Photo Tag - The Italian Job

Kristi tagged me for the 4th picture in the 4th file on my desk top. Now- because we have reserected an old computer for me to use, This picture is what we get. Now it might look un-assuming picture-- some workers Of course they are in the canals of Venice. But what I remember about this was this simple thing really struck me. We were picking Rachael up from her mission and this was about the 4th day into the trip. We had arranged to stay at B&B close to the train station called "Anna's Rooms for Friends". Interestingly enough, this was probably Anna's limit to her English vocabulary. Anna was early 60's and her and her husband opened up every square inch of their 3 bedroom flat for paying guests. We shared everything, even there bathroom (ps-- never use the towels next to the bidea). But that is part of the charm of European budget travel at $100 or more per night in Venice. Now- back to the picture. On our way to find Anna's door bell, we walked down this alley and here were these men on a boat that looks very similar to our Eliminator back in South Jordan. Only this is actually their truck. And the street their own is kind of like a dead end alley. When most of us think about the canals in venice, we think of gondola's and The Italian Job. But these men have the real Italian job. I wonder if Venicians ever water ski??
I tag Leslie & Bill -- my 2 cousins who share their bday-- if they ever check this blog. I would tag Amy if she had a blog.

Who's your mama?

I know, I am going to SHOCK the very few who might check my blog on occasion to see if there is EVER a new post. Well finally I will do an update. Because of a variety of computer and "busy husband who holds all of the family pictures hostage" I am going to use an old picture to blog about something that I have been thinking about lately. And I will warn you, it is sentimental.... There is an evolution that happens when your child becomes a parent. The first time I witnessed it was a moment wasn't expecting. Rory had purchase his first condo and Rod & I dropped in to see the remodeling projects. It was night and Rory had some friends over. One of those friends was an old girl friend he had started dating. She had a baby and he was asleep upstairs. It was touching to listen to Rory talk about this little guy who eventually would be such a huge part of our lives. And then Chanel was born. To watch Rory hold her and talk to her when she was only a few moments old. She looked up into his eyes and she knew him! And shes still daddy's little shadow. And now little Emerson! When JR and Rory were little they used to hang out in Rod's shop and tote his tools around. I see in Emerson's little spirit that same joy in just being with his dad. His big bkue eyes are so amazed as he explores the world around him. And little RoriAna, our sweet little princess. She is so tender and sweet-- when she smiles and coo's it feels so celestial. She reflects or Savior's love in her tenderness. But now for our new little one and the thoughts that have been traveling through my heart. This time about 4 years ago, Rod and I traveled to Europe to pick Rachael up from her mission. It was such a joy to be with her after the 18 months of service. We traveled through her mission visiting the people that she served with. Soon I started feeling like her connecton with those Italian women were almost closer then our relationships. I knew that she was leaving them and her love was so strong and the thought of moving on in her life without them was very difficult. Finally after a conversation about it, I felt better and decided that I was probably just being sensative. Now time has moved on and my sweet baby Rachael, my first born, the child that made me a mother and eternally linked me to my mother, and her mother, and her mother -- now has a sweet little heartbeat of her own. And now, as I think about those same relationships that she had such a hard time leaving 4 years ago, a huge debt of gratitude fills my heart. I am so grateful that Rachael will have those wonderful women as part of her baby's life. And I am so excited for what is yet to come with Rachael, and someday, Rebekah.
Th picture at the top of the page is Rachael as we picked her up on her mission with a little girl in Verona. I love her embrace.