Early Morning Risers

I am not a natural early morning riser. I understand the accomplishments you can get done by being an early morning riser especially if you go to bed in time to get plenty of sleep but I do not come by it naturally. A little story from my mother recently explains how true this is...even though it is a little embarrassing for me.

We were driving to run errands one day and talking about what we do when and I said how much I enjoyed early mornings because I accomplished so much more than at night. My mom said, "wait, can you repeat that"? I said, "I really like early mornings"! She said, "Oh really...Miss Is there a reason you have to talk to me so much in the morning?" This obviously was a conversation we had had when I was a teenager and I have laughed about it so much because I could not even deny it as it really sounds like something I would have said and know I felt. I did not like talking much in the morning.

However, forces outside of my control have decided that I havechildren that are early morning risers. It has enabled me to learn the joy of early morning...with Erin we got to hear beautiful music in our home as she practiced the piano every morning. It also gives me the opportunity to study my scriptures, write in my journal and let me prepare for the day before everyone else got up. There is quite a peace to mornings.

With everyone mostly grown, however, I was beginning to enjoy lounging around in bed again...a little. Then we adopted Kenneth...he is a true early riser. He wakes up early no matter what time he goes to bed but if and when I take the opportunity to get up early with him (sometimes I remind him about how easy it is to get on the computer) I get to find out a lot about him. This is his time. He chats and tells me about his day, his dreams, pretty much anything I will listen to. He is sweet and helpful and really likes this time together so my goal is to really give in again and learn to appreciate the early morning riser again...just like with Erin. It was nice to find her kindred spirit in our new group of children.

Important TV to Cara

There are a couple of television programs that I love to gather with friends and family and settle in and watch. The two most everyone can guess are the Superbowl and The Academy Awards. The Superbowl came later in life but The Academy Awards have been a love since my childhood back when I knew I had the talent to achieve one of those awards and before fears I allowed into my life (too fat) would block me in this achievement. So my family has put up with this obsession with award shows very patiently. (I used to tell Rob all the time I was going to win just so he would be forced to watch.)

There is just a great energy in gathering for these events in my opinion. I have blogged about the Superbowl before on MySpace. I love to make munchies, have a great TV to watch on and invite people over to share these obsessions. Last night we got to share them with Nancy, Mellisa, Christy, Darrah and Anna (a friend). Mom did not have to endure since we did it at my house and she did not feel up to attending. She even had the nerve to tell me today that she didn't even finish last night...sad news...but at least she got to see the opening number which was great fun in my opinion.

I even got supportive phone calls from Flora, a traditional watcher, and Carol who knew what I would be doing. I find that great fun also just to know people know me that well. My kids used to be forced to watch because it was around our anniversary date and so we were always on a family trip and we spent that evening wherever we were watching...which I think helped them develop a love for all kinds of movies but possibly not so much the awards. :( I also knew somewhere Rachel would watch however much she could of them...supporting the cause in her own way. We also have a great tradition of trash talking the stars for their choice of hairstyle, dress, and jewelry as they arrive or announce nominees. I love to sit on the couch and judge from afar knowing I would have made sometimes similar choices and people would have been judging me.

I actually loved this year's awards because they had other award winners announce the nominees and honor them...it was fun to see these other stars express good will and wishes towards this year's batch of nominees. In Kotzebue, I watched with friends and we would make lists of movies we wanted to remember to see the rest of the year through rentals. I am sure I have not seen every movie that I missed but I still watch every year and picture myself up there someday accepting one of these awards. Anyway, thanks for the great time everyone and meet you around the TV next year!!!!

Family

How lucky I have been with family. I love my parents and all my brothers and sisters as well as nieces and nephews and have had the good fortune to spend enough time with most of them to feel as if we are friends as well as relatives.

When I was 33 I was blessed by Marilyn to be introduced to a man that allowed me the opportunity to join his family. And what a family...the children were awesome and have become wonderful adults that I get to begin to enjoy as friends without so much pressure for their decisions. Although, don't get me wrong, there are plenty of times I have to work through my normal parenting responses before I talk to them about supporting their decisions with faith in their abilities to determine their own outcomes. Much like I felt as an Aunt but without the parenting pressure.

As we added additional children and various family members into the mix at different times these great family members continued to support and love each one as part of our family even when it happened during missions, college, etc. I can only say again how blessed I am with my children. We continue to struggle and develop anew as we have adopted three children during this time and it has been difficult to put the family together with weddings and additional grandchildren and normal financial strains for young adults. But, each time we get together or have the opportunity to speak they (the older children) love and accept each child with unconditional love and acceptance that they are brothers and sisters and deserving of their love and devotion.

I have learned so much from the attitudes of the children Dan and Lynn brought to this family...from acceptance, patience, kindness, peace and joy, laughter, music, love. They embraced me in the same way and allowed me to be part of their lives and bless me and watch out for me and defend my craziness all the time. It has been an amazing journey and I have been fortunate to have played a small part in it all.

I try to repeat these attitudes now but find that we are creating a new path and a journey I have to learn again as we raise the younger children each that bring a new and different challenge. However, among all the challenges that we face together I cling to the steps we see that we are blending and becoming one. The trip to Erin's wedding and visits with the East Coast family and the pleasure they found in cousins their own age and children to play with that helped them realize the great family they are part of. The recent trip to Utah with very little contention for a 12 hour (combined) car ride. Trevor, Amylynn, Kenneth and Xander each trying to help in their own way to make it a peaceful and exciting ride. The joy as they notice nature and begin to develop friendships that they and we have worked so hard to create.

In short, I am thankful for my blessings and for the wonderful, supportive family I have that loves me in spite of my shortcomings and blesses me with support and advice when I feel I have lost my way. Thank you to all of you and your children.