Unexpected insights

Today was my Grandmother’s funeral. It was a very unusual day to say the least. We waited to leave until this morning because the boys had plans last night with their buddies. The funeral was 4 hours away, so that meant getting up at 4:30 AM! Thank heavens I had my wits with me and showered last night and got the girls’ clothes picked out. I had the boys get their suits out before they went to bed as well. Then this morning, we started out for East Texas. We knew it would be a fun drive, not only because of the length of time, but because the air compressor went out recently in the van and the AC blows nice and hot air. :) This morning, we were blessed with an added treat. It rained for over two hours of our drive. The rain was nice because it helped it be nice and cool. The unfortunate part was that the wipers decided today was a good day to not work. “Jesus take the wheel” took on a whole new meaning this morning! Haha Eventually, the sun came up and the sky quit crying. We made it safe and sound. I couldn’t help but think of how the journey was similar to our trials we go thru in life. How many times are we determined to get to a certain destination while all kinds of forces rise against us? Heavenly Father helped us see thru the rain (trials) just enough to keep forging ahead. Once we go thru the choice part (turn back or keep going), he helps us even more until we can see for ourselves. Then the destination is all that more special to us.

The service was nice. Jake was one of the pall bearers. He was quite nervous, but he did really well. It was quite an honor. After the graveside speech, the pall bearers passed by the casket and placed their white boutonnieres on the casket. It’s probably a normal occurrence, but I haven’t paid enough attention to know. To me, it was a beautiful show of humility and love.

After the funeral, we all went to my Aunt and Uncle’s home for lunch. I ate WAY too much. It was nice to laugh and talk with everyone. Lots of pictures were taken, but I left my camera in the car.  I didn't think we were going to stay as long as we did.  ;)  On the way home, Mike let Jacob drive along the back roads to my Grandparents old homestead. No, the other kids did NOT want to get in the car. Yes, they screamed they were going to die. We made them get in the car anyways!  Haha  Jake did a good job, though. I think his top speed was 20! It brought back memories of me learning to drive along the same dirt roads by Grandmother's house WAY too long ago.  :)  It was really odd how much the old home had grown older. Of course, I haven’t aged at all! Yeah, right! ;) We just walked around the old house and it was as if I was 10 again, hanging out with my cousin Ashley. I really miss him sometimes. Grandmother gets to see him, though. She gets to see Aunt Joan and Mama Parish (my great-grandmother) as well. I’m sure Grandmother is enjoying catching up with them.

On the way home, we were able to have some pretty great discussions with Jake and Josh about death and how to live your life. It’s amazing to me how teaching moments place themselves in the most inopportune times. For me, at least, it’s when I’m super tired or needing to get twelve other things taken care of that the kids come looking for help and guidance. On the way home, we were stuck in a car and super tired. What a great time for learning more about their characters and helping give them insight to making their journey thru life a little less roller coaster like. :)

All in all, I would call the day a super success. :)

Grandmother

My Grandmother passed away yesterday. I know that my Grandmother loved me. I can still hear her say, “Come here little darling” in her strong southern accent. I grew up going back and forth to Grandmothers. She lived a few hours away, but it seemed like forever to get back and forth to her house in the middle of East Texas. Walking into her house was like walking back in time. She ate lunch at noon precisely every day, no exceptions. She washed her dishes in a pan in the sink. She had a REALLY old refrigerator. She didn’t have a laundry room in her house. She kept her washing machine and dryer in the dairy down the road. She lived on a big farm. Her house had the biggest & best heater I’ve ever felt. She also had little space heaters that didn’t have covers. I was always afraid I would burn myself on one. :) Her house was like entering an oven on a cold day. It would almost smother you with the heat. Often I would go outside in the dead of winter without a coat just to cool off a bit from the house. Her bathroom scared me. I don’t really know why, but it did. :) The fixtures were old and the tub, toilet and sink were all stained. They were clean, just stained by the hard water. The door would often stick as well. That didn’t help any. Many times someone was stuck in that old bathroom. :) The bedrooms were off limits for most of my childhood. I always wondered what was so secret in the bedrooms that we weren’t allowed into. Haha She was always smiling when I grew up. She was very soft spoken, very timid. In the end, she had Alzheimer’s. Her personality was not the same. She wasn’t as shy or as timid as before. What a horrible disease. She was blessed with a peaceful passing, though. A final blessing from Heavenly Father for a lady who had had a rough life.

Life is a roller coaster

It’s official. I’m a bad mother. It’s been almost 3 weeks since my kids have started school. Do you think I took a picture of them for their first day of school? Nope. No way. Not me. Do you think I have gushed to anyone about how spectacular they are doing in school thus far? Nope. Nadda. Not me.

So, here goes. :) Elaina has been at this school since Kindergarten. She loves it. She doesn’t know any better. Haha Actually, it is a really good school. It is a public charter school. :) She is now in 2nd grade. She came home with homework the first day of school (the only one to do that I might add). She has 15 spelling words a week to work on. She must play games with these words on the computer and take tests twice a week online. She also must write sentences with each word. She also gets to read 100 minutes per week. More like I get to sit with her and help her read for 100 minutes a week! I’m not complaining. I love spending time with her, but it’s hard to find 100 minutes a week to find a quiet spot to read, without interruptions. We haven’t started math homework yet, but I know it’s coming. YEAH! :(

Emma is doing really well in Middle School. Her school moved into a new building this year and it is really neat. She feels like she is super grown up. She has gotten a bit taller and thinned down a bit, so now she is starting to look the part a little more. :) She still LOVES to read and does it every chance she gets. The homework hasn’t really started too much for her yet, but she is usually pretty good at taking care of it at school. This year she even has study hall once a week to work on homework during school. She is excited about her drama class as well. :)

Josh was leary to start the new school we put Jacob and him into. He is starting to open up a bit and come out of his shell a little better. He is taking German and loving it. He is constantly teaching me new phrases. :) He knows more in the three weeks of German than Jake knows from a full year of Spanish last year! Of course, Jake wasn’t really into it last year and Josh is super excited about German, but hey, it’s encouraging!

Jake is in heaven at the new school. He loves getting out of school at 12:45 Monday, Wednesday and Friday! He thinks that is the neatest thing since sliced bread. I’m not so sure he isn’t right. For now, all the problems he had at the public high school are not affecting him. He has really enjoyed his fresh start and is making the most of it. YEAH for him! He is enjoying his classes and making new friends. I am super happy we went ahead and moved the boys to this High School. :)

I am on the road constantly. :) I wish that were an over-statement, but it’s not. :( I used to love driving around, but now I look forward to staying home a little. It’s been nice that Mother has been with me this last week. She has kept me company while I am dropping off kids then picking them back up a few hours later. :) She is doing much better and determined to go home in September. My selfish side wishes she would just move in and help me year round. Not just for a week or two. :) It’s amazing the things she does, even when she is “slowing down” and not doing as much. Haha

Mike is doing really well, as well. He works quite a bit. I have a new understanding of his dislike of traffic because I am in it each morning right behind him. :) He is enjoying his calling with the young men. I know Jake and Josh enjoy Mike helping with that as well. They tolerate me, but I think they prefer Mike because he doesn’t pry into their lives as much! Haha