Happy Birthday G-daughter!

Margaret (Meg) Joy 

is

21 years old!

Thanksgiving Day

This will be the picture in the Thanksgiving book I talked about.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I don't know why but after at least 40 years of cooking Thanksgiving dinner with many disappointing results I was truly pleased with how well everything went and how good all the food was.  Thanks to help from Amy and Ruth and Christian we had beautiful pies, rolls, and helping hands to get everything ready and on the table at our appointed time.  I made the BEST crockpot mashed potatoes that I think were the hit of the dinner and tried a new recipe for corn pudding.  I loved it and will make it a new part of our Thanksgiving menu.  Thanks to Pinterest I found some great questions to ask that gave us time to reflect on those things we were most thankful for and the kids shared some turkey jokes that cracked me up!   I have to admit that I shed some tears as I listened to the various comments of the Whitney family.  This is a tender time as Lincoln gets closer to the time to leave on his mission.  I hope this day helps him remember how grateful we are for him and for Ellis and look forward to a time when we are all together again. I also introduced a Thankful Book (idea from a blogger).  Each Thanksgiving each person who comes for dinner is invited to share the things they were grateful for and then we will take a family picture that will be added to the book.  I hope that it will become something we look at each Thanksgiving day to be reminded of the many blessings that our family has enjoyed.  After dinner I also moved towards the Christmas season and challenged each of the family members to think about someone they admired or appreciated and send them a hand written thank you note before Christmas.  They all accepted the challenge.

I couldn't get Grandpa to eat but 1 spoon of mashed potatoes
but he did eat two pieces of lemon meringue pie!

Tornado Damage!

Apparently we had a tornado warning early this morning.  I was sad to see that my little gnome bit the dust as a result.  I cleaned him off and stood him back up and hopefully he will recover from the trauma!

Caregiver Tip

#26  Enjoy the Sunrise!
I have never been a morning person and I do my best work after the sun goes down.  This morning Grandpa woke up at 4:00 a.m.  I laid in bed as he walked back and forth from the bed to the bathroom where he would tell the man in the mirror he hated him and complained to him that he didn't know what to do and I thought about how painful this disease is.  Not just to Grandpa but to me.  Fortunately, I had a not so good experience on Monday morning that I didn't handle well. As I thought about how to handle this, I began to think about what needed to be done and then I had the thought, "What am I supposed to learn today?"  And I realized something--"if it's to be--it's up to me!"  It was time to get up and get busy.  I put a jacket on Grandpa and socks to keep his feet warm and then turned on the television.  Then I went into the kitchen where I made the pie crust for the pies for Thanksgiving dinner, worked on some things I made for the Thanksgiving table, and planned the day ahead.  As I was busy working the sun started to come up and the little bit of light on the horizon brought me so much happiness.  I think not being a morning person has robbed me of a sweet reminder that there truly is joy in the morning.  On the days that Grandpa sleeps in I always express gratitude, but this morning I was reminded to enjoy the sunrise!

As a caregiver it is important to understand that sleeping is often iffy.  Lately Grandpa is sleeping from 6:30 to after 8 which is definitely unexpected.  I find myself laying beside him hoping to hear him stir or breathe.  More typical up to this point has been "expect the unexpected."  He started waking up about 11 p.m. and didn't want to go back to bed, or at 4:30 a.m. and for an hour he would get up, lay back down, get up, until I accepted the fact that good night's rest wasn't going to happen.  I realized recently that I have become a hesitant sleeper.  I can feel so tired and I head to bed about 11 p.m. only to lay there unable to relax enough to sleep.  I keep trying to find the right side to sleep on, or how far to stick my foot outside of the covers, or I keep fluffing my pillow.  During the day I often sit at the computer working on various projects and will wake up from a power nap I didn't intend to take.  I had heard a beautiful song when I was listening to the Tabernacle Choir which says, "When you are tired and you can't sleep, count your blessings, instead of sheep. And you'll go to sleep counting your blessings!"  I can't say that that puts me to sleep but it truly does remind me of all the blessings that I have been given.

Forgiveness

At 5 a.m. this morning Grandpa woke up and nothing I tried worked to get him back in bed and settled down.  I finally gave up and angrily got up and took him into the livingroom and turned on the television after scolding him.  Normally I just lay on the couch and sleep while he watches My Three Sons, Leave it to Beaver and then Perry Mason.  But I was angry with him and tired of the continual yelling so I turned around and got back in bed.  Then I cried as I asked for Heavenly Father's forgiveness because I couldn't deal with someone who cannot control his anxiety.  And I wasn't able to control my frustration and anger.  As I lay in bed listening to him laughing at the show I thought how hard it must be for people in care facilities to deal with the anger and frustration of their patients because they don't have the love for and memories of their patient.  But I do.  And I knew as I laid in bed that he deserves much more than I was giving him this morning.  Every time he saw something on the television that he liked he would say, "Elaine, Elaine did you see that."  I was ashamed because I didn't and also sad because I was in the other room and he still talked to me.  I'm not sure why this affected me so negatively this morning because he is now in that stage where he fights everything and is negative about much of the things around him.  The continual coaxing, reminding, and redirecting just came to a head and I am ashamed to say I did not live up to my potential as a loving spouse and a kind caregiver.  Tonight I will pray again for him to sleep better but I will also pray that I will be able to be better.  He deserves that. 

Another Jazz Man!

Jeremy participated in his first jazz concert.  He normally plays the standing bass but in the concert he used the bands electric bass.  I love that the North Dakota grandkids have so many great opportunities to participate in music programs.  I hope there will come a time when we are all together and will be able to have our own jazz concert!  Aunt Becky said that he is getting quite a set of callouses in the process of developing his new found talent.

Best Ward Meeting of the Year!

Thanks to Uncle Christian I was able to attend church today to see Eden and Duncan participate in the Primary Program.  Last week Uncle Christian told me that he was coming over to sit with Grandpa so I could go to church and see the program.  It was so wonderful to attend and to be able to take the sacrament with fellow Saints.  Eden and Duncan did a great job on their parts.  Thank you Christian for being so thoughtful!

Project

I wanted to fix our backyard up a little and so this week I got a bunch of flowers, some wood bark, and some lights to start with.  Thanks to help from Lincoln I was able to dig some holes, plant flowers, and spread the bark and put lights in the garden area and around the patio.   I put a little sandbox out for Graham and Eden when they come to visit.   I love how everything turned out.  If the flowers survive I think the area will look even better.  I plan to put up some bird feeders and a few other things in the coming weeks. 

Eden trying everything out

Night pictures aren't my best!

 

Ava

Ava is on the Junior High Flag Team at her school.  She had a performance tonight and Uncle Andy send me videos of her dancing.  She did a great job!

This Batch Makes 36

I had a little pause while I worked on scrapbooks, poodle skirts, and mini bundt cakes but I finally finished my next 12 quilts.  I actually did 13 but wasn't happy with my color choices so  didn't include it in my batch.

I am really happy with the quality of my recent quilts.  Each set I do I feel like I am learning something and these were truly some of my best work.  Can't wait to start on my next set to see what new ideas I come up with.  My goal is to donate a total of 50 quilts by Christmas.  So now I'll get busy on the next set of 14 to reach that goal.

Thank You!

Marion Franklin Lambert WW I

The veterans of our military services have put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms that we enjoy. They have dedicated their lives to their country and deserve to be recognized for their commitment.
-Judd Gregg

William Elvis Lambert WW II

Louis Clifford Duncan WW II

William James Hickey WW II

Michael Edward Hickey WW II

David Edward & William Franklin Lambert
Vietnam

Note:  This is just a few of our family members who have given so much to protect their families and families they will never know.  Always remember that freedom is never free!

Quote

"When we choose to be parents, we accept another human being as part of ourselves, and a large part of our emotional selves will stay with that person as long as we live.  From that time on, there will be another person on this earth whose orbit around us will affect us as surely as the moon affects the tides, and affect us in some ways more deeply than anyone else can.  Our children are extensions of ourselves." 

Fred Rogers (aka. Mr. Rogers)

Alarming

Dear Grandchildren,

I have been thinking a lot about this for some time and feel that I'd like to share some thoughts.  First I believe the earth is changing.  But not the way that the alarmists portray it.  This earth was created under the direction of a loving Heavenly Father and just as any creation the earth will continually change.  Do we have a responsibility to do our part in keeping the planet clean.  Absolutely.  Should we plant trees and conserve water and maintain our forests.  Without a doubt.  Should scientists continually study ways to preserve this beautiful planet.  Of course.  But should we run around crying "the sky is falling!" Absolutely not.  I believe there is a beginning and an end but fortunately I know that Heavenly Father is the creator, the fixer and the redeemer along with His Son and our Savior.  When He says "enough" and He will--everything that we have been taught in the plan of happiness  will occur.  It is not to be feared but to be embraced.

When I was a young mother all I heard was population explosion and how we needed to not have children.  I have witnessed countries who believed and adopted that mindset.  They are paying a huge price because of it.  I am so grateful I questioned the validity of those naysayers.   It is frightening to hear of the casual disposal of a human being because having a child is inconvenient or not planned.  It broke my heart to hear of young women who publicly vowed to never have children and took steps that would prevent that from happening.  What a sad future they have doomed themselves to endure.  I was shocked to hear a number of presidential candidates proclaim that to save the planet we should not be having children.  To do that will be a guaranteed outcome that will promote both physical and spiritual destruction.

We have been taught "men are that they might have joy."  I personally believe that our greatest joy is that of family.  The family that began with Adam and Eve and has existed from the beginning of time.  To rewrite God's laws to appease the ignorance of men and women is a story sadly written.  When I took my firstborn son in my arms it was the most divine experience of my life.  And with each child who came after him reaffirmed that God is good and that He has incredible love for mankind.  The courage of your parents to walk a little in the darkness as they welcomed each of you into their lives is a testimony of the most important thing that we will ever do while on His earth--To welcome His children and to continue to create families.

In time each of you will have to decide what you will do.  I hope that you will really think of what kind of future you will have if you decide that what you want is more important than what God wants.  If I have learned anything in my life it is that every choice has a consequence.  I can only hope that your consequences will be full of joy!

Rite of Passage

If you are planning on serving a mission there is something that most of you will have to deal with--wisdom teeth!  Hard to imagine why we'd take out any type of wisdom especially as you enter adulthood!  Today Lincoln climbed the mountain and entered the Dentist chair to share in the agony.  I think he came through it pretty well but only time will tell.  Ask Uncle Bill! 

I smiled at a text Aunt Amy sent me of something that Lincoln said as he was coming out of the fog of the anesthesia.  Favorite crazy rant so far:  "If I don't learn Spanish, how am I going to tell people that Jesus died for their sins."  You'll learn Spanish Lincoln and we will all pray for your success in Argentina!

Been Thinking

I was thinking last night about Lincoln getting ready to go on a mission.  And Owen getting ready to go into the seminary to become a minister.  About Ellis who is serving so well in Maine and Perry who served and grew to love the people of Kentucky.  I am proud of my grandsons who have chosen the better part.  I love that they put their personal comfort aside to try and help others come to know and love the Savior. 

Each of you my wonderful grandchildren are such incredible people and I am so proud of each and every one of you for the good you do each day.  I want you all to know that whatever your life choices are, your true happiness will come when you serve others in any capacity.  You truly can be the difference. 

Way to Go!

Congratulations to Jane who participated in the Junior High Spelling Bee.  She came in fourth place and Aunt Amy said she didn't seem nervous at all. 

Trick or Treaters!

Everyone outdid themselves this year.  It is a sad reality (but appropriate!) that our grandkids are growing up and trick or treating isn't something that most of them do.  In spite of that I loved seeing all the cute ideas everyone came up with.  At our house I kept grandpa up a little later so he could help me give out candy.  We had about 25 kids come and there were some really cute costumes as well.  I especially enjoyed the giraffe that came to the door.  It was all homemade but very well done.  We also had a little girl with autism come with her dad.  Her dad was dressed up as Elsa and I have to admit he looked pretty silly but she loved it--so I did too!  Be sure to click on each picture for more detail!

Indiana Jones

50s Girl

Captain America

  

Robin Hood

Lady Bug

50s Girl

Vending Machine

A bowl of Japanese Ramen