A Real Hero

Today is my Grandpa Barney's 86th birthday. He's always been a legend and a hero in my eyes! We celebrated with him on Sunday in St. George. It was a great celebration with his family and friends. All of his grandchildren were present either in person or on a cell phone. It was like one of those radio call-in shows. Who knew that a microphone and a speakerphone could give Ryan Seacrest a run-for-his-money?!? The entertainment wasn't too shabby either. My dad and uncle sang a few songs and played guitar, another uncle played his trombone, my cousin Rachel played a beautiful hymn on the violin and then played a duet with Morgan on her Viola, the little kids sang Primary songs, Brett and Corinne read a grandpa poem, my cousin Aaron did a monologue from "I Hate Hamlet," and Morgan and Ashley did a song and dance from their play. He had a great time and loved it all.

Grandpa, you've always been such a big part of all of our lives. We love you so much!

I wish every kid in the whole wide world had a grandfather just like you.

In case you're wondering, here are 86 things I love about Grandpa (with a little help from Steph):

1.His beautiful singing voice

2. Santa Clause is coming

3. Tacos in the van

4. His speech in full uniform in my 7th grade class

5. His dedication to his children

6. His way of making every grandchild feel like his favorite

7. His love of the gospel

8. His patriotism

9. His heroic service as a fighter pilot in World War II

10. His name on the marquee at The Thunderbird

11. The way he loves my children, and all of his great-grandchildren (and great greats)

12. Special breakfasts at sleepovers

13. His stories

14. Our trip to Reno in the moving van

15. Pinger sandwiches

16. His thirst for knowledge and learning

17. His way of never meeting a stranger

18. Our "special" holiday

19. His story-telling prowess that I try to borrow

20. "Oh, Grandpa!"

21. All of the times I was honored to accompany him on the piano

22. His honor...

23. His dignity...

24. His grace under fire

25. Christmas caroling in the van

26. Bringing Grandma Hazel into my life

27. Bringing Grandma Chris into my life

28. His love and support of my husband

29. His jokes, especially Mr. Ribbit...

30. His faith

31. His rallying of support when Ashley was sick in the hospital (getting his Rabbi friend and his congregation to pray for her)

32. His concern about my piano getting to me

33. His concerts in St. George

34. His jokes at his concerts in St. George (Especially the H.R. ones.)

35. His ability to look for the good in people

36. His work ethic

37. "Oh That I Were an Angel"

38. "Consider the Lillies"

39. "I Know that My Redeemer Lives'

40. "How Will They Know?" (At Ashley's Baptism)

41. "Danny Boy"

42. "Day In, Day Out"

43. "Sunrise, Sunset" (At my wedding)

44. "Working" at the Tyson fight with him when I was in High School

45. His braveness

46. Diet Pepsi

47. A cup of Sip

48. His consistency

49. Christmas Eve tuxedos

50. "Oh Holy Night"

51. The Star-Spangled Banner like nobody's business!

52. Watching countless horrible basketball games to watch me cheer

53. Teaching me the meaning of "Joy in thy posterity"

Additions from Steph! :)

54. The way that "do what" can be the appropriate response to practically ANYTHING!!!

55.Giving me the thumbs up at the piano after every vocal performance.

56.The slot machine on the patio with the indoor hot tub and pool table ... now that's class!

57.The wiring in the Mason house.

58.The front projector TV with the electric shoe-shine machine.

59.The front page of the LV Sun ... I still have my copy ;)

60.The "Barney Rawling" stamp on every piece of run-off sheet music.

61.My interview with him for my 11th grade history class that I still have on tape.

62.His help in the world history class in college where I had to write on the topic of why FDR was a "socialist SOB (per my professor).

63.The war story that he claims is his grandchildren's favorite but that I suspect he rather likes telling.

64.The way that I am most CERTAINLY his favorite grand-daughter.

65.The sentimental value in everything.

66.All the fancy Cadillacs.

67.Bike riding with him and Grandma Hazel over quad break in elementary school.

68.Those weird animal-shaped bottles in the Mason bathroom. (Avon cologne, Steph.)

69.Furs Cafeteria in the Meadows Mall parking lot.

70.The stories about the day that I was born.

71. Caring for Grandma Hazel when she was sick.

72. His 80th birthday party that practically brought the house down.

73. Fancy dress uniforms at all of our weddings.

74. The day that he became Major Three Star General Grandpa George Barney Rawlings SIR!

75. That dimly lit office.

76. His letter-writing prowess.

77. Di-syllabic pronunciation of the word Batteries.

78. His writing and story-telling skills.

79. Visiting Grammy in the old folks home and doing an impromptu concert.

80. All of his funny little sayings and phrases

81. The shows for the OTB's (I don't know whether that is appropriate here, but it is really funny ;)

82. The waiting room at UMC

Gretchen brings it home:

83. My interview he set up and wrote for the governor, and the million dollar question

84. Ketchup on everything

85. Duct tape--what can't it do?

86. Teaching me the meaning of unconditional love, as I've watched him give it to so many people, and receive it from so many people.

Mostly, we just love you, Grandpa, because you are you!

Muffins with Mom

Today was "Muffins with Mom" day at Ashley's school. We have gone to this event every year since she was in Kindergarten. We used to always be a threesome at this party, but today we were just a twosome. We missed Morgan's company, but it was fun to have a little one-on-one time with Ashley. The girls are growing up too fast, but it has been fun to watch all of the changes. I am very lucky to have two beautiful, talented, sweet daughters. Thanks for the fun morning, Ashley!

Prayers

It seems like our family has had need of a lot of prayers lately. Today we are praying for my sweet Grandpa Barney and my mom and grandma who are taking care of him. I love my grandpa so much and hope that he knows that! He truly is my hero. I am so thankful that Mom and Chris are taking such good care of him. You are both angels.

Tomorrow, Dave's mom will be undergoing some major surgery. She is a wonderful grandma with a heart of gold. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you today, Umma! We love you!

We also want to send our love and prayers to my Aunt Kathy. I wish this was more than an internet ((hug.)) :)

I am so thankful for families. We have been so blessed to have wonderful families on both sides. We love you all and wish we could spend more time together, but know that we love you and think of you often.

Speaking of Crazy...

Do you ever go to Wal-Mart and think, "Wow! I am totally entertained!"??? I have been treated to two fabulous Wal-Mart trips in three days.

Fabulous trip number one: It all happened on Saturday when Dave and I went to get some magnets for a school project. We were shopping and minding our own business (or bid-ness) when we hear:

Civilized Gentleman 1: I wasn't even talking to you. You talkin' to me? You got something to say? Run up and say it to my face!

Civilized Gentleman 2: I ain't sayin' S*&#!

Civilized Gentleman 1: Yeah you ain't. I'm gonna "mess" you up! They gonna be moppin' up your face. Now what?

Civilized Gentleman 2: I got something to say! (Flips the bird.)

Civilized Gentleman 1: Hey! Hey! (Talking about the guy's wife.) Take that fat cow back to the farm!

This went on and on. I felt like I was in Jr. High again. The crowd was circling. Did I hear someone chant "Fight! Fight!"? Luckily someone broke that up before I had to see any face mopping happening. (We never did see the fat cow. Totally bummed!)

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Fabulous Trip Number 2: This one took place tonight. I stopped to visit with a friend who was waiting in line at the pharmacy. This crazy old lady staggers up and says to my friend:

Crazy: Can you do me a favor? (Fanning out dollar bills.)

Friend: That depends what the favor is.

Crazy: There's a man waiting for me in the parking lot that I barely know and he's my ride home and can I get in line first? I hurt my knee really bad and I almost broke it so I need to get my stuff you know?

Friend: You're more than welcome to get in front of me, but I think it's really sad that a man you barely know is your ride home.

Crazy: No. He's not a stranger. He's a neighbor, but he's not the most, um, um, uh, he's not the most, um, uh,

Friend: Patient? (Becoming slightly impatient.)

Crazy: No. He's patient. He's just the neighbor that not everyone knows. He saw me comin' up here and he gave me a ride. That's the dad-god, gog-dad, goddess to hog, I can't even talk straight cause I'm in a hurry. It's the honest to God truth.

Friend: Whatever.

We go back to talking, and laughing totally loud about this exchange. Crazy pays for her "stuff" and then stuffs it in her shirt and briskly walks off. Now who's crazy? Morgan and I had to follow her to see if she really left. It was hard to keep up with her "almost broken knee" as she ran to the back to get her liquor before leaving. We get back from the store. Morgan says, "Dad, we stalked a crazy person at Wal-mart." Dave says, "Gretchen! What did you do now?" All I can say is "What the heck would you do in a situation like that???"

Grody to the Max

So Ashley went to an 80's birthday party on Saturday. She came home, like totally decked out! (She also asked me if we really said, "Grody to the max!" Obviously! Duh!) Anyways, she had a blast and wanted to sport the look all night. We decided that the only thing to do was have a family 80's night. We rented BETTER OFF DEAD and SAY ANYTHING. How cute is John Cusack? (Of course, everybody loves "I want my two dollars!!!") Admittance to the party was at least one item of 80's fashion. As you can see, Ashley needed no help. Morgan went for the ever-popular side ponytail. Dave pegged his jeans and popped his collar. Me? I channelled Richard Simmons. Like, gag me with a Dorito! It was a fun, impromptu night at home. Next week, the theme is fairy tales. Look forward to that...........

One More Thing

The other day I was driving the girls to school. Ashley says to me, "Why do I have to go to school? I don't even actually like kids." HMMMMMM......come to think about it........."WHY DO I HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL???" She's a nut, but I kind of like her style.

I'm so glad when Daddy comes home!

Boy did I ever clap my hands and shout for joy! I haven't posted for awhile because my life has been CRAZY!!! My first week back to school after track break nearly did me in. Dave was out of town from Sunday to Friday, and my two partners were on track break. We missed our dad because he ROCKS! ("We" also found out that "we" never want to be single parents.) Thank goodness for all the angels in my life. My dear mom drove cross-country several times to pick up the girls from school. My lifesaver sister, A.K.A. Nicole, drove countless times and entertained and fed my children too many times. Ashley was very sad when she heard that daddy would be gone during the annual "Doughnuts with Dad" day at her school. Luckily Grandpa Louie is such a stud and canceled his meetings to make a little girl's day. As an added bonus, Ashley got to ride to school in Grandpa's jeep.

Thanks, everyone, for being my village!!!