Heaven on Earth

This has been an emotional, but wonderful couple of weeks. We were able to witness two weddings in the temple: First, our "adopted" daughter Allie and her husband, Michael. And then last Saturday, our niece Kacey and her husband J.J. Also, this month we were able to accompany Sandy as she went to the temple for the first time. It is not an easy thing to receive a temple recommend, and I am so proud of her hard work and diligence in working toward that goal. I was very honored to be her escort and to share that experience with her. Having so many recent opportunities to attend the temple gave me such peace and joy. My life has been very busy lately for a variety of reasons, and it has been so uplifting to spend some time in the quiet and beauty of the temple. The highlight of my temple experiences this month was the opportunity I had to see all of our children there at the same time. Sandy's brothers and sister and our daughter and son- in law were able to attend Sandy's endowment session. As they all stood there together, I had such a feeling of gratitude and I took a mental picture I hope to never forget.

We as parents, worked so hard to instill faith and love of the Lord in our kids, and it hasn't always been smooth sailing. But, somehow, those kids were able to hold on to a firm foundation, and find their faith for themselves, put their priorities in order, and follow the plan the Lord has for them. It is a work in progress, but I am so grateful to be their mom and mom-in-law, and to have been given the opportunity to nurture and love them. They bring me great joy, and I don't know of anything that I treasure more than family relationships.

P.S.

P.S. For pictures regarding Katie and the Special Olympics go to my daughter's post at ahulllotoffun.blogspot.com

From the Mouth of Babes

Just yesterday, our six-year-old granddaughter, Katie won second and third place in the special olympics wheelchair races. We were so proud of her. She really had her eye on the finish line. Katie was born with a neurological disorder called spina bifida. Although she struggles walking and has other issues that are difficult, it seems like Katie's glass is always "half full."
The other night, when I was at her house, I was sitting on her bed as she was getting ready to go to sleep, and she said: "Grandma, my teacher at school says that I have a can-do attitude." That statement by this young granddaughter just made my day. Here is a little girl who could feel sorry for herself and have a "poor me" attitude, and yet, her teacher recognizes that she is not afraid of challenges and has a positive attitude as she works at facing hard things.
I learned a lot from her that night. It made me think that having a "can-do" attitude allows us to face life with a lot more joy. It helps us to face life with a smile even when things are difficult. Instead of focusing on the negative, it allows us to turn things around and look at the positives.
I have been blessed with "glass half full" people all of my life. When our son, Scott was 14 and was struggling with cancer treatments, he made a note and stuck it on the refrigerator that said: "Focus on the Positives." That attitude helped him during a very difficult time in his life.
I am grateful for these young people in my life who taught, and continue to teach me positive concepts for more joyful living.

Call me the "R.A."

Some of you may have been away to college at a point in your life, and you may have had the experience of living in a dorm or apartment with a bunch of college kids. I did, and had such a great time with wonderful memories ....Well.....I am all grown up now, with 4 grown kids, a daughter-in-law, a son-in-law, and 3 grandchildren, and guess what? I'm back living in a dorm......
Yes, we call our home the "Smith Dorm." Why, you say....? Well, here's who lives with us....Randy and I (the R.A.'s of sorts)...and then 5 kids ranging in age from 20 - 23 years old, either related or related by marriage, and one nice young man getting ready to leave on his mission. Most of these "Smith Dorm" residents are college students and working, except one who has already graduated. It is interesting having 7 adults living under one roof, and it is amazing to me how well everyone gets along. It becomes even more interesting when friends come to visit or spend the night, and when Sarah and her family come over to join in the fun.
One memory I will have of this time in my life as one of the "resident advisors" of this group is the fun we have. There is a lot of laughter, and that brightens any day. There are some challenges, like who get the upstairs shower, and the never-ending grocery store trips, but over all I have been amazed at how congenial everyone has been.
Don't get me wrong....this dormitory will be closing for business as soon as certain people move out to their own abodes, or leave on missions, etc.....and then it will be quite. And I have to say, that since I know that our "dorm mates" may be moving out close to the same time, I am trying to relish this fun "dormitory" time of our life before it comes to an end.

School's out.....Summer Fun!

I'll never forget the feeling when I was in college (as a young person, and then when I went back to get my R.N. degree a little over 10 years ago), right after all of my final exams were over at the end of each semester. I always had this feeling of great relief. I felt like a load was literally lifted from me, and I almost felt physically lighter. Well, I kind of get that same feeling each spring when my job as a RN Mentor at Nursing School comes to a close. I get the summers off! On my last day of work each May, I always walk down the health science division stairs and feel such a sense of freedom. It's not that I don't enjoy my job. It's actually a wonderful job and I truly enjoy assisting the nursing students through their rigorous program. However, I feel so fortunate to have the summers off , to catch up with things around the house, to spend more time with family and friends, and just to re-energize myself before the school year starts all over again.
Some of things I enjoy doing during the summer months are: beach bon fires making "smores," beach outings with the grandchildren, going to the Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach, family vacations, sitting on the lounge chair in the backyard in the sun and listening to the birds, backyard bar-b-ques, staying up late and watching movies, and sleepovers at Aster Street (my parent's little "beach house" in Laguna Beach). What are some things you enjoy doing during the summer? Do you have any fun summer memories?

Mother's Day Thoughts

How grateful I am to be a mother and a grandmother. Because of all that is required of a mother of what society these days considers a "large" family, I feel that I have, and continue to often walk through the "refiners" fire. There have been those late nights attempting to get a new baby back to sleep and late nights waiting up for a teenager who has passed her curfew.....There have been late nights sitting up and laughing with the kids and their friends and late nights holding a child who had a bad dream or was afraid of the lightening. There have been late nights sitting next to a hospitalized child who was reeling from the effects of chemotherapy or recovery from leg surgery....and then those miracle days when the news would arrive that the follow up tests were clear, and the cancer was gone.
I have sat through our kids numerous performances, sporting events, talks, graduations - sometimes with a mother's nervous stomach and wanting them to do their best, so that they would feel good about what they accomplished.
I have sat with a daughter who had just learned the news that her first born would come in to this world with challenges, and not knowing the extent of the problem, I have watched that same daughter put her faith in the Lord, and put her fear behind her. I have seen her step out in faith to nurture that little one....and in time two more.
I am grateful to have shared and to continue to share these experience as a mother, and as a trusted friend to our children and grandchildren. I have, and continue to learn patience, sacrifice, endurance, faith, humor, and hope.
Some people may wonder why I chose this path instead of picking a notable career or traveling the world. I would choose no other way. Because I chose to be a mother, and was allowed this great blessing to be one, my life is filled with so much richness of the heart.
And on this mother's day, I wish to share how grateful I am for this opportunity and wonderful blessing.

Our Grandson, Carter William Hull