The Harvest

The Harvest is this week's Slice of Life.  We have had gardens here and there.  The best vegetable garden we had was when we lived in Santa Maria.  We grew, peas, tomatoes, green beans, and yummy beets among other things!!  In our current house veggies don't grow so well because there is too much shade.  I can't say I really have a whole lot of experience with harvest or harvesting fruits and vegetables.  Do you want to know what I have loved growing and nurturing the best??  

FAMILY

We started with this!
  Just the two of us.

  Through the years we added lots of love, understanding, sharing, fun, laughter, worship, prayer and togetherness. One by one we started to grow. Until now from the two of us we have gathered in our harvest twenty wonderful family members and we are still growing.  I can't imagine life without anyone of them.


Isn't this a great crop??

David, Sariah, Spencer, Andrew and Leah

 April, Matteo with Thomas and Corbin

John, Amy and Aiden

Katie and Brad with Kyle

Rachel and Joey, with one of their doggies, Sasha

And last but of course not least, Evan!


I remember when David graduated.  I think I cried every day the week of the graduation.  I knew he would be leaving, going on a mission, and our family would never be the same again. . I was right.  Our family has change A LOT since our oldest grew up and became an adult.  The best thing was that our family grew and grew and is still growing, and it's better and better all the time. We are continually reaping the rewards of our careful sowing. You plant a little love and what a wonderful harvest!!  Amazing!

A Little Flat

Have you ever heard of Flat Stanley?

Well, yesterday David was Northern California on business. So, Evan and I drove north to meet him part way for dinner. It was great to spend some time with him.



Oh, and he brought my grandkids, Flat Spencer, Flat Andrew and Flat Leah!!



I would rather be with them in person. It's hard to hug paper.

Little Boys and Trees

My grandson's had fun with my whimsical trees.



Spencer pretended that my trees were cogs (robots) from a video game called Toontown. So, he squirted them with water just like the toon he created, Deputy Wildjinks does. Too funny!!






And sweet Andrew decided that my trees needed names. So, I would like to introduce you to Ashley and Zach my trees!! Aren't they cute!!

A Birthday, A Blessing and A Baptism

We had a very busy weekend. Family started arriving on Friday afternoon, and didn't leave until Monday!! Here are just some of the great things we got to do!!


Saturday we celebrated Spencer's "It's Great to Be Eight birthday"!! He had a fun day. He said "WOW" a lot!!

Easter Sunday little Leah was given a Blessing ( similar to a christening) in our church. Here are just some of the Elders who were able to help with that ordinance.
From left to right, Mike, John, Brad, David with Leah, Joey and in the front Evan!!

Also on Easter Sunday, Spencer was baptized by his Dad. I'm proud of Spencer. He wanted to "Chose the Right" and get baptized. He was incredibly happy all day long! It was so great to see him take this big step. He is wearing the same outfit I made David when he was baptized. Actually all my sons wore that outfit!!

More about our weekend will be in future blog posts.

Fabulous Friday's Forever Family Featuring...

that special little boy who made me a Grandma, Spencer!!



Dear Spencer,

I loved you before you even came to our family. I remember when you were first born. I was so happy to be a Grandma!! I watched outside the nursery window while your Daddy gave you a bath. You looked perfect with your ten little fingers and ten little toes. I had such a great feeling of love for you. Somehow though, I had a feeling that all was not well. I just thought it was my brain doing funny things. I never could have imagined all the things you would have to go through. What a shock later in the day when your Grandpa told me that your little esophagus wasn't attached to your stomach. What a miracle that the nursing staff noticed something not quite right and didn't feed you anything. You were airlifted away later that night. The next time I saw you, you were in the same NICU that Evan spent his first 17 days of life. What mixed emotions!! I was grateful you were in a place that could help you, but sad for all the pain you had to endure.


It was wonderful when you finally got to come home and I could actually hold you, my first born grandchild. That first year was kind of rough, not a good year for our family at all. I remember at one point both you and Evan were in different hospitals hundreds of miles away from each other. But look at how we have survived. Look at how you have survived!! You are amazing! You are smart and funny and I love your silliness. I love your hugs! I love how you are always happy to see me!! Awe, and I get to see you later today!! We can have a few days together. Nothing could be more wonderful!! I'm so happy you are coming for Easter. I'm so happy you have made the choice to get baptized this Easter Sunday. What a special day that will be. You have chosen to follow our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that He can be a strength in your life. Spencer, I love being your Grandma.
Love,
Grandma

Spencer aka Harry Potter

I love this picture of you in the tree.

What a handsome boy!!

One Word

Contentment