It's my birthday today, which makes me mostly remember my mama. I am doing the things she would want to do for her birthday today--hang out with my kids and grandkids. Whenever my kids have birthdays I remember their actual births. I am so grateful for Patty Nielson, who birthed me in spite of medical advice to the contrary, and in spite of a very difficult pregnancy. What a blessing to get her for a mom! I think of her daily and miss, miss, miss her so much!
 |
| Self portrait on my 51st birthday. Also an homage to Mom. |
The pictures got put in reverse order. It probably doesn't matter to any readers, but it helps me to know.
I got to go to church with Eliza, Evan, Juliet and Willa!
Before that we had a wonderful vegan brunch at the Keller's house. Mariah made green smoothies, tofu scramble burritos, and a fancy oatmeal bake. All of it was super delicious, and Mariah is so great about making everything extra beautiful.
 |
| Eliza and Evan being excellent parents and "eating soup" Juliet made... |
 |
| In her new kitchen from Frank and Shelly! Early birthday present and party because they are leaving town. |
We also had a fabulous dinner/birthday party for Evan and Juliet at Frank and Shelly's beautiful new home. They are so gracious and kind. I love being connected with them.
I texted Alan from Kiwanis Park and told him I was watching our grandchildren play at the park where we first kissed. It was a great circle of life moment.
 |
| This is fairly close to the first kiss spot. Another fun connection, an older guy came up to Evan and greeted him--it was their bishop from the Freshman ward at BYU that these guys all met in! |
 |
| Buddy Loooooves bikes. And trucks. Really anything with wheels. |
Some really sweet unpictured things from this trip were 1- hugging M'Li and Azya and getting a garden tour and some VERY fresh Asian greens, and 2- visiting in the parking lot of the BYU Student Health Center with one of their nurses: Laura Western Turner! My bestest buddy from high school and MY Freshman roommate at BYU.
Here is stuff from the first of the week:
 |
| Eve put this on my phone as I was leaving her and Griffin with Mallory Sheldon to babysit for the weekend. |
 |
| Third grade talent show at Briarwood. Check out the video at the bottom. |
 |
| Maria and me smiling in great joy and pride at a zoom call... |
 |
| as Eliza J. Crespo was admitted to the Utah Bar Association!!! |
 |
| FHE shenanigans. We biked to Spin for gelato and these guys messed around in the currently empty fountain. |
Special thanks to Alan Wimmer who made my fun birthday trip happen and still gave me an awesome present, and to my daughters who also gave me great presents.
Oh all the things!!! What beautiful grandchildren you have! I love it that you watched them play at the park where you and Alan first kissed. Would that we were all so foresightful with our first kisses. I think Bill first kissed me in my apartment. We just didn't know! Also, Griffin and Eve are a delight. I can't wait to play with them in June! School must be getting out soon because things are lightening up!!
ReplyDeleteI doubt that anybody is thinking about the future when they kiss. It is very much a present moment type of thing. If we took our children back to the spot where we kissed, you would be a basement of someone’s house. The giant houses on the slopes above Alpine Drive, weren’t there in ‘91. To go back to the spot where he asked me to marry him, all of us would have to be able to levitate. That part of Bridalveil Falls was wiped out by an avalanche. It is now coordinates in air above the current level of the ground. Just saying I should tell all of my children that established landmarks make the best places for the first kiss.
ReplyDeleteJuliet is quite adorable.
Willa has the same nose and chin as her mom. I’m still deciding about the mouth. She is a wonderful person, and her beauty stems from overcoming suffering. What a treasure!