The Ups and Downs of Life

My daughter Arianne is spending four months in Samoa - a place that by all accounts is a paradise.  She sends along such beautiful pictures for me to enjoy.  Yet her experience in Samoa - much like the journey each of us take through life -  is a mixture of both pleasure and pain.  This past week her whole family has been sick with a variety of ailments. 

Perhaps that is the purpose of our existence - the majesty, mystery and paradox. 

We can't have mortal life without the possibility of death.

We can't have health without sickness. 

We can't have joy without pain. 

What Do I Do With My Ten-Year-Old Son?



DOWN HOME with Granny B

Dear Granny B:

I need some insight into the heart and mind of the 10 year old boy. Certainly they are not all the same, but in general.... what do I need to know? I feel like my sweet and happy child is growing up, and sometimes he sounds more snarky and unhappy than I can stand. He is a good boy, and I love him so much- but I am so frustrated because I feel like his 6 and 8 year old siblings are more content, competent and capable than he is- but he has certainly been the recipient of as much time, love and training. We have made a special effort to do things as parents just with him, but it seems like the more we do just with him the more unkind and impatient he is with his siblings. We have loved him and helped him in every way we know how. We have sent countless prayers to heaven for him. Please help me understand him better.

A Concerned mother

Dear Concerned mother,

It is obvious that you are a dedicated and loving mother - thus your concern.

My first piece of advice is this . . . no one really has the whole answer for you - yep that means even me.

Even though you don't realize it, you have more insight into your son than you know because you love him. 

The truth is: the only real expert is God so keep consulting that source. 

Another great resource is other mothers  . . . especially those with  large families.  Pick their brains for ideas and even more importantly for perspective.  For example:  they might tell you that their obnoxious, snarky, unhappy ten-year-old son grew up to be a competent and happy adult.  They might tell you that all children go through times when they are more than difficult to live with and this is just the beginning of the roller-coaster ride that is coming. So hold on tight and don't base your self-worth on your child's decisions.  The only person you can control is . . . you.  You only control how YOU turn out.    

If this is new behavior for your son, you might want to analyze how much he has on his plate.  Is he stressed out or bored because he has too much to do or not enough? Young boys have so much energy.  They need to work off some of that energy through chores, yard work, sports or family promoted exercise programs.  But also make sure he is not over-scheduled.  Most boys love the out-doors.  Make it a family priority to get out into nature as much as possible. 

Also . . . most likely, hormones are starting.

So hang in there.  You're doing better than you think you are and so is your son. 

love,

Granny B     

Backyard Photos by my son John

The beauty of summer right in my own back yard.

Grandmahood is a hoot

Grandma hood is a hoot.  I love making home-made whole wheat bread and raspberry jam from my own raspberry patch.  I enjoy making quilts and booties for my grandchildren.  But the greatest joy is babies everywhere to hug and hold and love! (and I don't even have to be pregnant for nine months to get one..) 

My Home in the Rocky Mountains

I love my home

nestled in a quiet valley

at the base of the Rocky Mountains. 

Always my grand snow- capped guardians

are there -

towering above me - 

offering me a sense of wonder and protection. 

My family spends most of our free time exploring 

the mountains near our home.  

This weekend we hiked on Loafer Mountain

then took our four-wheelers to the top of Tower Mountain.         

Hiking in the Rocky Mountains near my home in Utah.





When I see blue sky I know the summit is near.



I'm always tempted to stop before I reach the top - yet always rewarded when I don't give up until I reach the summit. 



There is majestic beauty in the grand panoramic view at the summit - and in a simple leaf on stone.

While four-wheeling on Tower Mountain I met a bear.  Good thing he seemed as scared of me as I was of him.

More Photos of Samoa

I love sharing these beautiful images captured by my daughter Annie.

My daughter Arianne and her husband Jared and four children are spending several months in Samoa. Because Arianne's father spent two years in Samoa as a Mormon missionary these pictures are an extra delight for us. . .

Sammy discovering the island treasures

The beautiful island of American Samoa.

Arianne with baby Liam, daughter Sophia and sons Sammy and Logan

Life is a Circle

There is no green like the green on a tropical island.

Arianne's view from her hotel window

The port in American Samoa is brimming with ships.

Arianne's first sunrise in Samoa.

One of the interesting things about life is that if you live long enough everything seems to come full circle . . . all the seemingly random things that happen to us seem to foreshadow events in the future that we can not yet see or imagine.  But I have lived long enough to know that nothing happens outside God's grand design. 

As a college student I felt drawn to the Middle East and spent all my savings to go on a archaeological dig in Beersheba in the Negev Desert in Israel.  Years later my daughter Aubrey would become an archaeologist and work in the Middle East. 

When he was nineteen years old my husband Ross spent two years in Samoa as a Mormon missionary.  Just this week my daughter Arianne arrived in Samoa with her husband and four young children.  They will be there for four months while her husband is the engineer on a massive land slide rebuilding operation.

If there are no random events, if even one sparrow's fall does not escape God's notice - perhaps we might learn to see all the events in our lives as generous gifts from a loving Father in Heaven who knows best how to tutor and love us.   

Baadsgaard Family Reunion 2011



We had a family reunion over the July 4th weekend with all of our ten children,their spouses and 20 grandchildren up at our cabin.   I am so blessed to have of these wonderful people in my life.





  



There Comes A Time

DOWN HOME with Granny B

One of the advantages of growing older is that sooner or later you learn.  You can learn the hard way or the easy way.  I usually learn the hard way.

I spent way too much of my life maintaining destructive relationships.

 That's why I so love this quote I found posted by a friend on face book today.  She didn't mention who wrote it . . . but who ever it was . . . thank you.

"There comes a time in your life when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it.  You surround yourself with people who make you laugh. 

Forget the bad, and focus on the good. 

Love people who treat you right, pray for the ones who don't. 

Life is too short to be anything but happy. 

Falling down is a part of life . . . getting back up is living."

Graduation Day

My son-in-law Klye Poffenberger graduated from his residency yesterday.  This is the last step in a thirteen year long goal to be an anesthesiologist.  He will now be taking a post in Pennsylvania.  Not only am I extremely proud of him for all his hard work but I find myself wanting to thank all the doctors and nurses out there who do their best to save lives.


Because I've had a daughter, son and grandson in the hospital in the past few weeks in emergency situations I realize that we all depend on these educated people to help us in our greatest hour of need.  Most of the time we are quick to judge if they make mistakes or don't do things the way we think they should.  But today I just feel deeply grateful that these dedicated men and women devote so much of their lives to saving ours.


So . . . congratulations Kyle.  And thank you for choosing to help the rest of us when we don't have the skills or knowledge to help ourselves.  Thank you for taking on enormous debt and working for 13 long years to put yourself in a position to save my children.  I have the deepest respect and appreciation for you.


I love you Kyle.  Thank you for being such a terrific husband, father and doctor.  You have devoted your life to all of us and we thank you.
Mom   

Life Is So Fragile and So Dear

My son Joseph's appendix ruptured today.  He is in intensive care.  My heart aches for him and for every other person in pain.  As I took his fevered hand in mine and stroked his feet to comfort him today, I thought of the day he was born - his tiny body so soon parted from my own.  How I longed to keep him always safe and warm.  Yet God's design is so much grandeur than my own.

My children are God's greatest gifts to me.  How I love being their mother.  How I long to take their pain away.  Yet I am aware that all of life's deepest and most meaningful gifts of knowledge, wisdom and experience have come only through pain. 

In the past few weeks my grandson Caleb has been in the hospital with a life threatening condition, my daughter Amy had emergency surgery to have her appendix removed and now my son Joseph also has suffered a ruptured appendix.  All three conditions have brought my dear ones near death. 

Facing the tenuous nature of life so many times in such a few days has left me deeply humbled.  Life is so fragile and so dear. 

Through these difficult weeks I've watched as my healthy children have come to the aid of their brothers and sisters in pain with babysitting, meals, prayers, gifts, cards, phone calls, flowers and visits.  There is a deep abiding strength that comes when close loving family members bear each other burdens. 

Where there is great love, there are always miracles. 

Where there is great love, even life's most bitter moments can be sweet. 
   

      

Old Age Forgetfulness

DOWN HOME with Granny B

Most of us know that sometimes as we age we tend to become a bit more forgetful.  That's probably true for me but frankly I think I've been a bit forgetful all my life.  Now that I'm getting older it is just handy to have something to blame my forgetfulness on.  So far I haven't lost me but you never know . . . That's why this ditty makes me laugh.

"I have gone out to find myself.  If I should get back before I return, please ask me to wait right here!" Unknown


 

Books Without Borders

Books Without Borders Literary Group

As an author I'm often asked to speak to large groups of people, but large groups of people can be so impersonal.  So my favorite requests come from small intimate women's book groups who ask me to visit after they've read one of my books.  I know our conversation will be warm and witty for women who love books always make such interesting companions. 


Tonight I met with the Books Without Borders literary group in Orem, Utah and enjoyed my visit immensely.  We talked about my new book, "For Every Mother" and pretty much everything else that popped into our heads.  Thank you, fellow book lovers, for a wonderful evening. 

Update on Caleb

A Full Heartby April Moody

Caleb has been home for over a week, and he has improved each day!  We came home needing about 4 liters of oxygen, and now he's down to 1.5  liters.  The light has come back into his little eye, and he sneaks us sweet smiles to help us know he's okay.

Our home sounds so much better with hum of his machines, 

and we've all been catching up on snuggles and smooches!

When we were admitted to the PICU, I was sure we'd be there for weeks.  I don't think I've ever seen him so sick.  But I could also feel the power of prayer lifting our spirits.  I know Caleb was closely attended by heaven.  It is humbling to know that I am a part of a miracle that is so often the combined effort of so many heart felt prayers.  Thank you for exercising your faith in our families behalf.  Thank you for loving our little boy, and thank you for your prayers.  Our hearts are full.

An Autobiography in 5 Chapters

DOWN HOME with Granny B

When you get older, you're suppose to get wiser. 

That is not always the case with me.
But I'm slowly learning a few morsels of joyful living. 

Whenever I notice myself dealing with the same issue over and over again I like to reread this favorite story of mine. 

Problem is I can't remember who wrote this.  It wasn't me, but I sure like it.




AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN 5 CHAPTERS


Chapter 1
I walk down a street.  There's a huge hole in the sidewalk.  I fall in.  It's not my fault.  It takes forever to get out.
Chapter 2
I walk down the same street.  There is a huge hole in the sidewalk.  I pretend I don't see it.  I fall in, again.  I cannot believe that I'm in this same hole!  But it's still not my fault. It takes a long time to get out.
Chapter 3
I walk down the same street.  There is a huge hole in the sidewalk.  I see it.  I fall in - it's a habit! - but my eyes are open.  I know where I am.  I admit it's my fault.  I get out immediately.
Chapter 4
I walk down the same street.  There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.  I walk AROUND IT.
Chapter 5
I walk down a DIFFERENT STREET.