Sisters

Digging through a drawer tonight, I found a mangled old envelope and at first tossed it aside, with all of the other stuff from my mom's that I need to go through. But, I couldn't stop the curiosity. Sitting on the floor in my storage room, I found some amazing photos that I had never seen. These two made me pause.


Two sisters......twins! Born into a good family during the depression. Looking and acting NOTHING alike. My grandma is the one on the right.....the one with the smirk!

Grandma Helen had a hard time disciplining us. Her best, most angry phrase was....."Oh you rotten kids!" After which she would leave the room to go cool off. Her cupboard was always stocked with Ding Dongs and Hostess Cupcakes. She also invented the peanut butter and mayo sandwich. (on white bread and with Lays potato chips of course)

She collected copper kitchen ware and elaborate costume jewelry. She was married at 15 and a mom at 17. She liked to sit and drink coffee in the morning and spent hours caring for her beloved rose bushes. I never remember her being upset at me. I just remember her making me feel like the most important, talented, gifted and beautiful girl, whenever I was with her.

My auntie Carol, then, is the one on the left. Blonde hair, blue eyes and fair skinned to the max. My memories of her include her hilarious laugh, which left her almost in pain in her attempt to hold it back. Her little dogs ( Mitzy and..... help me out here family), her shag carpet and a painting of "Little Boy Blue" that kind of gave me the creeps as a kid.

One Easter, she had the grand idea to give my sister and I, two baby rabbits and two baby ducklings. How cool of an auntie is that? My parents had no recourse, they just took them and became quick students of rabbit and duckling husbandry.

I miss them both! I have so many questions to ask, questions that I didn't take the time to while they were still alive. I wonder if they spend a lot of time together now. I wonder a lot about their parents and their big brother Wes, that they admired so much. I wonder if they are laughing along, as our kids do and say the craziest things. I wonder how it felt for them to be free of the afflictions that made their last years such a challenge.

I guess my heart is just full! I am so grateful to know that they go on, that they are still learning and growing and that our family bond continues. (Note to self: buy Ding Dongs for FHE.....my kids need to know the joy of not only diggin' into a d- dong, but dunking it in milk, as we did at 2003 Beach Court in 1983.)

Nine!

Miss Madeline. Our happy, never-complaining, extremely helpful and thoughtful girl. For her birthday, she wanted nothing more than a Wonder File. She loves to write on her calendar and keep us all on track. She is upbeat, always doing her best and trying to please. I'm afraid she has a bit of my perfectionism, and I worry about her sensitivity. She is an avid defender of Santa Clause and all things magic. She still listens to musicals and Disney, having no idea about what is popular or cool. I love her innocence and hope that she has an easy transition into the realities of life. She is often overlooked and under appreciated, but those who take the time to know her, will find a friend for life. I am so interested to see this girl discover her talents, increase in confidence and use her tenaciousness to right all the wrongs that she finds in life . Happy Birthday to my girl!

Sippin' and Painting

To celebrate Nedra's 40th, we had to do something special......something creative! We sipped on water and munched on M&M's as we were taught a painting class. The work we attempted was "Sea side". Marcia, a true artist, did her own thing, while the rest of us stuck with the instructor. So fun.....love these ladies. Love to Nedra, happy birthday!

Eleven!!!

I'm a bit late, but it was not forgotten. Jaxen turned 11 on the 9th. What a year of changes and maturing for him. There was a time a few years ago, that I wondered if he and I would ever see eye to eye. He is still strong willed (same with me), but we have really found a good place. With girls starting to call and him feeling like the only kid in school without a phone, our parenting roll is definitely evolving. I'm not worried.......not yet at least. He's got a great group of friends, good boys, who are respectful and polite! (making mama happy to have them all over)
His birthday included, a ski ditch-day with dad, cinnamon rolls and dinner out with grandma and grandpa. For his party he just wanted to play basketball.....oh yeah and have ICE CREAM CAKE!!
(We were out of candles. Hence, Jro's solution)

BIG POWDER IN VAIL

BRRRRRR!!!!! With a slow start to winter, we are freezing and the snow is coming in droves! With two days of school cancelled, most good parents wouldn't take their kids out of school again that week to hit the slopes........but the Rozeski's do.




Lucky for us, our good friends invite us up to their family's house in Vail, so we can avoid the long drive and just get to some serious snow play. The first day was fun, all kids, 5 and above (and pitiful me), went for a nice/FREEZING day. That night, several feet of fresh powder fell. The big dogs took the big boys (jax and jay) out for a monumental day of double black diamonds and trees, in knee-high powder.

As for the rest of us, we dug snow tunnels, ate lots of kettle corn and told ghost stories at 11AM. Thanks Davis'!!!! You keep us living the high adventure life!

Parenting Advice from Moroni

My home is run by charts and timers. Chores are a big part of the plan, and after an initial investment when they are young, pays off in many ways. One of the results that I did not anticipate is that during chore time, things are very peaceful. Everyone is separated, engaged and focused.

The other day, Jaxen was telling me that he is pretty sure that he has the most chores of anyone in his school.

My response "That could be true......you are lucky because you will be more prepared when you leave home."

This did little to appease him, but I continued "It shows how much Dad and I love you..... we want you to learn responsibility and to feel capable and confident."

His response "I think you just don't want to do all the work yourself"

Nodding my head "Absolutely...don't you think we all need to work as a team?"

J "What if I got a job and paid for a maid?"

M "If you were that innovative, and still able to keep up your grades....that would be great! For now, we'll stick with my plan"

That very night, I was reading in Alma, and laughed out loud when I found that Moroni had had a similar strategy when dealing with the Lamanite prisoners.

Alma 53:5
....and in this city they did guard the prisoners of the Lamanites; yea, even within a wall which they had caused them to build with their own hands. Now Moroni was compelled to cause the Lamanites to labor, because it was easy to guard them while at their labor"

BOYS!!!

I had one sister growing up. Boys have always been a mystery to me. When I found out I was having a boy with Jaxen, I was truly nervous that I wouldn't connect with him Here are the boys on the Rozeski side. I LOVE these boys!!! I love being a mom and an aunt to boys. They are hilarious! I love boy humor and being a part of their inside jokes. I love hearing Jaxen's perspective on all of the boy-crazy girls at school. I love that Elijah tells me that I am "boo-tiful" and the "the best mom ever". I love when they hold the door for me or take out the trash. I love watching them grow and get tough and strong. I love that I get to see their sensitive sides, and coach them on their path to being men. They are good boys and I'm so excited to watch their lives unfold.I love the boys in my life!!!!