Bugs Falling

Racing to the window during the heaviest part of today's snowstorm, Paige exclaimed, "Mom, you've got to come see this. When you look up, it looks like a bunch of dead, black bugs falling from the sky!" Admittedly, with the overcast shadows and dreary slowness, it did.

Yucky visual.
Yucky weather.

Last night's weatherman quoted this to be Salt Lake's fifth wettest April on record.
Now 21 out of 29 days wet.
Time for it to go.
Time for things to dry out and grow...

Easter 2011 - thru picts

SATURDAY - Awaiting a city egghunt:
Which I've sworn off...twenty minutes waiting then pure chaos. Paige got one egg because of her stellar speed. Meg got zero!

Cookies at the local bakery served as consolation:

SUNDAY - Several shots of Tyler:

He is now old enough to understand the need to gather:

And, the need to take a pitstop for sugar:

The girls, also sporting the toed-jammies look:

The aftermath - A pretty realistic portrayal of the kids...Meg, Tyler asking for food, and posing Paige:

Another angle - Paige "putting the egg back in Tyler's":

The coordinated look. Final shot only kind-of worked thanks to a bucket of rocks in hand:

It is was it is...

HAPPY EASTER 2011!

Empty Easter Eggs

Yesterday was a busy day.
Any morning can be crazy.
Add to that, the fact that it was Sunday.
Add to that, that it was Easter Sunday with three kids to get ready.
Add to that, a church calling that required me to conduct Primary and also present Sharing Time...twice.

I tried to arrive at church peacefully, but truth is that after our backyard egg hunt, attempted coordinating pictures, and the rush to get to church, I wasn't in the best frame of mind to present the joyful story of Easter. Not that the morning had been bad, but just busy. I was anything but peaceful. Gritted teeth was a more truthful description.

But, when teaching, you put your own emotions aside and plug along anyway. A crowd of children sit in front of you. Your time to stand in front starts. The prepared message must be shared.

So, yesterday, I did just that. I began asking the children to retell the story of Easter with the pictures of Christ I am showing. The children told of the cross, the empty tomb, the friends Christ visited once resurrected. The children helped compare "fun" things of Easter to the "important" things. I found myself listening to their voices. I found myself prompting them to answer question A in a way that would directly lead into my premeditated question B. Then, I found myself holding up an empty egg. Just a plastic egg.

My blurb about the egg was that AFTER all the exciting hunts are done around my house, and after all the sugar is eaten or stacked into piles, one of my favorite parts of Easter is gathering these empty eggs. For one, I like to clean up the clutter. But, more importantly, I like to look at the empty egg and think of the empty tomb. Realizing that the egg ends empty, helps me remember that the tomb was also empty! Realizing that Christ lives again, helps me remember that loved ones and I can live again!

(Sweet drawing by Meg of her with Jesus - yesterday, April 24, 2011)

As I stood holding the empty egg and hearing words coming out of my mouth, my internal thoughts were racing. I stood there questioning if a small empty egg really holds any significance. I questioned if what I was explaining was coming across with any sense of sincerity. I questioned if, in fact, this testimony of the empty tomb did hold more significance over the candy-filled hunt of the morning. Was I just going through the motions of the holiday? I hoped not. I realized that I really am grateful for the chances I have had to stand among children and explain what I believe. Sometimes it takes those forced moments to say outloud what you know. Sometimes it takes hearing your own voice saying things to remind yourself that, yes, you do believe it.

After each round of my allotted twenty minutes in front of the Primary children, I sat down. I sat down more at peace. Although rushed to get to that point, I felt joy this Easter. Together, those of us in Primary remembered an important part of Easter - an empty egg.

Alone, I remembered that there are chances during my daily/mundane/nobody-else-will-put-this-holiday-decor-away-but-me cleaning to recognize subtle reminders of Christ. I can pause and think of my Savior as I look at the pile of empty Easter eggs that will (today!) return to their marked Rubbermaid for another year...

First tooth down!

In addition to tonight's visit from the Easter Bunny, hopes are that the Tooth Fairy will find Meg's pillow. Placed carefully under is her first lost tooth. The Ziploc bag, holding the tooth, has been strategically turned so that the opening faces the edge of the bed. The zipping top has an inch unfastened, for the small fairy to enter. Things should work out for the morning's discovery.

Her tooth has been wiggling for the past several weeks. I figured this day would soon come, based on the reports of classmates losing theirs. In fact, she quite a bit later than most. But, I wasn't especially anxious. Watching kindergartners in my classroom jiggle their tooth repeatedly and then having them insist I closely examine what dangled by a very thin thread, never were my favorite moments. I don't have a stomach for it. When Meg's tooth began to wiggle, I would peek but then send her to show Matt. I told her to tell me when it fell out. For weeks she did just that.

But, today, when she showed me that the tooth behind it had pushed completely through the gums, I changed my song to "that little one needs to come out now!" The next tooth seems especially far back. It will likely slide into place, but to "give it the room it needs," I supported Meg's pulling cause. She had spent most of the afternoon pulling on a piece of floss that was wrapped around it, preferring to loosen it herself rather than face Matt's pliers. I asked if I could "pull it twice."

On the third time (mean Mom for pulling three times!) it popped out. Followed with blood. Tears. Clapping. And, excited phone calls to grandparents. Cute thing had wanted to postpone putting it under her pillow so that she could show it to her friends at school on Monday. We convinced her that the gaping hole would serve as proof.


It will take a while to get used to her new mugshot smile. As she describes, "it now has a door!"

a HOPEful violin

Paige's middle name is HOPE. Have I ever written of that here? The name comes from Matt's lone baptism on his mission. A large Nigerian man, named Hope. When it came to naming our children, I wanted to use something meaningful from Matt's mission. Reflecting back, I don't think we could have come up with a more fitting match to Paige's upbeat personality.

An example of the HOPE I find through her: When downloading my recent Ipod pictures, I find this picture.

With purpose, she has a board book mounted to her chin and a baby toy in performance position. "What do you think I am doing, Mom?" she questioned. Watching a few stroke with her colorful "bow," I could tell that in fact she was "playing the violin." A board book violin!

After giving her some creativity points, I realized that it reminded me a bit like when a pity-partying-soul provokes their listener to move their fingers in exaggeratingly small motions. Playing a violin meant for a flea. In a "really, you're life is not that hard" sarcastic way.

I had one of those pity-party days a few days ago. A rough day. I could have easily rambled off a lengthy list of wrongs that had come my way. But, by the time Matt finally stumbled into the house after working past 11:15 PM, I was glancing at the picture of Paige and her "violin." Seeing her with that makeshift instrument, I couldn't help but see her "No, you're life isn't that bad. Look my way. There is HOPE if you slow down and watch my awesome violin solo. I'm playing on your behalf!" reminder.

That's a quirky, HOPEful reminder I'll take!

Visiting: the Salkt Lake Temple

Several repeated themes hit me during the most recent General Conference - temples being one of them. Being in the stage of young children, I especially listened as President Monson quoted the importance of hanging a picture of a temple in every room, saying, "To you parents of young children, may I share with you some sage advice from President Spencer W. Kimball. Said he: “It would be a fine thing if … parents would have in every bedroom in their house a picture of the temple so [their children] from the time [they are] infant[s] could look at the picture every day [until] it becomes a part of [their lives]. When [they reach] the age that [they need] to make [the] very important decision [concerning going to the temple], it will have already been made.” That is an easy place to start with the little ones we have right now. In days since, I have bought a white frame and placed it on the shelf in the girls' room.

But, I also felt like we could do more than just provide a photograph. With so many temples nearby (fifteen sites in Utah), I set the goal to visit each Utah temple as a family. There are some temples within the state lines that I've never seen. And, certainly, a picture of the temple would mean more if the child has been there and can look at a photograph of themselves near the temple. Longer distances can be doubled up with a camping trip or hike as the weather gets warmer. We can walk the grounds. And, as we are visiting the walls, we can try to teach what President Monson testified, that "temples are more than stone and mortar. They are filled with faith and fasting. They are built of trials and testimonies. They are sanctified by sacrifice and service."


To start, we headed out to the Salt Lake Temple yesterday. Parking on the North side of the Conference Center, we first climbed its stairs and explored its waterfall from the outside and inside. A Conference Center tour allowed us to see the auditorium full of chairs "where the prophet speaks," and view the temple from less common angles!

The evening was a bit overcast and windy. Jackets should have been worn, but hugs helped out.

There was alot of walking. Alot of bending. Alot of reminders to stay out of the water...

There were also alot of bright spring flowers covering the grounds. Tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths! It was a good Spring evening. A good kick-off of temple touring!

Utah Temples to Tour:

• Bountiful
• Brigham City
• Draper
• Jordan River
• Logan
• Manti
• Monticello
• Mount Timpanogos
• Ogden
• Oquirrh Mountain
• Payson
• Provo
• St. George
• Salt Lake
• Vernal

School Friends

Meg just brought home her Kindergarten class picture. I am glad they still take the traditional, all-fit-onto-one-stage, shot. It is fun to put names to faces. Fun see the whole group together, especially since not every friend ever fits into a single colored illustration.

She has had a sweet class. Earlier in the school year, I went in weekly to help in the classroom. I enjoyed watching from the corner to see how they interacted. Knowing that she has been among a good group of kids, is a great comfort.

She has come home and eagerly told only positive stories. Got to stay updated with who is "attached" as "girlfriend and boyfriend," and who her current best friend is (She talks often of Chris, Tili, and the Avas. She has played at Kayla and Amanda's houses)! She has loved her teacher. She has done well!

Keeping up at the Park

One year older obviously makes a big difference for a kid at the park. Last Fall, the girls would stay busy themselves. One would push the other on the swing! They could safely reach all heights and slide alone. I could watch from the sidelines, with Tyler on a blanket.

Having already spent two Spring evenings at the park, I realize that we are back in the constant-shadow stage.

Running to be where his sisters are, Tyler now eagerly helps hold down one side of the teetertoter. He has mastered the cycle of short steps up and baby slide down. He has learned the joy of the swings.

Just when I was enjoying the fact that I could talk the girls out of begging me to push at the swings, I realize I'll most likely be there all this season...because, NO, my mobile seventeen month old does not want to get out!

Garbage Can Helper

With the pictures that follow, insert the Primary lyrics, "When we're helping we're happy, and we sing as we go..."
That song was perfectly fitting as I watched Meg rush to meet Matt outside, a few days ago after work.


Wanting to prove that she was big enough, she offered to roll back the garbage can. She wanted to help Daddy.
Wanting to prove that there once was a day she eagerly ran for the garbage cans, I am including these pictures for when she is a teenager. Will she want to help Daddy as eagerly then?

Proud Owner

After stalking the KSL classifieds long enough and test driving other trucks to compare, Matt decided to take a look at one down in Orem. Turned out to be "the one." Fit the long list of specifications he had his mind set on. And, we got a great price and a lower interest rate than the bank had first quoted! After all was settled, Matt drove in last night with just enough sunlight left for us to see his new ride. I let the girls stay up a bit late to see what they had given a few of their coins for.

Granted, the pictures are fuzzy due to quickly grabbing the Ipod, but I still love the picture below: three heads peering out (dog Carl's rather than sleeping Tyler's), and Matt's proud grin. Immediately, Matt wiped the window clean of any signs of it being for sale. The girls slid boots over pajamas and ran out for a closer look. Together, they reversed out of the driveway for a quick spin.

Today, we took another drive through the neighborhood. Nothing far, since it still needs to be officially registered and licensed. But, Matt couldn't continue just looking at it through the front window. A "ride as a family" was deemed needed.

With three car seats easily fitting in the back, happy passengers were ready to go. I don't think Tyler will remain happily buckled in the back, though (He has really begun arching his back and fighting us any and all times we buckle in to the car). But really, who blames him? Having now had the chance to explore the front seat, of course he wants that position. Won't be long before Matt has turned him into a Dodge fan, that's for sure.

It is good to see Matt satisfied. He is NOT one for material things, but I have repeatedly been told by him that "it would be really nice to have a truck right now" (usually as I'm requiring him to go to another hardware or garden store for my project supplies). A truck, this truck, is something he has repeatedly put off while other bills were paid. It is great to be at the point that he has gotten his goal.

...now, his wishlist only contains a pepper grinder (bizarre!). I think I can manage to pull that one off for his next birthday. :)

April Artwork

Occasionally the girls hand me a sketch that I want to keep longer than it hangs on the fridge. The details are very telling of their current personalities.

Of the picture above, Meg said, "A princess saw a monster. The monster yelled at her (thus the backwards RRRs coming from the monster's direction). Then the prince saw the monster and he wanted to save the princess. But, he was a little nervous. He shaked and shaked. Even though he is scared he will still save the princess! The End."

Of her drawing below, Paige said, "Mom when I get bigger I want to get a cat with soft whiskers. And, will you grow my hair out very, very, very long like Rapunzel? You could braid it to make it bumpy! If you let my hair grow so, so, so long, I'll give you alot of Valentines when it is Valentines. (Everything is conditional with Paige).

Rapunzels on Spring Break

Spring Break snuck up on me. I didn't write it on our calendar until I flipped to April. I didn't make any out of town plans. But, I did predict the need to fill the hours the girls would be together (expressed when I put Meg to sleep Sunday night and her response to my, "You don't have to go to school tomorrow it's Spring Break" was, "The only thing I don't like about Spring Break is that my family can be annoying!"). I did see the week of afternoons at home (during Tyler's naps) as a chance to try out some projects with the girls that I had been filing away for "someday." I went to a few stores and gathered a small pile of supplies...

Today's afternoon plan required me to stitch up long strips of felt beforehand. It required me to enlist Matt, his pocketknife, and his empty water heater boxes. It required the girls to become artists and costume wearers. Together, we enclosed our large picnic table with castle walls and added flower gardens at ground level (Meg opted for meticulous petals. Paige insisted on sky-height on tiptoes because it's her castle.). Thankfully, our clouds and coughs cleared a bit from yesterday. Once costumes and hair were put on, the girls were ready to play - Rapunzel style. Paige, in her pink dress with clicking princess shoes underneath. Meg, with a seperate tower of her own, in her requested brown locks.

I asked the girls to say "hi" for the picture. Rather than facing the camera's lens that I'd been inplying, Meg explained to Paige that a hand must be raised to signify a proper greeting. Looks an awful lot like two Indians taking a pledge in Old Testament robes, ah well! Soon the heavy "hair" became too much to manage. With a makeshift "fan" in one hand, how is a true princess expected to keep tabs on anything else? The "Tangled" locks got dropped, and the play continued! Those hours of happy playing (with high-pitched voices) is the most important part.