Birthdays!

My grandson turns 1 today! How is that even possible?!

Time is a strange thing. One week ago today I sent my oldest son Tylan to Oklahoma City to serve a mission. We were able to go to the airport with him this time because he had already finished his training at the Missionary Training Center when he was sent home for knee surgery. He was home with us 2 1/2 months recovering and discovering, learning and growing both physically and spiritually. His relationship with us improved especially with Braden who is just younger than him. His faith was tried and tested. He continued to get up in the morning early to read scriptures, ponder, and pray. The two and an half months flew by!

Then "time" did a cruel thing. This last week, since putting Tylan on the plane, has been the slowest week of my life! It has been torture not knowing where in Oklahoma Ty is, or who he is with. Wondering if he is happy and loving life or if he is sad and lonesome, have been constantly on my mind.

The wait is over! We received an e-mail from him today and all is well! He loves his companion and he is serving in Oklahoma City in the projects! I didn't know Oklahoma City has "projects". All cities do I suppose. So now "time" can march on again but hopefully not too fast.

So where did the year go since the birth of our sweet Jackson? He is such a wonderful little boy! He is so full of love and joy and happiness! I guess time flies when you are having fun and we have had a blast with Jackson! So we will party with him today and celebrate him!

I guess it is all about taking the "time" to enjoy the journey because "time" moves on whether we pay any attention to it or not! Enjoy!

Bye for now,
Leesey Lou

My Husband and Edgar Degas

My birthday was one of the most incredible days I have had in a long time and that is saying a lot because I have some pretty incredible days!!!

The thing that made it so impressive to me is the gifts my husband gave me.

I am an art lover. I like to think of myself as an amateur connoisseur of art and love to go into art galleries and museums. I cannot express the way I feel while looking at art. Looking at a piece of art by Renoir or Manet fills my mind with wonder, "Where, who, how?" are questions that come to mind. Where did their inspiration come from.

There is however, one artist who completely draws me in! Edgar Degas is my absolute favorite, not because of what he chose to paint and sculpt, but the movements I see in his art is unfinished. It's like looking at a dancer who has just finished a move or is about to move on to the next. He most often focuses on one small detail of his paintings making it crisp and clean while the rest of the picture is clouded and raw. He painted in movement and he sculpted that way too!

My husband surprised me with two pieces by Degas! They are reproductions, of course, but I am thrilled! My favorite sculpture of all time "The little fourteen year old dancer" was one of the pieces and a painting called "Dancers in repose". I have to say I was so elated that I cried!!!

The thing that made my birthday so special was not the incredible gifts but the thought, and effort my husband and oldest daughter put into making sure I had something that would rock my world! Art doesn't mean much to them. But I do!

Leesey Lou