"California Here I Come..Right Back Where I Started From..." *A Song

The Stair Steps and 
The Hope of The Future for Our Surname

Jim's parents were the only ones to have two boys, all the other uncles had two girls each.    Jim and his brother Gary only had one son between them.  Our son Chris.  As that only son, Chris was the only one able to carry on the family name.  He did well gifting the world with these three handsome and wonderful young sons.  Oh wait, this is not my genealogy blog!  Well, there you have it anyway.  That is the scoop of this family's history.  This photo just reminded me of the male Y chromosome and how the identical strand is passed from father to son unaltered for many generations until a mutation occurs.  That is our DNA lesson for the day!

With love,
From your favorite, crazed genealogist!

Now on to the activities of the past week and some fun photos taken mostly by Jim and Chris of the kids' CA Va-Kay.

It all seemed to happen so quickly.   We have enjoyed our week with them very much.  They were able to do so many fun things while they were here and we hope they will come again soon.  Now they are all home safe and sound and it is time for a recap.

Our grandkids got along great, they were tidy and very helpful guests and just so easy to have around.  Even though I am sure they weren't the most comfortable, all four kids slept in the Hotel California without complaints.  It helped so much to make everything feel more organized and spacious in our cottage home.  Missy and Chris worked hard to make it all nice and easy for us.  They are good kids!
 

 

Aynlsee is a great shot!

They loved playing in the yard and finding our wild animals.  Aynslee kept a log of all the deer and other critters she ran across as she explored the tree covered paths up and down between the barn and the house.  They just missed all the wild turkeys that have been hanging around here for months.

We have a tradition of hiding a big green dinosaur egg, AKA watermelon when we have a summer BBQ with kids attending.  Hunting for that through all the nooks and crannies in the yard kept them entertained for some time.  Chris wanted them to have a lot of his childhood experiences and they did.

Zach waiting for his next opponent.

Aynslee and Her Daddy!

We read our scriptures out here by
 the bonfire Sunday night

The kids also enjoyed cooling off in our pond and relaxing.  It was all nice and clean and as clear as a bell.  They played a lot of basketball, tether ball and explored all around.  Zachery liked scooping the leaves out of the pond with a pool strainer. 

 Here is our little Owie!  

That cute little dimple on his upper left cheek matches one that Jim's mom has.  It is the cutest thing when he smiles!    All the other kids have the regular pair of dimpled cheek.  I do love Owen's blond hair and chocolate eyes combination too!

Owen and I played Tic Tac Toe.  Owen has a unique way of playing it.  He makes all the rules, he is always X and he's always first!   And when you go to put your wooden peg in the board, he covers up the hole!  It was so cute really.   As Missy said..."We'll let him get away with that for now since he's only six."

 I think he knew his Gramma wouldn't mind at all.  It was fun, he was so gleeful about being in charge and winning all the games. Sometimes as the youngest you gotta fight for that spot once in awhile. That 'at home time' was good for the kids because the rest of the time Grampa and Mom and Dad ran their little tails off.  And vice versa at times I would imagine.


The first big adventure~Pt. Reyes Beach and National Park.  It is about two hours from our home.

 Getting ready to hike up over the hills 

and into the Pt. Reyes Beach Area

Aw!

Grampa~On the Beach... with his On Golden Pond hat!

They all hiked into Point Reyes Beach on Monday morning bright and early with Grampa as their guide.  He's da man! (Of course da other man, Chris, has been there several times too.)  These kids love their Grampa!  He is a lot of fun and wears them out whenever they are together.  He works hard and he plays hard.  We sure all do love him. 100% should be his middle name!  He had the whole thing planned.  He has taken dozens and dozens of kids here in his day. 

What a beautiful family~
we are so proud of all of them! 

To get to this pristine, almost private beach you must hike in two miles.  It is not a really hard hike, but it is not easy either.  Only serious hikers need apply!  No one just stops by.  And there is camping with a permit.  I have actually done the hike myself long ago (perish the thought!)  It is impressive that the kids did this and then played and played and then went the distance back as well.  Especially Owie being only barely six. 

Zachary, enjoying the Pacific Ocean

This is one happy nine year old boy!  Just when you think you couldn't possibly love your grandkids more...you do.  The capacity to love them knows no bounds apparently!  We all had so much fun with him.  He is so mellow and a peacemaker.  These five grandboys and our five grandgirls just truly put us both over the moon!

All kids have to do this at the beach~it's a rule!
Aynslee is the perfect sister for these three boys.
  She is right there with them every step of the way. 

Grampa and Connor...hair blowing in the wind...
walking on the beach!

I love this picture of Connor 

The thing you see at the nape of his neck is a strap to keep his glasses from flying into the sea.  I have always thought he looks so much like Chris but I see a lot of Melissa in this one.  I love this age (nearing 14) they are just on the brink of their adulthood and it is a fun time.  Connor is such a sweet and kind grandson.  He is always so thoughtful and always says thank you for the meals, etc.  This guy is going places, folks...watch out world!

As they explored the beach they found a beached, dead whale that the Parks Department has left in place to decompose naturally.  I am sure that decision was influenced by the fact that the beach is not heavily populated by casual foot traffic.  The family said it was pretty interesting.  In the foreground there are some huge vertebrae.  Huge!  Me? Pass on this one! The things that most people want to see in person...just take a picture for me and I'm good to go.

  Ayns a little freaked out by this one!

Marine Biology, Dr. Chris?

Connor helping Owie up the rocks at Sculpture Beach 

Zach taking it all in while Grampa takes the picture 
from the ridge above with the long lens!

The 'Lunch on the Beach' Bunch

Zach and Aynslee on the edge!

He is a world traveler now, Owen has finally
 seen and experienced the ocean!

When they got home I had dinner ready for them and Aunt Gail came over and Patrick too.  After dinner we had Family Night and Grampa and I told the story and showed a short video about our ancestors from the Mayflower. They seemed to enjoy learning about that.  Or perhaps they were just simply smiling with their eyes glazed over after a very full day.

It seemed fitting that they had a chance to see the ocean on the day they heard more of their ancestors that crossed The Atlantic Ocean on a small ship in cramped quarters.  They sailed for 66 days making their way to America at a speed of 2.6 miles per day.  I am going to remember that on our next Nevada crossing.  Maybe that tent didn't seem so bad after all.   I think everyone slept well that night, even the ones on Hotel California's brick mattress.

Well, I thought I'd try to get this whole week on a page but no such luck.  This is just part of two days.  I think I'm in trouble.  They all gave me so many good pictures to include.  Good trouble though, I love writing about our family adventures no matter how long it takes. It is my gift to the family since I was not able to go with them on these adventures as my doc straightened out my medication issues over days and days.  But all is well now thankfully.  I loved being able to see them although not at my best.  They were my cheerleaders. 

Our Own Little Mrs. Ward Cleaver~Reprise!

I just love blogging, no kidding! I love seeing the various things that our kids are thinking about as they share them with us. They have allowed me to swipe whatever I want to share with you so here is one I love that Laura wrote. This brings back so many memories, thanks Loulou!
This post was published back in the beginning of 09. I had forgotten all about it until it came up at the bottom of my last post on Linkwithin. I love that feature on a blog because it does uncover some moldy oldies worth republishing on busy days. So here's Laauurra!

Our Little Mrs. Cleaver

The June Cleaver in Me

"One of the great things about living in a foreign country is that when you turn on the TV everything is... well, foreign. Since I'm not really into TV it works for me but the boys don't like it much. So a few months ago we started looking online for some good TV sitcom DVD collections for the boys to watch. Among the thousands (literally, T-H-O-U-S-A-N-D-S) of options available Robert and I decided to get the first season of Leave it to Beaver.

If you haven't seen Leave it to Beaver in a while- it worth revisiting. I will admit it is a little bit on the cheesy side but it is funny and clean and totally... boy! I have to confess that I love that the boys like it. I love hearing Spencer say "Ah, gee Mom" when I ask him to do something he doesn't want to do and hearing Ross tell me everything is "swell" when I ask him how his day was. I even enjoy watching a episode or two with Spencer and Ross on occasion. But the thing that I really like about Leave it to Beaver is watching June Cleaver in her role as wife and mother.

I don't know about you but I grew up thinking June Cleaver (as the embodiment of the female stay at home mom stereotype) was laughable. Not only did I think she was impractically perfect- I was offended that was the way media thought stay at home moms should be! I thought the sole purpose of her existence was to make normal women ( who clean the house in ratty sweats and occasionally yell at their kids) feel inadequate. Never in my young adult imagination did I ever considered June Cleaver a role model in anyway... but that was before. Having watched her in action recently I have changed my tune.


Here is what I have noticed about June Cleaver. She is patient and kind with her children. She is loving toward her husband. She is witty and spontaneous (in a very traditional sort of way). She is intelligent (though a little too easily tricked by her boys at times). She expects a lot from the people she loves but never turns her back on them when the don't measure up. June Cleaver is perfectly content in her role as a wife and mother. She is never bitter or resentful that her stay at home life style is keeping her from getting the job she always wanted or spending more time with her friends. Her house is spotlessly clean, her yard perfectly manicured, her appearance immaculate. She has snacks ready and waiting when her boys get home from school and dinner on the table every night when her husband gets home from work. I mean seriously- isn't that what every woman wants? To be perfectly capable and fulfilled in their role as a woman? To feel as put together and on top of life as June appears to be? I don't know about you but that certainly sounds good to me.


So I've decided to spend some time finding the June Cleaver in me. I know she is in there somewhere- that beautiful, content, fulfilled woman I've always wanted to be. I'll let you know when I find her."

{Now, Laura, you know I always dressed and acted like June and cleaned our house in a dress, pearls, apron and heels. All this occurred while you and your siblings played with each other in perfect harmony so I never had to yell at you. And Daddy brought home the bacon arriving promptly at 6:00 pm (with his speckled sport coat and tie on and a calm and happy face) to his steaming hot and delicious dinner!  Love, Mom}

Laura and Robert's

Wally and 'The Beave"
Spencer and Ross growing up

in Italy

A moment of silence,
Barbara Billingsley
who played June Cleaver
passed away at age 94
on October 16, 2010.

Watching for the Miracles

I believe that one of the ways to increase our faith is to watch for the miracles in our life.  I also think it is one of the best ways to teach our children and grandchildren about faith.  Their prayers and then the miracles that follow need to be pointed out to them so they realize there are no coincidences where miracles are concerned.  Our Heavenly Father and Savior love us individually and are actively present in our lives.

Miracles happen everyday and often they go unnoticed without the proper amount of gratitude attached to them.  Today I woke up feeling positively wonderfully well!  That is a miracle and I am thankful for it.  Since the week after we got home from our nearly five week long trip to the east coast I have been having some health issues involving a medication I had been taking for a couple of decades.  Out of the blue I had an allergic reaction that was pretty scary with quite a bit of facial swelling going into my throat.  The doctors were confounded by it.  The first miracle was I have a new doctor and she is amazing.  When she was at a loss for what to do as my condition worsened, she consulted a regional allergist.  Her ego did not get in the way of my treatment.  Miracle!

The b/p medication I had been taking was a compound drug and the allergist looked at my chart over the internet and knew immediately I should stop taking that drug after all those years, as allergies can develop at anytime with one of the drugs in it.  Another miracle, someone from several cities away could help me quickly, as each day the situation was worsening and my airway was in danger.  The very next day after I stopped it I saw a huge improvement.  Another miracle.  Time was of the essence at that point.

 Four days later not a trace of the facial/neck swelling remained.  Miracle!  My doctor has put me on a different medication.  I noticed a few days later that I was getting a lot of lower extremity swelling from water retention.

 Long story short the new medication was not working for me.  When I went in my b/p had skyrocketed  to dangerous levels.  It is a miracle that I went in.  Since I have had this new doctor I have been to the doctor more than I have been in years.  She knew exactly what I needed and for two days I have been on some very strong meds. Guess what?  Miracle!

Today I woke up and felt phenomenal for the first time in a long time.  Sometimes you don't know how badly you were feeling until it is over.  B/p is 128/78 this morning.  My head is clear, my vision is crystal clear, headache is gone and swelling in my legs and feet is almost gone and I lost several pounds of water.  Miracle!!   This has not been a pleasant experience but it has nonetheless been a miracle.  I have thought of many aspects of the silver lining in this cloud.

Who knows how long this has been brewing having taken this medication for over 20 years.  The fact that this did not happen on our vacation...simply a miracle!  I cannot tell you how thankful we are to have not had to look for help and hang out in a hotel for days.

The fact that it happened right now when we are home and not traveling was perfect.  I am leaving in a few weeks to go to an important Conference I have been looking forward to for the entire year.  By then I will feel confident that all is under control.  Tender mercy and a miracle.

When you have an experience like this one you begin to appreciate the things you take for granted.  Like medication that helps you, something as simple as having the b/p machine at home and being able to monitor your progress without having to run to the doctor everyday.  No headache.  No swelling.  No fatigue.  Enthusiasm for the new day.  Miracle!   These are all the things that are absent when you are sick and they become all the sweeter when you are well.  That is an amazing blessing.

If we never had the trials how could we appreciate the absence of them?  Our trials help us to know and to see that we are not alone, the Lord is by our side.  We have tremendous support from Him, our families and our friends.  That is a miracle worth noting and praising God for all the time.

I apologize for talking health issues (so like an old person) but I thought it was a good example of how the Lord works in our lives, in miracles in the big and small things all the time.  Each and every single time something like this happens we need to sort it out and realize everyday miracles get us through this life one day at a time.  If we think we are somehow in charge or that these things are a coincidence, we are only kidding ourselves and robbing ourselves of the great joy of our faith in a Father that loves us and cares for each of us. 

I am thankful that I feel better than I have in so long I cannot remember and that I know where that healing and energy and renewal comes from.  I am not feeling old, I just wasn't feeling well over a long time.   66 is not young but it is not old either!  (My new paradigm)  Another Miracle!  So I feel new hope for more health in my future.  That is the biggest miracle of all.

Photos from Pinterest and Google images

Celebrating my miracles today with you my friends, thanksgiving and some beautiful flowers created by God~Major Miracles in and of themselves.

Love to you all....Bonnie

Taking Stock In What I Believe

We have just passed the year's midpoint recently and I thought I'd take a look at this post in review.  I still believe that we choose our own story.  It is our perception that shapes us as much or more than the reality of our circumstances. 

Have you noticed that in years past people have picked one word to focus on through the new year?  I have never done it but think it is an inspiring idea.  I have thought about what word would be a good motivator for me and have chosen the word BELIEVE for 2013. 

I have learned in my life that what I believe is exactly what sets the tone of just about everything.  It is our perspective on everything about ourselves, God, our surroundings, people, principles and concepts and the state of the world that influences all we do.  The real deal is that whether something is true or false almost has less significance than if you believe it does.  What you think and believe is your reality.  What a wonderful and powerful gift of agency the Lord has provided us with in this life.  We get to choose how we see everything around us, everything we experience and everything we think.  When you ponder this it is beyond amazing.

So I thought I'd just look at all of the things I said at the beginning of this bright new year and see how I am holding up with my special word this year now that it is nearly August.  I'll just take them point by point.

 

Here are some things I am going to

 concentrate 

on believing in this year.

I believe that God is all powerful and 

that what he says is true. 

  He tells me "I can do all things through

 Christ that strengtheneth me." 

 I truly believe that. 

If he believes I am lovable and capable so I must

 also believe it even when I do not feel it sometimes. 

This is a good one.  I have had some struggles with this this year but I have made progress because I do believe in these words even when they do not seem self-evident.  I try to remember that I am lovable and capable in God's eyes and that helps me move forward when I feel like giving up on something difficult to learn or overcome.

He tells me we are all brothers and sisters 

and to love everyone 

even those who despitefully use and persecute me.

  I believe it, I will.

Again, this area in my life has been tested this year.  I have tried to remember that when something or someone has hurt me it was probably unintentional, an oversight on their part or a misunderstanding.  They struggle just like I do, so I try to believe in their inherent goodness in spite of what may have happened.  Most of the time people are too busy with their own lives and concerns to willfully try to offend me.  I believe that.  I know I would never hurt another person intentionally and I like to believe that of others.

I believe people are basically good because they are 

children of God. 

Really believing that make me happier

and restores my faith in humanity. 

When we traveled extensively on the east coast this summer I saw that throughout the states we visited there are truly good people.  I try not to let the media and their thirst for capturing our attention make me think ill of most people for I know that it takes only a few bad apples to make a lot of us look bad.  We did not encounter a single bad person on our adventures.  I believe in this principle from our personal experiences.

I believe in guardian angels and that they

 watch over me and all people that I love.

  That helps me worry less.

This year we have prayed daily for protection for our family, our friends and ourselves. We have thanked the Lord for that protection and never taken it for granted.  He has protected us in our travels and helped us every step of the way.  When things did happen like Spencer breaking his leg we were grateful for medical attention that helped him heal.  We always know it could have been worse.  When bad things happened to others (or to us) we felt the comfort and peace that comes to those who believe. 

When our young friends lost their infant in death at 4 day old we realized that prayers are not always answered as we wish but are left to an all knowing wise Father in Heaven.  The love we have gained for their little family because of their great example of faith to all has lifted many many people to rethink how we deal with our trials in this life.  To bring Max home was the merciful thing for a loving Father to do.

I believe we are all his children and

 his watchful eye is on us always.

I believe in prayer and the comfort it brings

 and the answers, 

oh yes, the answers.  I believe in them.

These thoughts have helped me a lot this year.

I believe that everything that God places before me 

I can handle.

He knows how to mold me as his 

own child for my best good.

I believe there is a purpose left in my life and that

 God will teach me what I need to know to accomplish it.

I believe in the wisdom of other people 

and don't need to experience

 everything on my own.

  I can learn from their triumphs and failings.

I believe I know what that purpose is now for sure.

And  he is helping me fulfill it. 

 Two of the greatest days in your life are the day you were born

 and the day you understood why. 

 I believe that more now than I did in January.

I believe in every word that Christ teaches 

and I believe he is the only way.

The evidence of this is everywhere!

I believe in being guided by the Spirit 

and listening to His counsel. 

This has remained my strong testimony all year, 

never wavering and I am grateful for it..

I believe in love and that love changes everything.

Love for God, others and myself.

Only when I can truly love can I be my happiest.

I believe I can improve and progress and 

become all God and I expect of me.

I do struggle with this but I also do believe it.

When I am overwhelmed with the tasks ahead of me

 I try to take a breather, slow down and focus.

It helps so much to know it is possible

 to make this belief a reality someday.

God isn't finished me yet and neither am I.

I believe in family and it being forever

 and that that is enough to bring the joy and everything 

else into its proper perspective.

I am very firmly planted in this belief.  With all of our quirks and shortcomings and the mistakes we all make we belong to one another.  We love each other with all of our hearts and we will go on through all eternity because of our Savior and His promises for those who love and follow Him.

I believe in goodness and forgiving.

It is the only way!

I believe in God's Will.

I believe in you.  I believe in me.

With all my heart!

I believe we choose our own degree of happiness.

Absolutely!

What is your word of inspiration for 2013?

This is what I believe!

A Simple Woman's Daybook~July, 6, 2013

Our lives pass swiftly by! I want to do something to remember

the everyday moments and my thoughts about them.  

That is what this Daybook is all about.

Focusing on the little things that become my life.

One entry at a time.

Just for today~Saturday, July 6, 2013

 

Outside my window... A perfect day.  The birds are chirping and the horrendous heat wave we had here for about 10 days is over.  Such relief.  Extremely hot weather does not mix well with some of my dermatitis issues and I do no think I was a very pleasant person during those days.  I literally felt like dancing yesterday when we woke up to normal.  The sun is shining with a nice cool breeze.  Garth Brooks is belting out "I Got Friends in Low Places" in the kitchen and I just heard "Sunshine On My Shoulders Makes Me Happy."  I am not a huge fan of country music or anything but we have been cleaning house this morning and I have to have something perky goin' on for that.  Anyway, the music seems very "Summery."

I am thankful for....the fact that we get to have Chris and Missy and four of our grandkids here for a week at about 5:00 pm tonight.  We are almost ready.  So that is why I am adding a bit here and there as I rush around doing the last minute things.  As you may know we go to Utah to see them a lot and I think it has been about four years since they came here.  So little Owen who is now six does not even remember being here before.  He asked Chris if a big lake they recently saw was the ocean.  OK, so that is on the 'to do' list for sure.

 

From the learning room....I notice that I have periods of extreme learning sometimes.  I am in one now.  Things are clicking and I am thirsty for it.  Other times I just kind of coast along.  I love it when this happens but I don't sleep well.  It is hard to turn it off at night.  It seems to be a time when things are just bright and exciting and I do like the enthusiasm of that.  It is like the opposite of the blahs.  There is not an ounce of boredom in my days.  That part is the best.


I am reading...Cooking by Michael Pollan, Plymouth Plantation, by William Bradford (still) and several other books on my Kindle and plenty on the genealogy blogs right now with all the changes going on.
  

From the kitchen...All is in order for the kids' visit.  That part is the hardest for me and I think I have got it all organized, menus for each day, shopping done, etc.  And Jim has done a great job of putting some fun activities together so...bring it on.  I have overcome the kitchen this week!  Woohoo!

I am missing...My friend, Carol.  We had such a great time together at our Genealogy conference in Sacramento even if it was 108 degrees there both days last week.  Every once in a while you just meet someone that you know you have known and loved forever.  So she has been super busy this week, me too.  I have missed chatting with her as much as I usually do about our families, life in general and our common surname "Reese."  We are going to get working on finding out if she is the sister I never got with the Welsh ancestry.  I hope so.

Some spiritual thoughts I have been having...I read this quote from an article by Kristen Welch on incourage.com  It is a great daily devotional site if you haven't seen it.  It is specifically designed by a group of women to encourage other women.  She was writing about when we fail and she said,

" I cut my hand chopping veggies the other night, before I could even grab a towel, the blood in my body rushed to the wound. That’s what it was created to do. Our blood was designed to wash out the impurities and clot to protect us.  It’s a lot like the wounds in life. When I fail as a parent or a wife or person, Jesus’ blood goes to my injured heart. It rushes to the place I hurt. Because that’s what it was created to do."

Wow I love that.  The atonement of Christ is so much more than forgiveness of our sins.  It is to heal and to restore us to health; our spirits our hearts our minds...our very lives.  I need that so much when something hurts me, this is where I turn.  My thought was He doesn't say we should grow a hard heart to protect ourselves, he wants us to come to Him, to be spiritually held, to be comforted to feel what perfect love is, and to change our heart.  He is our shield and protection in this crazy world of imperfect people and situations and mortality. Simply put, I am relieved and grateful.  Grateful for the good news of Jesus Christ in my life.

I am hearing...Loving You is Easy, Sarah Mc Lachlan.  I just love this singer.  She has some beautiful original, grown-up compositions and a wonderful voice.

One of my guilty pleasures...my computer, iPhone and iPad.  People talk about being addicted to things.  I think that term gets used loosely in place of something we really like, or something that creates enthusiasm or excitement in our lives.  I like to think my love for my computer is not an addiction but a perfect marriage for me for what I like to do most.  Learn, write, teach, family history, genealogy and being creative through blogging and Pinterest and design, homemaking and travel.  It is best for communicating with all the people I love on a somewhat regular basis.  It is the biggest library in the world at my finger tips.  I can text the kids and friends and I can even watch movies and listen to all my favorite music on it, read books and the news selectively.  And I can do it all in one convenient place with no mess.  So and what's not to love?

Pet Peeves...rude people. People that think they should be in charge of everything.  People that try to force their ideas on you like you cannot make up you own mind about things.  People that don't think before they speak and don't listen to others.  Sheesh, that was more than one pet peeve.  I got on a roll!

I am quoting...from Pinterest~

If I could change one thing it would be...that time would slow down and take a breather.  We have finished with a string of holidays now and you know what that means.  Labor day before we know it and then two blinks and we are getting the Halloween Decorations out again.  Ugh!

An enjoyable movie/ TV show we have watched lately...Well, I am so excited about what I am going to watch in the next few weeks.  My sweet friend gave me two seasons of Call the Midwife for my birthday.  I haven't seen any of it but I am a PBS junky and it looked so good when they were running it last year.

I am curious about..someone who would steal water out of our neighborhood pump for canal water and attach a green hose that goes directly to his house.  Dah!  I have heard of dumb but that takes the cake.  Sorry pal, not watering your huge yard this summer and neither are the four other neighbors that actually pay us so we can pay the water company. What did Jim do?  He unhooked the hose and put it in the thief's yard.  I hope he is not as clueless and he seems.  All the guys in the water group are monitoring it for awhile. 

  

Plans for the rest of the week...Take a rest for a minutes or two, then greet the kids who should be here in about an hour and a half.  Dinner on the deck and a bonfire later tonight with s'mores.  Church tomorrow morning and then dinner at my brother Steve and Emily's house with several family members.  Monday Jim and the kids are going hiking to Pt. Reyes Beach so I will be home doing my thing here and preparing dinner for all. Tuesday we will hang out with them in the yard, then I'll go to work go to work while they all go to The Giant's night game.  San Francisco on Wednesday, Santa Cruz Beach and Board Walk on Thursday.  Friday hang out and have a BBQ party in the yards so family and friends can see their family before they leave on Saturday.  Sandwich in swimming, Farmer's Market, movies, games and just being together with nothing scheduled to do.  Sounds like fun.  Oh, and for those of you that heard about the plane that crashed at SF on the runway.  Our kids are driving.  Thank heavens.
  

One of my favorite things...sharing our home and garden with the family and taking them to the fun places in the San Francisco Bay Area and taking new pictures of everyone and the places we go.


One thing that made me so happy this week...yesterday when the temperature dropped 25+ degrees in less than 24 hours.  H E A V E N !!

The most surprising thing this week...that I heard from so many people for my birthday and everyone was so sweet and kind.  It lifted me up pretty high.  Thanks friends.

A Photo I am sharing this week...

Marie had this on Facebook one day and we both thought the same thing.  Wouldn't it be nice if things were this simple for women?  Someday women will accept themselves as they are and be comfortable in their own skin.  I think this guy was smiling before he tried this variation of what he might look like.  Men have it together in this realm much better than women, generally speaking. I love the British actresses like Maggie Smith, Joan Plowright and Judy Dench who just let it all be what it is.

I saw a picture of Sophia Loren from 2011 today and she looks very unnatural with her breast enhancements and tight face and the rest of her looks just like an 85 year old.  How is that truly attractive?  Puzzler for sure. She was such a beautiful woman, she should have just let it be and she still would be just as beautiful as she always has been in this season of her life.  25 year old boobs on an 85 year old look pretty ridiculous...they are in the wrong place!  Well, there you have it for another Daybook.  Enjoy your life in the stage you are in, ladies!

          Until we all return...happy day to you!

     ❤♡♥♡❤♡♥♡❤♡♥s, Bon

Coming Home From A Bad Place...

We hope you had a very meaningful and fun Independence Day Celebration.  We have pretty much been celebrating it for several months now.  So yesterday we just had  a pancake breakfast at church and then a quiet day here at home.  Here are some thoughts to share through a video.

http://youtu.be/KowUs5Zg8HE

This was pretty sobering knowing that we have been so blessed to have such a homecoming for Robert since last July 4th.  We did not get to see him until we were able to visit in May.  When hugging our Robert I had such similar feelings as this video evokes.  It was a beautiful moment in our lives to see him healthy and strong back home in a wonderful place.  We love you Robert and Laura, Spencer and Ross.  Thank you!

This is something like what those giant bear hugs
 and six very happy faces in one place felt like.
Eternal Gratitude!

I Am My Own Grandpa

Meet my Birthday Twin, Ross.
Gramma and Ross a few years ago on our birthdays.

This is our Grandson, Ross.  He is 11 years old today.  I was that plus the old speed limit 55 yesterday.  He has been a special boy to me since the minute I witnessed his birth. Well actually probably longer than that.  I have always told him we are birthday twins and he is the best birthday present I have ever gotten. In four more years he'll be 15 and getting his driver's permit and I can claim the number in the middle as my own.

Not wanting to speed that up any...

but I would like to take my time

 and land up there in one piece,

with as little work in the body shop

 as possible between now and then.

My own birthday was very full with wonderful things and people yesterday and working, so Ross and I were having trouble connecting so he could wish me a happy birthday.  He wanted to call me at 6:00 am but Laura didn't think that was a good idea.   3:00 am our time! So we finally got to talk at length today.   So fast forward to this afternoon when I was sending out some thanks to friends that sent good wishes yesterday.  One of them was Ross' Aunt Debbie, his Dad's sister.

I was saying to Debbie that we recently learned that our family and theirs are descendants for the same ancestor, Stephen Hopkins.  So I was saying isn't that funny..Laura and Robert are cousins, 14 generations removed.  Hee hee.   And then I had the funniest thought come into my head. 

 Oh my gosh, not only that but I am the cousin of our grandsons, Spencer and Ross!  So I just had to call Ross back and tell him that not only are we birthday twins and grandson and grandmother but we are also cousins! 

 Loooooong pause...

"So what you are saying then Gramma is that, I'm your grandson and your birthday twin, AND your cousin?"

"Yep and your Dad is my son-in law and my cousin, your Grandpa Bryant is your grandpa and your cousin and he is your mother's father-in-law and her cousin and your brother's cousin and grandfather.  And your Grandpa Bryant is my cousin.

Dead air as he ponders and I can see that brain of his in motion......... 

"That is really cool Gramma but you forgot one?

"Really, what?"

I can hear him smiling through the phone....

"We are all brothers and sisters!  We have the same Heavenly Father!"

Hmm, I hate it when they are smarter than me, that was supposed to be my line! 

Then he said, " I only have one thing to say about all this.....this marriage between my parents was definitely meant to be!"

******************************

It has been a delightful couple of days.  I don't regret getting older even a little bit!  It is a blessing!

 http://youtu.be/4_K9H9mdNeg

 

And if you are still here, the best song of all below if you didn't see it on Facebook yesterday!

http://youtu.be/IpINczqQWOU