The finish line is in sight

This handsome devil is graduating in a little over a week.  On this Mother's Day, my emotions are all over the place.  He is a kind, caring, compasionate young man.  I can't even imagine how empty my house is going to feel without him.  He has been a challenge, sometimes, but aren't they all.  This last semester he has surprised us with his acting and singing talent, he played the piano with the band, he got a job and has been responsible as a working man.  I will miss our late night talks, his patience with me on my phone and computer, his willingness to help when asked.  He will be a wonderful missionary and I'm excited to see what he decides to do with the rest of his life.  

It is weird to think that we will be 'empty nesters'.  Not exactly sure what that entails.  I have loved being a mom of 4 and though I have done some complaining (ok, maybe a lot of complaining at times)  I have loved the growing up years.  I will relish telling the stories of my children's childhood.  I know they will roll their eyes at me, but that will not deter me from telling and writing their stories.  Now, I need to find myself again, fill my time with something new.  Kinda sad, Kinda scary. Kinda exciting.

Baby got his license

Jordon got his license yesterday.  He was so nervous, then so elated.  As I watched him back out of the driveway alone for the first time, I have to admit I teared up a little.  There he goes, off to band... alone.  I had mixed feelings of elation, that I would never have to take or pick up from band (wait half an hour in the car cuz he was not ready) again. And sorrow, that I would not get to visit with him about life driving to and from.
The more I thought about it, I realized this was a day like no other.  For the first time in 29+ years, I was not in charge of driving my children somewhere.  Yes, I have spent the last 29+ years driving to doctor appt, haircuts, sports practices, music practices, piano lessons, games, concerts, friends houses, church activities and school.  My life as chief chauffeur has ended.  Again, JOY, WOW, my schedule no longer revolves around theirs, and sorrow...wow, my schedule no longer revolves around theirs.  It is weird place to be.  I truly will miss those talks on the way home from school, when they had a bad day and I try to make them smile or laugh.  Those games that were won and we relished the moments in the car on the way home. The spiritual experience at church and we talk about how it made them feel, on our drive home.  How awesome they played in the concert, as we revisit their best moments, on our drive home.
I think as your children grow and leave home, you feel somehow not needed anymore.  With two married children and one away at college, I know this is not true.  I am still needed by them, but it is different now.
 I encourage you to embrace the changes in your life.  You are right, life will never be the same and sometimes I allow myself to sink into those sweet memories of my children's childhoods.  But mostly, I try to live in the now and look to tomorrow.  We want them to grow up.  We hope we taught them what they need to be productive members of society.  We taught them to be independent, and now we have to let them.  It's not easy, but it is so important, for them and you.
So Jordon, always wear your seat belt, try to go the speed limit, come home safe and tell me about your day.

Happy Father's day Dad

Dad in High School

 I realize I have not posted in months, but today, on Father's Day, I am missing my dad.  No one to call and remind how much I love him.  He died on March 26th, not even 3 months ago.  I thought this might be a good time to break my blogging silence.

Me, Dad, Mom, Mike 1967?

My dad was a wonderful man, not perfect, who is?   He was a man who was kind and caring.  He was an artist, but the canvas was not his only medium.  He worked well with young men and was an amazing leader of a boy scout troop for many years, helping boys become men.  I was always jealous of my brother who got to go along on the scout trips and meetings and activities.
 Dad could build or fix anything.  He created something new out of things that no longer worked.
 He was great with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, teaching them to be honest, work hard and have integrity; loved them dearly.
 He built a cabin from the ground up.
 He could decorate the most beautiful Christmas tree.  He would put on icicles one at a time.
 He would wrap a gift to perfection; just the right bow, corners perfect.

MIke, Cricket, Mom, Dad, Me 1979?

Dad loved his family.
 He loved music, but was not musically inclined.  He used to cry at our choir concerts, I never understood why until I had my own children and understood how proud he was of us and that we had the opportunities that he did not.
He loved to be outdoors.  Hunting, canoeing, fishing, (no hiking).  Camping was a family thing that we did on a regular basis.  I learned sitting silent around a campfire gazing up at the stars, pondering life's mysteries, was a wonderful thing.
Education was important in my family.  All 4 of us have both a bachelor's and a master's degree.

Mom, Shad, Dad 2013

My father and I did not always get along.  Mom always said it was because we were too much alike.  In the last 10 years of his life, we came to understand each other better.  I'm so thankful for that.  People say I am like him, and I would have to agree, in some things.  I am creative, as was he.  I am a thinker and problem solver, as was he.  I try to be a good listener, as was he.   I have thought so much about him since his passing.  Memories will come to mind and I will smile at them.  It still seems odd that he is gone.  I will see or hear something and think "I need to tell dad"  but alas, I can't.
 Thank you dad, for helping me become the person I am.  I love and miss you so much.

Bucket list item...check

Sterling and I went to see, but mostly hear, Itzhak Perlman  tonight.  Wow, amazing...I can check another item off the bucket list.

Merry Christmas!

Don't fall off your chair...yes, it is I posting.  What a year this has been!  Highs and lows, joy and sorrow, fun and challenge; all rolled into a wonderful year. 

taken in July?

Trevor and Jessica and Shad are doing well in CA.  Shad has had 3 rounds of chemo and they are planning surgery in January to take out what is left. 7mm, so tiny but so powerful too.  We are hoping and praying for good results, please join us in the battle.  Shad, when not on chemo, is a happy, energetic 4 year old who loves lego and Star Wars.  Trevor got a land transfer and is enjoying his new station.  He has been finishing up his BA online. He is a wonderful dad and help for his family.  Jessica takes wonderful care of Shad, a more than full time job.  Best benefits are kisses and hugs from Shad (and Trevor too:)  She has started a crochet business and makes the cutest hats.  She too is headed back to school for her masters.  Go Jessica!

Brendon married Emily in the Mesa Temple in October.  Ahh...wedded bliss...they are soooo cute together.  A little background on our newest member of the family; she grew up in CA and Tempe, she graduated from BYUI, she served a mission to temple square (I always thought that would be a fun mission, she said it was), she currently works for a real estate co. in Phx in their marketing dept.  They live in Peoria, in a rental her parents own.  Brendon will finish at ASU in May.  He passed his first Actuary exam and will take the second in February.  They are so happy and we are thankful for that.

Kevra is in her 2nd year at NAU and really loving it.  She has taken to the cold well and says we are a bunch of babies when we complain about 60 degrees.  She works in Student Services and will also be a TA in the Math dept next semester (no, she is an accounting major).  Kevra had a baby tooth that never came out...well long story short, it got a cavity and we pulled it last July.  Thus began the long process of pulling the other tooth down, making room for it, straightening her teeth, etc.  She got braces on the top to help this process.  Shad asked her why she had necklaces on her teeth:)  It should all be finished by fall.  We get to see her every 3-4 weeks cuz she has to come home for ortho appts.  She sent her missionary out in November, doing okay.  Missing him, but living life too.  So fun to have her home for a few weeks of break.

Jordon is now taller than both his parents, which he loves.  He still is trying to surpass Trevor, but has not made it yet.  He is enjoying Dobson, he marched with the band which he loved.  They took 4th in the super state competition (don't know why they call it that, but they do).  We went and it was really fun to watch.  He likes seminary and has been trying hard to keep up with his classes.  We rotated rooms after Brendon left, so he is in a new room, painted by him.  He thought it was going to be the pits to be home with just Sterling and I, but he has decided it is not so bad and is getting used to the quiet.

Sterling has had a wild year at work.  Their company is in letigation with 2 companies that owe them big money.  It has been a challenge to stay a float, but he has done so will and I am proud of him.  He and I went on two trips, the one to South Carolina with my brother and his wife in July...that was really fun. We also went to Denver in September. We stayed at the most gorgeous hotel called the Broadmor.  Way more expensive then we could ever afford, but we didn't pay for it:)  It was a nice, relaxing trip.  Sterling had meetings part of the time, I just walked, shopped, read and napped.

We missed Jessica and Shad, they were at the hospital.

  
I am enjoying my job, really like the new principal. I still meet and make cards once a month and paint with friends each week.  Both are a good creative outlet.  Finally got my craft room after Brendon moved out.  Still getting it organized.  RS is a continuous learning experience.  It is both wonderful and heartbreaking.  The hardest part about being a RS pres is all the things that people don't see and don't know that you are dealing with.  I am fortunate to have the most awesome sisters and support in our ward.  Am so grateful, words can't express.

We are almost ready for Christmas.  It changes as your family grows and changes.  I want to bear testimony that I know Christ lives, that he came to earth and lived so that we would know the right pattern of living and died so that life could continue with those we love.  I am so grateful for this blessing that he so freely gave. 

Kiss and hug those you love and tell them of your love......Merry Christmas:)

Shad

I wanted to steer you towards Jessica's blog Moments.  Shad's cancer is back.  Jessica explains all far better than I.  Please pray for or continue to pray for all of them, especially Shad.
Trevor says this is a journey.  As with all journeys, we want to be on the right road.  They are trying to decide what that is.  I love that little boy so much.  He has an addictive smile.  I love his Dad and Mom too.  As a parent, I just want to make it better and smooth things over for my children, but I can't fix this.  I am on the sidelines as I watch the progression and hope for the outcome of cancer free. I hope... I pray... I have faith in my Heavenly Father and his eternal plan.

With his great grandma Joye at the end of May.  I wish I had a more recent one.  His hair has all grown back in.

So long...

NO, I'm not saying goodbye, just that it has been so long since I have posted, I've wondered if I should say goodbye.  My life is so busy and posting is apparently not top priority.

We have had a good summer.  We did a little traveling, and a lot of hanging out at home, trying to stay cool and heal.  I have had some issues with my knee and hip for almost 10 months (same amount of time I have been RS Pres....hmmm).  I really have needed to rest them and allow them to heal.  Kevra has been my personal trainer and we have yoga'd and Just Danced all summer long.  It has really been wonderful and I do feel so much better.  Trevor, Jessica and Shad came in May for a visit.  Brendon got engaged in July too. We went to San Diego to visit, Sterling and I went to South Carolina to spend a week with my brother and sister in law, Sterling went to San Francisco with Brendon and Trevor to see some baseball. South Carolina was warm, but not bad. Wonderful to go see a little of that part of the country.  Here are some pictures of our summer.

T, J and Sh spent some time with us the end of May.

Trevor and Jessica stopped at Grandma and Grandpa Mabry's for a night, on their way to Utah.

Grandma Joye and Shad after the funeral.

Jordon soaking wet after the 4th of July breakfast.

Brendon and Emily the night they got engaged.

Us on Helton Head Island.  Everything was so lush and beautiful...green, green, green.

We stayed at Hilton Head Island, here is some of the Atlantic coast.  I went to both oceans this summer.

We took a trolley tour in Savannah...Peggy, Mike and Sterling.

We ate lunch at the Lady and Sons, yummy. Here are the two Paula's.

One of many beautiful old homes in Savannah.

We took a boat out to Fort Sumter.  Looking out a cannon hole at the fort.

Fort Sumter, a sacred place, first shots of the Civil War.

Sterling in Fort Sumter

You know I love flowers, and these were everywhere on the trees in the south.

Atlanta Temple, we did a session, beautiful inside.

So there it is.  I did do a few crafty things.  I'll post that later.