more winter?

Just some pictures of the winter storm that has come through the last several days. I don't remember having snow this late in the year for awhile. It is beautiful, isn't it?

Also, I have had Erik's kids and Madison over a few times, recently. Jeff was cooking, making swords and practicing his instruments while they were here last time, so here are a few pics of his accomplishments, too.

Oh, Carson and Ewan out in the yard making snow angels:)

Parents

I was reading the New Era this morning, and there is a very good article about Parents and Children- communication..The three things that children can do are: 1. Trust your parents;

2. Take an interest in their lives; 3. Ask your parents for advice.

When I was a teenager, I discovered that my father and mother were NOT perfect...they were people just like me and had their quirks and shortcomings. It was a disconcerting thing to find out, but I still loved them, trusted them and went for advice. I think that is what has kept us close throughout the years. I have also learned that as you get older, your views of what is important and what isn't , becomes more clear.

I talk to my parents about once a week, and it is always a good experience. Why is it, though, that I still feel like I should be 14?

It's also a blessing that my own kids will call and talk to me often, ask Stu and I for advice(on totally different things:) and I think they trust us.

So, all in all, I think we have pretty good relationships with our parents and children. Now it is our turn to have good relationships with the grandchildren! What fun!!

EWWW!!!

Hey!!!I am not insane, afterall!!!For over a month, I have been embarrassed, horrified and downright disgusted with the smell in my living room..I would wake up in the morning smelling IT. So, after much nagging and complaining, my wonderful husband crawled under the house( I have done it before....past blog a couple of years or so ago...) and while I told him where it was, found the offensive item that caused the smell...and here it is!!!!

Yes, we have large rats...ick, ick, ick....I went and bought some rat traps and Stu put them under the house a week ago...both traps were unsprung and the peanut butter GONE...smart rats, too.

Well, one less smelly one, anyway! HURRAY!!!

Gifts

I have had a marvelous little vacation in Greeley, Colorado! I went, at the invitation of Timm and Megan...They were going to go on a weekend getaway and wanted their kids( Harrrison, 5, and Elliot,2 1/2) to get to know me better! So, I went on the 27th of January and just got back last night, Feb. 7th. We did lots of Fun things- I got to bake some cookies, tortillas and Swedish pancakes; we got to eat at Red Robin, Blizzards at DQ and yummy pizza at Timm's work's Bistro.

We went to church twice, where I spied on Megan's Primary Chorister and took notes; and listened to Megan give her primary lessons..she is an excellent teacher! Harrison is an excellent reader, for being in Kindergarten, and was very willing to tell me when I read the words wrong in his books we read before bed....Elliot loved the "Grandma songs" ( Over the River and Thru the woods, Rock a Bye Don't you cry we will go to Grandmas, and In the leafy treetops). I sang these songs to her at bedtime. I got to watch the kids for 3 nights while Timm and Megan went to Estes Park to a resort and snowshoed and sledded. How fun!

Now for the Gift part.....I was happy to have received these items from people I love:

A dragonfly that Harrison made me; A new shirt that my mother made me; and a beautiful necklace that is exactly what I have always wanted, but would never buy for myself, from Timm and Megan.

The best gift of all, is being a Grandma and having wonderful grandkids to play with, sing to (with my not great voice!) and have say to me, "I love you Grandma Shar, ' I love you Grandma Shart' , I love you Gagi', and I love you Grandma! So many different ways of calling me Grandma!

Thank you all for your gifts of love....It makes life so enjoyable!!

p.s. sorry about the sideways picture...stu did that!!!