I adore my Grandma!

I am not afraid to say it. I have the BEST Grandma in the world. As she approaches her 96th birthday this week..MARCH 9th...I can't help but be thankful and proud to have such an amazing woman in my life for as long as I can remember. She is vivacious, fun, and always looks perfect.

My favorite things about her are... (and these are in no particular order)
1. Her love of music. Grandma has the best songs ("Up Up In The Sky" and "A Little Boy Went Walking") and I LOVE that my children have learned them from her. (Here she is singing with Halle!)

She is always my biggest cheerleader with my music. She came to every recital, listened to me play whenever I wanted (or didn't) and always made me think I was the most amazing musician she'd ever heard. (even though we both know I'm not) She arranged for me to play the Tabernacle organ when I was a teenager, and to this day, still comes to every event I play at - big or small.

2. Her cooking. Grandma has a magic kitchen. I'm convinced. No matter what time of day you show up, announced or not, Grandma starts pulling things from her cupboards and fridge and in no time, you're sitting at her table - complete with linens - eating a gourmet meal. Her cooked carrots, date cookies, and Christmas candy are unlike any other.

3. Her style. How many women at age 96 are fashion icons? If I had any sense of style like Grandma, I'd be the second best dressed woman on the block...second only to her.

4. Her sense of humor. Grandma will laugh with you. Just last week when I went to visit, she said "Oh, laws. I am getting old. This morning I thought I'd have a piece of toast, but I couldn't remember where I'd put the toaster!" And she just laughed.

5. Her interest in me and my family. Grandma makes us feel like we are the most important people in her life. She asks the kids what they are up to, and when we leave (right after we get our Kit Kat bars) she always tells us, "I'm so proud of my family..." or "There's nothing like family..."

6. Her stories...and my favorite, her love story with my Grandpa Alton. I love hearing Grandma tell stories. I love hearing her tell about when Marvin got his motorcycle...or when Alton brought home a goat...("it 'went after' the children and me...Alton took that goat away and I never saw it again!"). I love hearing her talk about how "Alton was so good to me. Anything I wanted...he figured out a way..." or "Alton would do anything for the children...anything for the family...". I love hearing her talk about "gentleman friends" who would be interested in her, and she'd tell them if they wanted more than a friend to "look elsewhere". I love that she thinks my dad (Marvin) and my two aunts (Marie and LuAnn) are perfect. Actually, they are pretty close. And they have an angel mother.

7. Her strength. I have never EVER heard Grandma complain. She has been a widow 40+ years. She has had health problems. She has had disappointments and heartbreaks, I'm sure, but I've never heard her once complain about anything. I am sure she is in pain quite a bit; her body is old and tired, her back and legs are crooked. Yet she never utters a negative word about anything. She just says how lucky she is.

8. Her selflessness. Grandma is the most generous person in the world, with her time, her resources, and her love. She is always worried about everyone else's comfort and happiness. She never forgets a birthday. She makes Christmas magical ... still. She would do anything for me. For anyone. I know that.

9. Her testimony. Grandma has a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She lives it. She knows the gospel. She loves Joseph Smith and has studied his life and his words. She sustains the current prophet, President Monson. And she is a disciple of Jesus Christ. That's a testimony right there.
I am the luckiest girl in the world to call Verna Melville my grandma. I adore her.

(This is a photo of Grandma leading the music at LaRae Kramer's funeral. LaRae was her neighbor for 30+ years and when she died a few months ago, she requested that Grandma lead the music at her funeral.)

March comes in like a...virus!

It's been a rough week. They say March comes in like a lion. And it did...a ferocious lion....

We began our week with Chloe having surgery on her leg. She was a trooper. (And we love Primary Children's Hospital!) She cannot put any weight on it, so she has become a wheelchair wizard and queen of the crutches.

Next, we come to Meg. She's been out of school for TWO weeks...we thought she was having an asthma attack (thank you, SLC inversion!) But after 2 trips to the Dr and 2 more trips to Primary's to the ER...its looking like RSV. She, too, has been a trooper. We just really appreciate her breathing on her own when possible.

Then, we come to Mati...who had croup. She has not felt well, but again, rarely complained. (as long as she has Baskin Robbins)

And finally, Miss Halle. She has probably become the latest RSV carrier. She has 3 different inhalers, some oral meds, and a million dollar smile with TWO new teeth. Here we are waiting for Dr. Owens to come in. (she also had 2 ear infections this day) Can you tell?

And to top it all off...Mat was in Detroit this week for work.

It was ugly.

Luckily, though, we have Sara and Joey to help keep everyone fed, medicated, entertained, and loved.

And we had a few firsts!!

Halle's first trip to the airport (to welcome home cousin Ty, returning from the Hungary mission)...

Chloe and Mati had their first "real" manicures...

Halle had her first bath in the sink...

And got her first two teeth within two days...

And I braided extensions into Meg's hair for the first time (with yarn even!)

Lots of good firsts. And the kids are slowly but surely feeling better..Mat is back in SLC...and bottom line....we survived one ugly week. Grrrrr!