ThrowBack Thursday ~ Colby...

Wordless Wednesday ~ Precious Grey...

(Photo credits to Daddy)

It's been worth it...

My brother passed away last Thursday. It wasn't unexpected but I will miss him. I have been helping his son Jimmy plan and prepare for a memorial service in honor of Kenny. Jimmy ask me to read the obituary and share some memories. It will be my honor to do that on Saturday. I also prepared the program and a memory book with photos. I love Jimmy, I have a soft spot in my heart for him. 

This will always be one of my favorite pictures of Kenny and his son Kevin. 

He loved his blue and white pick up.

I have been trying for many years to live without regrets. It's difficult but I keep trying. I made the effort to visit Kenny in April and July, so that is one regret I do not have. In fact I know all the times I have driven to Wyoming to visit my family has been worth it, every mile I have driven to Cheyenne has been worth it. I have a close relationship with my brothers, many of my nieces and nephews, and lots of cousins.

A friend of mine said something powerful at his grandfather's funeral. He said that the greatest lesson from his grandfather's life was that he died empty, because he accomplished everything he wanted, with no regrets. I think that, along with leaving a legacy, would be the greatest sign of success.
~ Marvin Sapp

Best day ever...

Waiting for Cash to get out of school so we can have our birthday date. I love this tradition. It was so fun to see him walk out of school and wave at me.

Birthday dates include shopping for a gift, a fun activity, and of course a birthday dinner.

Cash chose the original Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots and a Mine Craft Lego set.

He wanted to go to Boondocks and play mini-golf. I can't remember the last time I played mini-golf. I couldn't stop smiling, it was a blast. Cash would check out the course each time before he hit the ball. He did really well, a lot of par 2 shots.

The last shot he got a hole in one. He was so excited, he said it was "the best day ever." 

I suggested a few places to eat, and he chose Zupas. He ate a bowl of vegetable chowder and a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich. 

We went back to our house and played a few games. I know I've said this before, but it was a perfect day. We talked, laughed, and held hands as we walked around Boondocks. What could be better?!

Doesn't the birthday boy look happy?!

We love Cash so much. I will always remember the day he was born. It was wonderful anticipating his birth. I will also always remember how it felt to hold him for the first time. He is as precious to me now as he was the first minute I met him. Love you so Cash!

Past Birthday Dates/Grandma Days:

September 2010

September 2011

September 2012

 

September 2013

September 2014 

September 2015

September 2016

Happy 7th Birthday Cash!

ThrowBack Thursday ~ Cookies with Colby!

Best day ever!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Colby's first day of pre-school!

(Photo credits to Tiff)

Ice cream with bubbalee...

Sunday we had root beer floats for dessert. Grey tasted his and said with such delight, "Ice cream with bubbalee. He calls carbonated drinks bubbalee, it's so cute! 

And a Storm Trooper came over for dinner too!

 Colby is ready for Halloween!

Savoring the Sixties...

In sixty days I will be 60 years old, yikes! It does sound a bit old. It doesn't alarm me that I'm this old. I know sometimes I look older, but I don't really feel old. 

I'm not trying to hide it, my sons are in their thirties and I am a grandma. That alone is worth being 60!

I think what is a bit unsettling is that my brothers, sister, cousins, and I are now the oldest of our generations. 

We still have one aunt and uncle, but it won't be long that we will take our place at the top of the family tree. I had fifteen aunts and uncles, and they have all passed away but two! Not to mention my parents and grandparents, and two of my brothers, who passed away way too early. I have said goodbye to many other family members. At times that makes 60 seem pretty old. 

I think it best to embrace this milestone, and keep trying to live a happy and healthy life. 

I do look back sometimes and think, wasn't it just last year that Chris and Mark graduated from high school and were heading off to serve missions? It bring tears to my eyes sometimes thinking about how fast time goes by. 

I guess it's unfamiliar territory to be turning 60, strange or not it's still a wonderful time of life. At 60, my grandson's like to come over and have Grandma Camp, sleepovers, and other adventures with me. That is sweet joy!

I realize that life can be messy, complicated, and sometime difficult. But it seems there are less of those times now. I finally know that I can't fix everything, and that I should not worry so much. Perspective provides some needed calm and peace. Most of all I feel so much gratitude for all that I have.

I need to keep trying to eat well and exercise, I don't want to feel like an old geezer! I always want to feel young at heart. A few weeks ago a woman in our ward who is her 95th year, walked on her own to the front of the chapel to bear her testimony. She had a cane, but she did remarkably well. She shook a little, however her voice was strong. She admitted to having a foggy memory, but she told several inspirational life experiences, and ended by giving thanks for all her blessings. I'm sure I wasn't the only thinking that I want to be more like Sister Johnson. She is definitely embracing old age, and is young at heart.

Another nice thing about getting older is that start worry less about what other people think, you need just a few good friends, and being nice is more important than being pretty.

Most of the time I would rather just stay home, I like the routine that Tim and I have. There's comfort in that. We don't need too much excitement to be happy.

So I will enjoy that last few days of being fifty-something! 

What shall I do with the rest of my life? 

I will try to savor every day, and always be grateful!