The Return

Our family - together. Forever. Like families are supposed to be.

It has been a heavenly day. It makes me think of what heaven will be like with
gatherings of family that have been separated.

Scott came home an improved version of himself,
satisfied with his mission and looking forward to the next chapter.

It doesn't get any better than this.

How do tears just wet the cheeks in an instant? Not tears dropping down the face,
but an instant wet face. It's what joy feels like. I have felt it when each of the boys came home.
Birth and re-birth.

The Waiting Game and Coco Channel

Well, we're down to less than 24 hours now until Scott arrives home and it's better than being a kid on Christmas Eve. We've had so much to keep us busy that the last day or so has raced by, unlike the previous 732 days.

Well intended people always say, "Oh my, it has gone by so fast, don't you think?"

I try and hide my sneer and happily smile, "Well, we've been counting for a while now....."

I will post a picture before we leave on Friday morning. Thanks to all of you for sharing our joy and anticipation.

I can feel the yippee skippee dance coming on!

Thanks, Traci, for keeping me in high fashion with these CC glasses from NYC.

OK - They're knock-offs. But who cares?

Necessity - The Mother of Invention

Eli is such a funny little guy. He has trouble being outside without his sunglasses on - I mean to the point that he shields his eyes and cries until he either goes in or gets sunglasses on.

Unfortunately, he didn't bring them with him on Monday and it was really bright outside. We tried to no avail and so I finally rummaged through things and came up with a pair of sunglasses but they wouldn't stay up because they were too big.

So......
He didn't even mind the strip of tape across the back of his head.

A Splendid Afternoon

Today Jo brought the boys over and we had a great afternoon together. We ate a picnic lunch in the backyard, swang (swinged?), jumped on the trampoline, played "green monster" and "puppies", and watched an episode of Dora and Diego.

But wait.....

It gets better.

While we were having such a great time, 4 months pregnant Jo cleaned the downstairs carpets.

That's right.

She loves to clean carpets; something about the joy of sucking the dirt out and pouring it down the drain. I think its code for 'I want to do something nice for you'. And nice it was. She is a service oriented person and I really admire that about her. She also shares the boys with me and lets us play.

She's #1 in my book.

Check out her anniversary tribute to Rich right "here".

A Music/Dance Icon

I was saddened today by the death of Michael Jackson.

During the 80's he was IT. My little family listened to him all the time. We had his "tape" and played it all the time on the "boombox". When I taught aerobics, we had the "Bad" album and did many routines to it. I loved all of his music; it was so unique and easy to dance to.

The "Thriller" video is one of my favorite of all time. When I was Stake YW president, we would do the dance when the music was played and had great fun trying.

Although some associations with him I prefer not to remember; crotch grabbing, perv behaving, nose losing to name a few, I believe his music will be remembered and that he will become a legend the likes of Elvis Presley.

I'm going to make a "best of MJ" CD for the boat.

Nothin' like a little R-n-R

Cam & Eli making the most of the 45 minutes we were on the lake last Friday.

Unfortunately, we got blown off and just in time before the rain to begin. Jess and Meghan managed to each ski but it was not too pleasant jumping white caps (a sure fire measure for NOT getting on the water). The way the weather has been hot/cold lately, we were optimistic that we would have good weather, but it was still R-n-R nonetheless, especially for the little shavers.

A Re-birth

As you know from looking at and reading this blog, we are anxiously waiting the last 11 days until Scott comes home from his mission. We have been busy preparing. You know how having a deadline gives you something to work toward; well, we (that's the royal we "of course when I say "we", I mean "you") have painted the whole basement, taken the wall paper off in Scott's room and put a new ceramic tile floor and toilet and all new fixtures in the bathroom. Tonight I even folded his laundry, freshly washed and dried. It has been quite a project but a good way to pass the time while counting the days.

Which brings me to my point - Re-birth. Everyone who is a mother remembers the first time they held their babies. That overwhelming feeling of knowing they are healthy, breathing and well. The exhiliration of meeting this new little person for the first time. Personally, this experience has been one of the greatest of my lifetime.

There is only one thing, in my opinion, that can replicate seeing your newborn baby for the first time.

And that is the first moment you see them after their mission. For us, it is (our missionary) walking down the long airport hallway and through big double doors. We strain our eyes looking for a young man in a suit with a halo over his head.

When Richard came home, I ran past airport security (right after 9/11) and almost got arrested. With Ben, I knocked over the big garbage can that was in my way as I ran to greet him. With James, I think I was a little more well behaved, probably because he and the Elder he was with waited at the back of the plane until every single person had departed.

Knowing my family, it will be a time of everyone talking so fast and so much that we can't cram it all into one day. The boys and Jess have planned an evening of "Heavyweights", a favorite childhood movie that Scott quotes all the time. Thank goodness we are heading to the cabin the very next day where we will have Scott all to ourselves for several days.

But every single time, the feeling is the same; that overwhelming feeling of knowing that they are healthy, breathing and well. There is also the added bonus of seeing the young man he has grown into in my absence. The overwhelming relief and joy can only be compared to the moment of their birth.

It is one of the best experiences of my lifetime.

Woman Power

Front: Larene (Gordon's mom), myself, Jo (my "daughter"), and Sandra (Gordon's sister)
Back: Raelene (Gordon's sister), Wendy (Janie's daughter) and Janie (our sister in law).

A long overdue retreat with the Bird women was held at Janie's cabin in Donnelly. We gathered to "scrapbook" and plan an 80th birthday party for Gordon's dad this summer.

I have never been much of a scrap-booker and so I was a little apprehensive about that part, but Jo is doing a picture CD for the family and needed help scanning pictures into the computer, so I busied myself that way. As it turns out, many of us brought pictures, and as we were deciding which ones to put on the CD, it brought back such wonderful memories of time spent together as families. One of the greatest bonuses was the fact that Gordon's mom was there to give us names and dates that we otherwise wouldn't have known.

We were served wonderful, gourmet food by Wendy and Janie; canaloni, homemade tomato soup, chicken parmasan panini, cinnamon rolls, fresh fruit, and a chicken salad recipe from the California Pizza Kitchen. Yummy! Oh, and I can't forget the mini bowls of candy that sat out for us to graze on as we "worked". It was such work.....

I think a couple of pounds followed me home.

Explaining Eli

After I posted this picture of Eli in the last post, I had to post the picture with "the rest of the story". In addition to having a delightful personality, Eli has very definite opinions and feelings about what he wants and how things should be. The look on his face here seems to be saying, "you want WHAT?"
"No way am I putting a life jacket on again; I'll just wait on the shore." Notice the dejected little walk. It is hilarious and one of the things I love most about him.

Two grandchildren and counting.....

Cam and Eli at the doc during our farewell voyage to the Blue Boat and the beginning of the Summer party.

Since Rich & Jo are talking about it on their blog, I figure it's fair to mention here and now that they are expecting baby #3 the beginning of December. Our third grandchild! We are sooooo excited. Anyone who has babies this cute should have a dozen:)

My Favorites

One of my favorite things about June is the first rose blooms of the summer. There is nothing else like it. With deadheading and proper care, you can get them to bloom all summer, but nothing matches the first prolific bloom.

Roses make me happy. They are my favorite.

They are all so individual - just like we all are.

Different but good.

I love the Bridal Wreath Spirea. I have two in the backyard and they are fairly particular about how they bloom. Thinking they were traditional "trim right after bloom" bushes, that's what I did, but they haven't bloomed for the last two years. Then I read something about "trimming 1/3 of the bush". Don't know what that's about, but I guess after the blossoms are spent, I will trim 1/3 of the old bloom and hope for next year.

Anyway, just when I had given up hope, it erupted in beautiful little white flowers. It is my favorite bush.

Scott Bird turns 21 this week!

Scott - 8 years old (above)

Scott on the left, then Ben; Jessica below and cousin Nathan on the left below.

My baby boy turns 21 this week - on June 10th to be exact. While we have been busily planning for his return and how we will fill the time this summer after he gets home, this snuck up on me and I am ashamed to say that his birthday wishes are not going to reach him by Wednesday. I hope he reads this and knows how much we are thinking of him and love him.

I found these pictures of him when we did the wagon train in 1997. Isn't he adorable?

Fun in the Sun!

Jessica and Meghan AFTER they tried to stand up on the flat tube

Jessica and Meghan BEFORE they tried to stand up on the flat tube. (couldn't naviate pics)

Spencer, Jace and Jess

Yours truly cutting it nicely on Blue Betty. It was that beautiful combination of glassy water, no boats and warm weather. I didn't feel a year of my 49 and 5 months......

Until I got out of bed this morning.....Now I feel 79 and 5 months.

But it was still great fun and I'll do it again.

Introducing....THE BLACK MARAUDER

We took our new boat, the black marauder, out for her maiden voyage today. It seems weird to say "her", as "marauder" is such a masculine name. Whenever the guys go snowmobiling, they call Gordon "the black marauder" because he dresses all in black. The name just seemed natural for this boat.


We took Jess, Meghan and some "friends" out today to celebrate the last day of school - pictures to follow tomorrow.

From the earlier post, it is obvious that we loved the blue boat. We had several times where we questioned our decision. "Who gets rid of a boat that they absolutely love?" We were apprehensive at how the new boat would compare. The reason that we traded up at this time is that because of our ailing economy, we could buy a brand new boat at almost the price we paid for the blue boat 10 years ago. It made sense for us.

The debut of the marauder was a success. First, when Gordon backed her down and I started her up - she didn't fire.

GREAT. Won't start.

We just drifted as I tried and tried. We got her over to the dock and I pumped the throttle once (something Gordon told me not to do) and she started right up. Must have been maiden voyage jitters because she runs great. And I'll be sure not to do that again....unless she won't start.

We were worried about the size of the wake, it being a little deeper boat. When Jess and Meghan skied, it did look a little bigger. When I skied, I thought it was bigger too, but definitely manageable. All three of us popped right up on the first try. And any additional wake is offset by the way the boat handles other boat wake. She purrs right over it like nuttin'; not a jolt - not a vibration. She turns on a dime. She has great cup-holders; that's a deciding factor in buying a boat, right?

It's the beginning of a beautiful thing.

(I have to admit that this post is mainly for Scott, our missionary. I know he reads the blog and based on an anonymous comment on the blue boat "What, that boat is a member of the Bird Family, not merely a friend!!!"
Hopefully, this explanation of the marauder will help with the transition.)

Coming Soon - The Black Maurader

Bye-Bye Blue

We said good-bye to a dear family friend this week; our beloved blue boat. Considering it is a boat, it was surprisingly emotional when the time for parting came. This is Gordon hooking on to the boat to take it to it's new home. We went together and dropped her off at the boat dealership; not in the front with all the new boats, but in back.

Back where all of the "used" and abandoned boats were left.

All of a sudden I had visions of "Toy Story" in my head; you know, how Annie told Andy what happened to her.

"You're old now. I don't want to play with you anymore."

I wanted to say,

"Stop! I have to leave a note with the boat and here is what it should say:

This boat served a family for 10 straight years and never once left them stranded. She started up every time and purred like a kitty. Five children of the family and countless other family & friends learned to two-ski, slalom or wakeboard behind her. She was witness to family times that will never be forgotten; the 'beginning of the summer' parties on Memorial Day and the 'end of the summer' parties on Labor Day. She took them on Island Park Reservoir many years in a row to watch the 4th of July fireworks. She was home to many hours sitting at Robie Creek with the radio on, swimming and tanning.

Her wake. Oh her glorious wake. It was so small that many a skier clamored to ski behind her, so easy was her wake to ski.

Also never to be forgotten will be the cassette tape player. We had only one tape that was ever played. Diamond Rio's first release; the only music besides a radio channel that was ever played. Those songs said, 'home of the blue boat' to us'."

As I thought of all the things I would write, I thought, "Hey, wait! Why are we moving on? Why are we leaving this cherished blue boat here?"

As we drove away, it comforted me to know that there in the tape player sat Diamond Rio's first release tape. Ready to go for it's new family.

Bye Blue Boat. It's been a great ride.

The Graduate

Suzanne graduated from Boise State on Saturday, May 16th. She transferred there from BYU when she and James got married and didn't miss a beat. Her major is Elementary Education and she is considering job possibilities.

That makes all three of my daughters in law graduating from college - impressive huh? I'm bragging again.........

No pressure, Scott but the bar is pretty high.

Memorial Day

"When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say; For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today"

- The Kohima Epitaph (sent to me by Lynda Davis).

I am grateful for those who have fought for our freedom; who have given their lives to protect our liberties.

Equally, I am grateful for those who still live, but have suffered and lost so much fighting for us.

I am so grateful to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Holiday Weekend

The Six Year Twitch

Have you ever tried to have a conversation with someone who has an eye twitch?

That is what happened tonight with Jessica and Gordon. She was trying to hold a straight face at the dinner table and finally mentioned the eye twitch, which has been going on and off for most of the past year. We jokingly teased him about it and he abruptly walked away from the table.

We felt really bad.

Then he returned - with sunglasses on! "Now can you hold a straight face when you talk to me?"

Oh sure - no problem.

I tell him all the time that it's the six year twitch - the six or so years he'll most likely serve as Bishop.

Hey, the stress has gotta come out somewhere. Good thing it's just a twitch. It could be a flailing arm, a funny sound, an involuntary snort, or worse; something that sunglasses don't cover up.

He looks pretty cool in them, don't you think?