Grandparent's Day, May 2010!

Every May the kids' school hosts a Grandparent's Day, where the kids have a chance to show off some of their work. Since none of our kids' grandparents live close enough to attend, I've posted some of the pictures I took so they can at least enjoy them online!

Here is Sam with a couple of his art pieces (to his left).  His class also sang a few songs and did a skit about the solar system.

Here Sophie is showing off some of her Native American pieces, a rain stick, dream catcher and sand art.  Her class also recited a poem and sand a couple of songs.

Noah's class read stories and did a skit about Greek Mythology.  Here he is with his terrarium/goldfish bowl.  (The goldfish, which you can't see in the picture, is on the bottom part of the terrarium, and Noah said his name is Flame.)

Then in the evening, just for fun, I made a giant pizza sized cookie, and the kids had a "sleep over" in the living room while watching "Alvin and the Chipmunks" and "Alvin and Chipmunks the Squeakquel".

Traditions, Traditions!

Of course I have to document our annual May in Idaho snowfall:

A short visit with family.

On Saturday we made the four hour drive to Chris' hometown to visit with some of his family.  His youngest sister was having a birthday party (15!) and his next youngest sister just had a baby and was having her blessing on Sunday.  The kids were super excited because they haven't seen their cousins in a while.  We spent Saturday afternoon and evening at Chris' dad's house out in the country, where the boys got to run around and be wild outside, exploring the "cool, secret hideouts" in the lofts of the old barns and outbuildings on Grandpa's property. 

Sophie was also in her hay day, getting to spend some quality giggle time with some of her girl cousins.  On our way to church on Sunday, we stopped at the cemetery where Chris' mother is buried for a quick visit, then we stopped and visited with Chris' brother Brandon's family for a while.  Sophie spent the night there, trying to squeeze in as much time with the girls as possible !  (Thanks for having her, guys!)  Then we went to the baby's blessing, which was very nice, and after that spent a little time at Brittania's visiting, eating and enjoying loving on that new baby. :)  On our way out of town we stopped at another of Chris' sister's homes and spent another few hours visiting.  We didn't get home until almost 1 in the morning, and though it was worth it to get to visit with our family, I hope the kids are okay at school today!  They were pretty tired this morning.  Oh, well.  Only 3 weeks of school left for them!

Everyone loves Spring...

...except me! For so many reasons, I loathe springtime in southeastern Idaho. Is it winter, is it summer, is it snowing or raining or warm and sunny? Blaaahhh. One fine day we're able to be out enjoying the warmth, working in the yard and having fires in the firepit...

and the very next day we could wake up to this, after a huge wind storm, snow flurries and a plummet in the temperatures...

In the few minutes it's taking me to post this blog, it has literally gone from huge snowflakes blowing wildly, to the sun shining brightly, and a little rain in between. I guess one consolation is that at least our summers are mild, never too hot or humid, and that is one thing I love about living here. But those days cannot come too soon for me!

I can't believe my eyes...

I'd say we're pretty blessed. :)

We'll take it when it comes...

Today it has been a balmy 75 degrees! This morning we had Cub Scouts, at which Chris was a huge help and came to talk to the boys about being a police officer and what they can do to be good citizens. (It's actually one of the requirements for the Bears to meet with a law enforcement officer and learn these things, so how convenient for us that we have a resident Trooper!) Thanks, Chris. You did an awesome job, and hopefully the boys learned something, but they seemed to enjoy talking about your gun and getting to see your car and hear the sirens the most.



When we came home, the kids got their bathing suits on and helped their daddy wash his patrol car, then they ran through the sprinkler. Chris also planted starters for some garden huckleberries, tomato plants, pink daisies and some other blue flowers, I can't remember what they're called. I'm sure this great weather will be short lived, this being Eastern Idaho, after all, we may still be in for some snow! So we'll just enjoy it while we can.

My uncle Kevin.

One of my uncle's co-workers has set up a web page with information and updates on his status since suffering a stroke on March 31. I just thought I would post the link here on my blog, for anyone interested in reading about him, learning more about strokes, or even making a contribution to aid in his recovery. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kevinstellingworth

Facing Challenges and Difficulties

"Mortality is a period of testing, a time to prove ourselves worthy to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. In order to be tested, we must sometimes face challenges and difficulties. At times there appears to be no light at the tunnel's end—no dawn to break the night's darkness. We feel surrounded by the pain of broken hearts, the disappointment of shattered dreams, and the despair of vanished hopes. We join in uttering the biblical plea 'Is there no balm in Gilead?' (Jeremiah 8:22). We are inclined to view our own personal misfortunes through the distorted prism of pessimism. We feel abandoned, heartbroken, alone. If you find yourself in such a situation, I plead with you to turn to our Heavenly Father in faith. He will lift you and guide you. He will not always take your afflictions from you, but He will comfort and lead you with love through whatever storm you face."

Thomas S. Monson, "Looking Back and Moving Forward," Ensign, May 2008, 90

Topics: Love, Purpose of Mortality, Adversity