The Eclipse in Southern Utah

                                                                                                Photos by Arianne Cope


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Happy Birthday Libby

Dear Libby, here is a story I wrote just for you on your birthday.

Never forget how much your Grandma loves you and what a treasure you are.

Libby - Ray of Sunshine

by

Grandma Baadsgaard

          When Libby woke up in the morning, her room was dark.

“I know just what to do,” Libby said pulling back the curtain covering her window.

          Sunshine streamed in through the east window and flooded her room with light.

            Libby rubbed her eyes and walked into the kitchen. She found her dad eating his cornflakes looking rather glum.

          “I know just what to do,” Libby said. “Close your eyes Daddy.”

Libby walked over to her dad, climbed into his lap, wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a great big kiss. He smiled and hugged her back.

          “How is my Libsers?” her dad asked. “You’re my ray of sunshine.”

          Just then Libby saw her mother flipping pancakes next to the stove.

          “Hey mom,” Libby asked, “what is a witch’s stand?”

          “What do you mean?” her mother answered.

          “Whenever we say the Pledge of Allegiance at school, they always say, ‘we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for witch’s stand.’”

          Libby’s mother laughed out loud and hugged Libby.

“Oh, Libby, you always make me smile,” her mother said. “You’re a ray of sunshine.  It really says, and to the republic for which it stands.”

          Libby shook her head as her mother gave her two pancakes.

Then Libby’s sister Sandy walked into the kitchen and Libby’s mother gave her three pancakes.

          “I know just what to do,” Libby said. “Hey Mommy, you gave her lotsters than me.”

          Sandy smiled and giggled.

          “I love the way you make up your own words,” Sandy said. “That is lots more not lotsters than me. Libby, you give me sunshine in my tummy.”

          After breakfast Mommy dropped Emily and Sandy off to school and took Andrew and Libby to the grocery store.

          “I know just what to do,” Libby said as she raced to find the shopping cart with a car and steering wheel.

          When Libby’s mommy put Andrew into the car, he smiled so big.

          “You know just what to do to make Andrew happy,” Libby’s mommy said.

          When they got home from the grocery store Libby’s mother said, “Libby you can choose to clean your room or play with Andrew while I make lunch.”

Libby shook her head.

“I know just what to do,” Libby said. “Mommy you can choose to let me watch my Barbie movie or you can let me play with Megan.”

Libby’s mommy laughed. Libby shook her head.

“Mommy, you can choose to let me ride my bike or let me eat candy.”

Libby’s mommy wrapped her arms around Libby and gave her a big hug.

“Libby you can be my sunshine,” her mommy said, “or you can be my sunshine.”

“I know just what to do,” Libby said. “Sunshine. I’ll be your sunshine.”

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The Miracle of Spring in My Own Back Yard




If spring came but once in a century instead of once a year, or burst forth with the sound of an earthquake and not in silence, what wonder and expectation there would be in all hearts to behold the miraculous change.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Snowballs of blossoms.

Purple violet iris stand like queenly guards over my garden.

Green pea vines.

Aging pines burst with tender new branches.

New raspberries welcome honey bees.

Fall's harvest of grapes begins in embryo.

After the apple blossoms fall, apples begin.

Hollyhocks next to the fence.

 

Happy Mother's Day

DOWN HOME with Granny B

Happy Mother's Day
A wise man who understood the marvelous miracle of children and the mothers who love them once wrote:

Your children are not your children.

They are the sons and daughters of life's longing for itself.

They come through you but not from you,

And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,

for they have their own thoughts.

You may house their bodies but not their souls,

For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit,not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.

for life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth. The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and he bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.

Lat your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;

For even as he loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.

(Kahlil Gibran)

Sometimes with all the bending, we mothers fear we'll break. But when we hang in there a little longer, we find more bend inside than we knew we possessed.

Being a mother is a tremendous responsibility and an unequaled joy - a lifelong, exhilarating/exhausting, exuberant/exasperating task.

I'd rather make a home than a fortune. I'd rather bow for the tender kisses of my children and grandchildren than before millions of fans.

I believe a loving home is the greatest gift one person can give another.

Being a good old average mom is truly one of the few irreplaceable jobs in the world. Whatever else I do with my life, someone else can do it, even if I become President of the United States. But I'm the only person who can by my children's mother.

Years ago my fourteen-month-old daughter Amy struggled for oxygen in the hospital pediatric ward. Amy was terrified and screamed when the nurse tried to place her in a croup tent. But when I slipped off my shoes, lifted my body up onto the hospital bed, maneuvered myself into the croup tent, and reached out for her, Amy quickly crawled into the ominous hissing enclosure and into my waiting arms. Her small shaking body lovingly molded to mine as she gently laid her tiny head on my shoulder. You see, Amy knew that if her mother was there, no matter how frighteng it it appeared, she would be home and safe in my arms.

Through all the carrying, delivering, holding, feeding, changing worrying, comforting, cleaning, encouraging, and working - the burdens of motherhood sometimes grow heavy. Yet because of that weight, we discover a stronger person inside.

Through loving our children, we are born again. 
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What Thinks Christ of Me?

"I testify that as you love Him, trust Him, believe Him, and follow Him, you will feel His love and approval. As you ask, 'What thinks Christ of me?' you will know that you are His disciple; you are His friend. By His grace He will do for you what you cannot do for yourself."

Elder Neil L. Andersen General Conference, Apr. 2012

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Book Review of "For Every Mother"

     A while back I re-connected with an old friend I knew in high school. Estella lives in California now and even though it's been forty years since we were in high school together, it feels so comfortable to have her back in my life after all these years.  
     We have been e-mailing back and forth for a while. She told me she was a member of a book club that wanted to read, "For Every Mother" and asked if I'd be willing to answer a few questions that club members would submit. Then they would use those answers in their book club discussion. It has been so fun for me to connect with this wonderful group of women who love reading as much as I do. 
     You know writing is such a solitary work. Being able to connect with my readers is what keeps me writing. Thank you Garden Book Club for reading my book. Thank you Estella for taking the time to tell me their reactions.
Here is Estella's letter to me explaining how their evening went after reading "For Every Mother".
Hi Janene,
I wanted to follow up with you to let you know that our book club discussion of "For Every Mother" went SO well! Every single one of my Book Garden friends who read the book LOVED it, and those who hadn't had a chance to read it were totally inspired to do so after hearing our discussion. I might add that it is *extremely* rare for there to be a unanimous positive reaction to a monthly book club selection. There are usually opinions all over the place from "I didn't like it at all", to "It was okay", to "I liked it", "I loved it" (you get the picture). EVERYONE loved this one, and our discussion was one of the best we have ever had because, of course, we had your beautiful answers to our interview questions. Many hearts were touched and some tears were shed as we listened to the tender and encouraging thoughts you shared with us. There are a few in our group who can especially relate to what you said about abuse, and we are all looking forward to reading your book on this subject when it comes out in June. Thank you for never giving up on getting it published!
I learned during the book discussion that one of our Book Garden members who is a Relief Society president in our stake has been using quotes and stories from "For Every Mother" to encourage and uplift sisters in her ward who are facing some tough challenges right now. She searched for some copies of it to give as gifts to these sisters, which led to her discovery of "15 Secrets to a Happy Home". She loved it, too (of course), and now the rest of the group wants to read it! We are having trouble finding copies of it. Karen found a couple of used ones online, but we are wishing that we could purchase some new ones somewhere. If you know of somewhere they can be found, let me know so that I can pass the information along. We have been snapping up copies of "For Every Mother" as they become available in the online Seagull Bookstore, as many of us want to get copies to give our mothers, sisters, children and friends, but those keep getting sold out! We will, however, persevere!
Thank you again, so much, for your participation in our book club discussion. It was one of the best we have ever had, and we have been reading and discussing books for many years now. . . Some of our members are young moms with kids who can't make the meetings but who read the book selections and get the notes from our discussions by email, and we have some members who have moved to other states but who also read our books selections "from afar"!  Here is a photo taken at one of our Christmas functions. Thank you again, dear friend, for being a part of our book club in May, and for continuing to uplift and inspire women throughout the world with your wonderful books.
Love,
Estella
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Uplift Utah Families Conference

I had a wonderful opportunity to speak at the first Uplift Utah Families Conference in SLC at the Salt Palace this last weekend. I especially enjoyed meeting several of those in the audience after the talk. But my favorite part was being with my fabulous daughters April and Arianne. My daughter Arianne took these pictures and blogged about her experience here.

I've spent all of my adult life writing newspaper columns, magazine articles and books that I hope will uplift mothers and fathers in the most important thing they will ever do - raise a family. Yet, what I've wanted more than anything is to become a loving and joyful person, wife, mother and grandmother. My family is everything to me.  

I've never sought out speaking opportunities. They have just come to me. Though I've never been comfortable being in the spotlight, I find myself looking into the beautiful faces and the tender hearts of those I speak to. I see unique and priceless souls that I long to know, encourage and love. Pin It

Don't You Give Up

Don't you give up. At the very moment when you think all is lost and there is no hope . . . you became a butterfly. Never, ever forget that the dawn is coming even after the darkest night.

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Say "I love you," with a WINK

My daughter April has started a new tradition in her family. She calls it their "wink" day. She was looking for a way to honor her son Caleb's life. Caleb is her seven-year-old son who recently passed away. April and her family go to Caleb's grave site once a month with their journal in hand. Then they write down a way they can love someone. Caleb brought so much love into their family that she wants to keep it going.

In case you didn't know, Caleb was born without one of his eyes. He had one eyelid permanently closed with cute little eye-lashes. So he was always "winking" at us. This meant a lot to us because in our family winking was our secret code for saying "I love you," when we were out in public.

Caleb was also born without a brain so he was never able to say, "I love you with words." But he knew our secret code - so he was always saying, "I love you."

Now whenever the Moody family goes on a trip, they take large cards with the letters W I N K so they can always take their brother and his message alone with them. Caleb's nurse even brought along the WINK letters on her recent cruise.

So if you're lonely of sad, create your own WINK day. Remember Caleb - then find someone who needs your love.
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FREE tickets to the Uplift Utah Family Conference on May 4th and 5th

I've just been informed by the organizers of the Uplift Utah Family Conference on May 4th and 5th that tickets to this event are now FREE. If you'd like to go contact me and I'll forward an e-mail that has the electronic ticket for you to print out and use. I'll be speaking on Sat May 5th at 11:30.
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Choose Hope

No matter what challenges you face - there is hope. Don't give up.
Don't despair.
Do everything you can to improve your situation - then leave the rest in God's hands.
Choose Hope.
Be at peace.
Remember you are loved.
Be patient.
In time, everything will work out.
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"For Every Mother" is on Sale!

If you're looking for a great gift for the mother in your life for Mother's Day on May 13 you might want to check out this great sale ($5.99) on my new book "For Every Mother" here.
If you buy one and live close by, bring it over to my house and I'd love to sign it for you.
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Happy Birthday Logan!

Logan-the-Large

by

Grandma Baadsgaard

Logan, this is a story I wrote just for you on your fourth birthday.  I hope you know how much I love you and proud of you I am for being so brave and true. Our family really needs you.

  When Logan’s mother took him to the park, she couldn’t see the green dragon with bright yellow eyes hiding in the tree. But Logan did. When the dragon raised his scaly wings all the leaves trembled.

Logan trembled.

Then Logan remembered he was wearing his red cowboy boots.

Whenever Logan wore his red cowboy boots, he became Logan-the-Large.

Logan quickly scanned the park with eagle eyes to find a sharp stick to defend his family.

          “Why do you always wear those boots?” his mother asked. “They don’t match with anything and they are two sizes too big.”

          Logan looked straight at his mother, clenched his jaw and said, “Because.”

          But Logan knew. Sometimes his mother and father didn’t see the dragons. Someone had to defend his family. Logan’s parents said that dragons aren’t real. They are just in his imagination.

          But Logan knew imagination is real.

          “What are you doing with that branch?” his mother asked as Logan dragged a big tree branch toward her. “It is much too big for you. Just find a small stick to play with.”

          But Logan knew fighting large dragons required large weapons even when you’re wearing your red cowboy boots.

          “I need this one,” Logan said. “I have to fight the dragon.”

          Then Logan climbed the tree and waved his weapon. The dragon retracted his wings and cowered.

          Next Logan yelled, “Get out of here you mean dragon!”

          The dragon didn’t move as green and brown leaves covered him with camouflage.

          Next Logan shook the tree.

          The dragon melted into the tree trunk and slowly disappeared.

          Logan climbed down from the tree and stamped his foot.

          “I am Logan-the-Large and I slay dragons!” he roared.

          “Oh Logan,” his brother Sammy said rolling his eyes. “Watch me! I can do flips on the monkey bars!”

          “Oh . . . Logan,” his sister Sophie sighed. “There you go again.”

          Logan looked at his mother and waited for her to clap. But his mother couldn’t clap because she was holding his little brother Liam  . . . again. It seemed like she was always holding Liam instead of clapping for him.

          Logan’s mother looked into her son’s eyes and then she knew.

          “Oh Logan,” Logan’s mother said. “You scared the dragon away. Thank you for saving our family my brave son.”

          Logan puffed out his chest, rubbed his red boots and smiled. For now he knew that he would always be Logan-the-Large and save his family from every sneaky dragon.

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Today is April's Birthday!

Today is my daughter April's birthday. Thirty-six years ago I was rushing to the hospital in the wee hours of the morning - arriving just in time - for April was in a hurry to get here - two months early.
I had no idea what a ray of sunshine she would be. We hadn't even decided on a name yet. But the first time I saw her, I knew. April had a spirit that radiated freshness and new life just like the month she was born in. So Jennifer or Emily just wouldn't do. April was the only name that could match her spirit of light, optimism and hope.
April you are my springtime, my love and my joy. Happy birthday sweetheart. Pin It

Celebrating at the Cabin



Little girl cousins playing in the "girl's bedroom" at the cabin.

Mitchel delighting everyone with his smile.

A swing that will take you to the sky and back.

Grandchildren are the best!

We celebrated Ashley's Graduation this weekend with a BBQ up at the cabin. The grandchildren always know how to celebrate with each other in their own special way. I love facilitating cousin connections.
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