Grandma's Birthday

Grandma came to spend the weekend with us to celebrate her birthday.  We are so blessed to live close enough to her that we get to see her often.  She spent her birthday doing my ironing, playing with William and doing lots of other jobs around the house.  She is always such an enormous help when she comes and continuously serves us so unselfishly.  She is such an example of charity. We did go on a little hike in the afternoon.  The weather was beautiful and the trail was lovely.  William got tired, so we didn't go too far. 

That night was the annual Young Woman's fundraiser for girls camp.  Every year they do dinner and dessert auction.  Rachel and her friends whipped out these amazing treats to auction off. 

After we got back, we had birthday "cake."  Grandma requested Pistachio Ice Cream Dessert.  She let William help her blow out her candles. 

I was most excited for her to open up her present.  I had collected pictures and tributes from my siblings over the last few weeks and put together a photo book for her birthday.  I'm so excited that it turned out so good!  I think she liked it... she shed a few tears. 

We all love her so much.  She is an amazing woman who has done amazing things in her life.  Her impact on us is unmeasurable.  Her years of constant love, continuous service, and unfailing desires to do good have polished her into a woman full of grace, wisdom, understanding and love. 

Here is what I wrote in her book:  

Happy 70^th Birthday!  I’m so grateful for you!  As I progress through the different stages of motherhood, I find myself appreciating you—and all you taught me—more and more.  I know that finding time to spend with each child is difficult, yet you and Dad always found a way.  The “talk time” you had with us each night as you tucked us in bed is just one example.  I’m sure you were tired then, after long days starting very early, yet you gave me individual attention and made me feel loved, listened to, and appreciated.  Growing up, I took for granted the healthy and delicious food that appeared on the table.  Now, I realize how much work it took to get it there:   the planning, the shopping, the preparation, and the clean-up, all with such love, sacrifice and service.  I remember being very little, sitting at the old kitchen table.  The other kids had all gone off to school and I think I was probably still sitting there because I didn’t want to eat my oatmeal.  But I remember watching you in the kitchen.  You were working in there, cleaning up or preparing food.  I remember feeling very safe and loved and happy that you were there for me.  Thank you.  Thank you for being there all through my life.  You are present in all of my best childhood memories, like playing in the backyard while you hung laundry on the line, and going on family trips to Idaho.  Thank you for cheering me on and supporting me in the things I wanted to do, driving me places, and helping me to achieve my goals and follow my dreams.  I am so grateful and amazed at all you did to make that trip to Russia possible.  I’m sure I still don’t know all the sacrifices made on my behalf, and I know I didn’t appreciate it fully at the time, but it still means a lot to me.  I have great memories of you reading to me as a child, even as I got older and could read for myself, which has inspired me to do the same with my children.  I remember one book you read was set in Petra, which instilled in me a desire to go there one day.  I love that you went with us!  Traveling through the Holy Land with you is one of most treasured memories.  I can’t wait for many more adventures to come!

Even now that I have left home and have a family of my own, you still serve and care for me and my family in so many ways.  We love having you visit.  Each time you come you give countless hours of service for us.  You spend time with us and still make me feel special and loved.  Thank you.  I love you!  Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Grandma!  We are counting on many more birthdays to come!