ago. Korbin was the only one of the boys they got to see a baby. It was the first holiday season I got to celebrate, in my whole life, with both my parents together. I am not only blessed to know that both my mom and my dad have spouses who love them, but I am blessed to have two extra parents! On top of that, I have parents who not only support, but completely understand the relationship that I have with the other of the two. And, the best part is, my boys get to have 4 grandparents just on my side of the family! We miss having grandma and grandpa Annis here and hope that they will come back and stay for awhile in the Fall. I hope Rhonda knows that I love her...and that our boys love her too! Happy birthday, Rhonda!!!!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Happy Birthday to Pop!
Today is Pop's (my step dad) birthday. The boys have all called him Pop since they could talk. Very seldom do I actually refer to Jay as my step father when I talk about him, but almost always refer to him as simply, my dad. Because, in all reality, he is as much my dad as my biological father is. He has always treated me like his own, from the very beginning. He has loved me, supported me, and always cared for me. He loves each of my children without hesitation or condition and I am confident that he would do anything for any one of them. Jay loves my mom so much! He has been a part of our family for so long now that it is hard to imagine life without him...though I wouldn't want to! My grandfather loved Jay as much as he loved his own sons and I know that the feeling was mutual. I hope that Jay knows just how much I love and appreciate him. Happy birthday, Jay! We love you forever!!!!!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
A year in time makes nine???
You know that old saying; "A stitch in time saves nine...."? It doesn't work with years! Our first born son will turn nine tomorrow, and yet there are days when it really feels like only one, small, quick and unreal year has gone by.
When John and I got married, we were going to wait for a year or two before having children. Then, the month after we were married, I had this overwhelming feeling that we were supposed to start our family right away. Honestly, it did not take as much convincing as I expected for my husband. The month after that, I took a test one day at work...and it was positive! I remember calling my mom and Jay, who were pretty excited for grandchild #1 and John calling his mom who was thrilled at the thought of grandchild number 17. My dad and Rhonda were pretty excited, too. And of course my grandparents were very excited too! I was pretty sure that everything was perfect and would go perfect for the entire pregnancy...
At about 14 weeks into my pregnancy, not long after seeing my awesome OB/GYN, Ken Larsen (who I had nannied for prior to being married) for the first time, everything changed. I stood up at work and felt a weird gush, like I had just wet myself. Only it wasn't that I had wet myself, but that I was bleeding, A LOT! Good thing my best friend, Sarah K. worked with me because John was out of town (that's a story for another year) and my family was two states away in CA. So, Sarah K. took control and got me to Ken's office where he checked everything out. He showed me my perfect little baby with his very strong beating heart on the ultrasound machine...I was so glad to hear him say "the baby's fine, he is perfectly fine." Ken then told me that my cervix was incompetent and would have to be sewn closed if my baby was to stay where he obviously needed to be for awhile. My mom came out a week later and stayed with me while I was stuck on bed rest, cooking and cleaning and being mommy to me.
Fast forward 6 months and I was at the hospital, in labor, wishing that this sweet little boy would enter this world sooner rather than later! I had woken up in labor on March 14 at about 6 a.m. and had gone to work at the State of Utah. Since I had been to the hospital two times before, only to have my contractions stop, I was determined not to return until it was absolutely necessary! I made it through work until about 4 p.m., when I just couldn't do it anymore. I went home, called John and ordered pizza. Sarah K. and her then boyfriend (now husband) came over. I remember David made me the best ever grilled cheese sandwich! Then, at about 1 a.m. I was going to go to bed. I had two contractions in the first 5 minutes of laying in bed and John said we were going to the hospital no matter how I felt. Off we went...I was checked in and about an hour later I asked for the epidural...I was done with pain! Ken checked on me early, around 7:30 a.m. and he broke my water and placed a monitor on Connor's head. I remember him telling us that Connor had dark, curly hair...how could he know that? There, in that bed, I stayed all day long. At 5 p.m., I was finally completely dilated...but the baby wasn't really staying down where he should have been...we were both getting tired...Ken said I could try pushing but if the baby didn't move down by at least 1 cm, I was going to have a cesarean section. I could not make my baby budge! I was tired, I had a fever, I was ready for the baby to come out...I did not care how it happened at that moment! I barely remember having the doctor show me my little boy...the nurse asked me shortly after if I wanted to hold him and feed him...I said yes...my recovery nurse said that it was probably not going to happen...then I remember being wheeled into my room to see Sarah K. holding my baby....I slept that night, for the last full night in many months to come! The next morning, I held my baby for the first time...he did have brown, curly hair...he was beautiful...8 lbs. 3 oz. and 21.5 inches...clearly his height comes from his daddy, even today....he was perfect in every way!!! And to think, I could have lost him before I knew him....I have always been, and will always be, thankful to Ken for all that he did to save my baby, and for delivering my perfect little boy!
Today Connor is still quite tall...he will pass up my mom, grandma and me, probably within just a couple of years. He is still pretty near perfect...still beautiful...and darn it, he is still my baby! Connor amazes us each day with his knowledge, his love and his sweet, sweet spirit. He has a great love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and lives up to the promises he made when he was baptized last year. Connor James Ireland...he is amazing...he is awesome...he is a great big brother...he is a great son...and he is loved!!!! From before he was born, he has been loved more than life itself...and forever he will be!
Happy birthday, Connor Boo! We love you!!!
When John and I got married, we were going to wait for a year or two before having children. Then, the month after we were married, I had this overwhelming feeling that we were supposed to start our family right away. Honestly, it did not take as much convincing as I expected for my husband. The month after that, I took a test one day at work...and it was positive! I remember calling my mom and Jay, who were pretty excited for grandchild #1 and John calling his mom who was thrilled at the thought of grandchild number 17. My dad and Rhonda were pretty excited, too. And of course my grandparents were very excited too! I was pretty sure that everything was perfect and would go perfect for the entire pregnancy...
At about 14 weeks into my pregnancy, not long after seeing my awesome OB/GYN, Ken Larsen (who I had nannied for prior to being married) for the first time, everything changed. I stood up at work and felt a weird gush, like I had just wet myself. Only it wasn't that I had wet myself, but that I was bleeding, A LOT! Good thing my best friend, Sarah K. worked with me because John was out of town (that's a story for another year) and my family was two states away in CA. So, Sarah K. took control and got me to Ken's office where he checked everything out. He showed me my perfect little baby with his very strong beating heart on the ultrasound machine...I was so glad to hear him say "the baby's fine, he is perfectly fine." Ken then told me that my cervix was incompetent and would have to be sewn closed if my baby was to stay where he obviously needed to be for awhile. My mom came out a week later and stayed with me while I was stuck on bed rest, cooking and cleaning and being mommy to me.
Fast forward 6 months and I was at the hospital, in labor, wishing that this sweet little boy would enter this world sooner rather than later! I had woken up in labor on March 14 at about 6 a.m. and had gone to work at the State of Utah. Since I had been to the hospital two times before, only to have my contractions stop, I was determined not to return until it was absolutely necessary! I made it through work until about 4 p.m., when I just couldn't do it anymore. I went home, called John and ordered pizza. Sarah K. and her then boyfriend (now husband) came over. I remember David made me the best ever grilled cheese sandwich! Then, at about 1 a.m. I was going to go to bed. I had two contractions in the first 5 minutes of laying in bed and John said we were going to the hospital no matter how I felt. Off we went...I was checked in and about an hour later I asked for the epidural...I was done with pain! Ken checked on me early, around 7:30 a.m. and he broke my water and placed a monitor on Connor's head. I remember him telling us that Connor had dark, curly hair...how could he know that? There, in that bed, I stayed all day long. At 5 p.m., I was finally completely dilated...but the baby wasn't really staying down where he should have been...we were both getting tired...Ken said I could try pushing but if the baby didn't move down by at least 1 cm, I was going to have a cesarean section. I could not make my baby budge! I was tired, I had a fever, I was ready for the baby to come out...I did not care how it happened at that moment! I barely remember having the doctor show me my little boy...the nurse asked me shortly after if I wanted to hold him and feed him...I said yes...my recovery nurse said that it was probably not going to happen...then I remember being wheeled into my room to see Sarah K. holding my baby....I slept that night, for the last full night in many months to come! The next morning, I held my baby for the first time...he did have brown, curly hair...he was beautiful...8 lbs. 3 oz. and 21.5 inches...clearly his height comes from his daddy, even today....he was perfect in every way!!! And to think, I could have lost him before I knew him....I have always been, and will always be, thankful to Ken for all that he did to save my baby, and for delivering my perfect little boy!
Today Connor is still quite tall...he will pass up my mom, grandma and me, probably within just a couple of years. He is still pretty near perfect...still beautiful...and darn it, he is still my baby! Connor amazes us each day with his knowledge, his love and his sweet, sweet spirit. He has a great love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and lives up to the promises he made when he was baptized last year. Connor James Ireland...he is amazing...he is awesome...he is a great big brother...he is a great son...and he is loved!!!! From before he was born, he has been loved more than life itself...and forever he will be!
Happy birthday, Connor Boo! We love you!!!
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