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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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