Thursday, February 19, 2009

Faster Please...

I may not be very good at writing on my blog, but I do check it often. I'm always wanting to check on the little baby ticker at the bottom of the page. This is partly because I can't ever remember how many weeks pregnant I am (of all the things to forget...) and partly because I just like the visual of my progress. I like to see little Virginia tootling along in her little car toward the finish line. But I always find myself thinking, can't you go any faster?! She certainly does seem to crawl along.

This week I'm going to the doctor for my 28 week checkup. That means there are only 12 weeks left. Some days that seems very long, and some days it doesn't. Lately, it's seemed short enough that I'm thinking we should have more than just an empty bassinet here waiting for her when she arrives. Maybe it's time to go out and get some baby gear, or at least have my mom mail me the stuff we left in Utah over Christmas break. Diapers, bottles, clothes and a carseat might be nice, huh? Poor baby!

Now that I'm squarely into my third trimester, I have ventured into that part of the baby books that I have thus far vigilantly ignored: labor and delivery. I was very careful only to read about baby's development this week and next, but it's time to prepare myself for birth as well. Fortunately (or not), we get to attend a childbirth and parenting class next month that will tell us everything we need to know. Apparently, they even teach you how to change a diaper. If I didn't know that I'd really be in trouble!

Well, basically the update on the pregnancy is that I'm feeling hot and huge! I know I still have a ways to go as far as the growth is concerned, but that doesn't make me feel any less giant. I have also taken to being the hottest person in every room. I always think it's sweltering when everyone else is completely comfortable. So, despite my careful planning NOT to be pregnant during the sweltering summer, it looks like my life is going to be overheated from now until May anyway.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

On my Mind

DEATH be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not so,

For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me.

From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,

Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,

And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,

Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.

Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,

And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,

And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then;

One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,

And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.




Come, ye children of the Lord,
Let us sing with one accord,
Let us raise a joyful strain
To our Lord, who soon will reign
On this earth, when it shall be
Cleansed from all iniquity;
When all men from sin will cease,
And will live in love and peace.


All arrayed in spotless white,
We will dwell ’mid truth and light.
We will sing the songs of praise;
We will shout in joyous lays.
Earth shall then be cleansed from sin.
Every living thing therein
Shall in love and beauty dwell;
Then with joy each heart will swell.

A Bit of Levity - because I need some this week

Two bits of randomness have come into my life and made me laugh this week. So I thought I would share.

FIRST: This lovely Valentine's Day Card appeared in our mailbox from our Alma Mater.



That's the school logo in the middle and a statute on the main building in campus on top of the heart. In some ways I guess this references the celtic claddagh, or at least that's the association that comes to mind. But, what really comes to mind is: did you honestly pay someone to design that graphic? And someone else approved it and thought it was good idea? Really?

On the back it says "Happy Valentine's Day Alum-mates". I guess that because, unlike BYU, not many of our alums tend to end up together (something to do with most social interaction taking place in a drunken stupor), they want to make a big deal out of us. It's nice to know they're thinking of us anyway.

We have given this lovely card a place of honor on our mantlepiece, so we can share the joy.

SECOND: I found this the other night. It's just too funny for words. As they say, "Now everyone can have one in the oven!"

Monday, February 2, 2009

Passing Generation

Twenty years ago I lost my paternal grandfather. His wife followed ten years ago. My mom's mom died three years ago next month, and today my last grandparent has slipped away. I suppose I'm at that age where your grandparents tend to pass away, but that doesn't seem to make it any easier.



I hear about him falling down the stairs, him bleeding and his brain slumping down into the cortex and I can't quite wrap my mind around it.

I remember him happy. I remember him sleeping in his chair with an open book in front of him. I remember him singing and dancing about, absolutely loving life. I remember the big hugs and kisses. I remember him walking us out to the car and standing in the driveway until we pulled away, always. I remember the railroad stories and the war stories. I remember him surreptitiously sneaking as much bread and dessert as he could possibly get away with, diabetes notwithstanding. I remember him making warm fires in the basement. I remember him thoughtfully trying to understand my law school papers. I remember him joyfully holding the grand babies. I remember him telling us about his decision to join the church. I remember him figuring out that if each of his five kids had four kids and they each had five kids, he'd have over 100 descendants and be a pretty important person. I remember him trying to talk me into giving him more pancakes the last time we were at IHOP. I remember him sitting for hours listening to me play the piano. I remember him handing out gifts at Christmas. I remember him at the beach, rolling up his pant legs and walking into the ocean, just like General MacArthur. I remember him being so happy.


I remember him talking about grandma and how much he loved her. I remember him kissing her on the day before she died. I remember him learning to cook and cleaning the house so grandma would be happy if she ever happened to drop back in. He wanted to make it to 100, but he didn't like to be alone. I remember him standing next to grandma's casket, holding her hand and looking so lost and alone.

I am so sad, but not for Grandpa. He led a full and happy life. Nothing would make him so happy as being with Grandma again will. I am sad for us, the family he leaves behind. I am sad that my children won't get to meet him. I hope they will know him and that I can pass along all the good things that he was to them. Perhaps because I knew and loved him, he is a part of me. Whatever I do, there will always be a part of Grandpa in my heart.

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