Two weeks of school left- oh and Happy Mothers Day!

We have two weeks of school left.   It's a busy time.  Parties, plays, concerts, business trips, teacher appreciation, service, exercise, shopping.... All happened last week.   

 I love looking at the collage in my photo stream on my phone.   It reminds me of all the good and fun things we have happening in our lives.  This next week will have field trips, baking, farewell parties, birthday celebrations, graduation, court of honors, movies, and hopefully lots of sunshine and happy times.   

Many a day I find myself at the end of the day with the following quote in my mind... " it was the best of times, it was the worst of times" this is the best season of life and in many ways the hardest I've faced so far.   I love being a mom.  I love watching my children and their accomplishments, their advancement and when the lightbulb goes off in their head and they "get it".  I love watching them try hard and even sometimes fail- but get up with more determination to try again.  I love to see them exceed their (and at times my) expectations.   

As we navigate these busy years of life my appreciation for my mom and others increases exponentially.   We all are doing our best and we've all got some pretty amazing kids!   

Happy Mothers Day to my mom, mother in law, sisters, sister in laws, and so many many friends!! I look up to each of you and you and teach me by your examples every day! 

Birthday week

Last week was my birthday... I'm (gulp) 37 now.  Funny thing is it doesn't feel that bad since Rich is 4 1/2 years older than I am. :)

I've thought a lot about life and stuff this past week.  I've been flooded with well wishes and birthday hugs and love.  I've felt like Sally Fields at times "They love me!".  I'm  not a big collector.  I don't really attach myself to things.  I only keep a few sentimental items- I don't even have more than one baby outfit per child and no baby shoes kept.  But... I think I collect friends.  I feel connections with people even if maybe my connection to them is stronger than their connection to me.

This past week I have felt so grateful for all the wonderful friends I've collected through the years.  At times I feel like I'm a bad friend- I don't keep in touch very well.  I'm not one to pick up the phone and talk for hours on end.  I haven't sent out Christmas cards in I don't know how many years...  but I love and treasure every one I receive.  I love receiving phone calls and knowing that someone was thinking about me, and I love hearing about what is going on in friends lives.

Facebook gets a rep as a social media site, drama takes place and feelings get hurt.  I can completely understand if someone feels like they need to get off of facebook and it's not a good place for them.  For me though- Facebook has been a blessing in my life- as funny as it sounds.  It's made it easy for me to reconnect with old friends.  Having lived in many places growing up, and as an adult- when the phone numbers and addresses change (as let's face it- in this day and age those things change frequently) I have found and connected with so many of those friends on facebook.  I can see their children as they grow up and I can feel connected and lend support as they deal with difficulties.  I've gotten to know cousins that I didn't grow up knowing very well- a little bit better and feel like they know me a little  bit more as well.

So I'll be on facebook for a long time coming...  but I am going to try and pick up the phone a little more often and call a friend- just because.  And maybe, just maybe I'll get some Christmas cards sent out by New Years...

And thank you to everyone that made me feel special this past week.  :)  It truly was a wonderful week and I felt the love. :)

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! 

I hope everyone had a great Easter Weekend with family and friends.  

We had a full weekend with emotions ranging from happiness, sorrow, gratefulness, contemplation, service, laughter and pride.

Sleepover, shopping, fast food, cleaning, cooking, yardwork, egg hunt, funeral, Basketball game, baskets, candy, Church, naps, earthquakes, Easter meal, Orchestra and Choral Lamb of God concert, bedtimes, stuffy allergy noses and laundry... never ending laundry... 

It was a weekend that we are ready for a weekend to recover from, but we are grateful for the Atonement, and the knowledge that our Savior Lives.  I am grateful for the privilege to serve a wonderful family as they said goodbye to their beloved husband/ father/ grandfather.  I am grateful for the selfless acts of service that I get to witness from others.  I am grateful for my beautiful children and wonderful husband and for their support of me.  I am grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the peace it brings to my life.  

Oklahoma weather

The weather keeps us on our toes.  Yesterday we had earthquakes, 80 degrees, 40mph wind gusts, tornado watch, hail storm, rain- and today we've had earthquakes, wind and snow with a freeze warning and record low tonight...  Oklahoma keeps us on our toes.   Even after 10 years of living here we still don't ever know what to expect!   :) 

 

Oh yeah, we've now lived in Oklahoma for 10 years!!! Crazy... :) 

Saturday...

I was looking for an app to use for note taking on my ipad..  Penultimate-  I think I'm having too much fun with it...

We took the kids to see the new Captain America today- it lives up to the whole set of Avengers hero movies.   It's been fun seeing these movies come out the last few years.  They are ones the entire family wants to go and see.