First and Last Birthday Party for Grayson

May 9th& 10th 2021

Binnie, 
Gray was understanding that you didn't get to chat with him. Our day got away from us as well!

After Dad got home from his meetings last week Grayson asked if could open his gifts. He said, "Should I start with the tie?" 

"Sure, start with the tie," I said. For that reason, he was surprised to open socks! 

His gifts were pretty random, he got the silly spoof church movies that he can never seem to get his hands on but always wants to watch, brownie mix, and blog books!

I had so much to say in 2020 it spilled into TWO editions. Volume 1 and 2. It isn't unusual to find Gray reading away in the living room, softly chuckling now and again. 

Gray and I drove to Huber Grove for Senior pics and then stopped by his friend's house in Midway to visit. That is where we were when you called. The day was going by so fast! Everyone was waiting for us at home so we could eat the banana cream pie and watch a movie. 

FULL DAY.

Grayson's friends are the sweetest, most thoughtful bunch around. They threw him a surprise party on Monday night! When Dani called to ask if they could hold it at our house, I figured the best way to keep it a surprise would be to not tell a soul. When Abby K. stopped by out of blue to pick him up for a scavenger hunt, I reacted so genuinely that she was convinced I didn't even know about the party. Oh, but I DID know. I had lasagna and fired up mac n' cheese in the oven. The partiers came over to begin decorating while I started on six baguettes. 

The scavenger hunt took over an hour. They took him all around Heber and Midway. When he arrived back at home, Dad said that he was going to come in the back door, but then he switched course to the front. The friends moved in a huddle accordingly. Then, "SURPRISE!" 

What a difference a year makes. He wasn't friends with any of these people, except Corbin, a year ago. 

And what a difference EIGHTEEN years make. Grayson has never wanted a birthday party. As a kid, he would say, "Dad works hard, I don't want people eating our food!" He was born an adult man in a kid body. For that reason, the idea of crazy neighbor kids running through the house was a real turn-off to him. So, I was happy to host a birthday party for Grayson. FINALLY.

Instead of the party being a "roast," his friends took turns saying nice things about him. Dani said, "Grayson is the best conversationalist. He can talk to anybody! I know God put him in my path." 

Brady said, "I have never met someone who will just give you a compliment out of the blue while you are talking to them."

Corbin had gone to the trouble to drive to the BYU store to buy a BYU jersey that he knew Grayson liked. He liked! 

My heart bursts with gratitude for these good friends in his life. 

I bought a vanilla buttercream cake AND a chocolate tuxedo cake from Costco. We were feasting on those the rest of the week! We also kept up all the decorations since May is like December around here, we party all month long.

Dani and Corbin came over the next day to see if she left her phone. I hadn't seen it. She said the night before they took the cushions off the couch to look. I had to laugh. Here I got the house all clean for the party, and they ended up digging up old easter candy, darts, and scripture markers out of the couch. I looked with them one more time. I found it wedged way in there. 

Dani said, "Isn't that just like it. The MOM FINDS IT." 

Love, the mom.

The WERTH of a Soul

    Earlier this year, our ward had three baptisms in one day. I wanted to bring something to the newly baptized members to show our support. I had a bowl of Werther’s caramels so I made them each a candy lei. Then I looked for a scripture passage to attach, "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;" (D&C 18:10). Get it, WERTH? 

           Last Sunday, a newly baptized 8-year-old boy was sitting on the stand. I thought to myself, “I wish I still had some Werther’s caramels to make him a candy lei so I could bring it over today.”

           Then when it was time for Relief Society, Katrina Radmall, found me and sat by me. During the lesson, I noticed that tucked into the spiral of her journal, was a Werther’s candy! I asked her if she had any more. She said that her sister had given her the candy and she might have more. After the lesson when her sister walked into the chapel, Katrina asked her if she had any more caramels. Andrea was hesitant, “whyyyyy?” So, I explained what I needed them for. Andrea was very happy to help. I went to their house after church and got the caramels to make a baptism lei for the newly baptized member—he pointed to himself excitedly through the glass, “For me?” 

           Grayson was in the car with me so I shared the story of how the lei came to be. I said, “That is a tender mercy from Heavenly Father.”

           He nodded, “Maybe. Or it’s just a coincidence.”

           I said, “No way. There is no way that I would need Werther’s candy—for a “worthy” cause—and have one show up within the hour. Katrina could have already eaten the candy or it could have been in her bag, where I wouldn’t have seen it. Nah, it was meant for me! “

         I read in Come Follow Me this week, “He that receiveth of God, let him account it of God;” (D&C 50:34). I do account this experience to be of God. I also know that by acknowledging His hand, we are able to recognize it more often in our lives.