Metros

Jacob had metros this weekend.  He swam in four events and all four events are headed to State!!!  He swims the butterfly in the medley relay, and then the 200m and 400 m relays he anchors.

(I love the scoreboard reflection in the water.  It makes it seem like the water is on fire) 

He REALLY wanted to go in the individual butterfly.  He needed a time of 57.30 to qualify for State 5A.  He was having a hard time getting down near that time.  On Saturday in front of a huge crowd of people HE DID IT!  We were so proud of him.  Stephen was crying.  I kept saying over and over, ‘he did it’. 

It wasn’t until a few minutes later when I was taking a picture of his time that I noticed he took SECOND place.  Not too shabby for a sophmore. :)

We couldn’t wipe that smile off of his face all weekend long.  Here is his second place medley relay team.

   His team took third place at Metros.  We shall see what State brings this week!

Mother’s Day Project

Mother’s Day was approaching and I decided to make a grandkids bouquet for my mother-in-law.  My first intention was to put a picture of each grandchild in the middle of a cut out flower.  (I know it’s sounding like a grade school Mother’s Day project) Well, they have A LOT of grandkids so that would be WAY too busy without focus on the pictures.  Instead I just put each picture on a stick and stuck them in to be their own flower.

I know it will last a littler longer than a normal bouquet of flowers, and hopefully it will bring a smile to Brenda’s face. 

I was already to mail it when Kaylee told me that we didn’t have a picture of baby Evie.  I remembered putting her picture on the stick but couldn’t find it to save my life.  Back to Costco I went to print out another.  I hate that a project can’t just go smoothly.

Anyway, Happy Mother’s day Brenda!  AND a big Thanks to all of you in-laws for emailing me pictures!

Random May

Rebecca had field day and rocked all of the running events.  I thought that she would start way too fast and wouldn’t have energy for the end of the races, but she would always prove me wrong.

She won the mile by quite a bit.  I think that soccer is good for making runners.

Ashley planned a beautiful dinner for Mother’s Day.  She had each of the kids play the piano as we ate.  She also taped a backdrop for us to take pictures.  However, looking at the picture she took, I don’t think Stephen and I realized she was taking it.

Jacob is swimming away.  So proud of the incredible swimmer he is!

Jerrica and I had a mother’s tea in her Kindergarten classroom.

Ashley finished up volleyball and is determined to do it again in the Fall.

The big girls are working hard with the YW to earn money for camp next month.

I have going on a lot of fun hikes with my friends.  They make me laugh so hard that I actually get an ab workout.

Sunday games still happen EVERY Sunday.

And that is a little of this and that for this month!

My Dad

A week ago my mom called me in the evening telling me that my dad was having heartburn and to talk with him to see if I could help him.  After hearing his symptoms, I knew it wasn’t heartburn.  He was having a heart attack.  Thank goodness mom got him to the hospital!  We are from a small town and after they checked him out, they flew him up to Pueblo.

SO last week was spent running back and forth to Pueblo.  Dad’s right coronary artery was 95 percent blocked and another one was 90 percent blocked as well.  They did a cardiac cath and put a stent in.

My dad and mom are from big families so there were plenty of texts, calls, and emails going on. 

My dad is so sweet.  He was trying to make light of the situation with his jokes to the nurses.  When they would bring in the education videos on the heart, he would ask for the “western version”.  He has always loved a good western movie.  John Wayne is his favorite.  All of the kids made cards, and Jacob drew a John Wayne on his.  Inside he said, “You are just as tough as the Duke himself”

 

Jerrica’s card was cute too with a tractor on the front and a promise inside to teach him to how to play “Hay Day” on his tablet.

Keith and my mom arrived at the hospital shortly after me.  Keith stayed there the entire time to help my parents.  I am so grateful he was able to drop everything and stay there for them.  He is so funny, and made it fun when we would go down to be with dad.  He sure doesn’t let anyone beat him at checkers!

My phone almost blew up from texting and communicating with everyone, but it made me realize how much my dad is loved.  So many people were praying for him.  So grateful for family and friends that draw together during hard times for comfort and support.  Love all of my family and extended family!

Dad is doing great now.  He is home and was even riding his bike today!

Grateful in Any Circumstances

For FHE I shared President Dieter Uchtdorf’s talk Grateful in Any Circumstances.  At times it is hard to find things to be grateful for in the midst of trials.  We wonder if there really is anything positive to be grateful for!  I loved his quote,

“I have learned that there is something that would take away the bitterness that may come into our lives. There is one thing we can do to make life sweeter, more joyful, even glorious.

We can be grateful!

It might sound contrary to the wisdom of the world to suggest that one who is burdened with sorrow should give thanks to God. But those who set aside the bottle of bitterness and lift instead the goblet of gratitude can find a purifying drink of healing, peace, and understanding.”

“Could I suggest that we see gratitude as a disposition, a way of life that stands independent of our current situation? In other words, I’m suggesting that instead of being thankful for things, we focus on being thankful in our circumstances—whatever they may be.”

I then divided up the scripture references for the kids to share and read of the people in the scriptures that were able to express their gratitude even though they were struggling.  We also talked about the bed bugs in the book “the Hiding Place” and how they were grateful for them since the soldiers refused to enter their barracks because of the bed bugs.  There is always something to be grateful for!

I made a little hand out from his talk for the kids to put on their bulletin boards in their rooms.

We finished off with Ashley’s scripture - “who [receive] all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto [them], even an hundred fold, yea, more.” ^{DyC 78:19}

The lesson (as always) was more for my benefit.  Sometimes I mope around in my hard times not seeing all of the good around me.  I need to see and be thankful for the “Rain”!

Art

It’s that time of year when all of the art projects start coming up.  I get excited as I see the art because it means I have new masterpieces to change up the loft art wall.

Rebecca did the gold shoe this year.  They have to bring a shoe and a bunch of other “junk” to glue on to the shoe.  Then they take a day and go outside to spray paint them gold.  HERE is Nathan’s soccer cleat filled with whistle, medal and trophy.  Rebecca made a Monster Guy with teeth and all!

 

He now resides in her room to keep other monsters OUT! :)

Nathan gets praise for his soccer abilities, and Jacob gets all of the praise for art.  However, I’m thinking Nathan should get a little art praise as well.  He PAINTED this picture!  Paint is very hard to work with compared to other mediums.  The assignment was to take a picture of something and then paint it.  No surprise that it had to do with soccer.

He also has a spot in his room for it to hang.  I’m starting to think that I won’t have anything for my art wall as all of the kids horde their projects in their own rooms!

Ashley’s Recital

Ash with Katelynn, we HAVE to take a picture with her before every recital.  Then putting on her lipstick just right.

My Spanish dancer with the stage smile permanently on her face.

My little dancer’s costume matched her carnations after the recital.  Such a beautiful girl inside and out!

My Dancer

Ashley has always LOVED to perform.  Tonight was the dress rehearsal for an upcoming recital.  She is in the Spanish dance.

 

I thought that tonight would be perfect one on one time with her.  However, as soon as Katelyn was in sight, I was not needed.  She was in heaven with the costumes, make-up, running around backstage, and playing with friends.  Not to mention being on stage with the lights and all attention on her!

 

I on the other hand was able to catch up with a sweet friend that I haven’t visited with since the Nutcracker last December.

Someday Broadway may have my Ash, but today she is mine!

Hiking Friends

I have a group of friends that I have known for years.  They are the kind of friends that you can talk about anything and everything with.  Not only do my legs get a work out from our hikes, but my abs get a work out from all of the laughter.

We have done quite a few different hikes.  This next one was out at the paint mines.  They decided it would be fun to head out to the prairie, “country style” with curlers, housecoats and boots.

 

Oh how I love these ladies!