Wednesday, February 25, 2009

What One Man Can Do

Sometimes we are blessed to have someone come into our lives that changes us forever. At a time when I felt broken, lonely, empty and afraid- this wonderful man- Michael G. Scott- came into my life. He mended my broken heart, filled the emptiness in my soul, and taught me to face life with courage and joy! We were married Oct. 24, 1998 and just 4 short months later- he was in a fatal car crash (2/25/1999). Today, I post to honor him and share a few memories.
Mike and I had actually known each other for nearly 25 years-ironically, he was my college roommate's boyfriend!
We were both in ISU choir back then and enjoyed a wonderful friendship.... he was so fun- always making everyone laugh and making sure everyone was okay.
Anyway-fast forward to summer, (August 1998)-a friend of mine talked me into going to a singles' picnic on Scout Mountain. I usually avoided those activities like the plague and even surprised myself by agreeing to go. In fact, the whole week before I kept trying to think of a way to get out of it- I even tried to enlist my daughter, Heather, in making excuses for me. She refused- saying- "you should go, Mom- you never know, you might meet the man you're supposed to marry." Hah!
I was sure those singles activities were only for "losers"-- much to my surprise, I met many old and new friends upon arriving there... people just like me, looking for friendship and just something fun to do. I was really nervous and as I looked around, I saw Mike standing up under some trees.
It was as if he was bathed- surrounded- in a bright welcoming light.... without hesitation, I was completely impelled to walk up to him and when I said, "Hi, Mike- remember me?"- He instantly wrapped his arm around me and exclaimed- "Roxanne!- how the heck are you?" From that moment on, we spent nearly every waking moment together... his proposal was just as original and unique as only he could be..
I was working at Bannock Hospital and he called me to say he'd had an accident. Said he cut his finger with a saw and was coming to the emergency room and could I meet him there? Of course I was very alarmed! This man was generally a fix-it-myself guy- whether it was work, injuries, cleaning-you name it. So I'm out in the parking lot, pacing, worrying and his truck pulls in. I run out to meet him and when he gets out, his hand is wrapped in this odd looking shiny, yellow paper... I urge him to hurry, but he says wait a minute. He then gets down on his knee, unwraps his hand, and presents a diamond ring as he asks me to marry him! I shouldn't have been too surprised- he talked about marrying me from that very first night- but I was truly, unbelievably stunned! Somehow, I ended up down on my knees also- crying and laughing and saying over and over- yes! yes! yes! He then proceeded to tell me how he had met with each of my children earlier in the day and asked them one by one for permission to marry their mom. He had already won their hearts over, but that gesture meant the world to them and still does.
Of course, by the time I got back into my office, the hospital grapevine had already been alerted and for the rest of the day there was a steady stream of well wishers dropping by to see the ring and share my joy!
In the short time we had together we built a lifetime of memories- from Hawaii to the Coca Cola Factory/Museum in Atlanta, GA to Hurricane, UT. From climbing Red Hill and sitting up there talking for hours to soaking in our own hot tub-from camping with Donnie & Katie, a Disney trip with the kids-a furniture buying trip to SLC- going to the temple together and studying and preparing our Sunday School lessons together-dates with friends and with family- laughing and loving and sharing some of the sweetest-most wonderful moments to some of the deepest, amazing times anyone could ever wish for.... it seems we did it all.
So today- in your honor, Mike-(from this "yellow girl to her pink boy") I share my heart, my love and my gratitude for all you did and all you taught me and my children... and I thank my Father in Heaven for the gift of that sweet moment in time He gave us to share here in our earthly journey- knowing that it will be eternal someday and we will be together again.















Listen to the words of John Denver's song- "What One Man Can Do"- and you will know Mike.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Life as a Gramma - Sooooo Sweeeeet!

This past year has been really amazing! Babies, baptisms, my parents' being sealed in the temple... and well, Jim retiring on disability, Brooke struggling with a lot of health issues.... a new president of the country.... a new Prophet.... ((((whew!!)))) life just gets a little busy and a lot crazy now and then.
So what do you do when life gets crazy? Just get crazy with it- ha ha! For instance... look at me and Mailei- here we are just havin' a blast.
It was the day of Mikey's baptism and birthday party and things were starting to slow down when I noticed Mailei had a "green" smile from eating the cupcakes... so, I grabbed this toy thingy (some kind of shape maker for play dough) and stuck it under my glasses... then Mailei grabbed another one and stuck it under her glasses. We were so tickled with ourselves! I asked my son, Donnie to get my camera and take a picture of us. So he whispers something to Mailei before she sits on my lap and just before he snaps the picture she smashes one of the green cupcakes against my mouth (so we could match better!)
Then- we noticed Haedon also had a green mouth and tried to get his picture- but he was a little squirmy! We were all laughing so hard!

A little while later Mikey said to me-in a very serious tone of voice-"Gramma, you are possibly "more" crazy than my mom!" hee hee

Well- I can tell you all this- I am proud to be the CrAzY Gramma!

Sure makes life fun and interesting and builds lots and lots of fun memories!
So- to all my kids and grandkids - thanks for the memories and can't wait to build more! Posted with love and gratitude!

Monday, February 16, 2009

PaY It ForWarD!

This is my beautiful daughter-in-law Katie Lindsay! I love her to pieces and am so grateful she came into our lives!
I was the first to comment on Katie's blog so now it's my turn!

So please start commenting!!!!

{The Rules}

1. Be one of the first THREE bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me - something crafty or yummy, who knows?!

2. Winners must post this challenge on your blog, meaning that you will Pay It Forward, creating a handmade gift -anything!- for the first THREE bloggers who leave a comment on YOUR post about this giveaway!

3. The gift that you send to your 3 Friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts. And, remember: It’s the Spirit and the Thought That Count!

4. When you receive your gift, please feel free to blog about it, sharing appropriate Linky Love! If you are not one of the Top Three Commenters on this post, you can still play along. Go ahead and start your own Pay It Forward chain, and encourage your blogging friends to do the same!


SO, REMEMBER...Pay it Forward- With Love and Have Fun-

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Joy- Love- and all that's good!

Today is Valentine's Day! And I am lucky to have a husband that loves me and loves all our kids and family so much. He brings me joy- he is joy- he is a man of honor and integrity and although he has so many difficulties right now with his health, he still spreads love and sunshine everywhere he goes.

Oh- he has up days and down days, but his is a magnificent spirit always pushing onward and upward! Can't you just see the love and kindness in his eyes and heart in these photos?

He really loves his family- 'specially all our grandkids.

When I think of the word 'joy"- I think of all the wonderful blessings I have been given in my life... my husband, my amazing, awesome kids, my fabulous, delightful grandkids, my parents & siblings, all my extended family, all the good friends I have and have had... and most of all, as I pondered all these things, I realized how lucky and how blessed I am to be a person who is loved. I often think of all those whom I love- but it really hit me today- there are people who really love me... and what more can anyone ask than that? Heavenly Father has blessed us all and it is up to us to recognize and acknowledge His greatness and his generosity and all that He blesses us with. Always remembering that trials and struggles only lead to greater recognition and deeper gratitude for all the things that bring us joy- Happy Love Day to all of you-family, friends, acquaintances, far and near, old and new, you are all so dear to me; and thank you for being a part of my life-whether great or small- you all have touched me in some way and that has brought me to this place- who I am and all that I am. God Bless!