What I want my children to know...

After yet another lively "conversation", with my Dad this morning, I started to ponder the things I hope my {future} children will know....


*I want them to know how special they are to Levi & I.  I want them to know that we consider ourselves the luckiest parents on earth, because we get to have front row seats to their extraordinary existence.  I want them to know that they'll always be able to talk to us, because we want to help them in whatever way possible.  We'll try to be their best friends, but first and foremost we'll always be their parents.

*I want them to know that home will always be a safe haven from the cruel and insensitive world.  "Homes are for free expression, not for good impression."   I want them to feel safe, and know that they are always welcome and wanted there.

*I want them to know who they are, why they're here and where they're going.  I want them to know that they are children of a loving Heavenly Father, who wants them to live righteous lives and return to Him.

*I want them to know to know their self worth, to grow up to become caring, sensitive, intelligent individuals.  I want them to know that they can achieve anything they set their mind & heart to.  And if they ever fall short, I want them to know that there's always a way back up. 

*Above all else, I want them to know how much they are loved.  I want them to thoroughly know it and believe it. I want them to know that I will love them from the second they're conceived, until well into the eternities.  I want them to know that love and affection will be given in high doses, even when they're teenagers who get embarrassed by their "uncool" parents.  I never want them to doubt how much their parents love them, because I will do my very best to show them love and understanding, most especially when they need it the most. 

Happy 32nd Liz!

Today is my best friend, Liz's birthday!  

She's truly one of my oldest friends! I have no idea when our friendship started, because we grew up across the street from each other....but I'm pretty sure it started right after birth.  I have so many cherished childhood memories, with Liz in almost every single one of them.  We were like partners in crime. We played together, every single day after school.  If my parents wouldn't let me out, I'd call her to come over to ask if I could come out to play.  My parents had a hard time turning her down.  It always worked like a charm! :)  

I remember always being invited to her house for birthday parties  There were always reasons to party at her house! I think her Mom loved to throw parties, or something, but I remember first encountering a pinata, at her house.  There was always cake, at each celebration, as well as Liz's Mom with a camera in hand, ready to take photos.  We celebrated almost every holiday together.  We always went trick-or-treating together, and then later decorated and passed out candy for Halloween when we were too old to trick-or-treat.  When we started to realize how fun New Years Eve could be, we started to celebrate that too.  Usually it was just us two with her next door neighbor, Eidde, but we had the best of times together! 

I'm not exactly sure how our friendship has endured all these years.  Maybe it's because she's so easy going and didn't mind when I had a crazy idea or two.  Once while we were walking home from Jr. high, the dog at the end of the block got loose and started to run up to us.  Since I'm terrified of [unfamiliar] dogs, I started to run. So did Liz...but she had a death grip on my shirt, which was slowing me down and the dog was quickly catching up!  In that moment, it became, "every man for himself" and I pushed Liz back and off of my shirt, then ran across the street.  The dog continued chasing her, as she screamed and ran for dear life.  (This was a HUGE dog and Liz is about 5'1!) Luckily, the owner came out and called his dog back! Liz wasn't all too pleased with me for ditching her, but dang, that dog was scary! Sorry Liz.

 I'm sad that we no longer live across the street from each other. I was so blessed to have a wonderful neighbor and a loyal best friend, found right across the street, for 30 years.   Liz has been the most truest and dedicated friend anyone could ever ask for! I don't know how I got this lucky to have her in my life since we were born.  Even though we don't see each other every day now, I miss her so, SO much!   I always thought we'd forever live across the street from each other, even after we grew up and had our own places.  I know that I'll never find a neighbor like Liz again in this lifetime, but that's okay, at least I still have her as my very best friend.

Happy 32nd Birthday Liz! 

Parenting.

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about parenting....

This past Saturday, I watched the 4 Buzz kids. Oh I love those kids to pieces! I've known each of them since they were born and I love them so much because I love their parents dearly.  It's been a wonderful blessing watching Reed & JJ develop into the parents that they are today.  I take a lot of mental notes of what type of parent I hope to be, someday.  I learn a lot from my sister, as well.  She's amazing and I hope to be a mother just like her.
Earlier this year, as I was sitting in Stake Conference (church) I watched my friend Jude deal with her [youngest] toddler son who couldn't sit still.  Jude stood up multiple times, to retrieve her son from the doorway of the cultural hall.  He obviously didn't want to sit down, but there she was, standing up, yet again, to pull him back to his seat.  This went on for close to an hour.  Her husband and 4 older kids, sat contently, listening to the speakers.  I watched in amazement of how she never lost her cool.  How do parents do it?  I was amazed because I'm pretty sure that this is what she goes through every Sunday, just so her young kids can attend church.  How do parents do it? How do they have the patience to train their kids to sit still [and quiet] for church?  It made me think of a blog post, from a few years back, when I was bothered by the noisy children of a [family] ward/congregation.  I was VERY short sighted and quick to judge.  I have a greater admiration and respect for those parents who do their very best to train their young children to sit for an hour, in Sacrament meeting.  I can never pass judgement, again.  To my friend Christin, I apologize for not truly understanding the challenges of hands-on parenting.  It really isn't as easy as it looks, I know this, but I forgot when I passed judgement on the noisy kids in church.  That is not an easy job....but I am sure it is well worth it.  Someday, I'll come to know the blessings (and challenges) of being a parent.
On Monday, I attended the funeral of my friends' infant son, Noah.  He was six months old and passed away due to serious heart complications.  I've never attended the funeral of a baby or child.  It was unlike anything I had ever witnessed.  Just before the funeral started,  Noah's parents walked in.  I was expecting Noah's casket to be carried in by pall bearers, just like any other funeral I've attended. However, what I witnessed was something unlike anything I've ever seen in my life.  Patrick, Noah's father, dutifully and very carefully, carried in his son's casket.  Dani, Noah's mother & Patrick's wife, walked behind him.  There was a reverent silence in the chapel.  It's was a beautiful and heart wrenching scene that had unfolded in front of all of our eyes.  My heart hurt for Patrick and Dani, at their young tender age they were already burying their first baby.  They were no longer the young adults I had once known, because they grew up immensely during these last six months.  I marveled at their strength and the unity they shared during this most difficult time.  Watching Patrick carry his baby son's casket, with a good woman behind him, has made a deep impression upon my heart.  
I don't know when I'll become a parent, but I look forward to it, with all of my heart. I admire my friends who are such great parents to their children.  I know it won't be easy and there will probably be challenging times, but I cannot wait.  It's something I've wanted for such a long, long time.

Noah's two aunts sang this song and their version (not this video) was so beautiful. 

 I just wanted to share this beautiful song.