Thursday, March 11, 2010

LIFE

"Your path may be difficult, but will be rewarding."

That was my fortune in my fortune cookie this week. What kind of a fortune is that? I always take fortunes from cookies as "just for fun" things that don't have any merit but maybe this one has merit/wisdom for all of us. I've certainly given it some thought.

Steph told me this week that she was worried that she would never have a life again. (You know how hard it is to adjust to things after a new addition to the family.) I told her that it is hard but all worth it. Was I echoing my fortune?

I used to worry about leaving my mark on the world. But President Kimball said, "No other success can compensate for failure in the home." I've come to believe/know this is true. My greatest mark is my children and grandchildren. They are my greatest joy. I ache when they ache. I rejoice when they do. I celebrate their successes and I try to help them through their trials. I want to be there for them in whatever way I'm needed.

Did I fall short when raising them? Absolutely, I'm human. Life has had a big learning curve but I have learned and I continue to grow.

Two weeks ago I rejoiced as a new grandson was born. It wasn't without difficulty with Steph in labor for three days and the baby's breathing stopping as he was being delivered and several times after he arrived. We worried his first few days home that he was jaundice and lethargic, and not eating enough and they took him back into the hospital. We are grateful that he is doing well now.

Again I think:

"Your path may be difficult, but will be rewarding."

Yesterday, my father had his pacemaker replaced for the third or fourth time. I worried and prayed for him for days. I feel so blessed that all went really well.

Last night my son came home hurt from being hit while playing basketball. My husband and neighbor quickly gave him a priesthood blessing and then we were off to the ER. It turns out that he broke his nose, destroyed his sinus cavity, and broke the bone around his eye socket in several places. He has nerve damage on the left side of his face (it's totally numb) and they don't know if it will be permanent or not. His eye itself, looks terrible today. He was vomiting so hard by the time we got home from the ER that I think it did additional damage to his eye. It's solid red on the left side.

Today we are meeting with the surgeon that Brenna, Eli's fiance, works for. We are waiting to hear back from the hospital to see when the OR is scheduled for him. All life stops when your children need you. We are praying that all will go well and that Eli will fully recover.

"Your path may be difficult, but will be rewarding."


Monday, March 8, 2010

More Oliver Adventures

Creed and I played pirates while we were waiting for Steph and Larry and baby Oliver to come home from the hospital. Creed wanted to keep his pirate treasures so he could play pirates with his mom. I did ask for permission before I let him wear it home.

I think his pirate name was Creedi.
Candice flew up from Texas to photograph the newborn. I tried to be her assistant. Who knew that photography a newborn could be so hard? He woke up every time we tried to do anything. We turned the heat way up so he would be warm and comfortable...the rest of us were roasting. OK, Larry used the word sweating but that's just gross right?
Candice enjoying a few minutes of baby holding since her baby is 6.
Isn't this the best picture ever? I love it.
Candice trying to work her magic. I forgot this lens didn't have auto focus.





These are just a few of the pictures. Candice used my camera for these shots so I swiped them off my card. To see more of Oliver click here. To see the amazing pictures that Candice took of Creed click here.

I feel so blessed to have spent over a week with most of my babies. Oh, and did I tell you the baby's name is Oliver Danger so he could say, "Danger is my middle name?"