Wah wah wah Wah wah

So, I assume that everyone is familiar with Charlie Brown.  You never see the adults in any of the Charlie Brown movies, just their legs.  You never hear them actually talk either.  All you hear is...

Or, just in case you have never heard it, which I find impossible inconceivable! 

I was thinking about this today.  How many times do we talk, give our opinion, our advice, our heartfelt thoughts and then realize that no one is actually listening?

It has happened to me on occasion and I don't know about you, but, I find it really annoying.

I have written about Samuel finding his voice before.  If you don't know his story, you can read it here - The Power of 3 Words

We always knew that if Samuel could tell us what he needed, that his meltdowns would diminish. 

 After all, don't we all want to be heard?

Today was a lesson for me.

Firstly, it can be a crushing feeling to realize that nobody listens to you.  Well, I guess they listen, but do they hear what you are saying?

Secondly, never assume that others understand what you are saying to them.  Today was the lesson of the pot holder.

Sam and I were doing a science experiment today.  It involved the melting of a marshmallow over a candle and observing the changes.  I forgot to bring a pot holder up to our class room, so I sent Sam down to get it.  I described what it looked like and where he would find it.  I heard Sam down in the kitchen opening the draw that holds all the pots and pans.  "We don't need a pot..." and once again told him where it was and what it looked like.  Sam came up with a pot.  So, I ended up going down and showing him where the pot holder was and what it was.  After all that, we didn't even use the stupid pot holder!!!!

But, it was a lesson for me.  Never assume that people get what you are trying to say.  Sam was listening, but, obviously, I needed to do a better job explaining.  If it is important, make yourself heard.  Way back when Sam had full blown meltdowns, he was trying desperately to make himself heard.  I look at the tv, social media, the news, etc., and see so many people having the equivalent of a melt down.  People think that to get what they want, a public display of aggression is the way to go.  We see this all the time in customer service.  "I want to get a discount, so I will yell at this person until I get it."

Can you be heard and understood using a quiet voice?

I think the answer is yes.

Can we be heard, understood and get what we want using a quiet voice?

I still think the answer is yes.  Just ask my grand-babies!!! 

A long time, but, still like yesterday...

It has been such a long time since I have written on my blog.  So much has happened and still so much is still the same!!  Why do I write today?  Many reasons.  Writing on my blog was a way to remember and make a journal of my family.  Maybe something I said would help someone, make their day brighter  It helped me.  So, regardless of how many people may take the time to read what I have to say, I want to leave something of me for my kids.  So, hopefully I will be able to type something on a more regular basis.  Hopefully I will have something to say that makes sense!!

Today I want to share about something that actually makes me sad.  I am usually a pretty happy person and try to look at the positives in life.  But, some memories and thoughts are sad.  October 15th is  national pregnancy and infant loss awareness day.   15 years ago on April 23rd at around 6am, our little girl Emma Rose was born. The day before had started off with such hope and happiness.  Many of us know just how quickly that can change.  With us it was a ultrasound and no movement.  No heart beat.  How could that be when I had been so careful?  I was full term, how could that be?

The years have passed.  I no longer think of Emma as a baby.  I think of her as a teenager and let myself wonder at different times, what would she be like?  I see a girl with long wavy hair and maybe a dimple in her cheek.  I see her playing the piano just like her brothers and sister.  What other instruments would she play?  Would she like soccer like Sam or art like Jessica?  Would she enjoy babysitting her nephews?  I see a girl with a kind heart and a gentle soul.  

Today, I have let my mind wander and wonder as I sat and waited for Sam to finish his therapies.  As Sam and I made a quick trip to the grocery store for a few items for dinner tonight and for mini marshmallows for our science experiment this afternoon, my mind wandered and wondered.  As we talked about trains and pizza, my mind wandered and wondered.

Emma and Sam would have been great friends.  They are 18 months apart.  I think Emma would have helped draw Sam into her world, his guide.  I think she would have jumped into his world and made autism a bit less scary for him - and others.  

Many years ago I had gone to the mall one evening, I had Sam with me, but, everyone else was at church activities.  I remember looking back in the rear view mirror at Sam in his car seat and my thought was, "There should be two."  My very next thought was, "Yes, but you are happy."  There was a time after Emma died that I thought I would never be happy again, joy was something lost to me.  But, happiness came back.  Yes, there should be Joshua, Jessica, Emma and Sam.  But, there isn't.  The important thing is that there will be.  I know with all my heart that when this life is done, I will hold my girl.  We need to have hope and faith.  In despair and even when my mind wanders and wonders, hope and faith shine through.

We need to get a family picture with our beautiful Zachary aka Taco!!!

The Wheels on the Bus Go...and go...and go...and GO!!

Yesterday was Sam's first piano recital.  He has been taking lessons for a little over a month.

Sam loves learning the piano.

It was held at a nursing home here in Brandon called Hawthorn Village.  It was crowded, a little loud and all new for Sam.  That threw him off his game a little, but he came through and played his piece.

 Sam did not co-operate for a before performance photograph.

 Open your eyes Samuel!!!!

 There we go!!!

Now for the grand performance!

Sam had a headache and paused in the middle to tell Ms. Linda.

But, I think you will agree that he did great after only playing for a few weeks.

 Waiting for his turn was extremely grueling for Sam.

Possibly grueling for his parents as well.

Possibly for a few people sitting by us.

But, we were seated by/in the kitchen and Sam helped himself to popcorn and a few of my cookies.  That made the wait a bit more bearable. 

 Afterwards, everyone received a medal.

Very proud of our boy.

Stay tuned for more.

I Love To See The Temple

Yesterday we did a quick, spur of the moment trip.

Jim's work schedule has been crazy this month, lots of travel all over Florida.  We had been talking about driving down to Ft. Lauderdale to attend the open house for a new temple that our church has built there. 
Here is a short video about temples.

 Thursday evening, we finally decided to drive down the next day.
After a brief panic about what to do with the big yellow dog called Blue, we were set!!

The drive down was uneventful......
well, there was a little drama at the McDonald's in Naples.
I want to add that it was NOT caused by the Purdy family.  Will have to tell that tale at another time!
The temple is beautiful, and well worth the drive.
As we made our way onto the temple grounds, via a ride on a golf cart,
 (this small fact becomes important at the end of my blog!)

we were greeted by many ushers/guides.  Best of all, we were shown our way to the "visitor's tent" by someone we knew!  It was wonderful to see Melissa Curtis again!
After a brief movie and introductions to temples, we were on our way for a guided tour.  Sam was very excited and did not want to wait.  He wanted to go inside  NOW!!!  We had our own private tour guides so we could take time with Samuel in certain areas and push through quickly in others/

 All the temples have this above the doorway.  This is one of the first things Samuel checked.......you know, just in case they had forgotten!

 All the details are just beautiful.

 After the temple is dedicated, this will be the place where you enter the temple.

One of the rooms they showed us was the baptistery.
This is the above view.
Guess who tried to take a dip?? 

 The baptism font is on the back of 12 oxen, representing the 12 tribes of Israel.
The attention to detail is amazing.  Not one of the oxen is the same, and the tile on the floor was beautiful.  I think I am using the word beautiful quite a bit!!!

As a side note.  Samuel was very curious to know if the temple had escalators and was disappointed to learn that it didn't.   He then asked about elevators and was told that the temple was all on one floor.  As we were walking through where people entered who were going to do baptism, there was a little area where towels and white baptismal clothing will be kept.  Samuel made a beeline through that area with me in hot pursuit.  Imagine his delight when he spied a ELEVATOR!!  It probably went to the laundry, but not according to Samuel.  He informed me later that night that it was for Jesus so he could go up.

 Breathtaking murals were on the walls of this endowment room.  We had a little bit of a wait here, so we searched for the 3 butterflies in the mural.

 This is a sealing room.  Jim and I were married in a similar room.  Jim picked Samuel up so he could see, and we had Jessica stand by us.  We looked into the mirror and you could see our family reflected back over and over.  Samuel thought that was wonderful and we had the chance to talk about eternal families. 
 We were missing some important family members......but, we are an eternal family.

 This picture does not do the Celestial room justice.  This is the place that represents the Celestial Kingdom.  It is the most peaceful place on earth.  They asked us not to speak as we walked through this room, just to try and feel of the spirit.  Samuel had a tough time with this.  He kept looking around and saying, "Wow!"  We agreed with him.

 This is the chandelier in the Celestial room.

We saw many other beautiful rooms.  The "Bride's Room" was gorgeous.  We even got to look in the bathroom in the Bride's Room, I found the tile I want when we eventually redo our bathrooms!!

One of my favorite children's songs from church is,
"I Love To See The Temple."

 "I love to see the temple.

I'm going there someday

To feel the Holy Spirit,

To listen and to pray.

 For the temple is a house of God,

A place of love and beauty.

I'll prepare myself while I am young;

This is my sacred duty.

 I love to see the temple.

I'll go inside someday.

I'll cov'nant with my Father;

I'll promise to obey.

For the temple is a holy place

Where we are sealed together.

As a child of God, I've learned this truth:

A fam'ly is forever.

It is wonderful to go to the Lord's house.
It is even more wonderful when you see family and friends there.
The temple is a place where I have felt peace.  It has given calm to my heart when it has been troubled.  When my Mum, Dad and brother died, I was not able to go to the funerals.  Instead, Jim and I went to the temple.  We also went the day before our little girl's funeral.  The reassurance, promptings and personal experiences on those occasions and at many other visits, leave no doubt in my mind that these beautiful buildings are indeed "The House of the Lord."

As we made our way to the parking lot, we decided to walk because Samuel was beginning to have a tough time.  So many different experiences, the drive down and break in routine take a toll on our little boy at times.  But, a walk was not in the cards.  The driver of the golf cart chased us down and insisted that he drive us back to our car!!! 

Later that night I asked Samuel what his favorite part was.  He spoke of the elevator, the mirrors in the sealing room and the Celestial room.  His most favorite part, however, was the water park.  I was going to leave you guessing about that part, but that would be cruel!!

 Yep, water park.
Things could have gotten a little tricky.......

Sally-Ann

Oh, What a Beautiful Baby........

Here are some of my favorite photographs.

Joshua on his blessing day.
He is laying on a blanket that his Great Grandma Hales made him.

Proud Mum and Dad!

 Joshua loved his binkie........

 What a sad face!!

 Joshua laying by the Christmas tree.......
he had just gummed his present from Grandma and Grandpa open!!!

 Joshua was a little bit of a messy eater.....still can be

 Getting ready to go trick or treating.

 Cute cowboy!

 The Purdy children have all loved Winnie the Pooh and Storybook Island.

 Ridin' down the highway.......
Oh, how Joshua loved his 4 wheeler.

 Loved riding his bike as well.
3rd birthday party

Yesterday Joshua and Courtney posted the following pictures.

 Several months ago, we found out that Joshua and Courtney were expecting a baby around June 8th,
Yesterday, they found out if they were going to have a boy or a girl.

It was my birthday yesterday, so I got to do the cake cutting honors and the big reveal.

BLUE

We are so excited to welcome this little baby boy into our family.

When you find out that you are going to be a Grandmother, it makes you stop and think, and it stirs up many emotions.

It does make you feel a little old.......

But, then I stop and think some more.

 We have an 8-year-old, we can't afford to feel old!!!

It also made me think back to when I was pregnant with Joshua.  The excitement of becoming a mother with all its expectations and dreams.

I only have pictures of "little" Joshua in this post.  Mainly because these are the years that I have been reminiscing about.

Also, these are the photographs that Jim has downloaded on his computer!!!!

Joshua was such a beautiful baby.

Dark black hair when he was born, but it turned lighter and he had the most beautiful soft curls. 

 I am sure Joshua is thrilled that I keep using the word beautiful!!

Words could never express how much being a mother means to me.

I hope that my children will always know how much they are loved.

I am excited that Joshua and Courtney will get to know that kind of love.

I remember the moment that each of my babies was placed in my arms.

Joshua, Jessica, and Samuel.

Peace, awe, gratitude......

We only got to hold Emma for such a short time in this life.  I can't wait to hold her again and feel peace, awe and most of all, gratitude.

 

I am excited to be a Grandmother.

Different excitement than finding out you are going to be a mother.

But, it is still pretty darn exciting!!!!!

 

Sally-Ann