Spring Break 2023

 I did so much travelling in March & early April, that I couldn't think of anything I wanted to do less than travel again for Spring Break.  Plus, my parents were going to be in FL--so the original Spring Break plan was foiled.  So--we stayed home.  And I am SO glad.  I got to check so many things off my list!  

The first few days I spent organizing every closet in the house.  And we went to the temple for baptisms.  I found a new dresser for Libby on Facebook marketplace.  Ben did a preemptive trumpet makeup lesson.   Then I moved outside because the weather was GLORIOUS for most of the week. I planted SO many bulbs.  Unless the squirrels dig them up, the yard is going to be amazing this year.  (70-75 degrees and sunny is my happy place.) I also read/listened to I think 4 books.  I spent 5 hours at school getting ready for the final stretch of the year.  We have 8 weeks left--(one of which I'll be in FL, and one we'll be at 5th grade camp--so things are wrapping up!)

Derek took most of the week off too.  That was nice!  We did two "fun" things.  We went to the trampoline park in Marysville.  The kids took a bunch of fun short videos.  We also went to the Super Mario Bros. movie.  It was pretty funny...even for a girl who never made it past Level 1.4 in the original game. 

Libby and Ben got to wrestle in two Freestyle tournaments.  Ben won his first match and Libby won her first freestyle match the first week--then won all 3 yesterday taking 1st.  (In part thanks to her mom who delivered her singlet to the school 40 minutes away after she got there without it.)

Ben also lost a tooth! He said the tooth fairy could pay via Greenlight thankfully. 

I created this checklist on Monday morning, so that there were some expectations for accomplishing things--and outside this there was a lot of R&R.  They all actually enjoyed checking things off the list...maybe I'll turn them into list makers yet! 

Derek and I drove around and did some serious price comparison before we decided on this raised bed for our back cement pad (it's the spot with the best sun in our yard.) There are going to be tomatoes galore this year.  (And radishes, carrots and green onions hopefully.) I added the saying.  Because--cricut...

Sarah and Ben helped plant the beans. (And dig out more bluebells. Seriously, those things multiply like nobody's business!) 

We had a cookout for dinner on Thursday. 

"Helping" with getting the yard furniture out....(Ben's buddy Story spent a bunch of time with us this week.  He's fun to have around.  I'm not sure he was as into all the Jobs for Mom, but he went along with it.) 

They all pitched in to fill the raised bed.  We put down a layer of wood and sticks and rocks, then lots of topsoil and manure.  I hope to get at least $300 worth of tomatoes to recoup the expenditure.  Haha.  Kidding.  I wish.  

I also got a chance to talk to my cousin Kevin about some challenges Libby is having.  He's a therapist in Texas.  He recommended a great podcast he had made that helped me a lot.  Then Libby and I met with her therapist together.  I feel like Libby is so amazing--and I'm learning more tools to help her see that about herself--and to help me be the mom she needs me to be. It was the week I needed. 

A Fun Week at School!

 We had a Spirit week this week...and I got to pull out the Norton shirts for Dress Like a Teacher Day.  It's my favorite.  I have a class that was so into it this year.  I only had one hold out who refused a sweatshirt.  (I was very unsurprised by his response.). One kid in particular said, "this is so FUN!" like about 20 times while they were getting their sweatshirts on.  Loved it.  

Then on Friday, they earned enough "paws" that they get from specialists/subs for good behavior to have a reading fort party.  We used the parachutes to create two forts and students read inside.  (So I basically tricked them into silent reading for 30 minutes and thinking it was super fun.). 

I do love teaching.  And I'm happy for a week off for Spring Break.  FINALLY! 

Northwest Ball--aka Mormon Prom

I had this fun idea of hosting a dinner before Mormon prom.  It would be for the kids in our ward and their friends/dates.  Well...then Libby got asked by someone outside the group.  So she didn't end up being there. But--it was still fun! And she had a good time too. 

We had Mexican food--so a fun tablescape!

The LFP kiddos (and one date)

Libby said it was a really fun night! 

This crazy week...

This last week we kept up the chaos.  I taught the youth at church a waltz lesson.  It has been like 15 years since I last taught one, so I was youtubing and prepping and praying.  Thankfully, a college boy in the ward who's taking social dance came and helped me.  

Libby loved the waltz night--she slept in the car through the whole thing.  

I took my class on a field trip to Brightwater--the wastewater treatment plant.  It was super cool! 

Libby and Sarah did a wrestling camp in Marysville Friday & Saturday with David Taylor, Olympic Gold Medalist, and this girl, whose name I can't remember.  But she's also super awesome.  

Ben did his first tournament.  He got teched in the first period both matches.  So he's got some learning to do. 

Camp war wounds. 

 Ben and I also cleaned out Libby's room on Friday night.  It was a BIG BIG mess.  But together we got to the bottom of it.  And the new rule--no food in bedrooms.  Period. 

Easter 2023

 It was fabulous not to be on crutches this year for Easter.  It made Easter prep so much easier. 

Also, the bar was low.  I told the kids no to expect much.  And they didn't get much.  And it was just fine. 

We started our Sat. before Easter with an Easter Egg Hunt at church.  Libby was in her element, running games for the kids.  

We hid about 500 eggs on the lawn at the church. 

Libby and one of her fav little guys from church.  This is the look we got when I said "Smile!" So precious! 

Then we quickly went dress shopping (Libby got asked to Mormon Prom while I was in FL--so she needed a dress!) We found one and then headed to Maren's for her annual egg hunt. 

Dessert! (This year's hunt included lunch :)

Yep, we hunted in the rain.  Seattle hard core. 

Then actual Easter Sunday...The bunny came after church while the kids watched a show. 

Once again we couldn't find all the Lego filled eggs (somehow) so they couldn't finish the little Easter set.)  But they worked on it all together and ended up going upstairs to create a Lego town together--so mission accomplished! 

Also, these were from Saturday too--Ben and Sarah stayed at Maren's for a pottery lesson! 

Then we hosted Easter dinner.  It was really fun with the special bonus that the McCalls joined us.  So fun to have family and friends gathered.  Derek made the potatoes, which took a huge load off of me.  Overall it was a lovely day. 

Florida Trip

 I've kinda been stalling blogging because this is a hard post to write.  Rachel is now on hospice.  So, I went to FL (just 5 days after my SLC trip with Sarah) to spend 6 days helping out.  

It was AMAZING weather.  Taking the boys swimming was so much fun. 

But it was hard.  It's hard to see my sister getting sicker and less of herself.  

She's still praying for a miracle, and so am I.  But it's just hard.  And heartbreaking.

I love her and her family so much.

My mom is a trooper.  She's trying to hold it all together so Brad can keep working.  But it's hard.

Rachel did what she always manages to do, got me to slow down and watch some movies! I watched Coco--loved it.  And Come from Away--LOVED it.  Also I am now in love with Bluey.  Seriously.   

This is technically after I left, but can you believe how cute they are? 

We made a Costco run that resulted in a falling apart at the store (by the adults--Davy was fine, haha.)  It's hard to know when grief will strike.  

Davy and I worked on his reading lessons.  He's doing great!  He'll be reading in no time! 

Cutest note ever! 

We got out and walked to the school bus.  (He scootered, then I rode the scooter home, getting some good laughs from a dog walker.) 

Conference Lego building. 

I made conference cinnamon rolls.  My kids at home were upset that they didn't get any.  It's sometimes surprising what traditions the kids really bank on. 

Probably my fav pic of the trip.  Davy fell asleep with a veggie straw in his mouth.  Haha! 

I pushed this wagon several miles--to and from their community pool several times.  Did I mention how much I was loving the sunshine?

Yeah.  I was reminded that while parenting teens is HARD--littles are exhausting too.  

I'm going back in a few weeks.  This time my mom will be gone, taking a break and spending time with my dad.  Looking forward to hugging these guys again and spending time with their mom and dad.  Cherishing the time we have left.