Its me again...

Its me again....

I haven't written in several months now. I really have to be in the right mood to write my thoughts. I have lots of thoughts but they usually come to me at a time when I can't write or don't have the time.

I have had many happy experiences since my last writing. I have been filled with great joy and great sadness. Time has passed and I feel that I have lost something. Maybe its just the passing of time that makes one think more quiet thoughts that aren't always happy ones. I'll see if I can explain better.

I was privileged to be present for the birth of another grandchild. Just the birthing process itself is an amazing act of God. And to be lucky enough to be blessed with 9 grandchildren is beyond words. Watching my grown children go through these experiences is a touch of immortality for me. A very small part of me will live for another generation. Hopefully, it will be whatever "good" parts I have to give that will continue into eternity.

There also comes a point in your life where you or me, as the "mom" has to really step back from the children. That process hasn't really been that hard for me, as I have watched my kids grow into wonderful, thoughtful, caring adults. They are making good choices and really don't NEED my opinion anymore. I just want them to still "like" me, especially when I'm old and crazy.

Secondly....I came home from New Jersey with the wonderful news of my oldest daughter's engagement...to the love of her life. I have always told her that God was saving someone special and she needed to be patient. We are preparing for her wedding now and to see the transformation in her face and countenance is breathtaking to me. She has been my "miracle" child and her happiness is certainly my happiness.

I think I will leave the "sad" issues of my life alone for now. I am grateful to have a job this summer and that everyone is coming home for the wedding. Those are my blessings and I thank God everyday for them. Going to bed now....long working day tomorrow.....good night....

Last Post for April

Last Post for April

Its Sunday evening and General Conference is over. What a great weekend it has been. Almost all of the talks were written for me this time! Wow...do I have a lot of "work" to do to be worthy of my blessings! There is always something at conference that really touches my heart and pulls a few tears from my eyes. This conference was no different.

Family, children and faithful service seemed to be the theme that reached out to me. Thoughts of my children are always so close to the surface of mind. My love for them runs deep and the desire to see them be successful, happy and righteous people is always in my prayers. I am proud of each one of them, including their spouses, for the good people they've become. The mother in me will always want so much more for them and I would give my life for them, if they "needed" it. But today, I am happy with the joy and richness they have all given me.

My Favorite Stringham Family! Grama's on her way!!

I am leaving in the morning, to fly all the way across the country. I am always a little anxious, until I have checked in at the airport. So this will be my last post until I get back. I plan on recording my thoughts and feelings the old fashion way.....you know, with a pen and paper! I will shoot out some pictures on facebook cause I know how to do that from my phone! So I'll have a lot to catch up on.

Before I publish this, I need my good husband to know how much I love him and that my life would be really empty without him. He makes me laugh, he makes me mad, sometimes, but most of all, he has helped to make me who I am. I am grateful that he has encouraged me to go and be with my Halley, even when I will gone for so long. And I am really grateful that he loves our children as much I do. I am grateful for his love and support and our eternal companionship. 

An image I will carry in mind FOREVER!!!

I love you..... 



A Tribute to Life

A Tribute to Life...

I have been anxiously engaged in getting prepared for my upcoming trip to New Jersey, to be with Halley, as she prepares for the arduous task of bringing a new life into the world. I have completed a painting home improvement project that my good husband started. I will clean my bathroom so it will be "good" for awhile and I have been taking care of a lot of last minute tasks. Of course, packing is next, which does take several days as new items are added, already packed items need to be rearranged! So, in the midst of all this flurry, an event happened yesterday that has caused me to stop and reflect on the word LIFE.....

I am preparing to go to be part of one of God's greatest gifts to us and that is LIFE. Even though I have gone through this process 5 times myself, I will never get over the awe and wonder of giving birth. I go crazy when the world abuses this God-giving privilege because every life is precious.

Likewise, on the other side of that coin, there has to be death. One life comes, one life goes, it is the way of God. My long-time old friend from Auburn "lost" her beloved husband yesterday, after his valiant fight for life. My heart was very sad for her and her loss...I wanted to reach across time to hug her close. I wanted to give her hope of a new day, when we will all be reunited with loved ones that have gone on before us. I wanted to reassure her of the plan of salvation where by we can be sealed together forever as families. I am so grateful for my knowledge of these promises and I want her to know that "life" really doesn't end with death. Death is just a holding place, where we continue to prepare to live with God one day. Bob is there now, Geri, preparing the way for you. I love you.....don't forget to keep looking up.



And the Home Improvement Project Began.......

Among all the many reasons why I love this man, his home improvements skills have to be at the TOP of my list! Through at least 30 of our 36 years together, his creative "talents" have kept my life in one perpetual remodel project after another! And though I always love the end result, LIVING through it is always the challenge! Thus, this seemly small project, in comparison to his usual standard, has taken a good month to complete, almost. A side note here: Almost means....trim and final detail work is not neccessary until its time to sell the house!

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Yesterday was my day to help complete the project. I am the official painter, of which I really do enjoy doing. There is some immediate satisfaction in changing the color or sprucing up something as large as a wall. So, with my music blasting, a few little unseen dance steps thrown in, ( glad Jade wasn't around with that blasted camera of hers!) I managed to paint the new walls, ceiling and throw up a new coat down the hallway. I was quite pleased with my work.

However...just when I thought my work was done, my good husband tells me that "we" should really complete the project by going down the stairwell, too! YIKES! We have a two-story stairwell! So its off to Lowes this morning for a few more paint supplies. I love my job as Assistant to the Home Improvement King!



Today is my day!

I've had a little trouble with this "blog" thing, trying to figure out what I wanted to write. Its a little different from the days of my youth when I wrote each day...things like, "Today was boring! I didn't do anything fun!" So I have been looking at other blogs, at what other people have considered things worth writing about and I have wondered, "do I have anything worthy of the written word??"

So...of course, for me, I am a bit of a broken record because most of my "worthy" thoughts always seem to turn to my children and grandchildren. When you reach this stage of life, is there really anything else MORE important? I guess my answer is NO!

My children have always been a huge part of my life. I quit school my senior year of college to marry my best friend and start my family. I never regretted a moment of that decision. My children, my husband, have all lead me down a merry road and now, my grandchildren have added a depth and dimension to my life that I could never have imagined! My life has been good and rich and full and filled with that deep, satisfying kind of love, all because I was blessed with 5 great kids.

Today is my last day of work, prior to spring break and my month long trip to New Jersery. I have had a hard time thinking of anything else. I've had the privilege of being present or close by, for the birth of all my G-kids, except for our little Jeven, that I did see about a month after his birth. The joy and anticipation of such events is beyond anything I thought it might be! Just when I thought my heart couldn't hold any more love, God gives me a beautiful little baby to hold in my arms.....certainly a gift, if not one of His greatest treasures. And the happiness I will see in the eyes of this baby's parents, is worth the sacrifice it took to bring her into the world. I am so gratiful to my Heavenly Father for the promise of eternal families, that we can all be sealed together forever. I could never imagine my life without my wonderful husband and the family we created together. I am especially thankful today, for my good husband and the encouragement and support he has giving me to make this trip to Halley's. I could not be as strong, without him.

To My Family......

I love you all.....thank you for letting me be your mother!

My First Real Post

Hello Blog World! I can't believe my family has finally gotten me to this point in my life! Teaching this "old" dog some new tricks has been a little more than challenging, for all of us!

(Oh, maybe not this "old" dog, but you get the idea!)       Since I woke this morning with several "blog post" ideas, I decided that today was the day I officially start! However, I am not going to use the ideas that woke me up, instead, I'll say that I am looking forward to this new generation of "journal" writing as I have been a longtime recorder of my life's adventures! I started in grade school with the little book that came with a key, so I could keep my little 7th grade secrets away from my sister. And then, high school and college, I transitioned to spiral notebooks and finally, as a wife and mom, I moved to hard bound books. My life's history is scattered in so many "places" that it will take my kids months to figure out their mom's stories, after I have gone to my "rest! I have missed major blocks of time, as I have been busy raising a family, working a full time, paid job and dedicating my service to the church so there will be places that my kids can just fill in nice things about their mom, as they retell my life history to their kids!

  In any case, I am kind of excited to throw my random thoughts out there and believe me, they are getting more random with each birthday that passes!!

    So Blog World, Here I Come!!

Testing testing

So this is Jade. I have started this blog for mom. Now the fun part begins… teaching her to use it. 

I can just see her now…