Happy Birthday Sweet Daughter!

Yesterday my oldest child turned 27.   How did the time fly by so fast?  Wasn't it just yesterday I was fretting over wearing elastic waist maternity jeans?  Today I share some memories of my oldest as I celebrate the woman she has become. 

March 1984....You weren't due until; April but you came early.  (I should have figured then patience was not your strong suit!)  We headed to the hospital.  Your dad decided  we should stop and put gas in the car on the way to the hospital.  (The hospital was a block away, I figured we could probably make it there even on fumes- but your dad insisted.....I began envisioning how  to give birth in a blue VW Bug.....luckily we made it to the hospital!)  You were born a little later, and were perfect!!!  I could not believe I was a mother.  I forgot to turn off the iron.  I left the keys in the car.  How could I ever raise a child?   I was terrified, but you made every minute worth the fear in my soul.  We started to figure it out! 


Spring 1986.... I was pregnant again with your little brother. You were sassy, strong-willed funny and smart.  We headed to K-Mart (because there were no other stores to choose from in our little town) and you were looking for toys.  I have been reading parenting books.  I am confidant in my parenting skills.  Then the dreaded K-Mart incident happened.   I squat down to look at you in the eye, so we have perfect eye contact and I am not talking "down" to you (yea, I read that in a book...)
"Sweetie, three more minutes looking at toys and then we need to go home.  Remember, we are not buying a toy, just looking today!" I say in my calm, perfectly capable parent voice.
"I want a toy!" You say to me. 
"No toy today." I say, firmly but kindly. 
Then what happened next will forever be etched in my mind.  You slugged me.   Not just a little sissy girl punch, you laid me out.  I didn't see the left hook coming.  I tried to lean back but didn't get out of the way.  You caught me right on the nose.  I fell backwards.  You looked at me defiantly and  said, "I want a toy!......please?"  I can hardly see you, as my eyes are watering.  I reach up to my nose and catch the blood on my hand.  My kid just cold-cocked me in the face and bloodied my nose.  I grabbed you and headed out to the car.  You sensed the gravity of the situation and didn't say a word.  I buckled you into the car seat and headed home in silence. 
I am driving home thinking of the kid in the car seat at age16.  Stealing cars, knocking off 7-11's, selling grandma's meds, prison.... What's next?? 
We head to the house and I am a mixture between fuming, confused and scared.  You put your arms around me, look me in the eyes and say "Sorry Mommy" and hug me tight.  Suddenly all my fears go away.  You are not going to jail- you are not Bonnie looking for Clyde.  You are a tough, independent woman who is not going to take any crap from anyone.  You will be just fine.  I do make a mental note to take away the punching bag in your room. 

The memories flood my mind this weekend as we celebrate your birthday.  Soccer games, basketball games, Disneyland, middle school kids in my backyard, the gaggle of your friends, the "camping" incident, the "door" incident (We will save those for another time!) A wonderful husband, and your own turn with your three wonderful children.   How lucky am I to be your mom?  I must have done something right somewhere to  be so blessed to have you in my life. 

The circle of life is a funny thing.  One day we are the kid playing on the tramp, then it's your own child jumping on the tramp, then a grandchild.  I don't feel any older, but the time marches on.  Hopefully we take some time to remember the little funny memories that make life so sweet.  Stop today to remember the wonderful people in your life.  While I won't take credit for the awesome person my daughter has become, but I do know I have made an impact on her life... good and bad...but isn't that what this life is all about? Making a difference...one random woman at a time!

These are a few of my LEAST favorite things.....

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.......I declare....

I have a strong dislike for gnomes

 I am sorry. 

I know I will offend some people who have little garden art all around, and I don't mean to offend.  I just can't take them.  Gnomes are redneck cousins of Santa's elves. Why did we start putting creepy little people in our yard and nailing large metal butterflies to our house? 

I did my grandmotherly duty and took my grandchildren to see "Gnomeo and Juliet" and I suppose there were cute parts in it. 

I am concerned that Elton John is worried about college tuition for his new baby if he is letting a movie like this use his music. 

Gnomes dancing to "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting" 

Help me.  

That is a lot for this Grandma to take.  

And I have seen "Space Chimps". 

AND 

"Beverly Hills Chihuahua". 

I am no wimp. 

Save the money and rent this movie from Redbox so the kids can see it and you can do something important.  

Like hose off the pink flamingos in your yard.

Operation McGyver

It was a bad week.  We had been sick all week with various illnesses and I was just plain worn out by Thursday night.  My son Travis wanted Manwiches for dinner.  (Because a sandwich is a sandwich, but a Manwich is a meal!)  We started out browning the hamburger and all was going along splendidly!   I grabbed the can of Manwich sauce and went to the drawer for the can opener.  This was no ordinary can opener.  My friend had given it to me when she moved.  It was slick.  I had never seen anything like it!  It didn't cut the can, it removed the entire metal top leaving no sharp edges.  This was like something out of a science fiction movie! Who could think that a can opener could be so amazing.  Anyway, I am getting off track. 

The can opener was broken. I looked around for another can opener, because we have to have more than one  laying around the house, right?  No such luck.  There I am, with hamburger reaching optimum browning stage and I can't open the manwich sauce.

  In a simpler time,  you would just run to the neighbor and borrow, right?  The one neighbor I would consider borrowing from was not home, and the grumpy dude who lives next store would probably meet me at the door with a chainsaw, so that was not an option.  The lady across the street seemed nice, I had never talked to her- just waved from the driveway.  The other older lady across the street seemed happy when I helped shovel her driveway that day, but me banging on her door at night to borrow kitchen appliances didn't seem right. 

"Wow!" I thought.  " I am a horrible neighbor!"  I resolved to be more active and meet my neighbors, but the bigger task at hand was the lack of can opener  and the delicate time issue of hamburger on my hands. 

Travis is now looking at me with those "sad eyes" that makes a mother feel like the worst parent in the world.  All my kid wants is Manwich.  Is  that too much to ask?  Shesh.  I am a horrible neighbor and horrible parent.  This is not a good week!

"There must be something we can open the can with!" I smile.  I start digging through the drawers.  Screw driver in the junk drawer.  Rolling pin.  My mind rolls back to some vintage TV.  Mcgyver could open the can of manwich.  Mcgyver could blow up a plane with a can of Manwich, a phillips head screw driver and a rolling pin....I can do this! 

I put the phillips head screw driver on the can with my left hand.  I take the rolling pin in my right hand.  I begin to pound on the screw driver with the rolling pin. After two sharp hits the screw driver busts through the can!  Houston! We have lift off!  This would be easier than I thought.  I began to pound the can poking holes in it with the screw driver and the rolling pin.  Travis looks at me like I have lost it. 

I envision the men in the white coats coming, to take me away.  Ha Ha.  He He.  I envision my son, scared for life, telling the therapist, "Then my mom took a screw driver and a rolling pin....."  I snap back to the task at hand.  

The can has several holes in it, and I pry it open and dump the Manwich sauce into the hamburger.   I smile and say, "dinner will be ready in a couple minutes!"  My son laughs as we wash the manwich sauce off the screw driver. 

Yea, my son may think I am crazy, but I hope he figures out that I am resourceful and that you don't let little setbacks deter you from what you want.  I hope he sees that there are a lot of ways to get something done. I hope he has a little "McGyver" in him to be strong enough to handle the tough stuff.  These goofy little moments that all add up as we make a difference, one random woman at a time!

My First Published Piece!

I had my first article published!

http://www.tofw.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&x=0&y=0&query=german+mom


It is fitting that the first article I have published is about my mom.  She is my rock, and I hope someday when I see her again that she will be proud of me. 

When I shared the link with a dear friend in Kansas, she wrote:

"I loved reading about my dear friend Dot. She was my VT when I had a miscarriage and I'll never forget her visits with me. I was slightly afraid of her, but loved her with all my heart. She would be so proud of you today!"

Thank you to all of you who support me in my dream to write.  I have a wonderful family and amazing friends.  Get out there and do something you love, do something you have always wanted to do, and for heaven's sake, get out there and make a difference, one random woman at a time.   
 

THE NEW GIG

Today I started my new "job" at church.  If you are not familiar how we do things in the Mormon Church, this is one of those things we do that is a little strange to people.   We are a lay ministry and have no paid leaders.  Our leaders are regular joes with regular jobs to do Monday thru Friday.   We are "called" to positions by those who are currently in charge, who spend some time in thought and prayer to figure out where we can help build the kingdom of God right now.   I  have spent the last eight years working with the women of the church.  I love the women of the church, they are amazing.   So imagine my surprise when I am asked to work with the children who are 18 months to around 3 years old in the nursery.  Culture shock!!! 

Today I laid on the floor and made animal noises with the most adorable blond headed little boy.  He giggled when I did my "pig" impression. (It's time to trade in my dry-clean only suits for something a little more comfortable and easy to wash!)   I held a teary eyed little girl until the train looked more fun than crying.  I sang songs I had forgotten,  pretended to "eat" several items that were "fed" to me by adorable little people, and was able to also share a graham cracker during snack time.   I listened to little tiny voices offer prayers and watched small children fold their arms, bow their heads and close their eyes to talk to God, and yes, they know him. 

It's been said that if the Savior showed up at church, he would immediately go to the classes where the children are.  I know that to be true.  He loves the little children.  I am so excited to get to spend time with people that are so sweet, kind and pure.  They love without question and are happy with little things, like singing "Once there was a snowman" and eating fruit snacks.  These are some of the things I have forgotten.

I am so grateful for not getting to "choose" where I want to serve.  By sometimes getting pulled out of our comfort zones, we grow.  And isn't that why were are here on this journey?   To grow...... one random woman at a time. 

Thanks for the memories!

 Today the Stake Relief Society Presidency from the Longmont Colorado Stake was released.

• Janet Jones-President
• Brenda Wagner-1st Counselor, 
• Carrie Adams-2nd Counselor, 
• Cecilia Flores-Secretary. 

It's been an amazing opportunity for me.  I appreciate the other sweet sisters bearing with me, and teaching me so many wonderful things as we labored together to assist the wonderful ladies in our stake.   How lucky am I to have been able to serve with women I now call my sweetest friends.

  

 Today, my heartfelt tribute to my rockin' sisters. 

JANET-  How can I say enough wonderful things about this lady?  She lead us with focus, desire, and passion.  Her testimony of Jesus Christ was evident every step of the way.   She taught us correct principles.  She truly lead by example.  She was filled with the spirit of Christ at all times, in all places and while doing all things.  I want to be Janet when I grow up. 

She began each of our presidency meetings with some time for us to catch up, to talk about what was going on in all of our lives and time to connect.  Then, when it was time to get down to business, we were focused and able to tackle the issues, (well, most of the time.!!)   Sometimes in the midst of an issue, Janet would be quiet, listening to the three of us banter back and forth about a situation, a concern or an upcoming event.  Then, as the lines of sheer inspiration came to her, she would say something.  It would be the right answer, and we knew it. 

Janet spent a night with me when I had my knee replacement surgery. ( Actually several dear friends took turns with that duty, must have been a rousing game of Rock, Paper, Scissors to get out of that one.  I truly appreciate those who "lost" and had to help me!)  Janet watched some lame movie with me,  helped me to the bathroom on my walker, and monitored my pain meds so I didn't pop one too many.  She also took lotion and massaged my feet.   I don't know about you, but I am not a "foot" person.  I don't like to touch feet.  Maybe it comes from one too many years with basketball players, sweaty socks and smelly feet.   But it didn't bug Janet.  She WANTED to rub my feet.  My thoughts turned to the scriptures where the Savior washes the feet of his apostles.  
"He poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.."  John 13:5  
Here was the Stake Relief Society President massaging my feet.  With not a concern in the world, except for me to feel better.  Thank you Janet, for your lessons of service etched deeply in my soul and my heart.

BRENDA- One of my earliest memories of working with Brenda was her insane organizational skills.  She has lists, charts, spreadsheets, pictures, and color-coded assignment sheets.  Brenda needed to be on "The Apprentice"  TV show.  Donald Trump could use a woman like that to run his billions.   Brenda is also amazingly talented.  When President Kamigaki was released, we wanted to give him something special to thank him for the years of amazing service he had given.  Brenda found an amazing quilt pattern that used old ties.  We gathered an old tie from everyone who had ever served with Pres. K.  Now Brenda didn't just think up the idea, she spent a gajillion hours on this thing.  The rest of us hardly did anything. (Actually, that was probably good to not let me do a lot on it, this way it still looks nice.!!)  Brenda is talented, organized and passionate.  Give her a project and it is best if you get out of the way.  In the past year my job (the real one, that pays money) has had me organizing tons of things.  It has become simple when I follow the WWBD? adage.  (What would Brenda do?) I have found if I pretend I am Brenda, I can  get things done I had never dreamed of.  Thank you Brenda, for teaching me it is OK to plan, organize and have all your ducks in a row. 

CECILIA-  Carne Asada.  Cecilia made this amazing dinner.  In fact, today, after church, when we talked about the Presidency being over, Cecilia said, "We need to get together, and I will make Carne Asade."  Name the place and the time, and I will be there!!

Aside from amazing food, Cecilia is so spiritual and  her bi-lingual gifts were an amazing help for us.  I loved it when it was her turn to share the spiritual thought.  To hear her read from the scriptures was a treat.  The words flowed from her, but more importantly, the spirit did too.   To hear of her trials to get out of El Salvador, and to hear her share her testimony of Christ was a blessing I will never forget.  Thank you Cecilia, for opening my eyes to so many new things.

This summer my amazing friends in this presidency presented me with a wonderful family picture that they had enlarged and framed.  They have loved me, my family and every sister in the stake.  My life if forever changed. 

There are so many memories! The Women's Conferences and the trials, challenges and blessings that came from each one of those.  Ward Conferences, Presidency Meetings, RS Broadcasts and soups by the bucket.  Zone Conference Lunches, Temple Trips, Birthday parties, Surgeries, trials, tears, and laughter, yes, there was much laughter. 

Today, I am a better person for having spent the last 3 1/2 years with these amazing ladies.  May the bond we have created these past few years remain strong. 

As a Presidency, we hope we have made a difference,  one random woman at a time. 


















 

Before The Sun Sets

Wow! It's Saturday.
It's a beautiful day in Colorado for late November.  I am looking out the kitchen window and seeing all the leaves I still need to rake, but it is still beautiful!!!

November was an interesting month.  Kelly turned 22.   TJ found out his knee was in bad shape, and needed surgery, taking him out of his senior basketball season.  Travis was in "You can't take it with you" at Jester's theater, sporting a toga.  Erin spent a couple of weeks in Iowa, helping out a friend with their business.  The Adams family annual Turkey Bowl at the bowling alley was lean this year, as many family members were with the "other" side of the family.  A dear friend was diagnosed with Cancer, and the prognosis is grim.

30 days in a month. Some stuff seems so mundane, the grocery shopping, the bill paying, the laundry, the cooking, scrubbing toilets just need to be done and we plow through it.  Some stuff makes your heart stop, take a deep  breath and realize that this trip here on earth is sometimes full of twists and turns. 




Sometimes you are just blessed with a phone call, a hug, an email or some other little way of letting you know that things will be OK, even when it seems like they won't be OK. 

So as the clock ticks, and the calendar moves along, take a second, and make each day matter.  Don't just wander on the road aimlessly, have some direction and some passion and some fire. 

When it is time, in a month, to say goodbye to 2010, I want to remember a good year.  I want to look back and know that I did my part to try to make a difference, and I want to remember all the people who made a difference in my life as well.    So take that calendar, and put it to work for you.  Don't let it work you over!!
I am going to work harder to make a difference, one random woman at a time.