I received several comments late last week that were all posed with the intention of finding the answer to: “What was I doing up so late?!” Well, truth be told, I am in deed a night owl. I always have been. But that isn't the reason I was up late last week. I can tell you the real reason now. I was working on my mother-in-law’s birthday gift. I ran into one of those Great-Wall-of-China-sized-hiccups, hence the late hour. And – now that the gift is given – I thought I would share it with all of you.
As you can probably see, it is a collage of photos spanning Brian’s entire life – up through his mission. I then included a photograph from Ann’s sealing to Larry, our wedding picture, our family photograph pre-Ammon, Ammon’s baby picture, and our most recent family photograph. I also included the following text (ever so slightly modified) from the Julie De Azevedo song, Angels:
The angels carried her through the fire and the rain. And the angels carried her from the end of her rope to the end of her day. And the angels sang to her, when she thought no one was there. Looking back, it’s clear – she was touching heaven all those years.
The angels have carried her through the minutes and the days. And the angels have carried her to a strong and wise and noble place. And the angels still sing to her, and I join them in their praise.
The angel that carried me until I saw the light of day, is the angel that carried me through the years of laughter, joy and pain. And the angel, she sang to me, so I knew someone was there. Looking back, it’s clear – I was touching heaven all those years.
Those words are not only touching, but fitting, I think. I am very happy with the end result, considering. I have a bad habit of letting one little mess-up get the best of me… causing more mess-ups. First off, I had to scour the world via the internet for scrapbooking hinges. I ran out of time and finally ended up dismantling another project. I mistakenly adhered a piece of vellum backwards… which wouldn’t have been an issue if there hadn’t have been words on it. Five minutes before I needed to get ready to leave, I sat on the other pane of glass that goes with the floating frame I used. Yes – I sat on it. But, Ann treasures it… and that is all that matters to me. I did find from working on this project that Ammon is the spittin’ image of his daddy. More so than I had ever before thought. I was using photographs I had never seen before… and the resemblance is uncanny.
Friday night, we delivered Ann’s gift. We were going to go out for dinner at Tampico’s with her and Larry… but, a downed power line wiped the electricity out of that half of Graceville. We ended up at The Circle Grille. Yummy. It has been a long time – as in years – since Brian and I have been there. There’s not much like a good ole’ cheeseburger and sweet potato fries. Ammon, of course, was the star of the restaurant…
We went back to Ann and Larry’s and spent the evening there. Ammon enjoyed the larger crawl space. Brian talked his mom into putting Transformers in for he and Ammon to watch on the big television (with its 60+ inches and souped-up sound system you feel like you’re at the movies). They were in heaven…
Saturday was – at its best points – exhausting. I don’t really even remember what happened. Isn’t that sad? I do remember that we had planned on going to our ward’s Fall Festival… but didn’t. I remember being upset that Ammon would be missing his first Fall Festival. I remember having a slight meltdown at that proposition. But, we did get some errands done… mostly things for my Relief Society Enrichment meeting on Tuesday.
My mom met us at our house that night. I ran around like a chicken with my head cut off – getting every little thing ready for Brian and Ammon for the next day, and packing up my things for that night and Sunday. My mom and I had a special trip planned, and I was staying at her house Saturday night.
Mom and I drove back to Enterprise late Saturday night. And… we didn’t get any sleep. Or at least I didn’t. Mom was trying to straighten out Grandma’s-plane-ticket-fiasco until almost 2:00 Sunday morning. By the time I finally went to bed, I couldn’t go to sleep. I tossed and I turned until I was so wound up in my blanket that I couldn’t move. I don’t know how much of it had to do with it being my first night without Ammon… maybe more than I thought it would. But, before I knew it, the clock read 4:30. And it was time to get ready for that special trip…
Wicked. Again. Hooray. And, yes… I wore my red shoes.
The angels carried her through the fire and the rain. And the angels carried her from the end of her rope to the end of her day. And the angels sang to her, when she thought no one was there. Looking back, it’s clear – she was touching heaven all those years.
The angels have carried her through the minutes and the days. And the angels have carried her to a strong and wise and noble place. And the angels still sing to her, and I join them in their praise.
The angel that carried me until I saw the light of day, is the angel that carried me through the years of laughter, joy and pain. And the angel, she sang to me, so I knew someone was there. Looking back, it’s clear – I was touching heaven all those years.
Those words are not only touching, but fitting, I think. I am very happy with the end result, considering. I have a bad habit of letting one little mess-up get the best of me… causing more mess-ups. First off, I had to scour the world via the internet for scrapbooking hinges. I ran out of time and finally ended up dismantling another project. I mistakenly adhered a piece of vellum backwards… which wouldn’t have been an issue if there hadn’t have been words on it. Five minutes before I needed to get ready to leave, I sat on the other pane of glass that goes with the floating frame I used. Yes – I sat on it. But, Ann treasures it… and that is all that matters to me. I did find from working on this project that Ammon is the spittin’ image of his daddy. More so than I had ever before thought. I was using photographs I had never seen before… and the resemblance is uncanny.
Friday night, we delivered Ann’s gift. We were going to go out for dinner at Tampico’s with her and Larry… but, a downed power line wiped the electricity out of that half of Graceville. We ended up at The Circle Grille. Yummy. It has been a long time – as in years – since Brian and I have been there. There’s not much like a good ole’ cheeseburger and sweet potato fries. Ammon, of course, was the star of the restaurant…
We went back to Ann and Larry’s and spent the evening there. Ammon enjoyed the larger crawl space. Brian talked his mom into putting Transformers in for he and Ammon to watch on the big television (with its 60+ inches and souped-up sound system you feel like you’re at the movies). They were in heaven…
Saturday was – at its best points – exhausting. I don’t really even remember what happened. Isn’t that sad? I do remember that we had planned on going to our ward’s Fall Festival… but didn’t. I remember being upset that Ammon would be missing his first Fall Festival. I remember having a slight meltdown at that proposition. But, we did get some errands done… mostly things for my Relief Society Enrichment meeting on Tuesday.
My mom met us at our house that night. I ran around like a chicken with my head cut off – getting every little thing ready for Brian and Ammon for the next day, and packing up my things for that night and Sunday. My mom and I had a special trip planned, and I was staying at her house Saturday night.
Mom and I drove back to Enterprise late Saturday night. And… we didn’t get any sleep. Or at least I didn’t. Mom was trying to straighten out Grandma’s-plane-ticket-fiasco until almost 2:00 Sunday morning. By the time I finally went to bed, I couldn’t go to sleep. I tossed and I turned until I was so wound up in my blanket that I couldn’t move. I don’t know how much of it had to do with it being my first night without Ammon… maybe more than I thought it would. But, before I knew it, the clock read 4:30. And it was time to get ready for that special trip…
Wicked. Again. Hooray. And, yes… I wore my red shoes.
Our trip to Atlanta was uneventful and we arrived safely. For my mom’s sake I won’t mention the humorous moments regarding the red parking lot, etc.. We arrived at the Fox a couple of hours early and enjoyed walking down the sidewalks; taking in the brisk, chilly air; lounging around the lobby and soaking in all that atmosphere. They don’t call it the Fabulous Fox Theatre for nothing. Walking up that grand staircase, thinking of Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh at the premiere of Gone With the Wind. Sitting in the Ladies’ Salon, thinking to yourself, “When has a bathroom been so delightful?!” Just entering the auditorium – an indoor Arabian courtyard with a sky full of flickering stars and magically drifting clouds – brings with it sheer awe. It doesn’t matter how many times you go there, you are still swept away by its presence and beauty. Grandeur beyond imagination.
To quote a review, “My fellow Ozians: There are times when the world could use an infusion of green. There are times when our spirits are gravity-laden. There are times when the soul needs escapism. These are times for Broadway’s Wicked.” And it – of course – was spectacular. One of those “must sees”. As my mom and I were talking about on the way home – this production affects you like none other. Changes you, in a way. Teaches a value. Shows a point. Just more to love.
The show itself didn’t differ a whole lot from when we saw it in Orlando in April. There, of course, were subtle differences. I noticed a lot that I missed the first time. There are still things that need to be caught. And, we didn’t have our dear family with us this time. We missed you, gals. I know I was thinking about you. But, I’m glad for the opportunity. Glad that Mom and I could go. Glad that we could live in the moment for that day. So often we find ourselves dancing through life, just skimming the surface, gliding where turf is smooth… it is nice to slow down every once in a while… escape to a different world… and fly.
Brian and Ammon survived Sunday with flying colors. Ammon was good in church and even sat with our sister-in-law while Brian went to sit up on the stand. Brian had to sit up there because our Bishop was there by himself. I'm surprised Ammon didn't pitch one of those fits. I'm told that Ammon giggled when Brian got up to say the prayer. How funny.
After church, they went down to Brian's parents' house. They also visited Mama and Daddy Kindig (the parents of Brian's best friend, Brad) for a bit. I'm sorry that I missed that visit, too.
Monday was mostly a catch-up day for me. Catch up on rest. Catch up on putting things away. Yadda yadda yadda. Brian was a big help… he helped do the laundry so I could take a break. He always helps with Ammon in the afternoons. That’s their time… and I’m grateful for the break.
I did start the documentation for our week-in-our-life album Monday. It is proving to be quite the daunting task. Carrying a camera around with you all day long (and actually using it) is more difficult than it sounds. And, I don’t think this is the best week to be doing this – this week is not our “usual” week. But, nevertheless, it is getting done. To no avail, I am getting photographs of those not so normal things. I will probably look back at them all on Sunday and say, “Next week would be better.” Who knows? I did decide, however, to just share the finished project with all of you… rather than pictures from each day. Such a wiser idea. I have gained something from this experience, though. I am seeing where changes need to be made. I am seeing where progress needs to be made. And, I find that I am trying harder to be better. Be better at so many things. I continue to fall short – but then again, I don’t know many perfect people. This project has – as I knew it would – show me those gaps in productivity and lack of fulfillment. And, as I am documenting this week for all to see… I am hoping to truly learn from my missteps.
To quote a review, “My fellow Ozians: There are times when the world could use an infusion of green. There are times when our spirits are gravity-laden. There are times when the soul needs escapism. These are times for Broadway’s Wicked.” And it – of course – was spectacular. One of those “must sees”. As my mom and I were talking about on the way home – this production affects you like none other. Changes you, in a way. Teaches a value. Shows a point. Just more to love.
The show itself didn’t differ a whole lot from when we saw it in Orlando in April. There, of course, were subtle differences. I noticed a lot that I missed the first time. There are still things that need to be caught. And, we didn’t have our dear family with us this time. We missed you, gals. I know I was thinking about you. But, I’m glad for the opportunity. Glad that Mom and I could go. Glad that we could live in the moment for that day. So often we find ourselves dancing through life, just skimming the surface, gliding where turf is smooth… it is nice to slow down every once in a while… escape to a different world… and fly.
Brian and Ammon survived Sunday with flying colors. Ammon was good in church and even sat with our sister-in-law while Brian went to sit up on the stand. Brian had to sit up there because our Bishop was there by himself. I'm surprised Ammon didn't pitch one of those fits. I'm told that Ammon giggled when Brian got up to say the prayer. How funny.
After church, they went down to Brian's parents' house. They also visited Mama and Daddy Kindig (the parents of Brian's best friend, Brad) for a bit. I'm sorry that I missed that visit, too.
Monday was mostly a catch-up day for me. Catch up on rest. Catch up on putting things away. Yadda yadda yadda. Brian was a big help… he helped do the laundry so I could take a break. He always helps with Ammon in the afternoons. That’s their time… and I’m grateful for the break.
I did start the documentation for our week-in-our-life album Monday. It is proving to be quite the daunting task. Carrying a camera around with you all day long (and actually using it) is more difficult than it sounds. And, I don’t think this is the best week to be doing this – this week is not our “usual” week. But, nevertheless, it is getting done. To no avail, I am getting photographs of those not so normal things. I will probably look back at them all on Sunday and say, “Next week would be better.” Who knows? I did decide, however, to just share the finished project with all of you… rather than pictures from each day. Such a wiser idea. I have gained something from this experience, though. I am seeing where changes need to be made. I am seeing where progress needs to be made. And, I find that I am trying harder to be better. Be better at so many things. I continue to fall short – but then again, I don’t know many perfect people. This project has – as I knew it would – show me those gaps in productivity and lack of fulfillment. And, as I am documenting this week for all to see… I am hoping to truly learn from my missteps.
Tuesday was spent, for the most part, preparing for my Enrichment meeting. I managed to get everything done. I am receiving some true help now… and I am so grateful. Inspiration is coming to me in ways it never did before. And, best of all, our activity went off without a hitch. We were able to assemble 18+ freezer meals for emergencies that may arise in our ward. Everything went splendidly. Hooray for that. My lesson/talk on compassionate service went well, I thought – and I didn’t loose my voice. I did cry through the whole thing. I really don’t know why. And why is it that we don’t cry when practicing at home, but we do in front of a herd of people? So glad it’s all over. So glad it went well.
We have been having a string of dreary days lately. I am not complaining, as I like overcast weather. But, I will not deny that it has put a damper on my mood and level of energy. I would love to tackle some of those Christmas projects. I would love to read a book. But… I just can’t find the motivation. So instead, I am building tall towers for a little boy to knock down. I am rolling a ball for him to chase. I am cleaning up mess after mess, and changing diaper after diaper. I have the motivation to do these things, so I am doing them. And I find this a blessing in disguise, because while I am building that tower and changing that diaper, I am also prioritizing my to-do list. Perfecting the method behind my madness. This way, I don’t jump head first into something and then realize, all too late, that I have no idea what I’m doing. And… It will all get done. It always does.
So, it is Thursday… and I can’t really remember the ins and outs of this week… even though I have it all written down somewhere and on my camera… and our behinds are ding dong tired. But, we’ve had full hearts even if our days may have been a little on the empty side. Time well spent, if I do say so myself.
3 comments:
I so enjoyed our time Sunday...it was nice to run away and be with you, even though the truth is I missed a certain small boy. But I needed that day, and am glad we could share it. I can't wait for B'ham...Viva Da Vinci!!
I love you and am proud of you and Brian and the eternal family...eternal memories...you are building together. I'm grateful you belong to me, and for the many memories I have of our time together. --mom
Ann was telling us about her wonderful birthday gift at the Fall Festival. I'm glad you posted a picture. So creative. She said now she needs one with pictures of Craig. It's a good thing Brian only has one brother.
Once again, your creativity amazes me. What a wonderful and thoughtful gift.
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