Happy Easter Peeps!

From Olivia and Nana...

Happy Easter to all our favorite peeps!

Hi Mom

Reaching deep into the back of a kitchen cabinet and feeling around for a notepad, I stumbled upon a treasure. Six o'clock, the dinner hour and my pantry was empty...obviously it was past time to prepare a grocery list. But I made a feeble attempt anyway.

As I brought the thin, small post-it notepad from the recesses of the dark cabinet, I noticed scribbles on the first page. But not just any scribbles...they were her scribbles! Page after page...a message written a couple of years ago from my angel. And today is the day her message found me

Hi Mom

I

Love 

to Ski

I

Love

You!

For a moment I unmistakably heard her delightful, teenage voice shouting to me from the scribbles..."Hi Mom!" 

And then I wept...big heaping, body shaking sobs!

It's Spring and I ache for her...similar to the ache I feel in the Summer, and the Fall and the Winter. A giant hole torn in the fabric of my life, losing a child is the hardest thing I've ever done...and continue to do. Surrendering to grief's icy grip, I let go of my usual brave face for a while...because sometimes it's OK to let go!

Fourteen

He's 14...He's handsome...and he's mine...all mine...all mine...

Sometime in the past couple of months The Teenager grew about 6 inches and blew past me in height. Now I'm the shortest one in the family, except for Olivia and Henry.

Practically overnight I had to start shopping in the men's department for him. Now I have to know his neck size when I buy him a white shirt.

His heart is tender, his mind is sharp and he's my hero...and not just my guitar hero either!

He ordered a Banana Cream Pie instead of cake for birthday desert.
Am I surprised that he chose to wear this T-shirt on his birthday...no not at all! Like all of us, he misses her every day...but he especially misses his big sister on the special days.

The advocate general made this video for him...it's hilarious and absolutely worth watching!
Wow we really miss her humor!

 What 14 year old wouldn't want this kind of attention on his birthday?

OK...so he's not all mine! Happy Birthday Son...Brother...Friend...Grandson...Chick Magnet...Uncle Chet!

I just love ya!

Capture

Hiking to the top of Mount Timpanogos, I met the fabulous Michelle for the first time. I knew instantly that she could be someone I'd get along with famously. And these days I am very fortunate to call her my friend. 

When I snapped this photo of Michelle and her blond boys last summer, I had no idea she was a photographer...a real photographer, not someone imitating photography like myself.

Photo by Michelle

This time it was Michelle's turn behind the camera where she worked her magic with my beautiful grandchildren...Olivia and Henry.

So you must...simply must...go here and see more of her perfect photos of this day. And bring a tissue, as she writes as well as she shoots photos. Michelle's ability to focus and capture a moment is superior to any camera you'll ever know.

Do you ever wonder why people step into your journey through life when they do? Admittedly, I don't know either...but I do know that I would rather measure my journey with friends than miles.

Peep Peep Peep

Attention...Read All About It!

Something has gone "fowl" at the Garlick Press.

We have a few more new babies to introduce...

 Say hello to "Nugget" who belongs to the Golden Sexlink breed of chickens.

 Starring in the role of Americauna is "General Tsao".

At the top of the pecking order is "Mother Clucker" a Buff Orpington (her G-rated name is Buffy). She is in charge of all the chicks and established her superiority since we brought the girls home.

 And finally...meet "Red". She is a sweet little Rhode Island Red chick.

A melodic peep peep peep can be heard constantly at our house now. It is the most soothing song. Despite the raging snowstorm this weekend, it sounds like Spring here.

 We have all fallen in love with the girls.

 Even Izzy the pooch...and no she wasn't coerced into this photo at all...not at all.

 The brooder must be kept at a constant 95 degrees in order to keep the chicks healthy and happy.

We giggle and marvel at everything they do. When you leave the room for even the slightest amount of time they cheep cheep loudly looking for you to return....quieting down as soon as you are in sight.

The teenager has become a real "chick magnet" and Nugget is his favorite!

Chet was hesitant at first...now he is their protector. Just like other Hollywood babies, the girls were only allowed a certain amount of time for a photo shoot and then he demanded  that they take a break to rest.

 We are absolutely over the moon about these chicks!

Well most of us are...dog gone-it, this family is for the birds!