Wordless Wednesday: Practicing a new skill

All images edible...from some paper and an embellishment I got from Precious Treasures.  Be on the lookout for more info on using your Silhouette to decorate cakes.

Eight Years

I don't know how this slipped up on me.

I'd remember, for just a moment...August first is coming.

Then, Ethan would cry or Jackson would get hurt or something else would distract me, and it slipped from my mind.

Until this morning, when I woke up.

Remembering.

Eight years ago yesterday (July 31) night, I said "Good Night Ms. Glenda.  I love you."  Then, I laid down on a palette of blankets loving laid out by Aunt Jeanie in her living room with Bart by my side.  Aunt Jeanie had so much on her mind, yet she still set up a nice spot for Bart and me, so we could be closer to his cancer stricken mother because we knew Ms. Glenda's days were at an end.

We did not know that this would be Ms. Glenda's last night on earth.  We felt impressed to stay the night that night, but I'd stayed at Jeanie's before, as had he, so we did not see this as out of the ordinary.  And by this time, death was only a welcome relief for her anyway.

And that morning, early, around six, Aunt Jeanie woke us from our sleep.

And without a word, we knew.  Ms. Glenda had went home to heaven where our Father in Heaven was waiting for her, to release her from the pain and suffering and agony of those last few months.  To make her body whole and complete and healthy and full again.  She had served her mission on this earth, it was time for the reward.

Our lives were changed forever, as happens from time to time.

We went through the day as we had to, calling people, making final plans, mindlessly eating.  I remember getting dressed and going into Ms. Glenda's room at her sister's house (she was too ill for her husband to care for her and work).  It was oddly still.

I remember being happy that she was no longer in pain, but so selfishly sad for me.  I had lost my best girl friend.  The grandmother of my unborn children was in Heaven, playing with them before they came here...but that was not what I wanted.  That was not my plan!  My plan was for Ms. Glenda to be there for those grandchildren.  To babysit them while Bart and I went out to dinner, to go shopping with me for the perfect birthday presents for them.  Ms. Glenda would tell my children about their father as a child, take them to his childhood places, tell them stories about PawPaw and Miss MawMaw.  Yes, I know that I have a mother and I love her dearly and she is a wonderful grandmother, but I wanted my children to have TWO grandmothers.  Heck, I had THREE!

But, alas, that was not to be.  I realize I am not the only one who lost someone that day.  I lost a FRIEND and a mother in law.  Bart lost his MOTHER.  His BEST FRIEND.  Ronnie lost his WIFE.  Jeanie and the others lost their SISTER.  They'd all known her longer then me.

I cling greedily to the little moments we had, before she became ill.  The Monday nights of fried chicken and wrestling, the late night trip to KMart, the girlie gossip as we had a Mary Kay party.  I am so grateful that we were inspired to take her up on all her offers to come over and eat supper almost every other night.  That I didn't just hang out with Bart watching t.v., but that I sat at the dining table as she stood in the kitchen cooking up our favorites, chicken and dumplings, fried chicken, roast beef, hotdog jambalaya.  Those are the moments I treasure...the moments that I recall when I want to remember her.

So, today, as I remembered my mother in law, Glenda Cecile Falgout Remington, I remembered her smile, her laugh, and her deep love and devotion for her children.  And I tried a little harder to be the best mother I could be.  I will try to take her example of sacrifice and service and give more to others.  Not be so selfish and thoughtless.  I want to live my life so my family can be together forever.  I do not want for my children to feel lost when I one day go, but to know we will be reunited again in Heaven.

This is a blessing.  It is a privilege.  And I am thankful for having that in my life.

Thank you Ms. Glenda for helping me grow into a woman.  For showing me some mothering skills, cooking skills, family skills.  For raising a selfless son, who works hard and gives it all to his family without question or complaint.

I am a better woman because of you, and I am so grateful for every minute, the good and the bad, that I was able to share with you.

I love you and will one day be reunited with you in heaven.  Then I will show you how awesome my fried chicken is because of you :)

Bye Bye Cricut Cake....hello SILHOUETTE!

Introducing some of my newest cakes!  Decorated with...the SILHOUETTE!  I am loving this newest method of cake decorating and can't wait to share the link for all the info on how you can BUY your own Silhouette and DVD on this fabulous  method created by...you guessed it...Linda McClure!

Neither of these cakes were in any way decorated using a Cricut or Cricut Cake Machine.  Just a Silhouette.

Count Your Many Blessings, Name Them One By One

One of the hymns from church goes: (and I bet it is not just an LDS hymn as I copied the lyrics from some random site)

1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
   When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
   Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
   And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
   • Refrain:
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     *Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
     [*And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.]
2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
   Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
   Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
   And you will keep singing as the days go by.
3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
   Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
   Count your many blessings—wealth can never buy
   Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
4. So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
   Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
   Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
   Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

*Alternate text.

Lately, I've had the opportunity to whine and complain.  A lot.  And I have from time to time...I hope I have not seemed ungrateful for the love, support, prayers, and actual help we've received.

But, I have to remember, that truly I am blessed.  Each time a BIG ISSUE presented itself, it has somehow worked out.  Not always in the time frame I'd like, but so far, the MAJOR PROBLEMS are one by one getting their butts kicked and sometimes in unexpected ways.  The generosity of a sweet man from church, slipping "A token of my appreciation for you" into my wallet the same day Bart had a $50 co-pay doctors appointment, a relief society president quick on the draw, the paper work at Bart's work that in NO WAY can be accepted past X deadline being approved.  They add up to equal a very grateful heart.

Life is not perfect.  Yesterday as Bart walked from work to the car, he had to stop on the side walk for a few minutes and rest because he was too weak to keep walking.  He is not 100%, nor is he even 85% yet, but, my friends, he IS walking.  He is doing the best he can.  His doctors on Tuesday were shocked at how much he'd already regained.  Less then one month ago, he could not walk without the use of a walker, and he was very shaky, even then.  Last night, to get a little exercise for his legs, he walked up and down our street with Jackson. I have to remember that it is a blessing to be able to walk.  A blessing to have food, shelter, a loving family.

And I will try.  I will try to not become discouraged because things are not as "normal" as they should be yet.  I will try to keep my patience as I deal with the other issues of life.  I am not perfect.  I get angry.  I get frustrated.  I want to shout and scream and cry sometimes, too.  And maybe I do (and if you could see inside my head, you'd see I THINK those things a lot...my brain could get me into some major trouble :)  And I will accept the help others offer.  In serving others we serve our Lord (gotta love King Benjamin) so, by accepting the acts of service of others, I am allowing them to serve our Lord.  Now, i just have to return the favor and serve others with a happy heart as well.  Maybe in serving others I will remember to count my blessings, even when it is much easier to see what I don't have...to want what I don't need.

Ride 'Em Cowboy

While at my parents, my cousins, Martha and Miranda brought over some horses.  Two to graze on my parents pasture and one miniature horse just for the boys to play with for a few days.  The boys absolutely went bananas for Tinkerbelle and had a blast riding her.  As you can see from the pictures of our water slide play date, there was not a ton of watersliding but horse riding instead.  Brennan would just go up to Tink, jump and sit there...Tink was a FAT horse and didn't really walk around that much without some prompting :).  Tink was a really great horse for them to have because she was so calm.  They have trained her to not jump around any noises or distractions so she can be used for pony rides.  The kids were literally crawling all over her and she didn't care one bit.  Thanks for bringing her over Miss Martha!  We loved it!