April Highlights

 Sometimes you just have to have a donut and chocolate milk for lunch!

 How many boys does it take to put a bed together?

 Preparing to be a big brother!

 Thomas played violin in the pit for the High School musical, "My Fair Lady".  Practice and rehearsals consumed his time from March-end of April.  He loved every minute of it.  The week of the performances he would leave for seminary at 5:40 am and would not get home until at least 11:00 pm.  We missed having him home with us. At the end of the week Spring commented that she hadn't seen him all week and that it gave her a glimpse of what it is going to be like when he is on his mission.  We all agreed we are not ready for that time to come so we better enjoy the time we have with him now.

 Lots of fun outside in the springtime weather!

 Picture proof that Josh gave me a kiss!  We don't need to mention that I bribed him for a kiss and he was NOT happy when he found out we had snuck a picture of it.  Love this kid!  He has such a tender heart and is such a peacemaker; however, he has decided way too young, that he does not like giving or getting kisses!  I think he secretly likes it so I still give him kisses!

 Spring had a cello concert and did really well.  Love to hear her play the cello.

 Sue Ann had us over for a BBQ on her deck.  Always a good time.

Webelos Hike

Sam needed to go on a 3 mile hike for one of his Webelos requirements.  We arranged a day with the other Webelos in the Pack and they hiked the Gorge.  Joel, Spring, Sam, Mary, Josh, and Gideon joined them on the hike.

Spring's Recent Music Ventures

Last week was a full week for Spring.  She had a Jazz Band Concert in which she was featured as one of the soloists. I was so proud of her for trying out for a solo part as she was the only 7th grader to do so.  Then she had Solo/Ensemble Competition on Saturday.  She prepared and was adjudicated on a trumpet solo and cello solo, both of which were accompanied by Thomas.  She said she really likes it when Thomas accompanies her because she feels safer and more at ease with him nearby at the piano.  I love the relationship these two share.  Spring also performed a Cello duet with another girl from school.  She received the highest rating of Superior for both of her solos and she earned an Excellent (2nd highest rating) for her cello duet.  

Once her solo/ensemble was over she felt like she could finally breathe and relax.  She has a cello concert this weekend but she isn't worried about that at all.  I love listening to her play and seeing the vast improvement she is making.  Our children, and our family, are so blessed to be part of the music program in Stow!

General Conference

We love General Conference weekends!  The girls and I look forward to the General Women's Broadcast.  The girls choose a place for us to go for dinner before the broadcast since it starts at 8:00 pm here.  This year we had a big lunch that day and the girls were not very hungry for dinner.  They chose to go to Dairy Queen for blizzards and french fries!  What a great dinner, right! :)  I enjoy sitting in the chapel with Mary and Spring and learning and being edified by the Spirit as we are taught and encouraged.  I'm so grateful the girls enjoy this time and countdown to the weekend.

All our children love Conference weekend.  They say it's better than a holiday.  I love that we all gather, as a family, for 8 hours over the 2 days to watch together.  Even the babies are with us.  They each have their own method of note taking that they like to use.  It's fun to hear then express excitement when their favorite speaker comes to the podium.  I'm always impressed with how much even the youngest can glean from conference.  Sometimes we will discuss something from a talk and the little ones will say, "Oh yea, and they said this....." while proceeding to share something they remembered from the talk.  It's a testament to me that the Spirit truly teaches the individual in a manner that the individual can understand.

Joel and Thomas enjoy going to the Priesthood Session together at the church.  This year Thomas decided he wanted to go out to eat after the session ended at 9:30 pm (luckily it ended 30 minutes early this year!).  He chose Applebees!  While they were having dinner Joel was asking Thomas if he had thought much about where he wants to go to college.  Joel was amazed, even though he probably shouldn't have been, how much time and effort Thomas has already invested in researching colleges and such.  He has spent a lot of time talking with directors at school about music programs and such.

This year, Spring really struggled with the fact that people would object to sustaining the Prophet and Apostles.  She said it reminded her of when people did that to Joseph Smith.  She talked a lot about it and you could see the hurt in her eyes and heart that people wouldn't sustain the prophet.  It was a great opportunity to discuss together and to see the strength of her testimony of being led by a living prophet.  I'm so grateful for General Conference and the opportunity it gives me to feast upon the good word of the Lord and to feel encouraged and motivated to make changes and become more of the woman I have the potential of becoming.

Happy Birthday, Mary!

This gal is already 9!  Her smile was huge on her birthday.  She thought it was cool because there was early release from school on her birthday!  For her dinner she chose meatloaf, stuffing, and corn.  Her dessert was sugar cookies with frosting and fruit on top.

Mary loves horses and all other animals.  I think she would be in her glory if she lived on a farm and could take care of animals all day long.  She is very interested in whatever is going on around her and often goes from one thing to the next, for fear of missing out on something!  All the while with her signature smile and twinkle in her eye.  In School she really enjoys spending lunch hour and recess with the special needs kids.  She loves to play games with them and include them in the activities with her other friends.  I hope she always keeps that love for others in her heart.