Nothing Like it. . .

This morning the boys wanted breakfast and to eat "picnic" style which meant they wanted to stay planted in front of the TV.
Not! So I turned up the music on my Grandma-Mattie blog and danced around the kitchen to The BeeGees' 'Stayin' Alive!" Then, after I ate I noticed how happy and upbeat I was, exhilarated. My attitude was one of love, patience, and peace.

Amazing what a little (dancing) activity before breakfast can do. I think I will do that more often when I get home as well. It made me glad to be a grandma and even said yes to playing a game of Scrabble again with James. (He still cannot get over that I beat him, really bad too in our last night's game.)

He really thought that because I am "old" as he says. "would win, hands down." My score was in the 300s, and almost doubled his score.

I will post a few pictures later.

Scrabble Anyone?

Today, Friday, was a day off for the boys from school. It was Good Friday, the one before, Easter. They had Spring break a month ago when baby brother, Tanner was born. So this week was a regular one for school.

There were a few places we went to just for fun. I was really looking to find a good buy on a hair dryer. I left mine at home because it was too bulky and I was "traveling light." Joanna took her dryer with her so I either needed to just wash and wear my hair or figure out what to do. No luck at the thrift store we went to check. The boys had a great time browsing all the toys and books.

I let them choose several books each and some treasures. I found a few things as well.

Then we headed for White Castle for lunch. They were excited. I told them about the memories I had of the bag of hamburgers my dad used to buy for us when we went to the movies on Saturdays when we lived in Chicago. My dad had appointments to show people Wear Ever Cookware and cutlery. The cutlery is a. k. a. Cutco today. The small "slider" type burgers were .12 cents in those days. Now they are .64 cents each. They really taste like McDonald's hamburgers, the ones with just the pickle and ketchup.



Our trip also took us to the library. We found a few DVDs to see and "chapter books," as James calls them. He reads a lot and always has something to read. Austin loves to be read to, so also has a pile of books for bedtime or naps. I read "Skippyjon Jones to him about his "mummy." That is always a special occasion to read any books about "Skippito," the great sword-fighter, who thinks he is a Chihuahua.

We had a fun day and the boys were thrilled to have gone to White Castle with grandma. I was too!

Baby Tanner William is Blessed

I am in Cincinnati and just arrived today, Tuesday, April 19. I left early and had a layover in Detroit. I know my family was praying for me, because, as I got off the plane to go to another gate, I wandered down the terminal from A12 to go to B20. As I walked past A20 something I then realized that the terminal looked very long and the signs said they went to A78!

I could hear a tram going above me and the automatic doors as well as a female computerized voice directing the passengers on it to keep themselves inside and away from the doors. I then turned back and asked a store clerk who had peeked out of her open shop and gave me good directions. That place was a mile long! Had I not had the impression to turn around, I would have not made it to the B terminal on time.

I got to Cincinnati and had a short flight from Detroit. It was a small plane, so there was a lot of places to sit but no room for carry on luggage. They had us check them at the gate. They had the passengers wait outside the plane in the portable hall way, and mine was the third one called, which was another tender mercy. It was a little warm, and humid when I waited outside at the curb. But I didn't mind, it was only 56 degrees. There had been a lot of rain before and since I came. But, I missed where the Ohio 'flying pig' was this time. It was either moved or I completely missed it coming out of the terminal.

The new baby is so cute! He has so much hair, and quite content. . . most of the time. I held Tanner a lot and helped hold him while Joanna attended the boys before Michael came home. Her family all came over, her sisters and their husbands and her parents arrived. Michael blessed the baby and looked so darling in his little white outfit and crocheted baby shawl. He was good bur fussed just a tad, since the fan was going and it blew into his face a little.

He is a fine boy, and a sweet addition to the family. He has the cutest dimples on both of his cheeks too. I took a few pictures, but don't know how to download them as yet. I need to get tutored on how to do that. Joanna's dad took several family photos of them and of the baby. I imagine Michael will download some and I can attach them here. I hope so.

The Husteds and daughters and spouses who live here all went to a wedding for one of Kevin's nieces in San Jose, CA on Wednesday. Michael and Joanna left on Thursday and will be back on Tuesday. The boys are doing well, and we are having a great time. They are listening to me, and I negotiate a lot of what we need to be about, so are cooperative for me.

I am glad they were able to attend the wedding and that I could help with the boys. It gives me a time with them and to enjoy their activities and be "grandma" for them while I am physically here. There is nothing like being a grandma. I love it. I have such sweet angels for grandchildren. I am so blessed, you see.

One Hundred Eleven Years Ago~

Today, was the birthday of my maternal grandmother, Anita Recio, @ age 36. She was born in 1900. The above photo is Anita with her two children, Albert and Elena.


This photo is Anita with her sister Amada, on the left and she on the right of her. Her only brother, Felix, Jr in on the front row on the left.

Anita was a very happy and energetic personality she loved to dance and sing and laugh a lot.

She has beautiful dark natural curly hair. She was a lovely young woman and took very good care of herself. She was always there for us when there was a new baby born. She would come to take care of us when our mother was in the hospital. She also traveled to be with us when there were important events, like graduation, weddings, etc.

I remember she also came to Utah from California with my own mother, Elena when I had Tracie, my fourth baby when they both flew on an airplane for the first time. That was quite a milestone for her being seventy-one at the time. I will always be grateful for her coming at that time in my life.

Family was always important to her, and my mother. She left us a rich heritage for which we are proud to be her descendants.

Mama Said There Would Be Days Like This

I love the song the sisters (nuns) sing in The Sound of Music about Maria and what are they going to do with her? She seems to always be in the Mother Superior's office and talked to about some infractions she may have done or asked to be focused to do what is expected of her in her daily tasks. It is like a flashback of when I was growing up, almost.

Some days, that is how I feel when I have times that I am reminded to keep focused and on track to get things done. I do the best I can and know the Lord knows that as well.

Eufemio Canchola, a close up photo of my father's maternal grandfather

My father had hands just like my great-grandfather Eufemio. He was a young widower with three young children in 1915, who remained single until his passing in 1939, twenty-four years later.

1910~Nestora Garcia and two of her children, Anita and Feliciano, Jr,





My Paternal Grandparents, Ricardo and Maria, 1919

Paternal Second-Greatgrandparents

Clemente Ulloa~born in 1819 in Guantajuato, Mexico. This is my great-grandmother's parents. I can only tell you a few things that I do know about them. Their names were placed on my grandfather's birth certificate, as parents of his mother. Likely his profession was being a miner in the silver mines,which are there in Guanajuato. I do know that my father's grandmother knew how to read and write, and had a very legible penmanship from some of her letters that I had seen. My grandfather had a very nice script handwriting, with a kind of flare to it.



Maxima Munoz-Ulloa~


She was from Encarnacion, Jalisco, Mexico
I also think that my second-great grandmother was an educated woman who perhaps taught her children how to read and write; she saw to it that they learned while young. My grandfather had a very beautiful handwriting. I love reading his letters. He was probably taught by his mother too. My paternal grandmother also knew how to read and write. It is something to be pleased about how their education desire was instilled in me as well. So, what little I do know, tells me they were very humble people and worked very hard in their lives. They were also honorable and righteous individuals. They appear to be refined and have culture as if middle class or more. I know I am from a long line of worthy ancestors. They chose/agreed to come to earth when they did, since they made it possible for me to have the blessings I have now, to live in America and worship my religion freely. God bless them, and America!!

P.S. I had the opportunity to download some of these pictures and was excited to post them here on my blog entry for today.

Congratulations to Grandson, Austin Hallows' Baptism

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Saturday, April 9, 2011 was Austin's baptism. Here is a photo of all our family who were able to attend. It was quite a crowd.

Afterward we went to Brick Oven in Provo for lunch. Austin was quite pleased with his surprise presents extended from his birthday and turning eight years old. He looked quite happy with himself and his experience becoming a member of the Church.

He has a lot of family support, and had a memorable day.

Special Experience to Share

Today, I had a most wonderful day as I often do when working in the temple.

I was touched by a young woman who was a patron. I spoke to her a little and noticed she was very tall and not married. She had a beautiful olive skin, and had a grace and beauty about her that was outstanding.

She adjusted her chair so she could be comfortable and mentioned she had such long legs she needed room to sit. I asked her if being tall was a problem, and responded that not really, but just when shopping for slacks.

A short time later, I had a impression to tell her something and so I asked her if it was alright for me to tell her what it was. She nodded, "yes." The words came to tell her,"Stand tall, you are a daughter of God." I delivered the message and she broke into tears, and thanked me. I had a new, fresh tissue I had folded and put in my pocket earlier. I was glad I followed the prompting to do that and she was able to wipe her tears and smile.

She did say that she had not been on a mission, but was going to get married so came for that, but ended up not getting married to the young man after all. She gave me a hug, and went on her way.

It is these kinds of experiences that bless me and my day while in the sacred walls of the temple. It is so nice to drink in the beauty and Spirit that is there. I love it.

Blog Entry Number 888~

This is the 888th blog entry for this site. It adds up and tells me how much more I could have had had I made and entry every day!

The main purpose of making entries is to make note of important, sacred incidents in my day. I will share one here.

Today I went to see a friend, Donaire, who is in a skilled nursing facility. That just means she is unable to take care of herself and is receiving some physical therapy to strengthen her ability to walk better or to recover from a stroke back in December of last year, 2010.

My days in the week will consist of going to see her at least three times a week. It depends on my schedule and what I need to do otherwise. It gives me a time to be still and visit with her as if I was visiting my own mother. I cherish this dear lady and the opportunity to get to know her all the more. We have been friends since, 1996, so that is about fifteen years. now.

It is like going visiting teaching and taking the time to sit with her during her meal, go to sacrament meeting with her, which I did once, unaware that she would be attending the services there at the center.

Another time, I was there and the Relief Society President came to her room to invite her to their meeting. It happened that Donaire started to tell her "no", since I was there. I insisted that we could go together and I would stay to visit with her afterward. It meant a lot to my dear friend.

She is Jewish and this week's lesson was on the Atonement and given from the Ensign, an article by Elder Bruce McConkie in the April Ensign. I really liked the lesson and just listened without getting any feedback from Donaire, and it was timely since this month is Easter. The closing song was, "I Stand All Amazed." It is one of my favorites and the words are very uplifting to me.

I think back about how things played out for the visit to see Donaire. It gives her support and helps her think about something else besides the pain she is in most of the time. It was good to visit with her, and I am the one blessed for her company.

No April Fool Joke~

Today I met a young mother who had such an aura about her. I could not help to notice her. She radiated something I do not see very often in my day to day experiences.

She was a patron in the temple. She was having a dry coughing fit. I went to get her a drink of water and a cough drop. She appreciated it and it seemed to help. She thanked me and we went on about our tasks.

Then, shortly after that I stood before her and all of a sudden a thought to my mind to tell her something that I did not even know I would say before hand, that "You look like Jesus' sister." It even amazed me.

It was kind of strange thing to say to someone, but it was true! Her hairwas to her shoulders but pulled back a little which had a slight dark blond hue with red, her color eyes were between blue and green. Her skin was kind of freckly, but she still glowed is all I can say to describe how she appeared to me. It was as if I could see inside her heart or soul and I felt a purity about her that was so sweet and beautiful. She had some makeup on, but it was very natural looking. It just enhanced her beauty.

She smiled and almost giggled when I told her who she reminded me. She said it was interesting that I said that to her, because she has a brother, that when he grows a beard people tell him he looks just like Jesus.

I laughed and only said back, "Well there you go. I was right!"

I smile when I think of this incident,

It made my day, really.