The LDS Mother's Almanac - Story Behind the Book

One afternoon after an exhausting day dealing with the chaotic demands of my large family and a busy husband, an editor from Deseret Book called me and asked me to write a comprehensive book for mothers.
"What do you mean by comprehensive?"... I asked.
"You know, you cover about everything a mother needs to know."
I laughed out loud.
"I can't do that. It's not possible and besides, I'm not an expert." I replied.
"We didn't ask you because you're an expert. We asked you because we love your writing style. You help mothers laugh, relax and feel good about themselves and what they do."

After more shameless bribery, I finally agreed to give it a try.

Within the next few days, my husband was called as a Mormon bishop and I found out I was pregnant with child number ten. (I was in my late forties).

I deeply doubted myself. How could I possibly write this book when my husband and children would not quit jumbling up my days with constant family demands and drama? How could I even think straight when I was so nauseated I could barely get my head off the floor. Certainly there was someone out there more qualified. I just was not up for up this. With all the material I could cover, I didn't even know where to start?

That weekend, my husband was headed up to the Homestead resort in Utah for some business meetings and I decided to go with him. While he was in planning meetings during the day, I had the opportunity for some quiet time to think away from my noisy household.

I was sitting alone in a hotel bed pregnant and nauseated contemplating where to begin. How could I write a comprehensive book for mothers when I was still trying to figure out this mom stuff for myself? I cried, but that just gave me a headache. So I got on my knees and prayed with a sincerity and earnestness that only comes from complete desperation. I was on my knees for a long, long time. I poured out all my inadequacies and flaws. I told God I could not write this book without His help.

Finally the answer came, clear and sweet. I needed to re-read the proclamation on the family. As I read, and reread this document, the jumble of anxieties in my head felt at peace for the first time.

“We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force.”

This quote became SECTION ONE titled Better Beginnings where I discussed pregnancy, labor, delivery, and caring for a new baby. I was also living through pregnancy, labor, delivery and caring for a new baby in my own life while I was writing about it.

“Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live.”

This quote became SECTION TWO called Understanding the Basics where I discussed children at different ages of development, discipline, housework, preparing meals, laundry, yard work family finances and fitness. I was also trying to fit in all these hundreds of demands on my energy while I was writing about it.

“Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.”

This quote became SECTION THREE where I give ideas for celebrations, birthdays, holidays, important events, the outdoors, family vacations and daily life. I was also living through all the crazy holidays, events and vacations while I was writing about it.

“Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.”

This quote became SECTION FOUR where I discussed expression, art, cooking, crafts, computers, dance, drama, music, photography, reading, science, math, writing, family fun, nurturing self and grandma-hood. I was also wondering how to fit in all that good stuff and learning to be a new grandma while I was writing about it.

“Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

This quote became SECTION FIVE where I discussed the family and the church, perfecting the saints, proclaiming the gospel, redeeming the dead, balancing busy family life, spiritual growth for moms and dealing with tough problems. I was also trying to create spiritual growth in my unbalanced self while I was writing about it.

Yet, even after I had a vision for the organization and what I wanted to discuss, my life was not happily ever after. I got about 200 pages into the manuscript before I got bogged down and discouraged. I wanted to give up. The new book and my life were just too exhausting and overwhelming. I rarely saw my busy bishop husband, my ten very active children were a hand full and the newborn late-night feedings and teenage curfew breakers kept me in a state of perpetual sleep deprivation.

Then 911 happened. I thought about all the mothers and fathers who were killed in the towers. I thought about the possibility of my own death and what I would want my children and grandchildren to know. My deep love for my own sons and daughters gave me the will to continue when I wanted to give up. So, I just kept waking up every day, rubbing my eyes and giving it my best shot.

Is "The LDS Mother’s Almanac", my comprehensive book for mothers, a literary masterpiece? Far from it. Do I have a perfect family? Far from it. Did I ever see my husband again when he was released as bishop? No. They made him stake president. Did I ever get a goodnight’s sleep? No, I still have teenagers and my husband snores. And guess what, I’ve never really felt like I figured out how to be a mom. I think that’s OK. I think we all feel like that.

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Poem For a Five-Year-Old

Emma’s Poem

By Grandma Baadsgaard

Here is a poem I wrote just for you
on your fifth birthday
I love you very much

 When you’re turning five
You sure know you’re alive
You’re learning all the letters
So your reading can be better

If you practice it a lot
You can learn to skip and hop
And if you’re really brave
You might start a two-wheel craze

Learning all your numbers
Makes you kind of slumber
And eating lots of beans
Makes your eyes look mean

So sometimes you say, “No!”
But Mommy just says, “So . . .”
Then you’re back to feeling mad
With squishy eyes that are so sad

But when Daddy throws you way up high
You know that you can touch the sky
And when you come back down again
We’re not so sure just where you’ve been

For turning five gives you wings to fly

And far too soon you’ll be six by and by

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Ten Valuable Truths for Making Friends

Ten Valuable Truths
For
Making Friends

by

Janene Baadsgaard

 

After attending four elementary schools, two junior highs and two high schools while I was growing up, I learned several valuable truths.

*If I want friends, I can’t wait for people to reach out to me – I have to reach out to them  

. . . first.

*If I want people to be interested in me – I need to be interested in them . . .  first.

*If I want to develop intimacy with someone, I need to share intimate details about myself

 . . . first.

*If I’m a happy friendly person, I will attract happy friendly people to me.

 

Because I never knew when my parents were going to announce yet another move for our family, I developed strategies to make friends quickly.

First, I notice and quietly observe people everywhere I go. I’m always on the look-out for some way to compliment the person next to me.

I make eye contact, smile and say something simple like “Hi. What do you think of this weather?”

Then I ask for their name or point out something complimentary I’ve noticed about them.

It’s easy to keep the conversation going when you’re more interested in the other person than worried about how you are being perceived.

To keep a conversation going I ask for their opinion about something.

 As I’ve grown older I’ve learned these truths:

*If I genuinely like people . . . first, they like me back.

For example, if I mentally focus on what is wonderful about the people around me instead of why they bother or annoy me, they seem to instinctively know that I like them. I believe people can perceive your thoughts on some level.

*If I’m engaged in helping the community, I find great friends.

For example, I was always concerned about the condition of the old abandoned cemetery in my town and volunteered my time to get it restored. I made numerous history loving friends in the process.

*If I’m continually learning, I meet the most interesting people.

For example, I am a member of a senior citizen orchestra that takes beginners. People who keep learning make great friends. We meet twice a week for two hours and on breaks we share what is going on in our lives.

*Participating in a faith group brings me together with people who make good meaningful friends.

 For example, I participate in a book club with women from my faith group. People who love to read make interesting friends. Our monthly discussions become more intimate as we learn to know and appreciate each other.

*The best way to make emotional contact is to be open and honest about myself and my difficult or embarrassing life experiences.

For example, I am not afraid to share difficult experiences I’ve had. When I open up about myself, I invite those around me to do the same. Once I was at the grocery store and my son turned to the person behind us and said, “Hey you want to see my new Spider Man underwear?”

If I expect others to share their “underwear” or difficult experiences with me I need to be willing to share embarrassing or difficult life experiences with them.

*When I throw caution to the wind and expose myself to rejection, I have the chance to make wonderful life-long friendships.

Once I heard a woman talk at social gathering. I really enjoyed what she had to say.

Later I thanked her for her talk and said, “I can tell you are an awesome person and I’d really like to get to know you better.”

We talked casually whenever we saw each other after that. When she found out my daughter was getting married, she called me up and found out ways she could help me. As we spent time together planning the wedding, we talked and talked and talked. This women and I became life-long friends because I wasn’t afraid to tell her I wanted to be her friend and she wasn’t afraid to include herself in my daughter’s wedding plans. Emotional sharing came later after we learned that we were safe with each other. We discovered that we’d both been raised in troubled homes. We were able to become the loving sister to each other that we both longed for.

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Going to the Mountains in Winter Brings Peace

We hiked up to our cabin this past weekend.

Our busy lives had trapped us

in the valley smog for too long.

Deep snow packed roads left us

to hike alone  

for miles

through frosted trees

and rolling hills 

vast vistas of frozen water 

sparkling like millions of diamonds

in the morning sun.

 

What I enjoyed most was . . . stillness.

 

Few venture into the mountains
when all is white.
For those who brave the cold and ice
 comes a quiet whisper . . .  
trust God
with all the seaons
of your life
all that seems wrong 
will someday yield to spring.
But for now . . .
rest
and feel at peace.
 

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Thank You Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney gave an address in 1999 to the Marriott School convocation at BYU. He explored ways to measure our life's journey. This speech was recently re-printed in the BYU alumni Magazine BYU/MAGAZINE winter 2013 volume 67, number 1. Here are a few gems:


"There's an element of unpredictability, of uncertainty, of lottery, if you will, in the world that has been created for us. If you judge your life's success by the world's standards, you may be elated or you may be gravely disappointed . . . What will you live for? The ability to live with integrity with the core of our values of love, family, service, and devotion is entirely up to us. Fundamentally, this is the business of successful living."

"On my father's 80th birthday, I asked him what had brought him the most satisfaction in his life, what his greatest accomplishment was. He had been a three-term governor, United States Cabinet member, presidential candidate, CEO, multimillionaire, and prominent Church leader. His answer was immediate: "My relationship with your mother and with my children and grandchildren is my greatest accomplishment and satisfaction."

"Golda Meir, Prime Minister of Israel, voiced the same truth in an interview on the Today Show. She explained that being a mother was her life's greatest accomplishment."

"Unless you purposefully hold fast to living first by your innermost values, . . . you will read too much into your worldly successes and, perhaps just as dangerously, read too much into your worldly setbacks."

"They(the world) do not measure your worth nor define your success unless you choose for them to do so."

"When living in integrity with your core values, your success and fulfillment are not subject to votes, to others' opinions, or to chance."

And may I add . . . Mitt thank you for choosing to live a life of integrity. Thank you for being willing to run for the highest office in this land. Thank you for always putting your family and your values first. God bless you and your family for the example you are to all of us. Though many of us are disappointed that you didn't win the presidential race, none of us are disappointed with the life you've lived. Thank you. Pin It

Wonderful Fatherhood Video

Watch a wonderful video about fatherhood here.

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"Healing From Abuse" Radio Interview

I will be interviewed on KMTI AM 650 AM and 95.1 FM radio on Tuesday Jan 29th at 8:20 in the morning. We will be discussing my book "Healing From Abuse". Hope you can tune in.
 

Love is the Key



Mathew, Alisa and Joshua - the family love detectives

Love is the Key
by

Grandma Baadsgaard

Joshua this is a special story I wrote just for you on your 13th birthday.

I love you Josh.

     On Sunday afternoons, Josh and Mathew always went to their Grandma’s house after church. After they ate dinner, Josh and Mathew liked to explore the back two acres with their aunt Alisa. Alisa was the same age as Josh so she seemed more like a cousin than an aunt.

     One Sunday while the whole family was eating Grandpa’s Dutch oven pork ribs, Josh heard something that peeked his interest.

      “When I was a little girl,” their Aunt Arianne said. “I found an antique key buried under a stone threshold that led into that small room in the barn with a cement floor.”

     “Key?” Josh asked. “You found a key? What did it look like?” 

    “It was one of those old ones they don’t make ones like that anymore,” Aunt Arianne answered.

     “Did it unlock anything?” Josh asked.

     “That was the strange thing,” Aunt Arianne said. “There is only one door in the barn and sometimes that key opened the door and sometimes it didn’t. Once I thought I heard a small child crying in that room so I dug around where I left the key, dusted it off and tried it in the lock. But it wouldn’t work. When the crying stopped, I tried the key again and it worked this time. I opened the door but no one was in the room.

     “Did you save the key?” Josh asked.

     “That is the other funny thing,” Aunt Arianne answered. One day I dug for it where I left it and it wasn’t there. I’ve never seen it since.”

     Josh poked Mathew and Alisa seated on both sides of him. Then they quietly excused themselves from the table.  They quickly ran out to the back yard and sat in a circle under the old cherry tree.

     “We’ve got to find that key,” Joshua said.

     “She said there is only one door in the barn and she found it under a stone threshold there. That’s where we should start,” Alisa added.

     “I’ll get a shovel out of the shed,” Mathew said as they all stood up and walked quickly toward the barn.

     When they got to the barn Joshua found the threshold stone and asked Matthew to pry it up with the shovel. Then Josh pushed the stone over and Mathew turned over the dirt beneath it. Alisa and Josh sifted through the loose power with their fingers. Before long Mathew joined in the sifting. That’s when they heard a faint noise that sounded like a whimper. They looked at each other with frightened faces.

     “What was that,” Mathew asked?

     “Sounds like crying to me,” Alisa said.

     “Just the wind,” Josh answered.

     They went back to sifting through the dusty dirt with their fingers in silence. That’s when Joshua felt something solid in the dirt. He grabbed it, pulled it from the dirt and dusted it off on his pants. It was a key, an old-fashioned rusted key like the one his Aunt had described. His eyes opened wide and she tapped Alisa and Mathew on the shoulder to look.

     Then they heard the sound again. This time it was more than a whimper. It sounded like a child sobbing. Cold wind whistled around the corner of the barn and sent a chill up their Josh’s back.

     Alisa pointed to the rusted door handle with a keyhole lock. Joshua placed the antique key into the lock and turned it until he heard a click. Then he motioned for Alisa to quietly walk around the barn and peek in the small window on the south side of the room. He motioned for Mathew to crawl to the window on the north side of the room. When everyone was in position, Josh finished turning the key just as the blustery wind blew open the door with a loud bang.

     Joshua looked inside. There was no inside. After he walked into the room he called for Mathew and Alisa.

     “Did you guys see anything?” Josh asked.

     “Nothing,” Mathew answered.

     “I did,” Alisa said. “But only for a second. Right before you opened the door, I saw a little girl crouched in the corner of the room with her head on her knees. When she heard the key turning in the lock, she looked up at me in the window and then she vanished.”

     “Are you sure?” Josh said shaking his head. That doesn’t make any logical sense. Real people don’t just vanish.”

     “Josh, you’re always so logical and scientific,” Mathew added. “If Alisa said she saw a little girl, I believe her.”

     “So you believe in ghosts?” Josh asked his brother as he poked in the ribs. “You better watch out or she’ll get you! Come on you guys. Ghosts aren’t real and you know it.”

     Just then Josh and Mathew heard their mother call from the house. Josh buried the key where he found it and replaced the hearth stone. Then and he and Matty raced back toward the house. Alisa stayed behind in the small room in the barn. She felt something drawing her to the little girl she had seen. When everything was quiet again, she listened. Wind whistled around the barn and made a moaning sound.

     “Well are you coming or not?” Josh said poking his head back into the room.

     “If I were you I wouldn’t stay in that room by myself,” Mathew added.

     “I’m coming,” Alisa answered.

     “We can’t tell anybody about this,” Josh whispered. “It’s more exciting if it is a secret.”

     The next day when Alisa was in the car with her mother after being picked up from school, she started asking questions.

     Do you believe in ghosts?” she asked her mother.

     “What do you mean?”

     “I mean people who suddenly appear then disappear.”

     “I don’t know about that,” her mother answered. “But when I was a little girl I used to hide out in the yard when things were sad in my house. Sometimes when I was alone and crying, I'd see smiling faces above me in the air just before they'd disappear.”

     “Were the faces scary?” Alisa asked.

     “Just the opposite,” her mother answered. “They were kind faces and what they said comforted me. They told me not to be scared; that everything would be alright. They told me not to feel alone because they would always be there for me even if I couldn’t see them.”

     “Did you tell anyone?”

     “No. I didn’t think anyone would believe me.”

     The next Sunday when Josh and Matty came over, Alisa took them outside and led them toward the barn.

     “I think we’re seeing my mom when she was a little girl,” Alisa said after the threesome sat down in a semi-circle around the old barn door.

     “What do you mean?” Josh asked as he pried off the hearth stone and grabbed the key.

     “When I asked her if she believed in ghosts, she told me that she used to see faces, smiling faces that made her feel better when she was a little girl.”

     “Oh that can’t be it. Grandma is old now. How could we see her today if she was a little girl over fifty years ago? That doesn’t make any sense.”

     “Things don’t have to make sense,” Matty answered. “Maybe grandma needs us to make her feel better.”

     “I think families who love each other aren’t bound by time,” Alisa said. “Your grandma has spent her whole life helping us. Maybe this is our chance to help her.”

     Josh was quiet. “I’ve always wanted to believe in time travel or another dimension we can’t see,” Josh said. “But nothing in scientific theory can explain that.”

     “Maybe you won’t be able to see until you feel,” Alisa said.

     “Feel what?” Josh asked.

     “Love,” Alisa said. “It’s easier for me because she’s my mother. Maybe that is why I saw her first.”

     “I remember when she came to my school when I was bleeding and they couldn’t find my mom and dad,” Josh said.

     “I remember when she slept over at our house while Mom and Dad were in the hospital with Caleb,” Matty added.

     “But how do we get her to appear and stay long enough so we can talk to her,” Josh said. “We can’t help her if she doesn’t stay around long enough for us to talk to her.

     “I think I need to be the one who unlocks the door this time,” Alisa said.

     Josh handed Alisa the key then walked around the barn to the south window while Matty took his place outside the north window. Then they waited. A strong gust of wind blew around the old barn wood walls and the loose boards moaned and creaked. Alisa shivered. Josh and Matty held their breath.

     Then the crying began again. Alisa took the key and quietly placed it in the lock. Then she slowly turned the key.

     “Don’t be afraid,” Alisa whispered when she entered the room and saw the little girl in the corner with her knees bent to chin. “Everything will be alright. Don’t feel alone. We’ll always be with you even when you can’t see us.”

     The little girl looked up at Alisa with a startled expression, then wiped her tears and relaxed. Alisa felt the room fill with light and warmth as if they were next to a blazing fire.

     “I’ll always be here for you,” Matty said walking into the room behind Alisa.

     “I love you,” Josh said quietly as he entered the room.

     Then the little girl wiped her tears and smiled. She turned and looked at each of their smiling faces just before she vanished.

     “Did you see her?” Alisa asked as she turned around.

     Both Josh and Matty silently nodded. Alisa and Matty stayed in the barn while Josh slowly and silently walked back into grandma’s house. He found the large binder with old black and white pictures. He carefully turned the pages until he came to a small photo of his grandma when she was a little girl frayed and faded with age. 

    “It’s her,” Josh whispered. “It’s really her.”

     Later that night when Josh was leaving, his grandma hugged him tight and whispered in his ear, “I’ll always be here for you. I love you Josh.”

     “Grandma, do you think time always goes forward?” Josh asked. “Or is it a circle that never begins or ends?”

“Anything is possible,” Grandma answered. “Where there is love, there are always miracles.”

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Celebrating Life with my daughter Alisa

Thirteen years ago today my daughter Alisa was born.
 I was 46 years old and knew to the core of my soul that her conception and birth was a gift from God.
It was not an easy pregnancy. We had one scare after another with bleeding so bed rest was ordered.
Medical professionals labeled me "high risk" because of my age and ordered several tests.
One doctor reported the results of one test to me over the phone. He said that it was almost certain that my baby had severe genetic abnormalities and told me to consider an abortion. He said I should consider the life altering consequences of a deformed child not just for me but for my entire family if the pregnancy wasn't terminated.
To me, this doctor's words felt dark, hollow and devoid of hope. How could he declare my child as deserving or undeserving of life? I knew this new  life inside me was sacred and precious.
When I told my husband the doctor's warning he simply replied, "It doesn't matter to me what shape our daughter is in. I'll always love her and take good care of her."
The medical professionals shook their heads and made notations on my chart.
The nurse who assisted with the emergency c-section read my chart and whispered in my ear, "It says here that your baby probably has Downs. I have a little Downs boy at home and I'll tell you as soon as I see her."
As they raised my daughter Alisa in the air, the doctor said, "The placenta isn't even attached. I don't know how she could be alive."
But I knew. Alisa was and is a miracle. Each child who is born is a miracle.
"She's fine," the nurse said as she whispered in my ear. "She's beautiful."
I fully expected to receive a child into my heart and into my home that would need special care. That she was declared fine wasn't a relief, but a surprise.
Years later my daughter April called me after an ultrasound and said, "Mom, I'm going to have little boy but they can't find his brain."
My daughter received the same advice as I did years earlier. She also decided to listen to her heart. When Caleb was born on my birthday, he was welcomed with love. His birth, life, and mission proved to be life altering for our entire extended family in a deeply spiritual way. I can't fully describe the profound effect Caleb had on so many people. From Caleb we learned that the sacred gift of life should never be taken for granted. We learned that we are valuable and loved not just for what we do but for who we are. We know that the spirit inside our bodies is eternal - has existed before we were born and will exist again after we die.
One day I was visiting with a friend who is a nurse in labor and delivery and telling her about the profound positive impact Caleb had on our family. She went white.
"I follow doctor's orders to end pregnancies with children like Caleb all the time," she said. "Oh I wish those scared women could talk to you or your daughter before they make their decision."

So today as I celebrate Alisa's 13th birthday and think about my precious grandson Caleb who lived seven miraculous years - I am filled with deep gratitude and joy. If we had listened to the wisdom of the world, my daughter and I would not have been the recipients of a sacred gift that has filled our lives with deep meaning and lasting joy. All life is reason for great celebration.
This post has been reprinted in several places. Check here and here.
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Celebrating Life - with my grandson Caleb

My daughter April was asked to share her story of celebrating life here.

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WINTER'S WISDOM teaches us that sometimes the answer is . . . to wait

"But they that wait upon the lord 

shall renew their strength; 

they shall mount up with wings as eagles; 

they shall run, and not be weary; 

and they shall walk, and not faint." Isa. 40:31   

Waiting on the Lord . . . 

deepening discipleship

broken heart
contrite spirit

yielded will

consecration of self
peace

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The Big Magic of True Love Lasts Forever

Isabella and the Magic Scarf

by

Grandma Baadsgaard

Izzy, this is a special story I wrote just for you on your sixth birthday.

I love you very much.

I hope you keep the magic going forever.

            On the day Isabella turned six years old, her Granny gave her a soft pick and blue scarf, mittens and hat.

            “Thank you Grandma,” Isabella said as she took her gifts from the gift bag. “I like blue and pink.”

Then Isabella threw her arms around her grandma and hugged her so tight her head almost popped off.

“Now remember,” her grandma whispered in her ear, “This is a magic scarf, hat and gloves.”

            Isabella was puzzled and asked, “How are they magic Grandma?”

            “That is a secret only you can discover,” her Grandma answered.

            After everyone sang, “Happy Birthday,” Isabella blew out the candles on the cake, and made a wish. While everyone was eating cake, Isabella tried on every single princess dress in her closet and she had a lot of them.

            Each time Isabella emerged from her bedroom and twirled in front of her family, they oooed and awed and clapped. Then everybody went home and Isabella’s Mommy told her it was time for bed.

            The next day Isabella ate breakfast, brushed her teeth, got dressed and put on her warm coat. Then she saw the birthday scarf, gloves and hat sitting on the floor next to her bed and she remembered what her grandma whispered in her ear. So she put them on. Then she ran outside into the cold winter morning. The scarf felt like a warm hug around her neck, the gloves took the bite off the cold air on her fingers and the hat kept her warm inside from escaping through the top of her head.

            Isabella waited and waited for fairy dust to shoot out her fingers or toes, not nothing else happened.

            “Hurry up or you’ll be late for school,” Isabella’s mother said.

            Day after day, Isabella put on the warm hat, gloves and hat and waited for the magic but it didn’t come.

            The next time her grandma came to visit, Isabella pulled her aside and whispered in her ear.

            “Grandma the scarf, gloves and hat don’t work.”

            “How do you feel when you put them on?” her grandma asked.

            “I feel warm and I think about you,” Isabella answered.

            “Oh, so you did find the magic,” her grandma answered.

            “What do you mean Grandma?”

            “Because I love you so much I found a magic way to wrap my arms around you, keep you warm and help you think about me. It’s works. It’s magic.

            “But I can’t fly and fairy dust never shoots my fingers or toes,” Isabella said.

            “Oh that is just small magic,” her grandma answered. “The biggest magic of all of the warm feeling of loving someone and having them love you right back.”

            Isabella wrapped her arms around her grandma neck, lovingly placed her tiny fingers around her grandma’s wrinkled hands then patted the top of her head to keep the warm from escaping from the top of her head.

            “I just gave you the magic right back,” Isabella said.

            “That is how we keep the magic going forever,” her grandma answered.

            So Isabella and Grandma just kept hugging and hugging each other whenever they saw each other. And the hugging didn't stop there. Isabella kept hugging everybody that she loved so the big magic lasted forever.Pin It

Biting Off More Than You Can Chew

Sometimes life requires us to bite off more than we can chew.

When you feel overwhelmed with the task at hand . . . 

A big smile and a good attitude makes all the difference.

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January 6th - Day for Celebrating





Daniel with his mother Karen

Daniel is two months old

Daniel with Jordan after his blessing

Jordan and Karen with their beautiful family

Three generations

Grandma and Grandpa Baadsgaard with baby Daniel

This past Sunday was a remarkable day - a day for celebrating the gift of life. The older I get the more I am deeply touched by the birth of each new child. On this January 6th I turned one year older, my grandson Caleb would have turned eight-years-old if he was still alive, and Daniel was given a name and a blessing by his father Jordan.











As I watched all the men in our family gently encircle this tiny child I thought about the eternal circle of life. Part of that circle is death.

The combination of our family celebrations all in one day created a generational pureness of heart . . . white balloons released at Caleb's grave to celebrate his brief life . . . white suit for the newest member of our family . . .  and white snow signifying the season we give honor to the one who gave us the hope of Eternal Life.