New Blog On The Block

A few weeks ago, I had a very interesting offer come in. Clint "Winnis" Hadley and Jared "Willey" Wilson who are two of the best sports writers I've ever read, asked me if I'd take up a new position on their team, "Got Books." I had to clear it with Seth and Gavin because I wasn't quite sure how they'd feel about their mother standing so close to their dug out. They too play on the team. With their approval, I decided to take the offer even though the pay sucks. It was better than playing team nurse and with all the injuries in the first few games I had volunteered my motherly services to mending and reapair and blood really isn't my thing. I decided to give up that short lived title when the better offer came in. Now I just take pictures of the blood and that's a lot more fun!

You might think this team is new, but Au contrair! "Got Books" has been around a long time. This is not their first season. I am however excited to report I think I'm going to be shooting my first championship game here soon, cause Got Books is going places with their five and O' record this year!

I get a kick out of thier page on Facebook and as one reader wrote in, "Reading the Tuesday morning Got Books column is better than ESPN!" Got Books facebook page is for invited readers only, and in order to load full resolution images so the kids could down load them, I decided to go all out and make them a blog.  For anyone who is interested in sports. Check it out. Go to firstupgotbooks.blogspot.com

I try to post the news articles and pics Tuesday mornings, but sometimes it doesn't get on there until Wednesday or Thursday. At anyrate, you might enjoy it! Have a look see!

Nice win last night boys! Who's Got Books?

Happy Birthday Missy

It's 3:54 in the morning! I can't sleep (uugh)! So I write.

Sunday, even though it was Father's Day, I came down with the flu. Sickness is no respector of celebrations filled with fun! I'm a pretty healthy person so it really bugs me when my health plummets to the toilet. And after the initial onset of feeling weak and nauseous, that's exactly where I spent most of my time on Sunday. If it wasn't one end of me leaning over and making liquified contributions, it was the other.

My family had all gathered at my home for one big massive celebration. we were celebrating Father's day, Missy's birthday, Craig's birthday, Anna's birthday, and Baylee's birthday too. There was good food, good company, lots of fun going on and me in the bathroom. When there are cheesy potatoes on my plate and I barely touch them, call an ambulance because I'm clearly near death! After taking chills and greeting the body aches, I finally just gave up and got in bed! I layed there listening to the catter of happy chaos and I was so bummed!

Today is Friday. The sickness still lingers! Today I thought maybe I was finally over it, but right now after three trips to visit my porcelain thrown, I think not! This episode of being sick along with some other things that have literally slapped me right out of the saddle have put me so behind on blogging and a million other things that I just know I'm going to be playing catch up forever. Given all that, here I am at 4 in the morning to wish Missy a happy birthday! And five days late! Craig and Anna. You are next!

Now there is a reason I'm posting this right now! And I have Em and Missy to thank for being here at this unearthly hour blogging from my iPad. (Don't tell them I love it. I love blogging at all hours.) Well, I'd like to be sleeping, really I would, but since I can't seem to shut my eyes and keep them shut, I am at least being productive, right? I love being productive!

I was tickled last month when Em got me all set up so I could blog here on this amazing little device called an iPad. I love this thing and I pack it with me everywhere! Trouble is, after Emy got me all set up with blogpress, I never used it!

Tonight earlier or should I now say, really a day ago, we went swimming for Baylee's birthday. After swimming we came back to my house for pizza. After eating, I sat at the bar and in an effort to locate some things for my upcoming tea party, Missy pulled out her iPad and began helping me find everything I needed.

Missy has long been an iPad lover! She is one person who uses her iPad for everything! She and Gage just finished making Baylee the cutest little kitchen ever. Missy used her iPad to track down every good deal for the project. They started with a used "free" entrainment center and Missy surprised Gage with a rotary telephone for him to attach to the kitchen when it was all finished. Everything, tea pots, all the workings that Missy added to make the kitchen functional, just about everything, except for the beadboard and paint she found on line with the tap of her finger. I can't believe how much money she saved. And the kithcen is darling! Watching her inspired me, and here I am at 4 am!

Besides the fact that Missy is so creative, she is smart as a whip too. Quick at figuring out anything and everything! Bright as they come.  I learned a thing or two just watching her work on her iPad. And as I express my birthday wishes to her today, late as they are, sitting by her last night just made me realize more and more, how grateful I am to have her in my life!

As I think about all the things I love about Missy, I have to say today, even though it might sound repetitious, the number one thing I love about her, is her helpfullness! What a big help she is to me! Just like last night, when saw my need she jumped right in with a helping hand. Even sitting there talking and enjoying her she was continually asking me what she could help me with. At my age, I am beginning to take advantage of that more and more. And I appreiate it in greater depth each and every day! Missy is service oriented! She is always helping those around her.

I also have one more thing that I rarely ever mention that I love about Missy. Something I see in Missy that makes me so proud of her all the time. It is a thing I see contiually. As I watch it unfold, I think it is a rare trait that many could learn from, including me! In today's world it I think it's getting to be something few possess. If you read Missy's blog you'll pick right up on it.

When a mother watches her son take a wife she worries. Girls have a tendency to do things like their mother. They also have a tendency to be closer to their very own mothers. This is NORMAL! This however, leaves a mother who has raised boys with a feeling of losing a son, rather than gaining a daughter-in-law. A mother fears, never getting to spend time with her son once married and wonders if things will be shared equally. As a mother you pray the girl who gets your son will love him somewhat the way you do and will also love you as well, showing that love by wanting to be with you.

Now this is where I could launch into a discourse on mother-in-laws who are fake to their daughter-in-laws and never really render their hearts to genuinely loving them. When someone loves you, YOU know it! It is constantly communicated in their way of being! And daughters by marriage always know how their mother-in-laws really feel about them! I think there are a lot of mother-in-laws who are missing out on some great dauther-in-laws because they are stingy with their love!

I hope Missy feels from me my genuine love for her. I love her! You know, in the beginning, I almost blew it! Everyday I am thankful for what a wonderful daughter Missy is to me. I'm so thankful she's mine!!! I'm so thankful she is open and giving! I'm grateful I feel her love in return. And in addition to that, the one thing I rarely mention that touches me deeply, the one thing I am always so proud of, is the way Missy also treats my son.

In all the moments I've watched, listened, viewed from a distance, eyed up close, read, heard, you name it. Never once in all this time, have I ever heard Missy utter one negative or derogatory word about her husband. No not one single word, even when it was deserved.

Now I raised 4 boys and I'm married to a boy in a man's body. I know my sons, and I know my husband and I'm here to tell you I've exhausted the human language complaining about each one of them at times. The men in my life know what it's like to be on my hit list! And I've uttered my fair share of negative thoughts about each one of them when they were.

Not Missy! I've never once heard Missy beef about anything Gage does to torment her. All husbands torment their wives! It's the 11th commandment! "If Thou art a man, thou shalt drive thy wife nuts periodically!" it's a known fact.

I really admire how Missy respects, loves, honors, and treats my son. She's a builder of good things! She's a smart wife! She always speaks so highly of Gage ---no matter what. And it's genuine! Missy is a girl who doesn't hold onto things. It's so refreashing to see! Not with anyone. If you make Missy mad you can count on her being mad for about five minutes. Wow, she is an amazing example to me in this department. Women are usually not that way. And it is a common thing to hear woman bash on men. You will never hear Missy do this even when her husband is a puttz. And let's face it we all have our extraordinarily bad moments when we are not our best selves. When those moments occur, how wonderful it is  to see how she responds. I think one of the greatest blessings in life it to be with someone who doesn't draw the worlds attention to your my faults and who forgets any hurt or wound intential or not, in an instant. I hope my son truly appreciates this gift that his wife exemplifies continually, because she's a gem and I'm not sure how much he fully realizes it! You are a great example Missy, in many ways! I need a few lessons from you on this!

Now I need to go to bed! So Happy Birthday Miss! Thank you for all the good things you add to my family, to my life! Thank you for loving me personally and for always coming over, sharing your love, being a happy heart, and being a wonderful helping hand to me. Thank you for always being positive! And for being loving! That means the world to me! Also thanks for inspiring me to crack out my iPad and blog on it. Even if it is now 4:42 am! Hahaha

Our family loves you! I love you! Thanks for being a wonderful blessing to us! Now, can you come over and show me how to put a picture on this thing, cause I need to show the world your cute smiling face. :)

Love You!





Look, I did it! How do I add more than one???? Help! And why is it a little blurry? Help!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Computer added pics.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Baylee

Someone's having a birthday today!

And don't ask me where two years went!

Because she has gone from bassenett to pig tails in the blink of an eye.

What a sweet heart!

She is the cutest little girl!!!

Calm natured and pretty easy going!

Missy called me the other day and ask me if

I would take her 2 year pictures.

I can't wait.

I love taking this little girl's picture!

Every year Missy makes her the cutest birthday out fit.

I can't wait to see what she is making this year.

Better yet, I can't wait to take her picture in it.

Next year Baylee will be three 

When the grandkids turn 3, I take them to lunch and shopping.

I think Eden missed out on this last year. 

For the tiny one's though, I decided 3 is good, 

and I'll just keep it simple.

Well, cute girl! Nanners and Gramps hope you have 

the best birthday. We can't wait to come to your party!

I'll be bringing my camera!

Until then, oh how we love you! 

Such a precious little girl.

Heaven's biggest blessing contained in such a small frame!

We love you!

Grannie's (First Ever) Tea Party

And so the tradition begins!

2011 is a good year to start Grannie's (First Ever) Tea Party!

For all the girls, little and big!

I'm sure new things will develop as time goes on, but for now, tradition will dictate from here on out, when you turn 8 years old, you will be presented with your first ever bonified fine china tea set! Kate is my oldest grandaughter and she just had her 9th birthday in May, so it's the perfect time to begin! Let it be written, let it be done!

I've got some other goodies up my sleeve and I can't wait.

Sweet Orange Tea is on the menue along with some pretty cakes and petit fours.

Starts promptly at 4pm on Saturday. Wear your fanciest, laciest, frilliest, finest duds ever, crack out the pat and leathers, and lay out your pretty white gloves! Got a hat? Better wear it!

Gramps, you better get something planned for those cute little and big boys ---they're going to be squawkin when they read the following!

NO BOYS ALLOWED!!! hahahahah

Can't wait for Saturday! Sign me "Tickled Pink!"

Happy Father's Day Dad!

 A father means so many things...

an understanding heart,

A source of strength and support

right from the very start.

 A constant readiness to help

in a kind and thoughtful way.

With encouragement and forgivness,

no matter what comes your way.

A special generosity 

and always affection too,

a father means so many things

when he's a man like you!

Happy Father's Day Dad.  I am so grateful to have grown up with you as my example, leader, and friend.  There are so many different qualities that make you such a wonderful dad.  I love how you love our family and how you have always worked hard and played hard with us.  I cherish the moments that we have had together and look forward to many more.  I love to watch you with my children now.  You are a wonderful example to me and I hope you know this day how much I love you!  Have a terrific Father's Day!

Happy Birthday To My Mom

I am only 54 years old.

When I try to invision living to speak the words, "I am 90," I can't fathom it.

I have been thinking about it alot the past few weeks.

It's been seriously on my mind

as I have been preparing for a very special day!

Today my mom reaches a mile stone in her life.

Today my mother is turning 90

I'm afraid 

Youth is a thing of the past,

but

Youthful or not . . .

my mother is beautiful!

Every ounce of her!

When I think of all the things she's done in her life.

I always come back to her work ethic.

When I list all of the beautiful traits my mother has been blessed with,

First and foremost, I always have to speak about her work ethic.

She was a hard worker!

On June 12th, 2011, the Sunday paper announced her big day.

It read . . .

"Pearl Berrett Blanch will celebrate her 90th birthday on June 17. A family dinner will be held in her honor at her home.

Born June 17, 1921, in North Ogden, Utah, to M.H. Berrett and Stella Pearl Barker, she was number five of ten children. She graduated from Weber High School in 1940. After dating each other in high school, she married Keith P Blanch on October 21, 1942 in  the Salt Lake Temple. They lived in Plain City and were blessed with four girls who milked cows and worked on the family farm. Keith died July 11, 2004. Pearl continues to live in her home.

Pearl has been a hard worker her whole life. When it came to the farm she could out work any man. Besides farming, she worked at North Ogden Cannery, and later at Smith & Edwards in the boot department where she enjoyed selling boots and spending time with many friends and co-workers. In addition to those jobs, she was active in the LDS Church and taught Sunday School for twenty five years. She also cooked, canned, sewed, gardened, and cleaned. She loved a clean farm and a clean home. She continues to say however, that her greatest work, and her number one interest in this life will forever be her family. She tells her daughters daily, that's the only thing that matters in this life."

I was taken back when the paper called me and said I had to take out the line about my mother being able to out work any man. 

"There can be no subjective writing," the unfamiliar voice said.  "

"Subjective writing?" "Are you serious?" I retorted.

She went on to tell me how whether or not my mother could outwork any man was purely subjective. I went on to ask her, "So you think someone is going to call up the paper and dispute whether or not my mother can out work any man?" It was a funny conversation. In the end I determined I never want to work for the paper. 

Just before I hung up the phone, I ended all verbal communication by telling the voice without a face to take a challange. I told her to gather up all the men in her building and bring them over. I think I said something like, "My mother can personally show you." She said she believed me!

Today my heart is full! I have been so emotional. I can't ponder over my mom turning 90 without extreme water cascading down my face. It drops like Niagra falls. 


I go over to her house daily. When I open up the white picket gate, all the elements call to me. The tree with the giant heart carved deep in it's bark, hovering over things like a mother hen. Every leaf that shutters in the breeze sends a message. Everything from the birds that chirp and tweet to the color of the sky no matter the hue. All of it calls to me. It whispers, "Her days are numbered." 


I walk inside her home and there she sits in her chair. She is the incredible shrinking woman. Everyday I have to look harder to see her sitting there. Her frail spindly frame, waiting patiently for someone to come, someone to break the silence, someone to lift the lonliness that sifts and weaves through every particle of dust. 


I have determined that every stage of life comes with it's heaviness. I do not want to grow old.


The conversations with my mother are like the movie "Ground Hog Day," always repetitive. The same questions over and over again, one minute after another. But now more than ever I can't do the smallest thing for her what words of gratitude don't step out on stage jeweled and beaded in an aray of sparkling beauty that makes one of the grandest entrances I've ever seen! Gratitude permiates her. Sentences like, "What would I ever do without you." and "Thank you, thank you so much." They flow one right after the other, always followed by a series of, "I love you's." 


It is a priviledge and an honor to care for my mother. A hardship? Yes, you could say it packs it's weight on certain days, but in the end, when night falls and she is safely tucked in bed, when I close the gate as I wander aimlessly out of her yard ---caught between heaven and hell, that is the moment I realize ---caring for the woman who gave me life is a privledge and the greatest honor I will ever be given. It is one of the richest blessings in my life. A blessing that tops all blessings.


So today, with my heart full and brimming over, I hope my wonderful mother has a Happy Happy Birthday. A day she surely deserves. One that is exceptional in every way just like she is! And while I'd like to sit here and write a book. I leave with three thoughts.  


1-I love you mom. 
2-You mean the world to me! 
And 
3-To me, you will forever be a guiding star!