I Must Have Done Something Right

Ken and I made the rounds this holiday season, leaving California with first stop in Las Vegas to spend time with David and Sarah in their new apartment. Then to Hurricane, Utah to visit a bit with Josh, Ashleigh and their three kids, from there to Orem, Utah to spend a few days with Angela, Eddie and their four girls. Chris is playing basketball in Abu Dhabi, so we couldn't visit him, but did catch a few minutes with Lesa and her three girls and baby boy, Zachary before heading back home. We left 0 degree weather and snow in Orem, Utah to a perfect 70 degree weather in California. Shedding the heavy coat and putting it back in storage, I'm anxious to get this new year of 2013 started, but wanted to jot a few thoughts about this week down.

Ben making home-made salsa from his home grown tomatoes.

Traveling long distances, whether by car or airplane, causes me to reflect on my life and focus on the many blessings that are mine. In these times of reflection I smile as I think about how much each of my children have grown and developed into incredible young adults, husbands (wife) and parents. And with that growth they have taken on responsibilities that have me saying to myself, "who knew?"  This post will focus on my sons. (Don't worry Angela, I will cover you in another post.)

Ben and Oliver

While spending a couple of weeks in State College, PA a few months ago, I loved seeing my son, Ben, working in his own gardens where one of the three (gardens) had a lovely variety of tomatoes growing. After work every night, Ben could be seen picking fresh tomatoes for tomorrow's lunch and the evening's dinner, along with tomatoes to can. Once the tomatoes were separated, Ben would work on his favorite project, that of making homemade salsa. It was delicious, I might add. And, again, who knew? This, along with growing and carving pumpkins together as a family, and seeing Ben at the tree farm chopping down a tree for Christmas warmed my heart. It's obvious tht he loves being a husband and dad.

Chris and Beckham

Chris napping with Ava

Chris recently surprised everyone (myself included) with keeping 15 month old Beckham in Abu Dhabi until May of this year when the season is complete, after his family spent December there with him. Angela and I were even stopped in the Orem Costco by a friend of Chris' who said, "did I hear it right that Chris has Beckham all by himself there in Abu Dhabi?" Funny. Chris couldn't be more proud of both of his sons and his three daughters. In fact, after having three darling girls (well, Lesa had them), Chris didn't think that having a son was in the cards. And the phone call at 4am from Turkey (or Poland - I forget where he was playing at the time), back before Beckham was born, Chris blurted out, "we're having a boy! Don't tell anyone, I want to announce it myself." Well...first, I didn't know they were expecting, and second, I can't tell Ken? I thought. And it is obvious that Chris adores his growing family. More heart warming events where I find myself saying, "who knew?"

On with the story. We stopped off after leaving Orem to say a quick "hi" to Josh and his family and found Josh cleaning the house, changing Siri's diaper, and then later sitting on the floor with Chamberlain putting together Lego's. Josh has definitely embraced fatherhood and parenting. Ashleigh was sick with a flu bug, and Josh didn't miss a beat as a loving husband. Even while juggling work, finishing school at BYU, Josh's priority was to be a good husband and loving father. 

Josh and Chamberlain

Josh, Chamberlain and Lego's

David just recently got married and he and Sarah are living in Las Vegas. And actually, David's actions this past holiday week have triggered my thinking about my son's (and daughter) and how they are growing, developing and taking on responsibilities as husbands, fathers, and productive, contributing members of society. As my mom  used to always say, "actions speak louder than words." And while watching Ben, Chris, Josh and David these past couple of years, I see continually amazing growth with all of them.

David making breakfast this morning for mom :-)

My last post shared the loving kindness of my children over the years. And added to that is this post today speaking briefly of the pride that comes when we, as parents, think to ourselves when witnessing these very responsible actions of our grown children, "who knew?" and most importantly, "I must have done something right." 

"Uncle" David reading to Jacquelynn

We pray constantly for health and happiness for our kids, whatever their age. Their dreams are our dreams. The truth is that when they hurt, we hurt even more deeply for them because we want only the best for our children. We brag about them (which is our right as mothers), we yell the loudest at the games, try to outdo the other parents with our team dinners, and cry longer than they do when something goes wrong for them. The fact is that when they were little and fell down, we were there to bandage their cut knees, kiss their "ouch-ies", clean up their messes, and sit on the edge of their bed telling them stories to help them fall to sleep. (Although, I'm told, my stories tended to scare them to death which is another post.)

My Boys: David, Chris, Josh and David

So "who knew?" will definitely continue with my children, and they will most likely think the same things while watching their children grow and develop, and so on, and so on, generation after generation. I think that is why we are encouraged to keep personal journals (and blogs). These heart-warming experiences need to be written down and shared with those we love so deeply. I didn't do the best job of journaling over the years, and I've just recently started blogging, so my posts will be more reflective. Why? to record memories as they relate to current happenings. That way not only can I say to myself, "who knew?" but with a sense of pride ( the good kind), "I must have done something right."