Grammy's kids

I know... I haven't been good at updating this blog. It's not because I haven't thought of it a million times in the past 2 months. I have written several posts in my head. I just have a hard time making dreams reality when it comes to using technology. But today I'm determined to post, even if it doesn't turn out as well as I'd like. (It's hard to blog when I have kids that are SO PRO at this stuff!!!! Makes a mom proud but intimidated!!!)

Anyway, we have a new addition to the family. Henry Randall Erickson was born on March 18. I was so lucky to be at the hospital with his big brother when he arrived. Everything went sooo well with the delivery by planned c-section. So much better than Owen's birth. I got to spend a whole week playing with Owen whole mom was in the hospital, and just after she came home. we had a great time! Aunty M came after a week and took over for me.

Jonathan, Julia, and Andrew brought their paernts down for a special weekend a few weeks later. The Padres played the Dodgers for opening day. So Papa and Josh took the boys to the ballgame, complete with Andrew wearing his Manny hat. Julia and I went to the movie to see "Monsters vs. Aliens". The whole gang also went to the beach and had some good fun there.

This past weekend Owen and Henry wanted to see their Grammy and Papa. So as soon as their daddy was finished with his last final, they jumped in the car and headed down, getting in to town at 1 am. The Provosts came down to meet Henry, and Aunt E and Uncle T came for dinner. A couple of beach trips, some visits with friends, and some swimming in the spa made for a fun- if short- trip.

We love you and are so glad you came. Can't wait to see you later this week!!!

Owen & Henry

This Grammy was very happy to have visitors for the weekend. Henry brought his big brother and mom and dad for a quick visit. He wanted to see me and papa and meet his new cousins Julia, Jonathan, and Andrew. He also got to meet Uncle T and Aunt E. He even got 2 trips to the beach. The only bummer was that the visit was a too short.

Our golden boy.....

27 years ago today a baby was born. A boy. After 2 girls. Someone to carry on the Mendioroz name. We were thrilled! Our family was complete.

Life was always exciting as "Anthony Scott Mendioroz" grew up. A long stay in the hospital at he age of 13 months. Countless trips to Grandpa Alder's office to stitch up the latest injury. Trips to the orthopedist to splint broken fingers. Lots of ace bandages to wrap sprained ankles.

All boy..... Baseballs games and video games. Snowboards and surfboards and skateboards and any other kind of board.

Student, missionary, friend, brother, uncle, husband, son...

Somehow he managed to grow up, leaving behind only a few scars. And tons of memories.....

Today we celebrate our son's birthday. His golden birthday. For a golden .... man!

JJ, my joy

Here's our special "JJ"- Jonathan James Provost. "J" could also stand for "Joy".

Born nine years ago. Hard to believe how fast times flies! He's our first grandchild, and so special in so many ways. He's almost always happy and helps me to be more optimistic.

"J" and I have always had a special bond. When he was a baby I felt a little like Sally Fields- "He likes me, he really likes me!" I don't know why that amazed me, but it did. We got to spend lots of time together, especially when his aunt and uncle were on their missions. His mom was an only child for awhile then, and JJ was the only grandchild. As the family started to grow with siblings and more aunts and uncles, we didn't get as much one on one. But that doesn't diminish the bond I feel with him.

Because Jonathan is so special, we celebrate all of his accomplishments. Every one is a milestone. His life reminds me daily that I want to be a better person- a better grammy and mom. I know I have much work to do. But his life encourages me to keep trying, to never give up, to keep up the effort. J always gets an "A" for effort!

I love you JJ! I'm so proud to be your grammy! I was blessed the day you came to our family! Happy Birthday, my special joy!!!

Home Made for Christmas

Christmas was home made this year. It started when Jessica, Clint , and Owen came in to town on Dec. 18. The first thing we did was borrow Tony's truck and go to Home Depot for a real tree to decorate as the "kids' tree". For years I have had 2 trees- one for me that's pretty, and one that has all the kids' ornaments....some homemade, some as old as Mique that we had our first Christmas. (Mique was a newborn.) The tree even included the string of cheerios garland that Jessica made while we were still in the Green Orchard house before her mission. Jessica and I had fun decorating and reminiscing.

.Christmas eve was spent here with the Gunderson family joining us for a turkey dinner and a fun game of Hand and Foot. Then it was time for bed.

In the morning we got up and opened presents with the Ericksons. Owen was getting the hang of opening presents, and loved the stuffed talking, singing dog he got. I especially loved the sweater Jessica appliqued for me.
At around noon Mique and fam joined us. We opened more presents. I think everyone loved their gifts. I know I did. Every gift was thoughful. I especially loved the "Chill" picture Mique embroidered for me. An inside joke.

And the necklace from Tony and Erika is just so me! (It's the first pic of this posting because I don't know how to move the pictures around. You know me and technology!)

The best part of this Christmas was the fun we had playing games and spending time together, grandkids playing together and with Grammy and Papa. That is what is truly homemade.... the love that we share! May we have many more.

I love you all.

Thankful

Just a quick post before I leave town for a few days......

This morning I saw a picture of my # 1 grandson as a 2 year old that reminded me of the close connection he and I have. What made me think of it is that from the nose up he looks soooo much like I did as a child. Those big gorgeous blue eyes remind me of looking in the mirror when I was so much younger. Anyway, I got to reflecting on how much I love this beautiful boy!!!! He has been such a special blessing to our family, particularly me. He makes me face things that I would not have chosen to face, teaching me about unconditional love. That's something he shares always. His ready smile... Wow! I can't think about him without tearing up. (I know; it doesn't take much to make me tear up.) But my JJ is so special to me. I just hope I am worthy of his love.
I am so grateful for him.

I love you, Jonathan!!!

My 2 Girls

31 years ago my life changed forever. I had gone to Dr. Nanni 2 days before and he said "Honey, it's going to be a LONG time before this baby is born." Well, my tenacious # 1 had other things in mind. Labor started, and 33 long hours later, at 2:33 in the afternoon my beautiful, milk chocolate baby girl was born. Although her head was a "banana head," that changed quickly, and everyone thought she was perfect. We didn't know we were having a girl, as that was before cenograms were readily done. We had chosen to name her after Randy's sweet "Grandma Mique"- or Micaela.

Mique has been a wonderful daughter with many admirable attributes. She has always done everything in a big way. She lets her feelings be known- if she loves something or someone everyone knows it. And if she's unhappy, well, it's obvious. She loves to share her artistic talents and is very generous in her giving. She's a really good writer, and should publish a book someday. Her photography is beautiful, as well as her scrapbooking and blogging. She's a computer wiz, having no fear in figuring out any piece of equipment. If there is a problem, she tackles it head on, and makes a difference! And she's a true friend.

She has taken being a big sister very seriously since the day Jessica was born. She's a terrific mother who inspires others to be better, always advicating for her three kids. And she's a wonderful daughter who makes her parents proud every day!

Happy Birthday, our # 1!!!!!

And then there were 2......


Exactly 2 years (by calendar days) our life changed again. Even though she wasn't due for another week, Jessica appeared. I know she had just seen how much fun Halloween was and wanted to participate. She made thing so much easier on Me, coming after only 8 hours of labor. Her thick black hair and pretty face added to our milk chocolate family. (I know, you girls don't like chocolate! But you have to admit, it is a pretty color!) She was easy going from the start, which helped a frantic new mother of 2. After 2 major surgeries, she was good as new.

Jessica was alway pretty smart, and challenged herself to learn as she saw her sister go to school. When she finally got there, she surrounded herself with smart people and did very well. (Of course we thought our kids were geniouses.) Jessica always loved the arts, and earned the nickname "Lupdy" as a way of describing how she danced around the house. She took ballet, and was in theatre and singing groups. She is talented in drawing and figuring out how to make anything she wants to.

Her dimples have always been visible as she's generally happy, looking for the joy in life. Her bother and sister have always relied on her to be level headed, being what I have always called " a wise soul." Her spiritually has been evident since she was a very young teenager. It was no surprise to anyone when she decided to go on a mission. Her scriptures have always been WELL used.

And now she is also a wonderful mother and wife. We are so proud to call you our daughter.

Happy birthday to you, Lupdy!

I love you both more than you could know.. well now that you are mothers you might have a good idea . But until your children are parents, you'll just have to wait to see how much you love and admire them. It's SOOOOO much!!!! I am so blessed!!!!