Motherhood

I often have random thoughts go through my little head regarding the grand calling of motherhood. So tonight I thought that I would record some of them...in no particular order.

*It's an eternal job thank goodness!!! Families are forever!!
*It was such amazing feeling to hold my new baby (each time), and know that they are all mine.
* I forgot all of the pain of delivery very quickly.
* I became very protective.
* I saw my own mother in a different light, and I apologized to her on many random occasions.
* I made so many wonderful memories along the way, and I can't get over how quickly time passes.
* I hurt with them when they hurt and I want to fix them.
* I can't always fix them, and that hurts so much more.
* I want them to find the perfect spouse, and have a happy marriage...forever.
* No one is good enough for my children....although I do have some great -son/daughter in laws!!!
* I love seeing them become parents....payback time!!! sometimes!!
* I love watching them be the parent, and it's hard to not want to be the parent with them.
* I love it when they appreciate you as their mother.

I'm sure that I could go on and on.....I do love being a mother. I often feel that I've fallen short in many aspects of this great calling, But I do continue to try to give it my best..especially in the grandma stage of my life.

I had the best mother. I remember sitting with her through the last months of her life. She was very ill and not able to speak very much. I sat one day and wrote in my journal as many memories as I could think of with her. They went on and on, and I'm so grateful that I did this. She always was there for me, and she never criticized me. She loved me no matter what trouble I got into, and she was always so proud of me. She was an amazing grandmother to my children, and I so wish that she had lived to know her greatgrandchildren...oh how they would love her.

I am thankful to be a mother.

PS...if you look at my blog, some photos are bigger than others, and I really don't know how to change this....it doesn't mean that anyone is more special than anyone else.....if you can help me...let me know.

Attempt #2

This blogging takes a lot of planning...especially if you want to post pictures in any particular order...lots to learn....you'll see....favorite photos

Girls in their Christmas smocked dresses..Finley is wearing the dress that I smocked for Jessica...nine years ago...

Love this photo of my big girls and their babies....such beautiful girls

Promised picture of Georgia...read on.... it will
make sense

Cooper working on a puzzle the hard way!!!


Lost my little sleepover buddy....what's this peeking out of my fridge

Hi nanny.....caught me!!!

When I tried to talk to him about fridge etiquette ......

Well all that I can say....it takes practice...getting the order in your photos...but here are a few more favorite moments

Generations....note my mom on the piano...and yes we should have had Bill in the picture
( my beautiful new Nativity....love love love it)

The GRAND children...oh how I love them

Oldest girls with the youngest

My adorable boys....and yes I have to add a photo of my gorgeous Georgia!!
( I did it's at the beginning of the blog!!!!)

Cooper sleeps over....what a delightful little man.

That's all folks.............keep blogging!!!

A little bit of confusion....still learning

I'm trying to add some photos from Dec....and as you read on you'll see all the confusion to this post....enjoy anyway...I hope...

Some Favorite parts of Christmas

Two girls home for Christmas ( Brandon was working all night...and Laura lives here!!)

Traditional staircase photo...nice to have Lisa Bear back in the photo!!

So nice to enjoy the fireplace once again....long story


Lovely Christmas dinner at Kathy and Jeff's

( wish that I took a shot when the amazing meal was dished up!)





Sisters....so grateful for the great relationships that they have





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Here's where the confusion of my post sets in...I really struggled tonight

Okay folks....I'm practicing my new blogging lessons....and after much frustration...I finally uploaded some photos from Dec. Just a few favorites....

Reading with The girls

Christmas Eve with Mike, Keah and the girls



Playtime....aren't we growing up!!!

First real food...Emmy just wanted that spoon in Daddy's hand



More reading with Nanny...what Joy

While trying to get the pictures to work I did ramble on a bit....

Just finished a great book called The Undaunted by Gerald Lund. It was an historical fiction about some pioneers in the mid 1800's. I totally enjoyed the read, but I also was more and more grateful to not have been born then. I am though grateful for my ancestry and for the lives that they lived. I have family roots that I cherish because of the people, and the lessons that I have learned from them. If you haven't researched your family roots...it's so worth it!!




Went to church today. After an exasperated start to my morning, I attended Sacrament services and was totally renewed. It was Fast and Testimony Sunday, and while I so enjoy listening to others I couldn't deny the promptings that I was feeling. My emotions took over ( far more than I wanted them to) but yet I was grateful for the opportunity that we are given in our church to witness of the the things that we know to be true. I sometimes just want to shout to the world that the True Gospel has been restored to the earth once again. That is an awesome bit of good news. We have a prophet on the earth once again, who receives direction for all of us. Jesus Christ is the head of our church and He has directed us in all things. Above all I'm so thankful that we can be families forever....and so much more.

Sunday school and Relief Society followed , both with great lessons. I had a very peaceful afternoon, and evening. The week ahead may be a busy one....I'm trying to get some order in my life.

Okay....so this confusion is not making me happy...pictures aren't where I want them or in the right order...stay tuned for attempt#2

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....just checked this and for some reason there is a huge space before my next post....scroll down


fixed it?????

Happy New Year Everyone

First, Thanks to my amazing blogger daughter, Laura for giving me a blogging lesson to start the New Year!! She also helped put away Christmas, which I don't mind doing now that it is 2011. My first blog entry for 2011 is naturally going to be about my exciting New Year's Eve Party with the Fab Five. Their folks were invited out and so Nanny was called on to party with the kiddies. We had a blast!! ( Pop opted out....his loss) So here goes ( I now can do pictures better!!! hooray..Thanks Laura)

This cute picture was taken in the afternoon at my place. The Nelsons, Bings, Laura and myself were all at the Canada Games Oval, skating with the rest of Hfx. ( I actually just pushed Cooper in the stroller) After the skate I made some 'lupper' ( lunch/supper) for everyone...then tried to get a rest before the evening.

So here we are at the Nelson's....and just to make sure they got to celebrate the New Year happening...we did it at 8pm....( it would have been New Years in another part of the world)

Thanks to a Christmas gift from Aunt Lynn, we had hats, balloons, horns, streamers, and even confetti ( which we were told not to throw...party pooper)

A more subdued pose...especially Sarah!!!


After a short game of charades, we headed to the downstairs theater!! Here are the oldest girls showing me the ropes for a dance Wii experience. You'll note that I did not photograph my attempts! It was really hard....but the girls loved it....Jacob jumped in once in awhile. It is a fast moving fun game that blows my mind with the technology involved.

Georgia was very intent on doing the moves!!

What's a party without food...Chips, pop,chocolate, and Sarah made the best buttered popcorn.Resolutions start on the 1st!!!

Food in hand we headed to the theater to watch our feature movie. Before I forget Cooper was in bed....all the fresh air of the skating knocked him out before I arrived!!

Back to the movie....we watched a cute flick called Despicable Me.

Funny note here...Jessica said we needed more sugar to keep us awake...she always falls asleep first. Shortly after we started the movie, Jessica was snoooooozing, then Jacob, and finally Sarah.

Georgia looked at them as I took the picture and with a big grin said ....

HAPPY NEW YEAR NANNY!!

I think that she actually thought that because her siblings fell asleep she had succeeded.

She is just so darn cute. We finished the movie together and then she happily toddled off to bed and fell asleep with a huge smile on her face.

Meanwhile I had the task of getting the three oldest up two flights of stairs. Jacob was priceless...he would walk two steps, then try to go back downstairs. He was so confused and funny. He finally climbed his ladder and dove under his covers. Jessica was equally funny, talking randomly, then smiling as she arranged her spot on her top bunk, wishing me a Happy New Year and hitting her pillow.

Sarah was not as easy as the rest. She woke up on the main floor level of the house and asked what time it was. She then announced that she was going to keep me company and bring in the New Year with me. I had been doing laundry, and some tidying up, so she joined in and was a SUPER helper. She was obviously dieing to go to sleep, but kept a determined mindset to make it to midnight. The last twenty minutes was sooooooooo hard for her......but she DID it.....

I'm glad that she did too, as I was feeling somewhat glum when the evening began. We laughed, hugged, threw streamers, and had a great celebration. Thanks Sarah!!!!
So 2011 made it here!! Sarah was quick to head off to bed, and after a short bedtime story ( she deserved it) ...she was quickly asleep. I finished some laundry, then decided to treat myself to some book time. I've been reading an historical fictional by Gerald Lund, called The Undaunted. Very enjoyable, and interesting read. Certainly makes one appreciate the good life that we enjoy, and those who went before us, making so many things possible for us!!!

Kathy and Jeff arrived home shortly after oneish and I pulled into home just before two.

Thanks wonderful grandchildren for helping me have a great New Years Eve.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

Sunday

From the Book of Genesis we read:
"And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
And God blessed the seventh day and sanctifiedit: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made." Genesis 2:2-3

It's a beautiful wintery Sunday and I am grateful for this Sabbath Day. Our Sacrament service was so uplifting.....choir music and a talk by one of my favorite speakers....Kent Wentzell. The Spirit speaks through this man of God!! There were many out to church and it was wonderful to see everyone. Brandon taught a great Sunday School lesson, he has such a wealth of knowledge, and he speaks so well. Maryann taught our Relief Society lesson, about the Sabbath and it was again well done. I liked what one sister said about the Sabbbath being like a gas station...some of us come for a fill-up with high test gas.....others just come to keep it off empty....and miss the advantages of the fill-up ( to get us through the whole week) I think that I'm going to start carrying an extra gas can to help me through these crazy days.

I missed my family today. Michael's in Bridgewater ( and I'm happy to see him serving as he does and taking his family to church each week) Kathy is in Cole Harbour and serves the children of that ward of the church. ( they are very lucky, and I am again proud of how she chooses to raise her children) Karen and Laura are usually with me, but Karen was sick ( truly exhausted) and Laura had to work ( which she tries hard to avoid ...she too is weary from life) Bill chooses to use Sunday for his own outlets, and thus I was alone......missed them all.

I do appreciate the wisdom of the Sabbath....and our world has strayed so far from this Holy Day.

I am looking forward to an evening of music with our church choir. I count my blessings daily!!!

Just had to share a short post. Two more flat tires today...couldn't believe my eyes. I let Bill handle this one.

My short post is to say thanks Dad. Every time that we got our Christmas tree ( we got ours today) I remember waiting for Dad to put on the lights. Nothing else happened until those lights were on!! After 35 years, I still can't get Bill to carry on the father tradition so tonight I put the lights on...now it's ready to be decorated. Thanks Daddy....I sure do miss you and Mom...more and more every day. I also remember waiting for Dad to get up on Christmas morning before we could open any presents.So many wonderful memories with my folks and family on Berlin St. A favorite is the snowy Christmas eve when Santa walked up our street. I still remember the look of fear on younger brother Glenn's face. He flew to bed.

Thinking of these things helps me appreciate even more our family traditions. Decorating the tree,( I do the lights)Christmas Eve at the live Nativity, family picture on the staircase, special Christmas breakfast-before gift opening,relaxing and enjoying chatter with family throughout the day, dinner at Kathy's, playing games, visiting at Nanny Logans, talking to family on the phone....and much more.

Happy December....and pray for no flat tires!!!

Flat tires or a nice walk

Good morning from the thoughts of Jackie O. I've just started the day with a grand experience. If you read my post last night you would have seen that I was hoping to sleep in ( car troubles). Well, I woke up ( never did learn to sleep in) but I decided to fake it while noisy Bill and early bird Laura headed off to school for Laura and Plasma for Bill. However a few minutes later Bill stands over me and says...Are you awake?? NO I answer....then ignoring me he says you will need to get your car to Scotia Tire after you call CAA...that kind of got one eye responding. You have two flat tires, but I don't think they were slashed!! Great way to open the other eye.....



Off go Bill and Laura, and I'm up calling the tire place and CAA. Within thirty minutes ( less I think) the CAA truck arrives and the nicest man inflates my tires, reassures me they weren't slashed ( did I mention they are brand new winter tires), and sends me on my way.



Now One could say this isn't a great start to the day...I did.....but two things happened to turn this around. First, while I waited for CAA and I munched on my shreddies....I read from the November Ensign...page 39....go read it....it's online...lds.org.....Magazines..November Ensign.

That magazine rocks....and no matter what goes wrong in your day, week,month, year,even life....it can help you!!! I was especially touched by the story of Frederick G. Williams....



So...now I'm off to the tire place, pumped from my magazine article, and the pleasant CAA man.

I walk into the tire place ( a man's world for sure!!) and I am again treated by the most pleasant man. Even though he took my keys and wrote the details on a slip of paper ( he did everyone that way) and didn't even ask my name...I left my silver headache with him and headed out the door.



Now here's when the second thing happened. I was told it would take a few hours to have my car looked at, so I decided to walk home. As I walked a really special feeling entered my heart. I started to look carefully at everything as I walked the several blocks home. here's what
I saw....
.....people rushing off to work ( glad that I'm retired), blue sky peeking from behind grey clouds, funny signs on shop windows ( even noticed some misspelled words...awww I'm a teacher), pools of water on the ground ( no snow!!),
.....a large construction site....I stopped and watched the digger and noticed all the rock that our little city is built on...made me think of firm foundations
....walked by my physio place and felt really good that I was able to walk today without pain!!! thanks Mike ( my physio hero)

....saw Aunt May's house....treasure my relationship with her
.....street cleaners vacuuming soggy leaves making the city look nice
....past the Ardmore Park where my childhood memories called out....still can see my Elementary school in my mind...long corridors, special teachers....Mrs. Tattrie, Miss Blois, Miss and Mrs. Johnstone,Miss Berringer, Miss Harvie turned Mrs. Roblee, and sweet young Miss Wickwire who let us square dance...Rodney was my dream partner!!! Good friends....Elizabeth ( I actually saw her last Friday and she's a teacher), Colleen, Jill, Selena, Catherine, Dawn,Alan, Archie, Ralph, Bobby, Rodney...and more faces
....running down the hill to home on Berlin Street.

As I walked down the Street I saw parents dropping kiddies off at daycare/sitters and I thought about how lucky I was to have my Mom home with me when I was little. I'm grateful that Kathy has stayed home with her kiddies, and Keah is home with her girls!!! I regret that i wasn't home as much for my kids, although teaching did afford me many more days with them than most Moms. Grateful that I was a teacher, and grateful for good women in my life who helped raise my children.

.....past the Santilli's house where I can look through and see my old home....oh such sweet memories on Berlin St....but that's another post

Crossed Connaught Ave. and headed to my Street. So many more memories of a happy childhood and youth in this neighborhood.
Past the homes of many wonderful neighbors...the Quinlans, Carrolls, Bartiolaccis, Tullys, Browns, and a few whose names are having senior moments....around the corner.....did you ever notice the message painted by storm drains ( plain water only!!)

The world has some interesting things to see...and we so often don't take the time to look. Memories are important and so are lessons from the past.

My past reminds me of how blessed I have been and what's a few flat tires!!!


Have a wonderful blue sky day, and Laura thanks for helping me do the outside decorations....its always best to do it with someone you love!! Thanks for inspiring me to write...it really does make me feel good.