Amazing Adam

December 28, 2009 . . . Thirty years ago today we welcomed our first son into the Warr family. He must have been anxious to come because he was really supposed to wait until January 14th, but we were glad to have him - made our Christmas extra special that year! Christmas Eve day, I was very pregnant, and a little housebound - so decided to put on my cross country skiis and do a round or so around the polo field across from our house in Bellevue. It was one of those beautiful Sun Valley blue sky and snow days. All went well until I stopped and was getting ready to take off my skiis . . . when PLOP! I just tipped over . . . (I think my center of gravity was slightly off . . . am using that for an excuse anyway.) Well gathered my chubby little self up and headed on home - but noted a bit later that it felt as if I had had an "accident" - then finally figured it out - I had landed hard enough to break my water. So called the doctor - and fully expected to have a Christmas Eve baby . . . but he didn't come for 3 more days. Things went great - he weighed in at 7 pounds and 4 ounces . . . the biggest one of the gang. The next day he and I headed home . . . the hospital had a big felt Christmas stocking they put him in - and we had to admit that he was probably the best Christmas present we had ever received . . . still feel that way about him!
He was the best baby . . . loved his thumb! And he had a silky blanket that was just right for cuddlin' up with as he enjoyed his thumb. His two older sisters thought he was

pretty great (even though Erika will tell you that I deceived her by telling her that she would always be my baby . . . they're all my babies!) The girls would entertain themselves and Adam too, by having him do things that only two older sisters could think of . . . like giving him the vacuum hose and letting it suck his face almost off . . . dressing him up in their tutus and painting his nails . . . but he lived through all of that without being adversely influenced.
The sister missionaries in our ward loved him . . . , I always hoped that someday their influence would help him decide to go on a mission. Don't know if it was them, or just him deciding . . . but he didn't let us down!
He started kindergarten in Bellevue. Was a fun little student - it was always fun to see his creations. About that time, I had to do something that I think he will never let me forget . . . he and one of his older buddies (1st grade), Shane Gillett seemed to have a fascination with playing with matches . . . and I was a little nervous when I found them lighting matches up in the loft - so did the ol' "let me show you what matches can do" lesson - lit one and gently (I think) let him feel the heat. Well he wrote about it in his little journal and has never forgotten (and maybe never forgiven), but it seemed to put a stop to his fascination with being a pyro man!
That same year, we loaded up the kids and headed south to Burley and Albion to visit the grandparents . . . singing "over the river and through the woods. . ." Well all went well until on our trip back. Whitney was just a baby so I had her on my lap (before infant car seat days) and the other kids were all in the back of the big Chrysler station wagon . . . had all the seats down and they were romping and finally settled down (pre seatbelt law days). Well I fell asleep as the weather was getting kind of nasty - snow and blow . . . and that's my way of coping with bad roads - just let Vic drive and I'll sleep! Well we were driving out north of Shoshone, by the ice caves when I woke up because I heard Vic say "Hold on!" . . . looked out the windshield and could see headlights coming straight for us . . . then it was slow motion . . . until WHANG! we collided! Kids flew all over the back . . . and Adam told his dad that he had broken his leg. After assessing everything - and saying a prayer . . . we got us all into the little cafe (which just happened to be open . . . it usually wasn't during that time of year) . . . Vic carried Adam in very gently - and a dentist from Bellevue was behind us and helped us get the rest of us in. We thought Erika had broken her ankle . . . turned out to be a bad sprain - Andrea cracked a couple of vertebrae, Jared had a few little bruises - Whit was safe and sound . . . I had a nice case of whip lash . . . and Vic was our man!! But Adam was right - he had broken his femur. After all of us rode in the ambulance to Hailey, one of our friends Rusty Washburn, took the rest of the kids and Vic and I stayed with Adam. They set his leg and then put him in traction . . . he had to stay in traction for about 3-4 weeks and then they put him in a body cast. He was so excited when he got to come home in a wheel chair and the body cast for Christmas. I treasure the time I got to spend with him in the hospital - he was such a good little patient . . . and everyone loved him! He had lots of visitors who came to see him and bring him little treasures . . . some of which he still has! That was a Christmas when we realized how blessed we really were to still have our family and to have family and friends pitch in and help us finish up our Christmas projects as Mrs. S.C. seemed to be spending lots of time at the hospital.
We ended up getting our trampoline because once Adam got off his crutches, he was very tentative about putting weight on his leg . . . but jumping on a new trampoline encouraged him to forget fear and just jump and build up his muscles. The only sign of his mishap, is his gait is just a little different . . . but no one seems to notice (and he doesn't even realize it . . . but a mom does).
Life went on - we moved to Boise and he found lots and lots of friends. There were about 14 boys his age in our new ward . . . and I got to be den mother to them . . . then Primary President to them when they were older scouts. . . and then taught them through several years in Sunday School. Loved those boys . . . but they were full of it - and still are a bit! No more major mishaps until he ran into the outside wall at Amity Elementary and knocked out his front tooth.
He had lots of interests - loved riding his bike, skate boarding, swimming, riding the motorcycle (especially the ol' Honda 100), and hanging out with his friends.
Adam was always very creative . . . who else would go to prom in a baby blue
tux as the guy in Dumb and Dumber! And who would think a date would go with him? But she did!
After high school, most of his friends went off to college - but Adam decided to get some of his wanderlust out of his system . . . and just kind of hung out - working and playing - but realized that playing wasn't so fun without your buddies. So he went to BSU for a bit . . . then went to BYU . . . then went on his mission when most of his friends were just coming back from their missions. He served in the Utica, New York mission - and had some interesting adventures . . . and some spiritual ones too. We always looked forward to his letters and especially his pictures - they had this wonderful dialogue on the back of them and it seemed as if we were almost there experiencing it with him. After he returned, I learned that the Lord really did watch over him . . . there were some of his adventures that were not ones to write home about - and a mother should only find out about them after her son has been returned home safely! We were proud of him for serving - it was a difficult decision - and when he went, we knew it was because he knew it was the right thing to do.
Then he returned and finished up his degree @ BYU in education - and did his student teaching in Houston, TX. He had some rather challenging students . . . and also worked with a rather challenging cooperative teacher. But he made it . . . and after teaching for a bit decided that wasn't what he wanted to do. But that's okay - because Texas is where he met Susannah - the love of his life . . . and also the rest of the Warr family! They got married on June 6, 2009 in the Houston temple. Our whole family made the trip and what a glorious day it was! Now life finds him back in the life of a student, working on his law degree and MBA in Moscow. . . and we hope that Susannah loves him enough to endure the dark and dreary winters of northern Idaho. So far, she has been a trooper . . . and we all love her for it! So today, just want to say how happy I am to be Adam Warr's mom . . . he is all that a mom could ask for and more and I love and appreciate him!

Hawaii IS Heaven!

Here we are - just landing in Kona, Hawaii. Looked out the window and thought to ourselves that it looked a lot like Craters of the Moon in Idaho, but with a few palm trees here and there. Didn't take us long to discard our winter coats . . . looking forward to that Hawaiin sun and fun! Left bright and early on October 31, 2009 from Boise with Ray and Lori and met Shelli and Carl in San Francisco . . . then onto Hawaii!

The flowers were so beautiful! I think the hibiscus were my favorites . . . they were everywhere and in every color imaginable (well almost). Halloween night we went to downtown Kona for their local festivities but by 8:00 we were exhausted . . . the time change had finally overtaken the adrenalin and 4 hours was a lot. So we went to our abode and hung out, but not for very long . . . soon it was just z-z-z-z's!

We were amazed to see the volcano . . . a local guide took us pretty close and we were impressed. The lava falls seemed to go on forever. I'm sure that must have been a bit scary when it started coming down from the volcano! Now all that's left out there are the lava flows and the homes of some of the diehard natives who rebuilt their homes . . . but without any electricity or water . . . Ray and Lori's friend's brother told us a neat story about their High Priest group helping a Catholic group move their church just before the lava came down. We got to see the church . . . bet that impressed some of those Catholics!
Enjoying the sands of one of the beaches on the big island . . . still lots of lava, but the sand and ocean more than make up for it. We loved the "island graffiti" . . . along the lava were names, pics etc. out of what looked like white rock to us (we thought they spray painted it . . .) but found out that the graffiti was actually white coral. I wanted to put "Deej + The Vic".
This is us on a hike we took to Akaka Falls . . . it was beautiful!

We were excited that we got to go to the Kona temple. We also attended church there and loved how everyone begins with "Aloha, brothers and sisters. . ." The temple was beautiful and we met a fun newlywed couple from Wyoming . . . who just happened to be from where Ray and Lori lived when they were in Wyoming. What a small world . . . and they hung out with us which made us feel young(er). . .

I loved that flip flops were appropriate attire for anywhere you went on the island!! Another reason Hawaii became one of my favorites!
Vic and Deej under the Banyan tree in Kona. Makes one feel rather small.
All set for our adventure on the zip line! Helmets on . .. raincoats for some of us (the girls and Carl . . . and Ray and Vic wished that they had them by the end of the adventure!) Headed up to the opposite end of the island (I never did figure out north, south, east or west . . .) for the zipline. The scenery changed from the dryer side of the island to the very green, wet almost rainforest like side. BEAUTIFUL!!
Vic and I stopping for a pic moment along the path in the bamboo forest where we were zipping. We went on 8 different zips and the view from on top was amazing. Other than Vic's little mishap with Beth, who was supposed to stop him . . . it was a good time had by all. Lots of rain, mud and smiles!! Oh yeah . . . and scenery beyond compare!
We made it back safe and sound . . . with lots of memories we shall not forget for a long, long time!


Before heading to Maui, we went on a snorkeling trip to Captain Cook's Monument. Our fearless leader was a boy from Lewiston, Idaho, Chad . . . who decided about 5 years ago to not catch his plane back to Idaho and has been there ever since. We got to see fish that I had only seen in books or on the Discovery Channel up close and personal!

Captain Chad, another misplaced Idahoan now residing in Hawaii!

Our first sunset in Maui. We flew to Maui after spending one week on the big island.
On our first Sunday, we went to church in Maui and were pleasantly surprised to find Mike and Kay Kelsey's grandson was the youth speaker. They are old friends from back in Sun Valley days and their daughter, Michelle had moved to Maui. We were excited to find them right there! They invited us over to their home for dinner on Monday evening. Had a yummy meal and was fun to see their family! After church on Sunday, we drove up to Ioa Park . . . the Needle. I couldn't take enough pictures!!
We went on a sailboat cruise out to the island of Lanai. It was a fun time . . . everyone snorkeled and got to see turtles and lots of other fun fish . . . I passed since I was having water in my ear issues and couldn't hear unless you were on my good side and speaking rather loudly. But the scenery was nevertheless wonderful -
Our next adventure was renting Harleys and heading up the road to Hana. Well, when they say 10 mph around hairpin curves, they mean it! We found out the hard way when Vic went to shift down and missed a gear . . . and the bike went into neutral . . . and then started backwards . . . I bailed just before Vic laid it down softly . . . but I didn't land so softly - lit right on my fanny - and sprained my wrist . . . and had a huge bruise on my whole calf . . . we finally got the bike back up together and then got back on and were on our way. What a beautiful ride!! Spent all day on the road and at the 7 Sacred Pools . . . didn't get back until after dark.
A little view over the edge on the Road to Hana . . . too beautiful. We couldn't believe all the beautiful ranches along there . . . Vic commented that those were the luckiest cows in the whole world and they didn't even know it!
Here I am on the beast after the wreck, the rain and lots of beautiful scenery! Stopped in the town of Hana and had lunch under cover as it was pouring. Then we got in the van and drove on up to the 7 Sacred pools, leaving the bikes there until we returned. (Carl drove the van, Ray and Vic had bikes . . .)
Another shot of us in the bamboo forest!
One little view of the falls leading to the 7 Sacred Pools. We enjoyed hiking around there . . . and Ray went swimming. . . the rest of us passed as it was kind of a stormy day and we had heard "death" stories of flash floods coming down . . . no way was that going to happen to me!
On one of the beaches on Maui . . .




Vic found these "hair hats" in one shop and the boys loved them! But all of us girls said NO! Funny though, Ray and Vic both got one for Christmas! The other 2 pictures are of the blowhole. It was amazing - I could have stayed there all day and watched and listened to it blow! Viewing it from on top was good for me - Ray, Vic and Shelli ventured on down for a little closer view . . . but it was still pretty stormy - their first storm of the "winter". A moment for reflection . . . and then onto more important things like body surfing!
Waiting for the big one . . . but not too big please!
A "foot pic" would only be appropriate . . . got to love those flip flops and sandals!! One last picture before we have to get on board and head back to the real winters of Idaho . . . snow lay on the ground as we landed and now Vic spends much of his creative thinking time, trying to figure out how we can spend a couple of months a year in Hawaii. It truly was a heavenly experience!

Moments of Eternity

The happy couple outside the Houston temple . . . June 6, 2009

June 6, 2009 . . . A day of great and long awaited happiness for many! A day when dreams did come true! The day Susannah Bushman became Susannah Eve Bushman Warr, beautiful bride to Adam Christopher Warr in the Houston, Texas temple!
My version of this story, as many that end happily, begins long ago . . . or relatively speaking. A couple of summers ago (2007) Adam was living in Texas and decided to meet the fam @ Lake Powell . . . but was making the long road trip with the Bushman sisters, aka, Alona and Susannah. We were a bit surprised, because we figured anyone that Adam could stand on a long road trip plus spend another solitary week @ Lake Powell with, had to be special girls! Well it didn't take us long to fall in love with both of them! They were like the three Musketeers (or sometimes the three Stooges) - but it was obvious there were special friendship bonds in place! They fit right in, accepting our family and friends and adding to the fun! On the way home, Vic and I said often, WOW! Adam needs to spend his life with one of these two . . . and we would be happy with either - or both! And the surprising thing was that they were all 3 still getting along after that - and then they headed to Arizona and back to Texas.


Then shortly after they came to Idaho and hung out with the family at Placerville. We realized more and more that girls like this don't happen often in one's life . . . and kept looking at each other and saying to ourselves "Adam! . . . friendship is wonderful . . . but there could be so much more to this!" What more could he ask for . . . two long road trips with great friends . . . and still great friends after the trip!! There had to be something to this!
Then Adam decided that he didn't want to be a teacher in Texas anymore . . . but would rather be a law student . . . preferably in Texas . . . but Idaho was okay too . . . and since that's where he got accepted and it was more fiscally possible, he headed off to northern Idaho. . . and there may be something to that old saying "absence makes the heart grow fonder . . ." for our cell phone bill skyrocketed and several flights were made between Idaho and Texas. After much prayer and thought, they finally decided they really could be more than just best friends . . . they could be best friends for eternity. So when Adam came home for Christmas, I got to go with him and we found the perfect ring for the perfect girl!





In January Susannah flew to Idaho and spent a few wintry days with Adam and Sean . . . And what a little romantic he is . . . don't know where he got that from . . . but he had the whole asking her to marry him very well orchestrated! And she said YES!!! Knowing that she is going to have to add a few winter clothes to her wardrobe . . . but hey, love can warm you from the inside out!! So Susannah went back to Texas and Adam continued to endure the longest whitest winter on record for northern Idaho with only his "blue light" to make the dreary days doable. But now there was much more to look forward to!

In March he flew to Disneyworld and had another fun week with Susannah, Alona and some of their friends. And the rest is history . . . and a beautiful history it is! All the Warrs are too excited to have Susannah join our clan! We hope she's never sorry for putting herself in our hands!







So on June 4th the Warr gang flew to Houston . . . getting in late at night (somehow that seems to be our usual . . . it's easier to get lost in the dark and you have an excuse!) But Alona and Susannah and Adam gave us good directions and we enjoyed meeting their family (and now we understand why we like them so much!) Alona hosted a family (plus some friends) barbecue at her beautiful home . . . We were a little stressed because Jared was somewhere out there on the road in Texas hoping we could meet up . . . his work plans had gotten changed at the last minute and so between many prayers his crew headed one way toward Houston and Chris headed the other way out of Houston (with all cell phones involved on nearly dead status . . . what did we ever do without cell phones?) hoping the two should meet somewhere in the middle . . . and MIRACLES do happen . . . they did meet . . . and even made it to the barbecue! That night Alona surprised Adam with a little momento . . . a lovely apron that certainly has a story to it (we only got the Reader's Digest version) . . . but it was a good one . . . I'm sure everytime he dons this little apron he will have happy memories of days gone by . . .





Then the morning of June 6th . . . a beautiful day for a beautiful couple! Vic and I headed to the temple (thanks for the great directions navigators!) . . . where we were joined by many Bushmans and friends . . . and of course when Susannah and Adam came into the celestial room . . . it was a celestial moment for me! It gave deeper meaning to that scripture ". . . joy in your posterity. . ." And the little guy who was their sealer had an authentic Texas accent which only added to the moment! Of course I knew I would shed tears of joy . . . and of course I didn't let myself down. Then as we came out of the temple and awaited their arrival - the rest of the Warr clan arrived . . . how special it was to this mom to have those she loves the most in this whole world there with her in this special place on this special day!
Then we had a luncheon at the church . . . Adam had the great idea of having box lunches from a little deli that he had used when he was teaching and it was perfect. They made killer brownies . . . and the sandwiches were great too! Then onto the next stop of this "don't let this day end" day . .. to Susannah and Adam's Houston bishop's house to set up for their reception. The house was beautiful . . . and the reception was so nice. Susannah and her friends and fam had worked hard to make this a night to remember! We met so many friends from their singles ward . . . and many who were no longer single. We decided the ward must have been a very special ward . . . and a lot of that is probably due to having a very special bishop and his wife! In the middle of the reception one of their friends announced that they were going to sing a special song for Susannah . . . and the surprise was that Adam had written the lyrics for a 3rd verse . . . they were beautiful . . . and of course brought tears to this ol' ma's eyes . . . again!! Who would have know?! Here are his words (to the song "So Are You to Me")
As a soft glow in the darkness
As the star that guides me home
As the blush behind the smile
So are you to me
As the warm rays of the morning
As the hinge on heaven's door
As the arm that cradles my heart
So are you to me
As the arm that cradles my heart
So are you to me
So are you to me.

Well all good things must end . . . or just begin . . . as the new Mr. and Mrs. Warr left us and headed off for adventures in Mexico at Puerta Vallarta . . . and the rest of us returned to prepare for the long flight home the next day. Now I find myself back in Idaho chillin' (even though the thermometer says it's in the 70's) . . . perhaps I'm missing a bit of that Houston heat . . . Tis time to get the place @ 10910 Arabian Way ready for the Idaho stop for this celebration . . . there are weeds to pull - bugs to kill - already made 34 dozen goodies - grass to mow . . . the fun goes on! But we had a most wonderful - never to be forgotten time in Houston! And know that many more special times lie ahead as we welcome with love and excitement the newest member to our family!
And they will live happily ever after . . .

Jeepers! It's JARED!

                                    
                               Fans @ 10910 Arabian Way . . .


So 10 months seems like a long long time in mom time . . . and that's how long it had been since the folks @ 10910 Arabian Way had seen Jared.  

So March 19, 2009 was a much anticipated day - the day (or rather late into the night) when he would fly in from his work in Texas. 

     

   After the long flight . . .        

The little white dog knows who loves him!

 He headed off to the Lone Star state the Tuesday after Mother's Day last year.  He graduated from Northwest Lineman's College and had been offered a job in Corpus Christie, Texas.  I was excited for him . . . but sad to see him go.  He had been our sole resident . .. well if  you don't  count the little white dog and the older folks. . .

     

   Climbin' the pole @ NWLC     

Lots of smiles on Grad. day!

 We'd chatted lots on the cell phone and he always would tell me about his job and how much he enjoyed it and the guys on his crew. . . especially Nate . . . who is from Pennsylvania and graduated with him but came to Texas to join Jared.  They get along great . . . considering that they spend their days (many long ones) and the rest of their time together too.  He would share stories that involved crackling popping noises . . . balls of fire . . . enough to make a mom's hair curl!  But  he knows that every pray that's sent from this ol' Ma includes a special "keep him safe" part!  He's seen lots of Texas and other parts of the south in his work.  One of his favorite parts is the "storm work" . . . I think the paycheck makes that his favorite part.  Last September his crew did storm work when hurricane Ike hit the Houston area . . . the hours were long and rigorous . . . but people were excited to see them and their parade of bucket trucks come onto the scene . . . that meant they'd have power again.  One week he logged 90 hours . . . I decided that didn't leave much time for sleep.  He and his crew spent 24 days straight working  on that job.    

He also worked up (I'm never quite sure if "up" is the correct directional word) near  New Orleans around Christmas time during an ice storm.

    Christmas time 2008 . . . 

          we miss you Jerry!

  Spent 3-4 days there . . . and Louisiana just didn't make a great impression on him.  Didn't like their mud - said it was stinky and sticky.  And the folks weren't quite as gracious as the Texas folks during Ike.  Then in February they got called out on another ice storm just northwest of Little Rock, Arkansas.  Was impressed with the scenery there . . . said it reminded him of the scenery around Grandpa Bells.  

  

I should have known that he would be happy with a "hands on" job  . . . He has always liked being a real part of the action . . .  Can still remember him as a toddler driving his trucks around the living room floor -  I think I  could actually hear him going through the gears!  Can still see him riding his little red bike at the age of 4 wearing his shorts and his cowboy boots . . . and then movin' on up to trading the little red bike for his 125 Yamaha.   Was fun to watch him do wheelies on his motorcycle clear down the block . . . and watching him race motocross was exciting too - sometimes too exciting for a mom - especially the time he collided and lost a moment or two in time.  So am kind of relieved that now it's his big white diesel and a bucket truck.  

The #1 daughter and the #2 son . . .

        happy to see one another!

Christmas this year was difficult without him . . . for us and probably for him too.  But he has a great crew foreman (Eric) and his wife who always seemed to make sure that he had some "Texas family" during the holidays.  So when he called and asked me to get a plane ticket for him to come home for a few days in March, I was right on it!!  It was a great visit - just a bit short - but we'll get to see him when we all head to Texas for Adam and Susannah's wedding in June and hopefully he'll be home in July for a vacation in Idaho.  Til then the little white dog and the mom will just be happy for good memories and for the cell phone.  Sure do love that kid!