I'm Gonna Miss This

My Vibe, Jacob's Grand Am, Ryan and Shera's Grand Caravan.

I used to have three cars in my driveway every night. Then, on May 3rd, the white van went away when Ryan and Shera moved into their own home. And then, on May 27th, Jacob moved into the house he would share with Danielle after their wedding, and his little red car was gone. Now my little car looks kind of lonely in that big space.

Shera at her desk as a new manager at Aires.

I never did get a picture of Ryan on the job at K & L Ceramic.

With five of us under the roof, life was hectic. The house was usually cluttered. Schedules sometimes clashed. There was never-ending laundry, meal-planning, and dishes to be taken care of. Many times there was a crisis or drama to be solved. The costs for groceries, electricity, and water increased. We generated more trash each week than our trash collection can could hold.

 

Was it worth it? Absolutely! For five months our home was filled with laughter and love. There was always something new and exciting happening, from an engagement, to wedding planning (two of them), to baptisms, to new jobs, to new homes. Even between the big events, we always had people to talk to, to share ideas and solutions with, and to lend a hand when needed.

 

So I'm gonna miss this.

A peach upside-down cake a la Shera.

I'll miss the spontaneous creations of decadent desserts that sometimes (but not always) tempted me off my diet. My kitchen was a very "happening" place! More sugar passed through my kitchen during that five months than it had probably seen in the previous 20 years!

Jacob prepares bratwurst for dinner.

I'll miss Jacob and Shera trying to outdo each other in culinary mastery, and relieving me of dinner duties more often than not, because they always had a great idea they were sure we'd all love! Shera was the clear winner when it came to cooking delicious "heart-attack in a pan" meals from the South.

I'll miss the rowdy affection between my sons (and that includes Ryan), who were just as likely to cuddle on the couch with a movie as they were to wrestle over the last Oreo-cheesecake ball. They'd argue over who made the biggest mess in their bedroom and then share their deepest secrets and defend each other against all opponents. They'll always be close, but now with more miles between.

Jacob and Dylan at El Rancho Mexican Restaurant.

I'll miss having my boys right here when I get a craving and say, "Hey, let's go out to eat tonight!" Or when I need help bringing in groceries or want someone's male opinion on a gift idea. Or when I need something repaired, like a toilet, or my car's fluid levels checked. Or when one of the kids would say, "This movie is supposed to be good. Let's watch it together."

One night last month, Dylan sat by me on the couch and said, "Smile, Mom."

He snapped this picture and posted it to Snapchat, posing his question.

No idea what inspired him to do it, but I thought it was cute!

Thankfully, my nest is not entirely empty yet. Dylan and I still have two years together. He has his junior and senior years of high school ahead of him yet.

 

Last week I had a small taste of empty nest, and I didn't like it. Jacob and his bride Danielle were all cozy in their new home. Ryan and Shera were busy with their own lives. Sarah and Chris had gone to San Diego to visit Chris's sister Sara there. And Dylan stayed at Sarah and Chris's house to pet-sit their dog Diego and cat Starlight. That left me at home alone. The house was spotless. It was quiet. I had plenty of time to work on my projects and I accomplished a lot. And I was bored out of my mind.

Back in May, Dylan and his friend Brandon tried to solve geometry issues.

On his next-to-last day of pet-sitting, Dylan called me and asked, "Do you know what I've learned, Mom? I NEVER WANT TO LIVE ALONE. I'm so bored!" So, armed with his new appreciation of the value of home and family, my youngest child came home a new man. More helpful, more patient, more upbeat, more caring, more interested, more willing to sit down and have long talks with his mother. Now, that I am liking very much!

May 6: Dinner is ready for Dylan and three friends

And, of course, having a teenage son still at home means often having a house filled with noisy, humorous, rowdy teenage friends. Who eat a lot. And make messes. And create inconvenient disruptions. And suck up electricity and water. And get in the way. And eat a lot. And are very welcome guests in our home.

May 6, 2014: Dylan, Casey, Mikey, and Elijah.

These pictures were taken way back on May 6th, but Dylan seems to invite a group of friends over every couple of weeks. I enjoy having them. Last night (June 19), in fact, he had a different group over: Mikey, Levi, and Juan. Since Jacob's wife was working for the evening, Jacob joined us. I had a beef roast in the crockpot, so Jacob helped me prepare pulled-beef barbecue sandwiches, along with corn and mashed potatoes (with chopped red onion), to feed the crowd. After dinner the guys retired to the game room and played Xbox and PS3 until after midnight.

May 6: After dinner, one more friend had joined the group: Justin.

They spent the evening playing video games.

So I'm not entirely alone. I have Dylan and his many friends. And there are also our wonderful, ongoing family dinners every Sunday.

May 14, 2014: Sunday Dinner

I really am so blessed. Many peoples' children not only move out, but also move far away. I suspect that day may come for me, eventually, but for now Sarah lives about 7 miles away, Jacob lives less than 3 miles away, Ryan lives 3 miles away, and Dylan is still at home. For as long as I have my children around me, I intend to enjoy them to the fullest!

Because, someday, I'm gonna miss this, too.

Jacob and Danielle

Sarah and Chris

Dylan and Mom

 

I have to go now. Dylan just called from Village 8 Theater, where he's been hanging out with a group of friends today. He asked me if I want to come over and watch How to Train Your Dragon 2 with him and Cameron. And can she come over and hang out tonight after the movie? Looks like another busy night. And I am soooo gonna miss this someday.

Callie Dances

My niece Callie is a walking miracle. In September 2008, when she was just 19 months old, she was in a tragic accident that left her barely clinging to life, with her tiny skull fractured in four places and a blood clot on her brain. She was immediately flown to Phoenix Children's Hospital, where she spent the next several months recovering. At first she was not expected to live. Then she was not expected to be able to walk, talk, or do anything the way a normal toddler would be expected to do.

Callie confounded all the naysayers and is now a beautiful, active, outgoing, sometimes sweet and sometimes sassy, funny seven-year-old. I thought I'd post this brief video of Callie dancing at Jacob and Danielle's wedding reception for all the many people who prayed and offered support during those frightening days of hospitalization. I know many have wondered how she's doing today.

 

At the reception while everyone was dancing, Callie asked me if she should take dancing lessons. I said, "Well, let's see. Show me how you dance." She proceeded to perform a lengthy, graceful dance routine, and I told her she had great talent and should absolutely take dancing lessons.

 

Then I asked her if she'd dance for me again so I could film her, and she happily agreed.

 

Unfortunately, I'd maxed out the memory card in my camera with a full day's worth of wedding events, so my camera shut down after only 24 seconds. Plus we're interrupted as the Bride and Groom walk behind our little dancer and tell me they're ready to leave, and I respond to them. Bad timing all around!

 

Even so, in 24 seconds it is clear just how well our little Callie Jayne beat the odds and is today a healthy, happy, lovely young lady!

 

Mother's Day Blessings

11 May 2014: Mary with her Mother's Day gifts.

Now that Father's Day is over, I guess it's about time to share my Mother's Day from 5 weeks ago. That was during the last few weeks of the school year and the madness of preparing for Jacob and Danielle's upcoming wedding, so I wasn't doing much blogging in May.

Beautiful cards from my kids. They know I love sparklies!

I'm so lucky to have kids who remember me for every holiday and birthday. They always manage to make me feel specially loved.

They even decorated the envelopes!

Motherhood has been the greatest blessing of my life. Parenting is a tough job, but the rewards for those who embrace this calling are endless. The worries and headaches and heartaches, the sleepless nights and inconveniences, the costs and noise and messes...all are completely worth it each time your child, small or grown, says, "I love you." Or gives you a big bear hug. Or calls just to see how you're doing. Or tells you, "Thanks for your help." Or explains to someone, "I learned it from my mom."

 

Gifts are fun and wonderful, but Mother's Day would be pointless without the sweet ones who made us mothers and filled our hearts with unconditional love. Thank you, Sarah, Jacob, and Dylan, for filling my life with the riches of motherhood!

Sarah gave me this pretty fountain. I keep it on the kitchen table.

It's so soothing when I sit there to study my scriptures or tackle other tasks.

Jacob gave me the cute little earrings. He said he noticed I needed

turquoise-blue earrings to match my new Petrified Forest tee-shirt.

He also gave me the butterfly clip for the school ID I wear everyday.

I'm loving these gorgeous gifts!

Dylan checks out the spread at the missionary farewell luncheon.

Dylan contributed to my lovely Mother's Day with non-monetary gifts

that made the day extra-special for me.

 

Everyone was so nice to put on a big luncheon for me on Mother's Day. Just kidding! No, this was actually a farewell luncheon for Tony Bob, the older son of our friends, Robert and Susan. It just happened to be Mother's day when he gave his farewell talk in church. Tony Bob recently left to serve a 2-year mission in the Peru Arequipa Mission of South America. Way to go!

Tony Bob greets friends and family at his luncheon.

The Morning After

8 June 2014: Jacob and Danielle came to breakfast the morning after their wedding.

My sister Karla and most of her family came up from the Valley to attend Jacob and Danielle's wedding. Ordinarily they all stay at my home--it's always a tight squeeze, yet so fun to have them--but this time they decided to do something different. They rented a large cabin about 3 miles away from my house.

The cabin rented by Karla and some of her adult children.

Karla's oldest daughter and her husband, Genevieve and Scott, spent Saturday night with us, and after we got home from the reception they got a call from their siblings letting us know that Jeremy and Cami had bought a lot of eggs and bread, and they planned to serve up a breakfast of French toast the next morning for anyone who wanted to come.

Jeremy spent the whole time in the kitchen, whipping up yummy French toast.

I sent Jacob a text to let him know about the breakfast, but I really didn't expect them to show up the first morning after their wedding night. Imagine my shock when they both walked into the cabin! When I expressed my surprise, Danielle just smiled and shrugged and nodded toward her new husband. Jacob's defense: "Hey, it's free food!" That's my son for you!

My nieces all comfy in their rental cabin.

One of the best things about a wedding is getting to see all the family who come to town for the event. And don't family get-togethers always seem to involve food?

 

My 2-enchilada plate at Dos Amigos.

So when Karla and her large crew drove up on Friday, the day before the wedding, we chopped up salads like mad and then decided to go out to dinner. Jeremy recommended trying this new Mexican restaurant not far from their cabin, called Dos Amigos (located where the Christmas Tree Restaurant used to be, for those of you who know the area).

We took over almost one whole room, about 6 tables.

My nephew Julien and son Dylan (both age 16),

and my soon-to-be-married son Jacob (age 22).

Someone has to make a goofy face in every picture...Jacob!

My daughter and son-in-law, Sarah and Chris.

My niece and her husband, Celesta and Riley, with their niece Makayla.

And that's Cami (Makayla's mom) trying to photo-bomb them from behind!

My nephew and his wife, Jeremy and Cami, with their new little one, Braxton.

And Braxton with his proud grandma, my sister Karla.

I just love family gatherings. And I love my family!

Dancing Into Forever

Father and daughter share a tender wedding dance...

At the end of the evening, Jacob and Danielle's wedding reception wound down with an hour of dancing, moving to a soundtrack put together by the Bride's dad, Kordell.

...and then the Groom cut in on Kordell and Danielle,

and claimed the rest of that dance and the next with his new Bride.

Eventually the Groom found his mother, took away her camera,

and led her out to the dance floor.

While Mary and Jacob finished their dance (and Kordell danced with his other daughter,

Maid of Honor Jordan), the dance floor opened up to everyone.

The dance floor was hopping all night long,

especially with so many high-energy children in attendance!

 

Tripping the light fantastic! (Does anyone say that anymore?)

When the Best Man claimed a dance with the Bride,

she really looked up to him!

Even when he got on his knees, Dylan was still nearly as tall as Danielle!

Sisters Jaycee and Brooke (my great-nieces)  had a great time.

I think my niece Mariah and her boyfriend Dallin had fun, too.

Danielle dances with her new brother-in-law, Chris.

Jacob and Sarah have a brother-and-sister dance, which was part of a larger plot...

 

Although Chris always tries to get his wife to dance with him, Sarah always finds an excuse not to dance. So Chris asked Danielle to dance while Jacob went and dragged his sister onto the dance floor. It's harder to resist a determined brother who'll create an embarrassing scene if you refuse! Then, when both couples were out on the floor dancing, Jacob and Chris yelled, "Switch!" The Bride and Groom were reunited, and Chris finally got to dance with his wife. Sneaky boys!

Dylan and his friend Jessica took advantage of the dancing, too.

The reception was supposed to end at 9:00, but the dancing carried on until about 9:30, and the newlyweds seemed to be in no hurry to be on their way. We literally had to start dropping hints that it was time for them to go. When the guests lined up outside to see off the happy couple, they still dawdled inside for the longest time! 

Finally, Jacob and Danielle leave the building and head toward their car.

Best Man Dylan and several cousins had been busy outside, decorating the car.

Jacob's cousin Riley had to cut the ribbon around the doors

before they could even get inside.

When I saw this on the window, I said, "You wrote this one, didn't you, Riley?

And the ribbon around the car was your idea, too, wasn't it?"

"How does everyone always know which things were my idea?" he demanded.

The car was filled with balloons. Danielle moves them to the backseat.

And then, finally, they were off! They spent their first night together

in their own home, and the next day they departed for their Phoenix honeymoon.

(Jacob specifically requested the cans on the back of the car, but

we were all so disappointed when they didn't make any noise! Go figure.)

It was a week in the telling, but now you've experienced the joy of Jacob and Danielle's special day with us. They truly had a great start to their Happily Ever After!