HAPPY 59TH ANNIVERSARY MOM & DAD

So, as usual, I get my days mixed up thinking today was the day, but actually it was Saturday the 4th. As I was driving to work this morning I thought about these two people we call mom and dad, grandma and grandpa, and a song began to play on the CD I was listening to. It was 'Love At Home'. I don't know what the rest of my siblings recall, but I remember how often in Family Home Evening mom would want to sing that song and we would all usually groan (out loud, of course). [I'm not sure, but I think I got the same response from my children.] Anyway, I thought about some of the words: there is beauty all around, joy in every sound, peace and plenty, kindly heaven smiles on high and all the world is filled with love. I know - unrealistic home life. But when we really stop and think about it - there were moments like that, however brief they may have seemed. The older I get and the more I see in the lives of so many people, the more my gratitude grows for the Love At Home we really, truly had and just didn't always recognize. What wonderful, albeit fallible, parents we have been blessed with. Who did their best and persevered above all else. Dysfunctional Family? No where near it. Not if you've seen what I've seen. Syd said once, "The Addams Family has nothing on us." I love it. I love telling friends and colleagues the stories of our childhood and the absolute fun, crazy, outrageous adventures we had. Even the fights. Oh what a life! Whip cream across the ceiling (mom), water fights being brought in the house with the hose (dad), cotton in the dumplings (mom), hide and seek in the dark house when mom & dad were gone, pansy & the dirt baths, using the couch hide-a-bed as a trampoline and snapping the bar in half and on and on. Oh there was love at home alright - in spite of the fights / arguments. We always knew that there would be someone to catch us if we fell, someone with a shoulder to cry on, someone to blame or take the blame for, someone who would come to our aide. It was a good life. Thank you, mom and dad. You were, and are, the best. And Thank You for the Love At Home.

IT'S A BOY!!

Chelsea gave me permission to call family and I figure this is faster and easier. Chelsea and Brad are expecting a little boy in July. Chelsea has felt from the beginning it was a boy and todays sonogram proved her right. So anybody know the ratio of boys to girls in our family crew?

Risser Rabbit Hutch

I was trying to do a little math the other day and realized just how 'busy' our little clan has been. Beginning in the May - Charlotte was born, then Van Giles, Isabella and little Elliott. Incoming in rapid succession from Kristy, Carline, Jenny, Sarah, Chelsea. Did I miss someone??? We could start our own community - Risser Ranch??

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

So the holidays went by WAY too fast for me. Going back to the east gets harder each time. It was great to see Gordon's clan (however brief) and, as always, wishing I could be with everyone at once. I love this family. I was able to meet my newest grandchild, Elliott John. He's MUCH cuter than his pictures and such a sweet baby. He is named after the singer Elliott Smith and his two grandfathers (both Jon/John). Funny story - Elliott was given his 'name & blessing' at home with about 50+ people present. Jacob was very nervous and when he began the blessing the name he gave was "Elliott John Smith (pause - whisper by dad John 'Ashley') Ashley". Needless to say his sisters, wife and friends couldn't stop snickering. But all and all it was a very sweet blessing. Other exciting Christmas news was that Chelsea and Brad are PREGNANT! Emma will become a big sister some time in July. John bought me a web cam for Christmas so we are hoping to connect to all the kids. Could this be what's next for the Risser Clan???

Here's to a exciting and adventurous NEW YEAR!

WELCOME GRANDBABY #51 (I think?)

Elliot John Ashley has arrived! Weighing in at 7 lbs., 6 ozs., 18 inches and a full head of hair. I'm not sure of the exact time, but it was around 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Utah time. Overall mother and baby are doing well. Elliot has had to make a trip to the NICU for a while due to the fact that his lungs are slightly immature and he needs a little help with the breathin process, but Jacob says the doctors are not concerned and that he should be fine by morning. I'm sure more details will follow. Jacob is one happy pappy!!!

I'm Sorry, Stevie Schmitt, Where-ever You Are!

Soooo... in talking about time flying by and new puppies in the house, it made me think of a story of Me, Sydney, Stevie Schmitt and Pansy The Wonder Dog. Back in the days of our childhood (60's) we owned a little dog named Pansy. I'm sure you young-ins have heard of her and / or seen her picture. Anyway... we used to give her 'dirt baths' because we thought it made her coat shinier (after we brushed all the dirt off, of course). This required us burying that poor, brave, tortured dog in dirt up to her ears. She was such a cooperative soul. Well, one day Sydney and I (around 7 & 4 years of age - give or take) were in our side yard giving Pansy one of her dirt baths, when down the street walks Stevie Schmitt (he was around 5 or 6). We had Pansy halfway buried. He had never witnessed the dirt bath ritual and inquired (with concern) as to what we were doing to Pansy. I immediately piped up (with a voice of disgust) that "we're tired of Pansy so we're going to bury her alive!" Syd obediently followed my cue and kept silent. Horrified, Stevie responded, "don't do that! I like Pansy! I'll take her!" I responded, "you have to ask your mother first and we're not going to wait so you better hurry". Stevie quickly turns to run home (about 4 houses away) calling out, "just wait! I'll be right back!" As soon as he was off and running Syd & I quickly brushed off Pansy and put her in the house. We then ran back to the dirt and piled it up. Soon Stevie was running back yelling, "My mom said I could have her! My mom said I could have her!" The two of us sat there patting that mound of dirt with our little shovels as I looked up and said, "You're too late!" Stevie ran home crying.

Yeah, it was a rotten thing to do... but what a clever trick for one so young. Scary!

You Make Me Smile:)

So it's late Friday night (actually early Saturday morning) and I'm alone again:( John is at a Stake Father and Son's campout (we have a major storm going through - fun fun) and Chelsea and Emma went back to Utah. The house is very quiet. Just me, the dog and cat. They're happy:) I've been hoping that after bonding so much with Emma, grandpa John will be so miserable that he will maybe, hopefully, wishfully think about heading out west. I can dream can't I????? At any rate, Rheanna's wedding is quickly approaching and I will be flying out in a month. A few weeks ago Chelsea, Emma and I went down to see Paul & Anita and their new baby girl, Charlotte (she's adorable and Anita looks fantastic). Added bonus of seeing Toni & Stephen at the same time. Stephen made the comment about how much he loved his grandchildren and it made him wonder , "Did I love my kids enough?". John and I talked about it later and wondered the same thing about our children. Life comes rolling at you so fast and you're working so hard to earn a living, start a career, support a family and just survive the hectic pace of day to day living that the years go by so fast it makes your head spin. It's like John's mother, Maria, says, "I feel so young and then look in the mirror and say, 'who is that old lady?'" So on that note.....

I want all my family, siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, etc., (and especially you mom) to know how much I love you all and am soooooo grateful to have you in my life (how ever far the distance may be). So despite my lack of communication (call, write, etc.), I think of all of you far more often than you'll ever know... and smile:)