5/30/2017

Happy Birthday Emily


Dear Emily,
Happy fifteenth birthday to an amazing young woman I love with all my heart. As I’ve been getting your present together ready to send to you I’ve been thinking about all the wonderful memories I have with you.
I remember when you were born. We stopped by the hospital when your mother was in labor on our way to send Joseph off on his mission. I was so excited to see you when you came. You were my very first granddaughter. I remember how soft and pink and tiny you were and how much I loved holding you and rocking you.
I remember visiting you in all the places you lived while your dad was in school and starting his first jobs. You always had a loving sweet smile for me and I especially liked it when you would just sit next to me and let me soak you in for a while. I just love being around you.
I’ve watched you develop your talents in music, dance and art. I am amazed at your proficiency for such a young age. Anyone who gets you for a piano teacher is so lucky because you are kind, gentle and patient. You are also a lot of fun to be around.
I’ve watched the kind and patient way you treat all your younger siblings. They are so blessed to have you for their oldest sister. You are such a good example to them.
I have a picture that you made of the cabin that I leave on my refrigerator because every time I look at it, I smile and think of you.
I’m glad that you have a nice group of friends and that you use your time so wisely. You have a special place in our extended family as the oldest granddaughter.  All your nieces look up to you and want to be like you.
I hope you will always be kind, patient and loving with yourself. As you go through these next few years of school and dating, remember that you are strong, you are brave and you have an eternal beauty that shines from within.
I know that you will go through your life being a light and an uplift to all those who are blessed to spend time with you. You are a joy to me and I hope you never forget how deeply you are loved and how precious you are.
I will always be your biggest fan.
All my love,
Grandma Baadsgaard

5/26/2017

Arianne and her family at Ephraim Days

Liam fixing the crust to cook in a dutch oven.
Jared and Logan at the blacksmith forge
Sophia making apple pie from scratch.
My daughter Arianne is amazing. She has learned to make her own soap, card and spin wool from sheep and her own angora rabbit, and weave the most beautiful shawls. She is part of a group of people who donate their time to re-enact the lost skills of our pioneer generation. She made period 1850 clothing for each member member of her family including herself, her husband and six children. What a gift to the community and to her children to keep the skills of their ancestors alive.
We had so much fun going to Ephraim Days today and watching them work their magic.
Arianne weaving a shawl.

5/20/2017

Utah Republican Party State Organizing Convention

My husband Ross Baadsgaard is a State Delegate
and is taking part in the Utah Republican Party State Organizing Convention today.
Freedom isn't free - we all have to do our part.

5/17/2017

Happy Birthday Libby!

LIBBY QUEEN OF EVERYTHING
By
Grandma Baadsgaard
Happy birthday my precious Libby. I love you so.

Libby is the queen of everything
She likes to smile, and dance and sing
And when she wears her crown outside
Everything magic come alive
For Libby’s friends are fairies who know
When someone can be trusted to sew
Angel wings with spider web floss
And dew orb bracelets hidden in the moss

She raises her specter with great flair
And says to the birds, “I do so care
For all your lovely little songs
They make my heart sing along
To where wishes come alive at night
Seen only by fairies in the pale moonlight.”

At dusk she waves her scepter with flair
And says to the wee people who are there,
“I’ll bring my lantern here tonight
And watch your grand ball in the blue twilight.
So tell the king that I’ll be there
So his majesty must come prepared
To take my hand and fly with me
Where only our duel royal majesty
Can fly with grandeur through the sky
And float down children’s dreams by and by.”

Those who can imagine what they cannot see
Are royalty who will always be
Kings and queens with wings to fly
Where children’s wishes are made with a sigh.

5/15/2017

Happy Birthday Rachel

RAY-RAY PIECE OF SUNSHINE
By Grandma Baadsgaard
Happy birthday to my sunshine girl. I love you Ray-Ray

Rachel . . . better known as Ray-Ray
Is sunshine walking through my door
And even if I don’t ask for it
She’ll give me a hug and so much more.
For Rachel’s eyes light up when she sees me
And mine eyes light up for her
And when she jumps into my arms
I am pretty darn sure
That I’ve just stepped into heaven
As she holds me oh so tight
And thinks my old Granny face
Is her greatest delight
When I put her down, she nuzzles up to me
And whispers into my ear, “Grandma
Do you have some more treats I can see?”
Rachel knows how to brighten every room
With her twirls and smiles and more
For Ray-Ray is my piece of sunshine
She makes my heart just soar.

5/11/2017

Happy Birthday Gideon

GIDEON
by Grandma Baadsgaard
Happy Birthday to a wonderful little boy I love!

He eats a bubble
Then floats to the sky
Draws his sword
And fights the bad guys

He kicks a ball
Then watches it go
Up in the air
Both high and low

He jumps on his bed
Then rolls on the floor
Wrestles and tangles
And tickles some more

He climbs on the swing
Then soars through the air
He doesn’t like baths
Runs away in the bare

He slurps when he eats
Then tosses his peas
When mom says, “No!”
He thinks she is a tease

For when you’re four
You climb and giggle
And throw and punch
Run fast and wiggle

When the day is over
You’re still on the run
Don’t want to stop
Having so much fun