frazzled & frumpy

I often don't know what to say when asked how many children I have. 7? 8? I gave birth to seven beautiful babies. I nursed them, bathed them, walked the floor through the night when they had earaches, helped them as they learned to walk and speak. I took them to church, taught them to pray and read to them. I've watched them as they grew from toddlers to teens and beyond. But, Brittany joined us full grown. I'm not the one who held her first. I didn't care for or nurture her while she grew. Another woman raised her, taught her, heard her first words and comforted her after her first heartache. I don't know what she looked like as a baby or toddler, I have no idea who her favorite teacher was in elementary, or what boy earned her first crush. When she moved in, I never expected her to slip so easily into our family life. I didn't know she would become integral to us, a part of us. She came with her clothes and books and games and we made room for her in o...

Our day started bright and early- 6am at Lindsey's house to get that 'bridal glow'. (Thanks, Lindsey!)  Gorgeous, yes? Then, after a quick breakfast, it was off to Salt Lake. Bride and sister in one car... "I'm getting married!"  Groom and brothers in another... "We're getting married."   Photo from lds.org A temple marriage ceremony is beautiful and simple. They don't allow pictures inside the temple,but if you want to see some photos of what the inside looks like, including a sealing room, go here .  When we came out of the temple,the weather had taken a bit of a change. We didn't take lots of pictures, but the ones we took were beautiful. If you were close enough, you could see the goosebumps on her arms. It was cold! I discovered that I don't mind the role of mother of the bride. I have some very cherished memories, like helping her get ready in the gorgeous Bride's Room an...

Ten days. If you say it in hours, it sounds much better.  2400 hours. Oh, wait. Ten days is 240 hours, isn't it? Crap. Ten days. That's how long till my daughter's wedding. Granted, the sweet girl is doing most of the work, but still.  The next (almost) two weeks is filled with activity. *Brittany goes to the temple for the first time on Friday. *Saturday, is her shower, thrown by me. (Where we will tie a quilt, to be made by me this week.) *Also on Saturday is my audition for Listen to Your Mother . I sent a request for an audition last night around midnight. Not sure I was in my right mind. I have to finish the piece I wrote (also around midnight) and practice it so I don't make a total fool of myself. *Next week, my calendar looks deceptively empty-- until Friday. And while those calendar squares have nothing written on them, there will be a flurry of activity to get ready. * The wedding is in the morning. Then the luncheon. Then decorate the church, ...

Many years ago, my sister, who has 4 daughters, took in one of those daughter's friend. (Did that make sense?) I watched Heidi as she enveloped this young woman in her loving ways and made her a part of her family.  She did chores alongside her new sisters and attended all of our family gatherings. She called my sister 'mom'. Now, I have to tell you, I completely admire and envy my older sister's parenting skills.  She makes me look like the weak link in the parenting chain.  She is tough, but in a heart-felt way. Her girls had to go through the difficult trial of having their parents divorce when they were pre-teen and teens. But, Heidi guided them through it.  Then, she had the great fortune of marrying an amazing man.  Jerry had never had children, but he was meant to be a father. He loves his girls fiercely.  He is the pied-piper at any get-together.  He loves children and they love him right back. So, for these two to take in another child, wa...