Zeman Family Fun

Goodbye Grandma

2011-05-09T11:45:00.000-07:00

My dearest Grandma passed away yesterday on Mother's Day. Mom said she was trying to wait until after Mother's Day to pass away. She was always very considerate of others. At 8:00 pm she told my Aunt that she was sorry for keeping her up all night. My Aunt told her it was early and that she wasn't keeping her up. She died at 10:00. My Aunt said she believes Grandma was apologizing to her because she knew she would keep her up all night after she passed. Even until the very end, she was thinking about other people. It doesn't bother me that she died on Mother's Day. I think it is fitting. She was a terrific Mother. She was so selfless! She gave her life to her family and to God. She had a terrific memory until the very end (something I did not inherit!). Her caregiver asked who the president of the United States was and who was his wife? She knew the answers. She also knew what day it was! She could barely talk or move, but she still prided herself in remembering!

Grandma grew up in England during 2 wars. She tells stories of the alarm bells and being afraid of the bombs flying overhead. I think this changed her forever. She was always a little afraid and her heart wasn't very strong.

They were a working class family and they worked hard. I once asked Grandma what her parents did as hobbies. She said they didn't have time for hobbies. Great Grandpa would work all day and then work in the garden and around the house to ensure that his family would have food on the table. She was the youngest child of 6. She had twin brothers and 3 older sisters. She loved England. Days before she died, we talked about the royal wedding and how beautiful Kate looked in her wedding dress. She watched the ceremony live in the middle of the night even though she was weak and in pain.

Grandma and Grandpa met in England. He was a American serviceman in the army during World War II. They met at church. Grandpa sang in the choir and he had such a lovely singing voice. He was tall and had red hair. Of Irish descent, he was from Boston Massachusetts. He was a good looking young man. Grandma was 15 years younger than him. She was a beauty, She had fair skin and dark hair. Thin and elegant, she caught his eye. (You should see the pictures of her! She was so BEAUTIFUL!) She and Grandpa moved to Los Angeles to start a family. Grandpa always wanted to be an actor and singer. He tried to break into the movies. He got some parts as an extra in a few movies, but eventually the demands of providing for a family won out and he had to give up his dream. They lived in a tiny 2 bedroom house that was built for the men and families who were returning from the war. Today, we would call it a "starter home", but this would be their home until she passed away. Grandpa worked 2 jobs and Grandma stayed home. They scrimped and saved and sent all 4 of my Aunts to private Catholic school. Grandpa was a mailman and he cleaned bathrooms in the evenings for a school. They had very little in the way of monetary or worldly things of value, but I cherish that little home and the memories made there. (They did eventually convert the garage into a master bedroom and bath.) She never had a dishwasher, a drier, or even a garbage disposal. (Can you imagine?) She saved the leftover uneaten food from meals in recycled glass jars and then put them in the freezer until trash day. She didn't want flies in the trash can outside. She hung all of the clothes out on the line outside to dry. She always had a pan of water in both sides of the sink and washed the dishes immediately. She still lived in an area where the mail was delivered to her door in a mail slot. I loved to pretend with that mail slot as a little girl. We would write secret messages to each other or pretend that it was some magic porthole! We loved whatever old game we could find in the closet. Mom and her sisters would play in the living room with boxes and whatever other fun things they could turn into cars or airplanes with their imaginations.

I know this is a little thrown together and disjointed. I just need to write about her because I will miss her and I don't want to ever forget her. I want my kids to know her, too. I wish the women of her generation would have written more books on the day to day life of motherhood. My generation had mothers that worked and sometimes I feel a little lost. She made it look easy. She had a mother heart! I may need to post more later as I remember more and cry more. She's taken a bit of my heart with her. I hope that when she looks down at me, I make her proud. And I hope she will whisper a little of her wisdom and caring into my ear from time to time.

My Grandmother

2011-05-06T10:09:00.000-07:00

My dearest, precious Grandma is passing from this life and into the next. It has come so quickly. She was doing fine and then she fell. She broke her arm. We thought that was all that was wrong, but she was in so much pain. They went back to the doctor and they found she had broken her pelvis. This was all only 3 weeks ago.

She has deteriorated so quickly! I'm going to miss her so much! She is from England. I've always loved her accent. She is so classy. She loves hats. She always looked so put together...so beautiful. She loved us so well! She listened. She cared. She rarely talked about herself. She had a quiet elegance. She would rock us to sleep on the squeaky floor in the kitchen while singing Baa Baa Blacksheep. We looked forward to snacks of pudding and toast (Grandma made the BEST toast I've ever eaten!). She had an amazing gift of knitting. Whatever she made was perfect! I started to learn from her, but I had to stop as I had more children. I will miss her beautiful new creations and cherish the ones I have. She got into our hearts and we all love her. She never raised her voice. I don't ever remember her being angry. She loved my Grandpa while he was alive during the good times and the bad. She supported him when he struggled and she loved him to the very end! She was great at saving money and has left a wonderful legacy of thriftiness with her 4 daughters. I love my Aunts. She did such a great job raising them. I don't have sisters, but I have them. While we were visiting the other night, we kept crying and then finding things to laugh about!

I just never thought this day would come. I always thought there would be more time. She has left a great legacy of faith. She went to church every Sunday. For a long time, she went to church every day. All of my Aunts are very devoted to their church. I may not be Catholic anymore, but it is this foundation of faith that has led me to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I have a stronger faith in Christ and what His atonement means for all of us. It is this faith that gives me the hope to know that one day I will be reunited with my Grandmother. One day, we will rejoice in Christ and talk of Christ again and I will kiss her beautiful face again. Thank you Grandma for your legacy of faith. I will miss you so much! I know you will find the rest you need on the other side. I pray that I will remember to be the Mother that you have been. My life will not be the same without you here on Earth to share it with. Thank you for your wonderful life. I love you!

What is that?????

2010-04-21T14:11:00.000-07:00

So Sam has officially reached a milestone. I like to call it the "what is that?" milestone. You see, he is crawling. And he is pulling himself to standing...so the little guy can reach a LOT more things. And when a little guy can reach a lot more things and he likes to put everything in his mouth...some of it comes out the other end. I try really hard to keep things out of his reach..but stuff does happen. So, then I change his diaper and I say, "What is that?" Oh, it's a sticker...oh, that's string...HORRIBLE and funny and grateful my kids are still alive. When Emma was a baby, we found an orange rubbery earplug in her diaper. My stomach still does flips just thinking about it.

A man stopped me the other day at Costco (our other home...I have a tent set up in the diaper section). In a thick accent, he asks, "Your clock is stopped ticking, yes? The shop is closed up, yes?" as he jokingly eyes all of my four little ones. He keeps going with, "your husband is a lawyer?"....No.... "A Doctor?" ...No...So I say, "God always gives us what we need with every child we have." He says, "Good for you!" I've decided this is more funny than anything else. I mean, we only have 4 little ones...but it does look like ALOT when I take them all shopping because they are all so little and my first 3 are all just about the same size.

David got a new fish tank for his anniversary. Um..no, I didn't buy it for him...I bought him a picture with his priesthood line of authority...also, very cool...but somewhat forgotten...just kidding....so, now David is fish obsessed (always was before...but he was more quiet about it (all in his head)...now he is putting bids on e-bay for fish and trying to find little errands he can run so that he can stop at the fish store along the way...HILARIOUS!!! It's really funny when I catch him. "Um, honey, Jack doesn't have to be picked up for another 30 minutes. What's your hurry?" Or "No, my car doesn't need gas." SOOOOO FUNNY!!! But now some of his fish have started to die and I am the one that is home with them during the day. I have to watch it all happen. Emma and I are taking turns being grossed out...while Spencer is excitedly looking for the fish corpses Dad threw out in the backyard from the night before. Oh, help!!!

Emma is singing the other day. She sings all day about everything. She says to me, "Mom, I sound just like Taylor Smith." She meant Taylor Swift. She also likes to dance around with a microphone and pretend she is performing. I am in sooooo much trouble!

I will be missed, some ate it when they were young, and a trip only a Mom would love???

2010-04-06T10:35:00.000-07:00

I posted this on facebook, but for anyone who missed it....here it is.

My darling daughter Emma went inside the pet store with her Daddy. She came out moaning and crying that she wanted a kitty. I told her that I was sorry but we can't have one because Mommy is allergic and I will get very sick. She promptly said, "Okay, can we get one when you die?" Oh...I am feeling so very loved and appreciated! (David says she's just being logical...LOL!) So, I tell my brother and he tells me the following story: Emma is looking at Grandma's jewelry. She asks Grandma for her jewelry. Grandma says no...Emma asks if she can have it when Grandma dies! AAAAHHHHH! She's just waiting for us all to die so she can do what she wants!!!!

The other day, Spencer is sitting on the floor and talking to Emma in a sad voice. "What's wrong?" I ask. Spencer says, "the toothfairy never came back to glue in my teeth." That silly toothfairy...never brings the glue with her! Only money!

We went to Solvang yesterday. I was excited. We got out a little later because it was raining in the morning and we were throwing around ideas of going bowling or to a museum instead. But, it cleared up and I really wanted to go to Solvang. When we got there, the kids are getting out of the car and Spencer asks Daddy what we will be doing today. David mutters under his breath, "We are going to Solvang and you are going to be bored." What?????

It was true. It was pretty boring for the kids...but my darling hubby should know never to say such things out loud! Even if they are true!!!!!

Shmee shmaw shmoo

2010-01-13T14:12:00.000-08:00

Spencer was talking to my Mom on the phone and he suddenly said, "It's AWESOME!" Then he held his car up to the phone and "showed" Grandma his cool lego car. He pushed the car up really close to the little holes so that he could be sure she saw. Can you tell his Mother grew up in the '80's? He's picking up my lingo. The really hilarious thing is that Grandma could have seen his car if she had looked out the window. You see, we live across the street from her. I think we actually talk more on the phone than face to face...what's that all about?

Other than that, nothing super exciting except that I am nearing the END of my laundry pile. It's only taken 3 days of non-stop washing (well, I stopped at night...a woman has to sleep!). I was doing so well for a VERY long time. I did 2 loads a day and I was always caught up...but then the holidays came and so did Mount Laundry!

So, thank you to my one reader for reading this post (you know who you are!). I blog for you and to remember some things about my life (as I can't remember what I did last week!).

Meals on Wheels

2009-12-31T11:18:00.000-08:00

We were cleaning up the playroom when Spencer walks in...(ummm, why is he walking into the playroom? He should be in here helping!!!) He says, Mom, come here, I made you food! So, I am thinking, "Oh, how cute! Maybe he dished me up some of their plastic play food or a large pile of creatively placed legos." But, when I reached the table, like a matre de, he sways his arms towards the plate of food that he has so nicely prepared for me!! There was a peanut butter granola bar, a gogurt, a pile of croutons, and a large PILE of yummy salt!! A meal for a queen. Considering I had just eaten breakfast 15 minutes prior to this illustrious meal, I was not very hungry. But the kids were excited to eat it all...except for the salt. And Emma says, "Oh, I am sooo happy! This is so nice!"

Oh..and I had a baby

2009-12-18T22:33:00.000-08:00

So, it's been so long since I blogged, that I never really announced that I had a baby. He was born on September 30th, 2009. He was 8 pounds 6 ounces and 21 inches long. He was born at home and everything went very smoothly. He is super cute but my computer crashed a while back with my picture program on it, so it will be a while until anyone gets to see his cute little face. He doesn't really look like any of my other kids. He smiles and "talks" to everyone and melts everyones hearts when they see him. His hair is getting darker. It was a little red...but now sort of blondish brown. He has sensitive skin, so he gets baby acne and cradle cap and exzema behind his ears and on his eyebrows. I've never put so many different ointments on one child before in my life. His head gets baby oil, his sore parts in his fat rolls get cortizone, his ears get neosporin, his bottom gets "Buttpaste" (it's great stuff for diaper rash!)...I'm not kidding.. that's really what it's called..you can get it at walmart! Anyways after getting all lubed up, you'd never know he had any skin conditions! I wish I took such great care of myself! LOL! Oh and he has pretty deep blue eyes and all I want to do is kiss his little cuddly face a bazillion times a day!

Making up for lost time!

2009-12-16T15:55:00.000-08:00

I know, I know...no blogging for a VERY long time...well, I had a baby...and my computer crashed...and we are borrowing one right now...I'm sorry!!!!

Let's move on...Today, Spencer gets carrots from the garden, cleans them in the bathroom sink, asks for a plate and puts it next to the fireplace for "Santa's reindeer." Now he just has to keep Emma and Tim from eating them....for 2 more weeks!

Samuel (2 1/2 months) is the stinking CUTEST!!!! He wasn't feeling well..crying, not nursing well, waking up a lot at night (I know this may sound like things that normal babies do, but not my Sam...he's different) so I scheduled an appointment with the Doctor. He totally smiles and coos at the nurses and Doctor. I keep saying, "I promise, he hasn't been like this for a couple of days." He's even good when he's sick. Well, he's on antibiotics now for his ear infection...

Spencer (4)had his 2 front teeth pulled. He got all his baby teeth and then in come these 2 extra ones right in the front!!! Well, they got cavities, so out they come! He's sooooo cute! Maybe when I get my computer back, I'll post pics (but as my cousin constantly reminds me, I'm not so good at that, so I'll try (I love you Kristy!!!).

Jack just turned 14!!! How could he be so old!!! I'm still only 20, right???? I so very much enjoy spending time with him! Homework can be annoying when you just want to spend some time with your kids! He is a Star Scout and he just completed his Duty to God for Deacons. He continues to get straight A's. He is on the Fencing team and he and his friends started a school club where they play D & D. He's also nice and funny and good and kind and handsome!!! And he can't date until he is 35!!

Tim (2)is starting to talk more. David usually translates for me! It's actually quite funny. David will say, "Timothy just said a complete sentence totally clearly" and I will say... "HUH???" I didn't understand it at all. Tim was happy as can be to be out and about without the twins (they were at preschool). I love his smile and he liked the attention!!

Emma (4)is still singing away! Great at helping to clean up! VERY strong willed and feisty(that will help when she starts dating!!) pretty, pretty, pretty, and a great dancer! The other day I was peeling a cucumber for dinner and she asked, "Mommy, is that a cucumber or a bikini?" I said, "Do you mean zucchini????" yes...and honey, there will only be modest zucchinis in our house!

David is doing well with the DWP apprenticeship. It's VERY hard, but he is amazing. He will be very tired when he comes home, but he always tries hard to spend time with the kids and help out. There is rarely a night that goes by where he doesn't do dishes or get the kids ready for bed or fold laundry (yes, I am working on these chores, but there is lots to do with 5 kids...but I digress :) He is in the Elder's Quorum Presidency in our ward. And I just LOVE him and can't believe that he is mine for eternity!

ME??? I have been released from my calling in the Primary Presidency. I am focusing on being Mommy right now. I take care of kids, clean the house and cook (which I love to do...got any good low-fat recipes???) I hold my baby and think that my heart just might burst with how much I love him. He's all smiles and he's so PRETTY (in a manly way! :) I am grateful for my life and my family and the church! How different my life would have been without it. I had a great family and was raised by wonderful parents, but I was not making good choices. How very grateful I am for my Savior and the Atonement!

Love to you all. I am so sorry for my lack of posts. I'd love to hear from all of you!

This is fun!

2009-07-07T11:17:00.000-07:00

So, I added a playlist of some of my favorite songs and added a new background! This is so much fun!!!!

More HILARIOUSNESS from the Zeman Kids

2009-07-07T08:43:00.001-07:00

Emma and Spencer are walking down the street. Spencer is waddling and quacking like a duck. Emma says, "A duck! a duck! I've never had a duck in my family before!"

Spencer is out of diapers. At least we think he should be, but he is fighting it. The other day he came in with a pull-up on. I had put them on the top shelf in the closet. "How did you get that?" I asked. He showed me. First, he climbed the cubes in their closet that hold all of their clothes. Then, during his climb, he pulled a lot of the clothes down on the carpet. That was a blessing, because Emma then says...."He fell"(in kind of a matter of fact, just "stating the facts" voice). The clothes broke his fall....but not before he was able to "ring the golden bell" and grab all the pull-ups except for one. He took all the pull-ups and nestled them right back in the dresser where he could reach them. And now, he wanted me to get that one last pull-up for him still on that shelf up there! Gotta give him points for effort and perseverence!

My birthday was Sunday! Emma came into the bedroom as I was getting ready for church and she sang "Happy Birthday" to me. Then she sang "Hally Birlday loo loo" I said those words back to her and she said..."YES. I sang to you in English and in Spanish!"

Emma was dueling Jack with a pretend sword. My darling, sweet, delicate 4 year old girl says to her big brother (in a big gruff pirate like voice) ..."Are you prepared to die?"

What would I laugh about if it wasn't for my kids?

My Birthday! Building My Nest...and a VERY long time to wait

2009-07-02T16:56:00.000-07:00

So, I woke up this morning and there in my kitchen was an under the cabinet CD player with a note from David attached. It said "I love you forever, Angela. Happy Birthday! Love, David. Press Play." And my birthday isn't even until Sunday! So I pressed play and he had made a CD of songs that remind him of me!!! So, I cried and cried and then I called him (a total wreck...barely able to talk). I have a great husband!!! He is AMAZING! I don't even have words for it. It's so nice being married to my best friend!!!

On another note, I am in full "nesting" mode. You know, like when birds build their nests in anticipation for their baby birds. I am on Craigslist every day like a mad woman trying to get my "nest" in order before the baby comes in September. It suddenly hit me last week why I was becoming the mad furniture shopper....oooohhhh!!! I'm nesting. Like a chicken with red and brown feathers who sits all ruffled up upon her nest, here I sit upon my chair "pecking" at the computer....I think building a nest is a LOT cheaper!

Tonight, we were out back and Emma was inside and needed some "Potty" assistance....but I didn't hear her right away. Finally, I heard her and came in to help and I asked her how long she had been calling for me...she said "It was a long time...like TWO WEEKS!" Wow...I didn't know I was in the backyard for that long!

Drumroll Please

2009-06-19T07:13:00.000-07:00

Our new kitchen! The pictures really don't do it justice. After 2 years and lots of tears (and fits) we finally have a kitchen. It's really very pretty! Can you see the blood, sweat and tears that are a part of the cabinetry??? If you don't know the story...well, we hired the wrong guy...and it's a long story...and very painful...if you want the story, call me...otherwise, we'll just let the past be the past and MOVE ON...and say....hurray! I have a kitchen...woo hoo! Potluck at my house...because...who wants to cook in a brand new kitchen??? Just kidding...I'll make you some mac and cheese!!! I'm a gourmet!

The Things Kids Say!!!

2009-06-11T09:47:00.000-07:00

Sorry I am so bad at posting!!! I have a backlog of things I need to post like the twins' birthday, our new kitchen, and more ....stay tuned.

For now, here are a few HILARIOUS things my kids have said lately!

I walked into the kids' playroom as they were walking out. Emma had her purse and Spencer had a tape measure and his wallet. I asked what they were doing and they said "we're going to work." Spencer says to Emma, "Let's take my car!" And they promptly walked to Spencer's race car bed and got in to "go to work!"

I found a huge mess in their playroom closet and told Spencer that we would have to clean up the mess. Spencer said, "NOOO! It's for Santa!" and closed himself inside the closet. You see, Mommy put their Christmas presents in the closet this past Christmas...so they put all their favorite toys in the closet for Santa. I'm so glad I don't have to shop!!!

Spencer was whining about something...and I said, "You speak English, use your words." Emma said,"I speak Spanish! HOLA!" Totally unexpected and totally hilarious!

We were in the car and Emma says to me, "Mommy, my tummy feels bad...my mouth feels OLD! I think an Otter Pop would make me feel better!" Moral of the story...if you are feeling old or just your mouth...an otter pop will make you feel better! Goodbye wrinkle cream...hello sugar!!!

I love my kids!

FUNNY PICTURES!!!!

2009-03-17T10:58:00.002-07:00

Okay, I'm having so much fun! I just have to share these hilarious pics of my family!

We have some great towels! Here doggy, doggy, doggy!

Tim was eating some mud in the yard...but it made a perfect little goatie! Facial hair at only 1! They grow up so fast!!!

If my kids all had curly hair..this is what they would look like! Let's call this Fun with Wigs !

Can you tell who is made out of legos and who is not?

If we have many more kids, Jack is going to need chiropractic help!

Tim fell asleep watching t.v. on the arm of the couch. He always sits on the couch this way, so I had no idea he was asleep until I called his name and he didn't answer!

My darling David is very creative! See...you don't have to be famous or missing (I guess that would be on a milk bottle) to have your face on a cereal box!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

2009-03-17T08:24:00.000-07:00

So, the leprechauns came to our house last night. We left out a plate of Lucky Charms and they left us green frosted cookies and a note thanking us for being so nice. I am sure that they get tired of trying to evade all of those traps people set out to catch them. Especially now that we are in a recession, I am sure that there are a lot of people out there trying to get their gold. Family Fun Magazine had 3 great ideas to make Leprechaun catchers. They were very sneaky and very cute. Although we were nice to the little green guys this year, I think we might just have to try a trap next year. But I've never heard of anyone catching one! I have heard that they leave gold coins and other treats! They also turned the toilet water green!!! How do they do that? And do we really want to know?

I would have pictures, but one of my little lovelies broke my camera...AGAIN...yesterday! It seems we buy about 1 camera a year!!! Of course it's my fault for leaving it out!

This is also one of those really yummy food days! I start the corned beef and cabbage really early in the morning in the slow cooker. You know, I am Irish, but we never celebrated Saint Patrick's Day when I was growing up, but it is quickly becoming one of my favorite holidays. There aren't any expectations like with Christmas and Easter. You can totally make it up as you go along! Don't get me wrong, I love all the other holidays, but I really love the simplicity and the imagination of leprechaun mischief!

Don't forget to wear green today!

Update on the family

2009-03-13T14:41:00.000-07:00

So apparently, even though I live under a rock, people actually want to know what is going on in my life...I haven't really done much with my blog because I can kind of get carried away with stuff like this and neglect more important things...which is why I'm not on face book. But perhaps this will be a good way to stay in touch with friends and keep a journal of my family happenings.

Well, I am about 11 weeks pregnant. I don't think it is another set of twins. I hope it's not...mostly because of the total lack of sleep that comes with 2 babies. David has been working up in Lone Pine for the past 8 weeks. What does that mean exactly? Well, he is working 3 hours away, so he stays up there during the week and comes home for the weekends. We all hate it!! Only 2 more weeks and it all ends!!! We have been fixing up our house for 2 years now...and we are getting closer to finishing....the inside...but we are getting sod for the front yard tomorrow. But what about the 2 year kitchen project you ask? It's still not finished. But when it finally is, potluck at my house!!! Why potluck?...well, who wants to cook in a new kitchen???

Jack, my oldest is doing boy scouts, volleyball, and fencing at his junior high school. He is also getting straight A's. He's such a wonderful help and a very good boy!

Emma is always singing!!! For hours!!! She loves to play dress-up. She also loves to go shopping. She's very girly for a 3 year old. Emma goes to preschool 3 days a week and loves it! Her preschool is more academic, but she seems to thrive on it. She is very independent and doesn't like a lot of help.

Spencer loves trains and the color orange. He loves dump trucks and puzzles and dirt. Spencer goes to a special speech preschool and his speech has improved quite a bit. His preschool focuses on play and I think that is wonderful for where he is at right now. Spencer likes a lot of help. He and his twin sister are VERY different!

Timothy, my baby, is very independent and trying to be like his older siblings. He is very snuggly. He is potty training...because he wants to be big. I love his laugh and his smile.

David spends all of his free time either being a terrific Daddy and husband or finishing the lawn project out front. We have way too many projects, but David wouldn't be happy without something to do.

I am just dealing with pregancy nausea. I try to keep the house clean...try. I am happy being Mommy and wife, but I will be happier without the nausea!!!

I hope you all are doing well!

Love,
Angela

My kids!!!

2009-03-13T14:30:00.000-07:00

Jack...the day he got back from Italy! How do I rotate this Picture?
Spencer...Sweet boy with the sweet heart!

Tim...Look at that face!!! I love babies is white onesies! SOO cute!

Emma...So unbelievably beautiful!

Tim again...I just love that face!

Welcome to our blog!

2008-08-05T13:30:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I thought we would start a blog in order to record some of our family happenings! What a great way to keep in touch with friends and family!