Mom's Walk

We were trying to think of something to do to honor mom and celebrate her on Mother's Day.  We were talking about it over easter and had the idea to go for a walk.  This was something everyone could participate in anywhere.  We thought it could be done anytime over the weekend.  Mom loved walks and loved to be outside.  We thought it was the perfect idea.  I was looking forward to our walk on Saturday.  I was thankful everyone liked the idea because I didn't want to be sad celebrating mom.  I didn't want to gather at her grave and release balloons or tell memories.  I wanted to be happy as I thought of her for Mother's Day.  I really think mom wants us to be happy, especially as we think of her.  Lauren came in town and went to the temple and then joined us.  We meet at Rockwood Reservations, a place where we have walked so many times.  Jordan and his family came, us, Dad and Lauren.  I am so glad the weather was perfect.  It has been so cool and rainy lately.  We walked and talked.  Dad pointed out the rocks he placed over a stream for mom.  They are still there.  We got to the overlook and stopped to take a photo.  We took a few photos and then noticed a cardinal bird sitting up in the tree singing a beautiful song.  I mentioned that seeing a cardinal means someone who has passed it there with you.  No one had heard that, so I googled it.  "The most common interpretation of a cardinal is a message from a departed loved one.  Whenever you see on, it signifies that they are visiting you.  They generally appear when you need or miss them the most."   It was such a sweet thought to think Mom was there with us singing us that pretty song.  I know she isn't really a cardinal bird, but I do believe she is still with us and watching over us.  I know that she would have loved to be there with us going on the walk.  It is a walk we haven't done with her in many years because the hills were to hard for her to physically walk.  We sat down and had a snack when we finished and then parted ways.  We briefly stopped at her grave with dad and then headed home.  I didn't really want to sit and feel emotional at her grave, we only stayed a few minutes.  It was such a lovely day, I hope we can continue this tradition.  I really enjoyed it and loved thinking of mom.               

 

Last Track Meet

Lucy had her last track meet on Friday.  We are so proud of Lucy and her hard work with track this year.  It would have been so easy for her to give up so many times.  I know it was hard and she felt pushed, exhausted, sore and worn out almost every day.  Lucy has been struggling this week.  Mentally she is worn out with not feeling well and being on all of her medicine.  I picked her up from practice Thursday and she told me she had such a good practice.  She has been working really hard with her coach to 4 step between hurdles vs. 5 step.  She was doing well but also struggling.  She was about to give it another run and her coach said "You can do it! You are so strong and you have been through so much.  You've got this!"  Lucy said it was exactly what she needed to hear.  Not only for hurdles but for the trials she is facing in her life right now.  She came home with many bruises on her legs and had to sit in an ice bath when she got home for 8 minutes.  Lucy had a great meet Friday.  JJ and I went up to watch her do the 100 M hurdles and the high jump.  She came in 4th in hurdles, it was so close it was to hard to tell.  We had to wait for the official times to come in to know for sure.  Lucy got over the bar for starting height for high jump but not after that.  We went home and then ate dinner.  We went back later and the Elmore's joined us.  They wanted to come cheer on Lucy and they love track meets.  It was fun to visit with them.  We all watched Lucy do the 300 M hurdles.  She had a great clean run.  I girl fell towards the end opening up an opportunity for Lucy to place.  Lucy knew there were medals and she wanted one.  You could see her fight and give it her all at the end to earn third place.  She was so happy with her run and excited to have her first high school track medal.  I think at the beginning we were pushing her to stick with track.  At the end we were happy to see her working hard and also enjoying it.  She made some great new friends and also saw how it helped her on the basketball court.  She is faster and has great endurance.  What a great track season.     

 

Addie's Baptism

We were so glad we could drive up to Springfield for the day for Addie's baptism.  It is nice to have them close by that we can make the trip easily.  Addie asked me to give the talk on baptism and I was happy to.  We arrived just in time for the baptism.  Sadly, Lucy couldn't join us because she had a basketball game that she didn't want to miss.  I was the first speaker and then we walked down the hall to see Addie get baptized.  While Addie was being baptized, I felt the spirit so strong.  I knew mom was there.  It is the first time I have really been able to feel mom's presence like that.  It was so special, and I am glad I could recognize it.  My Dad played his guitar and sang the primary song "I will walk with Jesus".  It was my favorite part of the program.  I had to hold back tears.  The spirit was so strong.  I could tell that my dad was also holding back emotion as he played and sang.  It was such a sweet and special program.  After the program was over Addie came over and was talking to me and my dad.  We both commented that Grandma was here.  She said "yes, she was sitting in the back."  Addie is right, Grandma was there sitting in the back.  She was here for the special day.  She wouldn't have missed it.  I am so glad Addie told me that.  It is so neat to see the sweet spirit of children.  We had some refreshments in the gym and had a nice time visiting with people from their ward.  Several people commented how strong the spirit was at the baptism.  It was neat that others could feel it.  We went back to Lauren and Braden's house for the afternoon.  They ordered Chipotle for everyone, and it was so good.  It was so fun for all the kids to run around and play outside.  Thankfully the weather was nice, we have had so much rain lately.  It was a very enjoyable and relaxing afternoon.  We headed home that evening.  It was such a nice trip, and I will always remember the special experiences I had there that day.               

 

Lucy had a great track meet.  She had been working hard at 4 stepping with her 100 M hurdles.  She did great and although she studder stepped a few she did 4 step a few which is great progress.  She was really proud of herself!  All the bruises and sore shins are worth it.  She also had a great 300 M hurdle run and set a new PR, she shaved off 2 seconds from her time.  I am so proud of Lucy for working hard at track.  She has shown such improvement and I know it had been such good training for her. 

Jack has been such a bored puppy and he has been so naughty lately.  Several people think he really does need another dog to be friends with and keep him busy.  I just can't handle another dog.  One is already a lot of work and money.  Jack has been digging in the backyard a lot.  The other day I found a hole in the backyard with 4 socks buried in it.  I also found a sock in my flowerpot on the deck.  He dug up one of my daylilies and just seems to be ruining the backyard.  He also chewed up JJ's sandals which is so sad.  I know he needs to be walked more and it is hard with us both working and the kids at school.  Hopefully this summer we can walk him more and spend more time with him.  There are sometimes I just think to myself it's a good thing you are so cute and snuggly.       

Zoo Field Trip

Nolan has never been able to go on a field trip with school.  He has never had a school year when things were "normal".  I think kids will grow up and have memories of Covid and how it affected their lives.  Thankfully we are almost back to normal in all aspects.  Nolan was so excited to go on his first field trip and especially excited to have me join him there at the Zoo.  We got activity passes that included the sting ray exhibit, the carousel, a 4D show and the train.  I had Nolan and one other boy in our group.  There was another group with three other boys.  They all wanted to combine and hang out together.  They had a lot of fun doing and seeing things together.  They were not very good listeners and would often times run ahead of me and the other mom.  It was hard to keep up and keep track of them.  There were a few times I wished we wouldn't have combined groups.  Oh well, it all worked out and the boys had fun.  We didn't have a lot of time to see many animals.  We wanted to make sure we could do everything that came with the activity bracelet since we paid for it.  We did enjoy seeing the penguins, walking around the cats and the new primate exhibit.  I wish I would have been able to spend the afternoon there with Nolan, but I had to get back for orthodontist appointments for me and Garrett.  The zoo was beautiful, the trees and bushes were blooming, and it was such a pretty spring day.  It would have been so nice to spend some quiet time with just Nolan looking at some animals.  It made me miss my time with Nolan when he was younger.  I thought to myself how it has been so long since I have been to the zoo.  I used to go so often when the kids were younger.  Especially when we lived in Memphis, I would take the kids almost weekly.  I miss those days of doing fun things with the kids and not having so many things on the calendar.  I also enjoy my kids now and the independence they have now as they have grown up.  I am glad I could have that morning with Nolan, I am glad he was so happy to have me there with him.  I am glad I could easily rearrange my work so make it possible.  It was so enjoyable, and I enjoyed thinking back on times when he was younger.  I am thankful for those memories and times I was able to have with him.             

 

Nolan's Birthday Party

Nolan asked to have a birthday party with some friends this year.  It has been a few years since we have had a party for him.  I mentioned doing a swimming party at the Renaud center and he liked that idea.  It was so easy for us, and we didn't have to worry about weather.  They provided the cake, the party room and the party favors.  All we had to do was show up on the day of the party.  We got some invitations and invited all the boys in his class and some friends from church and our neighbor.  We know it is busy with so many things going on, we are thankful we had a pretty good turnout.  We started in the party room and had cake and then let Nolan open his presents.  His friends were so excited to have him open the presents they got.  I think it is so fun when both kids are so excited.  Giving a gift truly is so fun and can be just as rewarding as getting the gift.  He got lots of Pokémon things, his friends know he loves Pokémon!  We then went and swam for a few hours.  The boys loved the waterslide and would go down it over and over again.  They had a blast swimming around.  We had a talk with Nolan before the party about making sure all his friends felt included.  It can be tricky to have friends that don't all know each other.  Nolan's response to the conversation was "how about I introduce everyone to and then we can all be friends."  That was a great answer and that was exactly what Nolan ended up doing.  All the boys became friends and swam together!  The party was a success, and I am glad Nolan had a fun time.  He is such a sweet boy, and I am glad we could continue to celebrate his birthday with him.             

Garrett's school put on the play Moana Jr.  We went together to see it, which was a lot of fun.  He was excited to go and see it and support some of his classmates.  He had asked me if he could go with some friends from school.  I was excited to hear that he wanted to get a group together to do something.  Garrett doesn't really hang out with any friends.  We are always encouraging him to invite friends over.  He asked around at school on Friday but couldn't find anyone that was available to go with him.  I told him I would go with him.  We saw some friends there and sat together.  It was a cute play, and I am glad I got to spend time with Garrett.     

The weather has been so beautiful, perfect for putting the top down on Lucy's car.  We enjoyed driving around together one evening.