On Mute

We're all sick - well not all of us but enough to make it a Hopkins epidemic. It's no fun having sick babies but it's even worse when the mom and grandma are sick. I've lost my voice and can't tell where to find it. I actually feel just fine but can't make a sound, just a whisper. This is not good since my job is all about talking. I've rested today and have high hopes and faith that I'll speak tomorrow... if not - I have a white board and erasable marker and my Weight Watcher meetings will be great adventures in charades and mind reading.

I'm reminded that the song is true, "Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got till it's gone." Wouldn't it be terrible if we couldn't speak? We had stake conference today and I was surprised how disconnected I felt because I couldn't communicate. I'll try to remember when I'm having a bad day but still have my voice that life is good. For now - I'm thankful for this blog where I can still speak!

A good little blogger

I want to be a good little blogger. There are so many wonderful, creative people out there who post clever, inspiring entries. I don't care about being famous - I just don't want to embarrass myself or future generations. I do want to blog though so here are a few concerns: If I post about an outing with friends, other friends will feel bad that they weren't invited.
If I post about my kids they might be embarrassed and annoyed at me.
I seem to start lots of things and then stop - I guess this is human nature but it's frustrating!
There must be pictures and they should be decent.
etc. etc.

What do you think about these issues? Anyway I'm thinking as I write that the best blogs are when the writers personality comes shining through. I'll stop worrying about my blog being as fun as someone elses and just do my best to keep it up. I'll try to write about something other than Holly and JD now and then but they're just so darn adorable!! Proof in pictures

I know, no faces but it's nice to know the back of my hair doesn't look all that bad with the growing out highlights.

Please keep posting to your blog and I'll do the same....try, try again!

Happy October

We went to the pumpkin patch. Holly and JD loved it. They saw the animals and the choo choo and the pumpkins - it was all so exciting.

Here they are last year. They've changed so much.

Not too much more hair this year.

Who knew being a grandma could be so much fun!

Johnny

This boy is so much fun!

Here is the before - with braces. The orthodontist showed him the before pictures of he teeth and he asked me, "Mom, how could you let me walk around like that?"

And the after - braces gone - teeth straight!! He's had a carmel apple and corn on the cob - life is good.

Don't you love that he still has freckles?

Sweet Toddlers

Time keeps slipping away...

The joy of twins! Grandpa decided to share his lemon popcycle - J.D. and Holly bring new meaning to the word sharing.

They are so much fun - the world is new and exciting.

Their personalities are shining through, it's so fun that they have a pal to grow up with! -
Being a grandmother is more fun than I could have imagined.

Summer 2010

What a fun summer we've had! In no particular order here's what happened:
Johnny turned 16, He survived his high adventure trip with white water rafting, rapelling, bouldering, zip lining etc. Johnny also worked with Dave setting up the new firm and was Liz's faithful assistant on trips to the zoo, park etc.

Holly and JD both learned to walk. We read lots of stories, sang songs, laughed, took walks, went swimming and played with toys.

Whenever JD and Holly come over they head straight for the piano and keyboard. They are also great dancers - JD bounces up and down - Holly wiggles side to side. The best thing that's happening this summer is that Holly and JD are moving just down the street from us!!! Oh Jim and Liz are coming too - we couldn't be more thrilled - it's this grandma's dream come true.

This summer has been so much fun - Fall promises to be full of wonderful things too - I really am enjoying the passage of time!

Uncle Johnny

When I was young I had Aunts and Uncles who were teenagers. They were so much fun. Holly and JD have Uncle Johnny. He is such a great uncle. When Holly and JD see him they squeal with delight.

He's patient and kind with them and is willing to play with them and keep them safe.

Johnny has a lot of fun too. Since he's the youngest he never had babies around until now.

It's a wonderful thing to be an Uncle and to have babies that love you.

There will be many fun times in the coming years and someday Holly and JD will write letters to Uncle Johnny when he's on a mission. Family is the best!

To JD

JD you are such a wonderful little boy. You are so smart and kind.

You probably won't like these pictures of you in your sun hat - you are all boy. Your best quality is that you are so kind. You defer to Holly - if you have a toy and she grabs it you just move on to something else. You love to play on the keyboard and pushing buttons is your favorite thing. You figured out how to make the jack in the box open by pulling the little latch - so brilliant!

You've been taking a few steps for awhile and look so cute toddling around. You are always exploring, finding new things. You love cheese puffs and strawberries. I love it when you throw a ball to me. It's going to be fun watching you play ball when you get a little older.

You have such a tender heart. If you hear a baby cry you get upset and cry in sympathy. When you're upset your binky makes it all better.

My favorite thing is rocking with you on the front porch. Life with you is so much fun JD.

To Holly

Sweet Holly you are such a character! You know where your "button" is and your nose and head and hair. You learn new things every day.

You make the cutest faces - one of my favorites is when you raise your eyebrows and smile. Cracks us up every time. You also wiggle your shoulders when we sing "all the single ladies" and you raise your hands when we sing "now put your hands up". We think you're brilliant!

You love JD and your mommy and daddy. You suck your thumb and pull our hair when you're tired - just like your daddy did when he was your age. You also love your pink blanket.

Life is so exciting for you. You love to swing and bounce and you'll take a few steps if we insist. You're such a fast crawler that walking is boring. Climbing the stairs is your newest accomplishment. When you reach for me I think my heart might just melt.

Life is so exciting with you in it - can't wait to see you grow!

Blog guilt...

I love blogs - I check my reader every day and am so happy when I see that a friend has made an entry. In my blog beginnings I was determined to write daily. It hasn't happened. Do I chalk this up as another failed attempt at a project?

I have learned something in my work with people trying to lose weight. As long as you keep trying and never give up you'll be happy with the result. In the short term we're all annoyed that we can't be perfect in achieving our goals, but if we keep working at what we really want, we find that our best is good enough. It will inevitably take us longer than we expected but the journey is where the fun is found.

So when I can, I will blog. When I look back I know I'll be happy that I stayed with it - even if it isn't every day or even every month. Whatever I can do will be valuable in a future day. My vow is to spend less time feeling guilty and more time doing my best.

p.s. there will always be pictures of grandbabies for your viewing pleasure!!

1 year old

On Birth day

Blessing day

1 year old

Life is good - James Taylor got it right - "The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time."

Long time no blog...

Time passes....Holly and JD are learning and growing.

They love to bounce and crawl and eat and almost walk.

Most of all they love their mom and dad. I know Liz won't love these pictures but I think she looks beautiful

You can see the love in her eyes!

JD and Holly make us all so happy - just one look at them makes everything better.

Growing up so fast...

Having grandchildren is so much fun! It also makes the passage of time very clear. It seems that just yesterday Holly and JD were born but they're 11 months old. They have learned so much in these 11 months. It's remarkable to see how fast they change and learn. I think motherhood kept me so busy that I didn't see the amazing growth of a child.

Holly is already a princess - so petite and delicate but she holds her own with JD. She takes his pacifier and toys. He doesn't seem to mind.

This picture makes me smile - just looking out on the world and all the adventures ahead for these three.

There is absolutely nothing better than seeing our son as a daddy. Life is good!