Oops, I kinda got slammed! - Day 13

Yesterday was a rough day for me. I was thinking all day about my friend Molly. I totally felt in shock. I can't imagine what her children must be feeling. Anyway, as a consequence I didn't post yesterday. Instead, I went downstairs and searched through my photo albums just for a memory of her. I did find some of her children, but we mothers sometimes are camera shy. But...that led me to what I am thankful for today. MEMORIES! I am so grateful for the many blessed friends in my life, I have had so many people touch my life. They continue to do so! I truly feel blessed to have had the opportunites I have had and to have a clear mind to remember them all!

Don't put off til tomorrow what you can do today!

Wow! I don't know where to start. I just received an email from my friend in Kentucky asking me if I had heard about a mutual friend of ours in Magna that had been murdered. It turns out she was stabbed several times in August. I still feel in shock to know something this terrible and violent could happen to someone so full of life! I think the greatest sadness to me is she lived about an hour from me and we kept putting off getting together. We kept talking about getting together for lunch. She invited me to her children's weddings and life just got in the way. She was such a special friend to me when we lived in Oklahoma. When Alisa was born, she kept my children at her home and let Randy stay there so he wouldn't have to drive back to Dugway each night. We have written to each other every Christmas since the 80's. I feel so devastated I didn't even know to attend her funeral. But, as I was searching on the internet to find verification that this had happened I came across a blog her children have created in her memory. www.rememberingmolly.blogspot.com It was so impressive to see them pay such wonderful tribute to their mother. She didn't live her life in vain. It really puts life into perspective! We are only here but a moment, but for today I will shed a tear for my dear friend, Molly and today, I will remember it's about people, not busyiness!

Last but not least... Day 12

I remember about a month before I realized I was pregnant with Jordan, my aunt asked me if I was having any more children. I told her I was probably done, because my patience was about gone, little did I know Jordan Ryan Lowe had other plans for me, Thank Heavens! I wasn't sure I was able to mother another child, but I will never forget his birth when he was a blue baby and I thought Heavenly Father was going to take him back home. My heart lept for joy as I watched them hold the oxygen over his little blue body and he just pinked right up! The next moment of great joy came when the kids came to the hospital and Nathan just held him for the longest time. It was then I knew this little baby was not only a great gift to me, but also a wonderful gift to his big brother. His sisters doted on him as well. Jordan was quite a shy little boy, but he watched his older siblings like a hawk and tried to do everything they did. To include jumping down the stairs at the ripe old age of 18months and breaking his wrist.
Jordan has been a favorite of the grandchildren. Conner and Rylie always ask for Jordan and Tina the minute they come in the door. It has been fun to see him interact with them. Jordan has a huge love of the Jazz and because all the kids are gone and Randy has no interest in sports, I have tried to get involved with Jordan. He can tell you every call and every stat. I have been so grateful for his responsibility at school. He keeps his grades up and tries hard to to his best! I also enjoy listening to him play the piano or sing - - but I have to work extra hard for that blessing. He does play the piano for priesthood and I know that took him out of his comfort zone, but I am so grateful he is willing to try!As I come to the end of feeling gratitude for my kids, I can think of lots more to say about them, but hopefully as they read this they will know how blessed I feel to have had them in my life! I count them among my greatest treasures!

Day 11 - Oldest OR Youngest! - All are precious!

Well, I have decided now that I have highlighted my middle children I will go with Ladies first on the last two! Emily Anne Lowe was born while we were still trying to decide what direction our lives would take. I must admit she was a calming yet directing influence on Randy.
I didn't get morning sickness, but Randy did. The reality of providing for a family came quickly and we both had a strong desire to keep "mom" in the home. At that time I had a job I really enjoyed and not a care really in the world, however, from the moment of conception we felt our lives changed and blessed for the better. It was our first real introduction to faith with such magnitude.We really never questioned what this would mean to us, because we knew this was a gift from God. As we have gone on to raise our children, I think the times we feel His hand the most are the situations which deal with our family. Emily always tried hard to do what was expected of first children. She had lots of pressure on her, but always came through. As I began motherhood, I decided I wanted my children to be my best friends - - NOW - -I know Dr. Laura says that we can't always be their friend, which I have learned to be true, but I am so grateful for my children now as they are the ones who call me the most, look out for me and share with me. (Actually the single ones are still a little bit afraid to share with me, because according to them I get too excited and share with to many others)
I am so grateful for my daughters husbands
and their ability to share their wives with me. I hear all the in law jokes, but I feel so blessed with the boys Rachel and Emily have brought into my life. Steven, being the first son in law was probably raked over the coals a little at first because it was all so new to me and I wanted to be so sure my daughter would be taken care of. I think he paved the way for Brad and whoever the other kids decide to marry. Growing up I always felt like my dad would accept whatever friend I brought into our home and I have tried to maintain that quality with my children.
I remember when we pulled out of the driveway in Idaho on our way to Alabama - Emily only 2 1/2 and Nathan not quite a year old - pretty traumatic for me and my parents, but the next year when we drove straight through from Oklahoma and pulled into the driveway in the middle of the night, Emily ran into my mom's room and jumped right into bed with her. She was so aware of everyone around her. I see that trait in her mothering skills. I know sometimes her siblings harrass her for her mother hen instincts, but I know she loves them with all her heart! I appreciate her sharing her brief moments with Bella Anne with us. It was a most horrific thing to watch my child go through, yet also one of the most spiritual times of my life. A day doesn't go by that I don't think of the influence little Bella has had on all of us and I
pay tribute to Steve and Emily for the life they have chosen to lead in order to have her in their arms again. I want them to know that I know they will have her. In this world of turmoil and everyone thinking the world owes them and we shouldn't have to follow God's laws, how grateful I am for children who understand that God's laws only bring happiness!

Day 10 - Hurrah for ADD - No I mean ABL

Alisa often suggests she has ADD BUT her parents were never big on coming up with disorders to explain behaviors - therefore, we look at her as someone who just has a lust for life and if she sits still to long she might miss something important. Now I don't doubt there are many different behavior and mental situations we all have to deal with, but IF Alisa has the problem, I believe it has only enhanced her life as she discovers herself. What a joy it has been to be her mom! I still remember the first day of school in Alaska. We walked the kids down to the bus stop. She had her little backpack on and tears streamed down her face as she watched the kids get on the bus! She always wanted to be where the action was, so she was lucky enough to volunteer with me at the school. She also was my rock while Randy was mobilized after 9/11. Sometimes I think I probably put a lot of pressure on her, but she was so good to help me through one of the darkest times of my life. She is always such a good sport. You can hear her giggle anytime someone teases her. Each child has brought different blessings to us, but I think Alisa's blessing was to teach us not to take life too seriously! After all, life happens! You might as well have faith and get out there and live
!

...and Puppy Dog Tails....That's What little Boys are made of...Day 9

From my earliest recollection of Nathan, he wanted a puppy. I remember when he was very small he said to me "Mom, what's a boy with a puppy?" I responded "What?" His response, "A Happy Boy" He has always had a sense of adventure. In second grade I used to love going on his field trips and helping in his class, because this was the year of jokes and riddles. He seemed to thrive on being the entertainer. Of course, later on when the girls were in Sunshine Generation in Alaska, he was not going to be pulled into it. Luckily, he found his voice again in High School and joined the high school swing choir and participated in the plays. He tells me it was because of the cute girls. Which I would have to believe, because, from Kindergarten on he had a "girlfriend". The somewhat charming aspect, was as he grew older, he didn't really have a clue about all the crushes girls had on him. One thing I always appreciated about Nate was his sense of right and wrong. I never worried about what he was doing in High School because he just seemed to have it together. His desire to serve God and his country has set a great example to his family. We have missed him over the years as he fulfilled mission and army responsibilities, but my heart overfills with pride as I watch him try to be a responsible young adult. I just wish some little princess out there would see what a "Prince" is waiting. OR Maybe the PRINCE just has to kiss a few frogs! As I have raised my boys, I have come to understand the tender nature of men that we as women sometimes overlook. Our society expects them to be tough and sturdy, but their hearts are in there working overtime! Thank heavens for my opportunity to raise sons!

Motherhood (Parenthood)...what greater blessing - Day 8

Every day as I contemplate my gratitude and what I want to post, motherhood comes to my brain and I always push it aside thinking I'll post about that later...partly because I don't know what child to post about first - since it is common to go youngest to oldest or oldest to youngest, I decided to start in the middle! Could it be because I am the middle - I often felt like I was to old for one group and to young for the other, as a consequence, I felt picked on on occasion. In my older age now, I realize I was actually very blessed because I had an opportunity to live with both groups of siblings. Anyway, Rachel, this is why I chose you! All of my children know one of the best ways to get my goat is to tell me I have a favorite child - BIG PET PEEVE! But just for today....I am going to concentrate on the Blessing of Rachel Christine in my life! Rachel has been my roller coaster child, when she is up, she is really up and when she is down she is down. In other words she has a tender heart. She always was willing to bring her friends into our home. As a young girl she was very outgoing and friendly to everyone, as she entered adolesence she became much more shy. Of course, I guess she couldn't have been to shy considering she loved being a cheerleader. She was always very into boyfriends. From the time she was two years old she was planning her wedding. She brings joy into my life daily as she wants to call and share her day with me. She is a caring and doting mother. AND...I have told my son in laws I appreciate them, but I think Brad knows he has a jewel as well. He has been good to help her express her feelings. I am so proud of their little family and their hard work to keep their relationship growing! How blessed will be the little Simpson girls! Rachel, I love you! Thanks for choosing me to be your mom!