Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Poetry Holmes Style

Rhyme Time!

I have a habit of writing in Rhyme, so the 11 years I went to Girls Camp as an adult leader, my camp name was "Lymeric" (mispelled on purpose). I enjoy writing rhyming poetry for lessons and object lessons, and to this day remember the first poem I wrote at 7 years old for a 2nd grade assignment. Looking out my bedroom window, as the bird landed on the brick wall, these words came to me: (think 7 years old)


Little robin red-breast high upon the wall,

Little robin red-breast has no fears at all,

Little robin red-breast eats and eats all day,

Little robin red-breast does it only to stuff it away.

Little robin red-breast waits patiently through the night,

Until he wakes up to the wonderous morning light.


So my mother being my terrific mother, encouraged my interest into what some call a talent, I am not so sure. But a great thing is that many of my children are writers too. Some prose is their thing, others thoughts and perspective, others poetry. Brendon and Jordan particularly have enjoyed writing poems to express feelings. Jordan wrote some great poems on his mission that he shared with us here at home, and Brendon has written poetry for those close to him.


On Mother's Day, Jordan won my heart again, by writing an original poem in a card he made. It is sweet and made laugh and made me cry. Not given to you all in total agreement of the words of praise, but in hopes that you enjoy as I did...as it speaks of so many of us and what we love to do for our babies big and small.....


"Our mom's the greatest in the world,
she's done so much for us,

Like drive us all the way to school,
if we had missed the bus.

She'd paint and sell her wooden crafts
so Christmas would be great,

And make us eat all of the veggies
that were on our plate.

She organized a chartof chores
so our house would stay clean,

And if we didn't do them,
she would never get real mean.

But let us know that we should get up
and clean up our home,

Unless we wanted to spend
our whole weekend home alone.

She cooks and cleans and does the laundry
for a family of 10,

And still has time to get dolled up
like Barbie for her Ken.

Her cookies are the best
in this entire world because

She adds that extra item in the mix
that she calls "love".

So Happy Mother's Day to this great woman
we call mom,

She's wonderful, she's great,
I think you might say she's the bomb!"


You are an adorable hunk of a son...21 years old, and still as sweet as ever!




Sunday, May 11, 2008

A rose is a rose....I have a Rose Garden!






As my children and hubby started asking me what I wanted for Mother's Day, I started reflecting on how many times I have tried to turn a small area of my front yard planter into a little rose garden. I have purchased many a bare root rose, but alas, they doth wither and die. So I had some luck a few years ago with a rose bush from

Costco, that has been a lone producer in the planter, mostly surviving surrounded by weeds.








Taking the cue when I brought two more bushes home from Costco, Russell gathered Cody and Skyler for a Saturday morning "Mother's Day project". I really appreciate the time and energy put

into my guys making it perfect!

Thanks to my guys I shall have roses that last longer than a few days.. thank you sweeties!

Friday, May 9, 2008

CO-Chapter four - Look Who's 1!


One big reason for going to CO, was to celebrate our Jackson's first birthday. Since I wouldn't be there on the actual day, we had our own little party. First gifts...opening presents was such a serious undertaking, with permission to tear paper. Poor baby we confused him good... yes, darlin' tear that paper.
...yes, baby, dig into that cake with your bare hands....
then he wanted that frosting off his hands. A bath was next, and back to playing with his new toys!

Happy Birthday Baby - It's been a great year watching you grow, and loving you. We are so excited for this next year, keep being the sweet little guy that you are!

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

CO - Ch. 3 - Snow and Sky

Well as beautiful as the day was for the Zoo on Tuesday, Thursday morning dawned with SNOW! About 4-5 inches, with swirling snow falling. It was beautiful.
Being a Southern California born and raised boy, Skyler was quite enamored by it all. He quickly donned boots, gloves and down jacket of Matt's and out he went.
Soon he was given "snowpeople" toys, a snowball maker, and an igloo brick maker, and he was out in it all morning. He even got some shoveling duties. It was great.
Those of us inside were the recipients of snowball flying on our windows. Much to the chagrin of Matthew, Skyler blessed the homes and yards of a few of the neighbors with snowballs also (that was short lived!)

Monday, May 5, 2008

My boys are growing up!

While we were in Utah, my sister Lori and her Brent and William took us to a Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving point(more about this later). Russell is quite used to me and such events, and is a good sport to come along (first we went to Cabela's however). Had we invited Brendon on such an adventure during his freshman, sophmore, or even (single) junior year, he would have found a pickup volleyball game for sure on a Saturday afternoon... but now we have Stephanie!! I am liking having more girls in and around our family, especially when my sons are as happy as they are ;). We had a terrific afternoon in the beauty of the park!



Then this past Friday night was a bit of an event. A Triple date with my sons. Grant & Julia, and Jordan and his girlfriend Breana, Russell & Me. Proof again of having more girls in and around our family being stupendous, because things like going to see my sister in her play, my sons have poo-pooed in the last few years. So it was great spending time with my boys and their girls. I so very much thank Julia and Breana for helping to infuse not only a bit of family time, but a bit of culture too.
Tara was surprised at our being in the audience, but the purple tulips delivered right before the show kinda tipped her off. Tara is a shining light on any stage she graces. She surely was the best in "Company". And she is one terrific little sister, friend, dancer, actress and aunt...

Thursday, May 1, 2008

CO - chapter two - To Jackson


A tiny hand to kiss again,
To open, and cover with love.
Little neck, soft, tender
Casts me to another place and time.





Trust filled eyes, open wide
Curious, new world unfolding.
Show me, teach me,
Help me learn.





Perfect little soul
Wrapped in apricot skin.
New life daily unfolds
In minutes, hours, deliciously embraced.





Stay small my new heart.
Boldly explore and know
You are God’s child.
Mommy’s treasure, Daddy’s delight.





In your splendor, angel kissed.
Gramma’s joy, Grampa’s future
Purest gift, Noble prince.
Purest Gift.








Love you baby!

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Denver - chapter one - The Zoo!

My month of April, so very crazy. I worked a week, then got to go to Denver to spend time with Matt and Heidi, and the little love of my life - Jackson. When my friends have talked about their grandkids, they said - just wait, you think you love babies now, just wait until it is YOUR grandbaby, sure enough, I have fallen head over heels in love.



Skyler and I took off to, actually Brighton, where Heidi and Matt live with the most adorable little boy - did I mention - the most fabulous baby boy? Anyway, Heidi found out that some bad weather was coming later in the week so, Skyler chose to go to the Zoo our first full day in town. So here we are -

As you can see our baby was very much into the animals. We were doing sounds that the animals make, and he got very good at the bear's growl, and this picture shows how well he did with the monkey's "Oo-Oo-Oo"

Fun day with Heidi and the boys!