HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUD

Twenty one years ago on this day Jace Garrett McLaws was born.   As our third child, and with two beautiful sisters preceding his birth, we were convinced that we would be parents of another daughter and that would be just fine.  We were genuinely surprised to find out we had a son.   These precious baby photos of Jace definitely confirm that he has always been "all boy."  I mean come on, don't you think he would have looked pretty silly in ruffles and lace?

As Jace grew up his infectious personality started to emerge.  He was a good baby, chubby and pleasant.  I can honestly say that he has always been happy--I believe it is one of his divine gifts.  As a child he didn't like to be in trouble or feel contention--his spirit recognized that unsettling feeling.  He is fiercly competitive and likes to win, whether it is in a simple family board game, or a full-fledge team sport.  He has had to learn to be gracious and competitive at the same time.   This drive has served him well, however, as he has set and achieved quite a few commendable goals in his life thus far.  He truly loves his sisters, appreciates their example, and will always be their biggest fan.  He is grateful they chose their husbands well, because as the only boy, he was so excited to finally get some brothers.

Currently, as a missionary in the Japan Kobe Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he writes frequently of the joys and challenges of serving.  He loves Japan and the Japanese people.  He comments that these past 20 months have been the hardest thing he has ever done, but also the most rewarding.  He tells us all the time how extremely happy he is--"The happiest I have ever been," and you know if Jace is saying that, he must be pretty darn happy!   He shares with us wonderful uplifting experiences, stories and insights weekly in his email.  We have had a vicarious missionary experience through these letters.  It is a privelege and a blessing to have him in our family.  It is a well repeated axiom that "time flies" and that before you know it your children will be all grown up.  That is so very true and at times bittersweet. 

I love a quote by President Gordon B. Hinckley who said, "In terms of your happiness, in terms of the matters that make you proud or sad, nothing--I repeat, nothing--will have so profound effect on you as the way your children turn out."  I agree wholeheartedly.

So, on this day, February 23, 2011, HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY to you my son,

Elder Jace McLaws, aka McLaws Chorro! 
Konnichiwa!
Have a wonderful day and we'll see you soon!
(In about 4 months and 13 days, but who's counting??)

To My Valentine

In our office we have a little sign which reads:  "Love is patient, love is kind."  I think it is appropriate right there above my desk.  It reminds me that while love is romantic and exciting, it is also virtuous and practical in many ways.  I am grateful for a Valentine who is patient and kind to me.  I appreciate that so much in him, for I know that at times I can be difficult.    Our sign also reminds me that because I likewise love him, I can be patient too when things/circumstances/situations don't go as planned.  We both are really just trying our best, and that is all we can ask.  I'm so lucky to have such a great man as my Valentine.  I truly am so very fortunate.  He is the best.

(Great sign, uh?  This was taken in Sydney, Australia!)

Happy Valentine's Day. 

On this day set aside to remember those we love, I wish you all lots of

 love and JOY this day.  Have a wonderful day!

My Ipod

Today I went running with my kids. Let me explain. . .

A few years ago Camille gave me an IPOD Nano for Christmas, complete with a playlist of some of my favorite songs and many she thought I would like. I’m not one to walk around with headphones in my ears, but it is perfect for running—small and comfortable. I’ve since added a few songs to my playlist, but for the most part, it’s still pretty much the original chosen list. In fact, last spring when I lost my original Nano at the gym, I just bought a new one and downloaded the same playlist.

Today during my run, I almost choked up recalling many tender memories. When I hear Matchbox Twenty sing “If You’re Gone,” I immediately think about August 2001 when we dropped Brittney off at Helaman Halls as a new BYU Freshman. As we were pulling away, and with a few tears in my eyes at the realization that our family really was changing, this song came on, and the title was just a little too reflective of my emotions. A few songs later James Taylor starts to sing “How Sweet It Is” and I jump ahead 5 years to a beautiful January day when Brittney and Stuart married. That song was part of their wedding video slideshow. By then things had definitely changed! And, of course, my IPOD now has a few Fictionist downloads too—they have a really great lead vocalist!

I also have several Dave Matthews songs on my playlist, namely “Smooth Rider,” short, sweet, rhythmic and soulful. Dave’s voice is one that even I always recognize. Then I hear the Beatles belt out “Revolution.” No joke! Was Camille somehow magically inside that little gizmo? If you know Camille, you know that she is an avid Beatles and DMB fan—the most loyal kind. Ask her almost anything about them—she’s that “nerdy” fanatic who knows obscure details! Any of their songs will always remind me of her.

And if it wasn’t weird enough, one of the last songs I heard was Backstreet Boys singing, “Larger Than Life.” Now, I’m not even sure if Jace particularly loves that song, but I have a distinct memory of him water skiing behind the boat with his big infectious grin and that song belting from the speakers. Besides, that little chuckle/yell at the beginning, the catchy beat, and the whole notion of ‘larger than life’ just fits Jace, don’t you think?

I didn’t grow up with much popular music in the house. Of course as a teenager in the 70’s I loved all the great bands (Boston, Journey, Styx, etc.) and even had a floor seat at a Bee Gee’s concert during the Saturday Night Fever craze--it was a big deal! I mostly listened to music in the car or with friends. Brent, on the other hand, has a song/musician/band attached to almost every memory. In fact, the family indulges his frequent declaration of “This is one of my top 10!” with a wink and a nod . . . he has way too many . . . perhaps top 100. He can fondly recall music from his elementary school days (but he can’t remember what he did yesterday—old age??) Now, however, since being around him for almost 30 years, and raising our family with plenty of REALLY LOUD music around, I’ve got a lot more memories anchored by music, and categorized in my memory bank by date/place/children. It’s a wonderful thing. Thanks guys for running with me this morning—It was awesome!

Friday Reflections

I love the sun. Sunshine makes me very happy, especially during the winter when it is not so prevalent. This last week in Spokane we have had glorious blue skies and plenty of sunshine. Granted, it’s been a cool 28 degrees, but compared to the “super storm” that supposedly gripped the rest of the country (Snow in South Texas! See Camille's blog!) our weather up here as been fabulous. I will take it, especially after last week when it was foggy and grey until early afternoon—similar to the inversion that descends on Utah every winter.

On the drive home from the temple a few days ago, I pondered sunshine. I thought about how I was able to substitute teach early morning Seminary on Thursday. Boy, it was hard getting up at 5:15 am to get to class by 6 am. I can hardly believe that I did it for 2 whole years . . . but then again so many amazing kids do it for 4. Anyway, they are studying the Doctrine and Covenants, and we discussed Section 95. There is a great scripture there, vs. 6 “They who are not chosen have sinned a very grievous sin, in that they are walking in darkness at noon-day.” I love this imagery. Picture a man with a bag over his head walking around in the sunshine. Why would he do that? The historical background of this section is that the Lord had commanded the Saints to build a temple in Kirkland a while back, and they had yet to comply. This phrase symbolically teaches that the gospel had been restored and the priesthood was on the earth (the sun), and yet because they had not been obedient, they were still in “darkness” and had yet to receive the saving ordinances.

My thoughts then jumped to recent emails from Jace and the experiences he is having in Japan teaching people that there is a God who loves them, and that His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, has made it possible for us to live with him again. These people, many who have not ever heard Christian theology, are also “walking in darkness at noon-day” but through no fault of their own. They don’t have a bag over their head, they simply have not yet been taught. That part is up to us as missionaries. Jace’s most recent investigators/converts have been Chinese. Imagine the “light” that will fill that nation when it finally opens its borders.

Hopefully in my eternal world, we will have sunshine every day. Somehow Brent and I will have to figure out how to blend our weather preferences—he loves the cold and snow and wants mountains and mountains of powder, while I want sunshine, lakes, green grass and flowers. We can have both, right? After all, it will be heaven, so anything is possible! Oh how I love the gospel and love the temple. We are so blessed to have a temple here in Spokane. I am forever grateful for the sun, literally and symbolically.