Happy Birthday Annie -- 30 and 13

Happy Birthday Annie --the age span of my children is now 30 and 13. Thank you for being such a great daughter, sister, grandaughter, mother, niece, cousin, . . .

We love you!

Home at last . . .

Nephew Peter returned with honor (rwh) from the West Virginia Charleston LDS Mission. He served a great mission! He spent time in northern West Virginia and Central Virginia --- from Mannington (WV) to Roanoke (VA), from Clarksburg (WV) to Covington (V), and so on. He has grown and developed, and we have all been blessed by his service. It's so nice to have him home.

Elliott Day - - -

Annie has a week of meetings, and it was my turn to watch the boy today. I got to do the whole mothering experience -- breakfast, bath, play, snacks, field trip, lunch, nap (2 and 1/2 hours for both of us)! It was a cold and rainy day, but that didn't keep us from going outside. Elliott didn't like the rain or my umbrella, so we opted to play with tennis balls in the garage. I think the best part of the day for Elliott was when Willie got home from school. They are best buds! It's great being Elliott's grandma and Willie's mom!

My lilac bushes are bee-u-tee-ful!

I don't know what it is about the lilacs (shape, color, scent), but they are just so awesome!

I hope they last a few weeks. I am so excited to get my yard in shape and it is just so much more pleasant when the lilacs are in bloom.

Lilacs remind me of an old fashioned garden. Aside from roses, there is no flower as beautiful and aromatic as lilacs. Of the two, lilacs have a stronger scent that carries quite a distance. Unfortunately, lilacs bloom for only a very brief couple weeks in the spring. Once the buds begin to open, I pray for a cool dry spell. Once the blooms are over, I still have a nice shade bush, but I have to wait for up to fifty more weeks to see them again.

History:
Lilacs in the United States date back to the mid 1750's. They were grown in America's first botanical gardens and were popular in New England. Both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew them in their gardens. Lilac bushes can live for hundreds of years, so a bush planted at that time may still be around. Lilacs originated from Europe and Asia, with the majority of natural varieties coming from Asia. In Europe, lilacs came from the Balkans, France and Turkey.

26 ft. 7 in.

Willie was in the Granite District Junior High Track meet today. He threw the shot put 26 ft. 7 in. -- the best throw ever! He also had to run in the 7th grade relay -- how about that! If you know my kids very well -- especially Willie -- you know he can be a little slow in the running department. However, I must say that he "ran like the wind" in the relay. It was definitely, absolutely, remarkably the fastest I have ever seen him run!

Sunday Sentiments

• My baby brother (36 years young) is in the hospital. He had knee surgery on Wednesday (torn ACL). He is the kind of person that no matter what happens to him, it always ends up worse than anyone else. The surgery was done in a surgical center in Provo late Wednesday afternoon. He and his wife got home close to midnight Wednesday evening. He's has had a terrible time -- the knee surgery is painful enough. He didn't do well with the pain medication (combined with anti-nausea meds); he had to arrange for his own physical therapy for Friday, and the PT he went to wouldn't touch his leg; luckily, a PT in his ward finally came to the rescue. He started getting congested on Friday and by Saturday he couldn't breathe without intense pain. In the middle of the night (Saturday-Sunday), he was vomiting blood, so the hospital was the next option. At first, it was thought he had a blood clot (maybe he did) but after some divine intervention no blood clot -- he has a serious case of pneumonia -- hospital time for the next three days. Needless to say, he's a basket case (as is the rest of his immediate and extended family).


• Niece Madeline graduated from USU on Saturday -- journalism and communications -- she has an internship with the D-News (Mormon Times) for the summer.


• Niece Melinda and her family were at her mom's for the weekend to celebrate birthdays of her two little ones (Rilee {4} and Conner {1}.


• My little grandson is struggling to cut his 15th tooth. That is just seven too many teeth for a 15 month old. He has been miserable. We spent some time with him yesterday and he tries so hard to be happy, but the painful mouth just gets in the way.


• Haley and James are in Idaho Falls -- new baby on James' side of the family. Haley has made a decision to teach in Murray School District next school year.

Parent Failure?

Willie had a track meet yesterday afternoon (Wednesday), 3:00 p.m., at Skyline. Karl and I both planned to attend I got delayed in a meeting and I felt assured that Karl would be at the meet to support Willie. Karl, however, at the same time was pressed to get some last minute shipping out the door and just knew that I would be there for the boy. At 4:30 p.m., we realized that neither one of us had made it too the track meet. Rats! Needless to say, we both felt like we had let Willie down.

His bus rolled into the Hunter Junior High parking lot around 5:15, and Karl was there to pick him up. He was okay about our lack of support. (What a great kid!) He also told us that the meet was cut short because a girl (runner) from another school passed out, and an ambulance was called.

I just don't like parent failure!

Brace yourself!

Willie and I had dentist appointments yesterday (Monday). The dentist always presents the good news and then the bad news -- never fails. Good news: Willie came away with no cavities. That's a perfect record for the teeth currently in his mouth. Bad news: His teeth need the braces. After x-rays and cleaning, the dentist and Willie left the office and headed down the hall in the same building to visit the ortho-dentist. Willie is proposing that we don't start the braces until after Disneyland. (Yes, it's official -- we are going to Dizzyland, June 13-17.)

The scent of a 13 year-old . . .

It's in the bedroom, through the family room, in the car, near the kitchen, on the couch, down the hall, (no, this is not an exercise in prepositional phrases), it's everywhere! What is it you ask? The scent of a 13 year-old, the one who lives in my house. Can't describe it. Don't want to remember it. It's fueled by food, drink, and air. It comes at times when you least suspect it. It's essence is one of denial. Ah! The scent of a 13 year-old!

It's Annie and Ross + Elliott

Annie and Ross (+Elliott) are celebrating their 5th anniversary today -- very nice.

5th Anniversary Gemstone: Sapphire, or pink tourmaline.

5th Anniversary Color: Several colors are associated with the 5th anniversary: blue, pink, or tourquoise.
5th Anniversary Flower: Daisy -- in the language of flowers, daisies represent innocence, loyal love, I'll never tell, and purity.

Ways to Celebrate Your 5th Anniversary:
Plant a tree together. You can plant one in your yard, or at a park, school, or church.
An oak tree represents solidity.
A pine tree represents the evergreen character of your love for one another.
A flaming red maple represents the flaming passion you have for each other.
A flowering crab tree represents love eternal.
Toast one another with hope that your love continues to grow and prosper like the trees around you.
Purchase tickets to a show, movie, sports event, concert, theatre, etc., to attend together.

Gift Suggestions to Purchase for Your 5th Anniversary:
Purchase a framed share of stock in a major company that has meaning to the both of you.
Wooden baskets.
Shaker boxes.
Magazine subscription.
Wooden jigsaw puzzle.
Wooden paper weight.
Bookends.
Art print of trees.
Wooden name plate.
Wooden salad set.
Wooden wine rack.
Fireplace kindling.
Silverware.
Wood sculpture or carvings.
Wood shelving.
Wood curio cabinet.
Willow twig furniture.
Small wood folding tables.
Croquet set.
Wooden quilt rack.
Ping pong table.
Wicker furniture.
Bentwood rocker.

Gift Suggestions to Make for Your 5th Anniversary:
Stuff a wooden box with a love note, book on romance, love coupons, picture of the two of you, etc.
Remodel your closet so it is cedar-lined.
Put together a road map describing a trip to take together where there are forests.

After reading this, I am sure you are looking forward to your 6th!

Fern Elizabeth Jones Eccles -- Born, April 16, 1905

If Grandma Eccles were still alive she would be 103! She died sadly at age 58 of cancer. Some say it was lung cancer -- but I really believe the cancer was just about everywhere in her body.

Grandma Eccles had auburn red hair and freckles, everywhere. Some areas of her arms were like splotches of suntanned skin -- the freckles were so dense. Grandma had a beautiful soprano voice, I loved to sit by her in church and listen to her sing. She also played the piano. Gardening was one of her hobbies as were sewing and cooking. Her fridge was always supplied with a wide variety of Nehi flavored sodas, RC Cola, and other goodies. She always had a cake on the counter -- mostly applesauce cake. Her home at 543 Kensington Ave., was neat and clean with everything in its place. Grandma like to watch "What's My Line" on Sunday nights. If we were lucky, we timed our visitng about the time that show came on television. Her house had a screened front porch. On summer nights we would sit out there and eat grapes (I don't know why I remember that), protected from the mosquitos. I think she liked green and pink -- dominant colors in her house and in her clothes. Just before she died, she and Grandpa bought a pink Oldsmobile. Grandma Eccles was tall for her generation -- about 5'8"-5'9". She always seemed to be dressed up and ready to go somewhere. Even working out in her yard, she wore a dress. In a cabinet next to the kitchen, Grandma kept a collection of miniature glass dishes. She never hesitated to let us get them out and play "tea party" with them.

I was 9 years old when Grandma died. It was early in the morning May 8, 1964. I was laying in bed waiting for my turn to get up and get ready for school (3rd grade). Mom had gone to take Jackie to school (5th and 6th graders were on double sessions at Webster Elementary, and they started at 7:00 a.m. or so.) I heard the phone ring, Dad answered it, and by the tone in his voice I knew it wasn't good news. I stayed in my bed and listened to Dad share the sad news with Mom (when she got back home) that Grandma had died. It was so sad . . . Mom sobbed, and so did I. I lay in bed wishing it wasn't true.

My Grandma Eccles was only in my life for a short time, but in that time I knew she loved me and all of the grandkids. I knew she loved Mom, too. She didn't have much to offer through earthly possessions, but she had a beautiful loving spirit about her that made her very special. She would be so very proud of her great posterity -- especially the number of redheads in the family!

Another Sunday -----

I look forward to Sunday afternoon. Sunday is really the only day I take time to plan and prepare a nice dinner. There is always so much going on during the week, that my last priority ends up being "what's for dinner?" Needless to say, Karl and Willie are attended to and they don't look like they go without, it's just that planning and preparing dinner require energy, and energy, and more energy. Most late afternoons when I get home from the D.O., I am more interested in talking to the men in my house and listening to their experiences of the day than I am in preparing a meal.

So, back to Sunday . . . not only do I enjoy planning and preparing a nice dinner, but I also look forward to having family here with the three of us. Karl's mom usually joins us along with Annie, Ross, Elliott, Haley and James. It is the best part of every week. Although the food is fantastic, it pales in comparison to the entertainment . . . E L L I O T T! He is growing so fast and what a joy he is! We all just sit and watch him go about the house. It's great fun for all of us!

Happy Birthday -- Haley Quinn

Happy Birthday, Haley!
What a great daughter, sister, aunt, wife, granddaughter, niece, . . . you are!
Have a great day!
We all love you very much and are so very thankful for you!

Son and Grandson

Parents

Jerry and Ed

Siblings

Ed, John, Jackie, Judy, Cindy, Chris, Geneil, Dee

Guitar Hero ---

We had an impromptu "Guitar Hero" competition tonight. I am sad to report that Mernada, Willie, Parker, and Karl are all better than me. (Sniff, sniff . . .) I am just not good at video games.

Missionaries Serve in Hunter, too . . .

It's just about time to call it a day -- and a good day it's been. I keep forgetting to blog about the missionaries coming to dinner a few weeks ago. We have a three-some in our stake and they are nice young men. When they called to confirm their dinner appointment, I asked what they'd like to eat. Elder Houston Texas requested vegetables -- corn, peas, green beans, etc. I asked if he'd like any meat and potatoes and he said that chicken would be good. I always try to take a picture each time we have the elders in our home.

Tabernacle

Wednesday night I ventured downtown to the Tabernacle on Temple Square with the stake RS ladies for the annual auxiliary orientation for presidencies (connected to General Conference). It was my first time in the Tabernacle since its renovation and re-dedication. It looked and smelled crisp and clean, the benches are wider in the seat and spaced to add more leg-room. As I sat through the orientation (which was absolutely excellent), I couldn't help but remember some of the times I "sat" through something there.

• Dad took Jackie and me to a Sunday afternoon session of General Conference when we were around 8 and 10 years old.
  
• Concert choir participation as a junior and senior in high school meant a performance in the Tabernacle on Veteran's Day and for the "Lights On Festival" the Friday after Thanksgiving.


• I attended a Veteran's Day concert there for extra credit for some class at the "U" -- Dad went with me. We sat on the front row of the back section and President Kimball walked right past us to his seat. I remember thinking how tiny he was.


• Music 101 at the "U" meant attending Utah Symphony concerts at the Tabernacle -- an entire season.


• I remember seeing a performance of the Messiah there.


• When Utah reached the 100th year of statehood, January 4, 1996, nephew Peter sang in a special choir that performed as part of celebration. I wiggled my way into the balcony of the Tabernacle and enjoyed a pretty memorable celebration.


• One of my former visiting teaching ladies (Lynn Beach), who works for the Utah Opera Company, gave us some special passes for a Mormon Battalion celebration a few years back -- held at the Tabernacle.


• Niece Hannah is a member of the International Children's Choir, and we attended their Christmas concert at the Tabernacle two years ago.
  

The Tabernacle is an awesome structure -- I remember seeing an old photo of its roof with a huge arrow and the words AIRPORT painted on it. I guess the message let planes know they were close.

Citizenship in the Community

For four weeks now, Karl and I have been working with Willie's scout troop on the Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge. It's actually been kind of fun. We have completed just about all of the requirements, culminating tonight by attending a West Valley City Community Council Meeting. It was a good meeting. The meeting opened with a movie -- a Pixar cartoon, For the Birds -- it was a nice way for the meeting to begin and capture the scouts' attention. I guess they (WVC Council) do an "opening" instead of a "reverence" as in most public meetings. Then the public comment issues included a request for ongoing consideration of a skate park; efforts by young people to clean up graffiti; and where to locate a new animal shelter. We also learned of plans to revitalize the area surrounding the Valley Fair (ghetto) Mall. Plans are in place to build an Olive Garden and TGI Fridays where the tire store once stood on the corner of 2700 West andf 3500 South. That information was encouraging -- but we miss Francesco's. All in all the merit badge process has been good. The boys have been well-behaved and interested. We have learned a lot and also had some fun.