Reflections of a Mother and Grandmother

Monday, May 10, 2010
I wanted to describe the feelings I had while watching my oldest Grandchild, Caleb, be baptized May 1st in Seattle. Actually, even in the hours before, watching the love that surrounded he and his cousin was amazing. I could see that great effort had been made by everyone involved to make this day special for them. Peace was the dominant emotion. At least it appeared that way.

Caleb was very excited, a little shy/overcome by all the attention, but to the core - happy. His sisters were tickled and excited. Anne and Mike were glowing. I was so glad to be there. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

I have great joy in my children and my grandchildren. My children have grown into young men and women of integrity and compassion. All of them have made me so proud. Each of them have their own struggles and their own gifts. They are unique and wonderful. They have chosen well their paths in life, and have fallen in love with wonderful spouses that fit so perfectly into our family. They are still growing and learning and becoming, but they are all facing the right direction and moving forward.

I wondered, long ago, what the draw would be -what strings would attach me to grandchildren. Having adopted a son, I should have known that you definitely don't have to deliver a child to bond eternally with it. I have done that already. And so it has been. As I have held these little ones in my arms, loved and cuddled, teased and changed, kissed and played, they have become a part of me, a part of my heart. I delight to hear of each milestone, see the candid photos and hear their little voices on the phone - even those who don't talk yet. I love that they smile when they hear my voice. I am so glad that some of them are within reach when I get lonely for them, and that we have the ability to bring closer those that are far away.

I am blessed.

On a lighter note = birds are returning. Black headed grosbeak, American Goldfinches, and new visitor (where is my bird book!!) have joined the winter stalwarts. Spring is finally here.

So, here are the last two rooms.
#4 Asia


Bob went on his mission to Japan. Ned went to Thailand. Mary spent 5 months in China. We have had both Japanese and Korean exchanged students. We have LOTS of oriental things. Of course, the whole theme behind the oriental look is simplicity - no clutter- so we will have to rotate our treasures around. Also, Christmas is a Christian holiday, and there are very few Christians in Asia, so we added some red and green accents. The quilt is two sided. This green side is a piece of silk Mary brought me from China. The other side is blue and white. The small wooden shoes are ones sent to us when I was 4 or 5 from distant cousins who were living in Japan at the time. The sword, small Buddhist shrine, and funny little round men, and the doll, Bob brought or sent home. The green painting was painted by a Philippine wife of a doctor at Ft. Ord. The Samurai warrior Bob and I bought when we went to Japan in 1982. The large fan Ned brought from Thailand. We had the floor raised, and the futon mattress is set into the floor - it is very comfortable. The screens are velcro'd to the walls over the windows so they can be taken off easily in case the windows are needed. (Fire escape)

#5, The ideas for this started with the huge bedroom upstairs, and it was going to be a 1930 children's room with several beds of white iron, antique dressers, lots of dolls and toys on shelves. But we decided to make the larger room into a hobby room for Bob and I, so we used the smallest bedroom of all, and the closet, to make a very small 1930's room, with not very antique furnishings.


The day bed was Karen's, and there is a trundle underneath so two can sleep in here (if you don't want to open the door). There are two quilts on it now that I made. The Yo-yo quilt is an antique style, with small,gathered circles tacked together at the edges. The top quilt is a pastel log cabin design. Many of the dolls are my girls, and I bought several at DI to fill in. We took everything out of the closet and made it a play room for the grandkids. The pictures are aquired by purchase and gifts from family, the silouettes are of my kids in 1988 when we went to Disneyland. The tall doll with the peacock Mary made when she was in Middle School with a Girl Scout leader. Still some things I'd like to do in here, but it can wait.

So, now you've seen it! Come and visit!

May 4, 2010
Lots to talk about, catch up on, and post. But first, I have promised pictures of my theme bedroom re-d0s, so I am going to again try to post them.

First. Red and white Victorian. Remember, the video was taken at Christmastime.


The furniture was Bob's moms. I had the chair recovered. The pictures are mostly from Bob's stepdad (Cleon)'s first wife's family, as is the blessing gown. The picture of the nurses is a graduating class from University of Utah, and one of them is Dr. Lee Thurston (past local dentist)'s mother. Helen Thurston gave Bob the photo. The doll is my mother's, dressed in clothes Betty Schultz game me that were hand made for her when she was a little girl. Red duvet bed cover I made. The pieced red and white quilt I quilted by hand, but the top I bought at a yard sale for $10. It is all hand pieced. Crocheted pillow cases were among Bob's mom's things, but not sure who did them.

Second. The Hobbit Room - Samwise Gamgee's guest room.


I studied the beginning and end of the "Lord of the Ring" trilogy to make this room as close to the interior of Bilbo's home as possible, including wall coloring, paneling, parquet floor, rug and furnishings. Pictures throughout the room are from calendars in the 1970's, painted by Tim and Greg Hilderbrandt. I kept them all these years. The bureau and bed were originally Bob's mom's, but we have had the bureau for years. The mirror stand we bought in Georgia - it is handmade. The feather quill pen is created from a crow feather and ball point pen. The basin and ewer, and the pot the flowers are in were created especially for the room by our potter friend, Joe Bennion, to look like the pottery in "Lord of the Rings" . The trunk was a gift from the Hedilius's. The cradle was built by Blane Christensen for James, and all the kids used it. The antique books are all mine and Bob's - freed up lots of bookshelf space in the library! The quilt I made from wool, using the earth tones for the Hobbit's love of farming, and appliqued vines and blossoms. I even "darned" a couple of spots so it looked worn. The bed quilt under the top layer I also made. The candle sconces, sword, wreaths, dried flowers, rock samples, etc. added for effect.

Number 3. Africa


The painting was found deserted in the basement David was renting in SL and the landlord said to throw it out. So he brought it home. Nativity set I sent for - made in Kenya. Animals and plants for effect. The small wooden ones I bought in Kenya and brought home. The 4 foot giraffe I bought locally, actually. The quilt I made from fabric I bought here, but it reminded me of exactly how things were there. The night stand is an old suitcase. The "hideously ugly monkey lamp" I bought locally, as well as the rattan screen I am using for a head board. The photo of the baptism I took the last Sunday in Katali branch. Mike Turner is in the center looking on. I plan to eventually replace the hokey animal pictures with ones I took in Kenya.

Numbers 4 and 5 next installment.