Grandma

Last week the kids had spring break. I went back and forth on whether or not to go visit my family in Nevada. Mostly I was just feeling lazy and not wanting to drive (Chris had to work) and pack. We ended up going and I am so glad we did. Prior to this past December I had not seen most of my extended family in about 3 years. During that time my Grandma was moved into a nursing home.

We went to visit her on St. Patrick's Day. I was fighting tears the whole time we were there (granted I am a crybaby). The indignity of old age is hard to witness. I have often thought on how we start this life completely dependent on others and often end it the same way. I have also often thought how most older people are either extremely sweet or extremely crabby. It seems like it is a final testament of how well we have withstood the refining process of life.

My Grandma had Alzheimer's and didn't know who I was the last time I had seen her. This visit she seemed physically miserable and barely hanging on to life. I was told by the staff that she was just having a bad day but I felt like she was not long for this world. My Grandma was 93 years old and missed my Grandfather terribly. He has been gone for 22 years now and she often spoke of how much she missed him. She was completely devoted to him. I said a little silent prayer while we there asking Heavenly Father to take her home soon. She passed away five days later on March 22, 2010. Sometimes death is a blessing. This was one of those times. I feel like it was a blessing that I was able to see her one last time before she passed. I know she and my Grandfather had a very joyous reunion.

Growing up my Dad's parents were the only grandparents I ever knew. They lived next door to us and I have a lot of happy memories of time I spent with them. Most of them are very simple things that have more to do with how they made me feel.

Grandma was a talented artist. She enjoyed playing the piano and doing genealogy work. She had a weakness for good looking men, flowers and jewelry. She raised 1 daughter and 5 sons. She had 27 grandchildren and her 43rd great grandchild is on the way. I am looking forward to celebrating her life this Saturday with the rest of my family.

Whoopsie Doo Ashlyn Loves You!!!!

The advantage (or disadvantage) of being the third child is that your Mom lets you go out in public in outfits of your own choosing. Ashlyn is so cute with her beloved Whoopsie Doo baby doll. She has not lost her Christmas shine. In fact, I think her shine has multiplied. Whoopsie Doo goes everywhere we go. Gavin made the mistake of referring to her as a toy the other day. There was much sobbing. Ashlyn set him straight on that matter! She repeatedly told him she is a baby and Ashlyn is her Mama. She even shops for clothes and other necessities for her when we go to stores. She scored some awesome Baby Phat booties at Ross the other day for only $2! While we were in Mesquite she chastised her cousin Zoee for not watching her as closely as she thought she should while Ashlyn used the bathroom. Whoopsie Doo is so loved that I am expecting her to turn into a real baby any day now. Just like the Velveteen Rabbit.

St. Paddy's Day

Landon at 10 Months

Here he is on the 18th showing some pride in his partial Irish heritage. More and more I am amazed at how much Landon is like Chris. Looks and personality. I like to call him the Chris Clone. These past two months he has had three ear infections back to back. He does not do illness well much like his father. One night he woke up shrieking like he was being stabbed with hot knives. I suspected an ear infection and gave him Motrin. Several hours later Chris gave him a blessing and he finally settled down. I was expecting to take him to the doctor and find out both ears were badly infected. It was just his right ear and it wasn't really that bad of an infection. Chris once worked with a man who called him the Happy/Angry Man. Chris only has two emotions, happy and angry. Landon seems to be the same. He started experiencing separation anxiety and stranger anxiety this past month. We are still waiting for a first tooth to appear.

Messy eater.

We call this the fish hook. A variation on thumb sucking maybe? Whitney did this with her thumb when she was a baby too.

Pure Joy!

Fishy the Betta Fish

Yesterday I surprised Ashlyn with a trip to the pet store to pick out her very own Betta fish. I learned from past experience that they are the hardiest and cleanest fish to care for. She chose a female because they are tiny, much smaller than the males. Though the males are much prettier and more brightly colored. I pointed this out but she was not impressed. When I first asked her what she wanted to name her new fish she said Kiki. I was thrilled with her originality only to have her quickly change her mind in favor of Fishy. All my kids have named their first fish Fishy.

Ashlyn already loves her! Gavin, Whitney and Chris were all immediately escorted upstairs upon arriving home to meet her.

Ashlyn loves chatting with Fishy about everything and anything. In this shot she is telling her what a nice baby Landon is and how much she will like him. =) She insisted we put that little plant on top of the tank.

Aladdin and Oddball wasted no time in checking out the new arrival. I would have much preferred a cute little glass bowl for Fishy's new home but thought we'd be best off with a completely enclosed home. Ashlyn gave them both a stern talking to on how they are to leave Fishy alone. =)

Wordless Wednesday

Crawling Cutie

A crawling baby is one of the cutest things ever. My inner germaphobe has issues with it though. It seriously freaks me out thinking about all the nastiness they are getting on their hands. My floors are never cleaner than when I have a crawling baby.