Love being dad...

Scott Proctor of Meridian Magazine shares his thoughts on being a dad here.

Jon also loves being a dad.  His children also love him.  Being separated from them has been devastating!  He is happy he will soon be able to see them again.  Of course it would be even better if he could have them here for Father's Day.  Hopefully this will be the last one he has to be without them.

I will get to meet another very happy dad this Sunday.  

I was invited to a baby blessing for a little one whose mom I worked with in our pregnancy program (my previous job).  I did pregnancy support and case management for high-risk pregnancies - mostly by phone, blog and email.  She, like I (many years ago, but still a vivid memory), had a full-term stillborn son.  She also had another early pregnancy loss.  We bonded through our common experience and she was like another daughter to me as I visited with her, shared her fears and her excitement with each milestone while baby Joe was developing.  Sharing another person's pain and loss after having experienced it gives new meaning to the situation and some explanation for it.  We are here to help one another and fill each others' lamps.  Empathy and compassion are learned skills as well as God-given gifts - oh, yeah - that's how God gives them to us!

Also, like me, she had another son who came about 4 weeks early but is healthy!  We will celebrate on Sunday, I will meet the whole family and we can finally hug.  This is the best part about being a nurse...and a mom...and a grandma...and a sister to many lovely people out there in my "extended family"!

Blessings

I was reading another blog that was listing the writer's blessings and I realized I sometimes overlook mentioning some of the great things that come my way - usually through a caring friend or loved one! Sometimes, it's a stranger who is kind, considerate and generous.

• One example was the furnace repair guy (Dave Wilson) who owns a small business that relies on word of mouth advertising. He has come out to my house twice before to check on AC or furnace and did not charge me just to check it out. When I really had a broken furnace, I called him again (of course I would after he had treated me so well in the past). He took time to repair and do general maintenance/troubleshooting rather than just sell me a new furnace of computer part (what most would have done based on the symptoms). By cleaning it up and checking it out he was able to save me $250 (or more if it had been a new furnace). It's great to find honest service people who might be tempted to gouge in this rough economy, but who have integrity! He could easily have said, "that's a 10 year old furnace - you should replace it." Thanks, Steve for the referral to this guy. He has earned my loyalty.
• When I have been in a pinch and needed work done, Steve has consistently been right there almost before I could ask, willing to do whatever was needed for me or one of my kids, hauling things, moving furniture, repairing, etc. He fixed my dryer recently when it quit and lots of us were depending on it. He loaned Jenn and Fred his trailer for hauling away debris in the demolition and even did much of the work as well as helping on the house. He delivered supplies, furniture, etc. to them and it's anything but convenient for him from Provo to Farmington. He has proven to be a very loyal friend with a huge heart! I can't even begin to list all he has done to help me in the past 2 1/2 years.
• I know I already mentioned Natalie's birthday gift to me, but I may not have given full credit there because Aubrey, Jon and Rob all helped with that day of service. Natalie has often come to help us with her talents at decluttering, organizing and cleaning. What a daughter!
  
• Chris has always been there for me for technical support, computer repair, maintenance, trouble-shooting, recovery after crashes and when he's in the country he has come to my aid on several occasions for car breakdowns, etc. Jon is also always willing to come to help me out and he has willingly loaned his truck to family members in need of a vehicle, even when it meant he had to find his own ride to work (or walk!). He has helped on Jenn's house and is also good with the wiring and technical stuff. Justin is our trustworthy automotive tech and I would not take my car to anyone else! Honesty is so important in that business. It's great to have sons!
• Jennifer has always been one for Christian service, giving anonymously and sacrificing for others. I may think she's crazy taking on this house rebuild but she always has her heart in the right place.
• Ken has helped me with projects as well (even after the divorce - without nagging!). This definitely goes above and beyond. I guess I should detail a little more - he has always been capable of doing anything he set his mind to. When we were married it seemed I had to nag a lot to get it done. Since the divorce he volunteers. I do appreciate it. Not going into the specifics but obviously keeping up a home requires regular repair and maintenance. It's great to have people who care about me and who are willing to help. He has also put in many long hours (labor of love) on Jenn and Fred's fixer-upper house.
  
• I mentioned my Allstate agent in an earlier post. Just love great customer service and PR.
  
• I appreciate family and friends who remember me and do little things for me too.
• I am very happy to have a reliable car, a comfortable home, and good health. I've even been told I look young for my age - I know, the "for my age" part detracts a little but it is nice to have someone think of me that way.
  
• I have been extremely spoiled with 17 wonderful grandchildren who make my life complete! The love they have for me is amazing and I love them all so much!
• I have enjoyed recent reunions with old friends through online social networking and get-togethers. How nice to feel I am remembered even after many years. I have even received nice compliments based on actions of 45 years ago! I have learned that the little things can mean a lot to someone and they don't forget even after we have forgotten what it is we did.
  
• I appreciate my kids' friends who are there for and support my now-grown children.
• I'm blessed to have God in my life, Christ as my savior and the Gospel as a guide. I have a long way to go but at least I know what path to take for happiness.
  

Avery's Blessing

Nat was pretty stressed with so much to do, a new Church calling, new (fussy) baby, Christmas prep, going back to her part-time job and all so she didn't have plan a big get-together. A few of us went over to Chris's place after for a light lunch. It was nice because his house is already clean!!! Sometimes a little impromptu works out quite well and has less pre-event worry and work. It was a nice day with unseasonably warm temperatures. The early October snow made me worried we would have a long, bad winter but it's going the other way - we're starting to worry about lack of moisture and potential drought. There are more kids' pictures on my other blog.
Avery and his mom, NatalieRob, Alex, Natalie, Jenn, Fred
Liz, Jon, Asher, Alex
Jon, Liz
Josh, Adam, Ken

Family PartyYesterday (Sunday)

Yesterday (Sunday) was Madeline's Blessing and we celebrated Julia's Baptism, Fred's Birthday and Liz's birthday as well.

Karla, Jon & Madi


Kiyomi, Jaelyn, Julia with her special cake


Liz with her special birthday cake created by her dad

Fred, Alex, Noah, Liz, Jasmine, Jaelyn
Noah, Alex, Fred, Liz, Jasmine, Adam, Noah, Jordan, Jaelyn, Julia, Emma (Chris & Ashlie in background)
Now you see Ashlie (plus Kiyomi's hand and Karla with camera)

Baptism and Blessing

This coming Saturday is Julia's Baptism and Sunday is Madeline's Blessing (dinner at my place after church).