Airplanes and space


I recentlytook Shawn Jr. to the museum of flight. The first time I took him he was 3 yrs. old. He loved looking at the many airplanes hanging from the ceiling and displayed on the three levels of the museum. He was slightly interested in the space shuttle.. It was fun time for both of us. Since that first visit he has mentioned several times that he would like to go back to the museum of flight, his requests coming more frequently in the last few months. Loving our alone time, I decided to take him again this January. Even though it was hard to cough up $25.00 to go walk through and look at airplanes again, I wanted to please my grandson. (He was free the first time around, and I had a coupon for me:))

We spent an entire afternoon looking around and walking through the museum. This time Shawn Jr. was talking the entire time. He asked questions nonstop. He was relaxed and in no hurry. He walked through the museum with his little eyes wide open with wonder and excitement, enjoying every minute of it. He asked if we could go walk inside the space shuttle and showed me where they slept standing up-things remembered from our previous trip about a year and a half earlier. It was a special day for me that I will always remember. I don't know much about airplanes and I fear the questions will become more and more complicated as we return to the museum, so I took Shawn and his brother to the library last week to load up on books about planes and space shuttles... what a wonderful learning experience for both of us. My number one grandson( as he calls himself) has started yet another tradition to be passed along to his younger brother and cousins. He did say that we probably shouldn't take Xarik and Baron until they are four-because they would run around too much, but that Carson could probably handle it . My wise little guy....

Shawn Jr./museum of flight

Shawn Jr./museum of flight

Museum of Flight

Museum of Flight
Shawn Jr. in the Concord 2011

Shawn/air balloon

Shawn/air balloon

Shawn Jr./helicopter

Shawn Jr./helicopter

Shawn the Astronaut

Shawn the Astronaut

Shawn Jr./control tower

Shawn Jr./control tower

Shawn Jr.helicopter

Shawn Jr.helicopter

Shawn Jr.space needle

Shawn Jr.space needle

Shawn Jr./airplane

Shawn Jr./airplane

Shawn Jr./2011

Shawn Jr./2011

Museum of Fight/ 2009

Museum of Fight/ 2009

Gaga/Papa and the grandkids

Gaga/Papa and the grandkids

My little blessings

My little blessings

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Card Making

Well, so far this month I would like to think I have been pretty successfull at making a few New Year's changes. Changing my cell phone tune..whew-big change ha ha, my blogspot, upgrading my computer-well Shawn came over and did that for me, but I bugged him until he did.
Another goal I have had with one of my best friends, Sharon, is to get together and make cards. We both joined a card making class about a year ago. We have wanted to put all the stamping up supplies to good use, to get our money's worth and of course to enjoy them. Well, we have made a few attempts, but with our busy schedules, and grandkids its been a little tough to do.
Last night we finally got together and we had a great time. We each made a of couple cards, cut out the supplies, then we put them together. I really enjoyed this. We have a plan to get totgether at least once a month to make cards, at this rate , we should have lots of cards and it will be lots of fun!!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Dumpster Jumping

I had a little adventure last week, that just goes to show--you never know where you will end up!!
I thought all night about how I would like to get a jump on organizing and getting things cleaned up on Saturday morning , so I could spend a little time on one of my favorite hobbies; card making or scrapbooking.
One of the many things on my list was to drop off clothes at Goodwill and to get rid of some garbage bags in the garage. I knew I had just done this a couple weeks ago, but well... things pile up.. I ran my errands, filled my car up with gas, went to the grocery , to the Goodwill and over to my son Shawn'sapartment complex to throw a few bags in the dumpster. Now first of all, I am not really compfortable doing this and I know it is wrong. But I have been convinced that it is no big deal by many others and I really needed the space in my garage. So I did my "drive thru" thru the aprtment parking lot--too chicken to go directly to the dumpster in case I get caught!! I dumped the garbage and headed home, feeling a big load lift--literally.
I was so proud of all I had accomplished in that short time!!! As I pulled into the driveway, Keith and Cody were there washing Cody's car. I proudly walked up to my husband and announced all that I had accomplished that morning . He stood there and smiled as he listened (obviously pleased) And then inquired "what garbage did you take?" I told him I took the bags in the garage. He told me then to let Kristin know that. I told Kris when I entered the house, she immediately said' Mom, how could you do that?" I was a little perplexed to say the least. She went on to tell me that she had taken all the stuff out of her car (including her purse) and put it into these two garbage bags. She asked if I had looked before I took them, well of course I did, but when I clean things out you can find any number of treasures that I no longer have a need for.. Well, I was a little embarassed and frustrated about my blunder. I wanted to fix it right away.. so I asked Kris to go with me to get it. It was bad enough dumping stuff where I shouldn't have -it was worse having to go back and retreive it. All the way over there I was trying to figure out a way to explain myself if I were to get caught. The first bag was on top, the second was not-I had to literally jump into the big dirty dumpster and get it. Funny thing is , it was a little bit of a thrill for a girl who always likes to follow the rules and can't bear the thought of humiliation it would bring to me to get caught.
Lesson of the story---Look before you leap or if you feel like making cards on Saturday --just do it--you never know where you may end up..

Friday, January 16, 2009

Proud Grandma

Whew!

The week is coming to an end. I watched three of my precious grandsons last night. It was a perfect evening. First of all, I did not have a headache, which is a big plus any day of my life!!!
After work, I picked up Baron at the sitters, stopped to get Shawn and Xarik, fed Baron while waiting for Beth to get ready for work. Loaded the boys up. Unloaded them at my house and all went very well. After I changed his diaper,Baron was content to play on floor on his play mat. Xarik happily crawled and rolled around on the florr. Shawn and I had time to make a salad and sit down and eat. I fed Xarik his food while I ate mine, which left him content to play some more.
After all were fed and changed, Shawn and I were able to sit down on the floor and play his favorite "Star Wars" with his star wars and clone wars figures. We took a good amount of time taking turns picking which ones each of us would get-of course if I picked the "wrong" one for myself Shawn quickly jumped in with "oh no, you don't want that one, gaga". I offered to let him sort them out but he insisted I "could choose my own" lol. As each of our individual "bad guys' would take on the "good guys", Shawn would randomly jump up to check on his brother, and cousin. At one point he jumped up, took a bag of diapers away from Xarik, handed him a toy and came back to battle without missing a beat! Another time, he ran in to check on a crying Baron, came running back and announced "he's ok, auntie Kris is here now" and proceeded to continue and win the battle between his droid and my "good guy". He is an amazing three year old . I have no doubt that he will always be there to watch over and protect his little brother and cousins!!!
I am so proud of my little guys-- I just love them all so much!!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Burnt Out Grandma

Yesturday was a very hectic busy day. I started out with a headache that never goes away-its that time of year for my headaches ugh!
After going to the Johnsons and cleaning up and getting Hallie off to school, I went to work---this includes kindergarten, recess duty and various other responsibilities such as teaching a reading resource class...anyway I have a very full day. Meanwhile, my headache grew worse and worse..but my day is not over when the school bell rings...I then went to pick up Baron on the other side or South Hill , desparately trying to beat the traffic..he was happy when I got there but he started crying on the way home..next stop---pick up Shawn and Xarik and drop Beth off at work. Meanwhile, Baron is still upset as we load three car seats in the back of my car. We finally get home and I unload the two babies, 2 diaper bags and a backpack and of course Shawn-who, thank goodness can "do it myself" . I get them into the house and out of car seats onto the floor. I feed Baron and Xarik and change diapers. Shawn and I are hungry too, my head is killing me and so we settle for "scoobie snacks and milk" no argument there from Shawn. During all this craziness I question my sanity..why am I doing this..I know there are many reasons..the biggest one being that I want to be there for my kids..I didn't have that while raising them (my kids) on my own. Suddenly, as I am sitting on the floor, I look around me...all is calm..Baron is happily playing with his hanging musical frog, Xarik is curled up in my lap looking up at me with those big beautiful eyes , and Shawn is beside me, talking happily to his "gaga" and content to be right where he is. I realize then, with tears in my eyes (partly from head pain) that this is why I am crazy enough to want to spend every moment that I can with my grandsons. I want to be there to capture those moments when all is well in their little world, and they are happy and content because they have a "gaga" that loves them all with all her heart and always will. Would I go through this again--you betcha... I am trying to figure out a way to make it a little less hectic for myself tho...

Monday, January 12, 2009

Hot Mama (or Gaga)

My kids like to call me Hot Mama, its funny cause I've never felt that I was "hot", until now !!!OMG I am having hot flashes more and more often, and I really don't like it. It makes me very tired. I keep think I need to change my diet or something. When I get tired so easily, it messes up my whole schedule and it takes so long to get back on track. I think I need more protein in my diet. Wouldn't it be just grand if chocolate were the best source of protein you could take...mmmmm... I wish. Meanwhile I better go eat my eggs before I go school!!
Til Later...bye

Monday, January 5, 2009

Back to School

Well it was the first day back to school after 2weeks + 2 snow days. It was great to get back into the swing of things, but even better to see all the kids.

Now onto my next resolution: I have to change the tune on my cell phone. I love SUGARLAND, and I put their song "ALL I Want to doooooo"
Anyway, it drives my family nuts. It makes me jump everytime it rings too. Normally I would have changed it a long time ago, especially after numerous requests from my husband and kids. But...it is so funny to hear them all go on and on about it..I'm not normally one to displease but this is just funny, besides Shawn Jr. and Carson sing and dance to it when they hear it... I'm not sure what to change it to. Elvis maybe...that would really annoy them ha ha. I think I might be a little passive agressive what do ya think...

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Getting Started...





Ok, here I go...


A year ago, I would not have guessed that I would have been starting my own blog this year.


I have admired other peoples's blogs (esp. my daughter April's) for some time now, but I have always" logged out" with the thoughts "oh that's not for me" or "I don't have time for that" or...the biggie "That is too overwhelming for me to start". Well with a lot pf procrastinating and a little bit of longing. AND a lot of help from April getting started----here I am. I can't count the endless mistakes I have made this morning(today-its almost evening now) while getting started, nor can I number the times I have called April . After a series of calls, April started answering her phone saying, "help desk". LOL (yeah I even know some texting lingo too).


Wow, It has been an amazing year for me. Since Last January, I have witnessed the births of three of the most wonderful blessings in my life...my grandsons.
Yes, each of my three beautiful children gave me a grandson to celebrate the 50th anniversary of my birth year!!
I thought nothing they ould give me, could top those little handmade cards and pictures my kids would bring home from school, or secretly work on all day in their rooms, running out only for more glue, tape, scissors or snacks...


These wonderful blessings didn't just start last year. My first grandson, Shawn Michael Jr. was born 31/2 years ago. He was the beginning of a new and refreshing outlook on life for me. I have spent a lot of time with him since the day he was born. That tiny little infant brought unity and happiness to our family. While we all hurried along with our everyday worries and cares, no one could resist stopping whatever they were doing to get a little "magic" from our precious boy.
He had Papa, lying on the floor talking and laughing in no time. His busy Aunt Kris and Uncle Cody were never in so much of a hurry that they couldn't capture the magic from a unconditional smile or laugh from our little guy.
He has been surrounded with love from the beginning and the love he gives back to all the busy people in his life is tenfold. When I tell him "I love you" he says, "I love you more". Oh the joy my heart feels from his little words, comes pouring out.


A year or so after April married Justin ,they decided that they wanted a baby , there were a few complications. So I prayed and prayed that Heavenly Father would send me another grandchild. Well, I guess I didn't specify ..so... He sent me one from each of my children-just to be certain that I knew He was answering my prayers, I suppose. Well I'll never doubt that He has time to listen to me ever again.

So did I wonder if there was enough of me for all these little guys at once, you bet I did! I still do sometimes. Each one of my grandsons has his own little personality, each is his own beautiful little being and that special "magic" that lights up our lives. They are precious little boys, that we have been blessed with. I love them so much! And the unconditional love that each one of them has for me leaves my cup overflowing everyday of my life.

At age 50, my goal is to be a person that will always feel that I deserve these wonderful blessings and that I can live up to the part I play in each of their lives to help them to be healthy, happy, loving and caring young men-not such a tough job since they were all born with these wonderful attributes to begin with.
Well this took me all day although, it is already getting easier to figure out this blog stuff. Thats all for now!