HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM

Today my mother turned ninety years old. I wish I could have been with her to celebrate. She lives far away in Seattle, so I don’t see her very often. I did however; see her a few weeks ago. I didn’t want to make that visit, but I am so glad I did. My last visit with my mom was not pleasant. You see my mom has dementia caused by sensory deprivation. Her eyes barely see and her ears barely hear. Sleep is a good way to avoid dealing with a world that is difficult to see and hear. And, that is what she likes to do the most. I was afraid if I visited her again, we would have a repeat of our last visit…she not only didn’t recognize me but didn’t even want to be bothered. It can be disheartening to say the least. However, when the Spirit speaks I try to listen, especially when the Spirit speaks in the Temple. So, with fear of rejection we went to visit with my mom in March.

I decided that I needed to wake up some Mom’s other senses, so I brought cucumber melon scented hand lotion, and I rubbed her hands. It’s amazing how something as simple as rubbing someone’s hands could turn into such a spiritual experience. But it did. As I rubbed those old, wrinkled hands my thoughts turned to all the things those hands had done for me through the years. As I continued to rub her hands my thoughts turned to the Saviors hands, pierced for me. Then my thoughts turned to “our” hands, and how we serve one another and then “our” hands become the Savior hands on earth. When I was done rubbing her hands, I gently brought them up to her nose. She then said, “So nice, thank you very much” in a very slow quiet voice. Then she kept bringing her own hands up to her nose and repeating “So nice, thank you very much”. It was so touching. I was so happy to be able to provide a simple little service for her that made her life happy. During our visit, she was mostly quiet, but she didn’t shoo me away. At one point I was just looking right into her face, with a big smile and she said, “What a beautiful smile!”. She never mentioned my name but I felt like those blind eyes were looking right into my soul. I hope she knows that it was me.
My desire is that my mom knows that I love her with all her heart. I’m so grateful for the life she gave me and for her love.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM

LUCKY NUMBER SEVEN

Introducing sweet little Corbin Anthony Capanna. He is our seventh precious grandchild.

Here is mommy and baby.



The whole family!!
Matteo, Tommy, April and little Corbin




It doesn't get better than holding a a newborn baby.


Look whose a Grandpa again!!

Another Abandoned Child

We had another abandoned child on our doorstep, last weekend. This child was a little bit bigger.

He had a note a lot like Kyle's. It said "We can't take any more of him, see ya Monday! Amy and Aiden.

We took them all in for a few days.

Grandpa Mike enjoying Baby Aiden.

Proof that John is still a child at heart...giving Aiden bunny ears!!

We went to Oso Flaco Lake one afternoon and enjoyed the beautiful outdoors.


Here is a panoramic view of the Five Cities.



Pelicans on the lake, looking peaceful.




Trust me you don't want to know what this is...

I know this might be a shock, but John actually made some very delicious broccoli soup.

Awe, I love cuddling those grandbabies!!

Thank you, John and Amy for bring little baby Aiden for us to enjoy! Oh, we had fun with you too!!

Harmony in Health

A little over a year ago, we were fortunate enough to meet a wonderful woman named Victoria. She is a music therapist and runs Harmony in Health. Evan started music lessons in September and today was in his first concert. He did amazing well. The whole concert was very touching, as we watched young people who daily face challenges in life make music.

The young people came out waving rainbow ribbons to the song of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow".

Evan did a solo on the tone bells!!

Evan and his wonderful music teacher, Victoria!!

An Abandoned Baby

A baby was abandoned by his parents on our doorstep late last night.

They left one diaper with us!! And a note that read, "we need a break, see you Monday??"

I think he is too cute to give back. What do you think??

KChing!!

We won today!! What a surprised!! Mike and I walked into K-Mart to buy a few things. At the check out, the cashier pushes a red "KChing!" button and says "YOU WON!!" How exciting!! We didn't even know it was possible to win anything at K-Mart!! I ask her, "what did we win?". My mind is racing, what could it be, a new TV maybe, or how about a refrigerator, or some chocolate, or how about just some money!! She didn't know yet, it would print out on the receipt. Well, low and behold, she pulls of the receipt and....we won a 24 tablet bottle of Ibuprofen!! Just what I always wanted to win!! What a lucky day!!

Just wanted to share. You might want to go to K-Mart too!! Maybe, you could win some Tums or Pepto Bismo!!

EVAN CRACKS ME UP!!

Here is how the conversation went the other day when I was helping to fix his favorite lunch for when he is a little under the weather, Top Ramen.

“Aren’t I the most awesomest mom??”

Total silence, while I’m just looking at him, waiting patiently for the answer.

Then Evan asks, “What was the question??”

“Aren’t I the most awesomest mom??”

Silence again.

“I suppose it’s possible!”

Five minutes later while he is eating his lunch, out of the blue he says,

“That wasn’t quite the answer you were looking for, was it?”

To which, I told him “not really”, then I went on about how much I help him and told him “I quit”, Dad can help you with everything from now on.”

Half an hour later we are playing a game, and out of the blue...

“You were just kidding about quitting, weren’t you??”

I laughed through the whole thing.