It Smells Like Spring Break

This past week was at times stressful, full of memories, and brimming with awesomeness! I was able to go with the kids and my mom and sister to visit my grandparents in Santa Ynez, CA. I can't tell you how many wonderful times I had at that wonderful house as I was growing up. Lily and I would spend a week with Grandma and Grandpa at least once a year, and in the days leading up to this trip, I would catch myself in quiet moments closing my eyes and visualizing the sights and smells of the house. The green grassy hill in the front yard, the rose perfume of my Grandma, the beautiful flowers and the wind chimes, and the warm sun coming through the spa room.

I was really looking forward to sharing these memories with my children, and Grandma was really excited to finally meet her grandmother's namesake, my Kizzie. The 14 hour car ride with the kids was CRAZY! But we survived, and had a great week. We went to the beach, hung out in Solvang, hunted for yucca branches to make a walking stick, played in the dirt, ate In N Out burger (YUMMY) and enjoyed every moment.

My sister took great pictures, and I will make sure I post them on the blog as soon as I get them. We have great ones of Kizzie eating a rib bone, Max playing with the dog Barney, and me and Lil soaking up the sunshine. Ahhhhhh. I hope that Max remembers this fantastic time and that I will have new memories to make with my loved ones.

Ties to old family

Jack and I had a wonderful experience this weekend that has caused these images of his family members to float about in my consciousness all week. We were able to go to the Mesa temple and seal together his grandparents and great grandparents. All of whom have passed on since before Jack and I were married. I just have to show you their pictures and share with you their wonderful stories!

The second picture from the top is a picture of Jack's great grandparents: Stella Mae and Aaron Wesley. After noticing his fantastic ears, you will love knowing that love really is blind. Together they had twelve children. Jack and I have their small double iron bed, and bask in the knowledge that there were good times in that bed. To quote Jack's now deceased father, "What do you think people did before television?". The first picture of the series is one taken at Great Grandpa Fleming's funeral in 1970, with Stella Mae flanked by all 12 of her beautiful children. I can't doubt her creativity, for they have the names Jack (originally Jabel) Rastee, Doc (not short for doctor, by the way), John, Ruble, Vernon, W.D. (initials not short for anything), Eloise, Louise, Effie, and Mark. I just love that picture of Stella Mae and Aaron Wesley. Stella has a little elfish look of mischievousness that I adore.

The two bottom pictures are of Jack Fleming in the navy during World War II (he's the handsome character on the far left, first row), and then underneath him his bride Mary. I cannot tell you how wonderful it is that Jack not only has his grandfather's namesake, but his dashing good looks! About the only difference that I can see is that Jack Sr. has bright blue eyes and my Jack has dark brown ones. When little Max gets a haircut, he looks so much like Jack Fleming Sr. in his later years. I have to tell you that when we had Jack and Mary sealed to each other, then their son (Jack's uncle) Gary sealed to them, I was overcome with emotion. You see, when Gary was 17, he was hit by a car and killed walking home, and the family never quite recovered fully. I cannot even fathom that kind of loss, and I felt their joy so fully that I will never forget it.

I sometimes wish that I had pictures and stories for all of the names that I've done in the temple. We've all lived and loved and cried and laughed, and the most important thing to us after it all is our family. We don't get to choose our family members, but I swear if I had a lineup of adorable little boys to choose from, I'd still choose my special Max!

I need a Mommy hug!

I will never get over how even though I'm almost 27 years old and have my own baby, I still need a hug and loves from my own mommy. She just had surgery this past week to get her galbladder taken out and I have been worried about her. I would love to be there to wait on her hand and foot like she used to do for me when I was sick as a little girl. She always used to make me some hot tea, rub Vicks on my chest, and tuck me into the couch to watch AMC. Sometimes, she would even make me some chicken soup to soothe my sore throat. I'll never forget when I was in high school and I had my wisdom teeth taken out. She fed me frostys, and taped frozen peas to my head so that I would feel better. I hope that I help Max as much as mom helped me. Sometimes it's really hard to be so far away from my family. Maybe someday we will be close enough so that I can take care of her when she is sick, and she can give me a good mom hug when I have a rough day and want to sell my 5th graders to the circus. . . sigh.