Yes, 12 years ago a tiny baby was born. She was just over 3 pounds. When I was 45 years old, this tiny person made me a grandma. I really had no idea I was going to be a grandma at such a young age, but she did it and she has been such a blessing.
Natasha is a very tenacious. She has been from the start. I love to be around her. She is a happy, talkative, creative, young lady.
She has been through a lot of challenges in her life. I hope she knows how loved she is, and how strong she is and that even though life is hard sometimes she has the ability to keep her chin up, to focus on the good, and the blessings in life. I hope she always does her best in all she does, and never lets disappointments or failure drag her down.
She is a wonderful gift from Father in Heaven to our family. I am so grateful she made me a grandma, even though I thought I was too young to be a grandma. She has taught me so about the love that exists in this crazy world. More love than I ever thought was possible.
Happy Birthday, Beautiful, Sweet Natasha! I love you!
I’ve talked about her birth and the great blessing she was to me. Today though I am reminded of the day I became her Mama. I grew up with 5 brothers, no sisters.
My first born was Riley whose bday was a couple of days ago. So hearing the news that our soon to be born baby was a girl was hard to believe. I am grateful for all the boys in my life and family, but it really made it hard for me to believe I was going to get to have a girl in my life, and especially in my family. I would get to see her, love her, dress her, do her hair, sew Easter dresses for her, and teach her all the fun girl things that I loved doing. At the birth of each of my little brothers, I prayed so hard for a little sister. I was blessed with these two little brothers who I wouldn’t trade.
So as the time got closer for Kelsey’s delivery, I got more and more excited! Until the day finally came, My Dream Come True was here!
She was perfect!
So many hopes and dreams wrapped up in a tiny little human. It has been such a blessing being her Mama. She really has been easy. She loved reading, still does. She would play in her room quietly for hours. Sometimes we’d have to ground her from her room, if she was ever in trouble, because she liked it there so much.
She was a good student. I never had to ask if she had homework, she just did it. She always wants to follow the rules. She wants everyone to follow the rules, and would give the other kids a hard time if they were not behaving.
So back to wanting a little sister- I have noticed through the years as Kelsey has grown up and I don’t have to parent her like I did when she was a child, that she has become like a little sister to some degree. She is really fun to tease, and she teases me too. She is fun to spend time with, shopping, binge watching shows, or just talking.
I’m so grateful for my little Dream Come True! The person she is as my beautiful daughter, and the fun to hang out with little sister too.
Oh, and by the way, she’s still pretty much perfect!
That means I was just a youngster when I became his mother. Not as young as some, but too young to really grasp what I was getting into. I tended children all through my teen years. I knew how to kiss boo-boo’s, and sing the clean up song. I knew how to change diapers and feed a baby. What I found out was that there is so much more to being a parent than just caring for a child.
When I held Riley for the first time, I couldn’t speak. I just looked at him. As tears filled my eyes and ran down my cheeks, I thanked God for the privilege of being his Mama. I remember thinking I don’t know how to do this, but I am excited and happy to try. I’ve never felt love like that -before that moment.
Within the first few weeks, I felt a little more confident, but really you never know what you’re doing. That’s what I think, and that’s how I felt. Riley’s dad and I mostly just did the best we could with the knowledge and experience we had.
Our baby Emily, has always referred to Riley as our “Tester Pancake“. In case you don’t know what that is, it’s the first pancake you make that usually turns out not the best. It may have a weird shape, or you make the mistake of turning it too soon. It might get burned because the pan is too hot, etc. We all laugh at the nick name, but it is true that we made mistakes with our first born. So. Many. If I think about it too long I get a little sad, but I feel peace when I think somehow he turned out great! In fact he is amazing!!
One day we were talking with our adult kids and Riley said he was such a good kid. He felt he had never given us any trouble, and was an easy child to raise. I think he actually said, “I’m probably your best kid!” We all laughed! Ummm. No! Then he followed it up with, “Well, I’m definitely your MostImproved Kid!”
That is a fact! When I think about all that he has experienced, some things I don’t even know about, but some I do, I am so proud of the man he has become. For him to be our first, our Tester Pancake, and turn out to be our Most Improved, it says a lot about him as a person. About his ability to bounce back after challenges, his desire to always improve, and the way he has figured out how best to go through this life and be a success.
I love you, Son. Thank you for your patience with your Mama, (and Daddy) and for always trying to do better! oxoxo
We have been blessed to be grandparents. I am so grateful to have little ones to love, and spoil, and then send them home.
Our sweet new granddaughter is here!
What a doll. She is so sweet and beautiful.
I truly believe the reason I love being a grandparent is because I was first a parent.
That may sound obvious, but it really is a “grand” plan. You become a parent, you love these children more than anything. It is the hardest thing you’ve ever done. They drive you nuts, they want/need something at the most inconvenient times. They challenge you. They make you proud.
They basically wear you out! They fill you will more love than you ever thought was possible. .
They grow up, and you’re amazed at all they accomplish in their lives, and the way they do it.
Then….you get to love their kids! And because they love their children more than anything else, you don’t have to worry about them. It’s the love and spending time without all the worry. As I say that I realize that’s not completely true. You do worry about them, but not as much as you did your own kids, because you know their parents will do most the worrying.
I am so grateful for this sweet, new little one to love. I’m so proud of her parents for being parents.
We attended the 2018 Transplant Games of America in Salt Lake City. My parents look so cute in their shirts. My miracle brother, Keith received a liver transplant from a donor. It is a wonderful gift that made it possible for my brother to still be with us after 11 years.
We had our 33rd anniversary. Spent most of the day with our grandbaby, Willow. We went to Salt Lake City and walked around the Salt Lake Temple where we were married. And ended up in Park City where we had our honeymoon.
We stopped at a place I consider to be very peaceful and relaxing. It is the Glenwood Cemetery in Park City. We spent a little time there after we dropped Willow off to her Mama.
We went out to dinner, talked about the years we’ve been married, and set some goals, then went home.
It was a great day!
September
Our cute grandson started soccer. If you haven’t see 4 years olds play soccer, you need to. They are so cute and fun to watch!
Julian kept insisting the little blonde guy was a girl. He didn’t quite understand why he would have long hair.
My parents celebrated their 63rd anniversary. They are amazing. I’m so happy they’re here with us still and we enjoy our Sundays with them. They love each other more than ever.
November
Our oldest son and his wonderful wife announced that they were expecting a new baby in May of 2019. Yay!!!
Natasha spent the night and had some grandparent time with us. I don’t see her as much as I’d like, but we make the most of the time we have. She is such a wonderful, sweet, girl.
My best friend Lilli took me out to lunch for my bday. She is a gift. I am so blessed to have such a friend. Blog post coming on a future date.
December
We celebrated the Winter Solstice with our good friends Sydney and Chad, and their cute son, Parker, and our families! Dark days are hard, but more light is coming. I struggle a lot with the dark winter days, but knowing that brighter days are coming keeps me focused. Years ago, when I taught Parker in primary, I asked the kids what we celebrate during this time of year. I expected them to say, “Christmas!”. Parker said, “Well, you could celebrate the Winter Solstice.” I have celebrated the Winter Solstice every year since then. By the way Parker is 16 years old, now.
