Memorial Day Weekend...

Memorial Day Weekend in Idaho was like it was traditionally....cold, windy, overcast, dark and WET. Also true to form, I had to work. When I got home at 7 AM Saturday morning, I took a quick nap. I set my alarm on my phone because I didn't want to miss what I needed to do. I got up at 11 and picked up the kids from my parents. We went to visit two cemeteries. First we visited the one in town, and then we went to the one out to Parker. This is where a good share of my more immediate family is. My grandma Phillips, who just passed in February, is there. Her headstone was placed there just a couple of weeks ago.

I took pictures and decided to put them online for those of you who are unable to see it.

Yes...9 kids
Luckily Sunday night, I was on call and I was able to sleep. So when Monday came around, we tried to go play. We went to Target and got the boys some sandals, Taylor some capri's and everyone some shorts. Then we ran thru the drive-thru at Burger King then took our goods to the equal access playground at Tautphaus Park. We sat in the sun, (yes there FINALLY was some Monday around 1PM) and ate. Then they played for over an hour. It was busy, but they had a GREAT time. There was a family there, that was playing tag...and Dylan couldn't help but be drawn into it also.

We finally made our way home in time for me to change and get ready for work. It was so fun to play, and a great start to our summer. I hope that we have a great summer and are able to play hard, as long as we can.

Taylor's 7th Birthday

Here is the 'catch up' on Taylors Birthday that was on May 16th. Her cake was pink and purple and in a ♥ shape, just like she wanted. No surprise, that is what Taylor would want. Some new clothes.
New sandals..

The new CTR star necklace, and the new sun dress...

And the newest addition to our house old...Taylor named her 'Allie'

Jared's 4th Birthday

Yes, I understand Jared's birthday was April 7th. Yes, I understand I am way super behind. But I hope there is credit in trying to catch up regardless of how behind I may be.

Isn't he so cute and silly?? To him, saying 'cheese' still means to put your nose in the air.

Pretty happy with all the loot!

Topple is a game that is often played in Physical Therapy with Jared. Well...I saw it one day in Family Dollar. SCORE!!!

I wonder...

I wonder what in the world I'm doing...

I wonder what Dylan's gift to the world will be...

I wonder what we will do after he graduates from HS...

I wonder what each of my kids will become...

I wonder if the testimonies they form, will be enough to carry them...

I wonder if Taylor understands the influence she has...

I wonder Jared will out grow his allergies...

I wonder if a vacation, would really be of any benefit...

I wonder if I will ever find a music therapist...

I wonder if Taylor will always be blonde...

I wonder what the difference is between how I see Dylan, and how others see him...

I wonder if I've already ruined them...

I wonder if I should get Dylan a dog, or maybe a horse (hippotherapy)...

I wonder if Jared will ever decide to be potty trained...

I wonder if I can better pin-point Taylor's love language...

I wonder if PSR would help Dylan...

I wonder what Dylan's next MRI will show...

I wonder if Jared will always be so witty...

I wonder if Jared will be in pre-school this fall...

I wonder if I can better nail this 'scouts' thing...

I wonder if Taylor will like her birthday presents...

I wonder how to teach them responsibility...

I wonder how I can be more consistent...

I wonder what they will remember me for...

I wonder what they are lacking for, that I need to do better with...

I wonder if they will get MSG poisoning...

I wonder if they know that they are my world...

I wonder if they know how deeply I love them...

Spring...

I've noticed this last week, that despite how long the snow has been here...and how it still snows on occasion, my tulips are starting to peek their leaves up thru the ground. I don't know about anyone else, but I am not a fan of the snow. I always think it stays too long. I know that before too long, I will be complaining about how hot it is.
I soo appreciate spring. I remember how every year around spring, I had forgotten the year before the importance of renewal around this time of year. It is a lesson learned every year...that spring is a time for everything to be anew; the baby chicks, the cute little bunnies, trees trying to show there new work, and tulip buds showing up thru the hard and sometimes frozen ground.

For me, that is what I am counting on.

This is a new additiong to my home. To me, bamboo represents strength, slow and steady growth and resilience.

A summary of bamboo:
When the storm comes, the bamboo bends with the wind. When the storm ceases, it resumes its upright position. Its ability to cope with adversity and still stand firmly without losing its original ground is truly inspirational.
I hope someday, the same could be said for me...

It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:

So, the great test of life is to see whether we will hearken to and obey God’s commands in the midst of the storms of life. It is not to endure storms, but to choose the right while they rage. And the tragedy of life is to fail in that test and so fail to qualify to return in glory to our heavenly home.
Thank you Henry B. Eyring...