Dear grandma...

Dear grandma,

Life is lovely. Maisy was playing with a comb of mine the other day and didn't really know what to do with it. So I took it from her and combed my hair then combed hers and gave it back. She looked at it for a second then began to comb her own hair. Another story, I had both of my girls sitting on my lap the other day and Maisy snatched a toy that Oee was playing with.Oee said with a growl "dont Mais" then she hit Maisy on the shoulder.Maisy then looked at Oee astonished and hit her back. Then Oee hit Maisy. Then Maisy hit Oee. Then Oee hit Maisy. Then Maisy turns and looks at me with a "mom do something" face and then she laid her head on my shoulder. I was laughing so hard. And now one more story, so i was doing some chores the other day and I was in the living room. The girls had been quiet for quite a while so I traveled back to their bedroom and what do I find but both of them sitting on Oee's bed, backs against the wall, sharing a bag of chips. Okay I just thought of one more story I wanted to share. Maisy hates when someone goes into a room and shuts the door so that she can't follow. She stands up at the door, pounds on it with her sweet fluffy hands, and shouts "MA" until you open the door. I am amazed constantly at the things my girls have learned. Oee came home from church the other day and was talking about Joseph Smith. My little beauties are amazing and I don't know what am I doing but my kids aren't dead yet so I must be doing something right. Being a mother is one of my favorite blessings. Oh I love those silly girls. I hope grump is doing better and that you are getting some sleep. We love you and miss you.

Love, Rotten Rach

Dear stinky old man...

Dear stinky old man...

Just got off the phone with you and I wanted you to know that you did not need to take such drastic measures if you wanted to talk to me. You better quit fakin your bad heart bit cuz it is starting to get old. Now listen here you grumpy thing, I love you more than you know. Take how much you love me and quadruple that and that still won't be enough for how much I love you, now stick that in your back pocket. Now I saw a picture of how sexy you looked this morning with your white legs and cute green frock. You just keep looking that good and grandma is going to have start beating off nurses. So until we speak again, read a manual on how to work those cellular devices that people call phones and remember that you have three girls and a handsome grandson in Herriman Utah that are loving you, praying for you and grandma, and pretty much thinking about you constantly. You told me once to hold strong to the truth of what I know. The truth that I know is that families are together forever but don't you think about practicing that truth anytime soon. I love you grump, now quit being a pansy and get your butt home.

All the love with in my being, Your Rotten Rach

Dear Grandma...

Dear Grandma,

I know that I promised you a letter two weeks ago but better late than never and I promise to write once a week again.

It snowed this morning and looking out my bedroom window I can see the Oqquirh Mountain Temple. It's beauty next to the purity of the white snow brings an undescribable happiness to my heart. This time last year I felt shattered. Mom and Dad's divorce was something I thought my heart and my brain could never recover from. Multiple questions would seize the calm that is supposed to be present in the early morning hours of everyday. I could not sleep and I could rarely escape a night without crying myself to sleep. Eating without nausea, from being pregnant and also from anxiety,was hard to come by. But looking back a year and some months after the divorce I find that I can still breathe. Healing accompanied with forgiveness has taken the place of anger and bitterness and now instead of crying tears of pain, I cry tears of joy. This christmas was probably the best I can ever remember. So much laughter and love filled the company of the homes we visited. I love my mother so much and I am so glad that she has found happiness in my step dad and his children, all of whom I love like we have always been from the same blood. I have two more sisters, a brother, three cats and a dog. Ha ha I love the Williams clan more than I can say and I love them even more for welcoming my family into their legacy. My father is the hero I grew up idolizing as a little girl. Watching him cling with everything to Christ and his atonement to overcome pain and trials has been testimony changing to me. My sweet dad truly is the greatest man I have ever known and I am so grateful for the goofy personality that I get to hear from everyday on the phone. His phone calls truly make my week. Jenna said this morning that she gets to begin her paperwork March 1. I can't beleive that my little sister is going to serve in the mission field of the church. She is amazing and has made a 180 in her life. I admire her strength so much.

So pretty much all is well in my world. Aaron is the sunshine that I wake every morning for and my little girls are the loud screams that wake me up. My life is such a beautiful jumble of perfection and I am so grateful for the Lord and his tender mercies.

I love you grandma and hope to see you soon.

Love, Your Rotten Rach

Updates...

So I know it has been forever but we have had so much going on. First our computer broke a few months ago and I am blogging right now from Aaron's phone. Oak had her third birthday in october. I can't believe my baby is 3. I feel old. Maisy is super fat and very mobile. Aaron received a job transfer to salt lake so we should be moving there hopefully before christmas. We are so excited to go home and be close to family again finally. So there is all of our news. Better post to come after the move.

ATTN: BRADY FAMILY BOOK

Dear Brady Family,

Just a quick reminder: The deadline for the Brady Family Book submissions are 2 weeks away. September 11. So again I would like the story of how the two of you met, sweet memories of your own family that you would like included, a few important pictures, and most importantly as many memories that you can jot down of grandma and grandpa. I have received one submission so far from Jessica and I hope she doesn't mind but I want to use her submission as an example. She did a fantastic job.

My husband is Tom Proctor and we were married 04/07/2007 in the Las Vegas temple. We live in Henderson, NV and had our first child on 03/25/2011 our baby boy is Donovan T. Proctor- born at 10.9 lbs and 22in long. Tom served his mission in Guatemala and graduated from BYU Idaho. He is a graphic designer and works in the corporate headquarters for world renowned photographer Peter Lik. I am a licensed Aesthetician and Laser Technician and have worked at the Bellagio Spa and Arizona Desert Dermatology. I currently am just doing Laser procedures part time and enjoying being a stay at home mom.

I don't know if you want more specifics from us or just most from the immediate children. Let me know if you need any more info!

Grandpa and Grandma Brady are two of the most amazing people I have ever met. They are the only grandparents I have known and fill the role perfectly. I have sooo many fun and distinct memories of them and their home. From the cold room to the creepy basement and crawl space. Grandpa always looks so serene and happy, in his cute jean overalls getting laughs trying to grab and tickle the grand kids. He'd let you wander though his metal shop to pick any treasure you'd like. Grandma is beautiful and kind, so loving and generous. Her selfless motto of what's mine is yours is offered to the fullest extent. She would also sit with the grand kids and school us in the game of Mexican train!

My family moved to Las Vegas, NV when I was just four years old. It was hard to grow up so far away from our extended family but I still felt so close to the Bradys. I remember staying at Grandpa & Grandma Brady's home in the summers when I was out of school. Grandma always made sure I had a good time and that I was able to make the rounds at my cousin's homes for playdates and sleepovers- I love you girls! Then there was Willow Creek of course, the best trip any kid could ask for with the best company along with it. I appreciate all that Grandpa and Grandma have put into the nurturing of the family relationships we still have today. Thanksgiving/Christmas dinners at the church are the best!

I have a funny and embarrassing memory of me with Grandma. My big sis Krystal was at EFY for a week and I went up to stay the week at grandma's house. Through the week Grandma kept asking me how I was doing and if I have had a bowel movement yet...lovely... In my young mind I wasn't sure what that meant and decided without asking that it meant to throw up. (bowels are churning for that- I just got the end wrong!) I didn't understand why she would be asking if I had thrown up yet that week and continued to say "no grandma, I'm OK". So through the whole week every meal had a huge helping of prunes on the side. I didn't like them and would eat as few as I could get away with. When Krystal had finished her week at EFY we were sitting at breakfast- one laced with some more prunes! I looked at Krystal and said, "She has been doing this to me all week. Ever since she asked me if I have had a bowel movement. That means thrown up right?" Krystal thought that was hysterical and in her mature wisdom said, "That's not what bowel movement means! She wants to make you poop!" Grandma cares on so many levels.

Jessica also included pictures of herself with her husband and baby. Please get back to me if you need any help or have any questions. And if you could please ask your children to participate. Thank you so much!!!

Love, Rachel Brady

4356308544 ronnienrach@gmail.com 846 North 200 East Price UT 84501

ATTENTION Brady Cousins:

Dear Brady Cousins:

First, Kristen thank you so much for your comments!!! I have been stalking you a lot longer than you have been stalking me. hehe I just wanted you all to know that this Brady Family Book is for any and all Arch and Norma descendants that want to participant. I think that the word of the project is having a difficult time getting around to everyone so if you read this PLEASE PASS THE WORD ON!!! Kristen again thank you!!!

Love, Rachel

Brady Family Book Project

My Dearest Brady Family,

This is Rachel again. I was just writing you all to let you know that the deadline for your family submissions for the Brady Family Book is a month away, Sept.11. I received mail from aunt Leann this morning with a list of family names, births, deaths, marriages, and divorces and I wanted to share with all of you that after Tracy's sweet baby is born this year, we have 134 family members that all stem from Archie and Norma Brady. As I looked over our family names I felt as though my heart was going to swell out of my chest. I am so proud to belong to such a legacy. I have recently taken up indexing for the church as a hobby. For those of you who don't know what indexing is it involves looking over historical documents and trying to decipher what is written on them. It is difficult but I get so giddy thinking about the names, dates, and places that this work supplies the church with and the temple work that can be done for all of these precious people. Family History work has lit a fire with in me and some nights I can't even sleep because names, faces, and this duty to get this work done weigh so heavy on my heart. Please help me make this a success. Please help me to leave something behind for our progeny so that they may know where they truly come from. So again I would like the story of how the two of you met, sweet memories of your own family that you would like included, a few important pictures, and most importantly as many memories that you can jot down of grandma and grandpa. Please include your children in this so that they may have the opportunity to share their personal stories with all of us and with grandma and grandpa. Something else that just occurred to me that might be really neat to include are blessing and baptism dates. If you would like to include this with your work that would be fantastic too. I kind of think that those dates can stand as a testament of what we believe. I love you all so much and I am so grateful to call you mine for eternity.Let me know if there is anything you need, I am here 24,7. Thank you again!!!

Love, Rachel Brady