I love this time of year.

I love this time of year. Last night we went to the conference center for the LDS church's annual Christmas program. It was so wonderful. I couldn't believe an hour and half had passed, the program was amazing and I enjoyed it so much. I believe that the reason we love this time of years so much is because the focus is on Christ. It is on Christ in the music we hear, in our thoughts, in our actions, in the symbols of Christmas, in our family activities, and gifts we give. Remembering that the gifts of time and from the heart are the best gifts we can give.

I have not posted for ever. It is always a busy summer when the river is going and now Grandma Harding is living with us most of the time. And I forgot school for me too! I am learning all the stuff I should have know when I raised my kids. The sad thing is that it is hard to learn how to be a good mother when you are busy just being a mother!!! I am doing the program finish at home wht you didn't finish at BYU. I thought I would be the oldest person in the program, but there is a man that is 87. I want to meet him!

Today was a great day, but a funny day. I have wanted to take my Mom to the Mothers Day Brunch at Thanksgiving point for ever. I tried to get reservations last year, but they were all sold out. I called early this year and got reservations for Mom, Afton (my mother-in-law) and Jessica, Trixy, Wendy, and Rebecca. I was so excited. Wendy didn't get a baby sitter and Rebecca cancelled at the last minute. I woke up bright and early. I called Mom (she has completely lost her short term memory) at 9:30 to remind her and tell her to get ready. (our reservation was for 12:00.) I was walking past Afton's room (she is living with us since Fred Passed away) she said Susan is that you? I went in her room and she was so cute-trying to decide what to wear. She cannot see. She has a triple whammy. Macular degeneration, Glaucoma, and Cataracts (probably all mis-spelled) I helped her pick out what she was going to wear and went to get ready. I told her to wear her most comfortable clothes, since she is 95 and entitled to do what she wants. She finally picked out her blue pants )they are way too big because she is really thin now, and a new shirt she got for Mothers Day. She looked really cute. I left at 10:30 to pick up Mom. I found her in bed because she had forgotten we were going (the short term memory thing) I finally got her up and dressed, hair combed, make-up on, and in the car. It was quite the accomplishment. Then I headed home to get Afton. I got her in the car. Seat belted and we were on our way. I was breathing a sigh of relief. It was now 11:30. It took me an hour to round up the Grandmas. I headed toward Jessica's home. Rebecca called and said she couldn't come. That was alright, because I was just making it. I picked up my cute Jessica and Trixy was on her way. We got to Thanksgiving Point. Jessica and I helped the Grandmas out of the car. We walked slowly with our two little ladies on our arms. When I say slowly I mean slowly. We got in the restaurant and Trixy got there and we were seated. Then we went into the Buffet. WOW. It cost $27.00 a person and it was worth every penny. You entered and there was first this huge relish area, followed by cheese and crackers ares, followed by fruit area, followed by breakfast granola and yogurt, followed by bacon, eggs Benedict, french toast, followed by prime rib and ham, followed by beef tips, salmon, shrimp, trout,followed by oodles of yummy salads (spinich, fruit, green, potato) this was followed by this huge bread area. It had all these breads. Oh did I mention the giant chocolate covered strawberries in the fruit area. Then in the middle of this there was this big desert table. More chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate dipped cakes, cheese cakes, bread pudding with caramel, little chocolate things with a raspberry on top, lemon bars, and who knows what else. It was amazing. I want to make it a Mothers day tradition. Dennis said do it. Just put 15 or 20 dollars away every month.

Sounds good to me!

Any way HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THOSE BEAUTIFUL MOTHERS OUT THERE. I LOVE MINE. (THE ONES THAT ARE MY MOTHERS AND THE ONES THAT ARE THE MOTHERS OF MY GRANDCHILDREN)

April 12, 2009 Easter Morning:

This is my last post about Grandpa Harding our Fred. He passed away early on Easter morning. He was very peaceful. He would have turned 98 on Tuesday April 14. He was a wonderful man. He told Arlene that he was a happy man, had a happy life, and to tell everyone not to cry when he passed away. He was also a lucky man, because he was cared and loved by the best women in the world for over 75 years. He lived a simple life. He cherished his wife and family.

Today was a great day as we celebrated Easter with out extended family. The kids are so cute and happy. It was also an unbelievable hard day. Grandpa Harding is getting closer to dying. He breathing is so hard. They have to give him morphine to ease the pain of breathing. It is just really hard to watch. I am so worried about Grandma Harding. She keeps insisting on staying alone with him at night. I do not want her to be alone when he dies, but maybe she really needs the time to be alone and to say goodby in her own way without anyone else there. I guess I will just tell her that Dennis and I can be there in a minute and to call us when she is ready and we will be there. I believe the spirit stays close to their body for a while. Whatever she says or does when he passes away he will know. He will know of her amazing devotion and love for him. He will know what a lucky man he was to have a wife that took such good care of him and loved him so much for over 75 years of their earth life and who will love him for eternity.

Ok, so I will finish my post. I am unbelievably sad. Not just a little bit, but deep down inside of my self sad. I am thankful that I believe in eternal life, but saying good by to someone you love is still hard. I don't like to say good by- I like to say hello! I decided I don't like to watch people suffer. I love this life and when Grandma Harding looked at me sadly and asked me where the time went, I just didn't know how to answer. Our time here is precious and it does go fast. I know deep down we know that this Earth is going to be our eternal home and we love it. Here it is Easter and I keep thinking about the Resurrection and what a joyful celebration that will be! I am thankful to Jesus Christ our Savior, his gift is beyond comprehension.

Friday April 10th, 2009.

Grandpa is still holding on. He has been without food for three weeks, and water for three days. He cannot swallow. Even a little bit of moisture chokes him. I just sat with Grandma for a while. The amazing thing about life is we always have hope. It is cute. She told me that maybe he will live for 20 days. She said where did the time go? Every moment with him, to her, is a precious moment. They are an example of love that is eternal. Beautiful example of the kind of kindness and compassion we should show each other.