Love and Thankfulness

There are two ways that love helps me, now and then, to see real people through the filter of my insecurities.
One of them is a growing power to love myself enough to be thankful for what I am, and to forgive myself for what I am not!  I feel this power intermittently, I admit, but I feel it enough to get my eyes off my anxieties about myself and get a focus on what is going on with other people.

Love also helps me to get outside of myself long enough to discover that the people whose favor I need so much are as weak and needy as I am.   They are trusting me to care about them while I am struggling to see them through the haze of my own anxieties.  If I discern them in their needs, I am getting the imagination to catch a moment of grace when it comes.  :)

This is a quote from Marianne Williamson's book - Return to Love.

It has taken me a lot of years to try to focus more on the other person and quit thinking of myself so much.  I believe that this is human nature(to think of ourselves more than the other person),but I do notice that people really like to be around you when you actually listen closely to what they are saying and show that you care. 
 It is easy to not listen very well.  I am trying hard to give full attention to the person I am with and not think of my little world so much.
It's always a work in progress.....

I am always reminded of how blessed I am.
All I have to do is turn on the TV and see on the news what so many other people in the world are dealing with. Right now they are focusing a lot on the big Typhoon that hit in the Phillipines. Thousands are dead and Thousands more are wounded and displaced. 
The scenes of graphic destruction are everywhere.It is so sad and depressing to see.
Yet we have people close to home that have many hardships, too.
Yesterday I took a Gal and her son to the Dr. and to run some errands.  She and  her family are homeless right now. They don't have a car and a job either.  Jay (my husband, the Bishop) is trying to help them get back on their feet. It is sad to see how hard it is on them and their family.  But I'm finding that we can only do so much to help......then we have to let go and pray that their lives can get better. It does make you sooooo Thankful for your own life and all the luxuries that you have. (i.e:  a warm home, a car, a job,running water, food, clothes, etc.)
I hope and pray that I will always keep a grateful heart.  
Gratitude and Love - that's what it's all about.


  

Trying to remember....

I'm trying to remember the 1/2 maras that I've done in the past. So I will put it down here - so I can
refer back to it.
The first 1/2 marathon  I did was in Verona, Oregon.
The second one was in Hartford, Conn.(did with son, Rocky)
The third one was in Sunriver, Oregon
The fourth one was outside of Pocatello, Idaho. (did with daughter, Staci)
The fifth one was around the Lake of Chelan, WA. (parents came with)
The sixth 1/2 mara was in Carlsbad, California. (did with Rocky again)
The seventh one was the Rock-n-roll 1/2 Mara of Seattle, WA.
The eighth one was in Wenatchee, Washington.
The ninth one was in Miami, Florida. (did with Rocky Jay)
The 10th one was in Wenatchee, WA again.
The 11th one was in Eden, Utah, (did with Staci)
The 12th one was in Huntsville, Utah. (did with Staci again....:)

The only whole Marathon I did was in Salmon Idaho with my daughter Staci.
  I came in an hour or more later than her, of course.....:)
But hey!  I did it.

Now I have a record of the races of done.  So that I can remember when I'm old and gray
and can't remember any more.  Ha haha.....I guess I shouldn't laugh.....that might not be too
far away from now.  I had a time remembering the order of these now.
I will still try and do at least one 1/2 mara a year.  And I always do the Ephrata Canal Caper in March. (10K)   But now I think I will be lucky to do that much a year.
I do spend a lot more time just walking the River or around the Farm, when I can.

Feelings of Fall

Well, I've let another -long time span -go on my blog.

I see that it's getting harder to post and I attribute this just to life...
But I feel such feelings of Gratitude right now.
I have such a great life.  Wonderful Family, Friends and plenty of blessings.
What more could anyone want??
We had a new Grandbaby born this year - Thomas Jay Adams!  What a joy and a blessing
to our family.... Here's a few pics of little Tommy.....

So wonderful...........
Jay and I love being Grandparents.
We've had a very busy Summer.  Things have seemed to speed up for us for some reason. (Maybe it is all in our minds, too)  And maybe it is because we are older and can't seem to keep up with life.
But it's all good, right?!    All the challanges, trials, tests, struggles, shocks and surprises are what we learn from.  I've felt that I've learned more this year.  Or maybe all that I have learned is coming together in a way that makes more sense to me.........is that deep?! I try not to be very deep, but sometimes I can be......who knew....:)
We've had some really good trips this year.  We went with Rocky on a Golfing trip to Canada in May.
We went to see our Beloved new Grandson in June.  Then we went to Eden in July and had a good little Winters' Family get together at our home there.   I was able to spend a lot more time in Eden this year and I loved it.  The Grandkids came over quite a few times and we had some good times.....in my opinion ...:)  We went up to Rigby and saw Weston play flag football last month.
Also, in September - Jay and I went on a nice trip to Alaska.  We've always been wanting to go there! We went on a Northbound Cruise from Vancouver, BC to Whittier, Alaska.  Then we went on to Juneau and from there the Denali Forrest and Mt. McKinley.  Beautiful Scenery!!  We really had a great time.  Saw some breath-taking views.  We loved it!  And we like Cruising.
I suppose I'd better post a few pics of that time...

I have so many more, but I'm putting a book together now for us......so this is all that I will post here today.  Wish I had time to blog more.  It's hard to try and catch up after so many months.
Anyhoo,   My post here is called 'Feelings of Fall'   so I will try and post some of the pics that I've taken lately (while I've walked around the river)  I really do love Fall and this one has been a great one.  Lots of warm, beautiful days..

Also, I was able to do a 1/2 mara this September with my beautiful daughter, Staci.(She did the full mara)  It was in Huntsville, Utah.  I would say that it was probably one of the best 1/2 maras I've ever done. (because of the downhill incline most the way.....:)  And it was a beautiful Fall day w/just a touch of cool air .....perfect jogging conditions.  I was sore for the next whole week, because I didn't train properly......but it still was definitely worth it.

Wow......I've really had a great fall........knock on wood.....

Sage-n-Sun Fun Run

Yesterday I did the Ephrata Sage-n-Sun Fun Run. I have not done that run in a couple years and now I remember why.   I always pick running the 5 mile and most everyone else does the 2 miler. AAANNNDDD, I am not a runner runner.  I am a walker/runner.  I did come in last - I'm pretty sure.
Last time I did this run, there were at least a few people behind me.   
   The reason is:  I think I'm the oldest one doing that run.  
And I'm not in that great of shape, even tho, I walk the river a lot. (A person needs to really train for these runs)
And it was sooooo hot.  Or was it me? I was really feeling overheated.

I guess I forgot how much I dislike negative attention.....:)   Everyone really cheered for me when I came in.  Because they had been standing there giving out medals already.  Oh, well,  at least I did the race. I've gotta learn to let go of any pride that I have about winning a race.  It's just not me to win in this area.(and God knows I've tried...:)  I still like the feeling of being able to do it and I like the feeling I feel for a couple days after.  I feel good and healthy. I think it's the endorphins that kick in.

All day I felt great!  And I ran into a lot of old friends at the park after the parade - that I really enjoyed visiting with. And I realized at the run this time, that I know most of the people involved and that is a good feeling. It's good to be part of a small community at times.
 It was a pretty good day all in all.( Also, I got a nice shirt .)

Mountains to Climb

10 things about my Religion that I'm thankful for....

My Family and My Church have been my life.
   
     I have belonged to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints my whole life. Well, technically since I was 8 years old. (That's when you are baptized in to the Church.
   Below is a picture of Jay and I with our oldest grandchild - Weston Jay Larsen. This is when he
was baptized into our church.

Our Church has a program called Primary that teaches the young children up to age 12 years about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Then after 12 - they go into the Young Men and Young Women programs.

They learn more about living a Christ-like Life, but they also have more activities and goal-setting programs to enjoy.  Then after the age of 18 - The Young Women go to Relief Society and the Men go to their Priesthood meetings.

What is great about being and working in the Church  - you learn so much and can do so many different things.
You have callings that teach you how to do things that you wouldn't otherwise do.  For years I have been able to play the Organ and Piano for many of the meetings that we have.  I've also been able to play for Weddings and Funerals.  This has made me do better at keeping up on those musical skills than I would not have otherwise done. I'm thankful for that, because I actually enjoy it.

10 things about my religion that I'm grateful for:

1. Knowledge that God is my Heavenly Father

2. Being able to learn - The Gospel of Jesus Christ

3. Having a Prophet and Church Leaders to guide us.

4. Knowledge that my Family can be Forever (The Plan of Salvation)

5. Having Opportunities to Serve

6. Being able to study the scriptures (Bible and Book of Mormon)

7. Primary

8. Young Men's and Young Women's

9.  Relief Society

10. Knowledge of the Temple (and temple covenants)

10 places on Earth that I'm grateful for

Today I am putting down 10 Places on Earth that I'm grateful for. In some cases, I kind of lumped the places all together....such as: Beaches #3.) 

My #1 favorite place is of course the Wenatchee, Washington Apple Trail Loop around the Columbia River.  I can't count the many wonderful times that I have walked this trail and loved every minute of it!  I truly feel closer to God - by being out on this lovely trail.

#2  My next favorite place is in Eden, Utah.... We actually found a home there that we want to retire in.  We purchased the house a couple years ago and go there now for all Holidays and whenever we can get away.  It really is a beautiful area - with mountains all around and a big lake in the middle.

 #3  Ocean Beaches.......almost anywhere. I love the beach, but I do
prefer the warm beaches in places like:  So. California, Florida, Mexico, etc.) The above pic is of  the beach in Newport, Oregon.
Our Winters' Family has gone there in July for many years.
  

#4  Hawaii!  Yes, pretty much anywhere in Hawaii. We were able to take a cruise around all the Islands for our 25th Anniversary. I will never forget it. Each Island was wonderful!! Something about that Tropical feeling - just makes you feel extra good. 

#5  New York City!
 This is a pic of Times Square, of course. There is just Something about NYC. It's something that you can't quite explain to anyone that hasn't been there.  That's why I think everyone should go there at least once in their lifetime.  I was amazed at the diversity of people, places , food.......well, pretty much everything.
You could look down any street and see a mixture of all kinds of people, things, etc.  This city has it all.  I was lucky to go here about 5 different times and get to do all the usual tourist's things.  And I even got the chance to ride the elevators up to the Top of the World Trade Center before 9/11. 
 I also got to go w/my Son - Rocky, when he ran the NYC marathon.  That was an experience all in it's own.....just to be one of the 2 million spectators.  I am in awe of this City.  Hope I get to go here again sometime.

#6  Disney World and DisneyLand
Yep, these are definitely  very important places to go to at least once in your life, too. 
We are all just really kids' at heart, aren't we??

#7  Venice, Italy

Well, pretty much anywhere in Italy is on my list for favorite places to go.  I say Venice, because that is where I've visited and just loved it. We went on a business tour for fruit trees the 2 times I have been here - so we didn't get to see a lot of the tourist places in Italy, (like Rome)  But it still was wonderful what we did see.

  #8 The Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany

This was another place we got to visit on our Fruit tree Business tour. It really is a magical place.  

#9 Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is a special place to me and my family. My Husband went on his church mission there and our Son went to Tufts Medical School there.  We have had the opportunity to visit a number of times and those visits are very great memories.

Infact, I realize that this should have been much higher on my list of places on Earth that I'm grateful for.  

 

 #10  Zions National Park - Angels Landing

This one has to be on the list . Because it was one of the most awesome places to be (for me). We didn't know what a trek we were taking when we climbed this rock about 2 years ago. (our son told us it wouldn't be too hard)  Well, it wasn't easy that's for sure. Here's a pic of how we had to climb parts of it:

Yes, and there were tougher spots than this! There was also a sign that said at least one person a year falls to their death climbing this Rock!  Well, we did make it and here is a pic of us at the Top:

It really is something we will never ever forget. And the view from up there was just incredible!

10 food things to be grateful for!

Ok, today it is Food that I'm grateful for. I know I could really Keep going on this list, but I'll try to limit it to 10:

1. Anything Chocolate, of course!

2. Pasta

3. Ice Cream and Yogurt

4. Chicken

5. Roast Beef

6. Seafood (Sushi, too)

7. Pizza

8. Mexican food (that covers a lot of food items...:)

9. Some veges......like corn on the cob

10.Most Fruits.......like Peaches!

Yes, I did try to put Sprite and Dt. Coke down as food things that I am grateful for.
But I can see that they are drinks and really not food. So I think I did the best I could here...:)


Well, I tried and tried to put some pictures of food in this post, but something is wrong w/my computer today and it won't let me do it. I hope it works next time........

10 More things I'm grateful for: (Material)

Today I'm feeling grateful for living in this day and age and being able to enjoy the material things that we have.  Here's my list:

1. Our home

2. Cars

3. Computers

4. TV's

5. Cellphones

6. Things that make cooking easier: (i.e.: stove, dishwasher, refrig, microwave, etc.)

7. washer & dryer

8. Clothes

9. Books

10. Bank Accounts


We really are spoiled.  I mean I forgot to say indoor plumbing and air conditioners and furnaces and Hot tubs.  I'm sure there is more.

10 more things to be grateful for: (things I can do)

I feel so blessed just thinking of all these things I am grateful for. I really do take a lot for granted.

Here's a list of things that I like to do and am able to do:

1. I can travel - I love to do that.

2. I can do a lot of walking/jogging.

3. I can play the piano/organ.

4. I can read and write.

5. I can type/blog.

6. I can organize and clean pretty well.

7. I can work hard outside (i.e: weed, move rocks, paint, etc)

8. I can Swim.

9. I can dance and sing (ok, not really well, but I can)

10. I can cook/bake. (I make a mean pot roast).

 

But as a side note:  I have to say that being a wife, Mother, and Grandma are the most meaningful things in my life.  The above things are just things that I'm thankful I can do at this stage in my life.

10 things a day to be grateful for.

 

Yep, I'm going to write down here 10 things I am grateful for.

I will try to do it everyday for awhile.

We will see how this goes.  But today I thought I'd put down 10 things in Nature that I'm grateful for:

1. The Sun is #1 of course!

2. Water - I guess I should say Rivers and Lakes.

3.  Salt Water  - Beaches

4.  Mountains

5.  Trees

6.  Flowers and plants

7.  Tropical Climate

8.  SKY

9. Clouds and Rain

10. Waterfalls


I'd say that's pretty good to start with, huh?!

Grand kids

Don't I have the most beautiful grandkids in the whole wide world!?!  I can't tell you how much I adore them. And, Here's a pic of the whole family:

This is a pretty recent pic. (about a month ago)

Our daughter, Staci, is their mother and our son-in-law is Chad Larsen.

 

I feel like telling you a little bit about each one of them. I don't think I've said a lot in past blog posts, so here goes:

The Oldest is the only boy : Weston Jay Larsen. He is 9 years old. 

This pic is when he was 7, I think.  But he is really an amazing kid and I'm not just saying that because I'm his grandma.  A lot of other people have said it to me, too...:)

He is always beating us at games -almost any game I've played w/him.  And I don't even try to lose either. He has a very competitive nature and does excel at about everything he tries to do.

He has always been amazing at putting together Legos - starting at 2 years old. One day when he was 6 years old, he said to his parents, " Do you know what the greatest thing in the world is?"

And they said, " No, What?"

And he said, "Lego instructions!"

Now what 6 year old would say something like that!

(Okay, I'll  have to just say one story each about these kids, or I'll never get this blog done...:)

 

 

 

Okay the 1st pic of Analee was when she was a lot younger. (But I just love that one). And the next one is a more recent one.  She is 7 years old now.

She is a very sensitive and loving girl. She is also very observant.  I'll never forget when she was younger and she asked me what were all those polka dots (freckles)  all over my face!

Oh, here is an even more recent pic of Analee below:

 

Then you've got Kallista, age 5:

 

And

here is a pic below of her at around 2 0r 3 years:

She has been the one that has said sooooo many funny things. I have quite a list of them in

my little Grandma's book of sayings.  Here's an example:

I had been w/the kids for almost a week one time during little Lydia's surgeries and helping w/a move that they were making to Rigby. And at the end of the week, I was driving them to a park - when Weston asked if I had to go back home soon. I said, "Yes, I probably will have to go soon."  Then Kallista piped up and said "  Don't go Grandma!  We are just starting to like you!"

(Oh, out of the mouth of babes....:)

 

Next there is Gwen. She is 3 years old right now:

Above is when she was younger and would just let me hold her like that forever.  She was the only one that would do that for so long. I'd say that she did that for at least the first 2 years of her life.

Gwen is a very strong willed little girl now. I get quite a kick out of her and how she is.

A few months ago,she was upset about something.  So she had gone into my bedroom and shut the door behind her and had started to tear up some pages in my scriptures. (Greg also did this once when he was little) Anyhoo, I caught her and her parents found out - so they were trying to make her say "I'm sorry Grandma."  She just couldn't do it.  They brought her to me about 10 times until she finally said a very quiet "sorry".   It was so funny that I tried not to laugh, but it was so hard for her to do.'

 

Then we have little Lydia:

 

Lydia will be one in June.

 

 

The above is a picture before one of her surgeries. She had a cleft lip and palate.

Even with all that she has been through, she will smile. She has such a sweet spirit about her.

We are so thankful for this little girl.

 

Okay, I had to do a little bragging. That's what a Grandma does.