March Madness

It's always a treat to go to Grandma's house on Sunday evenings.  Austin was holding his phone while they chatted with Meg via Messenger.  The children read, play games, or play outside.

Lots of sourdough bread baking this week.  My friend came over and we made it happen.

Wednesday night the RS/YW had a joint activity --a tea party.  I bought us hats and we dressed up for the most dainty and declicious delectables.  We had a sweet time together.  (I was asked to be the key-note speaker, so I did my best to prepare a message concering the world-wide circle of sisterhood that we know as the Relief Society.). Austin smirked at my hat, but I quite adored it.  I think I might surprize him and wear one for Easter Sunday.

I found this gem of me as a baby loving my baby.  I've always been so proud of her.

"Flight School" happened for hours this week.  They lunched themselves off the pony wall and landed quite soundly on that pile of cushions and pillows.  Our week was wet and cold, so spending hours alit was just the ticket.

Nick read all these this week.  Maddie had her stack as well.

March 14 came and went as it always does.  Nine years ago my father stepped through the heavenly veil.  My siblings gathered to remember him and weep together.  I still haven't blogged about that day, but I think it is time.

Maddie took second in her 400m race.  She's a goat.  An injured goat, but a goat just the same.

 Maisie's update:

• 365 days to go
• Lots of cookies.  Lots of crafting.  Difficulty finding.  Exchanges happening today.

Later that afternoon both she and Meg were on while I was unloading my Walmart finds.  "Oh, I'd love to see your haul."  Those two blessed daughters just listened to me while I pulled my treasures out to be carefully put away.

Handy spent the week with friends in Havasupai.  They rented a huge house and orchestrated a great collegiate spring break.

I heard Meg's giggle several times this week while chatting with Nick.  They often chat and catch up on all the things.

UMMMM

I had to crochet a mother hen for all those pretty eggs.  

Maddie had an ortho appointment then needed a ride to school -- I wanted to immortalize her as a sophmore, athlete, student and darling 15 year old girl.

We spent two days watching Nick's tennis.  More wins for him.  His senior tennis poster is quite handsome.  The only bad thing about tennis is the fact that cheering is discouraged.  BOOO!  I try to sit quietly and politely, but that's not really my personality when rooting for my children.  The coach did remind me to tone it down.  Blast.

He's tall.  He's fast.  I wish he could have played with my dad.

The stake primary/youth talent show happened.  Molly happily practiced her songs.  She played them perfectly for two weeks, but nerves got to her.  

Molly's Songs

Footloose

We practiced a family dance and killed it.  Our formations were off, but at least we had two.

Austin harvested a head of cabbage.  He's smug.  He should be.  He planted those seeds in October.

My 92 year-old friend passed way., lucily I was prompted to visit her a few hours before she died.  I told her I loved her, and I know she knew it. She was every bit angel on earth.  I will miss her.  It was a sacred experience to dress her and prepare her for resurrection.  I miss her.

Eddie's state wresting meet proved victorious.  He won three and lost two.  He took fourth, which is pretty good considering he gave up four pounds.  He's going to have to gain 40 to wrestle in high school.  Yipes.

Lunch with teammates afterwards.

 Maisie's update:

"It was kind of a crazy week.  I conducted Zone Conference.  It was fun!  Then our car wouldn't start -- the APs had to fix it.  It was a dead battery."

Stuff

These three helped me change out the love decor for the luck decor.  We found these mustaches.  

We fed the missionaries Monday night -- Molly slid this note back and forth to Eddie.  Their new game is a swing/pulley system in our huge tree.  They spent hours out there this week.

I bought banneton baskets for my bread.  I'm very tickled about those flour lines.

The United Stated Air Force Band from Travis Air Base in California came and performed at our little high school.  The music was epic.

It's obvious that Molly and Ryan have different tastes in music.  Too bad their mother knows it's okay to be bored.

Nick had his first tennis match -- he lost his doubles, but won his single.  YES!  He looks like a senior tennis player this year.

Two feet away Maddie entertained all his teammates. HAHAHA.  She's recovering from a calf injury, so she was forced to take the week off from practice and the meet.  BOO.

School was so good this week.  My students stayed on task and were smug about what they've learned.  

We managed to clean the church -- Molly found Maisie's plaque.

Saturday I leisurely completed my chores.  Austin took the boys outside to begin the base of a chicken coop!  We're practically farmers.

In honor of the coop, I crocheted a few eggs.  Darl.

More trains on Sunday -- this time the map was the United States.  Lucky for us, the children have all the capitals memorized.  

Maddie made cookies instead of playing.

Nick brought two friends to church.  One is getting baptized this Sunday, and the other one used a scripture and bore his testimony.  So good.  Nick testified of the power of the Holy Ghost and the importance of prayer.

Sister Babcock's Update:

• No sugar.  Still.
• A member gave me two tablespoons of sourdough start.  This is a journey that I like.
• President Hayden told her, "You're a very mature missionary -- have you thought about law school?"  She told him all about her plans to stay at home with her children and write books.

Andy's Update:

• He got kicked out of the cadaver lab .
• He ran 11 miles on Saturday.  "I have so much to plan and think about."
  
  Bea and Winnie living their best lives in their costumes.  Meg was very happy to report that she enjoyed her shower and that a shower is a big deal.  I quite agreed.  Elijah comes home early Fridays, and they had big plans Saturday -- a glizzy cook out.
  
  
  
  

 

February Finds

I finally gave Ryan a haircut -- he told me to be careful because of his goose egg behind his ear -- a hover board accident.

Molly's Activity Day's assignment was to study the life of Joseph Smith.  She spent a long time on this.

Because I bake the most beautiful bread.

All of a sudden, it was the weekend.  We chased the Killers to Laughlin, NV, and spent another chilly evening just two rows into the crowd.  

He kind of comes alive whilst listening to the band titled, "The Killers."  That's funny.

Brother Brandon Flowers -- I wanted to ask him if he would come to our stake and perform for a fireside.  

We had stake conference all weekend.  Lots of beautiful testimonies of Jesus Christ and music that reaffirmed His life and ministry.

Nick won the train game.

I finished reading this beloved book to my children.  I wept everyday as I read aloud the persecutions and deprivations of Joseph Smith and his family.  Lucy outlived her husband and all six adult sons.  Her testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon is unflinching.  She spent her life in service of her God and her family.

Sister Babcock's update:

• One year and ten days left.
• SO MUCH SNOW!
• I thrifted this sweater and these jeans.
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Andy and Meg had the best surprise -- Aunt Whitni came to town and spoiled them!

Theater, dinner, babies, skiing, cousins and so much listening and intentional praise -- that aunt is everything wonderful.