There are some family stories that don’t get told enough. Grandpa Glenn’s experiences in the Army are some of those stories.

Last week we were able to visit a vintage airplane museum in Chino where we hoped we would find a few planes that he recognized from his time flying for the post-World War II Army.

After a little wandering, we found this.

He says this was the same model plane that he flew, proving his familiarity by opening the hatch and pointing out the functions of the controls inside. The Cesena L-19 (sometimes called the Bird Dog) was not a fighter plane. Rather Grandpa Glenn flew over enemy territory while a backseat passenger observed how far off the good guys guys were with their guns. That person would then radio down to the ground telling Army soliders by how many degrees to adjust their shooting.

In the golden days after World War II he was on the way toward a career in the military. The Air Force was officially formed in 1947, but Grandpa Glenn was a true blue Army pilot. Eventually, he had the choice to remain in the Army and take a promotion for a lifetime of moving around or leave for the private sector and a job that would keep his new little family in one place.

With the help of a prodding wife, he made the choice to abandon a promising career in the military for the civilian life. The timing was appropriate. Korea and Vietnam erupted into napalm-fueled conflicts shortly after.

Life decisions are so much more interesting after 60 years of hindsight.

I am soaking up every second I have in this beautiful place so (relatively) close to family. After two years of goodbyes and keeping up via Skype calls, these times with family are little treasures I am storing up for a time in the future when residency or jobs might take us away again.

Easter weekend was one of those special times when David’s family was able to visit along with his grandma and grandpa. We spent the long weekend catching up, visiting the Planes of Fame museum in Chino and sharing Easter Dinner with David’s aunt and uncle.

It was a great time and we were lucky to have them here!

I finally got a chance to show some of my family the beautiful place we live and how happy I am here!

My mom, sister and youngest brother were able to make the trip down to visit for a whole week and a half. We were able to walk through the southern California sunshine for lunch at a nearby park, pick a few amazing oranges straight from the tree, wander through downtown Redlands and spend some quality time together.

With a week, we just about tapped out all the exciting things Redlands had to offer. The San Bernardino County Museum was a lot cooler than I expected and we had a blast exploring the creepy critters and history of the area.

We were also able to visit my aunt and uncle in LA. These guys are so awesome and I seriously need to get off my butt and spend more time with them.

Thanks to an Amazon Local deal, we also discovered this cool little airplane museum in Chino. Later, I learned that its functioning antique planes are what Hollywood uses for movies. Look closely at James Bond movies, Disneys’ The Kid and Pearl Harbor and you will see a few of these beauties.

The icing on the cake for me was a trip to the beautiful Lake Arrowhead. Oh how I love the smell of the pines!

Finally, I was able to drive to Ventura with my sister to see her mission and visit some great (and hilarious) friends she made during her time serving there.

At the Ventura Beach Pier, it was also the first time my little toes touched saltwater since Grenada. Sigh, it was not as warm.

Glad you guys were able to visit! Next I gotta catch up with Brendan and Dad. 🙂

I woke up Easter Sunday morning feeling like a fat, broken old pregnant lady. My rolley-polley tummy flopped out of bed and I limped to the bathroom on a lingering charlie horse that, with a little case of heartburn, had jolted me awake in the middle of the night.

In hindsight, I was pretty funny to look at.

Then, from the church pulpit I heard the words, “Nevertheless, not my will but Thine be done.” Pretty famous words from a pretty famous man.

Recently, I’ve been struggling with the  changes that come with pregnancy. Physically, there was no way I could have known what was coming. With waistline expanding, hormones raging and tummy tumbling, life isn’t a cake walk. The idea of childbirth itself is a little intimidating as well. Then, there’s the whole parenthood thing! You mean I have to raise one of God’s little ones without screwing them up? Therapy is dang expensive, I hear.

Then, Easter came with its promise of new birth and unconditional love. It occurred to me how close motherhood comes to approaching divinity. We are asked to sacrifice our time, talents and even our bodies to raise a little one. I’ve been seeking a lot of help as I prepare to raise this little squirt. Here are a few nuggets of wisdom our church leaders have imparted.

“Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.”

” We stand in awe at Mary’s assignment to be the mother of the Lord, but we, too, have been called to mother gods. Latter-day Saint women understand that the very purpose of creation depends upon our participation as earthly mothers to the spirit children of God. As it is his work and his glory to bring his children unto eternal life, it is also our work and our glory as mothers.” ~ MARY F. FOULGER

“There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else.” ~ ELDER M. RUSSELL BALLARD

There might be a lot of sacrifice that comes along with being a mother. And, although it might be selfish of me to admit it, that sacrifice intimidates me. But then I spent Easter with David’s family and saw pictures like this from my own. I am so thankful for the examples of motherhood that I have in my life and the beautiful families they have and continue to raise. You really are examples to me of how Jesus Christ would have acted.

Now, if you’ll excuse me I’m going to go take a Tums and suck it up.