Another Adventure

Grandpa and Oliver

Ice Cream Party

After spending 35 days in Abu Dhabi with Chris and Beckham I headed for State College, PA to take care of Ben and Cooper's five fab kids while they cruised. And it was an adventure from day one. Oliver was getting over the flu when I arrived, we celebrated my birthday at a scouting Blue and Gold pizza party (Ben brought me awesome salad since I can't eat pizza), Ben and Cooper left and I was up all night with Jane who was hit hard with Oliver's flu, I broke the washer by throwing all of Jane's bedding into the washer after a night of cleaning up the flu (yikes), then I got sick with same flu and Adelaide had to take charge. Grandma thought she was going to die those 24 hours, then the car battery died from someone (me) leaving lights on, neighbor came over the next evening and jumped it but had to have Triple AAA come jump it three more times, internet stopped working, no TV, blew through all of the family plan with my MyFi (sp?), light bulbs throughout house started popping all at the same time it seemed, and kids didn't seem to like anything grandma cooked. But...I loved being there and miss them desperately. My 5 Dwarfs (vs 7) are Adelaide (Happy), Nolan (Bossy), Calvin (Grumpy), Jane (Sleepy), Oliver (Smarty).  All grandma's think their grandchildren are brilliant, gorgeous, and perfect. It's part of our privilege as grandparents. But these amazing kids are brilliant, gorgeous and perfect. I wouldn't change a thing (except the messes they made in their rooms daily.) Family night (to their chagrim) was "Cleanliness is Next to Godliness" LOL. They hated that for sure, but maybe there will come some benefits from that lecture? Typical kids. I was thrilled Ken arrived to assist me the last five days and although we had to replace the car battery, he was there to make that happen. I loved getting to know the kids a little better, I miss their laughter, borrowing my iPad, asking me if they can have another ice cream party, and their hugs. They live too far away and I don't get to see them enough, but my memories of this two week adventure will always make me smile, and I'm blessed to be able to hop on an airplane at any time to go wherever I am needed.

Calvin Taking Charge at Walmart

Calvin's Batman Collection

Shirt for Jane from Dubai

Jane and Oliver Playing Games

McDonalds for Lunch

Oliver and YouTube

Oliver and His Many Faces

Utah Pillow Pet for Oliver

Never Ending Cleaning Battle

Finally a Meal They Liked!

Angel Adelaide

Grandma adores all eighteen (18) of her precious grandchildren and loves spending time with them. Each possesses a special something that is unique to them. One very special little girl, now growing up and approaching fourteen (14) this year, is my angel Adelaide. Her smile lights up the room and her spirit of joy and love melts your heart. Adelaide is perfection to the core, and has a heart of gold that sees her caring and loving everyone, never judging anyone, and always there to help with a smile that says, "I love you unconditionally."

When Adelaide was less than one year old she was diagnosed with cancer in her right eye. Many prayers were offered in her behalf and even here in Southern California in our 4th ward a special fast was held for her. My son Ben felt those prayers as he entered the temple just prior her surgery. Those prayers carried her through the surgery and although she lost her eye, she never lost her loving spirit and beautiful smile. I remember so well seeing her with her eye patch on as I entered her hospital room and her smile from ear to ear was saying, "hi grandma!" What a little trouper, but more than that, what a special, chosen young lady with a very special calling on this earth - to set an example for all of us to follow.

I'm here for a couple of weeks in State College, PA watching Ben and Cooper's five children while they cruise, and I couldn't have handled all that was required without the help of my precious Adelaide's. I arrived to finding Oliver (4) not filling well with getting over the flu, followed by Jane (6) becoming violently sick with this same flu and heaving all night. Memories of my own children doing the same thing when they were young did not make the night of cleaning up the effects of the flu (everywhere) any easier. The very next day grandma got sick and thought death was at her door for those 24 hours, so of course, Adelaide stepped up and stepped in, took care of the kids, the dinner, the homework, and made sure grandma rested. 

I love being around Adelaide because no matter what is happening around her, her spirit warms the room and her smile is contagious. 

"Sometimes our light goes out, but is blown again into instant flame by an encounter with another human being."  - Albert Schweitzer

I will take Adelaide's example with me when I return home in a week. When I'm grumpy I will think of her smile. When I'm ungrateful I will think of her love for everything and everyone. Adelaide is an inspiration to everyone she meets, but especially her grandma Burgess who needed to be around this angel Adelaide to just keep her eye on the eternal goals we all have, but often lose sight of. Thank you Adelaide - my precious angel.