July 24, 1847

The day had to have been hot. It was the middle of summer in the desert. There must have been dust and sagebrush and a hot sun beating mercilessly. In the midst of this scene, a wagon crested a small hill after passing through Emigration Canyon. In the back lay a man. He was very sick and unable to sit up but he asked that the driver back the wagon up and lift the canvas so he could gaze across the empty, barren desert. It was then that he declared, "It is enough. This is the right place. Drive on."

This man, Brigham Young, and the first group of Mormon pioneers drove on into the valley, ending their long journey to the west. Over the next few years, thousands of Mormon pioneers would crest this same hill through Emigration Canyon and catch the first glimpse of their new home that their beloved prophet, Brigham Young, had seen in a vision and promised that it would be a place where the Saints could settle and "make the desert blossom like a rose".

What fascinates me about this inspiring story is that when Brigham Young was lifted up in the back of that wagon in order to gaze for the first time across this valley, there was nothing there. With physical eyes, there was nothing to see. And yet he saw something great. That phrase keeps running through my head tonight...he saw greatness where others saw desolation. How many times in my life have I written off an experience or even an individual because I wasn't able to see the "big" picture. How many times have I missed something important because I was only using my physical senses. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we have been blessed with the greatest of all gifts...the gift of the Holy Ghost. And this great gift manifests itself to us in so many individual and beautiful ways. We have been given spiritual gifts that help us see things in a different way. Not in the way the world looks at things, but with the potential to see things as God sees them. Can you imagine looking at people and circumstances and opportunities and events and being able to witness them as He sees them? Those early pioneers needed their spiritual gifts and strengths. Physical strength alone could not carry them over the barren plains of the Midwest or help them scale the Rocky Mountains dangerous peaks. They had to see beyond what their physical eyes could show them. Just like Brigham Young, they had to rely on the Spirit to show them the spiritual possibilities. The Lord would bless them. I believe this early group of Saints must hold a very dear place in the Savior's heart for the sacrifices they willingly made in His name.

Every year, on the 24th of July, the citizens of Utah celebrate Pioneer Day. We celebrate with great energy and enthusiasm and zeal. We have the opportunity to celebrate our beginnings...and not many states have a prophet of God and men and women of such great faith representing the beginning of their history. What a unique state. What a unique place to live. What an incredible opportunity to walk where these individuals walked and to have an opportunity to see some of the many ways and the individual talents that were used to make this desert bloom like a rose. With great courage and fortitude, our little family decided to celebrate the day at one of our very favorite Utah places...Pioneer Village.

It was a busy day.

First, there was the pie eating contest. Like any stalwart pioneer boy, JC decided to enter the contest and win honor for his family. He did us proud.



Next we headed over to the playhouses where the children love to play "train robbers" on the wooden train. Actually, HB pretended she was the server on the train and served the 2 train robbers a delicious meal of plastic baguettes, croissants, and broccoli. I thought it was the merging of 2 very strange imaginary worlds.

Then it was off to the blacksmith shop to make some decorative metal leaves and on to the Main Street parade. After watching a fabulous parade of pioneers and their decorated handcarts, we needed to get the ponies rounded up and the livestock in their pens. HB actually took care of the goats, lambs, bunnies, llamas, and pigs while the boys headed back for more fire and forging at the blacksmith shop.

Well, after chores, it was time for school. The kids headed over to the schoolhouse and made it just in time. Girls on one side, boys on the other. The teacher taught them how to raise their hands and stand in recitatory position when giving an answer or asking a question. Then they learned what happened when you used your free agency to make a bad choice.

First you end up on a barrel in front of the room with your nose pressed against the wall and your hands behind you. JC was kind enough to volunteer to be punished in front of the entire class.

If you choose to use your free agency improperly a SECOND time, it was back to the barrel/corner/nose thing but this time with 2 books in your hands. Again, poor JC.


If there is a third offense, the teacher would just smack you a few times with a paddle, send you home, and let you explain why you're home early. Ah, the good ole' days. Public education would probably see a major turn around if we could just go back to the old ways.

But the kids had a great day at school. Learned the Deseret Alphabet, state history, and got to write on chalkboards with chalk. In a world of dry erase boards, this was big stuff for my 21st century kids.


Well, off to the barber shop to get a tooth pulled for 7 cents and a shave then on to the bank for a withdrawl in order to get the candy sticks at the general store. Off to the apothecary for some herbs, the hat store for a fabulous look at the new hats, and a stop at the leather shop to pound some stuff into leather (not to knowledgable about the leather store.)





We visited the Anderson's at their Scandinavian home and helped them weave a little on the loom and then headed down to the family whose name I can't remember to help do the wash in the backyard. (One room cabin where a man, his 2 wives, and 10 children all lived snug as bugs. Actually, rumor has it the 1st wife made a beeline out of there when wife number 2 showed up. The 10 kids got to slug it out in the loft above the cabin.) We voted on our favorite handcarts from the parade and then immediately headed back to Main Street to see the "candy cannon". Interesting experience. They literally shot salt water taffy out of a cannon. How you ever tasted candy that has been shot out of a 19th century piece of war machinery? It has a really unique flavor...and of course there was a stampede of children fighting over sulfur burned taffy. Tears were shed, punches thrown, and T-shirts/pockets/etc. filled to the brim as children hoarded their loot.
Naturally, after such a long, hot, hard day, we immediately headed for the nearest Wendy's to get ourselves a Frosty treat. While we honor our pioneer heritage, we also revere our 21st century miracles.

We finished off our fabulous day with a trip to the Faulconer's for the annual pig roast. It was amazing! Christian had BBQ'ed a whole pig to perfection (literally...the head had been disposed of the night before in the trash can. You don't throw pig heads away in broad daylight!), there was a band, tables with beautiful centerpieces, and enough food to keep us happy all night long. It was out on the front lawn and we had a smashing time visiting with old friends. Thank you Faulconer family!

(I forgot my camera so I had to google "roasted pig" for an image. Remember...Christian's pig didn't have a head. And it wasn't sitting on the grill when we got there. The meat was divine but I had to separate myself from the actual pig. HB immediately announced she couldn't eat any meat that still had a snout on it.)


It was a wonderful day! Perfect from start to finish. Happy Pioneer Day! Remember who you are...

A Decade of Good Lovin'

On July 16, 1999, I was married.

I was 28 years old...the groom was 32. And I would just to like to bear testimony to the following truth...

Good things come to those that wait.

So began our big adventure on July 16, 1999 as we stood hand in hand at the House of Lord and felt that we could conquer anything. It was the beginning of a new journey, a new phase of life. And it was amazing. (I haven't even mentioned the absolutely fabulous rainstorm, the wedding party scramble to shelter in the midst of the downpour, the beautiful cake, wonderful people who braved the elements to celebrate with us, or the wedding planner that provoked my father. There were bubbles and a magical carriage ride and my father following the carriage and honking right when things were getting frisky to give us the keys we had forgotten. It terrified Chris. He kept his hands to himself for a little while after that!) Was that too much information? It really was a funny moment!



And here we are. We just get better with time. I'm more in love with him today than I was 10 years ago. I don't fit in my wedding dress anymore, I'm a little lumpy where I used to be smooth, and I still can't control myself at Target but we have such an amazing life! We have 3 fantastic children! They are such a great blend of the 2 of us. I am constantly amazed by the characteristics they possess and the joy they bring into my life!

We live in a great house in a beautiful neighborhood with kind, generous, compassionate friends and neighbors. We have family...lots of grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins around us that we associate with and love and that are helping us to raise our family by loving and adoring and mentoring our kids in such tender, important ways. Chris has a job that he loves and is so good at. He is able to use his skills and touch so many lives in a meaningful way. I am able to spend little bits of time doing things I love and have discovered so many new interests and passions in the last 10 years. I couldn't have imagined where we would be or what would be happening but I am overwhelmed as I look around me and contemplate the joy. I feel so blessed.
And so today I celebrate my husband and my children and the eternal blessings of the gospel. I am so excited to go see the new Harry Potter movie tonight and hold his hand and share our candy. I'm so excited that tomorrow and the next day and the next day and the next day after that, I get to wake up next to my own Prince Charming. Our life together has been such a grand adventure...I can't wait for the next 10 years.

Happy Anniversary my wonderful Chris! I love you.

Family Reunions and New Found Confidence

Last night we attended the Brown family reunion. I have to admit I was a bit hesitant about attending. It had the makings of being a strange experience...large group of people I didn't know, advertised "talent" show, potluck, 3 kids with low tolerance for heat, mosquitoes, and strangers. But to the reunion we went...and what a fabulous evening we had!

We arrived at a beautiful home with an absolutely smashing backyard. Badmitton, volleyball, trampoline...as we pulled up, my children spotted 3 of their favorite cousins and they were off. I went inside to offer my meager pasta salad for the potluck and to get my name tag. I felt a moment of tremendous pride when they handed me the name tag with "VERA" written at the top. She is my grandmother and I have always felt so proud to be her granddaughter. I loved writing my name on that tag and having people know I belonged to this woman. Although I have to admit I sometimes feel like the "bull in the china shop" when it comes to how closely I resemble this remarkable woman. She was elegant, refined, polished, and a tremendous hostess. I am fashion disabled, put ketchup bottles and milk jugs RIGHT ON THE TABLE, and haven't ironed a tablecloth or pillowcase in my entire life. I have much to aspire to. Vera truly was a stalwart, strong, amazing woman.

We headed outside where HB immediately found a new friend that she announced was her "twin". They both had the same name, were the same age (born 7 days apart), had blue eyes, were wearing leggings, and had stripes on their dresses. I wish making connections to new people were that easy for adults.

We ate potluck, we met lots of new people (just a side note...this family is really good-looking. I've never seen so many handsome men, beautiful women, and cute kids! Although my grandmother was always a "turn your head" beauty!), listened to a loud but very talented sixties band, played basketball for quarters and dollars, visited with lots of cousins I haven't seen in a long time, and played badmitton! Then it was time for the talent show.

The family hosting the affair had a great big back porch that extended out into the backyard and was raised a few feet off the ground. HB listened to a couple of piano solos and then asked me what was going on. I told her it was a talent show and people were performing their talents. "I want to be in the talent show," she announced.

"Well, sweetheart, I don't think we can. You were supposed to sign up before you came," I replied.

"But I want to be in the show," she answered. I could tell we had just locked horns.

"Sweetheart, see that man up there with the clipboard? He has all the names of the people who are doing something but your name isn't on there."

"Oh."

I thought the matter was resolved. I turned around for 30 seconds to get something out of my purse and when I looked back, HB was gone. Suddenly, I noticed a pair of sparkly silver shoes headed up the stairs toward the "talent show". My jaw really, truly hit the ground. I beckoned frantically to Chris who was standing on the stairs closest to her but it was too late. She marched across the stage to the man with the clipboard and started having a conversation. I leaped over chairs, bounded through bodies, and ran up the stairs in time to hear the man say, "So you want to tap dance? Do you have any music?"

"No," HB replied.

I was awkward as I tried to interrupt the conversation on the stage in front of a whole group of people that I was trying desperately not to embarass my grandmother in front of. The kind man explained that HB was signing up to do tap dancing and it was just fine with him if it was OK with me. What could I say? I had a pair of giant blue eyes looking at me with such longing and yearning in her face that I couldn't say no. I headed off to the car to try and find a CD and a prayer in my heart that my daughter had somehow learned to tap dance when I wasn't looking.

She waited so anxiously through the rest of the talent show. When they called her name, she took off up the stairs and headed out to center stage with pure happiness written across that darling face. She stood and looked at me to get the music going. We chose Harry Connick Jr.'s version of "Supercalifragilistic" and off she went. That girl tap danced her heart out in those sparkly silver shoes. I was absolutely stunned. There were over 160 people sitting on that lawn. She knew maybe 10 of them. She has never had a dance lesson in her life...and I'm not sure where she even learned about tap dancing. But she danced her heart out. It was beautiful and charming and I think she actually did a couple of real tap dancing moves. Where did this chunk of pure delight come from? Oh, my grandmother. Vera. How fitting. What a perfect tribute. My grandmother's great-granddaughter got up on stage in her silver shoes with her french braids and big silver bows and performed. She made people happy and made them smile and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. That was my grandmother. She was always beautiful and "fancy" and elegant and loved little girls in sweet dresses with big bows and sparkly shoes. Vera loved to make people happy and loved life. I saw a my grandmother in my sweet girl and it made me cry a little. Mostly it made me happy. HB has inherited her grandmother's taste for fancy, beautiful, feminine things. She has inherited her confidence and fortitude and ability to make people happy. I loved every minute of the that little tap dance. It made my grandmother so alive again!

The reunion was a joy. JC jumped into a game of volleyball with a group of adults he didn't know and played with gusto. That surprised me. MC played with a ton of kids all night and had a ball. They didn't feel shy or huddle around my chair...they played and felt at home and seemed to just mesh right in. It may not seem like much, but I felt constantly a little surprised last night. And when I mentioned it to someone, they said, "Why are you surprised? They are with family!" Yes, they were with family.

What a surprise! I rediscovered the joy my extended family brings me, the eternal connections we share that I treasure and hold dear, the characteristics I admire and respect and adore about these people that have physically, spiritually, and emotionally made me who I am, and the gift that having family is. All at a family reunion that I was afraid was going to be a little boring.

Life's little surprises are amazing. I'm so glad I didn't miss it!

For photographic evidence of the aforementioned events, please visit Mo's blog

Greatest Father on Earth

I couldn't let a Father's Day go by (or at least not too many days pass)and not post something about all the wonderful fathers I know. I am surrounded on every side by fabulous fathers who do their jobs with perfection. Each of them do their jobs differently because each of them have unique circumstances, wives, children, lives...but they share so much in common that makes them wonderful fathers! I am so grateful for my own father, my father-in-law, my grandfather, uncles, cousins, brothers, and brother-in-laws. (See what I mean by surrounded?) But the one father I'd like to celebrate today is my husband...the father of these 3 amazing children we have...the man who truly exemplifies fatherhood for me.

When I started dating Chris, I was pretty impressed from the beginning. There were so many things about him that I instantly admired and the fact that he was oblivious to the fact that he was so exceptional made him even more desirable to me. I guess he just assumed that all men knew how to clean a house, take care of a yard, entertain nieces and nephews, change diapers, hold babies, open car doors, save money, make smart decisions, treat people with respect and compassion, etc. But I knew better. I'd been out on that dating scene for a few years and I knew this was no ordinary man. Matter of fact, 10 years later, that fact is driven home to me almost daily...I am blessed...and so lucky! By the time we started dating, got engaged, got married and finally got pregnant, he'd waited a LONG time to be a father! And from the moment that first baby boy was laid in his arms, he was a natural. Tender, loving, caring, compassionate, attentive...nothing has been off limits. He handles all the natural disasters like a seasoned professional...diapers, poop, urine, throw up, spit up, blood, etc. He feeds babies in the middle of the night (and during the day!), changes diapers in men's restrooms, plays Polly Pockets and Littlest Pet Shop with the same ease as baseball and soccer, tells fantastic bedtime stories, loves adventures, stops what he is doing to listen or play or help a child finish a project, does fantastic birthday cakes, prays with his children, reads scriptures and holds father interviews and makes sure we have family home evening, takes his kids to see all the movies they are dying to see at the sticky shoe dollar theater even though very few of those movies are at the top of his "must-see" list, helps build outstanding pinewood derby cars, does amazing art projects, draws all the best pictures for the kids during sacrament meeting, colors in coloring books, celebrates achievements, geniunely loves to eat dinner with his family and ask what everyone did that day and how things went, puts children to bed, rubs legs with growing pains, potty trains children, makes mind-blowing Halloween costumes, and loves Disneyland. I love watching him give his children father's blessings, administer baptismal ordinances, and exercise his priesthood on behalf of his family. There is such strength in compassion and tenderness. Every child needs a father like this man I am married to. This world would be such a different place if every man understood what the real definition of "father" meant.

I love this man I am married to. I love watching him father our children with all the energy of his soul. I love that he never gives up and is ever seeking to learn and grow and improve. I truly applaud all he is and all he is helping our family to be.


I love you Chris.


Thank you.

Vacation with the family, 2009.


Hiking in Moab.

Chris is the man in charge of all birthday cakes in this operation. Every one of them is a work of art. This picture shows the pre-planning meeting where the children assemble and the cake is discussed. Sketches are drawn, ideas tossed around, and in the morning I am never disappointed by the masterpiece on the kitchen counter.

The "horned viper cake" for JC's 8th birthday.

The "Speed Racer" cake for MC's 6th birthday.

Christmas Eve in new jammies.

An "Amazing Race" cake for JC's 7th birthday.

Boys from the hood.

Out with his princess.

Showing MC how to boogie board!

Summer

It feels like it has been so long since I've blogged. I love to run down to my computer and savor all the new blogs on my blog roll but once I've savored and commented, there is no time for writing and away I run to answer the call of the wilds living in my house. So here I am...I've read, commented, and find myself with a few moments to write something. What shall it be?

Summer is here. I love summer. Even though it has rained 17 out of the 19 days of summer vacation so far, I still love it. I love that the kids sleep in until 9:30 a.m. I love that we have a leisurely breakfast and read scriptures together. I love that they have new chores and are doing a SPECTACULAR job. No complaining, no whining, just stunning work. I don't know what happened to my old children but I'm loving these new and improved models. I love that they have learned to load and unload dishwashers, vacuum rooms, empty trash cans, take out trash, pull weeds, clean bathrooms and such. It has changed my attitude and outlook to be able to really work together as a family to accomplish these tasks. I truly don't feel so alone in taking care of our home and feel much less overwhelmed. They have always had chores but having them assume new responsibilities has not only made them feel grown-up and trusted, but has truly opened the way for me to be able to relax and spend more time with them doing things we love! After chores, we sit at the table and do 30 minutes of "thinking" stuff. We have workbooks, writing journals with a prompt jar, lots of books at all their different levels to savor and read, and lots of motivation in the form of sticker charts and tic-tacs. They are each accomplishing amazing things this summer! JC is writing a story about a boy shipwrecked on a desert island, MC's reading and writing has improved by leaps and bounds, and HB, true to nature and not wanting to be left behind for one second, has started to read and write. She read a story the other day about fish and then opened her journal to write. A couple of minutes later she came over to show me what she had written. "I like the blue fish with the big lips." When I asked her how on earth she knew how to write that, she just gave me a blank look. I wish I could say I had taught her to do any of this stuff but truly, she is a PBS Kids prodigal and I'm adding at least 2 more hours a day in front of that fabulous programming. The kids know they belong to me and my crazy summer schedule until 12:00 p.m. and then they are free!! They can roam, play, swim, dig, hunt, bike, jump and do anything else they like until the mosquitoes drive them inside around 9:00 p.m.

That was SUCH a long paragraph. Do I need to throw in a couple of pictures to keep everyone awake? I'm not really typing anything interesting. I could tell you about the 4-year old boy that almost drowned in the public pool and got pulled out of the water by his mother and rushed away in an ambulance but that would put a damper on the sunny mood. That event and the 3 dirty, used band-aids I saw on the edge of the pool that day just strengthened my testimony that the slip-n-slides at Wal-Mart really are a better use of resources. At least you know who the dirty band-aids in the backyard belong to. I could also tell you how I lost my 2-year old niece at a huge park yesterday and I called my husband at work screaming and crying hysterically, but really...who needs that kind of image in their head?! Summer, like any good thing, also has its dark moments.

But how did we wander into that dark area? The kids started swimming lessons this week and LOVE it. I wish I had a picture of the day HB attended her lesson with her hot pink, polka dot swim shirt UNDER her pastel, paisley swimsuit or MC trying to do the dolphin kick where he throws his bum 3 feet out of the water before sinking back down to the bottom of the pool, or JC in his darling shark goggles telling the teacher in no uncertain terms that she can say what she wants but he is NOT diving into that pool head first. They really do love the pool...and I love it because I don't have to get in, I can read a book at the side, and the dirty band-aids haven't yet been deposited on the side. It is great!

This week we have had cousins here. Glorious cousins. How my children love, love, love their cousins. We have played so hard and loved every moment. Went to a movie, ate burgers and fries and onion rings, attended a Bees baseball game, went bowling, ate gourmet cupcakes, slurped snow cones, played in the dirt hill, played on the basketball court, traded and warred and talked Pokemon all day and night, gone to the park...it has been so fun and my poor children are going to go in a deep depression when their cousins leave. It is hard to beat people bred from your own genetic pool who seem to understand and "get" you in a way no one else can. They just move and breathe and think in sync. I love it!

I love that we have hung out with grandmas and grandpas and aunts and uncles and cousins. I love that we have hung out lots with great friends. I look forward all year to our summer adventures...museums and book stores and Creamery on 9th and Heritage Park and Red Butte Gardens and hikes and camping and parks and playing in the water. I love the bike rides and eating out on the new patio table we were generously given for free from our neighbors. I love the BBQ and the new books to read and the late nights where no one has the energy to put the kdis to bed and the kids just fall asleep all over the house and at some point they get carried into their beds by their sleepy parents. I love summer.

And it is only June 19th.

Wanna come play?

P is for Papa

Today my father has a birthday. Is it possible to rewind the film of life and imagine for one horrible second what this world would be like without him? How the lives of his parents and siblings would be different? How my mother's life would be different? How me and my siblings and our families would cease to exist? How the lives of all the people he has touched would be changed? The individuals he served as a full-time missionary, mission president, seminary teacher, bishop, stake president, home teacher, young men's leader, etc? This world would be a completely different place...and all because of one man.

One man.

I don't doubt the difference one individual can make because I have my father and I've seen how he has spent his life quietly changing all the corners he has been in. He is a servant of the Lord and his family. With all the other experiences of life, these are the two priorities I have seen him give his heart and soul to. Words cannot begin to express the love and gratitude I feel for my father. He is my hero. He is my friend. He is my dad. I am so blessed.

I love you Papa! Happy birthday!

A Day to Remember

I have a tender place in my heart for Memorial Day. I like to think of it as "Memory Day". It is a time for me to truly pay homage in my heart and soul to all the individuals who set their feet upon a path and saw it through to the end....good and bad, tragic and joyous, sacrifice and blessing, hardship and work, consecration of life, health, fortune, and family in the name of something bigger than themselves. Starting what you finish. Finishing what you start. Believing in dreams that take you to the highest mountains and the lowest valleys.

Last night I sat in a minivan with my husband and 3 children and read them the story of my great-grandparents Oscarson as we drove through a dark and dismal rainstorm to the cemetary where they are buried. I imagined Gustav Emil with his heart planted firmly in the gospel of Jesus Christ and his feet pointed toward Zion. With his homeland and family at his back, and the promise of new life among the Saints in Zion in front of him, he sailed on that ship to a new world, a new life. It was met with great hardship and trial but with enduring faith. I always cry when I read about Johanna coming to join him, the birth of their 3 children, the death of their 2nd little girl, and ultimately, the death of this young mother. I feel gratitude to my great-grandmother who had the compassion to come care for this young family and found eternal love and joy where there had been such great sorrow. I love these stories. I tell them to my children every year on the way to the cemetary so they will know and love and appreciate these people whose very heart and soul exist in their own. We placed flowers on their graves and I was touched as HB knelt down by the grave of Johanna and placed a paper flower that she had so lovingly spent the afternoon making. HB bears Johanna's name and it is with pride that I watch these 2 great women connect in small ways. I hope HB will carry Johanna's courage and strength, her passion for the gospel, her dedication to family and home. I hope all 3 of my children will feel the strength of the blood that runs in their veins.

After leaving the cemetary, we drove into town and visited the lot where my great-grandparents had their home and orchard. With the help of Papa on the cell phone, we were able to locate the 4 big apple trees that still stand on a portion of this land, original trees planted by my grandparents. I let my eyes sweep from one side of the block to the other and tried to imagine the life they had here. It mentions in their biographies that their home and land were truly considered heaven on earth for them. It will always be a sacred place for me.

And today my feelings are still tender. I am remembering my Grandma and Grandpa Oscarson...my beautiful grandmother turned 100 years old on Saturday. I would like to think there was a small memorial service in heaven with lace doilies and beautiful flowers and music to celebrate her life here on earth. I think of my beloved Aunt Boo and Aunt Ruthy who I miss so much. They each filled their places in this world with love and laughter and joy and so much beauty! I am remembering Chris' Grandma and Grandpa Anderson, their faith and love and untiring service to church and family. I wish I had known Chris' Grandpa Carr. I think I would have loved him. There are so many who are on my mind today. I hope they know I appreciate their lives. Every one of them have stories that illustrate the principle of setting your feet on solid ground with faith in your heart, a testimony burning in your soul, and a desire to win a good race. Each of them faced trials and heartaches...and each of them had such love and joy in their lives. I celebrate their paths that have helped me create my own and the strength they have each let me borrow through their examples and legacy.

Last week, Abby took a beautiful picture of my parents. They are walking down a street together with their hands firmly clasped together and their faces pointing toward the great Salt Lake City temple. It was a candid shot but it speaks volumes about the individuals in my life who continue to set their faces and hearts forward and move with more courage and determination than I have ever seen.

Today I celebrate memories and journeys both past and present. Today I feel to rededicate myself to the journey I am on with greater faith, determination and courage. I want to celebrate where I have been and the potential of where I can go. I want to celebrate all the sacrifices that have been made to enable me and my family to be where we are and enjoy the incredible blessings we partake of daily. It is a day to rejoice and move forward!

Just So Daily

It is 9:20 a.m. and I am girding my loins. The day looks sunny...I'll try and remember to stop and appreciate how beautiful it is outside.

10:15 a.m.: HB has preschool graduation. Take camera...make sure she goes to the bathroom BEFORE the ceremony starts. Maybe pack an extra pair of underwear just in case.

11:00 a.m.: Babysit my friend's little girl.

11:50 a.m.: Get MC to kindergarten. Does he have a clean shirt to wear?

12:00 p.m.: Feed children lunch (remember that a poptart and chocolate milk does not count as a well-balanced meal), get ingredients for dessert and treats to take to JC's last soccer game.

1:35 p.m.: Attend JC's music performance at school. Take video camera...is it charged?

2:10 p.m.: Rush home and clean house in preparation for writing group tonight. Try to identify and remove brain stain from couch. Make cupcakes for dessert.

3:00 p.m.: Pick up kids from school. Remember to pull up to the appropriate spot BEFORE the kids open the door and try to climb in while the car is still moving. Drop off carpool.

4:30 p.m.: Get JC to soccer game. Last game of the season...don't forget to take treats or you will be scorned by a team of 8-9 year olds.

5:30 p.m.: Make dinner...clean house again. Frost cupcakes. Make sure all the pee on the bathroom floor is cleaned up. Plug in air freshener so guests tonight won't suspect that your boys are urine-disabled and don't understand that the big, white pot is for the pee and not just decoration.

6:00 p.m.: Eat dinner. (Remember that eating Cocoa Puffs more than once a week for dinner does not constitute as a well-balanced meal.)

7:00 p.m.: Writing group...my turn to host. Have I written anything in the last month? Could share that story that I wrote in college.

9:00 p.m.: Get kids to bed before 10:00 p.m. so they don't fall asleep in the middle of field day tomorrow.

I'm exhausted.

Last night as we were putting the boys to bed, Chris happened to be reading a little biography on Edgar Allan Poe. JC listened attentively as Chris read about Poe being orphaned at 3 years old, moving out of his foster home at 16 years old, marrying his 13 year old cousin, and then having a complete and total nervous breakdown in his 30's after his wife died. Now JC looked a little stunned through the whole narrative but he really perked up at the "nervous breakdown" part and in his typical manner, began his line of questioning.

What is a nervous breakdown?
What happens?
What kind of medicines do they give people who have had one?
Do you have to go to the hospital?
What kinds of strange things happen?
Do we know anyone that has ever had one?
Have you ever had one, Dad?
Etc, etc, etc.

I hadn't anticipated educating my 8-year old on nervous breakdowns but I'm ever so grateful that my husband didn't just point to me and say, "JC, your mother has them every day. Any other questions?"

Real life is just so real.

P.S. Reading the little bio on Edgar Allan Poe was accidental...just in case you think I feed my children crap all day and then finish it off with a horror story before bed. Sigh. Have I lost my chance for Mother of the Year again??

Ode to May...Continued

Where was I?

Ah, yes. Why I love May...we covered warmer weather, tulips and Mother's Day.

Reason #4: The BBQ grill. It makes delcious meats, veggies, grilled pineapple, toasted breads and even yummy pizza. Favorite grill recipe from this week's line-up:


Grilled Pizza

Buy pita pockets from the store (don't cut them or anything...you're just going to use them as a yummy pizza crust!) Brush a little olive oil on both sides. Heat the grill to "low" and place the pita bread right on the rack. Let them "brown" for 2-3 minutes, then flip them over. Then add your ingredients...I placed yummy sun-dried tomato pesto, real mozzarella cheese, peppers, and olives on the pizza then closed the grill to let the other side cook and let the ingredients all melt together in cheesy heaven. They are so good. The kids ate them right up and asked for more. Can't beat that!

Reason #5: School is almost out. I have reached my threshold for fixing school lunches, doing homework, running carpool, washing and ironing white shirts for "dress" day, projects, spelling homework, tests, etc. I need a break and I KNOW my sweet children need a break. We are ready to hang out in jammies all morning, eat breakfast at 11:00 a.m., go swimming, go on field trips, play with friends, get out the hose, eat lots of popsicles, and rediscover why we love hanging out together without all the distractions getting in the way. Love my little people!!

And as an added bonus...my husband has a birthday! All the other birthdays in our family are clumped into the fall/winter months so we look forward to having a good reason to eat cake and throw a party in May. Plus we think he is pretty amazing and we love occasions to tell him that!

Happy May! Go eat a popsicle, dust off the plastic swimming pool, and get ready for some fun!

Ode to May

I love the month of May for several reasons. (This has the feel of a very proper 5 paragraph essay...note the topic sentence.) First, the weather is warmer. I have received my first sunburn and while my dermatologist will not be happy (and I'm definitely not advocating sun worship without 80 plus protection) it does represent a positive turn in climate for me.

This represents the bright red coloring of my sunburn after serving meat at the school carnival for too many hours.

Second, the tulips. I can't put into words my affection for tulips. They are happy and glorious and burst forth in our yard with such vigor and color that I can't help but feel gloriously spring like every time I walk out my front door. While we do not claim to be master gardeners, we do have a certain flair for tulips. Glorious tulips.

Our front yard during the month of April and May. It is a splendid place to be!

The tulips at Thanksgiving Point Gardens. Every variety, every color, every shape and size. Magnificent!

The tulips at Temple Square. See what a tulip junkie I am? If there is a beautiful tulip to be appreciated in this state, I'm there.

Third, Mother's day. I look forward to it all year. I don't have to turn a year older, I don't have to buy gifts for anyone else, I get chocolate, a chance to sleep in, and sometimes a nap. I don't feel any obligation to cook or clean. Primary children sing in sacrament meeting and everyone is relatively nice and pleasant. Long ago I abandoned any guilt feelings associated with the day. I'm doing the best I can and occasionally that involves some really ungraceful moments but I've vowed to live and learn, say sorry alot, and move on. It makes my nap on Mother's Day so much more pleasant.

This Mother's Day was especially stupendous. It started on Saturday evening when my husband prepared my absolute favorite meal of steak on the grill, yummy potatoes, and salad complete with a tulip center piece. My heart and stomach sang his great praises!

I married a genius. A kind-hearted man who understands his wife's need for red meat seared to perfection on the grill. And those potatoes...ah.


Did I mention the perfectly seasoned potatoes?

Homemade bread wrapped in parchment paper with a big, spring like bow and a delicious jar of lemon curd. Our gift to some of our favorite women! (I guess I lied about not giving gifts...but this gift giving was fun and not painful.)

Saturday night my father-in-law showed up with a delicious box of chocolates and a very kind, thoughtful card. Kind-hearted men who understand a woman's need to indulge runs in my husband's family. I'm so grateful! It was a lovely treat!

Sunday morning I received a beautiful daisy plant and a scrumptious breakfast. My husband made me the largest omelet I have ever laid eyes on filled with veggies and heavenly bacon. (That was "heavenly"...not "healthy") I received a large package of Rees' Peanut Butter Cups and a fabulous new CD by my favorite singer, Diana Krall. We slow danced to sultry music in the middle of kitchen for a second before the children broke it up claiming we were making them sick to their stomachs. (Truly all we were doing was dancing...ah, if they could just maintain that attitude until they were safely married!)

The primary children sang in sacrament meeting. Always a favorite. And the bishopric presented each woman with a package of truffles. The church is true!

Due some unfortunate throwing up, our evening plans were altered a bit when the boys and I took off without Chris or HB and headed to SLC to celebrate the remainder of "Lady's Day" with my family. I was so grateful for my husband's sweet gesture. Normally I would not have left him but I'm becoming really possessive of the time I have left with my parents. Hong Kong is really far away.

Our evening started with a stroll through Temple Square and the magnificent gardens.

Out of all the people present, my brother-in-law was the only person I could get to pose for a picture in this ever so fabulous place to take a picture. So...here is Todd.

Oh, these darling, darling boys. How I love them! The one on the right made me a mother for the first time. The one on the left snuggles in my lap every morning and reminds me why I love this job.

Is this couple capable of not looking perfectly "vogue" and photogenic ALL the time? I love Chip and ML.

After a garden stroll, we headed up to Mo and Papa's "social" room for a feast. Mo had prepared a Cafe Rio buffet that was spectacular. Of course I was so busy eating that I neglected to get out my camera. I was so touched at the labor of love this meal was. Here it was Mother's Day and she had been laboring to feed everyone else. The woman is a saint...and a divine cook. The evening was cozy and warm and perfect. I love family and grandparents and aunts and uncles and nieces and nephews. I sorely missed my husband and daughter but I was so grateful to be able to celebrate with my extended family! Thank you again Chris.

And so the saga must pause for a moment. I haven't finished my 5 paragraph essay on why I love spring but I must go feed my hungry children and watch a 3-inning T-ball game. Life is calling!

My Daughter's Eyes

I don't know why, but looking at this picture is like looking into my daughter's soul. I caught my breath when I first saw the picture. She is everything this picture says she is...beautiful, smart, independent, tenacious, funny, sweet, determined...she is a princess and I love her dearly.



Thank you Spencer for sharing this amazing talent and gift you possess. These moments you capture and your eye for spotting them are absolutely priceless to me!

For more fabulous work by Spencer, check out Oscarson Photography

A Modern Day Fairy Tale

Today is storytelling day. I have a fabulous fairy tale to share with you and I promise a happy, spectacular ending. Get your favorite blanket, maybe a bowl of delicious popcorn, and curl up in your chair. Here we go…

Once upon a time, many years ago, there lived a fair maiden. Not only did this maiden have great legs, fabulous hair, and a winning smile, but she also had brains. She was smart…so, so smart. And talented. Loaded with looks, talent, great legs, drive, and ambition, she left her kingdom of St. Louis and set out for the wilds of Provo, Utah. There she entered the kingdom of BYU and with courage and fortitude, set about to change the world. But sometimes dreams unfold a little differently than we plan. She worked hard, she studied, and she succeeded. Everything was on track…until the prince entered.

It did not take her long to realize he was a prince…and not just an ordinary prince. You see, in the kingdom of BYU, there were lots of "ordinary" princes. But to find a prince like this one…she knew she was in trouble. The princess fell madly in love but had a decision to make. To marry the prince meant changing her immediate dreams. To not marry the prince meant losing her life long dream. She did not hesitate…and to the grandest of all castles they traveled and wed. Not once did she look back. She embraced her new future with all the tenacity, passion, and courage she had always shown. And a new adventure began.

The princess and prince were now a king and queen and they had a family…a rather large family. They raised 7 children. Each child was blessed abundantly by their parents. No gift was spared. They were given physical, emotional and spiritual gifts that would bless their lives beyond measure. This queen traveled to foreign lands with small children, learned the language, embraced the culture, and charmed people with her strength of character and determination. She saw 7 children through the jungles of public education. She served and taught and led troops in so many different capacities and positions. All 7 of her children graduated from college with bachelor’s degrees. One child earned a doctorate degree and 3 received master’s degrees. Four children served full-time missions. All 7 children married in the temple. She truly has been a queen.

Several years ago, just as she knew she would one day do, the queen returned to the dream of her youth. She returned to the kingdom of BYU to finish what she had started so many years before. It was frought with challenges and diversions but she held to her course. She entered this new challenge a queen with life experiences to strength and carry her. And with even greater intellect, cuter legs (if that is even possible), and just as much determination, she finished her quest. And it was great cause to celebrate.

And so our story comes to a type of ending…but just of a chapter, not of the epic tale. My mother, at age 58, graduated with her bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University last weekend. All 7 of my siblings as well as a few in-laws and grand children, watched her walk across the stage in the Marriott Center and accept her diploma. We clapped, we cheered, we yelled insanely (even though we were told not to) and many of us wept tears of joy and gratitude for this queen among us. Each of us, especially as we grow older, are mindful of the numerous sacrifices she has made to help each of us children achieve in our lives. She has sacrificed much. And even know she continues to give us amazing gifts. I hope my children never forget the sight of their grand mother in her cap and gown. I hope somewhere in their minds and hearts they understand the legacy of learning they have been given…not just in temporal things but in spiritual things as well. I hope they continue to watch my mother serve and learn and sacrifice and understand what a queen among women she is. She is a gift. And because of her and my father, we truly have reason to believe in ever after and happy, happy endings. It’s what the gospel and families are all about.

Happy Graduation Mo! I love you!

(P.S. Once again, I’m without photographic proof. Once I saw Spencer documenting the events, I put away my sad, old camera and pray that he will send pictures. Please travel to Mo or any of my sibling’s blogs. They have documented it beautifully!)

Moving On

There is a reason why journal writing doesn't work for me. It has something to do with the way I look at the world. Everything is black or white (bear with me...we're speaking metaphorically, not literally). There are no other shades of anything in my world. Either I sit down and write about the entire experience I've just had complete with adjectives, thrilling verbs, and pages of detailed description supported by photographic evidence...or I don't. There is no in between. Instead of saying, "Oh, I've got a couple of minutes to remember some of the highlights of this amazing experience", I walk away and dream about how I'll describe it or review the details I hope I don't forget when I finally get around to writing. See how complicated this makes things?

So much has happened. And I've written so many wonderful entries in my head. But now my head is getting so cluttered and my mind is spinning with all the experiences I haven't recorded that I have decided to seize this moment, in between cleaning the bathroom and vacuuming the preschool crumbs, to simply list the wonders of my life.

a) Our oldest son was baptized at the end of February. I can't believe he is 8 years old. It was an amazing day and I'm so grateful for the family and friends that were able to share it with us. The gospel is true. I am eternally grateful for this gift I can share with my children and for the ways it blesses our lives.

b) JC celebrated his 8th birthday with a "Series of Unfortunate Events" birthday party. Chris made a deadly viper snake cake that was both terrifying and fabulous and we had a party full of ingenius games and activities (thanks to my 8 year old's amazing imagination!). Loads of fun, fun, fun.

c) JC and MC both performed in their annual school play. JC was an extra...villager and party goer. MC was a peasant boy named Sam. My favorite performance was the night JC came on stage having to go to the bathroom so badly that I feared there would be a puddle center stage. He danced, he held himself, he turned red in the face until finally another "villager" sent him off stage to go take care of things. I wasn't the only one giggling in the audience.

d) JC has started playing soccer and attending cub scouts. New adventures in this mom's life.

e) HB has started gymnastics. There is nothing in this world cuter than 4-year old in pink leotard.

f) Our family went to Mesa Verde National Park for spring break. It was an amazing trip...breathtaking and spectacular. Next we spent an afternoon hiking Arches National Park in a wind storm that we were afraid was going to carry our youngest child away. Then we finished the trip off by getting caught in a sudden spring snow storm in Price, UT where we decided to hunker down for the night. The next morning, while picking up some healthy donuts at Wal-Mart, JC announced that he wanted to move to Price. When I asked him why, he said it was because of the "17-star luxurious hotel accomodations and the fact that the Wal-Mart had a fun center with video games." Translation...the hotel had an indoor pool and cable TV and the Wal-Mart had some video games. It was a great vacation and I hate being back to "reality".

g) I ran a 5K last Saturday in 32:29. Then our whole family ran in a 1K fun run that ended with free popsicles and bananas. Anyone want to guess what the kid's favorite part was?

OK. I'm purged. I can now look forward to the next event without fear. I am caught up and I managed to do it without writing a huge novel and adding an entire photographic exhibit. I really do wish you could see the cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde, the extremely deadly viper cake, and how handsome my son looked on his baptismal day but I will let it go. I'm embracing the gray that lurks in between the black and white. And it's not so bad.

Is Hong Kong Near Sweden?

On March 25, 2009, we received a summons to gather at Carrie Ann and Todd's home at 7:30 p.m. for the beginning of a new chapter in our family's adventures. My parents had finally received their mission call!

It was a truly magical moment! Mo and Papa, Grandma and Grandpa Green, Chip and ML's family, Carrie and Todd, and my little brood all gathered together around that large white envelope sitting on the ottoman and tried to imagine where this next chapter would take my sweet parents. We quickly had the Giles family on Skype and Emily, Abby and Spencer all on various cell phones sitting next to the "envelope". My whole family was gathered. All of us were present. Even though I couldn't see all the faces of these people I love and adore above anything on this planet, I can't tell you how strong their presence was felt.

The first order of business was to have everyone write down their mission call predictions. (We were secretly testing the mind reading powers and ability to predict the future talents of all family members. When all was said and done, Sho and Jacob are the real talent in this family. They both nailed it! ) Even Sarah held up a poster with their family's predictions...although James won in my book. He guessed Lebanon.

Finally the moment arrived. And I'll let you see for yourself how it all unfolded. (I taped these 2 segments with my digital camera and our headphones are broken so I don't even know if this will work. I'm not the family member with the tech savvy know-how!)

A strange hush fell over the room when they read the words "Hong Kong, China". We are deeply entrenched in our past experiences in Sweden. Consciously admitted or not, I think many of us thought they were headed back to the homeland. So truly it took some of us a moment to figure out if there was a "Hong Kong" in Sweden?!

My parents are so excited...and so prepared. There is an enormous legacy of missionary service that runs in the veins of the people around me. I have felt that legacy connect us from generation to generation as I read the accounts of my ancestors and watch the events unfold in my current family. My parents would have gone anywhere and done absolutely anything. They live and breathe the words to the hymn "I will go where you want me to go dear Lord". I have watched them serve in every calling in the church from mission president to seminary teacher to stake president, bishop, primary, young women's, washing dishes at the temple, etc. with equal zeal, enthusiasm and gratitude for the opportunity to serve the Lord. And so begins a new chapter in their lives and consequently, in my life. I have a feeling that China is about to take a very central place in our lives. I have a feeling that there are lives about to be changed because Paul and Bonnie Oscarson are headed for China. I know already that my life is changing because of what I am witnessing and feeling in watching them prepare and accept this new call. It is with joy and gratitude and a deep testimony rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ that I rejoice in the call to serve that my parents have received. I will miss them...I will cry sometimes because they will be far away...but I will be forever grateful for the ways they are touching and blessing the lives of my family...especially my children.

If I knew how to speak even one word in Chinese, I would insert it right here.

Let the adventure begin!!!

Good, Hearty Laugh

A friend sent me this link and I was doubled over laughing. I think a tear even escaped my eye. Ah, that felt good. I need a good, hearty laugh to get this day going.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxtgLzi-aK0&eurl=http://blogs.denverpost.com/celebritybull/2009/03/10/octomom-birthing-video/&feature=player_embedded