My Eldest Daughter

Today is Sarah's birthday. I remember how happy I was to finally have a daughter after two wild little boys. I thought I would dress her in ribbons and lace but she had other ideas. Absolutely NO LACE!! She had to be tough to survive with her brothers.

From the beginning, Sarah had a mind of her own. She wasn't the easiest child to raise but I've found the very qualities that exasperated me as her Mom, are the ones I admire most in her as an adult.

She has a wonderful sense of right. At age five, s

he informed me that if I would make the boys go outside to use the bathroom, I could keep the bathroom cleaner! And by the time she was seven, she would call me if I was later than I anticipated, because she was worried. She told me I needed to be more responsible and call if I was going to be late. Sometimes I wondered who was the Mom!

She is strong. We had a neighbor that was not very tolerant of Andy. He told his children "if that kid comes in our yard, I'll shoot him". I don't think he expected a kindergardener at his door the next day saying, "Mr Steed, we love our brother, so if he comes in your yard just tell me and I'll bring him home. Don't shoot him." Then Sarah came home and told me she had taken care of the problem.

She is focused. When she wanted to go to Israel, she made it happen. She will work hard for the things she wants. She wanted to make a quilt for college. She stuck with it until the quilt was finished and I think she hated every minute of it. Sarah would only write in her journal in Italian so she learned the language quicker. Sarah had twelve journals completed before her mission.

I admire her persistence with exercise and healthy living. I love her humor. She is a wonderful Mom. I love how Gavin refers to "Sarah Law", I wish I had thought of that!!

I love her thoughtfulness. She observes and remembers. Once I came home from a trip and Sarah had orchestrated new counter tops in my kitchen. Her Dad would have never thought of that on his own!

Sarah is kind, strong, humorous, creative, determined, loving, focused, loyal . . . I could go on and on. I am so proud of her and of the marvelous woman she had become. I love her more as each day and year passes.

Have a wonderful Birthday, Sarah. I love you

Three Years Ago Today. . .

Three years ago today Jace Hamilton was born. He joined the Arnett family, Sarah and Gavin, plus Aubrey and Lincoln. He had big blue eyes that took in all the busyness around him. He didn't like baths at first, but now it's one of his favorite times.

Jace is an exuberant little guy that still likes to cuddle in the morning. He is growing up too fast. I only see the family once or twice a year, so one visit he is pointing and the next he is talking. One time his run is wobbly with his arms pumping far more than his legs and the next he is chasing a soccer ball.

We are so glad Jace is in our family. Right now, he is in Florida at Disney World. Sarah doesn't tell the kids when they are going on vacation. (Too many questions. . .Are we going today? How many more days? or too much help packing their suitcases) Anyway, she told Jace because " if he told the others they wouldn't believe him anyway!"

I hope Jace is having a wonderful Birthday. We love him. . . Happy Birthday Jacerooney!!

Isa's Birthday

Happy Birthday to Isa!! She was born in April along with all the April 8th men. She is such a vibrant little girl. She loves to run and twirl and turn cartwheels and jump and laugh. You get the picture!

Isa has many faces that make us laugh and bring us joy. We love you. . . Happy Birthday!!

A Lesson from my Children

I continue to be amazed at my children. They certainly did't get their love of exercise from me.

This month, Zac completed his first Ironman. His goal was to complete it in fifteen hours but he crossed the finish line in thirteen hours twenty-four minutes. I have never seen anything like it. the average age was 41. There were several competitors over 70. One guy had done an Ironman in South Africa the weekend before. I was blown away by the determination of these people and so proud of my son.

The next weekend, Thad ran in the Race for the Cure to honor his mother-in-law's battle with breast cancer. The whole Miller clan participates in this activity every year.

The following weekend it was Leah's turn. She finished a 5K in Ogden that she had been training for most of the winter. She just found out she was expecting her fourth baby, but had worked too hard to skip the race. She finished under thirty-seven minutes.

Sarah has been running for years. I don't know how many marathons she has finished. She ran the St George and a Marine Corp one to honor Bill Jacobsen, a soldier killed in Iraq, that she knew in high school. She also ran one in North Carolina when she lived in Washington DC. She says ten mile runs are relaxing to her. What?

Jake is a hiker and mountain climber. He goes to Moab at least once a year. He has taken Ruby on various hikes. I've seen pictures of her high on a mountain trail and I know Jake and Aimee have carried Ruby up there!!

I am amazed by their desire to be healthy. . . So far I am just a spectator watching them but am inspired to do more to improve my overall fitness. I have children who set an example for me. I am so proud of them!!

Where is Spring?

Usually in late March we are all thinking winter is over and spring is here. We look forward to warmer days, early blossoms, and GREEN. Well, this year we had the green alright due to the rain/snow until mid June, but April and May weren't really Spring. These are photos from April and May at the Weilands.

I noticed if we had a clear day forecast the nurseries were humming. I have (notice the present tense ) a lot of grass in my flower beds. I bought some stuff that was supposed to kill the grass and leave the flowers alone. The trick was, I had to have three days of 70 degree weather and no rain to use it. Meanwhile the grass in the beds is getting taller and thicker.

I waited the months of March, April, and most of May before I could apply it. We had rain, snow, hail, and sleet. Never three days over 70 without moisture. Now it is 80+ degrees and I have to dig out grass (partially dead). I don't know if I will ever get this gardening thing!!

The Production

Every year Andy performs in the Special Needs Production at the regional center in Bountiful. It is a play that is especially written for the mutual.

Andy LOVES being on stage, getting laughs and applause. Each year the leaders make an attempt to corral his enthusiasm but he usually finds a way around them. You never see the same show twice, even though the lines are the same. The kids just do their own thing.

Andy has been Elvis, a Maori warrior, and a fire dancer to name a few. This year he was one of the stripling warriors. The name of the play was the "Warriors of Light". It is really an amazing thing to see over a hundred people with special needs singing, dancing, and, above all, teaching us.

They always close the evening with singing "I am a Child of God". They always have a soloist sing the first verse then the mutual joins in on the second. The audience joins for the third verse, and then they mutual sings the fourth verse.

I am so proud of the Bear and so very glad he is a member of our family.

My Life in April

April 8th is a significant date in my family.

When I was a baby, we had wonderful neighbors. The Adams family had no children of their own so they became Grandma and Grandpa to me. I have many pictures of me being loved by them. Grandpa Adams was born on April 8th.

The next important man in my life was my dad, Fred Jacobsen. He was kind and loving. I could talk to him about anything. He made me feel important, like whatever I said was of value. He usually supported me in my decisions and gently advised me when he disagreed. He could fix anything and set a high standard for my future husband. Dad was born on April 8th.

My first son, Andy, was born on April 8th. He has been a wonderful addition to our family. All the kids have learned lessons from the Bear. . . patience, tolerance, looking out for the underdog, acceptance of those who are different, crazy clapping, appreciation of health in mind and body. . .so many lessons.

When Sarah met Gavin, we knew he was the one. Gavin was born on April 8th. What a fine husband and father he is. He makes Sarah laugh, plays wii with his sons, takes his daughter on dates and quietly provides for his family while making his dream of being a doctor come true.

There must be something magical about April 8th or I have just been incredibly lucky to have four such wonderful men in my life that share the same birthday !!