12/31/2011

Treasured Christmas Gifts From My Family

Early in our marriage my husband and I decided not to make lavish gift giving the focus of our holiday celebrations. The greatest gifts we could share as a family would be our presence with each other. Nothing can take the place of a loving family who enjoys just being together. Some of my favorite holiday moments include:

• Watching April and Dallan lovingly dress Caleb for his part as the angel in the family nativity play on Christmas Eve.
• Listening to my children and grandchildren sing Christmas songs around the piano.
• Attending my daughter Ashley’s first baby shower.
• Speaking in church on Christmas day about the gifts and tender mercies of the Savior.
Spending a week with Aubrey, Kyle and Rylan who live so far away.
• Attending my granddaughter Isabella’s adoption hearing.
• Listening to Alisa’s first orchestra concert as she played the cello.
• Going to the University Mall to hear John’s choir sing the Halleluiah Chorus.
• Receiving family history stories, pictures and books from my son Jordan.
• Walking through the woods in knee deep snow that sparkled like diamonds with my daughter Arianne.
• Watching BYU make a come-back victory at their bowl game while yelling and eating pizza at Jacob’s house.
• Watching my husband talk about his youth and LDS mission to his children and grandchildren during his day-after-Christmas Samoan Party. . . and watching Arianne and Jared prepare special Samoan food just for their Dad.
• Watching Ashley and Hyrum play the part of Mary and Joseph as they too are about to be embark on their journey together as parents.
• Playing the violin in a Dickens’s Christmas Carol Concert.
• Sleigh riding with children and grandchildren up at the cabin.
• Tearfully hugging Amy, Aden and Tessa goodbye before they had to leave for Oregon.
• Listening to my son Joseph express his love and gratitude for his father while eating our Christmas Eve dinner together.
• Watching 3-year-old Emma bravely finish the dance while the other little dancing girls ran off stage to their parents.
• Listening to John play “The River Flows Through You” with only the Christmas tree lights to illuminate the living room just before retiring for the night.
• Presenting our heart-felt personal gifts to the Christ child as a single candle flickered in the dark room.

The greatest gifts in life can't be seen or touched but only felt with the heart. May you feel the love of God in your life as you contemplate the gift of his Son and our Savior. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you my friends.


12/22/2011

I Love Note To A Treasured New Friend I've Never Met

Writing a blog has been such a pleasure for me. Catching my fleeting thoughts into words and images then having someone far away read those words and see those images and respond has truly touched my soul. Personal blog comments from readers like you have become a magical connection for me and a wonderful way to find new soul mates. Even though we may not have ever met, I feel as though we have become good friends. I don't think I can adequately thank all of you who have left comments here. I read each one and so often they feel like tender mercies from heaven.  I can't thank all of you personally but I want to try by saying thank you to one.
Dear Shirley,
Your insightful, positive and loving comments on my blog have been such a gentle kindness to me. Though I have never met you, I love you. I feel your goodness. I look forward to checking my E-mail to see if there is a note from you. Your words always make my day. Thank you for taking the time to be such an important part of my life, for being my friend and for letting me know you. Knowing you has meant more to me than you will ever know. I hope I meet you some day. Yet even if I never see you physically, I see you spiritually. What a gift it is for me to call you my friend.

This is Shirley's last blog comment on a post about my son Joseph's recent adoption. Can you see why I love her so. . .

My new friend Shirley
"Your post made me cry, Janene. What a beautiful post, and what a wonderful Christmas present for everyone. There was a special on TV last night about foster children who were adopted. It was entitled "Home for the Holidays". It was about children who were adopted by their foster parents, single & married, and how well the children have flourished in their new family. This is so awe-inspiring, and I wish you all a very Blessed Christmas season. And to think that Isabella's Dad's name is Joseph!! Sending lots of love to your family."

Merry Christmas Shirley. Thank you for being you. You are such a gift to me.
Janene




12/20/2011

Isabella is adopted today!

Isabella and the judge enjoying a moment together just after the adoption became official.
The judge gave Isabella an adoption bear so she could remember this day with joy.
Joseph and Martha with their two beautiful children Isabella and Bradley standing next to the judge.
Joseph and Martha's beautiful family with their grandparents.
All the loving family, friends and legal folks who attended the adoption hearing.
I've had the blessing of being present when several of my grandchildren were born. There is nothing quite as awe inspiring as adding the newest member of the family into our midst.

Today I am so grateful that I was able to be present when the newest member of our family joined us.

Isabella Baadsgaard was officially adopted by my son Joseph and his wife Martha this morning.

Isabella also has an older brother Bradley who was adopted into our family previously. I cannot express in words how much I love these precious children.

There is no greater gift than a new child to love.

May I express my gratitude and deepest respect for all those who are willing to take in foster children and give them a safe home, where they are given what every child deserves. . . to be wanted and loved.  May I also express my gratitude to social workers, lawyers and judges who put the safety and welfare of our children as their top priority. 

My favorite moment during the proceedings today was when the judge asked my son if he had bonded with Isabella. As the judge was asking the question, my sweet little granddaughter quietly stood and wrapped her arms around her new father with such unbridled affection and joy.
"Oh, yes," my son answered. "She is my princess."

Welcome Isabella. We all love you so much. We are so happy that you are in our family now and forever.








12/19/2011

Happy Birthday Mitchell


  Mitchell the Super Hero
                                                                                by
                                                                          Granny B

Happy Birthday Mitchell. 
Your Grandma Baadsgaard loves you so very much.
Here's a special story I wrote just for you.

When Mitchell woke up one morning his pajamas seemed a little snug. His wrists were sneaking out the arm holes and he could see his ankles peeking out of the bottom of his pants.

“Mitchell, did you grow two inches last night while you were sleeping?” his mother asked while he was slurping his breakfast cereal.

“I don’t know,” Mitchell answered. “My pajamas do feel tight.”

Then Mitchell's brother Mathew walked into the kitchen rubbing his eyes. After he looked at Mitchell his eyes popped wide open.

“Mitchell, when did you get those things?” Mathew asked pointing to Mitchell’s chest and arms.

“What things?” Mitchell answered.

“Bulging muscles,” Mathew said. “You’ve never had those before.

Just then Mitchell's other brother Josh walked into the kitchen yawning. Then he picked up a glass of milk and took a gulp. After he took one look at his five-year-old brother he choked on the milk and sprayed it all over himself.

“When did that happen?” Josh yelled. “My little brother Mitchell is a super-hero!”

Mitchell looked down at his chest and saw ripples of muscles. He stretched out his arms and saw bulging triceps and biceps. He flexed a few times and raised one eyebrow.

“Hey, this is terrific! You guys better watch out,” Mitchell said glaring at his brothers. “No more picked on little brother for this muscle man.”

“Give me your piece of toast,” Mitchell demanded turning to his brother Mathew. “Now!”

Mathew took one look at Mitchell’s bulging muscles and quickly obeyed.

“Give me your rock collection,” Mitchell demanded turning to his brother Josh.

Josh took one look at Mitchell’s triceps and biceps and quickly obeyed.

Wow, Mitchell thought to himself. This superhero stuff if great. I can have whatever I want right when I want it. I have those pesky brothers of mine just where I want them.

Then Mitchell got another idea.

“Mom,” Mitchell declared. “I’m not going to brush my teeth, make my bed or clean up my room anymore.”

“Then you’re not a super hero,” his mother answered. “Super heroes help people. You’re just a bully because you have big muscles now.”

Shucks, Mitchell thought. Why does Mom always have to ruin everything? Maybe she will be afraid of me if I growl.

“GRRRRR!” Mitchell growled baring his ferocious teeth at his mother.

“Josh and Matty, you need to practice your piano before you leave for school,” his mother answered, completely ignoring him.

After his older brothers left for school, Mitchell followed his mother around the house barking out orders. It didn’t work. His mother did the dishes, vacuumed the rug, showered and got dressed. Next she walked into his older brother Caleb’s room and gave him a sponge bath, hooked up his feeding tube and adjusted his ventilator.

Then Mitchell heard the doorbell ring. It was the neighbor lady and she was crying. Mitchell’s mother invited the lady inside and gave her a chocolate chip cookie. Then they sat down together on the couch and talked for a long time.

Mitchell ran through the room several times trying to get the neighbor’s attention. Once he leaped from the couch onto the floor. That didn’t work. The lady kept crying. Then he flexed his muscles. That didn’t work either. Then Mitchell watched his mother put her arms around the neighbor lady and hug her. Pretty soon the neighbor lady stopped crying and smiled.

“Thank you,” the neighbor said as she opened the door to leave. “You always know just what to say to make me feel better. You are my hero.”

Hey, Mitchell thought. I’m the super hero around here.

Then Mitchell watched his mother start cooking in the kitchen.

“It’s not time for lunch yet,” Mitchell said. “Why are you cooking?’

Mr. Williams is going in for surgery today,” she answered. “I thought I’d bring over some supper. Mrs. Williams won’t feel like cooking when she gets home from the hospital tonight.”

Mitchell walked down the hall toward his bedroom to play with his stuffed animals. He peeked in his brother’s Caleb room. He looked lonely. Mitchell got his favorite stuffed snake then crawled up into his brother’s bed. He put the snake next to Caleb’s cheek then put his arm around him and gave him a great big hug.

“I love you Caleb,” Mitchell said. “I’ll always protect you from the bad guys ‘cause I’m a superhero now.”

After Caleb went to sleep, Mitchell got Josh’s rock collection and put it back in his room. Then he picked out two of his favorite plastic super hero guys and put one on each of his brother’s beds. Next he walked into the kitchen and looked at his mother.

“Can I help you cook dinner for the sick guy?” Mitchell asked.

“Yes,” his mother answered.

Mitchell smiled.

“Mitchell to the rescue!” he yelled as he leaped onto the kitchen stool flexing his triceps and biceps in a single bound.





12/14/2011

DOWN HOME with Granny B


Growing Older 

Growing older has been a delightful surprise for me. The way I feel is different than what I thought I'd feel. I pretty much just feel grateful . . . grateful that I'm alive. . . grateful for everything. 

I thought I'd feel old inside when I was old outside. I don't. I feel softer. The experiences I've gone through have made me less quick to judge, less ambitious for material possessions and less inclined to hurry. I've learned to love others for who they are -  not who I want them to be. I've learned the only real wealth is a loving family. And I've learned to listen more carefully to the wisdom of others.



*All growth is a leap in the dark, a spontaneous unpremeditated act without the benefit of experience (Henry Miller)

*Only the loving find love. And they never have to seek for it. (D. H. Lawrence)







*If nothing ever changed there'd be no butterflies. (Unknown)

12/05/2011

A Poem For The Middle Child

Happy Birthday Mathew
I hope you know how much your Grandma Baadsgaard loves you.  Here is a poem I wrote just for you.
P.S.
I'm a middle child too.

Mathew in the Middle
by
Granny B

I don’t like it in the middle
Said Mathew to his Mother
Being the ho-hum middle child
Is really such a bother

I’m not the oldest or the youngest
Just someplace in between
Nobody ever notices me
I feel like I’m never seen

His mother sighed and rolled her eyes
For she was an oldest child
“From where I sit,” she said with a smile
You have the best place by a mile

You don’t have to do everything first
Your parents have learned a thing or two
No one calls you the baby
I can’t see why you’re so blue.”

I don’t like it in the middle
Said Mathew to his father
Being the ho-hum middle child
Is really such a bother

“I know how you feel,” said Mathew’s father
I’m brother number two
That’s why I gave you my name
So my number two wouldn’t be blue.”

Then Mathew thought of his middle name
It was just the same as his father
I guess number two is not so bad
And really not a bother.

Then Mathew’s mother gave him a great big hug
And soon so did his Dad
Mathew was the meat in the family sandwich hug
And it really wasn’t so bad.

12/03/2011

We are valuable and we are loved because of who we are not what we do.


I've noticed that when we are meeting someone for the first time we often ask, "What do you do?"  It is a common question for most of us are curious about other's occupations.

I've also observed that as my children were growing up many people asked them, "What do you want to do when you grow up?" referring to what career they will choose.  Prestige and the ability to earn money are often the result of what we choose to do.

So we grow into adults who focus almost entirely on what we do to feel good about ourselves.  If we don't do enough during the day, we feel lazy. If we don't choose the right career or if we do something wrong, we fill our hearts with regret or guilt. More and more we learn to focus the camera lens of our lives on what we do.

The other day I was speaking with someone about my grandson Caleb. When people find out Caleb was born without a brain they often stand in stunned silence. Then they always ask, "What can he do?"

I know the question is innocent and I am not offended but I can't help thinking that they are missing the point. Caleb might not have a brain but he has a heart and soul. If I go through the usual list of important achievements in life, Caleb may not fit the bill. But I always long to explain that it is not what Caleb can do that defines him.

And sometimes the person I'm talking to persists with detailed questions like . . .
"Can he see?"
"Can he move?"
"Can he hear?"
"Can he speak?"
"Can he eat?"
"Can he breathe?"
"Can he think?" 

And though the questions are innocent they often leave this impression . . .
"Well if he can't he do anything, I feel so sorry for him and for you. If he can't do anything - what purpose can his life possibly have?"

Because our family has been blessed to have Caleb in our lives we have learned that what makes someone valuable is not what they do but who they are.  Though Caleb's body makes is almost impossible for him to do much of anything in a physical sense, his presence is enough for us. His divine and noble spirit is alive and well inside a body with severe physical limitations yet enhanced spiritual abilities. Caleb speaks without language getting in the way. He loves without the inherit limitations of physical affection. His soul shines with a light only seen through the eyes of love.

So the next time you see someone like my grandson Caleb do not ask their family members what they can do.  Do not feel sorry for them. Instead say, "Tell me about your child."

And the next time you are thinking dark thoughts about self or others because of something you or they did of failed to do . . . stop. 

Then, pray.

Allow yourself to feel the love of God for you and every person who has walked this earth. You are not valuable to God or those around you because of what you do or don't do.  You are valuable because you are you.

Your existence - your presence - is enough.

And perhaps when you talk to the youth you might ask, "Who do you want to be when you grow up?"  For it is our inner qualities, the qualities Caleb already possesses, like compassion, patience, gentleness, meekness, and love that are the true measures of a meaningful life.