Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Life With Parkinson's in my 40's- A Mother's Memories

This time of year has  me very much reflecting on years past.  2009 has been an important milestone year for our family; many incredible experiences.  I cannot help but need to publish my reflections.  Clair has been in the forefront of my mind today so I will begin with her.  Living with Clair has been a lesson in fortitude.  She is one driven soul; driven to good things. 

Newborn Clair                                            
                                                                      
Clair and her big sis



                6 months old                                                
2 years old

 4 years old                                                                
3 years old

 5 years old                                                           
    Clair always tried to be a good 'big' sister.

                                             

Clair and me on a field trip in Kindergarden.

                                                                                                                                                        
  6  years old                                                                  
7 years old

                                            






                                8  years old(she wouldn't show her toothless mouth for anything)

                                                 

9 years old


                     11  years old





14  years old                                                              
15 (beautiful teeth after 6 yrs of braces)
                                            
A picture for every occasion
















Clair always liked dancing and the arts in her life...

Clair never passed up an opportunity to have fun, perform and perfect the task....




                                                                            
                                                16 years old


17  years old                                                  

Clair always loved to pose!
                                   
brothers and sisters...








Clair's Engagement to the man who borrowed part of her heart from us..

                                            

A last moment together with my Clairbear.

Her beauty and style are easily shared with the other women in her life
.                                                   
She is now more than just my daughter. She is a grown up, a wife, a woman.

This is what it feels like to be a mother, seeing my happy girl........


If there is one lesson that Parkinson's has taught my children, it is compassion and service.  Clair has always been an example of these two qualities.  She has been like a 2nd mother for our family when I could not be.  I give thanks for my 'mother memories' of my little 'Clair Bear' who is now my beautiful grown up friend.  It makes all your stubbornness ok, Clair.  Thanks for being you and teaching me and helping me to be who I am.  Your mom.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Life With Parkinson's in my 40's- Thanksgiving, the beginning of a Holiday State of Mind

We started the month of Nov with a fun night at the Carousel Dance club with some of our dance friends.



















Thanksgiving day...
Ariana dazzled everyone with her artwork.  Something to do before dinner.  She's like her big sis...

I was happy to have 3 of my four kids and my dad and stepmother at our home for the Thanksgiving holiday. Also joining us, though not in any pictures was my dear friends, Elaine Morris and Patricia Bryte. Their
pictures here are from previous occasions.

Patricia                                                                                                  Elaine





Thanksgiving is all about eating and making the eating 'place' beautiful.  I love my new eating place......
I loved setting my new dining room table which sits more than 4 people ...yeah!

I coaxed everyone to stand still for a picture before dinner.

Cody and Clair....so good to have them here together again.  Seems like yesterday that they were little and planning mischief together.
Cody gave Oliver a lesson in cool Thanksgiving Day attire.


Oliver wasn't near as excited as Cody about their matching shirts..


Grandma and Grandpa relaxing.........                                       Pizza Night!
                                                                                           


                                                            

A new outfit for Grandma.                                                                      

Some great pictures of the Oakland Temple and the bay.....









Our tree                                            Nichole's cinnamon star she made in 1st grade!


Cody's 1st ornament   (sorry Clair, I don't have one of yours...love you though)


Some of my favorite angel ornaments





Just after Grandp and Grandma went home we went into a few days of deep freeze in Modesto.
Lots of ice.  So many people were falling and getting hurt.   Californians...........

Ariana's school

Our Frosty roof

The sky above our house at 7:30 am the morning of the first freeze


We took a temple trip with Chad and Clair and got some pretty pictures again.  It was stormy the whole day and temple hill was shrouded in mist-





We saw at least 3 different rainbows on the way home.




Our cutest little niece in the world-  JoJo.  I took this picture waiting for Ariana when we picked her up from Marshall's house where she stayed while we were in Oakland.


That's our last month or so....