Moms, Grandmas and Greatgrandmas

This Mother's Day had me thinking of all the great moms I have in my life; as well as the great ones that have passed away into the next life.

Grandma, me, Taylor, Mom

When I went to visit Brian on the Army base with the girls last weekend, I lost an earring when speaking on the phone. It really made me miss my Grandma Call. Why? Well... every time she would take a phone call, Grandma would take off her clip-on earring so it wouldn't clatter against the phone. We had a spot in the drawer for all her lone jewelery. I know everywhere she went, there must have been dozens of earrings left all over the country. My Great-Grandma lived to be 103 years old and still worked the farm well into her 90's, so when Grandma Call passed away a few years ago from a sudden stroke, just as I was beginning to appreciate all that she had done and what an amazing lady she was. Grandma was never afraid to try just about anything; from riding a Harley to every shade of hair color known to the rainbow. She was a great cook and singer, she loved to camp and play card games and stay up late telling stories.

Grandma Call on her horse

Thinking about her cooking made me think about my Abuela Rincon, who lives in Mexico. I was so glad to get to see her last summer, and although we can't communicate very well, the love she feels for her family is amazing. She has always shown the love she has for everyone by cooking, A LOT, All the time :) It never fails, as soon as you walk in the door, she is in the kitchen making something to fill your belly. Abuela used to live with my parents much of the time and so there was never a reason to go hungry. She is so amazing to still be alive at 92+ years and really still going. Mom goes to Mexico for several weeks each year to stay with her and take care of her since Abuela and Abuelo are too old to travel safely anymore.

Abuela helping feed calves

That brought me to thinking how wonderful my own mom is. Here she is, giving up her hard earned vacation and leaving Utah during the only time of the year that she is not cold, to go and take care of her parents. Not to mention, the years and years that she would have them stay with her at our house for three to six months at a time. My mom follows that same cut of fabric in trying to feed everyone who wanders by or suggests that they might come to the house for more than 10 seconds. Again, no reason to go hungry or be without friends when my mom is around. Mom is great to come over to our house a few days each week after she gets off work and help my girls with their homework and extra learning, reading, and play time. It means so much to me to know that she wants and takes an active role in their lives. It makes me a little sad that I didn't get to know my grandmas as well as my kids know theirs.

Chris' Grandparents came out from Wisconsin this weekend and all the kids and grand kids got to spend a little time with them the last few days. It was a little hectic, but well worth the effort to get to see them again, hopefully they will be able to come out again soon.

Four Generations of Bensons

That said, I think all the Moms and Grandmas in our family had a pleasant Mother's Day this last weekend, and if I haven't said it enough; THANK YOU for all that you do for us and WE LOVE YOU!

Beehive Cluster Dog Show

Kiera did much better on Friday and Sunday. She did not like the scary old man judge on Saturday. She was ready to leave the table when he went to look at her. So we got dismissed... We did take ribbons the other two days! Even a "Best of Breed" ribbon. Too bad she didn't get any points for this one. Perhaps there will be more competition at the Logan show. If you would like to come watch and cheer us on just let me know and I can get you the information.

Happy Birthday Taylor!

Taylor turned 6 on May 1st. She had a blast this last week with Grandma Glo and Grandpa Steve taking her to the circus to see the elephants, ponies and dogs. She was very impressed with the ponies and the cool tricks they could do :) Then on Fri-Sun she came with me to the dog show in So. Jordan. She is definitely going to be my next professional dog handler... She kept trying to help with EVERYTHING. Sprayed water on Kiera, brushed her out, wanted to scissor her (NOOO). Stacked her on the table about fifty times and free stacked her on the floor every time anyone so much as looked in our direction. It was a hoot to watch. Taylor was loving it. She told everyone she was six now and was old enough to do all the dog show stuff. Maybe I will let her try the Logan show.

We had a little birthday dessert at a cute mexican restaurant in Orem, she had fried ice cream but scraped everything off of it and just ate the plain vanilla middle... So Chris bought her an icecream cake for her family birthday dinner, but she would not even try it because she thougth it was just regular cake, I had to about shove some in her mouth before she would believe me. She liked it okay, but I think she would have just rather had ice cream without frosting. She is so funny sometimes!

After the show was over, we stopped by Brian's Army base where he gave us a tour of the helicopters, talk about impressive! They are so much larger in real life than on TV. I think the Apachies were the coolest :) Thanks, Brian!