To Love

Sunday, May 18, 2025

Are We There, Yet?

No. May isn't over, It's still May-cember with all the things attached.

Ryan looks innocent.

His toe game was so funny. Andy loved it most of all.

Eddie spent the week digging and building a fort in the sand. He lined the hole with platic table cloths.

Tuesday was Nick's tennis banquet. He won MVP of the team and received a HUGE trophy. He deserved it. "Nick's enthusiastic about tennis and life. His enthusiasm will take him far."

Coaches Larry and Conrad. He played four years with them. Those coaches helped him improve tremendously.

"Bring anything but a backpack" day at school. He pulled around this shopping cart all day.

"My back hurt because I had to lean so far down."

YM goers -- matching soccer shirts for soccer on chairs activity. (Eddie's shirt was Andy's and Austin's had a huge stain. I soaked them in magic elixir for a week and they looked new.)

Thursday night was Maddie's track banquet, "Maddie spent most of her season injured, but she has plans for a big come back next year. She even made it to state, which is pretty impressive. Maddie brings so much joy and excitement to the team."

Austin and the boys tried Molly's hand at repelling.

It didn't go well.

Which meant we stayed home Saturday morning while they enjoyed beautiful Sedona.

We live 30 minutes from these beautiful rocks.

Molly and I stayed home to watch two versions of "Annie" and sew. I used old sheets and sewed pajama bottoms -- capri, culotts, or cutoffs. They didn't mind the length. Molly sang the "Annie" music all day.

Garden harvest!

More ceremonies. Nick graduated from seminary. He should have. He rarely missed, was mostly on time, and contributed with his soul. He has grown. May heaven bless the seminary teachers around the world. And may Nick know that a daily connected with diety will bring more peace and comfort than any other balm the world offers.

Maisie's hanging in there this week. Meg and I love talking to her. She always has a full plate emotionally, but navigates it with so much maturity. She's a lovely human. I'll keep her.

Andy's adjusting to single life. He spent the weekend with buddies in St. George. "Golf. It's my new hobby." I think he's very dreamy. I'll keep him as well.

Meg's birthday! This little baby of mine with two babies of her own is 24! I'm amazed at her intentional mothering and nurturing. Elijah treated her with tons of gifts, a special breakfast and her own party (because he's amazing). She deserves it -- she's just so wonderful. My daughter loves all in her path, leaves a wake of love and laughter, and oozes charity and grace. Glad she's mine forever -- she's a goodie. (I never need nor want to sell her.)

Nobility in Motherhood and Joy in Womanhood

The cutest bubble braid on the cutest girl.

He's leaving me so soon.

Scripture time.

I needed help with a painting project -- these are my boys.

School days are the coziest days.

Nice Molly very generously gave me 50 pound dumbbells.

Girl's Camp Kick-off happened as well this week. We decorated the gym and made so many good things happen in preparation for camp this year. "Look Unto Christ" is our theme and our goal.

Friday was kind of the best date we've had in a very long time. We headed to Phoenix for Maddie's track, but it was suggested that we live a little first. So we did. Temple time is always the best time.

I snapped this picture and even though we look so angry, we were so happy. Austin took me to the outlets and bought me all the little things I've been wanting. He let me browse, buy and score fun new items that really add to my happiness. "Teacher appreciation and Mother's Day" shopping spree was just so great.

Maddie on her way to State.

Those 400m girls warming up.

She spent the year injured, so her race was pretty poor. Luckily, she was very glad to be with her friends for the weekend.

Ryan won another football game. These spectators viewed it from the tree.

Remember my one goal this year? To actually swallow the daily vitamin, well, daily? I wasn't reaching my goal for various memory reasons (either I forgot to take it entirely, or I didn't remember taking it, so I didn't know if I took more than one). Splurging on this nifty device is keeping my goal alive.

I spent three hours organizing the boys' clothing and drawers. I worked alone. Felt like Mother's Day weekend. It's a good thing Austin had already taken me shopping prior to this underpaid and overworked situation.

Molly and I found ourselves home alone with our Saturday chores completed -- so we went to Chipotle. Bussin'.

Mother's Day! Nick's long arms made for a pretty good selfie.

Austin saved the day in so many ways. Heaven knows I wouldn't be their mother without their father.

Here's one. He made me a lovely dinner. Maddie decorated the table and Nick bought and wrapped me a box of treats and gifts. Sometimes I want to sell or even just donate them, but most of the time I can see through the hard and really find the joy. Joy in the wonky music. Joy in the stanky car. Joy in the millions of wet towels. Joy in the tease. Joy in the sorrow. It's all because my mother taught me to find that joy. My true joy is found in Jesus. He knows I'm often the worst mother and my tongue is barely tamed, but He also knows that I wake up and try again day after day. It's lovely that me three grown children also know the joy in Jesus for themselves, and Nick and Maddie are proving true to this grand plan as well.