I am a single Mom of two wonderful girls. E and P, as I will call them, are my world. They bring such joy and love into my life. But how did I get here and what are somethings about me well...
I am the 5th child out of 7 and I was born to amazing wonderful parents who have loved me unconditionally and have supported me through so much. I had a fun childhood back when kids could be left outside for hours on their own at the age of 5 just riding bikes around and hanging out with all the other neighborhood kids. We played night games and toilet papered neighbors houses and only got in trouble if we hadn't asked permission to do so first.
I took piano lessons which later led me to becoming a percussionist. Music was a huge part of our family. We love to sing together, play all sorts of instruments and on occassion Mom would make us sing our fights. It is far more difficult to sing that you hate your sibling than it is to say it. You feel like a fool when you sing it.I was also in plays and Marching band throught out high school and my love for music only increased I love the feeling of hearing a symphony play. There are few things more beautiful in this world. And few things that can make me feel the way music does. Our family tried out for the community play at the first of the summer to have something fun to do together.
We took family trips all over the place but mainly to Idaho or St. George to visit grandparents. I had my Dad's parents, Wanda and Don who were so incredibly amazing. I only have a few stark memories of my Grandpa as he passed away when I was 5 but my Grandma made it all the way to me being 26, she was 94. She was amazing and fun and sweet and made delicious raspberry shakes every time we visited. She taught me how to crochet, more on that later. She served an mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Salt Lake which brought her closer to our family and I loved going to visit her. She would find necklaces with my name on them or other things that reminded her of me and she loved seeing my reaction when she would give them to me. I was always even more impressed because there was 78 Grandchildren. So I felt very special when she thought of me. I loved that her computer tower had notes all over it with numbers so she knew what order to turn on everything and how to get everything going. She even used chat, though she struggled when more than one person wanted to talk to her because she didn't understand how to switch back and forth. When I was 8 she and my Grandma Inez gave me the same pair of heart earrings only one set was green and the other was pink.
My Grandma Inez was my Mom's Mom. She was funny and kind and loved anything that sparkled. I loved her so much and I loved getting to spend time with just her and me. I knew she loved me and I loved her. I have so many memories of going to lunch with her and riding in her car. And honestly I just remember feeling so close to her and feeling like we always had a special bond. I love her with all my heart and still miss seeing her. She lived with my parents before she passed away and getting to spend time with her was so special. I remember the feeling when she passed away. It was so difficult and yet when I walked in the room I felt such a happy spirit and I knew it was her letting us know she was okay. Each granddaughter wore one of her rings and a brooch because again she loved anything shiny. And every time I see colorful clothing I think of her.
My Grandpa Frank was my Mom's Dad and he passed away a few years after my other Grandpa. He was awesome too. He played the piano and did wood work and he sang. He was so kind and funny. He always made me feel special. He made us homemade Easter baskets that were bunnies. And he and my Granmda LaRue, his second wife, once sent me a giant box for Christmas. It had champagne bubble bath, which was just bubble bath in a bottle that looked like a champagne bottle. I thought it was so cool. They also took me to a wedding once where afterwards the bride and groom went water skiing while the other drove right after the ceremony on the dock. After he passed away my Grandma LaRue remarried, his name is Larry.
LaRue and Larry are so kind. I love them so much and I'm so grateful that my kids have been able to meet them. I love to visit and hear stories about family and see pictures of my Mom when she was little and my Grandpa Frank. My Grandma LaRue is always so aware of me and I know she thinks of me often. That is why I am so grateful for her, because she cares deeply for those she loves. I love her very much and I hope she knows that.
I guess as I started to explain who I am I feel that you have to know my family in order to know me. So I'll have to tell you more about my parents and siblings on the next post.
