Grayson

Almost 29 years ago, I became a mother for the first time.  Motherhood has truly been one of my most honored roles, and I am grateful daily for our awesome children.  I have often heard people say that being a grandparent is even better.  I wondered about that. . . how could that be?  I think I am beginning to see just how that statement may be true.

Brittney on her "birth" day!  She was a beautiful 9 lb. baby herself.  See any resemblance?

Little Grayson Stuart Maxfield was born on July 15th, weighing 9 lbs, 1 oz., and 20 inches long.  Brent and I are giddy grandparents!  I think the "joy and rejoicing in your posterity" concept stems from your own experiences of raising your children, and culminating in witnessing these very same adult children feel such happiness and instant love for their first brand new son.  Essentially, I'm "over the moon" myself, but I'm especially thrilled for Brittney and Stuart as they begin their own parenthood path. Whew, what a story this little guy has!  It took a long time to get him here and we are just so grateful for a healthy, beautiful boy.   Our family has been blessed with a miracle.

Grayson just minutes old. . . talking to his Dad!

Here's the scoop in a nutshell:  I left Spokane on July 9th and spent the first 4 days in Richfield with Mom and Dad.  I just missed seeing my other siblings who were there for the July 4th holiday.   On July 13th I headed back up to Provo to be on "baby watch."  On Saturday morning, July 14th, Brittney's water broke.  Good.  I just kind of knew that she would go early, and was pleased that I was back up north.  Long story short, after almost 24 hours of labor, lots of prayers, thoughtful decisions, and wise medical advice, the decision was made that a c-section was necessary.   Our little baby was "sideways" and somehow laying on the cord.  Trying to help him get repositioned proved stressful, so all the options had been exhausted.  Thank goodness for hospitals and modern medicine (how many times have we said that in the last couple of years???)  Like Brittney said, "I don't know why I expected a routine delivery. This whole experience has been anything but routine!" In the end, however, we still got the prize--Grayson was born strong and healthy, and that's all that matters. 

As he locked eyes with all of us for several hours after his birth, it was like he was calming us down, reassuring us that everything would be OK, that he had arrived and that it didn't matter how he got here--he was here.  He looked so intently at each of us and we all felt as if we knew him--it was just a matter of becoming reacquainted.  Grayson is a spirit with a purpose, that is for sure.  Before he was even born he was teaching and guiding.  Perhaps the lesson that we are being taught in Grayson's "birth story" is to never give up, to have hope and faith,and always to trust in the Lord in all things.

So, I warn you!  The Grandma Ang "bragging" has begun.  My grandchildren will always be the cutest babies on earth. (Every Grandma says that!)  Grayson is the first of many. . . I know it in my heart and soul.  I don't know why having babies is a challenge for my daughters, but  I do know that with God, all things are possible.  Here are some pictures of our time in Utah for this happy occasion.  Enjoy.

Grayson just looking at his Mom saying, "Thanks Mom!  I Love You!"

Finally snoozed off. . . long day for the little guy!

2 days old. 

Grandma Ang and Auntie Camille having their first chat!

Grandpa Brent bought Grayson an entirely appropriate baby gift. . . a life jacket for the boat!
 He wrote on it:  "Welcome to earth Grayson!  You are going to love it here!  Love, Grandpa B"

Grandpa B and Grayson bonding like only boys can do. . . napping!

Grayson is 1 week old in this "0" onesie. . . a gift from Aunt Lindsay and Aunt Jen.  They are stickers that you can use each month to document the first year of your babies life.  He has already changed in 1 week. . . crazy!

More thoughtful soul searching with my baby.

I think the saying on his shirt is entirely true. . . his Mom does rock!
(Actually Dad rocks too. . . in more ways than one!)

We visited Richfield so my parents could meet their 4th great-grandchild.  Dad is positive that Grayson looks just like him.
  I'd say that currently, there is some resemblance!

Grayson and I on my birthday. . . best gift ever.  I'm going to miss my little guy.

This was the sign in Brittney's hospital room.  So very true! 

Girl's Camp

Last week we joined the Young Women of our Ward and Stake at Girl's Camp.  I'm the Mia Maid counselor for our ward, and Brent was asked to participate as one of the stake priesthood brethren.  We left early on a Tuesday and traveled about 3.5 hours west to Ensign Ranch on the west side of the Cascades.  Our stake owns a camp only about 40 minutes away, but this year our leaders took us to this wonderful facility for an extra special experience.

While the rest of the country has been sweltering in heat, the northwest has actually had a rather cool spring.  When we pulled out in 5 school buses (Brent and I following in our car pulling a trailer full of gear) it was raining cats and dogs!  I thought we were in for a miserable week of weather.  By the time we arrived at camp, the rain had stopped.  The YCL's and leaders were able to set up camp without soaking our gear while the campers went on a 5 mile hike.  That was a true blessing.  The rest of the week the weather cooperated nicely.  On Wednesday it was beautiful blue sky and this was the day set aside for canoeing, slip-n-slides, volleyball and outdoor games.  Perfect.  Ensign Ranch is huge--there were actually 3 stakes there, and we never really saw one another!  The activities this place provides is what made this camp so fun.  Thursday and Friday the girls rotated around to the following stations:  archery, rifle range, orienteering, ropes course, horseback riding, climbing tower, and various certification classes.  We had over 200 people there--about 180 girls and then leaders and Priesthood.

Brent was in charge of the compass/orienteering class.  He did a great job.  He taught them about compasses, maps, GPS, and avalanche locaters.  In their final "test" two groups were created and asked to locate 2 lost young men--Peeta and Gale!  He had hidden pictures of these "Hunger Game" hunks, so the girls were very motivated to locate them.  I helped him with this class, and also participated in the "Nature Hike" which actually turned into a first aid/mock disaster class.  I was the "crazy lady" whose only visible injury was a bruise on my head, but I wandered around crying, moaning, and calling for my baby and claiming that the last memory I had was shopping for pink shoes at the mall!  We staged about 7 of us with very real looking injuries and required the girls to think fast on their feet and assess the emergency.  It was quite fun. 

The theme for our camp was Job 23:10 -- "When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold."  We were embracing the Olympics theme.  Each ward choose a country to represent--our ward was Italy.  We had fun decorating our camp and using all things Italian in our devotionals and firesides.  By the time Saturday morning rolled around, everyone was ready to come home.  We really enjoyed Ensign Ranch and had a lot of fun with the darling young women in our ward and stake. 

Some of our YW.  They were braiding each other's hair--something they did every day!

Getting ready to climb the tower!  It's pretty well known that I'm really afraid of heights, but I gave this a shot!  I actually got about 3/4's of the way up, and then made the mistake of looking down.  I then started to get queasy and lost my nerve.  I decided to come down since others were waiting for their turn.  I do consider it a small victory that I got as far as I did.  I actually liked it!  The next time I try, I'm just not going to look down--just keep looking up!

That's Brent climbing the tower.  He also spent that day belaying the rest of the climbers.  He actually worked really hard at camp the whole week.  We really needed the brethren that were there.  They were so helpful.

At the rife range.  Brent also manned this station.  It was fun shooting a 22! 





Our targets.  Well, no surprise, but Brent definitely did better than me.  I hate to admit, but I think my eyesight is fading a little bit too.  He had his glasses on, or else he wouldn't have hit the target at all!

"Bishop McLaws" (everyone still calls him that) working around camp.
He's wearing the T-shirt with the theme on it.

That's me as "the crazy lady!"  (And besides, it wasn't hard for me to claim to be crazy and looking for my baby. . . the point was that I don't even have a baby. . . he's actually 6ft. 3in. and in the wilds of Africa somewhere!!! The girl's were suppose to calm me down, ask questions and treat me for shock.)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!

HOPE EVERYONE HAS A WONDERFUL 4th of JULY!!!