Family Dinner

 

I don't think a person can say they have been loved unless they have been loved by Andi! 

This girl is just light and love. 

I love how deeply she loves me. 

She stayed by my side almost the entire time they were at the house for family dinner. 

She sat on my lap while we played games, took a 'fourlearer' ride with me, and hung out in Hammock Town with me. 

It is so good to be loved by her. 

Also, Emer loves me almost as much. 

They two of them were fighting for my attention. 

I love my little grands. 

They are truly the best of the best. 

Temple Time

 

In January, I had the thought that Matt and I should become temple workers. 

We talked to our bishop and then to the stake President. 

We got set apart and put to work that very first night.

Since them we have been in the temple multiple times a month serving the Lord. 

There is a peace and a spirit in the temple that is not found anywhere else on this earth. 

It has always been a place of peace for me, but now, as the world gets farther and farther away from God and the morals that I grew up with, it is the only place that helps me find the perspective to get through each week. 

I am so grateful for this time to serve with Matt there. 

It has helped both of us in ways, that I am sure, we do not even recognize. 

 

Back Together Again!

 

Makenna and Kyle made it back to Alaska today. 

Infact, she was waiting on the porch when I drove in with Corban from getting his teeth pulled. 

She is such a beautiful light in my life. 

I am so grateful for her goodness. 

She is making choices to stay close to the Lord in a world that is turning their backs on Him and I could not be more proud of who she is and what she stands for. 

I'm so grateful that all those years ago the Lord gave me a little Makenna when I wasn't expecting her. 

He is an unexpected God for sure. 

 

Wisdom Teeth OUT!

 

My sweet Corban got his wisdom teeth pulled today.
He is preparing to go and serve the Lord for two years on a mission and that is one of the things they prefer gets done. 

He said he was fine with it because they were going to knock him out. 

And knocked out, he definitely was! 

But my mom heart was said to see him that way. 

He has been such a trooper for the last several months getting all his work done in preparation. 

I love his heart.
I love that he wants to do what is right. 

He is going to be an incredible missionary.

And I will miss him incredibly. 

Seminary Farm Party

 

Words are not sufficient to express how much I love these kids. 

I know they are my students and all but they hold such a HUGE part of my heart. 

The were so patient and kind with Afton and Emry today. 

They played with them so much. 

It made me so proud to know and love them. 

There was grilled cheese and jam sandwiches and leftover cheesecake from the day before. 

They played in Hammock town and on the four wheeler. 

I will miss them this summer. 

 

Mother's Day

 

I wasn't able to get a picture of me with all my kids this year, but I did several of me and my boys.

Dallin and his family came over and Matt made a pasta dish and we just got to be together. 

I love my family. 

I was sad that Bri and Kenna couldn't be here, but maybe next year. 

But I am grateful for all the cute faces that were here. 

 

Popped

 

Finally!

Celebrating Mothers

 

I decided that I wanted to take Patrice and Jessie out for a Mothers Day dinner, but that morphed into us going to the Vintage Market together. 

We explored the food trucks and ate borscht, spinach bread, ping pong chicken and biscuits and gravy.

Patrice had kombucha as well.

Then we went into the booth area and I bought them each a gift of their choosing. 

I just wanted to thank them for bringing our grandchildren into this world and they are amazing moms.

I am so grateful for them.

As we were leaving we saw this big ball of dead grass and then decided that we needed to get a picture with it. 

I love how weird that is. 

 

Hammock Town is Back!

 

There are still patches us snow but there was enough gone to set up Hammock Town.

We hung them and then hung out in them until it started raining too much on us and we were getting cold.

I have several books I plan on reading this summer from this very spot.

Plus I love hanging out with the people I love in Hammock Town.

Every one should have a Hammock Town in my opinion. 

 

Graduated

 

After 7 years of homeschool and 5 years of in person school, he has finally graduated.

I'm so proud of this kid.

He is an amazing person and becoming better every day. 

We had been by my side for so many years, literally right next me at our desks and I am so grateful for that time.

It's insane to think that we are now done.

He is graduated and I am out of kids. 

He is almost finished with his mission papers to go and serve the Lord for two years and every time I think about that it makes me a little weepy. 

We raised them to grow up and leave, but it's always hard when they do.

I still have him for a few months though. 

 

Four Wheelin' Time

 

The four wheeler has been freed from the snow.

We started it up and took a ride today. 

I love this time of year.

I love that we have this four wheeler to get around the property.

Emer LOVES taking rides with me and any time I hop on he is close behind me. 

Sometimes I find myself completely overwhelmed with gratitude for this life that we get to live. 

 

Things are Happening!

 I got my feet in the dirt today.

It's warmed up enough in the greenhouse to work the soil.

Squee! 

I am itching to plant.

I keep telling myself to calm down.

I always plant too early every year.

But the winter was SO long and now the snow is melting and the sun is out.

AND

outside there is garlic and rhubarb up already.

We are getting so close!

 

No Lake Hale This Year

 

Something weird is happening in the world. 

We always have Lake Hale, but this year there has not been any sign of it.

Almost all the snow is melted and we are sure that we will not be kayaking the driveway this year.

The weather has been so cold, with bouts of warmth and it just has been melting so slowly. 

I think the ground has thawed at the same rate and so no Lake Hale.