A Baby Boy

Madison, Jacquelynn, Grandma holding Jacen, Sutton and Brooklyn

Jacen Edward Villa

Me, Madison and Baby Jacen

What an exciting four months I have had with thirty-five (35) days in Abu Dhabi with Chris and Beckham, three (3) weeks in State College, PA with Ben, Cooper and their five (5) great kids, home for a couple of days, then three (3) weeks in Orem, Utah with Angela, Eddie and their family ... four little girls and now a new baby boy.

We are blessed beyond belief to have these five fabulous kids, five wonderful spouses and now nineteen (19) grand children - all bringing us such joy. And we love visiting them. Our work and business can be done anywhere at anytime, so we are able to go wherever they are to see them and continue being a part of their lives.

Spending the past three (3) weeks in Orem with Angela and her family was awesome. We played games, occasionally watched movies, shared iPad's, visited the hospital, cleaned the house, cooked meals, shopped, attended church, and practiced the piano together. I took Madison to her special musical rehearsals at Clayton Production Studio in Salt Lake City, chauffeured the girls to and from school, and shared their moments of love and excitement about their new baby brother Jacen. It was a time that I will always cherish.

It's times like these that we realize what life is all about. Years ago I had a single friend say to me as she watched my young children run to greet me at the car with hugs and kisses, "mom, mom you are home, we missed you." She immediately said, "you are so lucky to be surrounded by snuggly love pillows." She was right in  referring to the comfort of knowing I was loved unconditionally. And I am that - now with five grown children, five super spouses, and nineteen love bug grandchildren! I will never take these "love pillows" for granted. Blessed? Beyond blessed. And each new grand baby brings a little bit of  heaven with them that we can see, feel and cherish. That is pure and eternal joy.

Eddie got his son! Never too soon for a Batman wardrobe.

Deja Vu

Baby Jacen Edward Villa

Big Sisters Madison & Jacquelynn

Talk about deja vu from the moment we arrived here in Orem, Utah to help my daughter take care of her family while she and Eddie brought a new baby boy, Jacen Edward Villa, into the world. Jacen was a week late, is gorgeous (as are all of Angela and Eddie's children), weighing in at 8 lbs 11 ounces and 21 1/2" long, with a full head of beautiful black hair. The girls absolutely adore him, and are so excited to finally have a baby brother. With five sisters, Jacen will get lots of motherly attention for sure. Holding Jacen brought back so many memories to me of holding my own six children at birth; each with their own distinct personality that could be seen and felt immediately. And each brought me such joy and love that has grown even stronger with the passing years. Newborn babies bring a little heaven with them that touches your heart the second you look upon their face. There's just nothing that compares, nothing better than children and family, and I have been blessed beyond measure with six fantastic children and now nineteen (19) incredible grandchildren.

Madison standing in front of our old Orem home.

More about the deja vu part of the story. Madison and I have been taking walks everyday while I'm here helping out, and decided today to hike over to our old home we moved from 32 years ago here in Orem. It looked exactly the same. As I gazed upon our old home, I could still see myself sitting on the front porch French-braiding Angela's hair when she was only 3-4 years old. Here she is now, living a few blocks away, with five (5) beautiful children of her own. This vivid memory of my little girls brought tears to my eyes. Other memories quickly surfaced, like sitting on the front lawn reading the Old Testament in preparation for a Sunday School class, having a New Years Eve party at the home across the street, and watching my children ride their big wheels up and down that driveway and into the cul-de-sac. It is amazing how things forgotten are suddenly remembered visiting places from our past. 

Attending Sacrament meeting Sunday gave me another huge wave of deja vu when I recognized an old, dear friend - now the Stake President of my daughter's stake, with a large family of his own. He was someone I dated when I was 18 years old while working at Grand Canyon's North Rim. I was pulling out my iPad in Sunday School and glanced up and saw him sitting a few seats to the left of me. We both immediately recognized each other after all of these forty+ years, and again ... memories of past events, people and places made me smile. How quickly these precious years on earth pass. How very important it is to keep a journal, take a ton of pictures and document what is happening around us. Cherish the moments is something we always say to someone as we see our own life so quickly passing before our eyes. Blogging and journaling helps me remember the beautiful life I have lived. And, I have loved being here these past couple of weeks with my daughter and her family, sharing the special moments in the present, fondly remembering memories from the past, and creating more memories that tomorrow will all too quickly have us smiling and saying, "remember when..."

Madison, Jacquelynn, Grandma, Jacen, Sutton and Brooklyn Easter Sunday, 2013

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.

Camels, Falcons, Burkas, and Basketball

Ken riding a camel at Heritage Village

The Falcon Hospital

How do I describe thirty-three (33) days in Abu Dhabi and Dubai? Amazing! People ask me all of the time to tell them about the first time I went to Dubai to visit Chris and his family. I say something like this, "take New York City, Maui, Monte Carlo, LA and put it into one location. That's Dubai." But it's so much more. It's where the biggest and best of everything has blown up over night with the oil money, but the traditions of old are attempting to hang on. It's also a melting pot of every culture brought to work, play and enjoy what is the city offers. And Abu Dhabi is attempting to surpass what has been so rapidly done in Dubai. Luckily youtube has so many videos that tell the story: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FeNmJiSNDQ

The Grand Mosque

This trip was more focussed on watching Chris play basketball games and helping take care of 18 month old Beckham. And although Chris had to put up with team members not showing up, moving to the states or taking a quick trip to Oman vs coming to play the game, it was amazing watching him and keeping the stats. I would message him after every quarter with his points, rebounds, and blocks. His last game showed him with 39 points and 22 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks. And my little operatic cheer from the bleachers, along with "quit turning over the ball #5," would usually be the only noise that came from the stands - and that's OK with me.

The Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi

Burj Al Arab Hotel

Beckham was pure joy to take care of, sing to, and play with. He loves puzzles, throwing trucks (and anything not tied down), his bath before bed, and grandma's "Up, Up in the Sky" and "Popcorn Popping." I will miss him most with leaving and coming home. We bonded and became great buddies.

Stunning Grand Mosque

Beckham Loved the Falcons with Grandpa

When Ken arrived we had ten days to cram in everything I had done in two trips of 2 weeks and then 30+ days. He didn't want to miss a thing, and Chris was awesome about accommodating his wishes (although he grumbled about needing to rest up for practices and games.) So we rented a larger vehicle to fit all of us plus the car seat, and off we would go to venture out camels, sites, shopping and the beach along the Corniche. The highlight for all of us was the camels found with their keepers and trainers near the race track in Abu Dhabi, the famous Falcon Hospital, the Grand Mosque, the Dubai Mall (largest in the world), The Mall Emirates indoor ski resort, the Burj Khalifa tallest building in the world, and watching Ken non-stop taking pictures of women in their burkas. And, yes, everything on our lists that we wanted to see (after research online) were all checked off our lists because we saw it all - even twice in some cases.







Heritage Village Abu Dhabi







Dubai Mall Fountain

Leaning on Camel 



Ken Up Close & Personal with the Camels

Blessed to Sing

Soloist- Gershwin Broadcast, SLC Tabernacle, Utah Symphony 

I love to sing. And as I approach 62 this month, my voice isn't as flexible as it was when I was younger, and I get hoarse easily from teaching and speaking. But, when I was asked to sing at the ward conference here in Abu Dhabi, 15th of February 2013, in the first and only LDS chapel in the Middle East, I jumped at the chance. What a blessing to be here and to be a part of all of this history in the making. And although I will miss the dedication with Elder Jeffrey Holland on the 27th (my birthday), I feel blessed to have been able to sing here and share the talents I have been given. 

As I was struggling to warm up my voice due to lingering bronchitis and vocal fatigue, I thought back to all of the places I have been blessed to sing. I think my mind wandered back due to the significance of this upcoming dedication here and Elder Jeffery Holland. I don't even remember how many years it has been since seeing him, but I loved his Old Testament classes taught at the University of Utah, and loved being asked by him personally to sing "O Divine Redeemer" every time he spoke at a special fireside while I was attending the University. 

Singing with My Daughter, Angela

There are just so many wonderful memories while attending the University of Utah as a operatic soloist. Singing in the operas, choirs, ensembles, programs, productions, and traveling all over Europe singing, add to the blessings that come to a classically trained singer. i've performed with some of the greatest conductors, singers, instrumentalists and venues that one can imagine. And I've loved every moment. But the most tender moments that have touched my heart and spirit, were when involved with church activities - especially singing the soprano in the Messiah for eight years, singing with my daughter, singing at a few of my grand children's baptisms, singing in the Istanbul, Turkey branch when visiting my son, Chris and his family, and singing at my dad's funeral. These moments far exceed the operatic and oratorio stages where I have been a featured soloist. Those were exciting, but I felt the spirit of the Lord with me as I sang yesterday here in Abu Dhabi the simple song, "I Feel My Saviors Love." I was blessed to sing, and will remember it forever.

Abu Dhabi LDS Chapel

My Projects

Mom's Project to Deal with Loss

I've lost count of how many crochet'd afghans and blankets my mother has made over the years. I just know that she loves to crochet and loves to make afghans for all of her children, and grandchildren. She learned from her mother who used to crochet baby booties and accents and edges on pillowcases and doilies. Grandma Sorenson's work was very detailed and tiny. My mom has always believed in staying busy, and at age 85 she always has a beautiful project that she is working on, along with keeping herself stylish in clothing that she makes. Her favorite projects come from her crochet needle, and she loves showing me her latest achievement. As soon as I arrive at her home in Utah she says, "you've got to look at the newest afghan I just finished!"

The beautiful purple blanket on the left that she made is one of my favorites. I had just lost my dad (her husband), and mom was not handling this loss well. I knew that she needed a project to take her mind off of the grief. So I drove her to the closest Walmart to purchase yarn for her to make me this gorgeous blanket. At the time, our downstairs family room had been decorated with a lot of purple to include purple couches and a purple covered pool table. So, I picked this specific color of yarn out for her to make for me to match up with the colorfully decorated room. She focused all of her grief into this project, and it was completed very quickly. She said that doing this got her through that very difficult time in her life, and I'm glad she had this to work on.  I keep this crocheted blanket in the bedroom away from excess wear and tear to keep it safe and like new.

The Oldest in My Collection from Mom

Cranberry Red Guest Room 

This cream colored afghan to the left is one that I've had the longest from all ten or so she's made for me. The detail work in this is amazing. Mom made this one for me when we were first married with young children. We had a cream colored couch (that we later knew had been a mistake with four boys), and this year I had it draped beautifully under my bedroom fancy Christmas tree. It made that tree even more glamorous than it was, and very special.

The beautiful cranberry red one was originally made for me by mom when we had finished our custom-built home in Irvine, and it accented the pillows in the entrance front room. I helped her pick out the yarn because it couldn't be just red, it had to be a specific cranberry to work in that room. She made this to replace a store-bought throw that was great - but according to her wasn't home-made, nor from mom. It now accents the guest bedroom bed and is, along with all of the blankets she has made (including a gorgeous Christmas one red with white glittery snowflakes) treasured by me and I love them all. And although my mom continues with these wonderful crochet'd projects, the ones she's made specifically for me at various important times for both of us, will be held near and dear to my heart forever.

My Latest Blanket for Beckham

It's now my turn to pass things down to my grandchildren. I have always loved to crochet or knit (even embroidery for awhile) since I can remember. It was a project started with me when I was in primary. But my love for it kicked in big time while at the University of Utah in opera rehearsals late at night. While a scene that I was not in was rehearsing on the stage, I would be in the audience awaiting my scenes crocheting and knitting away.I made scarfs, sweaters,vests, hats - you name it. And when first married I would make huge, complicated crochet'd blankets as Christmas gifts. But then other projects kicked in when macro-met was all the rage - then Christmas wreathes -  costumes - whatever ... my wonderful compulsive behavior always finds a way to take on the latest project of the day.

I recently started making blankets for my grandchildren, starting with Chris and Lesa's girls. Although I had never really stopped with the crocheting (scarfs, hats), and on-going sewing and crafting-type projects, Kelli Jo had specifically asked me to make her a blanket to match her bedroom in their new home. I said "OK", then made Zoey's and then Ava's once finished with Kelli Jo's. Ava's took me a bit longer to complete due to being inundated with business projects. I did get it to her for her last birthday and she loved it. I always have to have a project or great book to read while flying because it passes the time, especially with the annoying long layovers. Flying here to Abu Dhabi took three (3) flights - from LAX to Chicago to London and then to Abu Dhabi. And the only way to pass this huge chunk of time was to crochet a blue blanket for Beckham. I finished it while waiting for basketball games to start (which are sometimes a two hour wait) and at half time. And darling Beckham seems to love it, although not smiling in the picture due to him having a couple of sick days, I know one day he will appreciate the grandma gift just like his sisters do.

Ava, Kelli Jo and Zoey

I have a few more grandchildren blankets to make, but I will need to be guided on color choices. There's Ben and Coopers five (5) - Adelaide, Nolan, Calvin, Jane and Oliver, Angela and Eddie's five (5) - Madison, Jacquelynn, Brooklyn, Sutton and new baby boy, Chris and Lesa's Zachary (newest baby), Joshua and Ashleigh's three (3) - Chamberlain, Siri and Harrison (although I'm sure Chamberlain will only allow Cougar blue in their home), then Sarah and David's children (?) Projects like this are fun and keeps me out of trouble! As my mom always said, "busy hands keep your mind clear, while idle hands are the devil's playground," or something like that I think :-)