Red Marbles

I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprizing a basket of freshly picked green peas. I paid for my potatoes, but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me. 'Hello Barry, how are you today?' 'H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look good.' 'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?' 'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.' 'Good. Anything I can help you with?'
'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas.' 'Would you like take some home?' asked Mr. Miller. 'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.' 'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?' 'All I got's my prize marble here.' 'Is that right? Let me see it' said Miller. 'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.' 'I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?' the store owner asked. 'Not zackley but almost.' 'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble', Mr. Miller told the boy. 'Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.' Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come backwith their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.' I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado, but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles. Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died.. They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could. Ahead of us in line were three young men.
One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts... all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes. Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket. 'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them.Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size...they came to pay their debt.' 'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho'. With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles. The Moral: We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds.Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breathaway. Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles –

Anal

I have often been worried about how my son's anal personality will play out in his life. But then there are times I LOVE it - Like when I am doing the dishes so he goes in his room to get his dirty sippy cup so I can wash it.

FHE

Last week we sang Primary songs.
This week we read about Noah's Ark.
Next week - who knows: check this out for ideas!

Wes' Graduation

When we got word BYU was going to honor Wes' graduation by having Paige walk for him, we all knew there was nothing that was going to stop us from being there. Babysitters, subs, time off, and lots of money, we all made sure we could be there to honor Wes. This is something he worked so hard to accomplish.

The night before he passed, Andrew was on the phone with Wes listening to Wes plan out the next couple years of his life. He was so excited that he just got word of his upcoming graduation. Wes was filled with joy, excitement, peace - how could we not be there, we know Wes was!!

DAY ONE - Andrew gets home from work at about 3:34pm and Annette, Richard and the four of us take of to LAX. It was a great flight, Jackson read and ate and Ryan slept. And my palms became sweaty only twice.

Shay and Valu and his brother came to greet us at the airport. From there we all headed to the Cheesecake Factory. We did not arrive to Provo until midnight or so. But hey, a great meal and free cheesecake due to bad service, all worth the late night.

DAY TWO - The graduation brought mixed emotions like most things dealing with Wes these days. On the way there, we were all very excited, Paige a little nervous because she didn't know exactly what BYU had planned for her, but excited for the most part.

They asked Paige to sit on stage with the faculty. Then later had Paige get Richard and Annette to sit with her.


Tears came from most of us when the graduated entered the room. We all could only imagine the excitement that would have been exploding out of Wes. Paige walked across the stage before the rest of the diplomas were handed out. She was so graceful - we all admire her strength and love for Wes. The standing ovation was so much to take in. This video is awful, I am sorry I wasn't really on top of it.
After the emotional graduation ceremony, we all headed to linner and on the way, we tried to lighten the mood.

We only thought it right to then go visit Wes. Kioa brought flowers to the graduation so we took them to Wes. We aren't yet sure where he is, so we guessed.


DAY THREE - I was in jeans and a shirt when Paige said I should change. I am so glad she did because the hike up the the "Y" was more than I was prepared for. What a strenuous experience - but oh so appropriate.

Shay fell BEFORE our hike - she must have been throwing a boulder, not a tiny rock!
About 1/3 of the way there!
The two that are the most in shape - way to go guys. I made it 1/3 of the way with Ryan... Ryan would have been left there if it wasn't for Chris rescuing us!
Poor Andrew had to carry himself and out 28pound son... it was a killer.
WE MADE IT!

The view from the "Y" was amazing.

Have we all become golf lovers or what!?!?!?
Chris was so impressive as our time went on - I think he will become a golfer for sure.
Did I mention Annette had her knee replaced two or three weeks ago - It's incredible all she can do now.

It was Eric's birthday (Paige's step-dad) and Tori went all out as she does... Party Time!
Paige and Chad were anxiously waiting for the homemade sushi! We miss Wes!!

SUNDAY - The Last Day :(

The basement of our house looks INCREDIBLE. They have done such amazing work she Andrew and I packed up last August. We are very impressed but sad we couldn't finish helping. But it's great to go back to the house and admire Wes' work.
I am so blessed to have amazing sister-in-law's. This trip was so memorable and uplifting... Love them so much. The plane ride home was at 8:55pm instead of 5:20 - such a bummer but Jackson was a stud.
When we were walking to the shuttle to get our car, Jackson insisted on rolling Gamma's suitcase - people, just about everyone we passed, stopped to admire him and he pleased them as he waved hello. Such a trooper at 10:30 or so last night.

We all needed to get away - there was no other place I would have rather been this weekend. This was a vacation better than I could have expected. It is such a comfort to be surrounded by people struggling with the same thing you are. We are blessed to have one another and we are blessed that we can lift one another's spirits. Thank you to all those that shared this experience with us - it is truly unforgettable.

Clear Days In Japan

Yes there has been a lot going on, but nothing else, well except for our new place, is worthy of pictures if my memory serves me right. And because we do not yet have everything out of storage, our place isn't totally finished and so there are no pictures yet.
So we were lucky enough, well Jackson and I were lucky enough to see Dayna, Cannon, and Roman three times this trip! (It makes all the difference when you are only about 15 minutes away) But we were also very excited when Garrett decided to join us - once he arrived to the states, we had the chance to get all EIGHT of us together. We are so sad they are leaving again, but we are so pleased their roots (parents) are grounded so close to our new home!!

DAY ONE - The Cannon Home & Local Park

DAY TWO: Our New Place & Our Local Park
DAY THREE: Our Place for Dinner & Our FREEZING Pool and LUKEWARD Spa

Does this reveal anything about their personalities?? Garrett dove right in to the ice cold water - Andrew had to pace himself!!WE LOVE YOU GUYS! Japan is very lucky.

Bitter Sweet

We moved last Sunday and we love love love our new place. Everything about it is sweet really - the bitterness comes into play because of our lack of internet. At this time we are not sure if we will be getting it, but we will see. I don't know how much longer I can part with the blogging world. But we are here - occassionally catching a glimpse of the internet world. I will try to post pictures soon. Take care everyone!

8 WEEKS!

Remeber This Shirt Jena?