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.

Cruising Wiff my Peeps

Once upon a time I made a plan to take mother and my sisters on a cruise.  Natalie was the only sister that made it work.  So we went! On a cruise!  Just the three of us!

As soon as we arrived, we headed to the buffet.  Yum.

Miami weather was rainy and cold and wet, so we found our room and warmed up. 

This is how we left the port.

The cruise terminal was covered in lovely palms.  Why is it that palm trees = vacation to me?

Formal came, so we decided to awaken and pretend to get dressed.  First selfie attempt.

Second selfie attempt.

This is how we spent most of Monday, asleep.

And we read. 

Off to the really not spectacular show with three seconds of 3-d effects.  Instead, we found a band and listened to them play for hours every evening.  Natalie correctly concluded, "The real entertainment is this live band."

We awakened in the port of Roatan, Honduras -- lots of palm trees, blue water and white sand.

We found the shade.

But we also found a taxi driver that gave us a tour of the flowering and green peninsula.

The best part was that mother spoke to him in Spanish.  He learned of our devotion to Jesus Christ, and took us to visit the local church.

The next day we landed in Belize.

We caught the water taxi to the port, but it was a bit scary so we left quickly after mild shopping.

We tired ourselves out talking and laughing and 

playing, "Cruise."  This delightful game allowed Natalie to lie still while I piled up every pillow and created an illusion that she weighs 400 pounds.  Here she is piling up her "chins" as well.  Great game, I tell you what.  I felt sorry for all the other passengers who were watching an awful rock band show.  

We had to try the game from the back as well.  It worked.  I love her tiny hands and feet poking out.  Mother looks so proud of us.

Off to Cozumel for a day of shopping and eating.

We're very good at that.

It was hard to be awake more than four hours at a time, so we used the afternoon to rest up and read.  I think we each read a novel.

Our last night we found the band and sat to listen.  We knew all the words and music and loved it.

Mother was in fine form listening and loving all to whom she spoke.  I've decided that she loves with her eyes, which is why all people are instantly drawn to her.

Saturday came and it was time to.  I used Braille to make sure we were leaving the correct room, then we headed to that palmy airport.

Here we are using our sailing cards to make sure that we saw, spoke and heard no evil.  Phew.

They went one way, I went another.  My best tip was using earplugs and the travel pillow to continue sleep on my voyage home.

This nice husband met me at the gate and took me to a dinner.  I missed him.

During this week of total relaxation I felt the love of my Savior so tenderly as Natalie and Mother ministered to my mind and soul.  We connected eternally which lifted strengthened me.  I have a greater desire to be better and do better when I am with my mother and sisters.  I have no idea how we were really able to pull off our cruise, but I am game to go again!