Memorial Day

Another Memorial Day has come and gone.... my mind struggles to comprehend that it has been 11 years since Mike passed away. Sometimes it seems like just yesterday- and sometimes it seems like forever ago. Life has been full of blessings and love for me, with my sweet husband, Jim and all our kids and grandkids, but I do still miss Mike. I guess I always will.

Anyway- here are some pics and some memories from this Memorial Day- 2010---

Remembering Mike- decorating with his favorite colors- red and white- coca cola colors!
Rest well my sweet and I'll "See You In The Morning" ....

My sister Liana and I went to Bear Lake to do some work for our mom. We took Jaimen and Mikey to help out. Our plan was to clean out her room (she's border-line hoarder I swear), but we only managed to get about a box and a half of her "stuff" cleaned out. She has so many little knick knacks and memorabilia (Elvis, Tweety, bowling, etc.) She had fallen a couple weeks earlier into her closet and it scared us all, so hopefully now she can move around and even rest a little easier. We cleaned and dusted and vacuumed and set up a new bed Dad got her for her birthday. It was fun, but exhausting and time well spent!

This is Daddy (Grampa Toomer) posing with the boys. Mikey had a great time visiting with his older cousin.... he has always looked up to Jaimen. Both the boys were really good- I'm glad we had them with us. Liana and I of course loved spending time together!

And this is Mikey with Mom (Gramma Toomer). I think seeing us and the boys really cheered her up. She was a little feisty about her room- but since Liana and I are "bigger" than her we got enough accomplished- hee hee. Seriously- she was kinda having a hard time, but we convinced her to declutter so she could get around easier. I only wish we could have boxed up lots more!

Monday morning Mailei and I met Brady for breakfast at Butter Burrs.... we had a blast. I am so happy with Brady these days. I mean I always have been, but he is looking so much happier and more at peace since moving back to Pocatello. He is a good young man and my prayer is that someday he will remember how special he is and return to activity in the Church. It does make me really happy though that he has what he calls a really "good relationship" with Heavenly Father.

The only down side of the weekend was not having time with Donnie, Katie and the boys. They went to Island Park and although I was hoping to have time with them it just didn't work out. Hopefully I can get down there soon and spend a couple days just with them!!! I miss my boys-need to have a "gramma date" with them!

I also need to find time with our kids on Jim's side - there just is never enough time when I travel these days. We're hoping to get Jim's car back home so he's not just "stuck" here when I go, then I can take a little more time with my trips.... (((sigh)))

Well-gonna go for now- posted with love by a very grateful gramma!

Procrastination!

Yup-it's been a few months since I blogged. I am the world's worst (or maybe "best") procrastinator! So-to get back in the swing of things I thought I'd start with something fun and simple.
One of my favorite things to do with grandkids when they visit is go to Chucky Cheese. I LOVE it-and I think they kinda like it too- hee hee.
Anyway-here are some pictures of a couple of visits...enjoy.... the most recent are with Donnie & Katie's boys-Blake, Carter, Haedon and Nash just this last April. Following those are pictures with Heather & Mike's kids... Mikey, Mailei and Maddy in 2008. (Hey Heather- we need to get Molly to Chucky Cheese for a picture with Gramma!)

It's just so fun! I just love building moments and memories with my grandkids- what more could anyone ask for? My cup does indeed runneth over with abundance and the wealth of family love!

A New Year - A New Decade!

So- 2009 has come and gone and what a year it was! Probably the most significant event of the year was my Gramma Clark turning 100 on the 4th of September. Still going strong - although her mind wanders a bit, she is basically healthy and very happy. As I've said so often before- she is and always has been my hero- the "wind beneath my wings". I've been so blessed to have her as my Gramma- her strength, her love, her guidance- her kind, patient assurance has been an anchor throughout my life. I love her so much.


Here she is on her birthday with my other hero, my beautiful daughter, Heather.

We also had a couple more baptisms-(that makes 8 out of 27 grandkids)- Alex (our oldest granddaughter) was chosen to participate in the National Special Olympics this coming July- some of our kids faced the upheaval of job changes- and we topped the year off by adding a new grandbaby on the 9th of December! Tabitha Grace Witt joined her family of Dad (Jon), Mom (Katrina) and 4 brothers (Sam, Jacob, Ben and Aaron)- it will be interesting to watch her grow! It' so fun watching them all grow!










This is Tabitha- isn't she a beauty?








My mom struggled a lot this past year with her health. It has been scary for her and for all of us who love her so much. Here's hoping 2010 will bring her strength, health and all the joy she so deserves at this stage and age of her life. (Love you Mom!)



I would say this year has also been one of spiritual growth for me. I have learned to appreciate so much the many, many blessings in my life. I have pondered, studied and gained a new perspective on my own purpose and mission here in this life. (I have a lot of work to do there)

Although I struggle accepting or coming to terms with my age- (that number REALLY doesn't compute)- I am thoroughly enjoying this stage of life called gramma. I can't even imagine what life would be without my grandchildren. Getting to know them each- their own personalities and quirks- is a joyous journey which I hope to last many, many more years!

So- come on 2010! Come on new decade! Let's play and laugh and work and live this wonderful, wonderful life!

Brooke's Poem- from her Aunt Clara

HEAVEN’S VERY SPECIAL CHILD

A meeting was held quite far from Earth.
It was time again for another birth.
Said the Angels to the Lord above-
“This special child will need much love.”
“Her progress may be very slow,
Accomplishment she may not show.”
“And she’ll require extra care-
From the folks she meets down there.”
“She may not run or laugh or play,
Her thoughts may seem quite far away.”
“So many times she will be labeled
‘Different,’ helpless’ and disabled.”
“So let’s be careful where she’s sent."
"We want her life to be content.”
“Please, Lord, find the parents who
Will do a special job for you.”
“They will not realize right away
The leading role they are asked to play.”
“But with this child sent from above
Comes stronger faith, and richer love.”
“And soon they’ll know the privilege given
In caring for their gift from heaven.’
“Their precious charge, so meek and mild
Is heaven’s very special child.”


Brooke lovin on mom- Thanksgiving 2009

It's Christmas Time!

Deck the Halls! Joy to the World!

Thoughts of Thanksgiving

My heart is so full as I sit and ponder the bounty of love, joy and blessings unmeasured in my life. I have had such a wondrous relationship with my Heavenly Father. Even in the times when my life path detoured from the straight and narrow..... even in the times when I thought I was all alone.... even in the times when sorrow, fear, anger, despair seemed to be all consuming. And most especially in times of joy and celebration. From the time I was a young child, I have been in constant "conversation" with Heavenly Father... asking, seeking, sharing, and giving thanks.

During this time of Thanksgiving I am reminded of all that is good and right and well in my life and in the lives of those I love. In spite of the struggles we all face, His love and assurance is all around us. We only have to open our hearts- we only have to drink from the well- and we will know He is here.

To all our children, grandchildren, siblings, parents, friends, neighbors, brothers and sisters in the gospel- thank you for all you bring to my life and into the life of my sweetheart. To those who care for my special daughter, Brooke Anne- thank you and may God bless you. To all who have touched my life- past, present and in the future- thank you from my heart.

And most of all- I thank my Father in Heaven- for with Him, "nothing is impossible" if we just reach and take his hand.

Happy Thanksgiving with Love!

October- Fun- Spooky- Yummy- And All That Jazz!

A month you might call a mixed bag of blessings and experiences.
FIRST- I came down with my annual "Fall cold"- ugh! It never fails, every year it comes like clockwork. Maybe next year I'll skip it ('course I say that every year!). My mom was in the hospital again and since I had a cold I couldn't go see her. She is still really struggling with learning to cope with her Crohn's. Right now she is staying with my sister Liana in Pocatello. Hopefully a little TLC will get her back on her feet.

THEN- one of the girls (Kristen) that lives in the same group home as Brooke was hospitalized! She had a grand mal seizure that dislocated her shoulder and broke her jaw, caused a blood clot, and some bleeding in her brain... poor thing. They thought for a few days she might have meningitis-but thankfully it wasn't that. She has all these complications-all due to the seizure- but for now she is home and doing better.

THEN- on a brighter note- I got together with 2 of my sisters. We have been trying to have a sisters' day/evening out for the last few years and it is a blast! We have kind of made it a tradition to go to Red Lobster in Pocatello. As you can see- we may be getting older, but we still know how to have a good time. I love my sisters so much- life is certainly full when you have family to share it with-yes?



Liana is just 15 months older than me and Brenda is a little older :)- but we have always been very close. Growing up we loved, fought, protected, and did everything together.

THEN- the really fun part! I went to my mother-in-law's (Great Gramma Witt) for Halloween. I go each year to help her hand out candy and the bonus for me is getting to see some of my grandkids dressed up! Out of 26 grandkids, I got to see 14- not perfect- but certainly not bad. I dressed up as a witch and it was so fun to see their little faces as they each came to the door. It ranged from surprise- a little fear- and a lot of laughter! I tried to keep a witchy grimace and laugh with all of them.... here are a few pics.

First of all- Heather- she dresses up too. (hmmm-think she got that from her mother?)

Heather (purple witchy-woman- ha ha) and Molly dressed up as Thumbelina (NeeNa)

Maddy is Snow White, Mailei is a cowgirl (she has on some high boots that don't show in this picture) and Mikey is a robot. Too bad this picture doesn't show his hands very well- they all looked awesome!

Along came a little cowboy (Woody) named Nash!

Blake is dressed up as a Ninja! Carter (handsome little guy) is Zorro and Haedon is a dinosaur.

Sam (Werewolf), Aaron (Count Dracula), Ben (Mummy) and Jacob (Scarecrow)! Their mom makes their costumes! Aren't they amazing? Sam was so funny- he told me he was going to go home and "rip his sideburns off like a man!"- Then his mom told him all he had to do was shower and the hair would melt off (it was "glued" on with karo syrup!)

Last (but not least) visitors for the night were Tanner (a dragon) and Ty (a leopard)- Tanner had one of the best reactions to Gramma Witchy! His little eyes nearly popped out of his face- then he just smiled and nodded- like- oh it's just Gramma!

I told the grown up kids I was either a witch or the epitome of the "wicked step-mother"! Cackle cackle! I LOVE HALLOWEEN! So from this crazy old witch to whoever reads here- Hope yours was fun and can't wait for next year!