While I was in NY at Laura's house I did the following:
Cleaned the oven and stove
Made tutus and aprons for the birthday party
Scrubbed her cookie sheets shiny new
Mended Abby's jammies (little toes were sticking out)
Folded laundry and put it away
Got everything out of Laura's closet so she could clean and organize it
Where did I learn to give service like this?
From her:
Every time my mother came when I had a baby she was SO helpful - always cleaned my oven. When she came for Laura's birth she did all the baby bathing and I was seriously afraid to take over when she left. I didn't know how I could care for that little infant without her!
Then when she came for Mary's birth she played with and read to Laura and let down all the hems in her dresses that she had grown out of.
For Todd's birth she came all the way to Korea and came to the birth and supported me through 1 1/2 hours of pushing. Ouch for both of us!
After Jenny's birth, Mom and Dad came to our new house and removed wallpaper and painted and helped us get settled.
So I only hope that I can follow her example in serving my family. Her whole life has been dedicated to serving her family; I'm grateful for the service and the example.
In fact, on this very day, my parents surprised me by attending our sacrament meeting because I was playing a piano solo. Talk about supporting their 51-year-old daughter! And they paid for the piano lessons, too!
I love you, Mom and Dad
You're the best!
On this Veterans Day I just want to say how thankful I am for those who have served our country in the military.
I'm especially grateful for two veterans in my life: Rusty Rife (my father-in-law) who served in the Pacific in WWII and my own dear father, Richard Parsons who served in the military for 22 years.
I always knew that my Dad's job was more than a job to him; he loves this country. I'm grateful for the example of these two fathers who sacrificed to serve this great country.
It makes me proud to be an American and the daughter of great Americans.
My Mom has three remaining siblings from the original seven children in her family, and they all live in different states. Her youngest sister, KaJeen who lives in New York, came to Utah for her youngest son's graduation from BYU so it was a great opportunity to get together. So all the posterity of my Mom's parents, George and Annie Carlsen, were invited to our humble abode on Heather Drive for yummy food, catching up and picture-taking. We had a lovely afternoon and it was good to get reacquainted with my aunts and uncles and cousins. Families are Forever!
