Birthday Twins

Nick is now 13, and Austin is 44!  (Austin works one day a week, and that happens to be Wednesdays, so into the office he went early and he came home at dinner.)

We celebrated Nick with presents.

Nick has so many lovable qualities.  Several of my sibling have told me that they know him to be kind and gentle.  He loves his Molly, and shows his love by hugging and holding her.  He shows his love to Ryan by beating off Eddie.  He shows his love for Eddie by endlessly playing "The Great Dalmuti".  He shows his love for Maddie by making sure she finishes her job. ;) He shows his love for Maisie by singing harmonies at family choir.  I often find her tangled up in his wiry arms.  He shows his love for Andy by watching Andy play Fornite late into the night and by eating that 10 o'clock snack.  He shows his love for Meg by thoroughly sweeping the floor so she's doesn't have to.

He shows his love for me when he passes by and rubs my back.  He shows his love for Austin by being old enough and strong enough to work beside him in the yard.  Nick has the best one-liners, and laughs easily at himself and a good joke. I still can't get enough of his loud and clear song voice.

 His favorite foods were a hit.

 We spent hours on the grass just reading and soaking up the perfect temperatures.

 He really wanted computer time; he got it.

 I spent the afternoon cleaning and cooking.

 Every bit of dinner was a delicious success.

 We ate outside, so that Grandpa and Grandma could come.  The wind blew down and broke all our decorations.

 But we still ate and enjoyed each other.
 We came back inside for apple pies and ice cream.

 (I exercised, showered and put makeup on and fixed my hair.  EVERY child asked me where I was going.  I told them, "To a birthday party!"  And I did.)

Why do I love Austin?   One of Austin's best qualities is that he is task driven.  If he has something that needs to be done, he does it.  Even if he doesn't like it, or would rather be doing something else.  The interesting detail about his tasks, is that they are never his.  He is always doing something to make life easier for another.

Two More Weeks

We are just plugging along.  We spend 20 minutes in our school routine and play every other second.  Austin is still home, so he is checking off his list item by item.

I needed a cabinet in my laundry room.

 He made one.  (I have no idea why I don't have an after picture, but I need to take that.)

 These two buddies play all sorts of card games.

 We went to the dessert to shoot guns.

 I watched.

 Maisie is our sharp shooter.  When we got home, she set up targets and spent several hours using the BB gun.

 Ry-guy.

 I found this gem.

 Sunday School we made a list of the families we minister (11 collectively), and we made them cards and delivered fresh bread.

 That evening the bigs played Catan.

 Ryan and Molly helped me make elephant ears with Grandma Goodell's recipe.

 Molly had a crack on her toe, naturally I super-glued it.  But, the glue came out with such force, that I glued all her toes together.

 After 30 minutes, I finally got her toes apart and all the glue off.  She just sat their and patiently waited to rescue.  She chatted, sang and loved being up past her bedtime.  Luckily, she had napped.

 Nick cleared that tower and jumped right over King Benjamin's tower and almost into the fireplace.

 We had two birthdays (more in an individual post).

 We three exercise together.

 Reading with Ryan happens everyday.

 We hike a couple times each week.  This is the summit of Steamboat Springs.  We practically sprinted up, and then we sat at the top for a really long time.  No schedule or outside obligations forces moments of extraordinary relaxation and togetherness.

 The view from the parking lot.

 That night Austin set up the tent, and the kids slept outside.

 We broke all COVID-19 rules and spent the day with friends in the wilderness.

 These two boys fit into the arms of one jacket and walked around.  They managed to scoop Meg up.  They are so funny.

 Saturday morning my desk beckoned to me.

 But, so did they.

 Eddie is our best buried treasure.

Our pool is heating, and we are preparing for a HOT weather week.  They've already floated, but this next week will be full-on swimming.

Easter Sunday

I cleared away all the bunnies and colored eggs and made symbols of the resurrected Christ the focus of our day, hoping that we might make Him the focus of our hearts.

 Our afternoon was indeed, sacred and special.  We testified of Christ and found joy in our eternal relationships that because of Him, transcend death. 

"God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine son."

Eddie's Baptism Day

 Due to Covid-19, only our family, Grandma and Grandpa B., our bishop and the primary president were present with us in the room (we are already a group of 10 without anyone else). However, we received permission to invite family members and add them to the ZOOM broadcast.  Emily, still on her mission, also invited an investigator to share in this ordinance of salvation.

 I'm grateful for Austin -- the father of our home -- who provides, protects and presides.

 I'm grateful that we are influenced for good everyday by these two.  They love us -- all our parts -- our good and bad parts, our messy and clean parts, our loud and reverent parts.

 I hope my tiny boy grows up to be as tall  as me.  His hands are the teeniest, tiniest, bitsy hands.  I need to trace them.

 I’ve spent the last few months teaching Eddie in quiet moments about baptism.  We read 2 Nephi 31 yesterday, and he sat still in body and mind, as we allowed the truth to penetrate our hearts. I followed specific promptings to make sure Eddie was ready to “Hear Him.” We both learned more.

 I printed programs for him.  Although it was just our family and the bishop, I didn't want to lose the character of his 8 year old handwriting.

Maddie led the music, she’s been practicing for our Sunday meetings at home.  I played my piano, and I felt confident, because I practice a bit almost everyday. Maisie gave a sweet opening prayer, thanking Heavenly Father for ZOOM broadcasting.  Then Maddie, Eddie Ryan and Molly sang, “My Baptism Day” by Janice Kapp Perry. Their sweet voices I hope to never forget. Grandma B. bore a powerful witness of the covenants Eddie would make upon baptism, and she also testified about how much Heavenly Father loves us because He promised the way back to Him is through the atonement of Jesus Christ -- repentance.  Andy and Nick stood as worthy priesthood witnesses, flanking Austin during the sacred ordinance. Meg testified that the Holy Ghost can comfort, direct, warn, guide and teach us. She gave specific examples and shared from her heart. Grandpa B. gave a lovely closing prayer including the teachings of the gospel and the power of repentance and resurrection.