All the Love

It's Science Fair time!  Nick is testing the five second rule.

 Maddie tried out for the talent show and made it with her piano skills.  We then rad to Walmart.

 Valentine's Day!  The best day with all the love in the whole world.
Eddie and I made a taco box.

 Molly looks darling in her red and pink and heart earrings.

 Ryan is a stud.

 Our breakfast table.

Maddie and Maisie had heart hair (notice Maddie's heart socks).

 Maddie and Austin made this darling unicorn box.

 Maisie and Nick were just cute in red and pink.

 Andy was killing it -- as usual.

 I picked them up from school, and he was thrilled about the candy in that taco.

 I showed love for me by baking these cookies.  They really are the best.  cookie.  ever.

 We were all home early, so we watched the new "Grinch" movie all afternoon together.

 Austin gave me these. He makes his own arrangements.  He's really creative in all things.  He's very easy to love.

 Meg won the plank contest with a 5 minute and 17 second plank.  She brought home her war wounds.

Afternoon selfies.

Once again this chica earned "Athlete of the Month."  Every time I hear people gush about her, I tear up and feel so proud.

Her buddy earned the same award for males.

 They did this.  I was nice.

 Friday night Austin took us to see "Aladdin" at ASU Gammage.  It was just so fun to hang out with these middle children.

 They were in heaven.

 So were we.

 The theater!

 Saturday morning Meg received the email that she was accepted in BYU!  Rise and Shout!  We both cried.  This girl has been working so hard (she is still slated to be valedictorian) accomplishing goals.  She's a dream.

My family is so easy to love.  I've decided to kiss them more often, speak more gently, and testify more boldly.  And, when I fail again tomorrow, I'll just keep trying.

First of February

Well, Austin was released!  Here he is on his way out the door.

 We met in his office before church so that Andy could be ordained to the office of a priest. 

 Then we all left and he gave Maisie her temple recommend interview.

 Then, our meeting was just a beautiful cherished memory I hope to keep for all eternity.  I sat with Meg, Maisie, Maddie, Eddie, Ryan and Molly as Andy blessed the sacrament, Nick passed the sacrament to Austin and to us, and then we bore our testimonies.  During the meeting I felt the power in which the priesthood authority blesses my life.  I felt the Holy Ghost testify to me that the Abrahamic covenant is available to all of Heavenly Father's children who will make and keep sacred covenants.  Austin cried through his final address, thanking his counselors and his family and the ward.

After church we made tons of Super-Bowl food, but we didn't watch but the last 10 minutes of the Super-Bowl.  Our Sabbath was filled with change, yet our direction on the straight and narrow is constant. 

 Monday morning these cuties wore their new cruise shirts.

 We three played in Molly's kitchen making all sorts of salad and soup.

 Nick and Maisie turned on "Hot Potato" by the Wiggles on Alexa nd proceeded to toss a potato back and forth to the music.  Molly joined the fun by adding her bowl containing a baby potato.  Weird.

 Tuesday morning Andy got his braces off!

 He looks very nice and vowed to wear his retainers for life.

Ryan's little hand on mine.

 The Suby is forever gone.  We bought her in dental school just a few months before Maisie was born.  Austin commuted in her for 12 years, and Meg used her for almost two years.  But, it is time to let her problems go away.

 Wednesday night Austin was home -- the first time in 12 years of callings.  We turned on music and danced the hour away.

 We did send these four to mutual without him.

 Eddie and I watched the play, "Diary of a Worm."  The performers were especially talented, so I only fell asleep once.

 He told me he didn't have any smiles.

 The next day Austin taught his class about teeth.  The class loved his demonstration.  Eddie is that little light-blue boy to the left of Molly in stripes.

 These two didn't have school. so they scraped their pennies together and hit the slopes.  Jealous!

 Saturday the youth had a temple trip, but Austin did not have to go.  Instead, we took the four youngest for a lovely hike and then to the movies.

 We ate tons of popcorn and candy.  Molly was just old enough to barely make it through the entire movie.

 That evening we held an impromptu dance party, again, and some friends even joined us.  Seriously, we danced another hour away. 

It seems like change is a major constant in our family.  What keeps me flexible in my unbending faith in Jesus Christ's atonement and gospel.

The Bit of January

Sunday evening was especially calm because we didn't have school Monday.  Grandma fed us popcorn, and Andy entertained Grandpa with all sorts of comical teenage remarks.

 We spent a couple hours just relaxing and loving.

 Monday was another day of peaceful relaxation.  We three made more cookies.

 Then Maisie made an imagination game with pet shops and occupations.  We laughed because we were clever and cried because Molly destroyed every last bit.

 Maddie's signature is her classic 4th grade writing. 

 And here is her art work.  Then, I threw the project away.

 Tuesday I napped between my two bitsy babies.  They are growing so quickly.

 This salad is the best dinner experience of late -- roasted butternut squash with quinoa and pepitos.

 Rosemary rolls (and pork chops for the athletes) rounded the meal out nicely.

 Thursday night our stake president came over and released Austin from his calling as bishop.  Friday morning his list was a bit lighter, and he played with those two little ones like he'd been away on a long trip and had just come home.

 They ate him up.  Basking in their laughing and joyous cries filled my soul.