Mother's Day

My little midgets who contributed to yet another wonderful Mother's Day.  (James couldn't see because he had just been into my mascara.)

George Washington put it well when he said, "My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her."  This is how I feel when I think about the primary women in my life, especially my own mother. 

The family lore regarding my great grandmother Frances reveals a wonderful sense of humor even when life was all work and no play.  I loved hearing stories of our industrious great grandma Dow.  She was very much loved and revered by her daughters and granddaughters (and apparently her roses were something to behold!).

Her third daugher was grandma Edna.  She moved and worked with purpose and said things the way she saw them.  She always conducted herself with utmost integrity, and even when the truth was hard to hear ("Your haircolor is quite awful," or "Golly!  What kind of a last name is that to pin on somebody?! when meeting a fiance for the first time, or when addressing a boy I was about to go on a date with, "I sure hope you're not taking this one out to dinner, why! she'll eat you out of your wallet!"), you always knew she loved you.  Her faith in the promises of God was unshakable, and her devotion to her family and the temple undeniable.  I miss her very much.

My paternal grandmother is Margaret, our first daughter's namesake.  It was an easy decision to name little Meggy after her because Grandma is someone I've always wanted to be just like.  After years of not seeing her, she has the ability to make me not only feel like a beloved granddaughter, but a treasured friend.  Grandma is renown for her ready giggle and quick wit.  I remember her sitting on my couch once and saying wistfully, "Oh, to be 80 again!"  We laughed the rest of the day about it.  Embraced by the warmth and comfort of her living room, I remember understanding for the first time the whisperings of the Holy Ghost and feeling a desire to make my own home as holy a place as her's.

My own mother is one of my favorite people on earth.  In her you have a guaranteed conversation about anything you choose, she relates to everyone, is interested in everything.  She worked us like little horses as children, something I have always been grateful for, because she was right next to us working even harder.  She is responsible for many of the good qualities I possess, and I can easily trace any success I've had in life back to some prompting, encouragement, or example of my mother.  To name a few...

Regular personal and family prayer (little Linnell is in the middle),

An interest in farm life and animals,

Healthy respect for the skinny-minny

(you know what I'm talking about, Bep!),

A love for monkeys, or in my case, my children,



A love for my husband and a determination to stick to

my promises through thick and thin.

I hope I can be as effective a mom as mine was, not that I'm perfect--far from it.  But my mistakes have been my own.  My successes are a tribute to my wonderful mother. 

No painter's brush, nor poet's pen

In justice to her fame

Has ever reached half high enough

To write a mother's name.

~Author Unknown

Don't forget, Madre y Abuela!

Cheers!

WARNING:  THIS IS A LONG AND LIKELY BORING POST

So my (Michael's) parents finished their two-year long service in the England, Manchester LDS Mission and the whole clan (Anna and me, eight siblings and seven spouses--17 of us) got to tour the UK before escorting them back home.  Another once in a lifetime experience filled with many great memories.  19 people, two vans, first stop: LONDON. 

We experienced most of the public transportation common to London: train ride into Victoria station, the tube (subway), and even a double decker bus.  We got to see Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Parliament House, Westminster Abbey, and the Tower of London, complete with Crown Jewels and all, and no one was mugged, lost, or jailed, so a pretty successful first day.

Westminster Abbey was the most impressive, mostly because of all the history buried there.

"He didn't!  Oh, how scandalous, darling. You must tell me more... The noise?... Oh, just your everyday hustle and bustle of London traffic...."

Thought about getting this apron, but the feminine apron/masculine armor dichotomy was a little too much to overcome.  Maybe it's not so weird here in London.

The London Temple grounds were very charming, so Anna fit right in.

Stonehenge was incredible, and yes nearly every casual shirt I own whispers "rise and shout..." Get used to it.

Bath was also impressive.  Forgetting herself, Anna nearly made a splash of her own.  Notice the form: I'd say strong to very strong.

At Anne Hathaway's cottage (William Shakespeare's wife).

I told you not to jump into the water at Bath! (Outside Warwick Castle)

Warwick Castle's great hall.  Very cool, especially for all things Y chromosome.

From the castle wall looking out onto the town's cathedral where Joan of Arc was condemned to meet her maker. 

We spent a few days on the Isle of Man where Mom and Dad stayed the full two years.  Great people.  The country emblem suggests that wherever they are thrown they will land on their feet.  We saw the town and cottage where Waking Ned Devine was filmed, the TT motorcycle race course, and played some mean laser tag with the local ward.  Great people.  Best part of the whole trip.  Good-bye Isle of Man fairys (myth, not slander).  Did I mention the Manx are great people?

(My sister Kim and Anna getting into the Manx spirit.)

Irish Sea and Peel Castle in the background, eating some very good Davidson's ice-cream.

Back in Liverpool we saw the docks where several of our very own ancestors left home, family, and country, and got on a boat with little more than a few pounds to their name and their strong faith, to go to Zion.  This seemed a sacred spot to us.

After a session in the Preston Temple, we were given a personal church history tour around Preston and Chorley.  This was where the first baptisms in Europe took place, where many early apostles and prophets served and taught and where President Hinckley also served as a young missionary.  This memorial, hidden by flowers and flanked by five brothers was a monument to missionaries everywhere.  Could have gotten parents and two sisters in there as well, but this was a brother shot. 

The first baptism outside of America occurred at the bend in this river close to where the tree is.  Cool, huh? We thought so, hence the picture.        

This fountain, if functional, would resemble a well hydrated child.  Reminded us of James, really.

Another sacred baptism site where a whole town, converted by early missionaries joined the church.

 

This is looking out of the church in Downham, where many of the congregation was baptised, and left for Zion.  The hill in the background is said to have ancient religious significance as well.  Anna and I sang a couple of hymns to ourselves and enjoyed the acoustics.

Thought I'd throw these in there since we saw green pastures, sheep and stone walls throughout the entire trip: England, Isle of Man, and Scotland.

 On our way up to Scotland we stopped at Carlisle Castle where brother-in-law Gabe's g.g.g.g.g.... grandfather King David ruled Scotland. 

Then we just had to see Hadrians Wall. It was incredible to walk on this 2000 year-old wall and check out the roman fort ruins.

(If you look closely you can see the wall extend over the ridge.)

This ancient hunting lodge for Scottish royalty was converted to a youth hostile overlooking Loch Lomond.  It was a really neat place to stay.

A scenic rest-stop in the Scottish highlands with pipers and all.  Spectacular and enchanting. 

Also spectacular and enchanting: my very own, very bonnie, highland coo... wanting a kiss.

Another castle (Urquhart) on the famous Loch Ness.

 At Culloden (last and deciding battle rubbing out Scotland's claim on the throne and attempt for independence), this fine gentleman from Ohio takes his heritage very seriously. 

 Inverness was one of our favorite spots.

"Aye laddie, and the haggus is good, too."

 And the Loch Ness was cold...even before we got into the water.  All appendages were accounted for, though numb. Nessie must not have been too hungry this time, and left us alone.  Crazy Americans!

 Some less crazy than others.  Still very cold.

 And beautiful.

From Inverness to Edinburgh.  One pit stop in St. Andrew's, the birthplace of golf, and home of the most prestigious university in the UK.  Here Mom, Dad and I are at the "Old golf course."

 Edinburgh castle.  Ominous, and impressive.

Edinburgh to Amsterdam, then on to Portland.  During the last flight we experienced the strange sensation of having it be 11am for 10 hours.  Home at last where we had Josie Grossie eagerly awaiting our return.

I know it was long and travelogish, but that is what most of you fans were chanting for.  Thank you Mom and Dad for setting such a great example to us and our children in serving so honorably and for making this priceless trip possible.  We had a smashing good time and a lovely experience.  Cheers!