Grammie's Boys

I realize that I have another blog post with this same exact title... but that is what these wonderful boys are! There is no other description.

These are the boys that taught me that I am no longer the Mommie-Enforcer... I am the Grammie-Spoiler-Lover. That is such a liberating concept.

I have more photos, at home in Springville, of this wonderful threesome but sitting here tonight in YLP this is the earliest photo I have access to (I think I will come back and add the others when I get home. If for no on else but me!)

This was the second cruise Grammie-duties trip. Look how small they are! Odd how fast children change in 6 years.

MARCH 27, 2009

Fast-forward 4 years and now 2 of the 3 are taller than their little Grammie. That was when I knew that I needed to start needing these pictures WITH my boys instead of just OF my boys.

APRIL 21, 2013

Not even a year later and look how they have all shot up! This photo has been the wallpaper on my phone for the last 15 months...

FEBRUARY 2, 2014

Until this one took over. OMSH!! Man-sized people who are their Grammie's boys! I am so pleased with the young men they are. Good, good people!

MAY 1, 2015

My next Grammie and boys photo will only be with two boys! Tadhg will serve the Lord for 2 years. He leaves on June 24th to serve in the Scotland/Ireland Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am so grateful that he has made this righteous choice. I pray that he will be guided and protected as he shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I love that he is returning the land of his forefathers to share his love of the Savior. I'm sure he will find cousins (whether they know it or not). I am so grateful that this love of Jesus goes back many generations... because that is what is all about.

Baby Annabelle

Today I got to do one of my favoritest things! Have a photo-shoot with one of my grand babies.

Somehow all of the love gets focused and captured in a concentrated form. The love is so tangible! It frequently moves me to tears; just as this photo did today. (I love the twin noses here!)

Annabelle was a willing little subject. She is just so mellow.

Annabelle's Auntie Bekah (as opposed to Auntie Becca) sent a couple of wonderful little outfits one of which just begged to be worn for photos.

"Ho-hum... I'm used to this by now, even though I am only 5-days old!"

I always love to do the *baby parts* photos. Tiny baby toes...

A precious little head...

With a wonderful amount of hair...

Yes, just as this serendipitous photo shows- Annabelle is a gift straight from heaven!

Big Brother (of the Riley-kind)

Riley got to come to meet his new little sister tonight. What a wonderful occasion... you don't get a little sister every day, you know!

I feel so happy when I see the love that they have one for another. You can never have too many people who love you.

We are so funny... we take turns soaking up the baby-Annabelle love. I'd been holding her for about an hour when I asked Deb if she wanted her baby back. Spencer asked so sweetly, "Can I have a turn first?"

And speaking of love-

I've never been big on using the term *step*-mom/child; it's just always meant more people to love. I'm grateful for that great capacity to love.

And since we are on the subject of love... it makes me happy to see these two funny-feline-sisters. I can hardly tell where one ends and the other begins!

Grammie's Little Friend

One of the fortunate thing about living close to grandchildren is that I get to spend one-on-one time with them. Fiona and I get to have a Grammie-afternoon a couple of times a week. Lucky Grammie!

(Apparently Grammie was too busy singing, playing and peek-a-booing to get her camera a little less crooked. I was going for a little edgy!)

I so grateful for these wonderful days.

My Happy Halloween

In my "Mommie" years I loved Halloween. I made costumes, now saved for years, decorated the house to the 13's (not 9's, remember we're talking Halloween here), and made yummy Halloween treats... 

But as a Grammie much of the joy of the holiday is gone. Sadly, I've even been known to boycott Halloween, I just didn't have the heart.

Then I realized that here, in my wonderful neighborhood, I don't get the "drop off teenagers" I get all the little children that I love.

The whole knock, knock, trick or treat is a difficult time for my social little dog, Harley. He just can't understand why these children haven't come to see him...

So this year I hit on a wonderful idea... it wasn't too cold so I brought my little portable fire pit on to the front porch, started a nice fire, got my candy and iPad and I was set to enjoy the evening.

My immediate pay-back came when Jacob Arbon declared, "it's Grammie Lewis!" (all the Primary kids call me that to differentiate between the old Sister Lewis and sweet, young Sister Lewis).  I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the children AND the parents. 

Then my sweet niece said, "Looks so cozy.  It reminds me of something I would pin on my home board on Pinterest.  Very nice!" And you know, she's right.

Word of Comfort

Today is the 31st anniversary of Tony and Amanda's death. I'd like to tell you that it gets easier to make it through this time of year, but I would be lying!

I started crying last Thursday and didn't quit until Tuesday evening up at girls camp (not continuously, but way to much!) when I went and found a place of solitude after a dinner-time meltdown and pleaded for the ability to stop crying and be able to function more normally. This year was different- I couldn't just hide out at home... I was surrounded by my *sisters-in-the-kitchen*.

Today these arrived...



I don't recognize the hand writing but there are so many kind women who could be responsible for this loving gift.



Truly it optimizes the scripture to "lift up the hands that hang down and strengthen the feeble knees".

Again, I will bear my testimony that the reason I can go on, function, show empathy and help others in their grief is because of my Savior, Jesus Christ.

Grammie-Heaven

I've sung the praises of being a Grammie before, but today I was in Grammie heaven! Since our little man, Jude, is too small to go to Seven Peaks and play with the family  he needs someone to come and stay with him. Enter Grammie! We have a standing Friday morning date.



Usually I will do a few things to help Jessica while she is away... but this day? I spent the entire 4 hours holding my little man. It's what Jessica calls baby-therapy... and maybe that's true, but there just are not words to describe that *tie that binds* me to this precious little grandson!



Yes, I had a wonderful day in Grammie-heaven with my little Jude.

My Funny Boys

One of my callings is teaching course 15 in Sunday School. This is my third year and each class has had such a different personality.

The first year (of which I only taught 3 months) were great kids, but I really didn't have much time to connect with them since I only teach every other week.

Last year I had 7 girls and 2 boys. They were the *Golden Class*.  They always had astute comments and there was very little goofing around.  I miss them...

This year...

These are my funny boys...

HUNTER, HELAMAN, RYAN, MAX, JORDON

I'm not sure I need to say much more than that, but I will! Several months ago I was talking to Camille about my class, whom I often refer to as a bunch of squirrels, and she said, "Mom, you otta' like that! They are just like Stuart and Devon!" How true her statement.

And you know what? I do love these boys. Yes, they are more challenging than last year, but they are such outstanding young men... and they do remind me of my Stuart.

Baby Jude

I'd like to introduce our newest little angel... Jude McNeil Lewis. He was born, yesterday, May 6 at 4:27 am. He weighs 7lbs 2oz and is 20". He joins a very happy brother, Christian- who's been hoping for a brother! and sisters Ashton, Roxie and Sophie. Doug and Jessica are his proud parents.

When Jess brought out this owl hat I was so pleased and surprised! She'd seen the photos I took of baby Bronx last month and was crazy about this little owl hat (well, all things owl!) So her sweet sister made one for baby Jude. I love it!

As you can see, we didn't let him get more than a few hours old before we had our first photo shoot! I told him to get used the the sound of Grammie's shutter clicking!

You may recognize this fabric from Spencer and Deborah's wedding quilt and my party skirt! When I mentioned that I still had fabric leftover after the skirt Jessica hinted that she really liked green and brown too! (Who doesn't?) I also used the Chenille-It on the quilt. I'm in love with this product...

As I was quilting I saw this perfect 4-patch! And I just happened to know the perfect 4-letter word to go in it... J-U-D-E!

Last evening, after dinner, Doug caught me doing my FAVORITE of all Grammie-duties! Loving my babies.

I'm so blessed to have my family! I love them so much.

"I Made My Purse... Like OK?"

Back when Bek's boys were little and she would come visit at Grammie's house frequently we, Camille, Rebekah and I (also known as Cabekah and Remille), would go do fun girl things in little Beatrix. One day we were getting out of the car at our latest shopping stop and Camille said, "I got your purse!" But I quickly added-

"I got your purse, like OK?"

We all laughed at our funniness and that particular saying has stuck as a family quote.

So last month, when Camille's-kind-of-Kevin was in the hospital for back surgery, I saw a purse in the hospital gift shop that I immediately fell in love with! I WANTED THAT PURSE! So on our next visit I decided to go in and take a closer look. I could see through the window that it was leather so I'd prepared myself for an *over $100 price tag*... $240! Are you kidding me? Apparently I'm out of touch with the cost of purses!  I tried to convince myself that I should treat myself... but I just could get there! ($240 is enough for some poor girl in Cambodia to get schooling and free herself from poverty!)

SO...

"I Made My Purse... Like OK?"

Here is my inspiration...

and hefty price tag...

I took my iPhone photo into Photoshop, stretched and cropped it to make a template for half of the applique design. Then I needed the fabric. I had the turquoise and then hand-dyed the lime green. AND I got some turquoise and lime green Chenille-It (I love that stuff!) My original plan was to outline the design with the Chenille-It, but I didn't like the finished look so I just used it on the seams and the top of the outside pockets.

And since I was making a party-purse I needed party lining. I got this down at Corn Wagon.

Pocket are a must-have feature for me!




I get so much satisfaction from creating things! It just makes me happy! I'm so grateful that I have the ability to do this... and I will be so much happier carrying around my very-own-purse-like-ok and helping that sweet person who needs a helping hand!

265- In Silhouette

I love it when the light looks like this. I've heard it referred to as *God's Light*. I just think that is so fitting. Clean, sharp beams of light coming down from our loving Heavenly Father.

196- Ready and Waiting

Camille moved into her new house about a month ago and has been sleeping on a borrow futon since Kevin still had *their* bed at his house.

I just couldn't face the thought that they will return home from their week-long honeymoon and have to sleep on a futon!

So I worked some of my *Mommy-magic* and made Kevin's bed magically appear in their new house! Pretty clever, eh? Bet Harry Potter can't even do that.



As I made the bed today I was pleasantly surprised to see that I'd planned ahead (but apparently forgot! sigh!) and the quilt I made for Camille a year or so ago is also queen size... I guess I rock! Even if I forget that I rock!

And since this cool quilt never got its debut here... today makes up for that. I introduce-

Camille's spottie-dottie-polkie-dottie quilt!



(Please take note of the dead duck in both photos... how will Kevin feel about sharing *his* bed with Quackie?)

180- The Flip-Flop Girl

Miss Camille, is one of the original flip-flop girls. She wears them in the winter and snow. So it is no surprise that she wants to wear flip-flops on her wedding day!

I got a nice pair of white sequiny-flops for her but she really had visions of lace covered and embellished ones. I started these babies yesterday before running away on the Nebo Loop tour.



I started out by gathering all of my needed materials:

• Dr Pepper in my week-old Sonic cup (I hoard those cups this time of year... they will keep my drink icy cold all day!)
• The UN-embellished flops
• My favorite pink scissors
• Needles and threads
• 18-year old lace leftover from Rebekah's wedding dress
• 18-year old beads and sequins leftover from Rebekah's wedding dress
• Sequins and beads from Camille's dress
  
• Eyeglasses- two pair of varying strengths
• Ah... and Johnny Depp! (Bet you weren't expecting HIM to help with this were you? He's such a pirate!)
  

First I trimmed the pieces of lace to fit the various areas of the flops, then I beaded these pieces. Can I just say once again... I am so grateful I didn't have bead a whole dress!!!



Now, change to a heavier needle and thread and attach all the pieces to the straps! So, so pretty!



I even let Camille try one of them on last night when she stopped by... but not until she's washed her feet first!! No footie marks on these flops for another 9.5 days!!!

OK so do you want to hear another funny footwear story?

Eight years ago I made Jandy's wedding dress. She came for several fittings. I told her she needed to wear the undergarments she'd be wearing at the wedding for the fittings. At each fitting we discussed what shoes she should wear. Her sister had worn ballet shoes because she danced. Jandy always appeared in her big black boots for these fittings. Finally I told her she just needed to get some of those fancy white laces, spit shine her boots and wear then... AND SHE DID! No one except Jandy, Jaquelle and I knew she had them on until it was time for the garter toss. What a hoot!

170- Allison's Wedding

Allison, my sweet *little* Allison, got married today! Oh, how I love this girl. I have a special bond with all of the Millers but Allison and I created an even firmer bond years ago when she would come to me for comfort. I frequently tell Allison that she is my hero!

We took a Utah-Palmdale road-trip together just after she returned from her mission in 2007. She told me that she grew up praying to be good and be happy. As you can see from her 1000 watt smile she has been granted those gifts.



Millers have a large family... they are our version of *My Big Fat Greek* family with "47 first-cousins alone!" These precious babies belong to Anna and Dan.



And here are several of the boy cousins getting their heads together over an iTouch. It was great entertainment for them all.



When we arrive later at the reception we found this pair fast asleep in the foyer... they are so much alike and you can see that familial love between these cousins.



Dallas and Nancy just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this week. What a wonderful posterity they have. I am so glad that they have let us be part of their wonderful family.

149- Ladybug Toesies & Musings in the Garden

First off I have to share my cute ladybug toesies! I love the whole polkie-dottie toesies. When I hit on this idea I though they looked just like a ladybug



Now for my musings...

This is my sixth spring here in Utah on my little quarter-acre of heaven. Every year I reflect on how grateful I am for all of the work the previous occupants put into making this yard a beautiful place.

The flowerbed that runs along the back fence where my raspberries currently reside had a slight mishap, last year the center third of the plants died (I think my bug-guy inadvertently killed them) I decided I want to have hollyhocks in that space. I love them... they are another one of the flowers that my mom grew.


"Faith is like a little seed... if planted it will grow..."

As I was weeding and amending the soil I thought, "Wow, look how nice this soil is! Isn't it nice that the *previous occupants* put so much work into this bed!" Then it occurred to me that when I weeded this bed for the first time 5 years ago the soil wasn't like this. It was hard and full of rocks. Wait... WAIT... I've made this soil as nice as it is! That surprised me. I realized that I've put a lot of work and effort into the beauty of my yard and gardens. Me!

As I pondered on that fact I mused how similar this is to our lives. We all start with rocky, hard, poor soil but by constant work, removal of the rocks and amending our soil we improve. The thought brought tears to my eyes. Just as my little quarter acre has taken the work and supervision of the gardener. If we turn our lives over to the Gardener, He will remove the rocks and soften our soil making it fertile and able to grow those seeds of faith, hope and charity.