Summertime...I love it

The first week of Summer is here and it feels good. The hurried rush of school, trying to study for tests, getting homework finished, making sure to get enough sleep and all that goes with school disappears in the wonder of Summer. There is something about Summer that draws me back in time to when I was a kid. The Alice Cooper song "Schools out for Summer" is still one of my favorite songs to hear this time of year. I think my kids are suprised that I KNOW that song.
Growing up in Pennsylvania, my sisters and I along with neighbors and cousins and friends kept ourselves pretty busy. And IF we weren't busy enough my Mom and Dad made sure to keep us busy with odd jobs and anything that would keep us out of trouble. We had great summer days..from baseball games,playing tag, catching lighting bugs to working and enjoying the hot summer days. Growing up in a small town like Bradford was great.
Bethany will be busy this summer trying to finish up her YW's Personal Progress, attending Stake Girl's Camp as a 5th year,going to EFY in late July and trying to find a job this summer. She is going to be 16 on July 1st...I can't believe it. She can hardly wait to date! Bethany and her BFF Alina have already planned dates with boys they want to go out with and places they want to go for dates..they are thinking ahead. It's kind of scary to think that Bethany is old enough to date!! Bryan will be taking swimming lessons at the Beaverton swim center. They specialize in working with kids and teens with special needs. He will have 4 weeks of one on one swim instruction. Bryan will also attend his first Scout Camp for a whole week in the first of July. Wes is going with him for the whole week. Bryan and Wes are both looking forward to this. It will be at Camp Meriwether near the beach. Bryan is most excited about our trip to Pennsylvania this year and our trip to Hershey Park.

I must admit, I am too. I haven't been home to PA to visit my family in nearly 4 years so it will be nice to see family and friends as well as see old friends from school...I am attending my class reunion. It will be great to see some of the people I went to school with...some that I haven't seen since I graduated.
For now, this first couple days everyone seems to be taking a break, having a good laugh and looking forard to the summer ahead.

My buddyroo is 22

I am a bit behind in posting this but my son Robbie is now 22 years old! Yikes, can I really have a son that old? And where did the years go? I love him so very much. He is a guy who is always full of mischief and fun. Even at an early age I KNEW he was up to something...his eyes gave him away everytime. He has been home from his Mission to Honduras for nearly 10 months now. Oh how he LOVED that mission and the people of "HONDO LAND" as he lovingly calls it. I know he would go back to visit in a heart beat. I am so thankful for having a son with such a gentle heart who seems to notice even the slightest concerns of others and truly cares for their welfare. I am guilty often times of overlooking but Robbie seems to take it all in. He doesn't judge either...whether a person is rich or terribly poor he seems to fit in and makes friends. Why should I be surprised? He's done that his entire life and I imagine he will continue to do so the rest of his life. His younger brother Bryan looks up to him and admires him. I think someday when Bryan is no longer autistic that Robbie and Bryan will have a fun conversation and then a long dirt bike ride...they both would love that! I love you my Buddy...

Bryan's First Temple Trip

Saturday marked another first for Bryan. His first trip to the Temple to participate in Temple Work. Wes and I spent time explaining to Bryan the best we could what would take place at the Temple and what he was doing. At first Bryan wasn't so sure he wanted to go but after being reminded that his brothers and sisters love to attend the Temple and how they go each month, Bryan decided he would go too. With his autism sometimes you wonder how much he is grasping or understanding and yet I have come to conclude that he probably knows SO much more than I could even begin to know.
This was a special trip in that only members of the Aaronic Priesthood(boys ages 12-18) and the Young Men leaders were there. It was a smaller group than usual but even still it worked out just right. Bryan told me many times how much he loved the Temple and that he had a good time there. I am so glad.
Of course I am sure it helped that Wes took him to McDonalds afterwards for a pancake breakfast :)
When Bryan was little one of his most favorite Primary songs was "I love to see the Temple". He was about 4 or 5 then and he would sing it all the time in the car as we drove from therapy to special ed. kindergarten to other speech and other events. I reminded him on Saturday and sang a part of the song to him...he smiled.
Now that Bryan has had his first feel for the Temple I have a feeling he will want to attend each month with the Young Men and the Young Women. I am thankful for this young man in our life. He wants to always do everything just right. It's been nearly 4 months since he was ordained and made a deacon. Each week he loves to pass the Sacrament and takes this calling very seriously. Monthly he goes out with Wes and collects Fast Offerings. These are important things to him and he reminds me by his actions that he is truly striving each day to do what is right. A reminder to me to step it up and strive to work harder and do better. Children have a way of doing that for us. I believe that is why Heavenly Father wants us to be in families so that we can learn from one another. I hope to "step" it up some as well and strive harder to attend the Temple more often and work a bit harder each day too. Thank you Bryan for your sweet spirit.

Becky and Jeff's Visit

Becky and her boyfriend Jeff came for a 2 day visit this past weekend. It was great to have them here and the only regret about there stay is that it wasn't longer. We first met Jeff in December just before Sean went into the MTC and we didn't get to know him much on one brief meeting.
This weekend made up for that. Wes and I were able to spend time talking with Jeff, learning a bit more about him and how he feels towards Becky. They are both in love and it is nice to see how they care for each other and the love and respect they show one another. Sunday afternoon we made a trek to the Rose Garden here in Portland. Now this Garden usually is full of roses of every color by now...the aromas and colors are wonderful..BUT...this year everything is green! No flowers, tiny buds but not one rose in bloom! I must admit it seemed kind of strange. We were able to find some other flowers and trees in bloom and we got some pictures.

Bethany also liked getting to know Jeff a bit better and she enjoyed spending time with Becky...talking about dance and her upcoming dance recital...we were able to snap a photo of the two of them together...don't they look a lot a like? Bethany is the little sister that Becky always knew she was going to have. They are 9 years apart in age but I think over time they will grow closer.

When my girls and boys were little I sometimes thought of how it would be when they grew up. Often I was too busy taking care of little things they needed and before I knew it I realized.."oh my gosh...look at them...they are growing up!" I remember a friend in our Ward once saying "oh enjoy them now, they grow up way too fast." When Margie said this I actually said to her "really?" I think part of being a Mom is that you don't see how quickly that time goes and how quickly your children grow and change till suddenly it hits you. Well, at least that is how it has been for me. I love my kids and am thankful for their love for one another...even when there have been times that I have wondered if they even liked each other. I love this photo of Bethany with Becky and I ...they both look so grown up...I guess I am getting sentimental :)

This weekend was great. Portland couldn't have been nicer. We had warm sunny days. Perfect to be outside and enjoy each other and spend time together. We made sure to take a trip over to the Temple on Sunday afternoon. The Temple grounds were beautiful. Bryan had fun sitting and playing by the reflective pond.

Becky and Jeff left early this evening for their road trip back to Utah. I am glad for these little moments when we could all be together. It makes you appreciate your kids more and more and realize that they are not really living at home with you for very long. Yet I guess that is how it is supposed to be

Two Wonderful Mothers

I have been a Mom now for many years. I never really appreciated all my Mom did for me or my brother and sister until I had my own children. I guess I was a lot like many teenagers and often didn't see beyond myself and what I needed or wanted. Yet even as a teenager I always remember wanting to be around my Mom. I remember many adults who admired or looked up to my Mom. She was a leader in our small town and I count myself lucky and blessed that she is my Mom. Someone who I have been able to go to with simple questions and complex ones as well. Even when I told her that I wanted to change religions and become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and no longer be Catholic. ( I was 13 at the time). I remember her concern and yet her love for me. She eventually allowed me to attend and she was the first to tell me that the LDS Church was making me a better person. I trusted and valued her opinion. She has always been a great model of what a Mom should be and I am always thankful for her endless and unconditional love that she has had for all of her kids and grandkids. I count myself lucky and blessed that Mom is still on this earth. Her own Mom died at a very young age and she has missed having her Mother in her life. Mom, I love you...thank you so much for your influence in my life.

The other Mom I would like to talk about is my Mother in law. Emma Whitnah is an amazing woman. Is there anything she can't do? I don't think so. She can cook anything and make it taste delicious. She plays piano, fiddle, accordian. She loves to dance and sing. She knows how to do floral arranging as well as decorate cakes. When I first married Wes I felt overwhelmed by her. She could do just about anything and I felt so inadequate around her. Over the years I have realized that I shouldn't have worried at all. She loves all her sons and grandkids. This past nine months have been hard for her..she lost the love of her life in August of 08 and once again I saw her strength come through. I am sure she has had countless hours of hidden sorrow since then. Yet Emma keeps on doing so much for so many. I am not surprised. She is truly a great woman and I am thankful to have her as my Mother in law.

Happy Birthday Wes

I'm a bit behind on posting this but on Thursday Wes celebrated his birthday. I can't believe I'm married to such an old man! Just kidding :) Wes and I have been together now since 1983 and I wouldn't have it any other way. He is great husband,a great dad and a great friend. Happy Birthday Wes...I love you :)

Special Ed. Field Day 2009

I just returned from the annual field day for special ed. kids throughout the district. I prayed that it wouldn't rain...it has been so nice but suddenly became cold last night and the skies looked abit unsure but finally the sun came out and all involved were able to enjoy field day. This year field day was held at Aloha HS..the school along with the volunteer student were AMAZING! I must say, I am bias as I have already had 3 kids graduate from Aloha with a fourth one attending there now. Seriously though, they did a great job. There were games on the field such as soccor, ball toss, crochet, bean bag toss, bowling as well as track and other events.
I don't know why but each year Bryan HATES to run the 100m! He absolutely despises it! Bryan is really fast at running and usually beats most scouts when they practice the mile. His PE teacher at school has even told us that he should take up cross country and that he would be great at running. Well...whether it's his autism and he gets overwhelmed with the crowds of people or something I just can't figure.
Bryan loved seeing his former aides, Kathleen and Michelle. We were lucky to have Kathleen be Bryan's aide in grade school for 3 years and then Michelle was his aide for 2 years. Bryan is now in a self-contained classroom setting with only 6 boys and his teacher Aki Mori. Field Day was a nice break from the norm of school. All kids, volunteers, teachers, aides and parents had a great time and we were thankful that the rain didn't let loose until everything was over!