I have always been a record keeper of some sort. I have my first photo album I put together from elementary school and my first autobiography from the 6th grade. I still have my jr. high writing samples and awards, my first diary, a few photos from high school, some amazingly regular journals from that time in my life, only a couple of photos from four years of college (no camera), but a couple more great journals. Then I became a mother, and I quit writing in my personal journal. I am still on the same one after 22 plus years. I started scrapbooking instead, and writing the journaling for those has become my journal.
I also realized that I am behind regularly in my scrapbooking, so I have a need to get the stories written down before I forget them. That's where the blog comes in. Faster, Simpler, Easier - love this motto from Close To My Heart as it applies to most of my life, even journaling.
So, here is the March/early April summary:
All three of the children had bad bugs. Steven started with walking pneumonia the first week of March. He missed four days of school, but fortunately got better by the 13th so he could get his driver's license.
Ryan developed bronchitis a couple of weeks after Steven got better. He also missed four days of school.
Renee got the worst bug of all. She caught it the Friday before the YW Broadcast and was sick for eleven days. When I look at her joining us to dye Easter Eggs it breaks my heart to see the pain in her eyes. It took all her energy to move off the sofa onto a kichen chair to join in a tradition she loves. It was an adnovirus, so no meds could help her. She had every bad symptom and even got a trip to the ER when her throat was closed so tight she couldn't swallow. Fortunately, it finally went away so she could enjoy a couple of days of Spring break.
Gotta love Ryan's creativity here - note the "eyeball" Easter egg he painted instead of dipped. He loves it so, a week later, its still not eaten. I think it may become fossilized :-0
The highlight of Spring Break, afer Renee got better was going to the circus. Its been so long since we've been and Ryan had never been, so before he got too old, we went to see the "Greatest Show on Earth." We had a great time, spent most of the evening amazed and I had a blast having Ryan keep leaning over to me, putting his hand on my arm, getting my attention, "Mom, look at that!"
We also shared as a family a neat afternoon at the temple Visitor's Center. Mike's brother, Todd, sent his oldest daughter, Lydia, with her best friend and family to visit D.C We picked her and her friend up to take them there and on a picnic. Inside, we saw the movie of Joseph Smith and the Restoration, and while there, our whole entire family felt the Spirit testify so strongly of his calling as a prophet of God. We were moved by his sacrifices and strenghtened by his faith. I also loved hearing the words of the Savior while looking at the Christus replica on display. We are so blessed to have a Savior. I need Him.
On the homefront I created a simple covered canvas with pastel squares to go with my eggs hanging on the bird tree.
Since that photo was taken, I've added a fabric heart and paper flowers and a couple of buttons to the canvas which I'm not sure I love, but it does add more character.
We've also put new flooring in the laundry room and I can't believe how wonderful it is to walk in the back door to peace and calm instead of the chaos of glue oozing up from the yellowed black and white, cold marble-like vinyl tiles. We gutted that room and Ryan's bedroom also, and I am loving those rooms again! More pics another day when I'm all finished in the laundry room. Still have decorating to finish.
I used the Cricut to create Ryan's title for his Science Fair project. LOVE the time that saves!
Spring finally sprung.
These pansies just spontaneously appeared today on the back grass. . . Love their delicate beauty! And love that my daughter, who usually is so camera shy was willing to let me take her picture again. These pics are from "her garden." We love looking at "her flowers" every morning over breakfast. And, happily the blueberry bush is up too. MyGirl is almost 16 . . . where do the years go?
Ryan started baseball season. Today was their first game. They lost 10-9 in overtime, but what a game! He is such a sweet boy who gets great satisfaction from swinging that bat! More pics to come later in the season.
Last but not least was Easter and General Conference and the YW broadcast. I loved the messages from our church leaders so much! I felt so inspired and grateful! I think I'm still feeling it. And, what made my day the most was that my children all told me that I was a "mother like that." My shortcomings are so apparent, that for my children to appreciate and acknowledge the fact that I do love them unconditionally and would do anything to go find them if they were lost, physically or spiritually, in spite of all the "mom-fails" I have done, which they are fully aware of, was a highlight of my life. I feel so blessed that they give me so much unconditional love. My lemon-meringue pie on Easter Sunday was such a bomb - it never set up; it was totally runny. It tasted good, but it was truly humble pie for me. The creative side of me likes to try making new things, but the risk is that it doesn't always work out when I'm regularly making rookie mistakes. That pretty much ensures I am going to continue to bomb again. Yet, there is something wonderful to know that my family is okay with that, because for days, weeks, months, and years ahead I will have fails but in the safety of a family I can grow and make progress. And that is the great joy of Easter. Having a Savior who loves us NO MATTER WHAT and has already made possible the bridge from death and sin to eternal life and exaltation is what matters most. All the fails, all the hard things, all the unfulfilled dreams and wishes, the Savior can make right and possible. It is beyond my comprehension, but his ability to create new people, taking us from imperfection to perfection no matter how long it takes, is worth it. That's why I worship Him. He is a God of eternal progress. How I am so grateful for all He offers me.
