Last night, I got a call I dread. My dad called me when I'd just started my night shift at the hospital. He told me my Grandpa Munns had some problems with a clot that went to his lungs. Then he told me he had passed away.
Shock, deep sadness, disbelief.....
My Grandpa Munns is someone that had a very strong impression on me from as early as I can remember. I am the oldest grandchild, therefore knew him first! :) He was a gruff man in my early days. After he'd hurt my all-too-tender feelings one morning at breakfast... I was of course crying quietly in Grandma's arms. He asked me his usual question of crying kids, "What ya bawling for?!" I tried to avoid his question but he asked me again, louder. I yelled back at him, "You SCARE me!" Now after being a mom, I realize that would cut to the core, but I was only being honest. He was only acting and treating us the way he was shown in his lifetime. After that encounter, we were very close. He softened. He then did all he could to be gentle with me and prove he wasn't to be feared. For my 32 years, I've been able to witness the truly tender man he was. The teasing never stopped, but then again, it wouln't be Grandpa if he wasn't harassing SOMEONE!
I lived with them for a few years while I was going to Ricks College and I kept close contact while in Rexburg. I grew to have a love for him as a father. He rescued me when my "flying beer can" (Geo Metro) had a dead battery. He woke in the middle of the night to give my roommate a priesthood blessing of comfort. He always asked me how I was and how my family was. He was a caring and loving man that I miss very much already. I'm glad he didn't have to suffer or live long enough to EVER wear a diaper... SERIOUSLY!!! For that small miracle, I thank my Heavenly Father! :) It's all about tender mercies!
We will say our final goodbyes from this life on Saturday. I want to publicly acknowledge the importance he's had on my life and my love for him. I feel a very deep "hole" in my chest that is raw and throbbing right now. I can't imagine my Grandma's heartache. I pray for her comfort.
For anyone that takes the time to read this, I only have one thing to say... Each day is a gift and treat it as such. Each person you love, let them KNOW you love them because they could be "called back" at any time.
For tonight, I want to thank several "angels" that made my night of pain easier. Laura, Rivas, Sam, Lauren, Donella and Susan. They worked together and covered my shift and let me go to the hospital then home. Thank you, thank you, thank you. That word seems so insignificant to describe my gratitude. I hope to pay it forward, girls. I love you!
March 11, 2009
March 09, 2009
BOY Beading party
I love to create jewelry... it's my latest obsession. My boys love to do it too, but I warn them that its GIRL jewelry (so as not to cast the wrong gender impression.) :) I bought some BOY beads and we had a beading party. They LOVED it! Gary rolls his eyes, but he thought the camo beads were ok.
I made them each matching camo bracelets with their initials, too.
Along with beading, we love drawing, coloring and painting at our house!
Neena
Jena's Birthday was the 23rd.... of JANUARY!!! Sheesh! I'm behind, sorry 'bout that! Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Jeeeeeeeenaaaa. Happy Birthday to you.
I know being a mom is the greatest wish of my little sister. I've seen her heartache and wish I could ease it. I've thought a lot about it and wanted to send her a public message...She may feel like she's not "accomplished" a lot in her 20-something years, but I have photographic evidence that she has! She's a second mom to my boys. They love her to pieces and look to her for acceptance and self-worth. Her nieces also love her and they all can't wait to see "Aunt Neena." To me, even if you don't have your own kids, that means more than anything in the world! She has exemplified the qualities of a mother in so many ways by serving me and my family and her wards she's been in that I'm proud of all the friends she's "wracked up" along the way! :) I am sorry that she doesn't have kids of her own yet, but feel that its just a matter of time until she does.
I love you Jena! I'm lucky to have you in my life. Thanks for the special person you are to me and countless others!
I know being a mom is the greatest wish of my little sister. I've seen her heartache and wish I could ease it. I've thought a lot about it and wanted to send her a public message...She may feel like she's not "accomplished" a lot in her 20-something years, but I have photographic evidence that she has! She's a second mom to my boys. They love her to pieces and look to her for acceptance and self-worth. Her nieces also love her and they all can't wait to see "Aunt Neena." To me, even if you don't have your own kids, that means more than anything in the world! She has exemplified the qualities of a mother in so many ways by serving me and my family and her wards she's been in that I'm proud of all the friends she's "wracked up" along the way! :) I am sorry that she doesn't have kids of her own yet, but feel that its just a matter of time until she does.
I love you Jena! I'm lucky to have you in my life. Thanks for the special person you are to me and countless others!
Eating out
Below, we are eating something somewhere, but we got cute pictures so I'm sharing them. With me working nights, I am either too tired or running out of time, so sadly we go out a lot. The kids even know what they like to order where. Don't judge me, though. I do my best.
Dental horror
So... as a child, I had a few bad experiences at the dentist....and I swore I'd never put MY kids through the horror of dental terror. After years of prodding and ultimately breaking me down, Gary said I needed to take the kids for a checkup. He used the money tactic of "I'm paying for it every week, it needs to be used!" Sheesh! The bully!
So I called and made appointments for all three boys to be checked out. I took a camera to help aleviate some of MY fears and to make it seem like a cool thing to do. Interresting how I projected my feelings on my kids. But they were troopers! They hopped right into the chair, put on their sunglasses and opened up wide.
Dawson has no cavities and got a clean bill of health. Hayden has no cavities and is developing as expected and has just the right amount of teeth the dentist counted AND he let the assistant brush his teeth too! Campbell on the other hand, middle child, mind you.... is suffering from "dental neglect" as the dentist informed me. (Yes, I DID take that personal!) He had "several cavities" and we are supposed to go see a pediatric dentist. So he gave all of us a "good talking-to" about brushing and flossing and swishing twice a day, then sent us on our merry way. (I went on my bitter, neglectful way. haha)
First there were X-rays. The boys are blessed with their father's hyper gag reflex. I ended up pushing the button so we could get some decent pictures quickly before that special cranial nerve was faster than the camera!
Then the assistant cleaned their teeth with a "special" toothbrush. They handled that well. Then the dentist came in and did his dirty work of checking everyone's mouth out. Hayden had a different appointment than Dawson and Campbell, so his picture is first. He actually hopped into the chair and opened his mouth for the dentist, to my utter astonishment! :)
It was a better experience than I'd feared. I am very thankful for people willing to be kind and patient with my kids and help me know how to take better care of them.
The rest of the story: We now brush, floss and swish ONCE a day. (Better than the neglectful actions of my past) and Campbell has had his cavities counted...a grand total of NINE!!!! YIKES!
He's had 4 of the 9 worked on by the pediatric dentist and isn't quite as fearful as I am to go in. Thank goodness for nitrous to settle his nerves (which settle mine!) We are now the proud owners of 3 stainless steel caps! :( Poor kid!
So I called and made appointments for all three boys to be checked out. I took a camera to help aleviate some of MY fears and to make it seem like a cool thing to do. Interresting how I projected my feelings on my kids. But they were troopers! They hopped right into the chair, put on their sunglasses and opened up wide.
Dawson has no cavities and got a clean bill of health. Hayden has no cavities and is developing as expected and has just the right amount of teeth the dentist counted AND he let the assistant brush his teeth too! Campbell on the other hand, middle child, mind you.... is suffering from "dental neglect" as the dentist informed me. (Yes, I DID take that personal!) He had "several cavities" and we are supposed to go see a pediatric dentist. So he gave all of us a "good talking-to" about brushing and flossing and swishing twice a day, then sent us on our merry way. (I went on my bitter, neglectful way. haha)
First there were X-rays. The boys are blessed with their father's hyper gag reflex. I ended up pushing the button so we could get some decent pictures quickly before that special cranial nerve was faster than the camera!
Then the assistant cleaned their teeth with a "special" toothbrush. They handled that well. Then the dentist came in and did his dirty work of checking everyone's mouth out. Hayden had a different appointment than Dawson and Campbell, so his picture is first. He actually hopped into the chair and opened his mouth for the dentist, to my utter astonishment! :)
It was a better experience than I'd feared. I am very thankful for people willing to be kind and patient with my kids and help me know how to take better care of them.
The rest of the story: We now brush, floss and swish ONCE a day. (Better than the neglectful actions of my past) and Campbell has had his cavities counted...a grand total of NINE!!!! YIKES!
He's had 4 of the 9 worked on by the pediatric dentist and isn't quite as fearful as I am to go in. Thank goodness for nitrous to settle his nerves (which settle mine!) We are now the proud owners of 3 stainless steel caps! :( Poor kid!
Seamans visit Idaho
We had the opportunity to visit with our friends from Georgia when they came to take their niece to BYU-I. I was able to get a family snapshot at the wedding where everyone was boxed in between chairs! Their niece, Andrea is on the far left. Then Eileen is holding their youngest daughter, Gretchen. Below her is Amelia and nestled next to her mom is their oldest, Stella . And the proud daddy is David. Thanks so much for making the effort to come visit during your trip! We can't wait to see the newest addition coming soon! Early congratulations!
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