The BED

Some people have porches others have the kitchen table. In the Liverman household we have "the bed." It's just an ordinary bed. Forrest and I bought it the same day we arrived in Utah. We bought it as R C Willey. For some reason we always end up sitting, laying,playing or praying on, in or by this bed. When my kids were little they loved sleeping in my bed. Partly my fault because I really liked having them sleep with me. It made me feel safe and secure all the while keeping them safe and secure. That was my reasoning anyway. We bought Sydney a "big girl" bed with Forrest in mind because we both knew that he was that one that would really be sleeping in it most of the time! She soon outgrew sleeping with me right around the time Gage was born. Gage started out sleeping in a bassinet beside our bed. Ha! That didn't last long. It was so easy having him laying close to me while he nursed. When Forrest would go away on business trips I always had the kids sleep with me. Now Sydney and Gage are 16 and 11, they no longer sleep with me however, they lay in my bed a lot. Sometimes I will catch Sydney laying in my room in the afternoons reading or just taking a quick cat nap. Gage always stops by my room in the mornings after he wakes from his own bed. He will lay there and talk to me while I am doing whatever. In the evenings right before bedtime, Forrest will wrestle with the children. Sydney not so much, he loves to tickle her. One would think the floor would be the best option for this. But not in our house. Its the bed! Not sure why it hasn't collapsed to the floor yet. After 15 years it stillholds up to all the weight of the pile drive or the body slam. One of the kids favorite games to play with Forrest on the bed is to see if they can push him off. Sydney, being the older and wiser one started this before Gage came into our lives. They would plant their feet on his side (which is a very ticklish spot) and push. They are also told if they can pull his arm down they will win $100. So far, neither feat has been accomplished. They still love to help me make the bed. But this is no ordinary making of the bed. The lay in the center of the unmade bed and let me make up the bed on top of them. 3 blankets and 8 pillows. Then they slowly inch their way out trying not to disturb the bedding. I guess every family has a central location in their homes. Ours just happens to be mine and Forrest bed. Thats okay with us. Gage says its time for us to get a new bed, he's right, it is. He just wants to move our bed to his room. Maybe one day they wont want to snuggle or talk while on our bed-I sure hope not!!Yes, the animals like the bed, too.

Life is....

People have often said to me that they don't know how I "do it." Do what? Live from day to day? I don't do extraordinary things just things that need to be done. Isn't this what anyone would do if given the opportunity? And yes, my life, all the trials and errors are opportunites. I realized a long time ago that God does not punish us by giving us bad things in our lives. He gives them to us to learn from. So, rather than be discouraged or mad, I try to look at these opportunities as blessings and learning tools. When I met my husband he told me that he was losing his eyesight. He would understand if I didn't want to see him again. What! I decided that what ever happened between us who cared what happened with his eyesight. A year after we were married he had to stop driving. A year after we were married we moved from North Carolina to Utah through a job transfer. We wanted to see as much of the country as we could before his eyes got too bad. No matter where we've lived, we have always had to live very close to his job. It's not always been easy. One time when we lived in Wyoming we were in the midst of a huge snowfall. Several feet in fact. The routine was this: Forrest usually got out of work around 10-11pm I would bundle Sydney up in my comforter she was about 4 at the time), kinda like a taco. I would toss her in the backseat and we would go pick Forrest up. Once we got home, Forrest would carry Sydney into the apartment. Well, because of all the snow and the only light was from one street lamp, it was very dark. Forrest took an unfortunate step into a hole. He fell to the ground but was able to think fast and keep his elbows jutted out so that they landed first, he rolled onto his back and layed in the deep snow - laughing. Sydney never woke up! She was bundled so tight and was safe. We stayed like that a couple of minutes and just laughed. Things got a little harder when I had Gage. Having to bundle up a 5 year old who had school the next day and an infant was not fun. I would have to warm the car, deice it. Wake up Sydney bundle up Gage and head out. Praying that Forrest would be ready. Sometimes we would have to wait because something always seemed to come up. Things have changed and he no longer has that job. His eyes are very bad and he amazes me everyday. He thinks because he can't go out and earn 6 figures he is somehow less of a man/provider. I grew up pretty poor. I have more than I ever imagined. I work beside him everyday. People ask me if we get sick of each other. We are literally, together almost 24-7. We work together, we go everywhere together and we sleep together! I have kicked him out of the car once or twice but other than that I love him more than anything! I am blessed to have been given the opportunity to have him in my life and teach me patience and empathy.

I am sitting in my favorite place again...my back porch. I just love spring and all the smells and sounds that it brings with it. We went to church today, which we usually do, and while sitting there listening, my mind wondered. Don't tell me that's never happened to you! But I was thinking how lucky I am. My daughter was seated to my right and my son to my left and my husband on the other side of him. Forrest had his arm on the back of the seat almost touching my shoulder, Gage leaning on his daddy and Sydney forever trying to engage my in conversation. Forrest was given a new "calling" today. In our faith we are given a "calling" or asked to do something where something is needed to be done. Anyway, Forrest was called as a sunday school teacher to the 9-11 year olds. How exciting for him. I love this age group because they are still so innocent but ready to be a man. Well, my father in law just come over. Guess where everyone has congregated? On the back porch with me. I love family time. I think everyone should have a porch and friends and neighbors should visit one another often. What a time to reflect and share stories. Until next time...

Ah, another beautiful evening. I am able to sit on my back porch, feel this wonderful breeze and listen to the birds. How lucky am I? After a three year break from blogging I have decided to begin again. I am starting a completely new blog. My other blog no longer fits who I am. Thus the name, "Different season, different colors." We are all in a different season in life. Whether we are just starting out and learning to experience life or new parents with small children. We could be at the end of our lives and living life through memories and pictures, watching others' begin their Spring. I am somewhere between summer and fall!! My children are not so small anymore, 10 3/4 and 16. Yikes! I blinked...I am not needed nearly as much, yet I am needed more than ever. When a mother has a newborn, everyone has an opinion or advice. I was smart enough to listen to some of it and I took heed. The advice was this: your children will be grown before you know it. The laundry, dishes, etc.. will be there tomorrow. Play, read, sing, hug, kiss, dance and laugh often with your children. You will not regret it. I did this. I can't say that it was every time, but it was close to it. And I don't regret a single moment of it. Even now I try and do this. I snuggled on my big comfy chair yesterday afternoon and as my 10 year old layed his head on my shoulder, I read to him. I guess I am feeling sentimental this evening. I love being a mom (and a wife) more than anything on this earth. I believe that that is why I was put on this earth. Hands down. God saw me fit to raise these two beautiful, gifted and challenging children. That humbles me. I know that my time with them on this earth is short lived. Call me old fashioned but I could not be any other way.