Thursday, August 30, 2012

Love and Family


This summer I was able to go to NH and visit my family. I haven't been back for two years and two years is way to long. While we were there my Uncle Michael had a huge birthday party. LOTS of the Eldridge family were there *see picture above!!
This picture is of my beloved grandfather five of his children. This picture so special because my Uncle (the one in the hat) just passed away on Monday.

Uncle Stephen holding my little boy Roy. I love how they are looking at each other. My favorite part of this picture is my Aunts hands on my Uncle's knee. I am sure she is there to help my Uncle just as she has always done since she met him. I can't see her face but I know it is filled with love. My heart goes out to her and her family at this time of loss. I hope that they know I am here to support them in any way I can.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

A Hopping Good Time!

Before we went to NH I asked all of the children what they would like to do when we were in NH. Everyone talked about seeing family and friends but there were other things mentioned as well... including catching frogs. The first weekend we were there we went to my grandfathers and looked for frogs in the pond and found NOTHING. But the kids did find this cute little tree frog in the woods! The kids were so excited.
And then we found another one!!!


Can you see the frog in this picture?

Jess is always so sweet to Wally.

Great Grandpa Roy holding baby Roy and watching the kids get excited about the little frogs.

Love the smiles!

Sarah was the one who requested finding frogs while in NH. She was so delighted to find some tiny ones!  And don't worry we found LOTS of regular frogs too... watch for them in other posts.

Monday, August 27, 2012

When Wally Smiles!

This picture was taken over three months ago and Roy has changed quite a bit. I love the picture because it shows Wally's happy face so well.  Just the other day Carrie told me that she loves when Wally smiles because his eyes go like this (she closed her own and slanted them). This picture shows that smile so well. This smile just melts my heart. Boy I love these boys!!!

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Take me out to the ball game

Last spring Sarah, Carrie and Nelson all played ball with the city teams. The kids had so much fun. Sarah started with no knowledge or experience and grew with leaps and bounds. Here she is as catcher for her team.

One of the game days Jessica also had a band concert. It was very interesting having to run back and forth between the ball field and the middle school but I still managed to get to everything!!

Carrie at bat.

Nelson's trun!!! (Carrie and Nelson were on the same team, which made life a little easier!)

He is waiting to get the ball and put it back on the team.

In the outfield.

Sarah at bat.

This was the one picture Sarah insisted that I take. She loved that her team got to slap hands with the other team EVERY time!! Sarah's team also ended up getting 2nd in the final tournament, unfortunately we were in NH when the won... but good job girls!!

Saturday, August 25, 2012

A chubby baby to love...forever!

I sat this evening and nursed my baby boy until he fell sleep. His warmth made me drowsy. My heart swelled as I took in his amazing little body and all of it's chubbiness. Love and contentment brought me to daydreaming. My mind moved to images I have never seen. I imagined another young woman, not much older than me, holding her chubby baby boy. Her dark locks falling into her eyes as she held him and enjoyed his warmth. I imagine her tired, maybe overwhelmed at all that life held. Her baby was a comfort to her. She'd been so lonely growing up; an only child with many allergies that kept her inside. This little boy would be her last born but brought her family to have eight children, what a wonderful blessing.

This woman that I imagined is my grandmother. A hard working woman who was full of love and kindness. She passed away just over four years ago. Not long before she left this earth I had my first baby boy. He was chubby and full of sunshine. She LOVED to hold him. She would tell me that he reminded her of her own little boy, her baby. He too was chubby, a handful to hold. Her eyes would sparkle as she would remember a day long ago when she held her own son. I am grateful to have had this experience with my grandmother, and that she was able to pass a portion of her love to not only my first boy but my four daughters that preceded him. I know she would have enjoyed my second son and this new little boy that I snuggled with tonight, a baby that bears her husband's name.

...My heart aches as I remember her. I miss her terribly as does the rest of my family.  It also aches because I know that right now, at this very moment, her chubby baby boy is breathing his last breaths. Surrounded by his wife, father, surviving siblings and his young adult children he lays waiting for her to come and take him home. You see he loved his mother with great intensity, and as I expressed she loved him the same. It would not surprise me if she was the one selected to come and greet him. My prayers are with him and his family. I hope that they have a glimmer of a hope that they will be with him again someday, because I KNOW it is true. Jesus died on the cross for us and suffered for our sins that we might live agian. He guides us and directs us and makes it possible for us to be reunited with our families after this time on earth. Our families are crucial for our mortal existence. They love us and support us, they offer shoulders to cry on and help us to grow!

So tonight I ache for my family and the time I will miss them here on earth. But I look with joy toward the day when we will be reunited again in the eternities.

Friday, August 24, 2012

My oldest son...

I love this little boy. He is cute and smart, full of fun and a touch of drama (thanks to his sisters). He love to torture his sisters and wrestle with his brother (brothers when Roy gets a bit bigger!) He loves to snuggle with me and sees the world as a place to explore. I am so grateful to be his Mom, grateful to be able to raise his wonderful spirit!

Thursday, August 23, 2012

First food!!

While we were in California a little over a week ago I decided to give Roy his first food. Banana's were close at hand so that's what he got. Roy is the only one of my children to have to wait almost 8 months to get to eat table food!!!
He wasn't sure about it at first. He kept trying to take the spoon and feed himself!

Can I try that again!!

Still not sure about it!! In the end he ate the entire thing!! There is no turning back now. Today he ate a banana cut into little chunks and love every bite!!



Wednesday, August 22, 2012

"Rover"

In May we got a new kitty. She was soooo cute and friendly. We named her Pebbles. Everyone in the house was very excited about her. Except for Cali!

Nebo is particularly fond of her. She and the kitten will play together for hours. They nap together too! This was not a staged photo!!

The kitten has been very tolerant of all the torture the kids dish out. I honestly think she enjoys it most of the time. I have never seen her hide from any of the children...

... not even from Wally. (Notice she isn't jumping out even thought she could!)

I will admit she is quite cute... but a little crazy!  Actually I think SHE thinks she is a dog. (Which is ok since Nebo thinks she is a cat!!)

Nebo is so tollerant that she lets the kitten "nurse" from her daily.

Here is more dog like behavior. She got into the garbage can to get this pizza crust (from Little Cesars of course!) The she ate almost the entire thing. She is always eating the dogs food out of their bowls. She fetches, and carries all sorts of things around the house. Sooooo...since she thinks she is a dog we decided to changer her name. She is now known as Rover!!!!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

First Day of School!!

The girls were so excited for school this morning. Everyone was up and ready to go early!

Everyone picked out their favorite new outfit. In case you are wondering you are looking at a 5th grader, a 1st grader, a 3rd grader and a 7th grader!!!


I drove all the kids this morning and I was able to take Carrie into her class. She let me take a picture of her at her desk!

The boys all slept in this morning. But were excited to put on their new clothes!! It is so strange to have only boys at home for most of the day. They are a challenge but so much fun too!!
Nelson wanted to do a silly pose. I think he is pretending to eat Roy!!